Does SARS‐Cov‐2 invade the brain? Translational lessons from animal models

The current coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) outbreak, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), has raised the possibility of potential neurotropic properties of this virus. Indeed, neurological sequelae of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection have already been reported and highlight the relevance of considering the neurological impact of coronavirus (CoV) from a translational perspective. Animal models of SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome, caused by structurally similar CoVs during the 2002 and 2012 epidemics, have provided valuable data on nervous system involvement by CoVs and the potential for central nervous system spread of SARS‐CoV‐2. One key finding that may unify these pathogens is that all require angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 as a cell entry receptor. The CoV spike glycoprotein, by which SARS‐CoV‐2 binds to cell membranes, binds angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 with a higher affinity compared with SARS‐CoV. The expression of this receptor in neurons and endothelial cells hints that SARS‐CoV‐2 may have higher neuroinvasive potential compared with previous CoVs. However, it remains to be determined how such invasiveness might contribute to respiratory failure or cause direct neurological damage. Both direct and indirect mechanisms may be of relevance. Clinical heterogeneity potentially driven by differential host immune‐mediated responses will require extensive investigation. Development of disease models to anticipate emerging neurological complications and to explore mechanisms of direct or immune‐mediated pathogenicity in the short and medium term is therefore of great importance. In this brief review, we describe the current knowledge from models of previous CoV infections and discuss their potential relevance to COVID‐19.     

Endoscopy mitigation strategy with telemedicine and low-cost device use for COVID-19 prevention: A fourth-level Colombian center experience

Background and study aimsThe COVID-19 outbreak has reorganized surgical team conditions regarding endoscopy. The number of interventions has been reduced, the number of healthcare professionals must be limited, and both the patients and physicians are more protected than ever.Patients and MethodsIn the highest peak of contagion in Colombia, endoscopy, colonoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were performed using a low-cost disposable device. A total of 1388 procedures were performed. Every patient was assessed for symptoms via a telephone call, at the health center, and after the procedure, following specific attention routes.ResultsAfter procedure follow-up, no positive cases of COVID-19 were noted.ConclusionThe methodology reduced the risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.     

益气化瘀解毒方对MRP、GST-π和Topo Ⅱ基因在Sorafenib获得性耐药人肝癌QGY7702细胞表达的干预研究

目的探讨益气化瘀解毒方干预后对Sorafenib获得性耐药人肝癌QGY7702细胞(QGY7702/Sora)增殖及MRP、GST-π和Topo Ⅱ基因表达的影响。方法培养QGY7702/Sora细胞和QGY7702细胞,利用Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)法检测Sorafenib对细胞的半数抑制率浓度(IC50值),计算耐药指数RI;观察益气化瘀解毒方对耐药细胞的增殖影响;采用荧光定量PCR检测药物干预前后2种细胞中MRP、GST-π和Topo Ⅱ基因表达水平。结果亲本细胞和耐药细胞Sorafenib的IC50值分别为(7.993±0.522)μmol/L和(19.651±1.216)μmol/L,RI约为2.5。益气化瘀解毒方可抑制耐药细胞的增殖活性。2种细胞的MRP、GST-π、Topo Ⅱ表达量无明显差异(P>0.05)。Sorafenib组可促进耐药细胞MRP 、GST-π基因的过表达(P<0.05),益气化瘀解毒方组可抑制GST-π基因的过表达(P<0.01),且联合Sorafenib可显著提高Topo Ⅱ基因的表达量(P<0.01)。结论 QGY7702/Sora细胞MRP、GST-π和Topo Ⅱ的表达水平与亲本细胞无显著差异。耐药细胞对Sorafenib敏感性降低与MRP、GST-π过表达相关,而益气化瘀解毒方拮抗Sorafenib耐药与抑制GST-π过表达相关。     

Invasive Fungal Infections in Low-Risk Liver Transplant Recipients: A Multi-Center Prospective Observational Study

