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Omar A, Gul I, Ali I. Exploring vaccine hesitancy and acceptance in the general population of Pakistan: Insights into COVID-19-related distress, risk perception, and stigma. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2309699. [PMID: 38310646 PMCID: PMC10841009 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2309699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused several impacts. Focusing on 360 participants (178 males, 182 females), this study explored the association between COVID-19 related distress, risk perception, stigma, and vaccine hesitancy and acceptance in the general population. Measures used included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and COVID Stress Scale (CSS) to evaluate anxiety, depression, and COVID-19 related distress, the COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale and COVID-19 Stigma Discrimination Scale to assess risk perception and stigma, and the Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Scale and Vaccine Acceptance Instrument to measure vaccine hesitancy and acceptance. The findings revealed that 66.9% of participants exhibited vaccine hesitancy, and stress and risk perception were significant predictors of both vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, even after controlling for demographic factors. This study highlights the importance of understanding the factors mentioned above that will contribute to vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, which will contribute to promoting vaccine acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Omar
- Behavioral Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Iram Gul
- Behavioral Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Inayat Ali
- Department of Public Health and Allied Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- Department of Anthropology, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Gong Q, Jiang R, Ji L, Lin H, Liu M, Tang X, Yang Y, Han W, Chen J, Guo Z, Wang Q, Li Q, Wang X, Jiang T, Xie S, Yang X, Zhou P, Shi Z, Lin X. Establishment of a human organoid-based evaluation system for assessing interspecies infection risk of animal-borne coronaviruses. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2327368. [PMID: 38531008 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2327368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a major threat to global public health. Several lines of evidence have shown that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), along with two other highly pathogenic coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) originated from bats. To prevent and control future coronavirus outbreaks, it is necessary to investigate the interspecies infection and pathogenicity risks of animal-related coronaviruses. Currently used infection models, including in vitro cell lines and in vivo animal models, fail to fully mimic the primary infection in human tissues. Here, we employed organoid technology as a promising new model for studying emerging pathogens and their pathogenic mechanisms. We investigated the key host-virus interaction patterns of five human coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2 original strain, Omicron BA.1, MERS-CoV, HCoV-229E, and HCoV-OC43) in different human respiratory organoids. Five indicators, including cell tropism, invasion preference, replication activity, host response and virus-induced cell death, were developed to establish a comprehensive evaluation system to predict coronavirus interspecies infection and pathogenicity risks. Using this system, we further examined the pathogenicity and interspecies infection risks of three SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoV), including WIV1 and rRsSHC014S from bats, and MpCoV-GX from pangolins. Moreover, we found that cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive plant extract, exhibits significant inhibitory effects on various coronaviruses in human lung organoid. Cannabidiol significantly enhanced interferon-stimulated gene expression but reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines. In summary, our study established a reliable comprehensive evaluation system to analyse infection and pathogenicity patterns of zoonotic coronaviruses, which could aid in prevention and control of potentially emerging coronavirus diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianchun Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Joint Laboratory for Lung Development and Related Diseases of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University and School of Life Sciences of Fudan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Rendi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Ji
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Haofeng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiqin Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Han
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zishuo Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shizhe Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinglou Yang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Information, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengli Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinhua Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Joint Laboratory for Lung Development and Related Diseases of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University and School of Life Sciences of Fudan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
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Kumi R, Quartey J, Kwakye SK, Oppong ED. Students' perceptions and experiences of remote learning amid covid-19 pandemic in Ghana. Hong Kong Physiother J 2024; 44:103-118. [PMID: 38510159 PMCID: PMC10949108 DOI: 10.1142/s1013702524500070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on students, instructors, and educational organisations all around the world. Remote learning was an emergency response by most universities in Ghana during this pandemic to ensure the continuation of their academic calendar. Conducting this study among Ghanaian undergraduate students is crucial because factors like socioeconomic status, technological resources, and individual learning preferences can significantly impact their experience and the perception of remote learning, which may differ from studies conducted elsewhere. Objective To determine the perceptions and experiences of remote learning among allied health sciences students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 218 second, third, and final year Allied Health Sciences students in the University of Ghana. A questionnaire was used to obtain data concerning health professions students' perception and experience of remote learning. The readiness of students in respect to the emergency remote learning, attitudes towards remote learning, perception of remote learning, satisfaction, and the level of anxiety was calculated using mean and mean percentages. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyse differences between programmes of study and the perceptions and experiences of remote learning. Results One hundred and fifteen (53.1%) of the participants had moderate perceptions of independence and responsibility in their learning experiences while 80 (36.7%) students reported that their satisfaction levels regarding remote learning was high. Seventy-seven (38.4%) students reported that they had a burden of anxiety. There was no statistically significant difference between anxiety level and programme of study. Conclusion Ghana Allied Health Sciences students had positive perceptions and experiences towards remote learning. They could adapt to the new teaching method with appropriate technology integration. Despite a number of students who were anxious about using remote learning. Adequate support towards transitioning into the use of technology may be a good consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rockson Kumi
- Physiotherapy Department, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jonathan Quartey
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Williams SE, Ginty AT. A stress-is-enhancing mindset is associated with lower traumatic stress symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety Stress Coping 2024; 37:293-304. [PMID: 37968945 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2023.2282092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A stress-is-enhancing mindset is associated with lower perceived stress and better coping. However, work examining the prospective associations of stress mindset on perceived traumatic stress symptoms during a stressful real-world life event is limited. The present prospective study explored whether stress-is-enhancing mindset measured before the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic was associated with later traumatic stress symptoms in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. METHODS University students (N = 179; 68% female; Mage = 19.31, SD = 0.79 years) completed the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM) prior to COVID-19 pandemic onset as part of a larger study. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic was completed 1 year into the pandemic. RESULTS SMM negatively predicted the IES-R subscales intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal such that a more stress-is-enhancing mindset was associated with lower intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal following the onset of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest a more positive stress mindset is associated with fewer traumatic stress symptoms following a traumatic life event. Altering stress mindset may be an avenue for future interventions to cope with stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Williams
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Annie T Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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Budak L, Negovetić Vranić D, Vranić L. Assessment of dental students' knowledge of infection control and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur J Dent Educ 2024; 28:679-688. [PMID: 38379161 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, new guidelines for dental practice were published. This research aims to examine the knowledge of dental students and their attitudes towards current guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study involved 76 fourth-year dental medicine students from three public universities in Croatia. A survey questionnaire was developed based on in-depth interviews and a pilot pretesting. The online questionnaire consisting of 36 questions was published using Google Forms. The survey data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and presented with descriptive statistics. RESULTS Survey data showed the dental students' knowledge of the guidelines for dental practices is at an insufficient level (average score of 67% correct answers). Students who have come across the guidelines outside the faculty environment through assistantships have demonstrated lesser knowledge (65%) of the guidelines than the ones who do not (68%). A similar trend is observed with dental students who grew up in a family of doctors of dental medicine (61%) and ones who did not (68%). Students also independently assessed their knowledge of the guidelines as moderate (3.15 out of 5), while evaluating the application of current guidelines as very important (4.38 out of 5). CONCLUSION Awareness of dental students should be improved by adapting the curriculum of dental studies and increasing the availability of information on current guidelines. Dental students need to be motivated to independently inform themselves about the current guidelines for dental practices, thus improving their clinical work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Budak
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dubravka Negovetić Vranić
- Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lara Vranić
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Mūrniece G, Šteingolde Ž, Cvetkova S, Valciņa O, Zrelovs Ņ, Brīvība M, Kloviņš J, Birzniece L, Megnis K, Fridmanis D, Bērziņš A, Kovaļčuka L, Kovaļenko K. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats (Felis catus) during COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1338. [PMID: 38140758 PMCID: PMC10951624 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is of zoonotic origin and has shown reverse zoonotic transmissibility. OBJECTIVES The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the serological and molecular prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the domestic cat (Felis catus) population from Latvia in natural conditions and subsequently perform viral genome analysis. METHODS Oropharyngeal and rectal swabs and blood samples were collected from 273 domestic cats during the second wave of COVID-19 infection in Latvia. Molecular prevalence was determined by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serum samples were analysed via double antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay targeting the antibody against the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2. Positive swab samples were analysed using whole viral genome sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome sequencing data of the samples was performed. RESULTS The overall SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positivity and seroprevalence was 1.1% (3/273) and 2.6% (7/273), respectively. The SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from three RT-PCR positive cats were assigned to the three common lineages (PANGOLIN lineage S.1.; B.1.177.60. and B.1.1.7.) circulating in Latvia during the particular period of time. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that feline infection with SARS-CoV-2 occurred during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia, yet the overall prevalence was low. In addition, it seems like no special 'cat' pre-adaptations were necessary for successful infection of cats by the common lineages of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gundega Mūrniece
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLatvia University of Life Sciences and TechnologiesJelgavaLatvia
| | - Žanete Šteingolde
- Institute of Food SafetyAnimal Health and Environment “BIOR”RigaLatvia
| | - Svetlana Cvetkova
- Institute of Food SafetyAnimal Health and Environment “BIOR”RigaLatvia
| | - Olga Valciņa
- Institute of Food SafetyAnimal Health and Environment “BIOR”RigaLatvia
| | | | - Monta Brīvība
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study CentreRigaLatvia
| | - Jānis Kloviņš
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study CentreRigaLatvia
| | | | | | | | - Aivars Bērziņš
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLatvia University of Life Sciences and TechnologiesJelgavaLatvia
- Institute of Food SafetyAnimal Health and Environment “BIOR”RigaLatvia
| | - Līga Kovaļčuka
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLatvia University of Life Sciences and TechnologiesJelgavaLatvia
| | - Kaspars Kovaļenko
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLatvia University of Life Sciences and TechnologiesJelgavaLatvia
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Lowell JA, Wright J, Eisenberg S, Teperman J, Dastagir M. Rash from the past: A case of recurrent reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption triggered by common coronavirus. JAAD Case Rep 2024; 47:26-29. [PMID: 38576904 PMCID: PMC10993116 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2024.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Lowell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hofstra Zucker School of Medicine and North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Medical Center at Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
| | - Jervon Wright
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hofstra Zucker School of Medicine and North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Medical Center at Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
| | - Samuel Eisenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hofstra Zucker School of Medicine and North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Medical Center at Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
| | - Jacob Teperman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hofstra Zucker School of Medicine and North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Medical Center at Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
| | - Manile Dastagir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hofstra Zucker School of Medicine and North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Medical Center at Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
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Abstract
Healthcare professionals play important roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to evaluate nursing students' opinions about COVID-19. This study was planned using a descriptive phenomenological design. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview form during individual interviews carried out through phone calls or online. After the interviews were recorded, they were documented. The study found that students experienced anxiety because of the pandemic, that they protect themselves through personal hygiene and isolation methods, that most of them found the social measures sufficient, that they were worried about their relatives, and that they wanted to go back to their social lives. Positive occupational value and investment in the health sector are positive effects of the pandemic on nursing, while an increased workload and the high risk of death are negative effects. Nursing students should be supported with both theoretical information and psychological support during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Tülüce
- Faculty of Health Sciences Nursing Department, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Turkey
| | - Emine Kaplan Serin
- Faculty of Health Sciences Nursing Department, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
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Mesaros EF, Dugan BJ, Gao M, Sheraz M, McGovern-Gooch K, Xu F, Fan KY, Nguyen D, Kultgen SG, Lindstrom A, Stever K, Tercero B, Binder RJ, Liu F, Micolochick Steuer HM, Mani N, Harasym TO, Thi EP, Cuconati A, Dorsey BD, Cole AG, Lam AM, Sofia MJ. Discovery of C-Linked Nucleoside Analogues with Antiviral Activity against SARS-CoV-2. ACS Infect Dis 2024. [PMID: 38651692 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The recent COVID-19 pandemic underscored the limitations of currently available direct-acting antiviral treatments against acute respiratory RNA-viral infections and stimulated major research initiatives targeting anticoronavirus agents. Two novel nsp5 protease (MPro) inhibitors have been approved, nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvir, along with two existing nucleos(t)ide analogues repurposed as nsp12 polymerase inhibitors, remdesivir and molnupiravir, but a need still exists for therapies with improved potency and systemic exposure with oral dosing, better metabolic stability, and reduced resistance and toxicity risks. Herein, we summarize our research toward identifying nsp12 inhibitors that led to nucleoside analogues 10e and 10n, which showed favorable pan-coronavirus activity in cell-infection screens, were metabolized to active triphosphate nucleotides in cell-incubation studies, and demonstrated target (nsp12) engagement in biochemical assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugen F Mesaros
