Outpatient insulin use in type 2 diabetes mellitus and acute respiratory distress syndrome outcomes:A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND The impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)on acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)is debatable.T2DM was suspected to reduce the risk and complications of ARDS.However,during coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),T2DM predisposed patients to ARDS,especially those who were on insulin at home.AIMTo evaluate the impact of outpatient insulin use in T2DM patients on non-COVID-19 ARDS outcomes.METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database.Adult patients diagnosed with ARDS were stratified into insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(DM)(IDDM)and non-insulindependent DM(NIDDM)groups.After applying exclusion criteria and matching over 20 variables,we compared cohorts for mortality,duration of mechanical ventilation,incidence of acute kidney injury(AKI),length of stay(LOS),hospitalization costs,and other clinical outcomes.RESULTS Following 1:1 propensity score matching,the analysis included 274 patients in each group.Notably,no statistically significant differences emerged between the IDDM and NIDDM groups in terms of mortality rates(32.8%vs 31.0%,P=0.520),median hospital LOS(10 d,P=0.537),requirement for mechanical ventilation,incidence rates of sepsis,pneumonia or AKI,median total hospitalization costs,or patient disposition upon discharge.CONCLUSION Compared to alternative anti-diabetic medications,outpatient insulin treatment does not appear to exert an independent influence on in-hospital morbidity or mortality in diabetic patients with non-COVID-19 ARDS.

Clinical Effect of Yinhuang Qingfei Capsules in Treatment of Asymptomatic and Mild/Common Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection:An Analysis of 242 Cases

[Objectives]To investigate the clinical effect of Yinhuang Qingfei capsules in the treatment of asymptomatic and mild/common severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.[Methods]A total of 362 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were divided into the treatment group with 242 patients and control group with 120 patients according to their treatment regimen.The patients in the control group were given standard treatment regimen and those in the treatment group were given Yinhuang Qingfei capsules in addition to the treatment in the control group.The two groups were observed in terms of average length of hospital stay,mean time for nucleic acid clearance,TCM syndrome score,and progression to severe/critical illness,and clinical outcome was compared between the two groups.[Results]There was a significant difference in the overall response rate between the treatment group and the control group[97.52%(236/242)vs 95.00%(114/120),P<0.05].Compared with the control group,the treatment group had significantly shorter length of hospital stay and time for nucleic acid clearance(P<0.05).After 7 days of treatment,both groups had a significant change in TCM syndrome score,and there was a significant difference in TCM syndrome score between the two groups(P<0.05);after 15 days of treatment,both groups had a TCM syndrome score of 0.Progression to severe/critical illness was not observed in either group.[Conclusions]Compared with the standard treatment regimen alone,standard treatment regimen combined with Yinhuang Qingfei capsules can effectively shorten the length of hospital stay and time for nucleic acid clearance and improve TCM symptoms in patients with asymptomatic and mild/common SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Fear can be more harmful than the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in controlling the corona virus disease 2019 epidemic

The current corona virus disease 2019 outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 started in Wuhan,China in December 2019 and has put the world on alert.To safeguard Chinese citizens and to strengthen global health security,China has made great efforts to control the epidemic.Many in the global community have joined China to limit the epidemic.However,discrimination and prejudice driven by fear or misinformation have been flowing globally,superseding evidence and jeopardizing the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 efforts.We analyze this phenomenon and its underlying causes and suggest practical solutions.

Mitofusion 2 Overexpression Decreased Proliferation of Human Embryonic Lung Fibroblasts in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome through Inhibiting RAS-RAF-1-ERK1/2 Pathway

Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)is one of the most fatal diseases worldwide.Pulmonary fibrosis occurs early in ARDS,and its severity plays a crucial role in ARDS mortality rate.Some studies suggested that fibroproliferation is an essential mechanism in ARDS.Mitofusion2(Mfn2)overexpression plays a role in inhibiting cell proliferation.However,the role and potential mechanism of Mfn2 on the proliferation of fibroblasts is still unknown.In this study,we aimed at exploring the effect of Mfn2 on the human embryonic lung fibroblasts(HELF)and discussed its related mechanism.The HELF were treated with the Mfn2 overexpressing lentivirus(adv-Mfn2).The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry.MTT,PCR and Western blotting were used to investigate the effect of Mfn2 on the proliferation of the HELF,collagen expression,the RAS-RAF-1-ERK1/2 pathway and the expression of cycle-related proteins(p21,p27,Rb,Raf-1,p-Raf-1,Erk1/2 and p-Erk1/2).The co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to explore the interaction between Mfn2 and Ras.The results showed that the overexpression of Mfn2 inhibited the proliferation of the HELF and induced the cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase.Meanwhile,Mfn2 also inhibited the expression of collagen I,p-Erk and p-Raf-1.In addition,an interaction between Mfn2 and Ras existed in the HELF.This study suggests that the overexpression of Mfn2 can decrease the proliferation of HELF in ARDS,which was associated with the inhibition of the RAS-RAF-1-ERK1/2 pathway.The results may offer a potential therapeutic intervention for patients with ARDS.

Expression of Prothrombinase/fibroleukin Gene fg12 in Lung Impairment in a Murine Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Model

To evaluate the role of murine fibrinogen like protein 2 (mfgl2) /fibroleukin in lung impairment in Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a murine SARS model induced by Murine hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3) through trachea was established. Impressively, all the animals developed interstitial pneumonia with extensive hyaline membranes formation within alveoli, and presence of micro-vascular thrombosis in the pulmonary vessels. MHV-3 nucleocapsid gene transcripts were identified in multiple organs including lungs, spleen etc. As a representative proinflammatory gene, mfgl2 prothrombinase expression was evident in terminal and respiratory bronchioles, alveolar epithelia and infiltrated cells in the lungs associated with fibrin deposition and micro-vascular thrombosis. In summary, the established murine SARS model could mimic the pathologic characteristics of lungs in patients with SARS. Besides the physical damages due to virus replication in organs, the up-regulation of novel gene mfgl2 in lungs may play a vital role in the development of SARS associated lung damage.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome:Report of two cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2,is a worldwide pandemic.Some COVID-19 patients develop severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and progress to respiratory failure.In such cases,extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)treatment is a necessary life-saving procedure.CASE SUMMARY Two special COVID-19 cases—one full-term pregnant woman and one elderly(72-year-old)man—were treated by veno-venous(VV)-ECMO in the Second People’s Hospital of Zhongshan,Zhongshan City,Guangdong Province,China.Both patients had developed refractory hypoxemia shortly after hospital admission,despite conventional support,and were therefore managed by VV-ECMO.Although both experienced multiple ECMO-related complications on top of the COVID-19 disease,their conditions improved gradually.Both patients were weaned successfully from the ECMO therapy.At the time of writing of this report,the woman has recovered completely and been discharged from hospital to home;the man remains on mechanical ventilation,due to respiratory muscle weakness and suspected lung fibrosis.As ECMO itself is associated with various complications,it is very important to understand and treat these complications to achieve optimal outcome.CONCLUSION VV-ECMO can provide sufficient gas exchange for COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.However,it is crucial to understand and treat ECMO-related complications.

A Case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus 2 in Pregnancy: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) is a truly novel, multifaceted disease that has negatively impacted the lives of many including the pregnant women. We present a 34-year-old pregnant patient at 35 weeks with SARS-COV-2 requiring emergent cesarean section under general endotracheal anesthesia and a prolonged postoperative course in the ICU with multiple end organ function derangement of this disease. After nearly 1 month, she was discharged home. Her baby did not have any manifestations of SARS-COV-2 and was able to go home after 5 days.

Biology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)and the humoral immunoresponse:a systematic review of evidence to support global policy-level actions and research

