Rehabilitation in long COVID-19: A mini-review

We have been experiencing multiple waves of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. With these unprecedented waves, we have entered into an era of ‘new normal’. This pandemic has enforced us to rethink the very basics of childhood learning: Habits, health etiquette, and hygiene. Rehabilitation has immense importance during this pandemic considering a few aspects. Multidisciplinary COVID-19 rehabilitation clinics are essential to address the demand. The equitable distribution of COVID-19 rehabilitation services for differently-abled individuals during the pandemic is an important aspect. Rehabilitation needs identification and further studies on various rehabilitation interventions are among the key unmet future research needs.     

基于网络药理学和分子对接技术分析筒鞘蛇菰多糖治疗肝损伤的作用机制及体内实验研究＊

目的 基于网络药理学探讨并分析筒鞘蛇菰（Balanophora involucrata Hook. f.，BIH）治疗肝损伤的作用及分子机制，并通过大鼠体内实验验证相关预测靶点及筒鞘蛇菰提取物-蛇菰多糖（Polysaccharides of Balanophora involucrata Hook. f.，BPS）对实验性肝损伤的保护作用。方法 化学专业数据库、TCMID和TCMSP平台检索筒鞘蛇菰组成的化合物及可能靶点，以肝损伤为关键词检索GeneCards和网站，获得相关靶点，绘制Venn图，选交集靶点，将“化合物-靶点和疾病-靶点”关系导入Cytoscape V3.7.2软件，获得化合物-靶点-疾病的三重网络，对化合物及相关靶点蛋白行分子对接，并用交集靶点绘制蛋白互作网络图及进行GO生物功能和KEGG信号途径富集分析。结果 筒鞘蛇菰主要成分有11个化合物，其中与肝损伤有37个交集靶点，高度关联靶点包括NOS3、ESR1、TNF、MAOA、PTGS2、IL10等，GO和KEGG富集分析发现筒鞘蛇菰治疗肝损伤的分子机制，可能与调节肾上腺素能信号通路、cGMP-PKG信号及神经活性配体-受体交互通路等有关，而且ADRA1B、ADRA2A、ADRA2C、ADRB1/2等基因高度富集于这些通路中。动物体内实验发现BPS灌胃处理可减轻肝组织损伤、调控血清炎症因子肿瘤坏死因子α（Tumor necrosis factor， TNF-α）和白细胞介素10（IL-10）水平、提高抗氧化酶超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase，SOD）活性，并增强肝组织内氧化应激相关蛋白核因子E2相关因子2（NF-E2-related factor 2，NRF2）和醌NADH脱氢酶1（NQO1）的表达，从而抑制大鼠体内氧化应激损伤、减轻炎症反应和细胞凋亡，达到保护实验性肝损伤的作用。结论 本研究初步确定筒鞘蛇菰治疗肝损伤的有效成分、“化合物-蛋白-靶点”关联网络及发挥作用的分子机制，并通过动物体内实验证实蛇菰多糖保护肝损伤的机制与上调NRF2/NQO1通路来减轻氧化应激反应性损伤、减轻肝细胞凋亡有关。     

脑出血继发损伤中沉默信息调节因子2的表达和炎症反应*

目的：探讨脑出血对酵母沉默信息调节因子2（Sirt2）和炎症的影响。方法：将胶原酶Ⅳ注入SD大鼠右侧 纹状体中建立脑出血模型，通过免疫印迹和ELISA 等方法测定大鼠脑出血后48 h 的Sirt2 的表达及炎症变化。利 用Hemin 诱导PC12 细胞损伤模拟体外脑出血模型，并检测Sirt2 及炎症变化；采用短发夹RNA（shRNA）-Sirt2 沉 默Sirt2 在PC12 细胞中的表达及对炎症的影响。结果：手术后48 h 脑出血行为学评分最低。脑出血组Sirt2 的表达 显著高于假手术组。脑出血组IL-6、IL-1β 表达显著升高。结论：脑出血可以促进Sirt2 的表达和炎症反应，降低 Sirt2 的表达可减缓炎症反应。 关键词 脑出血；沉默信息调节     

Systemic therapy for hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early stage and metastatic breast cancer

Hormone receptor (HR)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer is defined by the presence of the estrogen receptor and/or the progesterone receptor and the absence of HER2 gene amplification. HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer accounts for 65%–70% of all breast cancers, and incidence increases with increasing age. Treatment varies by stage, and endocrine therapy is the mainstay of treatment in both early stage and late-stage disease. Combinations with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors have reduced distant recurrence in the early stage setting and improved overall survival in the metastatic setting. Chemotherapy is used based on stage and tumor biology in the early stage setting and after endocrine resistance for advanced disease. New therapies, including novel endocrine agents and antibody-drug conjugates, are now changing the treatment landscape. With the availability of new treatment options, it is important to define the optimal sequence of treatment to maximize clinical benefit while minimizing toxicity. In this review, the authors first discuss the pathologic and molecular features of HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer and mechanisms of endocrine resistance. Then, they discuss current and emerging therapies for both early stage and metastatic HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer, including treatment algorithms based on current data.     

Overview of CF lung pathophysiology

Defects of the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein affect the homeostasis of chloride, bicarbonate, sodium, and water in the airway surface liquid, influencing the mucus composition and viscosity, which induces a severe condition of infection and inflammation along the whole life of CF patients. The introduction of CFTR modulators, novel drugs directly intervening to rescue the function of CFTR protein, opens a new era of experimental research. The review summarizes the most recent advancements to understand the characteristics of the infective and inflammatory pathology of CF lungs.     