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Benjamin J Dugan
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Min Gao
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Muhammad Sheraz
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | | | - Fran Xu
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Kristi Yi Fan
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Duyan Nguyen
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Steven G Kultgen
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Aaron Lindstrom
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Kim Stever
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Breanna Tercero
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Randall J Binder
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Fei Liu
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | | | - Nagraj Mani
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Troy O Harasym
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Emily P Thi
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Andrea Cuconati
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Bruce D Dorsey
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Andrew G Cole
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Angela M Lam
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Michael J Sofia
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
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Blackman J, Gabb VG, Carrigan N, Wearn A, Meky S, Selwood J, Desai B, Piggins HD, Turner N, Greenwood R, Coulthard E. Sleep quality during and after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) lockdowns in the UK: Results from the SleepQuest study. J Sleep Res 2024:e14205. [PMID: 38650540 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Sleep is fundamental to health. The aim of this study was to analyse and determine factors predicting sleep quality during and after national lockdowns due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) in the UK. A longitudinal online survey-based study (SleepQuest) involving UK adults was administered in Spring 2020, Winter 2020, and Winter 2022 including questionnaires probing sleep quality, depression, anxiety, beliefs about sleep, demographics, COVID-19 status, and exercise. The primary outcome was sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). A linear mixed-effects model evaluated factors associated with baseline and longitudinal sleep quality. Complete data were provided by 3306 participants in Spring 2020, 2196 participants in Winter 2020, and 1193 in Winter 2022. Participants were mostly female (73.8%), white (97.4%), and aged over 50 years (81.0%). On average, participants reported poor sleep quality in Spring 2020 (mean [SD] Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score = 6.59 [3.6]) and Winter 2020 (mean [SD] Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score = 6.44 [3.6]), with improved but still poor sleep quality in Winter 2022 (mean [SD] Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score = 6.17 [3.5]). Improved sleep quality was driven by better subjective sleep and reduced daytime dysfunction and sleep latency. Being female, older, having caring responsibilities, working nightshifts, and reporting higher levels of depression, anxiety, and unhelpful beliefs about sleep were associated with worse baseline PSQI scores. Better sleep quality was associated with more days exercising per week at baseline. Interventions focusing on improving mental health, exercise, and attitudes towards sleep, particularly in at-risk groups, may improve sleep-related outcomes in future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Blackman
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Victoria Grace Gabb
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Neil Carrigan
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Alfie Wearn
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Saba Meky
- Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - James Selwood
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Bhavisha Desai
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hugh D Piggins
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nicholas Turner
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Rosemary Greenwood
- NIHR Research & Design Service South West, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Education & Research Centre, Bristol, UK
| | - Elizabeth Coulthard
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
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11
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Lotzin A, Stahlmann K, Acquarini E, Ajdukovic D, Ajdukovic M, Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous X, Ardino V, Bondjers K, Bragesjö M, Böttche M, Dragan M, Figueiredo-Braga M, Gelezelyte O, Grajewski P, Javakhishvili JD, Kazlauskas E, Lenferink L, Lioupi C, Lueger-Schuster B, Mooren T, Sales L, Tsiskarishvili L, Novakovic IZ, Schäfer I. A longitudinal study of risk and protective factors for symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2318944. [PMID: 38644753 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2318944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused multiple stressors that may lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder.Objective: We longitudinally examined relationships between risk and protective factors, pandemic-related stressors and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as whether these relationships differed by the time of assessment.Method: The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) ADJUST Study included N = 15,169 participants aged 18 years and above. Participants from 11 European countries were recruited and screened three times at 6-month intervals from June 2020 to January 2022. Associations between risk and protective factors (e.g. gender), stressors (e.g. fear of infection), and symptoms of adjustment disorder (AjD, ADNM-8) and their interaction with time of assessment were examined using mixed linear regression.Results: The following predictors were significantly associated with higher AjD symptom levels: female or diverse gender; older age; pandemic-related news consumption >30 min a day; a current or previous mental health disorder; trauma exposure before or during the pandemic; a good, satisfactory or poor health status (vs. very good); burden related to governmental crisis management and communication; fear of infection; restricted social contact; work-related problems; restricted activity; and difficult housing conditions. The following predictors were associated with lower AjD levels: self-employment or retirement; working in healthcare; and face-to-face contact ≥ once a week with loved ones or friends. The effects of the following predictors on AjD symptoms differed by the time of assessment in the course of the pandemic: a current or previous mental disorder; burden related to governmental crisis management; income reduction; and a current trauma exposure.Conclusions: We identified risk factors and stressors predicting AjD symptom levels at different stages of the pandemic. For some predictors, the effects on mental health may change at different stages of a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annett Lotzin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Stahlmann
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Dean Ajdukovic
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Ajdukovic
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | - Kristina Bondjers
- National Centre for Disaster Psychiatry, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- National Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Bragesjö
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatric Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Böttche
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Margarida Figueiredo-Braga
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Trauma Observatory, Centre for Social Studies (CES), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Odeta Gelezelyte
- Center for Psychotraumatology, Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | - Evaldas Kazlauskas
- Center for Psychotraumatology, Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Lonneke Lenferink
- Department of Psychology, Health, & Technology, Faculty of Behavioural, Management, and Social Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Chrysanthi Lioupi
- Psychology Program, School of Ηumanities, Social Sciences and Law, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Brigitte Lueger-Schuster
- Unit of Psychotraumatology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Trudy Mooren
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Luisa Sales
- Trauma Observatory, Centre for Social Studies (CES), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Unit of Psychiatry, Hospital Militar, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Irina Zrnic Novakovic
- Unit of Psychotraumatology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingo Schäfer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Han Y, Yuan Z, Yi Z. Identification of a membrane-associated element (MAE) in the C-terminal region of SARS-CoV-2 nsp6 that is essential for viral replication. J Virol 2024:e0034924. [PMID: 38639488 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00349-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread worldwide since its emergence in late 2019. Its ongoing evolution poses challenges for antiviral drug development. Coronavirus nsp6, a multiple-spanning transmembrane protein, participates in the biogenesis of the viral replication complex, which accommodates the viral replication-transcription complex. The roles of its structural domains in viral replication are not well studied. Herein, we predicted the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp6 protein using AlphaFold2 and identified a highly folded C-terminal region (nsp6C) downstream of the transmembrane helices. The enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-fused nsp6C was found to cluster in the cytoplasm and associate with membranes. Functional mapping identified a minimal membrane-associated element (MAE) as the region from amino acids 237 to 276 (LGV-KLL), which is mainly composed of the α-helix H1 and the α-helix H2; the latter exhibits characteristics of an amphipathic helix (AH). Mutagenesis studies and membrane flotation experiments demonstrate that AH-like H2 is required for MAE-mediated membrane association. This MAE was functionally conserved across MERS-CoV, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E, HCoV-HKU1, and HCoV-NL63, all capable of mediating membrane association. In a SARS-CoV-2 replicon system, mutagenesis studies of H2 and replacements of H1 and H2 with their homologous counterparts demonstrated requirements of residues on both sides of the H2 and properly paired H1-H2 for MAE-mediated membrane association and viral replication. Notably, mutations I266A and K274A significantly attenuated viral replication without dramatically affecting membrane association, suggesting a dual role of the MAE in viral replication: mediating membrane association as well as participating in protein-protein interactions.IMPORTANCESevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) assembles a double-membrane vesicle (DMV) by the viral non-structural proteins for viral replication. Understanding the mechanisms of the DMV assembly is of paramount importance for antiviral development. Nsp6, a multiple-spanning transmembrane protein, plays an important role in the DMV biogenesis. Herein, we predicted the nsp6 structure of SARS-CoV-2 and other human coronaviruses using AlphaFold2 and identified a putative membrane-associated element (MAE) in the highly conserved C-terminal regions of nsp6. Experimentally, we verified a functionally conserved minimal MAE composed of two α-helices, the H1, and the amphipathic helix-like H2. Mutagenesis studies confirmed the requirement of H2 for MAE-mediated membrane association and viral replication and demonstrated a dual role of the MAE in viral replication, by mediating membrane association and participating in residue-specific interactions. This functionally conserved MAE may serve as a novel anti-viral target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Han
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhigang Yi
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Aranega-Bou P, Pottage T, Fenwick A, D'Costa W, Brown NF, Yaxley N, King MF, Parker ST, Miller D, López-García M, Noakes CJ, Moore G, Bennett A. A 17-month longitudinal surface sampling study carried out on public transport vehicles operating in England during the COVID-19 pandemic identified low levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination. J Appl Microbiol 2024:lxae095. [PMID: 38637309 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
AIMS To monitor severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA contamination in vehicles operating in England during the pandemic, to better understand transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 on public transport. METHODS AND RESULTS We collected 1 314 surface samples between December 2020 and April 2022 on trains and buses managed by five different transport operators. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was investigated through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found on 197 (15%) of the 1 314 surfaces sampled, including seat head rests, handholds, and air extract grilles, but the levels of RNA recovered on those samples (median value of 23.4, inter-quartile range: 14.3-35.4, N gene copies per extraction) made the presence of infectious virus at the time of sampling extremely unlikely. However, detection rates varied over time with peaks broadly coinciding with times of high community transmission, when it was more likely that people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were travelling on public transport. CONCLUSION During the pandemic, and as in other public spaces, low levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA were found on surfaces associated with public transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paz Aranega-Bou
- Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Pottage
- Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Abigail Fenwick
- Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Wilhemina D'Costa
- Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie F Brown
- Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Yaxley
- Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Marco-Felipe King
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LS29JT Leeds, UK
| | - Simon T Parker
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, UK
| | - Daniel Miller
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, UK
| | - Martín López-García
- School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LS2 9JT Leeds, UK
| | - Catherine J Noakes
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LS29JT Leeds, UK
| | - Ginny Moore
- Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Allan Bennett
- Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, SP4 0JG Salisbury, United Kingdom
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Hutten CG, Padalia K, Vasbinder A, Huang Y, Ismail A, Pizzo I, Machado Diaz K, Catalan T, Presswalla F, Anderson E, Erne G, Bitterman B, Blakely P, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Loosen SH, Tacke F, Chalkias A, Reiser J, Eugen-Olsen J, Banerjee M, Pop-Busui R, Hayek SS. Obesity, Inflammation, and Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024:dgae273. [PMID: 38635301 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Obesity is a risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related outcomes; however, the mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The objective of this analysis was to determine whether inflammation mediates the association between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes. DESIGN The International Study of Inflammation in Covid-19 (ISIC): A Prospective Multi-Center Observational Study Examining the Role of Biomarkers of Inflammation in Predicting Covid-19 Related Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients. SETTING Ten hospitals in the United States and Europe. PARTICIPANTS Adults hospitalized specifically for COVID-19 between February 1, 2020, through October 19, 2022. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Inflammatory biomarkers, including soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), were measured at admission. Associations were examined between body-mass index (BMI, kg/m2) and a composite of death, need for mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy, stratified by pre- and post-Omicron variants. The contribution of inflammation to the relationship between obesity and outcomes was assessed. RESULTS Among 4644 participants (mean age 59.3, 45.6% male, 21.8% BMI≥35), those with BMI>40 (n=485) had 55% higher odds of the composite outcome (95% CI[1.21 to 1.98]) compared to non-obese individuals (BMI<30, n=2358) in multivariable analysis. In multiple mediation analysis, only suPAR remained a significant mediator between BMI and composite outcome. Associations were amplified for participants younger than 65 years and with pre-Omicron variants. CONCLUSION Obesity is associated with worse outcomes in COVID-19, notably in younger participants and in the pre-Omicron era. Inflammation, as measured by suPAR, is a significant mediator of the association between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina G Hutten
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Kishan Padalia
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Alexi Vasbinder
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Yiyuan Huang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Anis Ismail
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Ian Pizzo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Kristen Machado Diaz
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Tonimarie Catalan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Feriel Presswalla
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Elizabeth Anderson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Grace Erne
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Brayden Bitterman
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Pennelope Blakely
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | | | - Sven H Loosen
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Athanasios Chalkias
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jochen Reiser
- Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jesper Eugen-Olsen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Mousumi Banerjee
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Rodica Pop-Busui
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Salim S Hayek
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