Background Both population-level epidemiological data and individual-level biological data are needed to control the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Population-level data are widely available and efforts to combat COVID-19 have generated proliferate data on the biology and immunoresponse to the causative pathogen,severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).However,there remains a paucity of systemized data on this subject.Objective In this review,we attempt to extract systemized data on the biology and immuno-response to SARS-CoV-2 from the most up-to-date peer-reviewed studies.We will focus on the biology of the virus and immunological variations that are key for determining long-term immunity,transmission potential,and prognosis.Data Sources and Methods Peer-reviewed articles were sourced from the PubMed database and by snowballing search of selected publications.Search terms included:“Novel Coronavirus”OR“COVID-19”OR“SARS-CoV-2”OR“2019-nCoV”AND“Immunity”OR“Immune Response”OR“Antibody Response”OR“Immunologic Response”.Studies published from December 31,2019 to December 31,2020 were included.To ensure validity,papers in pre-print were excluded.Results Of 2889 identified papers,36 were included.Evidence from these studies suggests early seroconversion in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.Antibody titers appear to markedly increase two weeks after infection,followed by a plateau.A more robust immune response is seen in patients with severe COVID-19 as opposed to mild or asymptomatic presentations.This trend persists with regard to the length of antibody maintenance.However,overall immunity appears to wane within two to three months post-infection.Conclusion Findings of this study indicate that immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 follow the general pattern of viral infection.Immunity generated through natural infection appears to be short,suggesting a need for long-term efforts to control the pandemic.Antibody testing will be essential to gauge the epidemic and inform decision-making on effective strategies for treatment and prevention.Further research is needed to illustrate immunoglobulin-specific roles and neutralizing antibody activity.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may cause liver injury via Na^(+)/H^(+) exchanger

The liver has many significant functions,such as detoxification,the urea cycle,gluconeogenesis,and protein synthesis.Systemic diseases,hypoxia,infections,drugs,and toxins can easily affect the liver,which is extremely sensitive to injury.Systemic infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause liver damage.The primary regulator of intracellular pH in the liver is the Na+/H+exchanger(NHE).Physiologically,NHE protects hepatocytes from apoptosis by making the intracellular pH alkaline.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 increases local angiotensin II levels by binding to angiotensinconverting enzyme 2.In severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019,high angiotensin II levels may cause NHE overstimulation and lipid accumulation in the liver.NHE overstimulation can lead to hepatocyte death.NHE overstimulation may trigger a cytokine storm by increasing proinflammatory cytokines in the liver.Since the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 increases with NHE activation,the virus may indirectly cause an increase in fibrinogen and D-dimer levels.NHE overstimulation may cause thrombotic events and systemic damage by increasing fibrinogen levels and cytokine release.Also,NHE overstimulation causes an increase in the urea cycle while inhibiting vitamin D synthesis and gluconeogenesis in the liver.Increasing NHE3 activity leads to Na+loading,which impairs the containment and fluidity of bile acid.NHE overstimulation can change the gut microbiota composition by disrupting the structure and fluidity of bile acid,thus triggering systemic damage.Unlike other tissues,tumor necrosis factor-alpha and angiotensin II decrease NHE3 activity in the intestine.Thus,increased luminal Na+leads to diarrhea and cytokine release.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-induced local and systemic damage can be improved by preventing virus-induced NHE overstimulation in the liver.

Mesenchymal stem cells as living anti-inflammatory therapy for COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),a pandemic disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2),is growing at an exponential rate worldwide.Manifestations of this disease are heterogeneous;however,advanced cases often exhibit various acute respiratory distress syndrome-like symptoms,systemic inflammatory reactions,coagulopathy,and organ involvements.A common theme in advanced COVID-19 is unrestrained immune activation,classically referred to as a“cytokine storm”,as well as deficiencies in immune regulatory mechanisms such as T regulatory cells.While mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)themselves are objects of cytokine regulation,they can secrete cytokines to modulate immune cells by inducing antiinflammatory regulatory Treg cells,macrophages and neutrophils;and by reducing the activation of T and B cells,dendritic and nature killer cells.Consequently,they have therapeutic potential for treating severe cases of COVID-19.Here we discuss the unique ability of MSCs,to act as a“living antiinflammatory”,which can“rebalance”the cytokine/immune responses to restore equilibrium.We also discuss current MSC trials and present different concepts for optimization of MSC therapy in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The Concept Study of Recombinant Human Soluble Thrombomodulin in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Background: Recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhTM) was approved for the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation in Japan, and rhTM has anti-inflammatory effects. Disordered coagulation is a part of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) pathophysiology and thus we hypothesize that anticoagulant therapy may help. This preliminary study was to observe the safety of rhTM administration and the improvement on biomarker levels after the therapy for ARDS-patients. Objectives: Case series of ARDS-patients. Methods: Seventeen ARDS-patients that required ventilatory management were treated with rhTM and clinical and laboratory data were collected including platelets, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), fibrinogen degradation products, oxygen saturation/the fraction of inspired oxygen (SpO2/FIO2), and high-mobility group-1 (HMG-1). The administration of rhTM was started during 6 days at a bolus dose of 0.06 mg/kg/day immediately after the diagnosis of ARDS. Results: Eleven of the 17 ARDS-patients were alive at 28 days after the beginning of the administration of rhTM. The serial pattern of the SpO2/FIO2 showed remarkable differences between the survivors and nonsurvivors from day 5 to day 7. The TAT in the survivors significantly decreased after treatment, and there were significantly lower levels in the TAT on day 7 in comparison to that of the nonsurvivors. The serial changes of HMG-1 showed increased levels in the nonsurvivors until day 5 after the administration of rhTM. Conclusions: Additional rhTM administration can safely improve the parameters in survival ARDS-patients, as demonstrated by significant improvements in the SpO2/FIO2, HMG-1 and TAT.

