Olfactory Dysfunction Among Asymptomatic Patients with SARS CoV2 Infection: A Case-Control Study.

Olfactory dysfunction (hyposmia, anosmia) is a well-recognized symptom in patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Studies of olfactory dysfunction in asymptomatic patients have not been reported. We conducted a study looking for the presence of olfactory dysfunction with an objective assessment tool in asymptomatic Covid 19 and compared it with patients with mild COVID-19 and age-matched controls. We recruited 57 male patients each of Mild COVID-19, asymptomatic Covid 19, and healthy controls for the study. All participants underwent evaluation of smell threshold by Butanol Threshold test (BTT) and ability to distinguish common odors by Smell identification test. The scores of each test were recorded on a numerical scale. The participants in all three arms were matched for age, history of smoking, and pre-existing medical conditions. The mean scores of the Butanol Threshold test in Mild COVID-19, asymptomatic Covid 19 and controls were 2.95 ± 2.25 (0-7.5), 3.42 ± 2.23 (0-7.5), and 4.82 ± 1.86 (0-8), respectively. A one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference between groups (df 2, MS 53.78, F 11.94, p < 0.005). Intergroup differences using the student T-test showed significantly low BTT scores in Mild COVID-19 (p < 0.005) and asymptomatic (p < 0.005) as compared to control. BTT scores could not distinguish between asymptomatic patients and control. The smell threshold was impaired in asymptomatic Covid 19 and Mild COVID-19. Butanol Threshold Test score could not differentiate between asymptomatic Covid 19 and controls.

Postural Sway and Bobblehead Movement: Unique Presentation of Bilateral Tendo-Achilles Rupture.

The human body requires equilibrium to assume the vertical posture and balance for walking which is maintained by righting reflexes and supporting reactions, respectively. Postural movements around the ankle is responsible for maintaining forward and backward leaning in an upright posture. We report a case of postural sway and bobblehead movement following bilateral tendo-Achilles rupture.

Genetic Polymorphisms of X-ray Repair Cross-Complementing Group 1 and Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease-1 in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous collection of conditions characterized by irreversible expiratory airflow limitation. The disease is interspersed with exacerbations; periods of acute symptomatic, physiological, and functional deterioration. The present study was designed to investigate the role of X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) polymorphisms and the risk of COPD. Blood samples from 354 unrelated subject (age range 18-60 years; 156 with COPD, 198 healthy controls) were collected. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped for XRCC1 Arg399Gln and APE1 Asp148Glu using a confronting two pair primers polymerase chain reaction. GA genotype of XRCC1 gene was found to be predominant in the COPD group compared to controls with 1.86-fold increased risk for COPD (OR 1.86, 95 % CI 1.20-2.88, p = 0.0013). TG genotype of APE1 was found to be predominant in COPD group compared to controls with the difference being statistically significant (OR 1.68, 95 % CI 1.08-2.61, p = 0.0043). The GA haplotype was found to be predominant in COPD than controls with a 2.19-fold significant increase (OR 2.19, 95 % CI 1.46-3.28, p = 0.003). Polymorphism in XRCC1 and APE1 gene is associated with an increased risk of COPD.