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García YE, Schmidt AJ, Solis L, Daza-Torres ML, Montesinos-López JC, Pollock BH, Nuño M. Assessing SARS-CoV-2 Testing Adherence in a University Town: Recurrent Event Modeling Analysis. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e48784. [PMID: 38631033 PMCID: PMC11025600 DOI: 10.2196/48784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthy Davis Together was a program launched in September 2020 in the city of Davis, California, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and facilitate the return to normalcy. The program involved multiple interventions, including free saliva-based asymptomatic testing, targeted communication campaigns, education efforts, and distribution of personal protective equipment, community partnerships, and investments in the local economy. OBJECTIVE This study identified demographic characteristics of individuals that underwent testing and assessed adherence to testing over time in a community pandemic-response program launched in a college town in California, United States. METHODS This study outlines overall testing engagement, identifies demographic characteristics of participants, and evaluates testing participation changes over 4 periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, distinguished by the dominant variants Delta and Omicron. Additionally, a recurrent model is employed to explore testing patterns based on the participants' frequency, timing, and demographic characteristics. RESULTS A total of 770,165 tests were performed between November 18, 2020, and June 30, 2022, among 89,924 (41.1% of total population) residents of Yolo County, with significant participation from racially or ethnically diverse participants and across age groups. Most positive cases (6351 of total) and highest daily participation (895 per 100,000 population) were during the Omicron period. There were some gender and age-related differences in the pattern of recurrent COVID-19 testing. Men were slightly less likely (hazard ratio [HR] 0.969, 95% CI 0.943-0.996) to be retested and more likely (HR 1.104, 95% CI 1.075-1.134) to stop testing altogether than women. People aged between 20 and 34 years were less likely to be retested (HR 0.861, 95% CI 0.828-0.895) and more likely to stop testing altogether (HR 2.617, 95% CI 2.538-2.699). However, older age groups were less likely to stop testing, especially those aged between 65-74 years and 75-84 years, than those aged between 0 and 19 years. The likelihood of stopping testing was lower (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.889-0.976) for the Asian group and higher for the Hispanic or Latino (HR 1.185, 95% CI 1.148-1.223) and Black or African American (HR 1.198, 95% CI 1.054-1.350) groups than the White group. CONCLUSIONS The unique features of a pandemic response program that supported community-wide access to free asymptomatic testing provide a unique opportunity to evaluate adherence to testing recommendations and testing trends over time. Identification of individual and group-level factors associated with testing behaviors can provide insights for identifying potential areas of improvement in future testing initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury E García
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Alec J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Leslie Solis
- Clinical and Translational Science Center, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - María L Daza-Torres
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | | | - Brad H Pollock
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Miriam Nuño
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
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Babot M, Boulard Y, Agouda S, Pieri L, Fieulaine S, Bressanelli S, Gervais V. Oligomeric assembly of the C-terminal and transmembrane region of SARS-CoV-2 nsp3. J Virol 2024; 98:e0157523. [PMID: 38483167 PMCID: PMC11019948 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01575-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
As for all single-stranded, positive-sense RNA (+RNA) viruses, intracellular RNA synthesis relies on extensive remodeling of host cell membranes that leads to the formation of specialized structures. In the case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) coronavirus causing COVID-19, endoplasmic reticulum membranes are modified, resulting in the formation of double-membrane vesicles (DMVs), which contain the viral dsRNA intermediate and constitute membrane-bound replication organelles. The non-structural and transmembrane protein nsp3 is a key player in the biogenesis of DMVs and, therefore, represents an interesting antiviral target. However, as an integral transmembrane protein, it is challenging to express for structural biology. The C-terminus of nsp3 encompasses all the membrane-spanning, -interacting, and -remodeling elements. By using a cell-free expression system, we successfully produced the C-terminal region of nsp3 (nsp3C) and reconstituted purified nsp3C into phospholipid nanodiscs, opening the way for structural studies. Negative-stain transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of nsp3C oligomers very similar to the region abutting and spanning the membrane on the cytosolic side of DMVs in a recent subtomogram average of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp3-4 pore (1). AlphaFold-predicted structural models fit particularly well with our experimental data and support a pore-forming hexameric assembly. Altogether, our data give unprecedented clues to understand the structural organization of nsp3, the principal component that shapes the molecular pore that spans the DMVs and is required for the export of RNA in vivo. IMPORTANCE Membrane remodeling is at the heart of intracellular replication for single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses. In the case of coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), this leads to the formation of a network of double-membrane vesicles (DMVs). Targeting DMV biogenesis offers promising prospects for antiviral therapies. This requires a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms and proteins involved. Three non-structural proteins (nsp3, nsp4, and nsp6) direct the intracellular membrane rearrangements upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. All of them contain transmembrane helices. The nsp3 component, the largest and multi-functional protein of the virus, plays an essential role in this process. Aiming to understand its structural organization, we used a cell-free protein synthesis assay to produce and reconstitute the C-terminal part of nsp3 (nsp3C) including transmembrane domains into phospholipid nanodiscs. Our work reveals the oligomeric organization of one key player in the biogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 DMVs, providing basis for the design of future antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Babot
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Yves Boulard
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Samira Agouda
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Laura Pieri
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sonia Fieulaine
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Stéphane Bressanelli
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Virginie Gervais
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Liu D, Cruz-Cosme R, Wu Y, Leibowitz J, Tang Q. 2-Bromopalmitate depletes lipid droplets to inhibit viral replication. J Virol 2024; 98:e0017124. [PMID: 38488361 PMCID: PMC11019840 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00171-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The global impact of emerging viral infections emphasizes the urgent need for effective broad-spectrum antivirals. The cellular organelle, lipid droplet (LD), is utilized by many types of viruses for replication, but its reduction does not affect cell survival. Therefore, LD is a potential target for developing broad-spectrum antivirals. In this study, we found that 2-bromopalmitate (2 BP), a previously defined palmitoylation inhibitor, depletes LD across all studied cell lines and exerts remarkable antiviral effects on different coronaviruses. We comprehensively utilized 2 BP, alongside other palmitoylation inhibitors such as cerulenin and 2-fluoro palmitic acid (2-FPA), as well as the enhancer palmostatin B and evaluated their impact on LD and the replication of human coronaviruses (hCoV-229E, hCoV-Oc43) and murine hepatitis virus (MHV-A59) at non-cytotoxic concentrations. While cerulenin and 2-FPA exhibited moderate inhibition of viral replication, 2 BP exhibited a much stronger suppressive effect on MHV-A59 replication, although they share similar inhibitory effects on palmitoylation. As expected, palmostatin B significantly enhanced viral replication, it failed to rescue the inhibitory effects of 2 BP, whereas it effectively counteracted the effects of cerulenin and 2-FPA. This suggests that the mechanism that 2 BP used to inhibit viral replication is beyond palmitoylation inhibition. Further investigations unveil that 2 BP uniquely depletes LDs, a phenomenon not exhibited by 2-FPA and cerulenin. Importantly, the depletion of LDs was closely associated with the inhibition of viral replication because the addition of oleic acid to 2 BP significantly rescued LD depletion and its inhibitory effects on MHV-A59. Our findings indicate that the inhibitory effects of 2 BP on viral replication primarily stem from LD disruption rather than palmitoylation inhibition. Intriguingly, fatty acid (FA) assays demonstrated that 2 BP reduces the FA level in mitochondria while concurrently increasing FA levels in the cytoplasm. These results highlight the crucial role of LDs in viral replication and uncover a novel biological activity of 2 BP. These insights contribute to the development of broad-spectrum antiviral strategies. IMPORTANCE In our study, we conducted a comparative investigation into the antiviral effects of palmitoylation inhibitors including 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP), 2-fluoro palmitic acid (2-FPA), and cerulenin. Surprisingly, we discovered that 2-BP has superior inhibitory effects on viral replication compared to 2-FPA and cerulenin. However, their inhibitory effects on palmitoylation were the same. Intrigued by this finding, we delved deeper into the underlying mechanism of 2-BP's potent antiviral activity, and we unveiled a novel biological activity of 2-BP: depletion of lipid droplets (LDs). Importantly, we also highlighted the crucial role of LDs in viral replication. Our insights shed new light on the antiviral mechanism of LD depletion paving the way for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral strategies by targeting LDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxiao Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ruth Cruz-Cosme
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yong Wu
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Department of Internal Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine and UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Julian Leibowitz
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Qiyi Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
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Takada K, Orba Y, Kida Y, Wu J, Ono C, Matsuura Y, Nakagawa S, Sawa H, Watanabe T. Genes involved in the limited spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the lower respiratory airways of hamsters may be associated with adaptive evolution. J Virol 2024:e0178423. [PMID: 38624229 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01784-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Novel respiratory viruses can cause a pandemic and then evolve to coexist with humans. The Omicron strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has spread worldwide since its emergence in late 2021, and its sub-lineages are now established in human society. Compared to previous strains, Omicron is markedly less invasive in the lungs and causes less severe disease. One reason for this is that humans are acquiring immunity through previous infection and vaccination, but the nature of the virus itself is also changing. Using our newly established low-volume inoculation system, which reflects natural human infection, we show that the Omicron strain spreads less efficiently into the lungs of hamsters compared with an earlier Wuhan strain. Furthermore, by characterizing chimeric viruses with the Omicron gene in the Wuhan strain genetic background and vice versa, we found that viral genes downstream of ORF3a, but not the S gene, were responsible for the limited spread of the Omicron strain in the lower airways of the virus-infected hamsters. Moreover, molecular evolutionary analysis of SARS-CoV-2 revealed a positive selection of genes downstream of ORF3a (M and E genes). Our findings provide insight into the adaptive evolution of the virus in humans during the pandemic convergence phase.IMPORTANCEThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant has spread worldwide since its emergence in late 2021, and its sub-lineages are established in human society. Compared to previous strains, the Omicron strain is less invasive in the lower respiratory tract, including the lungs, and causes less severe disease; however, the mechanistic basis for its restricted replication in the lower airways is poorly understood. In this study, using a newly established low-volume inoculation system that reflects natural human infection, we demonstrated that the Omicron strain spreads less efficiently into the lungs of hamsters compared with an earlier Wuhan strain and found that viral genes downstream of ORF3a are responsible for replication restriction in the lower respiratory tract of Omicron-infected hamsters. Furthermore, we detected a positive selection of genes downstream of ORF3a (especially the M and E genes) in SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that these genes may undergo adaptive changes in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Takada
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasuko Orba
- Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- International Collaboration Unit, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yurie Kida
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jiaqi Wu
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Chikako Ono
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Matsuura
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - So Nakagawa
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Bioinformation and DDBJ Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Sawa
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- Global Virus Network, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tokiko Watanabe
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Wang Y, Thaler M, Salgado‐Benvindo C, Ly N, Leijs AA, Ninaber DK, Hansbro PM, Boedijono F, van Hemert MJ, Hiemstra PS, van der Does AM, Faiz A. SARS-CoV-2-infected human airway epithelial cell cultures uniquely lack interferon and immediate early gene responses caused by other coronaviruses. Clin Transl Immunology 2024; 13:e1503. [PMID: 38623540 PMCID: PMC11017760 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a member of a class of highly pathogenic coronaviruses. The large family of coronaviruses, however, also includes members that cause only mild symptoms, like human coronavirus-229E (HCoV-229E) or OC43 (HCoV-OC43). Unravelling how molecular (and cellular) pathophysiology differs between highly and low pathogenic coronaviruses is important for the development of therapeutic strategies. Methods Here, we analysed the transcriptome of primary human bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC), differentiated at the air-liquid interface (ALI) after infection with SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV and HCoV-229E using bulk RNA sequencing. Results ALI-PBEC were efficiently infected by all viruses, and SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and HCoV-229E infection resulted in a largely similar transcriptional response. The response to SARS-CoV-2 infection differed markedly as it uniquely lacked the increase in expression of immediate early genes, including FOS, FOSB and NR4A1 that was observed with all other coronaviruses. This finding was further confirmed in publicly available experimental and clinical datasets. Interfering with NR4A1 signalling in Calu-3 lung epithelial cells resulted in a 100-fold reduction in extracellular RNA copies of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, suggesting an involvement in virus replication. Furthermore, a lack in induction of interferon-related gene expression characterised the main difference between the highly pathogenic coronaviruses and low pathogenic viruses HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43. Conclusion Our results demonstrate a previously unknown suppression of a host response gene set by SARS-CoV-2 and confirm a difference in interferon-related gene expression between highly pathogenic and low pathogenic coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of PulmonologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Melissa Thaler
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Nathan Ly
- Respiratory Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology (RBMB), School of Life SciencesUniversity of Technology SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Anouk A Leijs
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Dennis K Ninaber
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of PulmonologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- Centre for InflammationCentenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of ScienceSydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Fia Boedijono
- Centre for InflammationCentenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of ScienceSydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Martijn J van Hemert
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Pieter S Hiemstra
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of PulmonologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Anne M van der Does
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of PulmonologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Alen Faiz
- Respiratory Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology (RBMB), School of Life SciencesUniversity of Technology SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
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20