Prevention of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients utilizing postoperative systemic antifungal prophylaxis, typically with fluconazole, is justified among those at high risk for IFI. Use of postoperative antifungal prophylaxis for low-risk OLT recipients is widely practiced but not universally accepted nor supported by data. We conducted a prospective observational study among 200 OLT recipients who were at low risk for IFI and did not receive postoperative antifungal prophylaxis. Patients were considered low risk if they had /=units of 40 blood products or return to the operating room for intra-abdominal bleeding; return to the operating room for anastomotic leak or vascular insufficiency; preoperative serum creatinine of >/=2 mg/dL; and perioperative Candida colonization. Patients were followed 100 d post-transplantation for evidence of IFI. Of 193 eligible patients, 7 (4%) developed an IFI. Three (2%) IFIs were due to Candida spp. and potentially preventable by standard fluconazole prophylaxis. Three patients developed invasive aspergillosis; one developed late onset disseminated cryptococcosis. Liver transplant recipients at low risk for IFI can be identified utilizing pre-determined criteria, and post-transplantation antifungal prophylaxis can be routinely withheld in these patients.     

The Impact of Community Diversity and Consolidated Inequality on Dropping Out of High School

Abstract: Data from the National Education Longitudinal Study were combined with census data at the zip code level to examine the impact of neighborhood racial and ethnic diversity and consolidated inequality, in addition to individual, family, and school factors, on the likelihood of dropping out of high school. Results indicate that while the effects for diversity and consolidated inequality did not support the stated hypotheses, main effects for family risk and prior academic achievement were significant and in the stated direction. Also, when controlling for individual, family, school, and neighborhood characteristics, African Americans were less likely than White students to drop out of school. Implications for contextual effects research and educational outcomes are discussed.     

Coccidioidomycosis After Renal Transplantation in an Endemic Area

Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic fungal infection of the desert southwestern United States of particular concern for immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients. The clinical course of coccidioidomycosis can be severe in immunosuppressed patients, with high rates of dissemination and mortality, and antifungal prophylaxis is routinely administered to high-risk patients. We sought to determine the impact of coccidioidomycosis on patients who received their renal transplant at our hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. A retrospective records review of the first 205 patients who received a renal transplant between June 1999 and December 2003 identified 6 patients (3%) who had contracted coccidioidomycosis after transplantation. All six cases occurred more than 6 months after transplantation. Two of these six patients had disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Two patients, one with pulmonary infection and one with disseminated infection, died. None of the six patients with coccidioidomycosis after transplantation had identified risk factors before transplantation. No high-risk patient who received targeted antifungal prophylaxis had a reactivation of coccidioidomycosis after transplantation. Treatment for acute rejection and induction with antithymocyte globulin did not appear to increase the risk of subsequent coccidioidomycosis.     

社区干预对老年慢性支气管炎独居患者生活质量的影响

目的提高社区老年慢性支气管炎独居患者的生活质量.方法将70例老年慢性支气管炎独居患者随机分为对照组和干预组各35例.干预组采取社区健康干预,如疾病防治知识讲解、自我保健训练及干预人员(志愿者)与患者结对提供帮助与督促等;对照组未采取社区健康干预.于6个月后采用生活质量(QOL)测评表进行评估.结果干预组日常生活能力、社会活动能力、抑郁心理状态、焦虑心理状态及QOL总分显著优于对照组(均P<0.01).结论通过充分利用社区卫生资源为老年慢性支气管炎独居患者进行疾病防治的健康教育,可提高其生活质量.     

Development and evaluation of a new PCR assay for detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa D genotype

This report describes a new PCR-based assay for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa genotype D in occupational saturation diving systems in the North Sea. This genotype has persisted in these systems for 11 years (1993-2003) and represents 18% of isolates from infections analysed during this period. The new PCR assay was based on sequences obtained after randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR analysis of a group of isolates related to diving that had been identified previously by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The primer set for the D genotype targets a gene that codes for a hypothetical class 4 protein in the P. aeruginosa PAO1 genome. A primer set able to detect P. aeruginosa at the species level was also designed, based on the 23S-5S rDNA spacer region. The two assays produced 382-bp and 192-bp amplicons, respectively. The PCR assay was evaluated by analysing 100 P. aeruginosa isolates related to diving, representing 28 PFGE genotypes, and 38 clinical and community P. aeruginosa isolates and strains from other species. The assay identified all of the genotype D isolates tested. Two additional diving-relevant genotypes (TP2 and TP27) were also identified, as well as three isolates of non-diving origin. It was concluded that the new PCR assay is a useful tool for early detection and prevention of infections with the D genotype.