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47 ud af 47 tidsskrifter valgt, søgeord (corona) valgt, emner højest 180 dage gamle, sorteret efter nyeste først.
308 emner vises.
BMC Infectious Diseases, 14.02.2024
Tilføjet 14.02.2024
Abstract Background Dexamethasone usually recommended for patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to reduce short-term mortality. However, it is uncertain if another corticosteroid, such as methylprednisolone, may be utilized to obtain better clinical outcome. This study assessed dexamethasone’s clinical and safety outcomes compared to methylprednisolone. Methods A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted between March 01, 2020, and July 31, 2021. It included adult COVID-19 patients who were initiated on either dexamethasone or methylprednisolone therapy within 24 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The primary outcome was the progression of multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS) on day three of ICU admission. Propensity score (PS) matching was used (1:3 ratio) based on the patient’s age and MODS within 24 h of ICU admission. Results After Propensity Score (PS) matching, 264 patients were included; 198 received dexamethasone, while 66 patients received methylprednisolone within 24 h of ICU admission. In regression analysis, patients who received methylprednisolone had a higher MODS on day three of ICU admission than those who received dexamethasone (beta coefficient: 0.17 (95% CI 0.02, 0.32), P = 0.03). Moreover, hospital-acquired infection was higher in the methylprednisolone group (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.01, 4.66; p = 0.04). On the other hand, the 30-day and the in-hospital mortality were not statistically significant different between the two groups. Conclusion Dexamethasone showed a lower MODS on day three of ICU admission compared to methylprednisolone, with no statistically significant difference in mortality.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedLuying Jiang, Jingbo Liu, Zhenjia Yang, Jianyu Wang, Wenkai Ke, Kaiyue Zhang, Chunran Zhang, Houjuan Zuo
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 13.02.2024
Tilføjet 13.02.2024
by Luying Jiang, Jingbo Liu, Zhenjia Yang, Jianyu Wang, Wenkai Ke, Kaiyue Zhang, Chunran Zhang, Houjuan Zuo Background Heart failure (HF) is the last stage in the progression of various cardiovascular diseases. Although it is documented that CD151 contributes to regulate the myocardial infarction, the function of CD151 on HF and involved mechanisms are still unclear. Method and results In the present study, we found that the recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated endothelial cell-specific knockdown of CD151-transfected mice improved transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac function, attenuated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, and increased coronary perfusion, whereas overexpression of the CD151 protein aggravated cardiac dysfunction and showed the opposite effects. In vitro, the cardiomyocytes hypertrophy induced by PE were significantly improved, while the proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were significantly reduced, when co-cultured with the CD151-silenced endothelial cells (ECs). To further explore the mechanisms, the exosomes from the CD151-silenced ECs were taken by cardiomyocyte (CMs) and CFs, verified the intercellular communication. And the protective effects of CD151-silenced ECs were inhibited when exosome inhibitor (GW4869) was added. Additionally, a quantitative proteomics method was used to identify potential proteins in CD151-silenced EC exosomes. We found that the suppression of CD151 could regulate the PPAR signaling pathway via exosomes. Conclusion Our observations suggest that the downregulation of CD151 is an important positive regulator of cardiac function of heart failure, which can regulate exosome-stored proteins to play a role in the cellular interaction on the CMs and CFs. Modulating the exosome levels of ECs by reducing CD151 expression may offer novel therapeutic strategies and targets for HF treatment.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedJournal of Infectious Diseases, 13.02.2024
Tilføjet 13.02.2024
Abstract Background Monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5-containing vaccines were approved for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) 2023-2024 immunizations.Methods This ongoing, open-label, phase 2/3 study evaluated mRNA-1273.815-monovalent (50-µg Omicron XBB.1.5-spike mRNA) and mRNA-1273.231-bivalent (25-µg each Omicron XBB.1.5- and BA.4/BA.5-spike mRNAs))vaccines, administered as 5th doses to adults who previously received a primary series, a 3rd dose of an original mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, and a 4th dose of an Omicron BA.4/BA.5 bivalent vaccine. Interim safety and immunogenicity results 29 days post-vaccination are reported.Results Participants (randomized 1:1) received 50-µg mRNA-1273.815(n=50) or mRNA-1273.231(n=51); median (interquartile range) months from the prior BA.4/BA.5-bivalent dose were 8.2 (8.1-8.3) and 8.3 (8.1-8.4), respectively. Neutralizing antibody (nAb) increased from pre-booster levels against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants tested. Day 29 nAb fold-increases from pre-booster levels were numerically higher against XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, EG.5.1, BA.2.86, and JN.1 than BA.4/BA.5, BQ.1.1 and D614G. The monovalent vaccine also cross-neutralized FL.1.5.1, EG.5.1, BA.2.86, HK.3.1, HV.1 and JN.1 variants in a participant (n=20) subset, 15 days post-vaccination. Reactogenicity was similar to previously reported mRNA-1273 original and bivalent vaccines.Conclusions XBB.1.5-containing mRNA-1273 vaccines elicit robust, diverse nAb responses against more recent SARS-CoV-2 variants including JN.1, supporting the XBB.1.5-spike sequence selection for the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine update.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedQi Tang, Xubiao Xie, Longkai Peng, Linxin Yang, Yubin Chen, Shaojie Yu
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 13.02.2024
Tilføjet 13.02.2024
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia poses significant challenges to global health systems, particularly in severe and critical cases [1]. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are at risk of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multi-organ failure, which are the main causes of death [2, 3]. Renal transplant recipients are particularly vulnerable to severe or critical COVID-19 illness, and mortality rates are high in this patient group [4-7].
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedT.Mark Doherty, Alberta Di Pasquale, Gary Finnegan, Jayesh Lele, Roy K Philip
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 12.02.2024
Tilføjet 12.02.2024
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has altered the vaccination landscape globally and possibly permanently. More adults have died due to a single infectious cause than in the living memory of most individuals, challenging mindsets of complacency and denial around the idea of vulnerability to infectious disease. The extreme vulnerability of the frail, elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions to severe disease and death due to infection has been highlighted. The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented in terms of funding to support research and rapid vaccine development, regulatory approvals, and rollout.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 8.02.2024
Tilføjet 8.02.2024
Journal Name: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Volume: 110 Issue: 2 Pages: 270-273
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 8.02.2024
Tilføjet 8.02.2024
Abstract Background It is not yet fully understood to what extent in-flight transmission contributed to the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study aimed to determine the occurrence and extent of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in-flight and assess factors associated with transmission risk to inform future control strategies. Methods Retrospective cohort study using data obtained from contact tracing of international flights arriving in England between 02/08/2021–15/10/2021. Transmission risk was estimated by calculating the secondary attack rate (SAR). Univariable and multivariable analyses of the SAR by specific risk factors was undertaken, including: number of in-flight index cases; number of symptomatic index cases; contact vaccination status; flight duration; proximity to the index case(s); contact age. Results 11,307 index cases linked to 667,849 contacts with 5,289 secondary cases reported. In-flight SAR was 0.79% (95% CI: 0.77–0.81). Increasing numbers of symptomatic cases (when > 4 index cases compared to one index case aOR 1.85; 95% CI: 1.40–2.44) and seating proximity to an index case (seated within compared to outside of two rows OR 1.82; 95% CI: 1.50–2.22) were associated with increased risk of secondary cases. Full vaccination history was protective (aOR 0.52; 95% CI: 0.47–0.57). Conclusions This study confirms that in-flight transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurred. There are factors associated with increased risk of infection. Contact tracing identified exposed persons who subsequently developed infection. A targeted approach to contact tracing passengers with the highest exposure risk could be an effective use of limited public health resources.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedClinical Infectious Diseases, 7.02.2024
Tilføjet 7.02.2024