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Chu AMY, Kwok PWH, Chan JNL, So MKP. COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Assessment: Systematic Review. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2024; 17:903-925. [PMID: 38623576 PMCID: PMC11017986 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s444494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic presents the possibility of future large-scale infectious disease outbreaks. In response, we conducted a systematic review of COVID-19 pandemic risk assessment to provide insights into countries' pandemic surveillance and preparedness for potential pandemic events in the post-COVID-19 era. Objective We aim to systematically identify relevant articles and synthesize pandemic risk assessment findings to facilitate government officials and public health experts in crisis planning. Methods This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and included over 620,000 records from the World Health Organization COVID-19 Research Database. Articles related to pandemic risk assessment were identified based on a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant articles were characterized based on study location, variable types, data-visualization techniques, research objectives, and methodologies. Findings were presented using tables and charts. Results Sixty-two articles satisfying both the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. Among the articles, 32.3% focused on local areas, while another 32.3% had a global coverage. Epidemic data were the most commonly used variables (74.2% of articles), with over half of them (51.6%) employing two or more variable types. The research objectives covered various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with risk exposure assessment and identification of risk factors being the most common theme (35.5%). No dominant research methodology for risk assessment emerged from these articles. Conclusion Our synthesized findings support proactive planning and development of prevention and control measures in anticipation of future public health threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Y Chu
- Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong
| | - Patrick W H Kwok
- Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong
| | - Jacky N L Chan
- Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
| | - Mike K P So
- Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
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21
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Meganck RM, Edwards CE, Mallory ML, Lee RE, Dang H, Bailey AB, Wykoff JA, Gallant SC, Zhu DR, Yount BL, Kato T, Shaffer KM, Nakano S, Cawley AM, Sontake V, Wang JR, Hagan RS, Miller MB, Tata PR, Randell SH, Tse LV, Ehre C, Okuda K, Boucher RC, Baric RS. SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern fitness and adaptation in primary human airway epithelia. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114076. [PMID: 38607917 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic is characterized by the emergence of novel variants of concern (VOCs) that replace ancestral strains. Here, we dissect the complex selective pressures by evaluating variant fitness and adaptation in human respiratory tissues. We evaluate viral properties and host responses to reconstruct forces behind D614G through Omicron (BA.1) emergence. We observe differential replication in airway epithelia, differences in cellular tropism, and virus-induced cytotoxicity. D614G accumulates the most mutations after infection, supporting zoonosis and adaptation to the human airway. We perform head-to-head competitions and observe the highest fitness for Gamma and Delta. Under these conditions, RNA recombination favors variants encoding the B.1.617.1 lineage 3' end. Based on viral growth kinetics, Alpha, Gamma, and Delta exhibit increased fitness compared to D614G. In contrast, the global success of Omicron likely derives from increased transmission and antigenic variation. Our data provide molecular evidence to support epidemiological observations of VOC emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita M Meganck
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Caitlin E Edwards
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Michael L Mallory
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Rhianna E Lee
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Hong Dang
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Alexis B Bailey
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Jason A Wykoff
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Samuel C Gallant
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Deanna R Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Boyd L Yount
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Takafumi Kato
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Kendall M Shaffer
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Satoko Nakano
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Anne Marie Cawley
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | | | - Jeremy R Wang
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Robert S Hagan
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Melissa B Miller
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | | | - Scott H Randell
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Longping V Tse
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Camille Ehre
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Kenichi Okuda
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Richard C Boucher
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA.
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22
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Zhou J, Sun P, Wang Y, Qiu R, Yang Z, Guo J, Li Z, Xiao S, Fang L. Deep profiling of potential substrate atlas of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus 3C-like protease. J Virol 2024:e0025324. [PMID: 38591878 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00253-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus (CoV) 3C-like protease (3CLpro) is essential for viral replication and is involved in immune escape by proteolyzing host proteins. Deep profiling the 3CLpro substrates in the host proteome extends our understanding of viral pathogenesis and facilitates antiviral drug discovery. Here, 3CLpro from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), an enteropathogenic CoV, was used as a model which to identify the potential 3CLpro cleavage motifs in all porcine proteins. We characterized the selectivity of PEDV 3CLpro at sites P5-P4'. We then compiled the 3CLpro substrate preferences into a position-specific scoring matrix and developed a 3CLpro profiling strategy to delineate the protein substrate landscape of CoV 3CLpro. We identified 1,398 potential targets in the porcine proteome containing at least one putative cleavage site and experimentally validated the reliability of the substrate degradome. The PEDV 3CLpro-targeted pathways are involved in mRNA processing, translation, and key effectors of autophagy and the immune system. We also demonstrated that PEDV 3CLpro suppresses the type 1 interferon (IFN-I) cascade via the proteolysis of multiple signaling adaptors in the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) signaling pathway. Our composite method is reproducible and accurate, with an unprecedented depth of coverage for substrate motifs. The 3CLpro substrate degradome establishes a comprehensive substrate atlas that will accelerate the investigation of CoV pathogenicity and the development of anti-CoV drugs.IMPORTANCECoronaviruses (CoVs) are major pathogens that infect humans and animals. The 3C-like protease (3CLpro) encoded by CoV not only cleaves the CoV polyproteins but also degrades host proteins and is considered an attractive target for the development of anti-CoV drugs. However, the comprehensive characterization of an atlas of CoV 3CLpro substrates is a long-standing challenge. Using porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) 3CLpro as a model, we developed a method that accurately predicts the substrates of 3CLpro and comprehensively maps the substrate degradome of PEDV 3CLpro. Interestingly, we found that 3CLpro may simultaneously degrade multiple molecules responsible for a specific function. For instance, it cleaves at least four adaptors in the RIG-I signaling pathway to suppress type 1 interferon production. These findings highlight the complexity of the 3CLpro substrate degradome and provide new insights to facilitate the development of anti-CoV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanqing Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Runhui Qiu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhixiang Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahui Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuang Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaobo Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Liurong Fang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
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23
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McBride J, Allton L, Torkington S, Smith S. After COVID-19: preparing staff for future surges in respiratory illness in children and improving well-being. Nurs Child Young People 2024:e1501. [PMID: 38584498 DOI: 10.7748/ncyp.2024.e1501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was a challenging experience for children and young people's services, and the workforce. The Valuing All Staff Together programme was a one-year project hosted by the North West Paediatric Critical Care, Surgery in Children, Long Term Ventilation Operational Delivery Network to support teams caring for children and young people to reflect on their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using an online survey, focus groups and interviews, it gave staff the opportunity to explore and understand the effects of the pandemic and the subsequent surge in demand, including how these affected services and the emotional health and well-being of staff. This would enable better preparation for future surges in respiratory illness in terms of learning, training and development. This article describes the programme's aim, method and findings, and the main recommendations for practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna McBride
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, England
| | - Lucy Allton
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, England
| | | | - Shannon Smith
- Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, England
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24
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Chen BJ, Lin CH, Wu HY, Cai JJ, Chao DY. Experimental and analytical pipeline for sub-genomic RNA landscape of coronavirus by Nanopore sequencer. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0395423. [PMID: 38483513 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03954-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs), including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, can infect a variety of mammalian and avian hosts with significant medical and economic consequences. During the life cycle of CoV, a coordinated series of subgenomic RNAs, including canonical subgenomic messenger RNA and non-canonical defective viral genomes (DVGs), are generated with different biological implications. Studies that adopted the Nanopore sequencer (ONT) to investigate the landscape and dynamics of viral RNA subgenomic transcriptomes applied arbitrary bioinformatics parameters without justification or experimental validation. The current study used bovine coronavirus (BCoV), which can be performed under biosafety level 2 for library construction and experimental validation using traditional colony polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Four different ONT protocols, including RNA direct and cDNA direct sequencing with or without exonuclease treatment, were used to generate RNA transcriptomic libraries from BCoV-infected cell lysates. Through rigorously examining the k-mer, gap size, segment size, and bin size, the optimal cutoffs for the bioinformatic pipeline were determined to remove the sequence noise while keeping the informative DVG reads. The sensitivity and specificity of identifying DVG reads using the proposed pipeline can reach 82.6% and 99.6% under the k-mer size cutoff of 15. Exonuclease treatment reduced the abundance of RNA transcripts; however, it was not necessary for future library preparation. Additional recovery of clipped BCoV nucleotide sequences with experimental validation expands the landscape of the CoV discontinuous RNA transcriptome, whose biological function requires future investigation. The results of this study provide the benchmarks for library construction and bioinformatic parameters for studying the discontinuous CoV RNA transcriptome.IMPORTANCEFunctional defective viral genomic RNA, containing all the cis-acting elements required for translation or replication, may play different roles in triggering cell innate immune signaling, interfering with the canonical subgenomic messenger RNA transcription/translation or assisting in establishing persistence infection. This study does not only provide benchmarks for library construction and bioinformatic parameters for studying the discontinuous coronavirus RNA transcriptome but also reveals the complexity of the bovine coronavirus transcriptome, whose functional assays will be critical in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Jia Chen
- Doctoral Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - James J Cai
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Day-Yu Chao
- Doctoral Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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25
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Relich RF, Van Benten K, Lei GS, Robinson CM, Carozza M, Sahoo MK, Huang C, Solis D, Sibai M, Myers CA, Sikorski C, Balagot C, Yang D, Pinsky BA, Loeffelholz MJ. Determination of the cycle threshold value of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV test that corresponds to the presence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in anterior nasal swabs. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0390823. [PMID: 38466093 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03908-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite having high analytical sensitivities and specificities, qualitative SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) cannot distinguish infectious from non-infectious virus in clinical samples. In this study, we determined the highest cycle threshold (Ct) value of the SARS-CoV-2 targets in the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV (Xpert 4plex) test that corresponded to the presence of detectable infectious SARS-CoV-2 in anterior nasal swab samples. A total of 111 individuals with nasopharyngeal swab specimens that were initially tested by the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test were enrolled. A healthcare worker subsequently collected anterior nasal swabs from all SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals, and those specimens were tested by the Xpert 4plex test, viral culture, and laboratory-developed assays for SARS-CoV-2 replication intermediates. SARS-CoV-2 Ct values from the Xpert 4plex test were correlated with data from culture and replication intermediate testing to determine the Xpert 4plex assay Ct value that corresponded to the presence of infectious virus. Ninety-eight of the 111 (88.3%) individuals initially tested positive by the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test. An anterior nasal swab specimen collected from positive individuals a median of 2 days later (range, 0-9 days) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by the Xpert 4plex test in 39.8% (39/98) of cases. Of these samples, 13 (33.3%) were considered to contain infectious virus based on the presence of cultivable virus and replication intermediates, and the highest Ct value observed for the Xpert 4plex test in these instances was 26.3. Specimens that yielded Ct values of ≤26.3 when tested by the Xpert 4plex test had a likelihood of containing infectious SARS-CoV-2; however, no infectious virus was detected in specimens with higher Ct values.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding the correlation between real-time PCR test results and the presence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 may be useful for informing patient management and workforce return-to-work or -duty. Further studies in different patient populations are needed to correlate Ct values or other biomarkers of viral replication along with the presence of infectious virus in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan F Relich
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Guang-Sheng Lei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Christopher M Robinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Malaya K Sahoo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - ChunHong Huang
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Daniel Solis
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Mamdouh Sibai
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Christopher A Myers
- Operational Infectious Diseases, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Cynthia Sikorski
- Operational Infectious Diseases, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Caroline Balagot
- Operational Infectious Diseases, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Benjamin A Pinsky
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Meng Z, Wang S, Yu L, Zhao K, Wu T, Zhu X, Yang N, Qiao Q, Ma J, Wu B, Ge Y, Cui L. A novel fast hybrid capture sequencing method for high-efficiency common human coronavirus whole-genome acquisition. mSystems 2024:e0122223. [PMID: 38564711 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01222-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Rapid and accurate sequencing of the entire viral genome, coupled with continuous monitoring of genetic changes, is crucial for understanding the epidemiology of coronaviruses. We designed a novel method called micro target hybrid capture system (MT-Capture) to enable whole-genome sequencing in a timely manner. The novel design of probes used in target binding exhibits a unique and synergistic "hand-in-hand" conjugation effect. The entire hybrid capture process is within 2.5 hours, overcoming the time-consuming and complex operation characteristics of the traditional liquid-phase hybrid capture (T-Capture) system. By designing specific probes for these coronaviruses, MT-Capture effectively enriched isolated strains and 112 clinical samples of coronaviruses with cycle threshold values below 37. Compared to multiplex PCR sequencing, it does not require frequent primer updates and has higher compatibility. MT-Capture is highly sensitive and capable of tracking variants.IMPORTANCEMT-Capture is meticulously designed to enable the efficient acquisition of the target genome of the common human coronavirus. Coronavirus is a kind of virus that people are generally susceptible to and is epidemic and infectious, and it is the virus with the longest genome among known RNA viruses. Therefore, common human coronavirus samples are selected to evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of MT-Capture. This method utilizes innovative probe designs optimized through probe conjugation techniques, greatly shortening the time and simplifying the handwork compared with traditional hybridization capture processes. Our results demonstrate that MT-Capture surpasses multiplex PCR in terms of sensitivity, exhibiting a thousandfold increase. Moreover, MT-Capture excels in the identification of mutation sites. This method not only is used to target the coronaviruses but also may be used to diagnose other diseases, including various infectious diseases, genetic diseases, or tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixinrong Meng