Clinical and Spatial Characteristics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome by COVID-19 in Indigenous of Brazil

The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) broke out in Wuhan in China in December 2019, causing severe pneumonia and deaths, soon in March 2020, it reached pandemic level, affecting several countries including Brazil. The disease was named COVID-19, with characteristics of most infected having mild and moderate symptoms and a part severe symptom. The disease has already reached 158 ethnic groups, which have high vulnerability and limited access to health services. The objective is to investigate the clinical and spatial characteristics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome of COVID-19 in the indigenous peoples of Brazil. It is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, analytical ecological study, based on data from the OpenDataSUS platform from 01/01/2020 to 31/08/2020. Profile variables, signs and symptoms and risk factors/comorbidities. The data were analyzed by Bioestat 5.3. There were 1,207 cases and 470 deaths. Profile: male gender (59.48%) means age 53 years. Signs and symptoms: fever (74.23%), cough (77.71%), sore throat (35.62%), dyspnea (69.34%), respiratory discomfort (62.80%), O2 saturation < 95% (56.42%);and associated with mortality: dyspnea (80.0%) and O2 saturation < 95% (69.36%). Risk factors and comorbidities (45.89%) were associated with deaths (54.04%). About comorbidities, chronic cardiovascular diseases represented (18.97%) and Diabetes Mellitus (18.97%), and associated with deaths: Chronic Cardiovascular Disease (24.46%). Being admitted to the ICU has a risk of death in (OR-3.96- < 0.0001-CI-2913/5383) followed by not being vaccinated against influenza (OR-1.85- < 0.0001-CI-1358/2528). The public and health policies of Brazil should be directed to control the dissemination of COVID-19 in this population, that COVID-19 evolves in the same intensity, however, the indigenous have vulnerabilities that can increase the impact of the pandemic in this population.

Suppression of miR-17 Alleviates Acute Respiratory Distress-associated Lung Fibrosis by Regulating Mfn2

Objective Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)patients currently have relatively high mortality,which is associated with early lung fibrosis.This study aimed to investigate whether miR-17 suppression could alleviate ARDS-associated lung fibrosis by regulating Mfn2.Methods A mouse model of ARDS-related lung fibrosis was constructed via intratracheal instillation of bleomycin.The expression level of miR-17 in lung tissues was detected via quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).In the ARDS mouse model of lung fibrosis,the mitigating effects of miR-17 interference were evaluated via tail vein injection of the miR negative control or the miR-17 antagomir.The pathological changes in the lung tissue were examined via HE staining and Masson’s trichrome staining,and the underlying molecular mechanism was investigated via ELISA,qRT-PCR and Western blotting.Results Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis significantly increased collagen deposition and the levels of hydroxyproline(HYP)and miR-17.Interfering with miR-17 significantly reduced the levels of HYP and miR-17 and upregulated the expression of Mfn2.The intravenous injection of the miR-17 antagomir alleviated lung inflammation and reduced collagen deposition.In addition,interference with miR-17 could upregulate LC3B expression,downregulate p62 expression,and improve mitochondrial structure.Conclusion Interfering with miR-17 can improve pulmonary fibrosis in mice by promoting mitochondrial autophagy via Mfn2.