Abstract Background Vaccine hesitancy persists alongside concerns about the safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. We aimed to examine the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on risk of death among US veterans.Methods We conducted a target trial emulation to estimate and compare risk of death up to 60 days under two COVID-19 vaccination strategies: vaccination within 7 days of enrollment versus no vaccination through follow-up. The study cohort included individuals aged ≥18 years enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration system and eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination according to guideline recommendations from 1 March 2021 through 1 July 2021. The outcomes of interest included deaths from any cause and excluding a COVID-19 diagnosis. Observations were cloned to both treatment strategies, censored, and weighted to estimate per-protocol effects.Results We included 3 158 507 veterans. Under the vaccination strategy, 364 993 received vaccine within 7 days. At 60 days, there were 156 deaths per 100 000 veterans under the vaccination strategy versus 185 deaths under the no vaccination strategy, corresponding to an absolute risk difference of −25.9 (95% confidence limit [CL], −59.5 to 2.7) and relative risk of 0.86 (95% CL, .7 to 1.0). When those with a COVID-19 infection in the first 60 days were censored, the absolute risk difference was −20.6 (95% CL, −53.4 to 16.0) with a relative risk of 0.88 (95% CL, .7 to 1.1).Conclusions Vaccination against COVID-19 was associated with a lower but not statistically significantly different risk of death in the first 60 days. These results agree with prior scientific knowledge suggesting vaccination is safe with the potential for substantial health benefits.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedThirumaaran Gopalan, Mohd Ridha Muhamad, Victor Chee Wai Hoe, Pouya Hassandarvish
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 6.02.2024
Tilføjet 6.02.2024
by Thirumaaran Gopalan, Mohd Ridha Muhamad, Victor Chee Wai Hoe, Pouya Hassandarvish The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has induced a critical supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) especially N95 respirators. Utilizing respirator decontamination procedures to reduce the pathogen load of a contaminated N95 respirator can be a viable solution for reuse purposes. In this study, the efficiency of a novel hybrid respirator decontamination method of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) which utilizes ultraviolet-C (UV-C) rays coupled with microwave-generated steam (MGS) against feline coronavirus (FCoV) was evaluated. The contaminated 3M 1860 respirator pieces were treated with three treatments (UVGI-only, MGS-only, and Hybrid—UVGI + MGS) with variable time. The virucidal activity was evaluated using the TCID50 method. The comparison of decontamination efficiency of the treatments indicated that the hybrid method achieved at least a pathogen log reduction of 4 logs, faster than MGS and UVGI. These data recommend that the proposed hybrid decontamination system is more effective comparatively in achieving pathogen log reduction of 4 logs.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedSibylle HaidAlina MatthaeiMelina WinklerSvenja M. SakeAntonia P. GuneschVanessa MilkeNatalie M. KöhlerJessica RückertGabrielle VieyresDavid KühlTu-Trinh NguyenMatthias GöhlLisa LasswitzFrancisco J. Zapatero-BelinchónGraham BrogdenGisa GeroldBettina WiegmannUrsula BilitewskiRichard J. P. BrownMark BrönstrupThomas F. SchulzThomas Pietschmann1Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany2Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany3German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany4Junior Research Group “Cell Biology of RNA Viruses”, Leibniz Institute of Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany5Integrative Analysis of Pathogen-Induced Compartments, Leibniz ScienceCampus InterACt, Hamburg, Germany6Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA7Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany8Department of Biochemistry & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany9Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, 901 87 Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden10Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), 901 87 Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden11Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany12Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany13Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany14BREATH (Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Carl-Neuberg Str. 1, Hannover, Germany15Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany16Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany, Miguel Angel Martinez
Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy, 6.02.2024
Tilføjet 6.02.2024
David Shasha
Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 6.02.2024
Tilføjet 6.02.2024
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic spurred the rapid development and implementation of novel vaccine technologies, which had either occasional or no prior use in humans. Within only one year into the pandemic two mRNA- and one Adenovirus vector vaccines received conditional approval after interim analysis of results of phase III clinical trials.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedHong Duo, Mengying Jin, Yanwei Yang, Rewaan Baheti, Yujia Feng, Zirui Fu, Yuyue Jiang, Lanzhuoying Zheng, Jing Wan, Huaqin Pan
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 1.02.2024
Tilføjet 1.02.2024
by Hong Duo, Mengying Jin, Yanwei Yang, Rewaan Baheti, Yujia Feng, Zirui Fu, Yuyue Jiang, Lanzhuoying Zheng, Jing Wan, Huaqin Pan Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may predispose patients to thrombotic disease in the venous and arterial circulations. Methods Based on the current debate on antiplatelet therapy in COVID-19 patients, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of antiplatelet treatments. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science on February 1, 2023, and only included Randomized clinical trials. The study followed PRISMA guidelines and used Random-effects models to estimate the pooled percentage and its 95% CI. Results Five unique eligible studies were included, covering 17,950 patients with COVID-19. The result showed no statistically significant difference in the relative risk of all-cause death in antiplatelet therapy versus non-antiplatelet therapy (RR 0.94, 95% CI, 0.83–1.05, P = 0.26, I2 = 32%). Compared to no antiplatelet therapy, patients who received antiplatelet therapy had a significantly increased relative risk of major bleeding (RR 1.81, 95%CI 1.09–3.00, P = 0.02, I2 = 16%). The sequential analysis suggests that more RCTs are needed to draw more accurate conclusions. This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the use of antiplatelet agents exhibited no significant benefit on all-cause death, and the upper bound of the confidence interval on all-cause death (RR 95% CI, 0.83–1.05) suggested that it was unlikely to be a substantiated harm risk associated with this treatment. However, evidence from all RCTs suggested a high risk of major bleeding in antiplatelet agent treatments. Conclusion According to the results of our sequential analysis, there is not enough evidence available to support or negate the use of antiplatelet agents in COVID-19 cases. The results of ongoing and future well-designed, large, randomized clinical trials are needed.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedQianhang Xia, Yujie Yang, Fengling Wang, Zhongyue Huang, Wuqi Qiu, Ayan Mao
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1.02.2024
Tilføjet 1.02.2024
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely strained global healthcare systems, marking the most critical public health emergency since World War II [1]. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) underwent continuous mutations, giving rise to diverse variants [2]. While most mutations have minimal impact, certain ones significantly affect SARS-CoV-2′s clinical and epidemiological characteristics, including increased transmissibility, pathogenicity, and reduced vaccine effectiveness [3].
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedYu-Yu Chang, An-Chi Wei
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 31.01.2024
Tilføjet 31.01.2024
by Yu-Yu Chang, An-Chi Wei The effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) primarily concern the respiratory tract and lungs; however, studies have shown that all organs are susceptible to infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 may involve multiorgan damage from direct viral invasion through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), through inflammatory cytokine storms, or through other secondary pathways. This study involved the analysis of publicly accessible transcriptome data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for identifying significant differentially expressed genes related to COVID-19 and an investigation relating to the pathways associated with mitochondrial, cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicity in COVID-19. Significant differentially expressed genes were identified and ranked by statistical approaches, and the genes derived by biological meaning were ranked by feature importance; both were utilized as machine learning features for verification. Sample set selection for machine learning was based on the performance, sample size, imbalanced data state, and overfitting assessment. Machine learning served as a verification tool by facilitating the testing of biological hypotheses by incorporating gene list adjustment. A subsequent in-depth study for gene and pathway network analysis was conducted to explore whether COVID-19 is associated with cardiac, hepatic, and renal impairments via mitochondrial infection. The analysis showed that potential cardiac, hepatic, and renal impairments in COVID-19 are associated with ACE2, inflammatory cytokine storms, and mitochondrial pathways, suggesting potential medical interventions for COVID-19-induced multiorgan damage.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedStephan Gehring, Frank Kowalzik, Omar Okasha, Tobias Engelmann, Daniel Schreiner, Christian Jensen, Aline Mähringer-Kunz, Wendy Hartig-Merkel, Thao Mai Phuong Tran, Cornelia Oostvogels, Thomas Verstraeten
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 31.01.2024
Tilføjet 31.01.2024