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liping Yu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology in Emerging Major Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Health Emergency, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Kangchen Zhao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology in Emerging Major Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Health Emergency, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology in Emerging Major Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Health Emergency, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology in Emerging Major Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Health Emergency, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Yang
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiao Qiao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology in Emerging Major Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Health Emergency, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Junyan Ma
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology in Emerging Major Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Health Emergency, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiyue Ge
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology in Emerging Major Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Health Emergency, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Lunbiao Cui
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology in Emerging Major Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Health Emergency, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
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Blažek M, Vrbacký F, Fátorová I, Mirská K, Žák P. Sysmex-derived COVID-19 prognostic score as an early prognostic marker for severity of the COVID-19 disease. Int J Lab Hematol 2024; 46:243-249. [PMID: 37921205 DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.14197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a life-threatening disease with a heterogeneous course. Even some young patients are at increased risk of severe course or death, as they can face severe complications. It would be very useful to have a cheap and easily available marker to predict COVID-19 course in the early stages of the disease. The COVID-19 prognostic score could be a very useful clinical indicator available at the time of primary contact with the patient. METHODS The COVID-19 prognostic score and the clinical condition together with selected laboratory parameters were evaluated in patients with respiratory tract infection and a positive PCR test for the SARS-CoV-2 during the first contact with the patient. Prognostic significance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC). Selected parameters of the blood count and hemostasis, as well as selected biochemical indicators, were examined too. RESULTS Thirty-seven of 164 patients developed serious symptoms. The COVID-19 score had one of the highest AUC values (0.855) of all markers. The highest combination of sensitivity (91.9%) and specificity (71.7%) for identifying patients with a subsequent moderate and severe course of the disease was achieved at the threshold 1.5. The predictive value of a negative test is beneficial too (0.968). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 prognostic score is a promising indicator stratifying patients with COVID-19 into prognostic groups at the time of the first contact, thus allowing the timely provision of increased care in patients at high risk of severe development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Blažek
- Pulmonary Clinic, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Vrbacký
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Ilona Fátorová
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Mirská
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Žák
- Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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Le M, Khoury L, Lu Y, Prosty C, Cormier M, Cheng MP, Fowler R, Murthy S, Tsang JLY, Ben-Shoshan M, Rahme E, Golchi S, Dendukuri N, Lee TC, Netchiporouk E. COVID-19 Immunologic Antiviral Therapy With Omalizumab (CIAO)-a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae102. [PMID: 38560604 PMCID: PMC10977629 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Omalizumab is an anti-immunoglobulin E monoclonal antibody used to treat moderate to severe chronic idiopathic urticaria, asthma, and nasal polyps. Recent research suggested that omalizumab may enhance the innate antiviral response and have anti-inflammatory properties. Objective We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in adults hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Methods This was a phase II randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing omalizumab with placebo (in addition to standard of care) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The primary endpoint was the composite of mechanical ventilation and/or death at day 14. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality at day 28, time to clinical improvement, and duration of hospitalization. Results Of 41 patients recruited, 40 were randomized (20 received the study drug and 20 placebo). The median age of the patients was 74 years and 55.0% were male. Omalizumab was associated with a 92.6% posterior probability of a reduction in mechanical ventilation and death on day 14 with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.11 (95% credible interval 0.002-2.05). Omalizumab was also associated with a 75.9% posterior probability of reduced all-cause mortality on day 28 with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.49 (95% credible interval, 0.06-3.90). No statistically significant differences were found for the time to clinical improvement and duration of hospitalization. Numerically fewer adverse events were reported in the omalizumab group and there were no drug-related serious adverse events. Conclusions These results suggest that omalizumab could prove protective against death and mechanical ventilation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. This study could also support the development of a phase III trial program investigating the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect of omalizumab for severe respiratory viral illnesses requiring hospital admission. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04720612.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Le
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lauren Khoury
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Connor Prosty
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maxime Cormier
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathew P Cheng
- Divisions of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology, McGill University, McGill's Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Robert Fowler
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Srinivas Murthy
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jennifer L Y Tsang
- Niagara Health Knowledge Institute, Niagara Health, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Moshe Ben-Shoshan
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Dermatology, Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elham Rahme
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shirin Golchi
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nandini Dendukuri
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Todd C Lee
- Divisions of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology, McGill University, McGill's Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elena Netchiporouk
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Neville RD, Hopkins WG, McArthur BA, Draper CE, Madigan S. Associations Between Changes in 24-Hour Movement Behaviors in Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Mediation-Based Meta-Analysis. J Phys Act Health 2024; 21:323-332. [PMID: 38194951 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2023-0346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although 24-hour movement behaviors are known to be interconnected, limited knowledge exists about whether change in one behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic (eg, increased screen time) was associated with change in another (eg, reduced physical activity or sleep). This review estimates mediational associations between changes in children's physical activity, screen time, and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We included studies published between January 1, 2020 and June 27, 2022, in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases. Summary data were extracted from included studies and analyzed with random-effects meta-regression. RESULTS This review included 26 studies representing 18,959 children across 18 mid-high-income countries (53% male; mean age, 11.5 [2.9] y). There was very good evidence of decreased total daily physical activity (factor change, 0.62; 90% CI, 0.47-0.81) and strong evidence of increased screen time (1.56; 90% CI, 1.38-1.77). There was very good evidence of decreased moderate to vigorous physical activity (0.75; 90% CI, 0.62-0.90) and weak evidence of increased sleep (1.02; 90% CI, 1.00-1.04). Mediational analysis revealed strong evidence that most of the reduction in total daily physical activity from before, to during, the pandemic was associated with increased screen time (0.53; 90% CI, 0.42-0.67). We observed no further mediational associations. CONCLUSION Increased reliance on and use of screen-based devices during the COVID-19 pandemic can be linked with reduced child and adolescent physical activity. This finding links COVID-related restrictions to potential displacement effects within child and adolescent 24-hour movement behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross D Neville
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - William G Hopkins
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Brae Anne McArthur
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AL, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AL, Canada
| | - Catherine E Draper
- South African Medical Research Council Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sheri Madigan
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AL, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AL, Canada
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30
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Sučec I, Pankratova Y, Parasar M, Hong M. Transmembrane conformation of the envelope protein of an alpha coronavirus, NL63. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4923. [PMID: 38501465 PMCID: PMC10949323 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The envelope (E) proteins of coronaviruses (CoVs) form cation-conducting channels that are associated with the pathogenicity of these viruses. To date, high-resolution structural information about these viroporins is limited to the SARS-CoV E protein. To broaden our structural knowledge of other members of this family of viroporins, we now investigate the conformation of the E protein of the human coronavirus (hCoV), NL63. Using two- and three-dimensional magic-angle-spinning NMR, we have measured 13 C and 15 N chemical shifts of the transmembrane domain of E (ETM), which yielded backbone (ϕ, ψ) torsion angles. We further measured the water accessibility of NL63 ETM at neutral pH versus acidic pH in the presence of Ca2+ ions. These data show that NL63 ETM adopts a regular α-helical conformation that is unaffected by pH and the N-terminal ectodomain. Interestingly, the water accessibility of NL63 ETM increases only modestly at acidic pH in the presence of Ca2+ compared to neutral pH, in contrast to SARS ETM, which becomes much more hydrated at acidic pH. This difference suggests a structural basis for the weaker channel conductance of α-CoV compared to β-CoV E proteins. The weaker E channel activity may in turn contribute to the reduced virulence of hCoV-NL63 compared to SARS-CoV viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Sučec
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Yanina Pankratova
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mriganka Parasar
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mei Hong
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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Annear M, Kidokoro T, Shimizu Y. Physical Activity and Health of Middle-Aged and Older Japanese Across the COVID-19 Pandemic: Differential Outcomes Highlight a Problematic Life Stage. J Aging Phys Act 2024; 32:264-275. [PMID: 38194952 DOI: 10.1123/japa.2023-0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION COVID-19 caused major disruptions across the super-aged nation of Japan, yet few studies explored temporal changes among middle-aged and older cohorts from baseline to the height of community transmission. Changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during global pandemics may alter patterns of morbidity and mortality among susceptible aging populations. OBJECTIVES This study investigated patterns of physical activity, sitting behavior, and health among representative samples of middle-aged and older adults in Tokyo before and during the pandemic. METHODS Repeated online surveys were conducted with quota samples of 800 Tokyo residents in 2019 and 2021 using validated Japanese-language measures, including the short form-International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Basic Ecological Health Scale-6. Statistical analyses included comparative evaluations of activity parameters by age cohort, gender, and selected covariates. Statistical tests included the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test for Independence and Hierarchical Regression. RESULTS Over 34% of respondents were inactive at each data collection point, and 72% reported negative impacts of COVID-19 on their physical activities. Older adults showed no significant changes in their activity and sitting behavior and reported better health compared with those in middle age across the pandemic. Middle-aged males reported a significant decline in total activity of 33% across the pandemic period (U = 16,958, z = -2.64, p = .008, r = .13). Middle-aged females reported the lowest levels of physical activity, and health, and showed a 29% increase in sitting behavior across the pandemic (U = 16,925, z = -2.68, p = .007, r = .13). Subjective health status was consistently associated with higher overall activity and walking before and during the pandemic. CONCLUSION Differential outcomes were identified between age and gender regarding health, physical activity, walking, and sitting across the pandemic with significantly worse impacts reported among middle-aged samples. IMPLICATIONS These results have implications for healthy transitions to later life and the design of postpandemic interventions to address activity opportunities in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Annear
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Nishitokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiro Kidokoro
- Faculty of Sport Science, Nippon Sport Science University, Setagaya, Japan
| | - Yasuo Shimizu
- Division of Arts and Sciences, International Christian University, Mitaka, Japan
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Wenzel AN, Marrache M, Schmerler J, Kinney J, Khanuja HS, Hegde V. Impact of Postoperative COVID-19 Infection Status on Outcomes in Elective Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 2024; 39:871-877. [PMID: 37852450 DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection causes major morbidity and mortality, it is unclear what the impact of postoperative COVID-19 infection is on 30-day outcomes after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). METHODS There were 2,340 patients who underwent TJA in 2021, identified using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, with 925 total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients (39.5%) and 1,415 total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients (60.5%), overall. Propensity score matching was implemented using patient demographics and preoperative medical conditions to compare outcomes for postoperative COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative patients who underwent TKA or THA. RESULTS Postoperative COVID-19-positive THA patients were found to have a significantly increased risk of pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] 42.57), sepsis (OR 12.77), readmission (OR 12.06), non-home discharge (OR 3.78), and longer length of stay (hazard ratio 1.62). Postoperative COVID-19-positive TKA patients had an increased risk of 30-day mortality (OR 14.17), superficial infection (OR 3.17), pneumonia (OR 34.68), unplanned intubation (OR 18.31), ventilator use for more than 48 hours (OR 18.31), pulmonary embolism (OR 11.98), urinary tract infection (OR 5.16), myocardial infarction (OR 16.02), deep vein thrombosis (OR 4.69), non-home discharge (OR 1.79), reoperation (OR 3.17), readmission (OR 9.61), and longer length of stay (hazard ratio 1.49). CONCLUSIONS Patients who contracted COVID-19 within 30 days after TJA were at increased risk of mortalities, medical complications, readmissions, reoperations, and non-home discharges. It is important for orthopedic surgeons to understand these adverse outcomes to better counsel patients and mitigate these risks, particularly in higher risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa N Wenzel
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Majd Marrache
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jessica Schmerler
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jason Kinney
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Harpal S Khanuja
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Vishal Hegde
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Gurrey SO, Strick LB, Dov LK, Miller JS, Pecha M, Stalter RM, Miller DL, Marshall B, Salazar AP, Newman LP. Lessons Learned from Public Health and State Prison Collaborations during COVID-19 Pandemic and Multifacility Tuberculosis Outbreak, Washington, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:S17-S20. [PMID: 38561633 PMCID: PMC10986837 DOI: 10.3201/eid3013.230777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The large COVID-19 outbreaks in prisons in the Washington (USA) State Department of Corrections (WADOC) system during 2020 highlighted the need for a new public health approach to prevent and control COVID-19 transmission in the system's 12 facilities. WADOC and the Washington State Department of Health (WADOH) responded by strengthening partnerships through dedicated corrections-focused public health staff, improving cross-agency outbreak response coordination, implementing and developing corrections-specific public health guidance, and establishing collaborative data systems. The preexisting partnerships and trust between WADOC and WADOH, strengthened during the COVID-19 response, laid the foundation for a collaborative response during late 2021 to the largest tuberculosis outbreak in Washington State in the past 20 years. We describe challenges of a multiagency collaboration during 2 outbreak responses, as well as approaches to address those challenges, and share lessons learned for future communicable disease outbreak responses in correctional settings.