成人接种2剂新冠灭活疫苗12个月后T细胞免疫应答特点

目的评估成年人接种新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)灭活疫苗12个月后不同抗原特异性T细胞免疫应答的特点。方法解放军总医院第五医学中心2022年4-6月招募15名健康成年人,于接种2剂新冠灭活疫苗12个月后采集其静脉血标本,以基于多色流式细胞术的活化诱导标记法(AIM)检测SARS-CoV-2抗原特异性T淋巴细胞水平,并分析其记忆表型与亚群分化特点。结果成年人接种2剂灭活疫苗12个月后,90%以上个体可检测到Spike及Non-spike特异性CD4^(+)T细胞反应(S:14/15,P=0.0001;NS:15/15,P<0.0001);80%个体检测到Spike及Non-spike特异性CD8^(+)T细胞反应(S:12/15,P=0.0463;NS:12/15,P=0.0806)。抗原特异性CD4^(+)T细胞主要表现为中央记忆细胞(CM)、1型效应记忆细胞(EM1)记忆表型,以及1/17型辅助性T细胞(Th1/17)、2型辅助性T细胞(Th2)辅助表型。结论灭活疫苗接种后能诱导广泛且持久的抗原特异性CD4^(+)T细胞反应,可能是当前国内新型冠状病毒感染重症化比例较低的关键因素。

SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the upper respiratory tract and disease severity in COVID-19 patients

Due to the disease's broad clinical spectrum,it is currently unclear how to predict the future prognosis of patients at the time of diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RTPCR)is the gold standard molecular technique for diagnosing COVID-19.The number of amplification cycles necessary for the target genes to surpass a threshold level is represented by the RT-PCR cycle threshold(Ct)values.Ct values were thought to be an adequate proxy for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)viral load.A body of evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 viral load is a possible predictor of COVID-19 severity.The link between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and the likelihood of severe disease development in COVID-19 patients is not clearly elucidated.In this review,we describe the scientific data as well as the important findings from many clinical studies globally,emphasizing how viral load may be related to disease severity in COVID-19 patients.Most of the evidence points to the association of SARS-CoV-2 viral load and disease severity in these patients,and early anti-viral treatment will reduce the severe clinical outcomes.

布地奈德/福莫特罗粉吸入剂联合复方甲氧那明治疗急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒-2感染亚急性咳嗽的临床疗效分析

目的回顾性分析信必可都保[布地奈德/福莫特罗粉吸入剂(Ⅰ)=320μg/9.0μg]联合阿斯美(复方甲氧那明)治疗急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒-2(SARS-COV-2)感染后亚急性咳嗽的临床疗效。方法收集2022年12月—2023年6月确诊的SARS-COV-2(Omicron BA.5.2、BF.7感染)亚急性咳嗽患者220例,分为观察组和对照组,每组各110例。观察组给予信必可都保吸入(1吸/次,2次/日),阿斯美口服(2粒/次,3次/日);对照组给予咳必清、酮替芬和孟鲁司特钠三联药物常规止咳、平喘对症治疗。采用咳嗽程度评分表(CET)观察并记录治疗后第3、5、7天咳嗽缓解情况,检测呼出气一氧化氮(FeNO),并进行疗效评价。结果治疗后第3、5、7天患者的CET评分、FeNO值均较前下降。观察组临床控制86例,显效11例,有效9例,无效4例,总有效率96%;对照组临床控制68例,显效17例,有效13例,无效12例,总有效率89%。2组的总有效率比较,差别有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论信必可都保和阿斯美联合治疗SARS-COV-2(Omicron BA.5.2、BF.7感染)亚急性咳嗽,可明显改善患者的咳嗽症状。