by Stephan Gehring, Frank Kowalzik, Omar Okasha, Tobias Engelmann, Daniel Schreiner, Christian Jensen, Aline Mähringer-Kunz, Wendy Hartig-Merkel, Thao Mai Phuong Tran, Cornelia Oostvogels, Thomas Verstraeten We assessed the seroepidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) before and during the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, in a prospective observational cohort study on healthcare workers (HCWs) in a large tertiary hospital in Mainz, Germany. Antibody status was assessed during six visits between September 2020 and February 2022. Self-reported symptoms were collected using a smartphone application; symptomatic HCWs were tested using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays for SARS-CoV-2. Rates of virologically confirmed and severe COVID-19 were estimated using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) case definitions, respectively, and were contrasted to background community transmission and circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. A total of 3665 HCWs were enrolled (mean follow-up time: 18 months); 97 met the FDA definition of virologically confirmed COVID-19 (incidence rate (IR) 2.3/1000 person-months (PMs), one severe case). Most cases reported ≥2 symptoms, commonly, cough and anosmia or ageusia. Overall, 263 individuals seroconverted (IR 6.6/1000 PMs—2.9 times the estimated IR of COVID-19), indicating many cases were missed, either due to asymptomatic infections or to an atypical presentation of symptoms. A triphasic trend in anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and seroconversion was observed, with an initial increase following the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, a two-fold decline six months later, and finally a six-fold increase by the end of the study when Omicron was the dominant circulating variant. Despite the increase in infection rates at the end of the study due to the circulation of the Omicron variant, the infection and disease rates observed were lower than the published estimates in HCWs and rates in the general local population. Preferential vaccination of HCWs and the strict monitoring program for SARS-CoV-2 infection are the most likely reasons for the successful control of COVID-19 in this high-risk population.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedDimitrios G. Anastasakis, Daniel Benhalevy, Nicolas Çuburu, Nihal Altan-Bonnet, Markus Hafner
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 27.01.2024
Tilføjet 27.01.2024
by Dimitrios G. Anastasakis, Daniel Benhalevy, Nicolas Çuburu, Nihal Altan-Bonnet, Markus Hafner The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evades the innate immune machinery through multiple viral proteins, including nonstructural protein 1 (NSP1). While NSP1 is known to suppress translation of host mRNAs, the mechanisms underlying its immune evasion properties remain elusive. By integrating RNA-seq, ribosome footprinting, and ChIP-seq in A549 cells we found that NSP1 predominantly represses transcription of immune-related genes by favoring Histone 3 Lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2). G9a/GLP H3K9 methyltransferase inhibitor UNC0638 restored expression of antiviral genes and restricted SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our multi-omics study unravels an epigenetic mechanism underlying host immune evasion by SARS-CoV-2 NSP1. Elucidating the factors involved in this phenomenon, may have implications for understanding and treating viral infections and other immunomodulatory diseases.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedInfection, 27.01.2024
Tilføjet 27.01.2024
Abstract Purpose In this pilot study, we investigated the cardiac autonomic activity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected hospitalized patients. COVID-19 is characterized by cough, fever, and dyspnea, which in some severe cases can lead to hypoxia, respiratory failure, and shock. Since breathing disorders and pulmonary diseases are tightly linked to autonomic dysfunction, we analyzed the cardiac autonomic activity by measuring the deceleration capacity (DC) in COVID-19 patients. Methods In 14 adults (4 men and 10 women) with a median age of 63.5 years and positive for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with severe symptoms requiring hospital treatment, a high-resolution digital 30 min electrocardiogram (ECG) in Frank leads configuration was performed in a resting supine position within the first 48 h after hospital admission. DC was assessed using validated software and associated with several markers of inflammation and clinical course. Results The study revealed a significant association between reduced DC (≤ 2.5 ms) and older age (74 years) in COVID-19 patients, compared to those with a higher DC > 2.5 ms (56.5 years). However, the duration of hospitalization was similar for both groups. There was a nonsignificant trend towards a higher maximum viral load in patients with reduced DC. Further, patients with a DC ≤ 2.5 ms showed higher levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), as well as leukocytosis, compared to patients with a DC > 2.5 ms. Also, the COVID-19-severity marker ferritin was significantly elevated in patients with lower DC. Other markers associated with COVID-19, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), exhibited comparable levels in both groups. Conclusions Reduced DC (≤ 2.5 ms) was significantly associated with older age, increased inflammatory markers, and elevated ferritin in patients with COVID-19. These findings suggest that DC might serve as a valuable indicator for predicting the risk of severe inflammation in COVID-19 and possibly complications associated with this disease, such as heart failure. Further studies are needed to confirm these observations and clarify the clinical significance of DC in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedClinical Infectious Diseases, 26.01.2024
Tilføjet 26.01.2024
Abstract The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic demonstrated a critical need for partnerships between practicing infectious diseases (ID) physicians and public health departments. The soon-to-launch combined ID and Epidemic Intelligence Service fellowship can only address a fraction of this need, and otherwise US ID training lacks development pathways for physicians aiming to make careers working with public health departments. The Leaders in Epidemiology, Antimicrobial Stewardship, and Public Health (LEAP) fellowship is a model compatible with the current training paradigm with a proven track record of developing careers of long-term collaboration. Established in 2017 by the ID Society of America, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Pediatric ID Society, and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, LEAP is a single-year in-place, structured training for senior trainees and early career ID physicians. In this viewpoint, we describe the LEAP fellowship, its outcomes, and how it could be adapted into ID training.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedVytenis Kalibatas, Lina Kalibatienė, Dulat Imashpayev
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 25.01.2024
Tilføjet 25.01.2024
by Vytenis Kalibatas, Lina Kalibatienė, Dulat Imashpayev The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected blood donors worldwide. It is important for the blood service to return to its pre-pandemic level as soon as possible and to perform its functions fully. This study compared the donation and demographic profiles of blood and its component donors one year before and during three pandemic years in Lithuania. All blood and blood component donations (n = 413,358) and demographic characteristics of all donors from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2023, were analyzed. All data were obtained from annual publications, and statistics were obtained from the Blood Donor Register. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Following a 9.41 percent decrease in the first year of the pandemic, the quantity of blood and blood component donations increased by 3.49 percent in the third year compared to the pre-pandemic year. Throughout the three years of the pandemic, a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of first-time blood and blood component donations was observed. Both the number and proportion of donations by donors under 25 years old decreased during the pandemic. The proportion of pre-donation deferrals for all attempts to donate significantly decreased during the pandemic. There was a statistically significant lower prevalence of all positive transfusion-transmitted infectious (TTI) markers among all donations compared to the pre-pandemic year for all three pandemic years. The odds for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and all TTI markers during the second and third pandemic years were significantly lower than those in the pre-pandemic year. In conclusion, most dimensions of blood and its component donations and donor characteristics have returned to pre-pandemic levels or show positive trends. However, the major concern is the remaining decrease in donations from first-time and donors under 25 years old.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedInfection, 25.01.2024
Tilføjet 25.01.2024
Abstract Purpose In this pilot study, we investigated the cardiac autonomic activity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected hospitalized patients. COVID-19 is characterized by cough, fever, and dyspnea, which in some severe cases can lead to hypoxia, respiratory failure, and shock. Since breathing disorders and pulmonary diseases are tightly linked to autonomic dysfunction, we analyzed the cardiac autonomic activity by measuring the deceleration capacity (DC) in COVID-19 patients. Methods In 14 adults (4 men and 10 women) with a median age of 63.5 years and positive for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with severe symptoms requiring hospital treatment, a high-resolution digital 30 min electrocardiogram (ECG) in Frank leads configuration was performed in a resting supine position within the first 48 h after hospital admission. DC was assessed using validated software and associated with several markers of inflammation and clinical course. Results The study revealed a significant association between reduced DC (≤ 2.5 ms) and older age (74 years) in COVID-19 patients, compared to those with a higher DC > 2.5 ms (56.5 years). However, the duration of hospitalization was similar for both groups. There was a nonsignificant trend towards a higher maximum viral load in patients with reduced DC. Further, patients with a DC ≤ 2.5 ms showed higher levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), as well as leukocytosis, compared to patients with a DC > 2.5 ms. Also, the COVID-19-severity marker ferritin was significantly elevated in patients with lower DC. Other markers associated with COVID-19, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), exhibited comparable levels in both groups. Conclusions Reduced DC (≤ 2.5 ms) was significantly associated with older age, increased inflammatory markers, and elevated ferritin in patients with COVID-19. These findings suggest that DC might serve as a valuable indicator for predicting the risk of severe inflammation in COVID-19 and possibly complications associated with this disease, such as heart failure. Further studies are needed to confirm these observations and clarify the clinical significance of DC in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedA. Jantine VAN VOORDEN, Christianne J.M. DE GROOT, Carrie RIS-STALPERS, Gijs B. AFINK, Elisabeth VAN LEEUWEN
