8/March/2022 Top Medical Bulletin

Here are medical stories for today:    

 Covid-19 induced anxiety and depression a concern, warns WHO

WHO cautions about the sharp increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression related to the Covid-19 pandemic, who were socially isolated or quarantined. A scientific brief released by the WHO says, in the first year of the pandemic the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%. 90% of the countries surveyed included mental health and psychosocial support in their Covid-19 response plans. Unprecedented stress has been caused by the social isolation resulting from the pandemic. Distance and lack of support from their loved ones has been the main root cause of suicidal thoughts among health care professionals. So, stay close to loved ones and care.

 New research suggests a causal link between blood group and severe COVID-19 

Study published in PLOS Genetics the study used a genetic tool to screen over 3000 proteins where the researchers identified six proteins that could underlie an increased risk of severe COVID-19 and eight that could contribute to protection from severe COVID-19. This is the first study to assess such a large number of proteins for their connection to COVID-19 that provides insight into potential new targets for approaches to treat and prevent severe COVID-19.

One of the proteins (ABO) that was identified as having a causal connection to the risk of developing severe COVID-19 determines blood groups, suggesting that blood groups play an instrumental role in whether people develop severe forms of the disease. A new study has analysed over 3000 proteins to identify which are causally linked to the development of severe COVID-19. 

 Arthritic drug to reduce Covid- 19 death, a UK trial

Scientists and doctors welcomed the addition of Baricitinib to the few treatments already shown to help treat severe COVID-19. Baricitinib inhibits Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes, which are intracellular enzymes involved in stimulating hematopoiesis and immune cell function. Recent RECOVERY Trial said Eli Lilly and Incyte's arthritis drug baricitinib helped reduce the risk of death in hospitalised COVID-19 patients by 13% regardless of which other coronavirus treatment they were given, according to a large British study. Results showed 546 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days but only 513 patients in the baricitinib group died where they were also given a corticosteroid like dexamethasone, tocilizumab or remdesivir.

 Gel-like sieve in blood vessels a new target for repairing damaged hearts Diabetologia

 Drugs that repair damage to a gel-like layer in the tiny blood vessels of the heart could present a much-needed treatment for heart failure in people with diabetes, according to University of Bristol-led research funded by the British Heart Foundation and published in Diabetologia. To see if repairing the glycocalyx improved the function of the heart, diabetic mice were given a substance known to restore the glycocalyx. These findings have far-reaching implications in protecting against other types of organ failure, since the glycocalyx is present in all blood vessels.

 Strength training exercises lower risk of premature death,cancer, diabetes and Cardiovascular disease

The findings of a new study show that muscle-strengthening activities are inversely related to the risk of all-cause mortality and major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, total cancer, and lung cancer. The goal of study was quantifying the correlations between muscle-strengthening activities and the risk of noncommunicable illnesses and death in people irrespective of aerobic activity. In conclusion, the findings of this work point that lifting weights in the gym appears to lessen the risk of all-cause mortality as well as the chance of developing non-communicable illnesses (NCDs) such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.