Poor outcome of #SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with severe #asthma on biologic therapy

It is unclear whether asthma and asthma medications increase or decrease the risk of severe COVID-19, and this is particularly true for patients with severe asthma receiving biologics. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess incidence and disease course of COVID-19 in patients with severe asthma on biologic therapy (omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab,… Continue reading Poor outcome of #SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with severe #asthma on biologic therapy

Gut #microbiota depletion by chronic #antibiotic treatment alters the sleep/wake architecture and #sleep EEG power spectra in mice

Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota affects physiological processes, including brain functions, by altering the intestinal metabolism. Here we examined the effects of the gut microbiota on sleep/wake regulation. C57BL/6 male mice were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics for 4 weeks to deplete their gut microbiota. Metabolome profiling of cecal contents in antibiotic-induced microbiota-depleted (AIMD) and control… Continue reading Gut #microbiota depletion by chronic #antibiotic treatment alters the sleep/wake architecture and #sleep EEG power spectra in mice

Characterizing #COVID-19 and #Influenza Illnesses in the Real World via Person-Generated Health Data

The fight against COVID-19 is hindered by similarly presenting viral infections that may confound detection and monitoring. We examined Person-generated Health Data (PGHD), consisting of survey and commercial wearable data from individuals’ everyday lives, for 230 people who reported a COVID-19 diagnosis between 2020-03-30 and 2020-04-27 (N=41 with wearable data). Compared to self-reported diagnosed flu… Continue reading Characterizing #COVID-19 and #Influenza Illnesses in the Real World via Person-Generated Health Data

The #Coronavirus Is Mutating. What Does That Mean for Us?

By Apoorva Mandavilli - NYT Just as vaccines begin to offer hope for a path out of the pandemic, officials in Britain this past weekend sounded an urgent alarm about what they called a highly contagious new variant of the coronavirus circulating in England. Citing the rapid spread of the virus through London and surrounding… Continue reading The #Coronavirus Is Mutating. What Does That Mean for Us?

#Neutrophil more than #platelet activation associates with #thrombotic complications in #COVID-19 patients

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with hypercoagulability which predisposes to venous thromboembolism (VTE). We analyzed platelet and neutrophil activation in COVID-19 patients and their association with VTE. Methods Hospitalized COVID-19 patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. Platelet and leukocyte activation, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a neutrophil-released enzyme, were measured.… Continue reading #Neutrophil more than #platelet activation associates with #thrombotic complications in #COVID-19 patients

#UV-LED disinfection of #Coronavirus: Wavelength effect

UV light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) are an emerging technology and a UV source for pathogen inactivation, however low UV-LED wavelengths are costly and have low fluence rate. Our results suggest that the sensitivity of human Coronavirus (HCoV-OC43 used as SARS-CoV-2 surrogate) was wavelength dependent with 267 nm ~ 279 nm > 286 nm > 297… Continue reading #UV-LED disinfection of #Coronavirus: Wavelength effect

Effectiveness of #Prone Positioning in Nonintubated Intensive Care Unit Patients With Moderate to Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by #Coronavirus Disease 2019

In the treatment for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends prone positioning (PP) during mechanical ventilation for periods of 12–16 h/d to potentially improve oxygenation and survival. In this prospective observational study, we evaluated the ability of long PP sessions to improve oxygenation in… Continue reading Effectiveness of #Prone Positioning in Nonintubated Intensive Care Unit Patients With Moderate to Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by #Coronavirus Disease 2019

Evaluation of Cloth #Masks and Modified Procedure Masks as Personal Protective Equipment for the Public During the #COVID-19 Pandemic

..To evaluate the fitted filtration efficiency (FFE) of various consumer-grade and improvised face masks, as well as several popular modifications of medical procedure masks that are intended to improve mask fit or comfort. Design, Setting, and Participants For this study conducted in a research laboratory between June and August 2020, 7 consumer-grade masks and 5… Continue reading Evaluation of Cloth #Masks and Modified Procedure Masks as Personal Protective Equipment for the Public During the #COVID-19 Pandemic

A global survey of potential acceptance of a #COVID-19 vaccine

Several coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are currently in human trials. In June 2020, we surveyed 13,426 people in 19 countries to determine potential acceptance rates and factors influencing acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine. Of these, 71.5% of participants reported that they would be very or somewhat likely to take a COVID-19 vaccine, and 61.4%… Continue reading A global survey of potential acceptance of a #COVID-19 vaccine