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 25.01.2024
Tilføjet 25.01.2024
The safety of vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy continues to be a topic of concern. Pregnant women are still hesitant to undergo COVID-19 vaccination out of fear for short and long-term complications for their offspring. However, pregnant women infected by SARS-CoV-2 have been more at risk of intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation than age-matched non-pregnant women in previous outbreaks [1,2], emphasizing the importance of vaccination in these women.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedSarah Keep, Phoebe Stevenson-Leggett, Isobel Webb, Albert Fones, James Kirk, Paul Britton, Erica Bickerton
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 24.01.2024
Tilføjet 24.01.2024
by Sarah Keep, Phoebe Stevenson-Leggett, Isobel Webb, Albert Fones, James Kirk, Paul Britton, Erica Bickerton The avian Gammacoronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes major economic losses in the poultry industry as the aetiological agent of infectious bronchitis, a highly contagious respiratory disease in chickens. IBV causes major economic losses to poultry industries across the globe and is a concern for global food security. IBV vaccines are currently produced by serial passage, typically 80 to 100 times in chicken embryonated eggs (CEE) to achieve attenuation by unknown molecular mechanisms. Vaccines produced in this manner present a risk of reversion as often few consensus level changes are acquired. The process of serial passage is cumbersome, time consuming, solely dependent on the supply of CEE and does not allow for rapid vaccine development in response to newly emerging IBV strains. Both alternative rational attenuation and cell culture-based propagation methods would therefore be highly beneficial. The majority of IBV strains are however unable to be propagated in cell culture proving a significant barrier to the development of cell-based vaccines. In this study we demonstrate the incorporation of a heterologous Spike (S) gene derived from the apathogenic Beaudette strain of IBV into a pathogenic M41 genomic backbone generated a recombinant IBV denoted M41K-Beau(S) that exhibits Beaudette’s unique ability to replicate in Vero cells, a cell line licenced for vaccine production. The rIBV M41K-Beau(S) additionally exhibited an attenuated in vivo phenotype which was not the consequence of the presence of a large heterologous gene demonstrating that the Beaudette S not only offers a method for virus propagation in cell culture but also a mechanism for rational attenuation. Although historical research suggested that Beaudette, and by extension the Beaudette S protein was poorly immunogenic, vaccination of chickens with M41K-Beau(S) induced a complete cross protective immune response in terms of clinical disease and tracheal ciliary activity against challenge with a virulent IBV, M41-CK, belonging to the same serogroup as Beaudette. This implies that the amino acid sequence differences between the Beaudette and M41 S proteins have not distorted important protective epitopes. The Beaudette S protein therefore offers a significant avenue for vaccine development, with the advantage of a propagation platform less reliant on CEE.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedTae Yeon YooTimothy J. MitchisonaDepartment of Systems Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 24.01.2024
Tilføjet 24.01.2024
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 121, Issue 4, January 2024.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedJournal of Infectious Diseases, 24.01.2024
Tilføjet 24.01.2024
Abstract Non-human primate models are essential for the development of vaccines and antivirals against infectious diseases. Rhesus macaques are a widely utilized infection model for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We compared cellular tropism and virus replication in rhesus macaques inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 via the intranasal route, or via exposure to aerosols. Intranasal inoculation results in replication in the upper respiratory tract and limited lower respiratory tract involvement, whereas exposure to aerosols results in infection throughout the respiratory tract. In comparison to multi-route inoculation, the intranasal and aerosol inoculation routes result in reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication in the respiratory tract.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 24.01.2024
Tilføjet 24.01.2024
Abstract Purpose To evaluate the frequency, duration and patterns of long-term coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms and to analyse risk factors for long-lasting COVID-19 sequelae among a cohort of hospital employees (HEs). Methods We conducted a survey regarding persistent COVID-19 related symptoms with all HEs from three medical centres in Cologne, Germany, who were tested SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive from March 2020 until May 2021. Duration of symptoms and possible risk factors for protracted COVID-19 course were analysed. Results Of 221 included HEs, a number of 104 HEs (47.1%) reported at least one persisting symptom for more than 90 days after initial SARS-CoV-2 detection. Each one cycle higher initial Ct value significantly increased the chances of overcoming symptoms (odds ratio [OR] 1.05; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.01–1.09; p = 0.019). The occurrence of breathlessness within the first ten days (OR 7.89; 95%CI 1.87–41.43; p = 0.008), an initial Ct value under 30 (OR 3.36; 95%CI 1.22–9.94; p = 0.022) as well as the occurrence of anosmia or ageusia within the first ten days (OR 3.01; 95%CI 1.10–8.84; p = 0.037) showed a statistically significant association with increased odds of illness duration over 90 days. Conclusion About half of the HEs suffered from long lasting symptoms over 90 days after almost entirely mild acute COVID-19. Predictive factors could possibly be used for early treatment to prevent development of long-term symptoms after COVID-19 in future.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 24.01.2024
Tilføjet 24.01.2024
Abstract Background The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic occurred due to the dispersion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Severe symptoms can be observed in COVID-19 patients with lipid-related comorbidities such as obesity and diabetes. Yet, the extensive molecular mechanisms of how SARS-CoV-2 causes dysregulation of lipid metabolism remain unknown. Methods Here, an advanced search of articles was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science databases using terms from Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) like SARS-CoV-2, lipid metabolism and transcriptomic as the keywords. From 428 retrieved studies, only clinical studies using next-generation sequencing as a gene expression method in COVID-19 patients were accepted. Study design, study population, sample type, the method for gene expression and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were extracted from the five included studies. The DEGs obtained from the studies were pooled and analyzed using the bioinformatics software package, DAVID, to determine the enriched pathways. The DEGs involved in lipid metabolic pathways were selected and further analyzed using STRING and Cytoscape through visualization by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network complex. Results The analysis identified nine remarkable clusters from the PPI complex, where cluster 1 showed the highest molecular interaction score. Three potential candidate genes (PPARG, IFITM3 and APOBEC3G) were pointed out from the integrated bioinformatics analysis in this systematic review and were chosen due to their significant role in regulating lipid metabolism. These candidate genes were significantly involved in enriched lipid metabolic pathways, mainly in regulating lipid homeostasis affecting the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2, specifically in mechanisms of viral entry and viral replication in COVID-19 patients. Conclusions Taken together, our findings in this systematic review highlight the affected lipid-metabolic pathways along with the affected genes upon SARS-CoV-2 invasion, which could be a potential target for new therapeutic strategies study in the future.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedThanin Methiyothin, Insung Ahn
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 23.01.2024
Tilføjet 23.01.2024