The Use of Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 in a Chinese Population to Predict Cardiovascular Events

Objective To explore associations between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2) and the risk of cardiovascular events in a Chinese population, with a long-term follow-up.Methods A random sample of 2,031 participants(73.6% males, mean age = 60.4 years) was derived from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community study(APAC) from 2010 to 2011. Serum Lp-PLA2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The composite endpoint was a combination of first-eve...     

Angiotensin (1−7) peptide replacement therapy with plasma transfusion in COVID-19

AimTo determine whether convalescent angiotensin (1?7) peptide replacement therapy with plasma (peptide plasma) transfusion can be beneficial in the treatment of critically ill patients with severe coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.Study designCase series of 9 critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who met the following criteria: severe pneumonia with rapid progression and continuously high viral load despite antiviral treatment.Peptide plasma: Plasma with angiotensin (1?7) content 8–10 times higher than healthy plasma donors was obtained from suitable donors. Peptide plasma transfusion was applied to 9 patients whose clinical status and/or laboratory profile deteriorated and who needed intensive care for 2 days.ResultsIn our COVID-19 cases, favipiravir, low molecular weight heparin treatment, which is included in the treatment protocol of the ministry of health, was started. Nine patients with oxygen saturation of 93% and below despite nasal oxygen support, whose clinical and/or laboratory deteriorated, were identified. The youngest of the cases was 36 years old, and the oldest patient was 85 years old. 6 of the 9 cases had male gender. 3 cases had been smoking for more than 10 years. 4 cases had at least one chronic disease.In all of our cases, SARS CoV2 lung involvement was bilateral and peptide plasma therapy was administered in cases when oxygen saturation was 93% and below despite nasal oxygen support of 5 liters/minute and above, and intensive care was required. Although it was not reflected in the laboratory parameters in the early period, 8 patients whose saturations improved with treatment were discharged without the need for intensive care. However, a similar response was not obtained in one case. Oxygen requirement increased gradually and, he died in intensive care process. An increase of the platelet count was observed in all cases following the peptide plasma treatment.ConclusionIn this preliminary case series of 9 critically ill patients with COVID-19, administration of plasma containing angiotensin (1?7) was followed by improvement in their clinical status. The limited sample size and study design preclude a definitive statement about the potential effectiveness of this treatment, and these observations require evaluation in clinical trials.     

儿童社区获得性肺炎血清维生素A的变化及与免疫功能相关性

目的 研究社区获得性肺炎(community acquired pneumonia,CAP)患儿血清维生素A(vitamin A,VA)水平及与免疫功能的相关性,为肺炎病情评估提供一定参考。方法 以入住新乡医学院第一附属医院PICU的63例重度社区获得性肺炎(severe community acquired pneumonia, SCAP)患儿(SCAP组)、普通儿科病区的30例轻度社区获得性肺炎(mild community acquired pneumonia, MCAP)患儿(MCAP组),以及同期体检的30名健康儿童(对照组)为研究对象,检测其血清中VA和免疫球蛋白(immunoglobulin,Ig)G、IgA、IgM水平,及SCAP组体内T淋巴细胞亚群(总T淋巴细胞、CD4、CD8、CD4/CD8),并对SCAP组体内VA水平及以上指标的相关性进行分析。结果 3组性别和年龄差异无统计学意义;血清中VA的平均含量分别为0.36、0.25和0.19 mg/L,CAP组VA的含量较对照组明显降低,且SCAP组明显低于MCAP组(P<0.05)。根据WHO推荐的VA诊断标准,3组VA临床缺乏/亚临床缺乏率分别为10.00%、36.67%和61.90%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。CAP组血清中Ig水平较对照组明显降低,且SCAP组明显低于MCAP组(P<0.05)。SCAP组血中总T淋巴细胞、CD4、CD8和CD4/CD8的平均水平分别为53.28%、30.26%、20.24%和1.59;分析VA水平与免疫相关指标关系发现VA水平与Ig(IgG、IgA、IgM)水平、总T淋巴细胞、CD4呈正相关,与CD8水平不相关。结论 肺炎患儿血清VA水平与病情严重程度及机体免疫功能相关。     

Young age,female sex,and presence of systemic adverse reactions are associated with high post-vaccination antibody titer after two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: An observational study of 646 Japanese healthcare workers and university staff

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 vaccination has started worldwide, including Japan. Although high rates of vaccine response and adverse reactions of BNT162b2 vaccine have been reported, knowledge about the relationship between sex differences and antibody response is limited. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether adverse reactions are associated with the vaccine response.MethodsThis prospective observational study included 673 Japanese participants working in a medical school and its affiliated hospital in Tokyo, Japan (UMIN000043340). Serum samples were collected before the first dose and three weeks after the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine, and antibody titers against the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were measured. Answers to questionnaires about background characteristics and adverse reactions were obtained at the time of sample collection, and the relationship between antibody titers was analyzed.ResultsAfter excluding participants who did not complete receiving two doses of vaccination or two series of serum sample collection, 646 participants were analyzed. Although all participants became sero-positive after vaccination, antibody titers were highly variable among individuals (260.9–57,399.7A U/mL), with a median titer of 13478.0AU/mL. Mean titer was higher in females than in males and higher in young (≤45 years old) participants than in aged (>45 years old) participants. Participants who experienced adverse reactions demonstrated a higher antibody titer after vaccination than those without adverse reactions. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that young age, female sex, and adverse reactions after the second dose were independently related to higher antibody titers after the second dose.DiscussionA favorable antibody response was observed after two doses of BNT162b2 vaccination among mostly healthy Japanese participants, especially among female and young participants. Although further investigation is essential, our results imply that the systemic adverse reactions (i.e., fever and general fatigue) are associated with a higher antibody response that indicates the acquisition of humoral immunity.