上海市某方舱医院2897例新型冠状病毒Omicron变异株轻型/无症状感染者住院时间影响因素分析

目的探讨上海市某方舱医院新型冠状病毒奥密克戎(Omicron)变异株轻型/无症状感染者住院时间的影响因素。方法回顾性收集上海宝山泾灿路(罗泾京东)方舱医院收治的2897例Omicron变异株轻型/无症状感染者的病历资料,分析其一般资料、住院时间等基本情况,探究不同特征的新冠病毒Omicron变异株感染者住院时间差异,采用多重线性回归方法分析住院时间的影响因素。根据单因素分析结果,采用二元logistic回归分析住院时间≥14 d可能的影响因素。结果2897例Omicron变异株轻型/无症状感染者的平均住院时间为(9.1±4.6)d,不同年龄段、入舱前核酸阳性时间以及伴有咳嗽、咳痰、咽痛、发热、流涕、鼻塞、口干咽燥、头痛、乏力、肌痛、腹泻、恶寒、恶心呕吐、头晕症状的感染者住院时间不同,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多重线性回归结果显示,年龄增加、患有糖尿病史以及咽痛、发热、流涕、肌痛症状会增加住院天数,而入舱前核酸阳性时间长则会减少住院天数。住院时间≥14 d者,高龄、糖尿病史以及出现咽痛、发热、口干咽燥、肌痛、恶心呕吐症状的占比更高,入舱前核酸阳性时间相对更短,接种2针及以上疫苗占比更低,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。二元Logistic回归结果显示,高龄、入舱前核酸阳性时间短、糖尿病史以及发热和口干咽燥症状可能是导致住院时间超过14 d的危险因素,接种2针及以上疫苗可能是保护因素。结论Omicron变异株轻型/无症状感染者平均住院时间约为9 d,高龄、疫苗接种2针及以上、患有糖尿病史、入舱前核酸阳性时间短以及咽痛、发热、流涕、口干咽燥、肌痛等正气虚衰、病邪入里、化热伤阴表现对于住院时间可能产生重要影响。通过尽早识别核酸转阴慢、住院时间长的高危患者,以期为缩短核酸转阴时间、指导重点人群精准防控提供指导方向。

Infection-associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19

Infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome(IAHS),a severe complication of various infections,is potentially fatal.This study aims to determine whether IAHS occurs in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).We conducted a retrospective observational study on 268 critically ill patients with COVID-19 between February 1st,2020 and February 26th,2020.Demographics,clinical characteristics,laboratory results,information on concurrent treatments and outcomes were collected.A diagnosis of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(sHLH)was made when the patients had an HScore greater than 169.Histopathological examinations were performed to confirm the presence of hemophagocytosis.Of 268 critically ill patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection,17(6.3%)patients had an HScore greater than 169.All the 17 patients with sHLH died.The interval from the onset of symptom of COVID-19 to the time of a diagnosis of sHLH made was 19 days and the interval from the diagnosis of sHLH to death was 4 days.Ten(59%)patients were infected with only SARS-CoV-2.Hemophagocytosis in the spleen and the liver,as well as lymphocyte infiltration in the liver on histopathological examinations,was found in 3 sHLH autopsy patients.Mortality in sHLH patients with COVID-19 is high.And SARS-CoV-2 is a potential trigger for sHLH.Prompt recognition of IAHS in critically ill patients with COVID-19 could be beneficial for improving clinical outcomes.

Evolutionary dynamics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 genomes

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has caused immense losses in human lives and the global economy and posed significant challenges for global public health.As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),the causative agent of COVID-19,has evolved,thousands of single nucleotide variants(SNVs)have been identified across the viral genome.The roles of individual SNVs in the zoonotic origin,evolution,and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have become the focus of many studies.This review summarizes recent comparative genomic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses(SC2r-CoVs)found in non-human animals,including delineation of SARS-CoV-2 lineages based on characteristic SNVs.We also discuss the current understanding of receptor-binding domain(RBD)evolution and characteristic mutations in variants of concern(VOCs)of SARS-CoV-2,as well as possible co-evolution between RBD and its receptor,angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2).We propose that the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and host RNA editing mechanisms might have partially resulted in the bias in nucleotide changes during SARS-CoV-2 evolution.Finally,we outline some current challenges,including difficulty in deciphering the complicated relationship between viral pathogenicity and infectivity of different variants,and monitoring transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between humans and animals as the pandemic progresses.

Cold chain and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission:a review for challenges and coping strategies

Since June 2020,the re-emergence of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)epidemics in parts of China was linked to the cold chain,which attracted extensive attention and heated discussions from the public.According to the typical characteristics of these epidemics,we speculated a possible route of transmission from cold chain to human.A series of factors in the supply chain contributed to the epidemics if the cold chain were contaminated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),such as temperature,humidity,personal hygiene/protection,and disinfection.The workers who worked in the cold chain at the receiving end faced a higher risk of being infected when they were not well protected.Facing the difficult situation,China put forward targeted and powerful countermeasures to block the cold chain-related risk.However,in the context of the unstable pandemic situation globally,the risk of the cold chain needs to be recognized and evaluated seriously.Hence,in this review,we reviewed the cold chain-related epidemics in China,analyzed the possible mechanisms,introduced the Chinese experience,and suggested coping strategies for the global epidemic prevention and control.