by Thanin Methiyothin, Insung Ahn The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has considerably impacted public health, including the transmission patterns of other respiratory pathogens, such as the 2009 pandemic influenza (H1N1). COVID-19 and influenza are both respiratory infections that started with a lack of vaccination-based immunity in the population. However, vaccinations have been administered over time, resulting in a transition of the status of both diseases from a pandemic to an endemic. In this study, unsupervised clustering techniques were used to identify clusters of disease trends in Thailand. The analysis incorporated three distinct surveillance datasets: the pandemic influenza outbreak, influenza in the endemic stage, and the early stages of COVID-19. The analysis demonstrated a significant difference in the distribution of provinces between Cluster -1, representing those with unique transmission patterns, and the other clusters, indicating provinces with similar transmission patterns among their members. Specifically, for Pandemic Influenza, the ratio was 61:16, while for Pandemic COVID-19, it was 65:12. In contrast, Endemic Influenza exhibited a ratio of 46:31, with a notable emergence of more clustered provinces in the southern, western, and central regions. Furthermore, a pair of provinces with highly similar spreading patterns were identified during the pandemic stages of both influenza and COVID-19. Although the similarity decreased slightly for endemic influenza, they still belonged to the same cluster. Our objective was to identify the transmission patterns of influenza and COVID-19, with the aim of providing quantitative and spatial information to aid public health management in preparing for future pandemics or transitioning into an endemic phase.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedYang Wang, Muhui Ye, Fengwei Zhang, Zachary Thomas Freeman, Hong Yu, Xianwei Ye, Yongqun He
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 23.01.2024
Tilføjet 23.01.2024
by Yang Wang, Muhui Ye, Fengwei Zhang, Zachary Thomas Freeman, Hong Yu, Xianwei Ye, Yongqun He To fully understand COVID-19, it is critical to study all possible hosts of SARS-CoV-2 (the pathogen of COVID-19). In this work, we collected, annotated, and performed ontology-based taxonomical analysis of all the reported and verified hosts for all human coronaviruses including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1. A total of 37 natural hosts and 19 laboratory animal hosts of human coronaviruses were identified based on experimental evidence. Our analysis found that all the verified susceptible natural and laboratory animals belong to therian mammals. Specifically, these 37 natural therian hosts include one wildlife marsupial mammal (i.e., Virginia opossum) and 36 Eutheria mammals (a.k.a. placental mammals). The 19 laboratory animal hosts are also classified as therian mammals. The mouse models with genetically modified human ACE2 or DPP4 were more susceptible to virulent human coronaviruses with clear symptoms, suggesting the critical role of ACE2 and DPP4 to coronavirus virulence. Coronaviruses became more virulent and adaptive in the mouse hosts after a series of viral passages in the mice, providing clue to the possible coronavirus origination. The Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market animals identified early in the COVID-19 outbreak were also systematically analyzed as possible COVID-19 hosts. To support knowledge standardization and query, the annotated host knowledge was modeled and represented in the Coronavirus Infectious Disease Ontology (CIDO). Based on our and others’ findings, we further propose a MOVIE model (i.e., Multiple-Organism viral Variations and Immune Evasion) to address how viral variations in therian animal hosts and the host immune evasion might have led to dynamic COVID-19 pandemic outcomes.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 22.01.2024
Tilføjet 22.01.2024
Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has killed millions of people and had a terrible effect on society. The transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) enzyme is essential in the initial phases of the interplay between the SARSCoV-2 and the host cells by assisting viral entrance. Methods This observational case–control study involved 150 participants, 100 adult patients with COVID-19, 50 of whom appeared healthy and had no history of or symptoms of COVID-19 infection when the study was conducted. Between January and April 2022, patients were taken as inpatients in isolation units or through recruitment from the COVID-19 clinic at Kasr Al-Ainy Cairo University Hospitals. According to the National Institutes of Health guidelines (2021), they were categorised into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. TMPRSS2 p.(Val197Met) variant genotyping was evaluated using TaqMan Real-Time PCR. Results The study showed a substantial difference between the mild and severe COVID-19 patient groups regarding their TMPRSS2 (p.Val197Met) genotypes (P value = 0.046). The C allele was significantly more prevalent in the mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 patient categories (77.8%, 89.7% and 91.7%, respectively) and the control group (80%). Meanwhile, the T allele was more prevalent in the mild (22.2%) and control (20%) groups. There was a statistically significant difference in allelic distribution between the mild and severe groups (P value = 0.034). Conclusion The study showed a connection between the TMPRSS2 gene variant p.(Val197Met) and the degree of illness. We concluded that the T(mutant) allele was protective against severe COVID-19 because it was linked to lesser disease severity.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedChristian Hannes, Sarah Schiffer, Rüdiger von Nitzsch
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 19.01.2024
Tilføjet 19.01.2024
by Christian Hannes, Sarah Schiffer, Rüdiger von Nitzsch In March 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus a pandemic. Since then, the German government has tried to control the spread of the virus with various restrictions. These restrictions had a direct impact on the life of German students. In this study, we investigate to what extent the restrictions led to a change of value priorities of German students. From January 2019 to January 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study with four measurement points and, in total, 1,328 participants. Two measurement points were before the first outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany, one in the second lockdown phase and the third after two years in the pandemic. In this study, the students were asked to indicate their value priorities while solving a real-world decision problem important to them. Results suggest increased value priorities of the values Intellectual Fulfillment and Environment and Nature and a decrease of Family and Partner value priority as a direct effect of the second lockdown phase. We also found small differences regarding value priorities between the male and female subjects. The data show bounce-back effects as the pandemic became more normal to the students. In the long run, value priorities seem to be stable, with the exception of a longer-lasting increase in Freedom and Independence.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedMinh-Anh Le-Dang, Hai-Yen Nguyen-Thi, Luyen Pham Dinh, Danh Le Ngoc, Nguyen Dang Tu Le, Hien Pham Thu, Dinh Thanh Le
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 19.01.2024
Tilføjet 19.01.2024
by Minh-Anh Le-Dang, Hai-Yen Nguyen-Thi, Luyen Pham Dinh, Danh Le Ngoc, Nguyen Dang Tu Le, Hien Pham Thu, Dinh Thanh Le Background The Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the corresponding mitigation measures have had a discernible impact on drug utilization among outpatients. However, limited research exists on the prescription trends in the elderly population during the pandemic period in Viet Nam. Objectives This study aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on outpatient drug utilization patterns at a national geriatric hospital in Ho Chi Minh City before and after the early onset of the pandemic. Methods Data was collected from the prescriptions and administration claims, encompassing the period from January 2016 to December 2022. The dataset was divided into two periods: Period 1: January 2016 to December 2020 and Period 2: January 2021 to December 2022. The drug utilization was measured using DDD/1000P (defined daily doses–DDD per 1000 prescriptions) on a monthly basis. The analysis employed interrupted time series using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) to detect changes in drug use levels and rates. Results A total of 1,060,507 and 644,944 outpatient prescriptions from Thong Nhat Hospital were included in Period 1 and Period 2, respectively. The median age of the patients were 58 in Period 1 and 67 years old in Period 2. The most common comorbidities were dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. In terms of medication utilization, cardiovascular drugs were the most frequently prescribed, followed by drugs active on the digestive and hormonal systems. The study observed significant surges in the number of prescriptions and the average number of drugs per prescription. However, there were no significant changes in the overall consumption of all drugs. Among the drug groups related to the cardiovascular system, three subgroups experienced a sudden and significant increase: cardiac therapy, beta-blocking agents, and antihypertensives, with increasing consumption levels of 1,177.73 [CI 95%: 79.29; 2,276.16], 73.32 [CI 95%: 28.18; 118.46], and 36.70 [CI 95%: 6.74; 66.66] DDD/1000P, respectively. On the other hand, there was a significant monthly decrease of -31.36 [CI 95%: -57.02; -5.70] DDD/1000P in the consumption of anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products. Interestingly, there was a significant increase of 74.62 [CI 95%: -0.36; 149.60] DDD/1000P in the use of antigout preparations. Conclusion COVID-19 resulted in a sudden, non-significant increase in overall drug consumption levels among outpatients. Notably, our findings highlight significant increases in the utilization of three drug groups related to the cardiovascular system, specifically cardiac therapy, beta-blocking agents, and antihypertensives. Intriguingly, there was a statistically significant increase in the consumption of antigout preparations, despite a decline in the monthly consumption rate of non-steroidal anti-flammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Further studies in the following years are necessary to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on outpatient drug utilization patterns.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedGil Joon Suh, Taegyun Kim, Kyung Su Kim, Woon Yong Kwon, Hayoung Kim, Heesu Park, Gaonsorae Wang, Jaeheung Park, Sungmoon Hur, Jaehoon Sim, Kyunghwan Kim, Jung Chan Lee, Dong Ah Shin, Woo Sang Cho, Byung Jun Kim, Soyoon Kwon, Ye Ji Lee