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Arunan B, Talukdar D, Swain S, Varadarajan A, Sarda R, Singh G, Nischal N, Soneja M, Bakshi S, Jana P, Tanwar S, Sikka K, Verma H, Subramanian A, Xess I, Wig N, Das B, Ray A. Metagenomic insights into fungal community composition of the nasopharyngeal region of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis patients from India. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29601. [PMID: 38597375 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated mucormycosis (CAM) was reported predominantly from India during the second wave of COVID-19 and has a high mortality rate. The present study aims to understand the fungal community composition of the nasopharyngeal region of CAM-infected individuals and compare it with severe COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. The fungal community composition was decoded by analyzing the sequence homology of the internal transcribed spacer-2-(ITS-2) region of metagenomic DNA extracted from the upper respiratory samples. The alpha-diversity indices were found to be significantly altered in CAM patients (p < 0.05). Interestingly, a higher abundance of Candida africana, Candida haemuloni, Starmerella floris, and Starmerella lactiscondensi was observed exclusively in CAM patients. The interindividual changes in mycobiome composition were well supported by beta-diversity analysis (p < 0.05). The current study provides insights into the dysbiosis of the nasal mycobiome during CAM infection. In conclusion, our study shows that severe COVID-19 and CAM are associated with alteration in mycobiome as compared to healthy controls. However, the sequential alteration in the fungal flora which ultimately leads to the development of CAM needs to be addressed by future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daizee Talukdar
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, BRIC-THSTI, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Satish Swain
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | - Radhika Sarda
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Manish Soneja
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Susmita Bakshi
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, BRIC-THSTI, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Pradipta Jana
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, BRIC-THSTI, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Subhash Tanwar
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, BRIC-THSTI, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Kapil Sikka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, AIIMS, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Hitesh Verma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, AIIMS, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Naveet Wig
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Bhabatosh Das
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, BRIC-THSTI, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Animesh Ray
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, Delhi, India
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Barajas JN, Hornung AL, Kuzel T, Mallow GM, Park GJ, Rudisill SS, Louie PK, Harada GK, McCarthy MH, Germscheid N, Cheung JP, Neva MH, El-Sharkawi M, Valacco M, Sciubba DM, Chutkan NB, An HS, Samartzis D. The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Spine Surgeons Worldwide: A One Year Prospective Comparative Study. Global Spine J 2024; 14:956-969. [PMID: 36176014 PMCID: PMC9527127 DOI: 10.1177/21925682221131540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Survey. OBJECTIVE In March of 2020, an original study by Louie et al investigated the impact of COVID-19 on 902 spine surgeons internationally. Since then, due to varying government responses and public health initiatives to the pandemic, individual countries and regions of the world have been affected differently. Therefore, this follow-up study aimed to assess how the COVID-19 impact on spine surgeons has changed 1 year later. METHODS A repeat, multi-dimensional, 90-item survey written in English was distributed to spine surgeons worldwide via email to the AO Spine membership who agreed to receive surveys. Questions were categorized into the following domains: demographics, COVID-19 observations, preparedness, personal impact, patient care, and future perceptions. RESULTS Basic respondent demographics, such as gender, age, home demographics, medical comorbidities, practice type, and years since training completion, were similar to those of the original 2020 survey. Significant differences between groups included reasons for COVID testing, opinions of media coverage, hospital unemployment, likelihood to be performing elective surgery, percentage of cases cancelled, percentage of personal income, sick leave, personal time allocation, stress coping mechanisms, and the belief that future guidelines were needed (P<.05). CONCLUSION Compared to baseline results collected at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, significant differences in various domains related to COVID-19 perceptions, hospital preparedness, practice impact, personal impact, and future perceptions have developed. Follow-up assessment of spine surgeons has further indicated that telemedicine and virtual education are mainstays. Such findings may help to inform and manage expectations and responses to any future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan N Barajas
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander L Hornung
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Timothy Kuzel
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gary M Mallow
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Grant J Park
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Samuel S Rudisill
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Philip K Louie
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Institute, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Garrett K Harada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Jason Py Cheung
- Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Marko H Neva
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mohammad El-Sharkawi
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Assiut University Medical School, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Marcelo Valacco
- Department of Orthopaedics, Churruca Hospital de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel M Sciubba
- Department of Neurosurgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Norman B Chutkan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Howard S An
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dino Samartzis
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- International Spine Research & Innovation Initiative (ISRII), Chicago, IL, USA
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Tunstall AM, O'Brien SC, Monaghan DM, Burakoff A, Marquardt RK. Lessons Learned from Cross-Systems Approach to COVID-19 Pandemic Response in Juvenile Justice System, Colorado, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:S13-S16. [PMID: 38561629 PMCID: PMC10986830 DOI: 10.3201/eid3013.230782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic illustrates the importance of a close partnership between public health and juvenile justice systems when responding to communicable diseases. Many setting-specific obstacles must be navigated to respond effectively to limit disease transmission and negative health outcomes while maintaining necessary services for youth in confinement facilities. The response requires multidisciplinary expertise and collaboration to address unique considerations. Public health mitigation strategies must balance the risk for disease against the negative effects of restrictions. Key aspects of the COVID-19 response in the juvenile justice system of Colorado, USA, involved establishing robust communication and data reporting infrastructures, building a multidisciplinary response team, adapting existing infection prevention guidelines, and focusing on a whole-person health approach to infection prevention. We examine lessons learned and offer recommendations on pandemic emergency response planning and managing a statewide public health emergency in youth confinement settings that ensure ongoing readiness.