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 19.01.2024
Tilføjet 19.01.2024
by Gil Joon Suh, Taegyun Kim, Kyung Su Kim, Woon Yong Kwon, Hayoung Kim, Heesu Park, Gaonsorae Wang, Jaeheung Park, Sungmoon Hur, Jaehoon Sim, Kyunghwan Kim, Jung Chan Lee, Dong Ah Shin, Woo Sang Cho, Byung Jun Kim, Soyoon Kwon, Ye Ji Lee Background Recently, we developed a chest compression device that can move the chest compression position without interruption during CPR and be remotely controlled to minimize rescuer exposure to infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to compare its performance with conventional mechanical CPR device in a mannequin and a swine model of cardiac arrest. Materials and methods A prototype of a remote-controlled automatic chest compression device (ROSCER) that can change the chest compression position without interruption during CPR was developed, and its performance was compared with LUCAS 3 in a mannequin and a swine model of cardiac arrest. In a swine model of cardiac arrest, 16 male pigs were randomly assigned into the two groups, ROSCER CPR (n = 8) and LUCAS 3 CPR (n = 8), respectively. During 5 minutes of CPR, hemodynamic parameters including aortic pressure, right atrial pressure, coronary perfusion pressure, common carotid blood flow, and end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure were measured. Results In the compression performance test using a mannequin, compression depth, compression time, decompression time, and plateau time were almost equal between ROSCER and LUCAS 3. In a swine model of cardiac arrest, coronary perfusion pressure showed no difference between the two groups (p = 0.409). Systolic aortic pressure and carotid blood flow were higher in the LUCAS 3 group than in the ROSCER group during 5 minutes of CPR (p < 0.001, p = 0.008, respectively). End-tidal CO2 level of the ROSCER group was initially lower than that of the LUCAS 3 group, but was higher over time (p = 0.022). A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for ROSC also showed no difference between the two groups (p = 0.46). Conclusion The prototype of a remote-controlled automated chest compression device can move the chest compression position without interruption during CPR. In a mannequin and a swine model of cardiac arrest, the device showed no inferior performance to a conventional mechanical CPR device.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedYuxiao Wang, Xinquan Lan, Ying Qiao, Yuqi Huo, Li Wang, Shijie Liang, Maohe Yu, Moxin Song, Ying Yan, Bin Su, Junjie Xu
Journal of Medical Virology, 19.01.2024
Tilføjet 19.01.2024
Hyeongsuk Lee, Hye Jin Yoo
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 18.01.2024
Tilføjet 18.01.2024
by Hyeongsuk Lee, Hye Jin Yoo Owing to the coronavirus disease pandemic, nursing education materials were developed for online use. However, as nursing involves working with human beings, the experience of face-to-face learning is important. This study investigated the learning satisfaction and anxiety experienced by nursing students based on their learning methods, expectations, and concerns about transitioning entirely to face-to-face learning. Using a mixed-methods design, 120 and 14 third- and fourth-year nursing students in Korea completed an online survey and individual interviews, respectively. Data were collected from July to August 2022 to assess nursing students’ learning satisfaction, anxiety, expectations, and concerns based on their learning method. Learning satisfaction was 3.96±0.68 out of 5; the students who experienced “online lectures only” had significantly higher overall satisfaction (F = 3.22, p = .002), nursing lectures satisfaction (F = 2.01, p = .046), and nursing practicum satisfaction (F = 2.19, p = .031). Anxiety was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 tool and was evaluated at the “minimal level,” with an average score of 3.46 ± 4.80 out of 21. From the qualitative results obtained through interviews, we derived three categories and nine subcategories. These categories include: the burden of unfamiliar learning situations that are difficult to predict, considerations about face-to-face learning needed to improve learning satisfaction, and the turning point that offsets the sense of deprivation during college life. The qualitative results provided evidence for determining specific goals for face-to-face learning that reflected the opinions of nursing students. To successfully transition to face-to-face learning, it is essential to consider a combination of student efforts, professors’ attention, and university-level support to develop a learning approach that combines the strengths of both online and face-to-face learning. Maximizing the benefits of online learning, such as integrating face-to-face and online learning through repetitive reviews of recorded videos of face-to-face sessions at their own time, can effectively reduce students’ burdens and anxiety and increase their learning satisfaction.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 18.01.2024
Tilføjet 18.01.2024
Abstract Background Whether human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carriers can develop sufficient humoral immunity after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is unknown. Methods To investigate humoral immunity after COVID-19 vaccination in HTLV-1 carriers, a multicenter, prospective observational cohort study was conducted at five institutions in southwestern Japan, an endemic area for HTLV-1. HTLV-1 carriers and HTLV-1-negative controls were enrolled for this study from January to December 2022. During this period, the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was actively administered. HTLV-1 carriers were enrolled during outpatient visits, while HTLV-1-negative controls included health care workers and patients treated by participating institutions for diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. The main outcome was the effect of HTLV-1 infection on the plasma anti-COVID-19 spike IgG (IgG-S) titers after the third dose, assessed by multivariate linear regression with other clinical factors. Results We analyzed 181 cases (90 HTLV-1 carriers, 91 HTLV-1-negative controls) after receiving the third dose. HTLV-1 carriers were older (median age 67.0 vs. 45.0 years, p
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedClinical Infectious Diseases, 18.01.2024
Tilføjet 18.01.2024
Abstract Background Infection prevention (IP) measures are designed to mitigate the transmission of pathogens in healthcare. Using large-scale viral genomic and social network analyses, we determined if IP measures used during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic were adequate in protecting healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients from acquiring SARS-CoV-2.Methods We performed retrospective cross-sectional analyses of viral genomics from all available SARS-CoV-2 viral samples collected at UC San Diego Health and social network analysis using the electronic medical record to derive temporospatial overlap of infections among related viromes and supplemented with contact tracing data. The outcome measure was any instance of healthcare transmission, defined as cases with closely related viral genomes and epidemiological connection within the healthcare setting during the infection window. Between November 2020 through January 2022, 12 933 viral genomes were obtained from 35 666 patients and HCWs.Results Among 5112 SARS-CoV-2 viral samples sequenced from the second and third waves of SARS-CoV-2 (pre-Omicron), 291 pairs were derived from persons with a plausible healthcare overlap. Of these, 34 pairs (12%) were phylogenetically linked: 19 attributable to household and 14 to healthcare transmission. During the Omicron wave, 2106 contact pairs among 7821 sequences resulted in 120 (6%) related pairs among 32 clusters, of which 10 were consistent with healthcare transmission. Transmission was more likely to occur in shared spaces in the older hospital compared with the newer hospital (2.54 vs 0.63 transmission events per 1000 admissions, P < .001).Conclusions IP strategies were effective at identifying and preventing healthcare SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedJournal of Infectious Diseases, 17.01.2024
Tilføjet 17.01.2024
Abstract Background Factors influencing susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 remain to be resolved. Using data of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) on 6,270 people with HIV (PWH) and serologic assessment for SARS-CoV-2 and circulating-human-coronavirus (HCoV) antibodies, we investigated the association of HIV-related and general parameters with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 PCR-tests, COVID-19 related hospitalizations, and deaths reported to the SHCS between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and HCoVs were determined in pre-pandemic (2019) and pandemic (2020) bio-banked plasma and compared to HIV-negative individuals. We applied logistic regression, conditional logistic regression, and Bayesian multivariate regression to identify determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection and Ab responses to SARS-CoV-2 in PWH.Results No HIV-1-related factors were associated with SARS-CoV-2 acquisition. High pre-pandemic HCoV antibodies were associated with a lower risk of subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection and with higher SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses upon infection. We observed a robust protective effect of smoking on SARS-CoV-2-infection risk (aOR= 0.46 [0.38,0.56], p=2.6*10-14), which occurred even in previous smokers, and was highest for heavy smokers.Conclusions Our findings of two independent protective factors, smoking and HCoV antibodies, both affecting the respiratory environment, underscore the importance of the local immune milieu in regulating susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedOursler, Krisann K.; briggs, Brandon C.; Lozano, Alicia J.; Harris, Nadine M.; Parashar, Amitabh; Ryan, Alice S.; Marconi, Vincent C.
AIDS, 17.01.2024
Tilføjet 17.01.2024
Objective: Understanding the physiological drivers of reduced cardiorespiratory fitness in people with HIV (PWH) will inform strategies to optimize healthspan. Chronotropic incompetence is common in heart failure and associated with low cardiorespiratory fitness yet is understudied in PWH. The objective was to determine the prevalence of chronotropic incompetence and its relationship with cardiorespiratory fitness. Design: Participants were PWH ≥ 50 years of age with no prior history of heart failure or coronary heart disease who were enrolled in a randomized exercise trial. Baseline cardiopulmonary exercise testing was used to measure cardiorespiratory fitness as peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and calculate the chronotropic index from heart rate values. Chronotropic incompetence was defined as an index
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedMagdi E. A. Zaki, Sami A. AL-Hussain, Aamal A. Al-Mutairi, Abdul Samad, Vijay H. Masand, Rahul G. Ingle, Vivek Digamber Rathod, Nikita Maruti Gaikwad, Summya Rashid, Pravin N. Khatale, Pramod V. Burakale, Rahul D. Jawarkar
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 17.01.2024
Tilføjet 17.01.2024
by Magdi E. A. Zaki, Sami A. AL-Hussain, Aamal A. Al-Mutairi, Abdul Samad, Vijay H. Masand, Rahul G. Ingle, Vivek Digamber Rathod, Nikita Maruti Gaikwad, Summya Rashid, Pravin N. Khatale, Pramod V. Burakale, Rahul D. Jawarkar Several studies have revealed that SARS-CoV-2 damages brain function and produces significant neurological disability. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, may infect the heart, kidneys, and brain. Recent research suggests that monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) may be involved in metabolomics variations in delirium-prone individuals and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. In light of this situation, we have employed a variety of computational to develop suitable QSAR model using PyDescriptor and genetic algorithm-multilinear regression (GA-MLR) models (R2 = 0.800–793, Q2LOO = 0.734–0.727, and so on) on the data set of 106 molecules whose anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity was empirically determined. QSAR models generated follow OECD standards and are predictive. QSAR model descriptors were also observed in x-ray-resolved structures. After developing a QSAR model, we did a QSAR-based virtual screening on an in-house database of 200 compounds and found a potential hit molecule. The new hit’s docking score (-8.208 kcal/mol) and PIC50 (7.85 M) demonstrated a significant affinity for SARS-CoV-2’s main protease. Based on post-covid neurodegenerative episodes in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s-like disorders and MAO-B’s role in neurodegeneration, the initially disclosed hit for the SARS-CoV-2 main protease was repurposed against the MAO-B receptor using receptor-based molecular docking, which yielded a docking score of -12.0 kcal/mol. This shows that the compound that inhibits SARS-CoV-2’s primary protease may bind allosterically to the MAO-B receptor. We then did molecular dynamic simulations and MMGBSA tests to confirm molecular docking analyses and quantify binding free energy. The drug-receptor complex was stable during the 150-ns MD simulation. The first computational effort to show in-silico inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and allosteric interaction of novel inhibitors with MAO-B in post-covid neurodegenerative symptoms and other disorders. The current study seeks a novel compound that inhibits SAR’s COV-2 Mpro and perhaps binds MAO-B allosterically. Thus, this study will enable scientists design a new SARS-CoV-2 Mpro that inhibits the MAO-B receptor to treat post-covid neurological illness.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 16.01.2024
Tilføjet 16.01.2024
Abstract Background Recent pandemics have had far-reaching effects on the world’s largest economies and amplified the need to estimate the full extent and range of socioeconomic impacts of infectious diseases outbreaks on multi-sectoral industries. This systematic review aims to evaluate the socioeconomic impacts of airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases outbreaks on industries. Methods A structured, systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IDEAS/REPEC, OSHLINE, HSELINE, and NIOSHTIC-2 were reviewed. Study quality appraisal was performed using the Table of Evidence Levels from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Joanna Briggs Institute tools, Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and Center of Evidence Based Management case study critical appraisal checklist. Quantitative analysis was not attempted due to the heterogeneity of included studies. A qualitative synthesis of primary studies examining socioeconomic impact of airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases outbreaks in any industry was performed and a framework based on empirical findings was conceptualized. Results A total of 55 studies conducted from 1984 to 2021 were included, reporting on 46,813,038 participants working in multiple industries across the globe. The quality of articles were good. On the whole, direct socioeconomic impacts of Coronavirus Disease 2019, influenza, influenza A (H1N1), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, tuberculosis and norovirus outbreaks include increased morbidity, mortality, and health costs. This had then led to indirect impacts including social impacts such as employment crises and reduced workforce size as well as economic impacts such as demand shock, supply chain disruptions, increased supply and production cost, service and business disruptions, and financial and Gross Domestic Product loss, attributable to productivity losses from illnesses as well as national policy responses to contain the diseases. Conclusions Evidence suggests that airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases have inflicted severe socioeconomic costs on regional and global industries. Further research is needed to better understand their long-term socioeconomic impacts to support improved industry preparedness and response capacity for outbreaks. Public and private stakeholders at local, national, and international levels must join forces to ensure informed systems and sector-specific cost-sharing strategies for optimal global health and economic security.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 16.01.2024
Tilføjet 16.01.2024
Abstract Background Recent pandemics have had far-reaching effects on the world’s largest economies and amplified the need to estimate the full extent and range of socioeconomic impacts of infectious diseases outbreaks on multi-sectoral industries. This systematic review aims to evaluate the socioeconomic impacts of airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases outbreaks on industries. Methods A structured, systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IDEAS/REPEC, OSHLINE, HSELINE, and NIOSHTIC-2 were reviewed. Study quality appraisal was performed using the Table of Evidence Levels from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Joanna Briggs Institute tools, Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and Center of Evidence Based Management case study critical appraisal checklist. Quantitative analysis was not attempted due to the heterogeneity of included studies. A qualitative synthesis of primary studies examining socioeconomic impact of airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases outbreaks in any industry was performed and a framework based on empirical findings was conceptualized. Results A total of 55 studies conducted from 1984 to 2021 were included, reporting on 46,813,038 participants working in multiple industries across the globe. The quality of articles were good. On the whole, direct socioeconomic impacts of Coronavirus Disease 2019, influenza, influenza A (H1N1), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, tuberculosis and norovirus outbreaks include increased morbidity, mortality, and health costs. This had then led to indirect impacts including social impacts such as employment crises and reduced workforce size as well as economic impacts such as demand shock, supply chain disruptions, increased supply and production cost, service and business disruptions, and financial and Gross Domestic Product loss, attributable to productivity losses from illnesses as well as national policy responses to contain the diseases. Conclusions Evidence suggests that airborne and droplet-borne infectious diseases have inflicted severe socioeconomic costs on regional and global industries. Further research is needed to better understand their long-term socioeconomic impacts to support improved industry preparedness and response capacity for outbreaks. Public and private stakeholders at local, national, and international levels must join forces to ensure informed systems and sector-specific cost-sharing strategies for optimal global health and economic security.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 15.01.2024
Tilføjet 15.01.2024
BMC Infectious Diseases, 15.01.2024
Tilføjet 15.01.2024
Abstract Background The diagnostic assay leveraging multiple reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) could meet the requirements for rapid nucleic acid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods The devised assay merged the lateral flow assay with the RT-LAMP technology and designed specific primers for the simultaneous detection of the target and human-derived internal reference genes within a single reaction. An inquiry into the assay\'s limit of detection (LOD), sensitivity, and specificity was carried out. The effectiveness of this assay was validated using 498 clinical specimens. Results This LOD of the assay was determined to be 500 copies/mL, and there was no observed cross-reaction with other respiratory pathogens. The detection results derived from clinical specimens showed substantial concordance with those from real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) (Cohen\'s kappa, 0.876; 95% CI: 0.833-0.919; p
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 15.01.2024
Tilføjet 15.01.2024
Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted multiple health services, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, care, and treatment services, jeopardizing the achievement of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 global target. While there are limited studies assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Latin America, there are none, to our knowledge, in Venezuela. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among PLHIV seen at the outpatient clinic of a reference hospital in Venezuela. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among PLHIV aged 18 years and over seen at the Infectious Diseases Department of the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela between March 2021 and February 2022. Results A total of 238 PLHIV were included in the study. The median age was 43 (IQR 31–55) years, and the majority were male (68.9%). Most patients (88.2%, n = 210) came for routine check-ups, while 28 (11.3%) were newly diagnosed. The majority of patients (96.1%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), but only 67.8% had a viral load test, with almost all (95.6%) being undetectable. Among those who attended regular appointments, 11.9% reported missing at least one medical consultation, and 3.3% reported an interruption in their ART refill. More than half of the patients (55.5%) had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the rest expressed hesitancy to get vaccinated. Most patients with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were male (65.1%), younger than 44 years (57.5%), employed (47.2%), and had been diagnosed with HIV for less than one year (33%). However, no statistically significant differences were found between vaccinated patients and those with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Older age was a risk factor for missing consultations, while not having an alcoholic habit was identified as a protective factor against missing consultations. Conclusion This study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on adherence to medical consultations and interruptions in ART among PLHIV seen at the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 15.01.2024
Tilføjet 15.01.2024
Abstract Background The Omicron wave of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains the dominant strain worldwide. The studies of nutritional status in geriatric people with COVID-19 Omicron variant are limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of poor nutritional status among Omicron infected older patients, and to explore the correlation between the nutritional status and the severity of Omicron infection in older patients. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. According to the clinical symptoms, patients were divided into two groups: mild and moderate to severe. Mini Nutritional Assessment short-form (MNA-SF) was conducted when patients were admitted and poor nutritional status was defined as MNA-SF score of 0–11. The inflammatory markers including neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic inflammatory index (SII) were calculated and compared between two groups. Results Total of 324 patients were enrolled, with median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of 73 (17) years. Overall, 241 cases were mild, 83 cases were moderate to severe at the time of diagnosis and that 54.3% of patients had poor nutritional status. Patients with poor nutritional status were found to be older (P
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedJournal of Infectious Diseases, 13.01.2024
Tilføjet 13.01.2024
Abstract Definitive data demonstrating the utility of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CCP) for treating immunocompromised patients remains elusive. To better understand the mechanism of action of CCP, we studied viral replication and disease progression in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–infected hamsters treated with CCP obtained from recovered COVID-19 patients that were also vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine, hereafter referred to as Vaxplas. Vaxplas transiently enhanced disease severity and lung pathology in hamsters treated near peak viral replication due to immune complex and activated complement deposition in pulmonary endothelium, and recruitment of M1 proinflammatory macrophages into the lung parenchyma. However, aside from one report, transient enhanced disease has not been reported in CCP recipient patients, and the transient enhanced disease in Vaxplas hamsters may have been due to mismatched species IgG-FcR interactions, infusion timing, or other experimental factors. Despite transient disease enhancement, Vaxplas dramatically reduced virus replication in lungs and improved infection outcome in SARS-CoV-2–infected hamsters.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedPedrana, A., Bowring, A., Heath, K., Thomas, A. J., Wilkinson, A., Fletcher-Lartey, S., Saich, F., Munari, S., Oliver, J., Merner, B., Altermatt, A., Nguyen, T., Nguyen, L., Young, K., Kerr, P., Osborne, D., Kwong, E. J. L., Corona, M. V., Ke, T., Zhang, Y., Eisa, L., Al-Qassas, A., Malith, D., Davis, A., Gibbs, L., Block, K., Horyniak, D., Wallace, J., Power, R., Vadasz, D., Ryan, R., Shearer, F., Homer, C., Collie, A., Meagher, N., Danchin, M., Kaufman, J., Wang, P., Hassani, A., Sadewo, G. R. P., Robins, G., Gallagher, C., Matous, P., Roden, B., Karkavandi, M. A., Coutinho, J., Broccatelli, C., Koskinen, J., Curtis, S., Doyle, J. S., Geard, N., Hill, S., Coelho, A., Scott, N., Lusher, D., Stoove, M. A., Gibney, K. B., Hellard, M.