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Ng R, Indran N. #ProtectOurElders: Analysis of Tweets About Older Asian Americans and Anti-Asian Sentiments During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e45864. [PMID: 38551624 PMCID: PMC10984343 DOI: 10.2196/45864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic is that it cast a spotlight on a long-underserved group. The barrage of attacks against older Asian Americans during the crisis galvanized society into assisting them in various ways. On Twitter, now known as X, support for them coalesced around the hashtag #ProtectOurElders. To date, discourse surrounding older Asian Americans has escaped the attention of gerontologists-a gap we seek to fill. Our study serves as a reflection of the level of support that has been extended to older Asian Americans, even as it provides timely insights that will ultimately advance equity for them. OBJECTIVE This study explores the kinds of discourse surrounding older Asian Americans during the COVID-19 crisis, specifically in relation to the surge in anti-Asian sentiments. The following questions guide this study: What types of discourse have emerged in relation to older adults in the Asian American community and the need to support them? How do age and race interact to shape these discourses? What are the implications of these discourses for older Asian Americans? METHODS We retrieved tweets (N=6099) through 2 search queries. For the first query, we collated tweets with the hashtag #ProtectOurElders. For the second query, we collected tweets with an age-based term, for example, "elderly" or "old(er) adults(s)" and either the hashtag #StopAAPIHate or #StopAsianHate. Tweets were posted from January 1, 2020, to August 1, 2023. After applying the exclusion criteria, the final data set contained 994 tweets. Inductive and deductive approaches informed our qualitative content analysis. RESULTS A total of 4 themes emerged, with 50.1% (498/994) of posts framing older Asian Americans as "vulnerable and in need of protection" (theme 1). Tweets in this theme either singled them out as a group in need of protection because of their vulnerable status or discussed initiatives aimed at safeguarding their well-being. Posts in theme 2 (309/994, 31%) positioned them as "heroic and resilient." Relevant tweets celebrated older Asian Americans for displaying tremendous strength in the face of attack or described them as individuals not to be trifled with. Tweets in theme 3 (102/994, 10.2%) depicted them as "immigrants who have made selfless contributions and sacrifices." Posts in this section referenced the immense sacrifices made by older Asian Americans as they migrated to the United States, as well as the systemic barriers they had to overcome. Posts in theme 4 (85/994, 8.5%) venerated older Asian Americans as "worthy of honor." CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 crisis had the unintended effect of garnering greater support for older Asian Americans. It is consequential that support be extended to this group not so much by virtue of their perceived vulnerability but more so in view of their boundless contributions and sacrifices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuben Ng
- Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Lloyd's Register Foundation Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicole Indran
- Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Alharbi MH. Parents' perceptions of the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on the eating behaviors and routines of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1296643. [PMID: 38606405 PMCID: PMC11007085 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1296643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Restricted interests and repetitive behavior are characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The likelihood that persons with ASD will respond adversely to unfamiliar situations is great. The novel coronavirus outbreak has resulted in disruptions to all aspects of routine and behavior. Hence, this study proposed to investigate the impact of the outbreak on the eating behavior and routines of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia through the perceptions of their parents. Method A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was utilized to obtain data from 150 parents of children with ASD aged ≤18 years in Saudi Arabia. The data collected included demographic data of the parents, the ASD status of the family, impact of COVID-19 to the family, eating behavior of the children with ASD, and daily routines of the children with ASD. Moreover, parents were able to provide comments regarding their children's eating behavior or daily routines. Results The study found that changes in the eating behavior of children with ASD were found to differ significantly (p<0.05) based on the number of children with ASD, the age of the children with ASD, the gender of the children with ASD, and the severity of their ASD symptoms. Moreover, changes to dinner-time routines were found to differ significantly (p<0.05) based on the age of the children with ASD. Also, changes to morning routines were found to differ significantly (p<0.05) based on the age of the children with ASD, their gender, and the severity of their ASD symptoms. Additionally, impact of COVID-19 to the family had a significant impact to eating behavior and daily routines of the children with ASD. Conclusion This study found that the eating behavior and daily routines of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia have been considerably worsened and changed. The study recommends the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams and parents to modify or design interventions that help to change their eating behavior and routine can be implemented in the home. It also recommends the provision of virtual helplines to aid parents of children with ASD in such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudi H. Alharbi
- Clinical Nutrition Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
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Pegg CL, Modhiran N, Parry RH, Liang B, Amarilla AA, Khromykh AA, Burr L, Young PR, Chappell K, Schulz BL, Watterson D. The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 gamma variant. Glycobiology 2024; 34:cwad097. [PMID: 38048640 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwad097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants alters the efficacy of existing immunity towards the viral spike protein, whether acquired from infection or vaccination. Mutations that impact N-glycosylation of spike may be particularly important in influencing antigenicity, but their consequences are difficult to predict. Here, we compare the glycosylation profiles and antigenicity of recombinant viral spike of ancestral Wu-1 and the Gamma strain, which has two additional N-glycosylation sites due to amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal domain (NTD). We found that a mutation at residue 20 from threonine to asparagine within the NTD caused the loss of NTD-specific antibody COVA2-17 binding. Glycan site-occupancy analyses revealed that the mutation resulted in N-glycosylation switching to the new sequon at N20 from the native N17 site. Site-specific glycosylation profiles demonstrated distinct glycoform differences between Wu-1, Gamma, and selected NTD variant spike proteins, but these did not affect antibody binding. Finally, we evaluated the specificity of spike proteins against convalescent COVID-19 sera and found reduced cross-reactivity against some mutants, but not Gamma spike compared to Wuhan spike. Our results illustrate the impact of viral divergence on spike glycosylation and SARS-CoV-2 antibody binding profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra L Pegg
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Naphak Modhiran
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Building 75, Corner College Road and Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Rhys H Parry
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Benjamin Liang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alberto A Amarilla
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander A Khromykh
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 and 4006, Australia
| | - Lucy Burr
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mater Health Services, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
| | - Paul R Young
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Building 75, Corner College Road and Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 and 4006, Australia
| | - Keith Chappell
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Building 75, Corner College Road and Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 and 4006, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Schulz
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 and 4006, Australia
| | - Daniel Watterson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Chemistry Building 68, Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Building 75, Corner College Road and Cooper Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 and 4006, Australia
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Johari F, Verma R. Paxlovid for nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19. Acad Emerg Med 2024. [PMID: 38517114 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Johari
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Rajesh Verma
- Department of Emergency Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Kings County, Brooklyn, New York, USA
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Liu Z, Zhou J, Wang W, Zhang G, Xing L, Zhang K, Wang Y, Xu W, Wang Q, Man Q, Wang Q, Ying T, Zhu Y, Jiang S, Lu L. Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 and JN.1 by CF501 adjuvant-enhanced immune responses targeting the conserved epitopes in ancestral RBD. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101445. [PMID: 38428429 PMCID: PMC10983032 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariants BA.2.86 and JN.1 raise concerns regarding their potential to evade immune surveillance and spread globally. Here, we test sera from rhesus macaques immunized with 3 doses of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD)-Fc adjuvanted with the STING agonist CF501. We find that the sera can potently neutralize pseudotyped XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, CH.1.1, EG.5, BA.2.86, and JN.1, with 50% neutralization titers ranging from 3,494 to 7,424. We also demonstrate that CF501, but not Alum, can enhance immunogenicity of the RBD from wild-type SARS-CoV-2 to improve induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) with binding specificity and activity similar to those of SA55, BN03, and S309, thus exhibiting extraordinary broad-spectrum neutralizing activity. Overall, the RBD from wild-type SARS-CoV-2 also contains conservative epitopes. The RBD-Fc adjuvanted by CF501 can elicit potent bnAbs against JN.1, BA.2.86, and other XBB subvariants. This strategy can be adopted to develop broad-spectrum vaccines to combat future emerging and reemerging viral infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zezhong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Jie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Weijie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guangxu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lixiao Xing
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Keqiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuanzhou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiuhong Man
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tianlei Ying
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Chang HW, Ahn S, Kim JS, Han HJ, Park YK, Kim KM, Kim SY, Jung JC, Lee JH, Kim DJ, Lim C, Park KH. Influence of Preoperative COVID-19 Vaccination on Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting-A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e032426. [PMID: 38471836 PMCID: PMC11010012 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.032426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports of intravascular thrombosis and cardiac complications have raised concerns about the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly in patients with high cardiovascular risk. Herein, we aimed to analyze the impact of preoperative COVID-19 vaccination on outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS AND RESULTS Among 520 patients who underwent isolated CABG from 2020 to 2022, 481 patients (mean±SD age: 67±11 years, 86 women) whose COVID-19 vaccination status could be confirmed were included. A total of 249 patients who had not received any COVID-19 vaccine before CABG (never vaccinated group) and 214 patients who had completed primary vaccination (fully vaccinated group) were subjected to 1:1 propensity score matching, and 156 pairs of patients were matched. There was no significant difference in early mortality between the 2 groups after matching. After matching, overall survival (P=0.930) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event-free survival (P=0.636) did not differ between the 2 groups. One-year graft patency also did not differ significantly between the 2 groups; all patent grafts in 85/104 patients (82%) and 62/73 patients (85%) in the never vaccinated and fully vaccinated groups, respectively (P=0.685). Subgroup analysis showed equivalent overall and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event-free survival among AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine recipients and between those with ≤30 days versus >30 days from vaccination to CABG. CONCLUSIONS Despite the very high cardiovascular risk for patients undergoing CABG, COVID-19 vaccination did not affect major outcomes after CABG. Therefore, there is no reason for patients with coronary artery disease requiring CABG to avoid preoperative COVID-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyoung Woo Chang
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Ahn
- Biostatistics, Medical Research Collaborating Center Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Sung Kim
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jeong Han
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - You Kyeong Park
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Min Kim
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yoon Kim
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Chungnam National University Hospital Daejeon Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Chul Jung
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hang Lee
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Jung Kim
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - Cheong Lim
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
| | - Kay-Hyun Park
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea
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Lindström M. Sweden's excess mortality in 2020-2022 and reporting in the media. Scand J Public Health 2024:14034948241239353. [PMID: 38499977 DOI: 10.1177/14034948241239353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
AIM The aim was to scrutinize the report in March 2023 that Sweden's excess mortality was lowest in 2020-2022 compared with other European Union and Nordic countries, a report that received great national and international attention. STUDY DESIGN Comparison of excess mortality in Sweden and Norway. METHODS Excess mortality for 2020-2022 was calculated for Sweden and Norway, the country with per-capita excess mortality closest to Sweden's, compared with the average mortality for 2017-2019 in the respective country, following the definitions by Statistics Sweden reported in a daily newspaper. RESULTS Excess mortality is a measure with low misclassification compared with other pandemic outcome measures. Following the definitions, total excess mortality for the years 2020-2022 was 11,897 individuals in Sweden and 6089 in Norway. However, the distributions of excess mortality across the 3 years strongly differed. In Sweden, 60% of excess mortality was observed in 2020, 8% in 2021 and 32% in 2022. In sharp contrast, 0% of excess mortality was observed in Norway in 2020, 20% in 2021 and 80% in 2022. If the relative distribution of excess mortality in Sweden had been the same as in Norway in 2020-2022, approximately 7000 individuals who died in 2020 would instead have died as excess mortality in 2022, saving approximately 14,000 person-years in Sweden. CONCLUSIONS The report disregards residual confounding due to the broad definition of the period 2020-2022. Mass media should avoid one-sided reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Lindström
- Social medicine and Health Policy, Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö and Centre for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Wong R, Grullon JR. Interaction effect of race-ethnicity and dementia on COVID-19 diagnosis among a national US older adult sample. BJPsych Open 2024; 10:e63. [PMID: 38482681 PMCID: PMC10951841 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2024.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Older racial and ethnic minorities and older adults with dementia have an elevated COVID-19 risk, warranting research into the intersection between these two high-risk groups. We examined whether race-ethnicity moderates the association between dementia and COVID-19 diagnosis. Data were retrieved for 3189 respondents from a nationally representative prospective cohort sample of US older adults aged 65+ years. We analysed the effects of the interaction between race-ethnicity and dementia on COVID-19 diagnosis, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, health and COVID-19 mitigation behaviours. The odds of COVID-19 diagnosis were significantly lower for Black older adults with dementia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01-0.78, P = 0.03). In addition, dementia increased the odds of COVID-19 diagnosis among Hispanic older adults (aOR = 1.59, 95% CI = 0.12-21.29, P = 0.72), although this increase was not statistically significant. The interaction between race-ethnicity and dementia should be considered when assessing COVID-19 risk among older adults. Future research is needed to examine pathways through which dementia may interact with race and ethnicity to influence COVID-19 risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Wong
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Norton College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA; and Department of Geriatrics, Norton College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Jason Rafael Grullon
- Norton College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