BMJ Open, 13.01.2024
Tilføjet 13.01.2024
IntroductionLongitudinal studies can provide timely and accurate information to evaluate and inform COVID-19 control and mitigation strategies and future pandemic preparedness. The Optimise Study is a multidisciplinary research platform established in the Australian state of Victoria in September 2020 to collect epidemiological, social, psychological and behavioural data from priority populations. It aims to understand changing public attitudes, behaviours and experiences of COVID-19 and inform epidemic modelling and support responsive government policy. Methods and analysisThis protocol paper describes the data collection procedures for the Optimise Study, an ongoing longitudinal cohort of ~1000 Victorian adults and their social networks. Participants are recruited using snowball sampling with a set of seeds and two waves of snowball recruitment. Seeds are purposively selected from priority groups, including recent COVID-19 cases and close contacts and people at heightened risk of infection and/or adverse outcomes of COVID-19 infection and/or public health measures. Participants complete a schedule of monthly quantitative surveys and daily diaries for up to 24 months, plus additional surveys annually for up to 48 months. Cohort participants are recruited for qualitative interviews at key time points to enable in-depth exploration of people’s lived experiences. Separately, community representatives are invited to participate in community engagement groups, which review and interpret research findings to inform policy and practice recommendations. Ethics and disseminationThe Optimise longitudinal cohort and qualitative interviews are approved by the Alfred Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (# 333/20). The Optimise Study CEG is approved by the La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee (# HEC20532). All participants provide informed verbal consent to enter the cohort, with additional consent provided prior to any of the sub studies. Study findings will be disseminated through public website (https://optimisecovid.com.au/study-findings/) and through peer-reviewed publications. Trial registration numberNCT05323799.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBarbara Kosińska-Selbi, Justyna Kowalczyk, Jagoda Pierscińska, Jarosław Wełeszczuk, Luis Peñarrubia, Benjamin Turner, Josep Pareja, Roberto Porco, Rubi Diaz-Hernandez, Martí Juanola-Falgarona, Melisa Rey, Davide Manissero, Anna Blacha
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 12.01.2024
Tilføjet 12.01.2024
by Barbara Kosińska-Selbi, Justyna Kowalczyk, Jagoda Pierscińska, Jarosław Wełeszczuk, Luis Peñarrubia, Benjamin Turner, Josep Pareja, Roberto Porco, Rubi Diaz-Hernandez, Martí Juanola-Falgarona, Melisa Rey, Davide Manissero, Anna Blacha Objective The speed at which Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is mutating has made it necessary to frequently assess how these genomic changes impact the performance of diagnostic real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Herein, we describe a generic three-step workflow to assess the effect of genomic mutations on inclusivity and sensitivity of RT-PCR assays. Methods Sequences collected from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) were mapped to a SARS-CoV-2 reference genome to evaluate the position and prevalence of mismatches in the oligonucleotide-binding sites of the QIAstat-Dx, an RT-PCR panel designed to detect SARS-CoV-2. The frequency of mutations and their impact on melting temperature were assessed, and sequences flagged by risk-based criteria were examined in vitro. Results Out of 8,900,393 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences analyzed, only 173 (0.0019%) genomes contained potentially critical mutations for the QIAstat-Dx; follow-up in-vitro testing confirmed no impact on the assays’ performance. Conclusions The current study demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants do not affect the performance of the QIAstat-Dx device. It is recommended that manufacturers incorporate this workflow into obligatory post-marketing surveillance activities, as this approach could potentially enhance genetic monitoring of their product.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedMaciej Koscielniak, Dorota Marciniak, Dariusz Doliński
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 11.01.2024
Tilføjet 11.01.2024
by Maciej Koscielniak, Dorota Marciniak, Dariusz Doliński Previous laboratory and field studies have demonstrated that the dishonesty of commercial transaction participants may depend on subtle cues. In this field study conducted on a sample of 216 shop assistants in Poland, we planned to demonstrate that coronavirus disease-related factors could result in an increased propensity for dishonesty among shop assistants. This investigation is unique in its application of social psychological theories to illuminate hitherto unexplored side effects of combating the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Our supposition was that the potential detriment encountered by individuals wearing solid surgical masks would involve being viewed as more abstract and remote, thereby heightening the likelihood of being deceived by a vendor. Moreover, we examined the potential relationship between the limited number of customers in retail establishments (related to pandemic restrictions) and the unscrupulous practices of sellers—specifically the act of retaining change. The effect of wearing masks was statistically non-significant, whereas the impact of other customers’ absence was significant. Moreover, unexpected results related to transaction parties’ genders were obtained, showing that shop assistants tended to be more honest when dealing with customers of the same gender. The results are discussed in the context of empathy toward masked customers, self-awareness theory, social norms of honesty, and identification with gender groups.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedAbidi, Maheen Z.; Umbleja, Triin; Overton, Edgar T.; Burdo, Tricia; Flynn, Jacqueline M.; Lu, Michael T.; Taron, Jana; Schnittman, Samuel R.; Fitch, Kathleen V.; Zanni, Markella V.; Fichtenbaum, Carl J.; Malvestutto, Carlos; Aberg, Judith A.; Fulda, Evelynne S.; Eckard, Allison Ross; Manne-Goehler, Jennifer; Tuan, Jessica J.; Ribaudo, Heather J.; Douglas, Pamela S.; Grinspoon, Steven K.; Brown, Todd T.; Erlandson, Kristine M.
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 9.01.2024
Tilføjet 9.01.2024
Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity is associated with poor outcomes, including physical function impairment, in people without HIV. We examined associations between CMV IgG titer and physical function in virologically suppressed people with HIV (PWH). Methods: REPRIEVE is a double-blind randomized trial evaluating pitavastatin for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in PWH. This analysis focused on participants enrolled in a sub-study with additional biomarker testing, imaging [coronary CT angiography], and physical function measures at entry. CMV IgG was measured using quantitative enzyme immunoassay, physical function by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and muscle density and area by CT. Associations between CMV IgG (risk factor) and outcomes were evaluated using the partial Spearman correlation and linear and log-binomial regression. Results: Among 717 participants, 82% male, the median CMV IgG was 2716 (Q1, Q3: 807, 6672) IU/mL, all above the limit of quantification. Among 631 participants with imaging, there was no association between CMV IgG and CT-based muscle density or area, controlling for age (r=-0.03 and r=-0.01, respectively; p≥0.38). Among 161 participants with physical function data, higher CMV IgG was associated with poorer overall modified SPPB score (p=0.02), adjusted for age, nadir CD4 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Conclusions: Higher CMV IgG titer was associated with poorer physical function, not explained by prior immune comprise, inflammation, or muscle density or area. Further mechanistic studies are needed to understand this association and whether CMV-specific therapy can impact physical function in PWH. Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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