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Cusack RP, Larracy R, Morrell CB, Ranjbar M, Le Roux J, Whetstone CE, Boudreau M, Poitras PF, Srinathan T, Cheng E, Howie K, Obminski C, O'Shea T, Kruisselbrink RJ, Ho T, Scheme E, Graham S, Beydaghyan G, Gavreau GM, Duong M. Machine learning enabled detection of COVID-19 pneumonia using exhaled breath analysis: a proof-of-concept study. J Breath Res 2024; 18:026009. [PMID: 38382095 DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/ad2b6e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Detection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) relies on real-time-reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swabs. The false-negative rate of RT-PCR can be high when viral burden and infection is localized distally in the lower airways and lung parenchyma. An alternate safe, simple and accessible method for sampling the lower airways is needed to aid in the early and rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. In a prospective unblinded observational study, patients admitted with a positive RT-PCR and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled from three hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Healthy individuals or hospitalized patients with negative RT-PCR and without respiratory symptoms were enrolled into the control group. Breath samples were collected and analyzed by laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS) for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and classified by machine learning (ML) approaches to identify unique LAS-spectra patterns (breathprints) for SARS-CoV-2. Of the 135 patients enrolled, 115 patients provided analyzable breath samples. Using LAS-breathprints to train ML classifier models resulted in an accuracy of 72.2%-81.7% in differentiating between SARS-CoV2 positive and negative groups. The performance was consistent across subgroups of different age, sex, body mass index, SARS-CoV-2 variants, time of disease onset and oxygen requirement. The overall performance was higher than compared to VOC-trained classifier model, which had an accuracy of 63%-74.7%. This study demonstrates that a ML-based breathprint model using LAS analysis of exhaled breath may be a valuable non-invasive method for studying the lower airways and detecting SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens. The technology and the ML approach can be easily deployed in any setting with minimal training. This will greatly improve access and scalability to meet surge capacity; allow early and rapid detection to inform therapy; and offers great versatility in developing new classifier models quickly for future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth P Cusack
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Robyn Larracy
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Christian B Morrell
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Maral Ranjbar
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Le Roux
- Department of Medicine, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Thiviya Srinathan
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Eric Cheng
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Karen Howie
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catie Obminski
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tim O'Shea
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Terence Ho
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erik Scheme
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | | | | | - Gail M Gavreau
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - MyLinh Duong
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4A6, Canada
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Marques AD, Graham-Wooten J, Fitzgerald AS, Sobel Leonard A, Cook EJ, Everett JK, Rodino KG, Moncla LH, Kelly BJ, Collman RG, Bushman FD. SARS-CoV-2 evolution during prolonged infection in immunocompromised patients. mBio 2024; 15:e0011024. [PMID: 38364100 PMCID: PMC10936176 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00110-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Prolonged infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in immunocompromised patients provides an opportunity for viral evolution, potentially leading to the generation of new pathogenic variants. To investigate the pathways of viral evolution, we carried out a study on five patients experiencing prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection (quantitative polymerase chain reaction-positive for 79-203 days) who were immunocompromised due to treatment for lymphoma or solid organ transplantation. For each timepoint analyzed, we generated at least two independent viral genome sequences to assess the heterogeneity and control for sequencing error. Four of the five patients likely had prolonged infection; the fifth apparently experienced a reinfection. The rates of accumulation of substitutions in the viral genome per day were higher in hospitalized patients with prolonged infection than those estimated for the community background. The spike coding region accumulated a significantly greater number of unique mutations than other viral coding regions, and the mutation density was higher. Two patients were treated with monoclonal antibodies (bebtelovimab and sotrovimab); by the next sampled timepoint, each virus population showed substitutions associated with monoclonal antibody resistance as the dominant forms (spike K444N and spike E340D). All patients received remdesivir, but remdesivir-resistant substitutions were not detected. These data thus help elucidate the trends of emergence, evolution, and selection of mutational variants within long-term infected immunocompromised individuals. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for a global pandemic, driven in part by the emergence of new viral variants. Where do these new variants come from? One model is that long-term viral persistence in infected individuals allows for viral evolution in response to host pressures, resulting in viruses more likely to replicate efficiently in humans. In this study, we characterize replication in several hospitalized and long-term infected individuals, documenting efficient pathways of viral evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Marques
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jevon Graham-Wooten
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Ashley Sobel Leonard
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emma J. Cook
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John K. Everett
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kyle G. Rodino
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Louise H. Moncla
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brendan J. Kelly
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ronald G. Collman
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Frederic D. Bushman
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Haid S, Matthaei A, Winkler M, Sake SM, Gunesch AP, Milke V, Köhler NM, Rückert J, Vieyres G, Kühl D, Nguyen TT, Göhl M, Lasswitz L, Zapatero-Belinchón FJ, Brogden G, Gerold G, Wiegmann B, Bilitewski U, Brown RJP, Brönstrup M, Schulz TF, Pietschmann T. Repurposing screen identifies novel candidates for broad-spectrum coronavirus antivirals and druggable host targets. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0121023. [PMID: 38319076 PMCID: PMC10916382 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01210-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Libraries composed of licensed drugs represent a vast repertoire of molecules modulating physiological processes in humans, providing unique opportunities for the discovery of host-targeting antivirals. We screened the Repurposing, Focused Rescue, and Accelerated Medchem (ReFRAME) repurposing library with approximately 12,000 molecules for broad-spectrum coronavirus antivirals and discovered 134 compounds inhibiting an alphacoronavirus and mapping to 58 molecular target categories. Dominant targets included the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor, the dopamine receptor, and cyclin-dependent kinases. Gene knock-out of the drugs' host targets including cathepsin B and L (CTSB/L; VBY-825), the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR; Phortress), the farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT1; P-3622), and the kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1; Omaveloxolone), significantly modulated HCoV-229E infection, providing evidence that these compounds inhibited the virus through acting on their respective host targets. Counter-screening of all 134 primary compound candidates with SARS-CoV-2 and validation in primary cells identified Phortress, an AHR activating ligand, P-3622-targeting FDFT1, and Omaveloxolone, which activates the NFE2-like bZIP transcription factor 2 (NFE2L2) by liberating it from its endogenous inhibitor KEAP1, as antiviral candidates for both an Alpha- and a Betacoronavirus. This study provides an overview of HCoV-229E repurposing candidates and reveals novel potentially druggable viral host dependency factors hijacked by diverse coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Haid
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alina Matthaei
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melina Winkler
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Svenja M. Sake
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Antonia P. Gunesch
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Vanessa Milke
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Natalie M. Köhler
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jessica Rückert
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gabrielle Vieyres
- Junior Research Group “Cell Biology of RNA Viruses”, Leibniz Institute of Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- Integrative Analysis of Pathogen-Induced Compartments, Leibniz ScienceCampus InterACt, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Kühl
- Junior Research Group “Cell Biology of RNA Viruses”, Leibniz Institute of Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tu-Trinh Nguyen
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Matthias Göhl
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lisa Lasswitz
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Francisco J. Zapatero-Belinchón
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Graham Brogden
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gisa Gerold
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, 901 87 Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), 901 87 Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bettina Wiegmann
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- BREATH (Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Carl-Neuberg Str. 1, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Richard J. P. Brown
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas F. Schulz
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Abd-Alrazaq A, Nashwan AJ, Shah Z, Abujaber A, Alhuwail D, Schneider J, AlSaad R, Ali H, Alomoush W, Ahmed A, Aziz S. Machine Learning-Based Approach for Identifying Research Gaps: COVID-19 as a Case Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e49411. [PMID: 38441952 PMCID: PMC10916961 DOI: 10.2196/49411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research gaps refer to unanswered questions in the existing body of knowledge, either due to a lack of studies or inconclusive results. Research gaps are essential starting points and motivation in scientific research. Traditional methods for identifying research gaps, such as literature reviews and expert opinions, can be time consuming, labor intensive, and prone to bias. They may also fall short when dealing with rapidly evolving or time-sensitive subjects. Thus, innovative scalable approaches are needed to identify research gaps, systematically assess the literature, and prioritize areas for further study in the topic of interest. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we propose a machine learning-based approach for identifying research gaps through the analysis of scientific literature. We used the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. METHODS We conducted an analysis to identify research gaps in COVID-19 literature using the COVID-19 Open Research (CORD-19) data set, which comprises 1,121,433 papers related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our approach is based on the BERTopic topic modeling technique, which leverages transformers and class-based term frequency-inverse document frequency to create dense clusters allowing for easily interpretable topics. Our BERTopic-based approach involves 3 stages: embedding documents, clustering documents (dimension reduction and clustering), and representing topics (generating candidates and maximizing candidate relevance). RESULTS After applying the study selection criteria, we included 33,206 abstracts in the analysis of this study. The final list of research gaps identified 21 different areas, which were grouped into 6 principal topics. These topics were: "virus of COVID-19," "risk factors of COVID-19," "prevention of COVID-19," "treatment of COVID-19," "health care delivery during COVID-19," "and impact of COVID-19." The most prominent topic, observed in over half of the analyzed studies, was "the impact of COVID-19." CONCLUSIONS The proposed machine learning-based approach has the potential to identify research gaps in scientific literature. This study is not intended to replace individual literature research within a selected topic. Instead, it can serve as a guide to formulate precise literature search queries in specific areas associated with research questions that previous publications have earmarked for future exploration. Future research should leverage an up-to-date list of studies that are retrieved from the most common databases in the target area. When feasible, full texts or, at minimum, discussion sections should be analyzed rather than limiting their analysis to abstracts. Furthermore, future studies could evaluate more efficient modeling algorithms, especially those combining topic modeling with statistical uncertainty quantification, such as conformal prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Abd-Alrazaq
- AI Center for Precision Health, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Zubair Shah
- Division of Information and Computing Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmad Abujaber
- Nursing Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dari Alhuwail
- Information Science Department, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
- Health Informatics Unit, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Jens Schneider
- Division of Information and Computing Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rawan AlSaad
- AI Center for Precision Health, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hazrat Ali
- Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, Sohar University, Sohar, Oman
| | - Waleed Alomoush
- School of Information Technology, Skyline University College, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Arfan Ahmed
- AI Center for Precision Health, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sarah Aziz
- AI Center for Precision Health, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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Francis-Wenger H. Exploring compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in emergency nurses: a mixed-methods study. Emerg Nurse 2024; 32:19-26. [PMID: 37278088 DOI: 10.7748/en.2023.e2164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compassion fatigue can have detrimental effects on emergency nurses and the quality of patient care they deliver. Ongoing challenges such as operational pressures and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have increased nurses' risk of experiencing compassion fatigue. AIM To explore and understand emergency nurses' experiences and perceptions of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. METHOD This study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design comprising two phases. In phase one, the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL-5) scale was used to obtain information on the prevalence and severity of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among emergency nurses. In phase two, six participants' experiences and perceptions were explored via semi-structured interviews. FINDINGS A total of 44 emergency nurses completed the ProQOL-5 questionnaires. Six respondents had a high compassion satisfaction score, 38 had a moderate score and none had a low score. In the interviews, participants revealed different explanations regarding their compassion satisfaction levels. Three main themes were identified: personal reflections; factors identified as maintaining stability; and external factors affecting compassion. CONCLUSION Compassion fatigue needs to be prevented and addressed systemically to avoid detrimental effects on ED staff morale and well-being, staff retention, patients and care delivery.
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Osman J, Gonnin C, Lambert J, Behier C, Chapuis N, Chevalier S, Debus J, Delaval A, Depoorter M, Dumas C, Dumesges A, Dussert P, Vacher CF, Dubois-Galopin F, Gerard D, Bollotte PG, Guignedoux G, Mayeur-Rousse C, Mercier-Bataille D, Ronez E, Trichet C, Wiber M, Raggueneau V. White blood cells scattergram as a valuable tool for COVID-19 screening: A multicentric study. Int J Lab Hematol 2024. [PMID: 38439664 DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.14257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION New tools have been developed to distinguish the COVID-19 diagnosis from other viral infections presenting similar symptomatology and mitigate the lack of sensitivity of molecular testing. We previously identified a specific "sandglass" aspect on the white blood cells (WBC) scattergram of COVID-19 patients, as a highly reliable COVID-19 screening test (sensitivity: 85.9%, specificity: 83.5% and positive predictive value: 94.3%). We then decided to validate our previous data in a multicentric study. METHODS This retrospective study involved 817 patients with flu-like illness, among 20 centers, using the same CBC instrument (XN analyzer, SYSMEX, Japan). After training, one specialist per center independently evaluated, under the same conditions, the presence of the "sandglass" aspect of the WDF scattergram, likely representing plasmacytoid lymphocytes. RESULTS Overall, this approach showed sensitivity: 59.0%, specificity: 72.9% and positive predictive value: 77.7%. Sensitivity improved with subgroup analysis, including in patients with lymphopenia (65.2%), patients presenting symptoms for more than 5 days (72.3%) and in patients with ARDS (70.1%). COVID-19 patients with larger plasmacytoid lymphocyte cluster (>15 cells) more often have severe outcomes (70% vs. 15% in the control group). CONCLUSION Our findings confirm that the WBC scattergram analysis could be added to a diagnostic algorithm for screening and quickly categorizing symptomatic patients as either COVID-19 probable or improbable, especially during COVID-19 resurgence and overlapping with future influenza epidemics. The observed large size of the plasmacytoid lymphocytes cluster appears to be a hallmark of COVID-19 patients and was indicative of a severe outcome. Furthers studies are ongoing to evaluate the value of the new hematological parameters in combination with WDF analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Osman
- Department of Hematobiology, CH Versailles, Le Chesnay, France
| | - Cécile Gonnin
- Department of Hematobiology, CH Versailles, Le Chesnay, France
| | - Jérome Lambert
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- INSERM UMR1153 ECSTRRA Team, Paris, France
| | - Céline Behier
- Laboratory of Biology, Centre Hospitalier d'Angoulême, Angoulême, France
| | - Nicolas Chapuis
- Department of Hematobiology, Cochin Hospital, Paris, HP, France
| | - Simon Chevalier
- Department of Hematobiology, Biology and pathology Institute, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Jérôme Debus
- Department of Hematobiology and Transfusion, Hôpital Louis-Mourier, Colombes, France
| | - Anne Delaval
- Department of Hematobiology, CH Robert Ballanger, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
| | - Maxime Depoorter
- Department of Hematobiology, Centre Hospitalier Régional de la Haute Senne, Soignies, Belgium
| | - Cécile Dumas
- Department of Hematobiology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Amély Dumesges
- Laboratory of Hematology, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Pascale Dussert
- Laboratory of Nord Franche-Comté Hospital, Trévenans, France
| | | | | | - Delphine Gerard
- Laboratory of Hematology, Nancy University Hospital, Nancy, France
| | - Pauline Gravière Bollotte
- Laboratory of Hematology, Centre de Biologie et de Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | | | | | | | - Emily Ronez
- Laboratory of Hematology, Ambroise Paré University Hospital, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | | | - Margaux Wiber
- Laboratory of Hematology, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
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