News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roxanne Khamsi
Summary: Evidence suggests that self-attacking autoantibodies may be crucial in understanding some of the most severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Friederike Weschenfelder, Janine Zoellkau, Anna Schohe, Ulrich Pecks, Tanja Groten, Ute Schaefer-Graf
Summary: This study aims to investigate whether obesity is an independent risk factor for severe maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19. The results showed that obesity was significantly associated with gestational diabetes, hypertensive pregnancy disorders, and higher rates of C-sections. BMI was identified as a predictor for severe outcomes such as maternal or neonatal death and preterm delivery (<32 weeks).
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Isabel Griffin, Kate R. Woodworth, Romeo R. Galang, Veronica K. Burkel, Varsha Neelam, Samantha Siebman, Jerusha Barton, Susan E. Manning, Kathryn Aveni, Nicole D. Longcore, Elizabeth M. Harvey, Van Ngo, Deborah Mbotha, Sarah Chicchelly, Mamie Lush, Valorie Eckert, Paula Dzimira, Ayomide Sokale, Miguel Valencia-Prado, Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, Adam MacNeil, Suzanne M. Gilboa, Van T. Tong
Summary: The Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network conducted longitudinal surveillance of pregnant individuals in the United States with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Among the 6,551 infected pregnant individuals in this analysis, 142 (2.2%) tested positive for RNA >90 days and up to 416 days after infection.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Stephani C. Wang, Yu-Feng Wang
Summary: COVID-19-induced cardiovascular pathogenesis is complex, and the use of oxytocin (OXT) may help to block viral invasion, suppress cytokine storm, and protect the heart and vasculature. Additionally, OXT has lower side effects and can protect patients from potential complications through multiple mechanisms.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ewen Callaway
Summary: Some countries are considering deploying extra vaccine doses in response to concerns over waning immunity and SARS-CoV-2 variants, but it is still unclear to scientists whether most people need them.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cassandra Willyard
Summary: Researchers have differing opinions on the severity of reinfection and whether COVID-19 can lead to lasting changes in the immune system.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachel Brazil
Summary: The immune system shows a stronger response to previously encountered virus strains, which weakens its response to other strains. Can this 'imprinting' effect be overcome?
Article
Virology
Minghui Li, Jianzhen Hao, Tingting Jiang, Wen Deng, Huihui Lu, Shiyu Wang, Gang Wan, Yao Xie, Wei Yi
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the safety of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in Chinese pregnant women and their fetuses during the peri-pregnancy period. Results showed that vaccination during pregnancy was associated with a significantly higher incidence of premature rupture of membrane (PROM), but not an independent risk factor. There was no significant impact on other complications and the incidence of congenital abnormalities, but the vaccine group had a significantly higher incidence of neonatal jaundice. Therefore, attention should be paid to the prevention and management of neonatal jaundice when administering COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Alejandra Barrero-Castillero, Kristyn S. Beam, Laura B. Bernardini, Erika G. Cordova Ramos, Patricia E. Davenport, Anna R. Duncan, Yarden S. Fraiman, Lauren C. Frazer, Helen Healy, Emily M. Herzberg, Madeline L. Keyes, Kristen T. Leeman, Kristin Leone, Jonathan C. Levin, Matthew Lin, Ravikiran M. Raju, Anne Sullivan
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of neonatal-perinatal perspectives of COVID-19, ranging from the basic science of infection and recommendations for care of pregnant women and neonates to important psychosocial, ethical, and racial/ethnic topics emerging as a result of both the pandemic and the response of the healthcare community to the care of infected individuals.
JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
(2021)
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Smriti Mallapaty
Summary: Innate immunity may be the reason why children have better outcomes with the virus, but the Delta variant introduces new uncertainties.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Marshall
Summary: Scientists are gaining insights into the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on some infected individuals, but many mysteries surrounding this issue remain unsolved.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Helmut J. Kleinwechter, Katharina S. Weber, Nina Mingers, Babett Ramsauer, Ute M. Schaefer-Graf, Tanja Groten, Bettina Kuschel, Clara Backes, Constanze Banz-Jansen, Martin A. Berghaeuser, Irene A. Brotsack, Iris Dressler-Steinbach, Charlotte Engelbrecht, Sarah Engler-Hauschild, Teresa-Mira Gruber, Vanessa Hepp, Elsa Hollatz-Galuschki, Antonella Iannaccone, Anja Jebens, Constantin S. von Kaisenberg, Lisa Kaup, Corinna Keil, Carolin Kladt, Thomas Kolben, Katrina Kraft, Mirjam Kunze, Julia Lastinger, Katharina Luedemann, Jula Manz, Christine A. Morfeld, Olaf Parchmann, Lena Pfaff, Kristin Reinhardt, Anne Runkel, Markus Schmidt, Marina Sourouni, Johanna Stelbrink, Johannes Stubert, Florian M. Stumpfe, Anna Treptow, Mario Ruediger, Ulrich Pecks
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether gestational diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19. The results showed that gestational diabetes mellitus combined with preconceptional overweight or obesity independently increased the risk of severe course of COVID-19 in pregnant women.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Dan H. Barouch
Summary: This article reviews the protective effects of vaccination and prior infection on severe Covid-19, and proposes future research directions.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cassandra Willyard
Summary: This study adds to the evidence suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection does not cause chilblains, but it does not completely rule out the possibility.
Article
Pediatrics
Joan Devin, Rachel Marano, Michel Mikhael, William Feaster, Terence Sanger, Louis Ehwerhemuepha
Summary: The study found that most neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2 were asymptomatic or developed mild illness without need for respiratory support. Some had severe illness requiring treatment of COVID-19 with remdesivir and COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates is rare, it may result in severe disease.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ricardo Wesley Alberca, Paula Ordonhez Rigato, Yasmim Alefe Leuzzi Ramos, Franciane Mouradian Emidio Teixeira, Anna Claudia Calvielli Branco, Iara Grigoletto Fernandes, Anna Julia Pietrobon, Alberto Jose da Silva Duarte, Valeria Aoki, Raquel Leao Orfali, Maria Notomi Sato
Summary: COVID-19 patients with self-reported daily alcohol consumption showed alterations in immune response, increased inflammation, and higher death rate compared to non-DAC patients.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Marcia Dalastra Laurenti, Wilfredo Sosa-Ochoa, Gabriela Venicia Araujo Flores, Carmen Maria Sandoval Pacheco, Thaise Yumie Tomokane, Luanda Mara da Silva Oliveira, Concepcion Zuniga, Fernando Tobias Silveira, Carlos Eduardo Pereira Corbett
Summary: The study revealed a weak immune response in NUCL patients, with lower cytokine levels and higher IgG and IgM production compared to VL patients and the control group.
PARASITE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Ronaldo Aparecido da Silva, Rafael Stelmach, Luanda Mara da Silva Oliveira, Maria Notomi Sato, Alberto Cukier, Celso Ricardo Fernandes Carvalho
Summary: This study compared constant-load exercise (CLE) with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for improvements in dyspnea symptoms and clinical control in adults with moderate-to-severe asthma. The results showed that both interventions promoted similar improvements in aerobic fitness, but HIIT induced a greater reduction in dyspnea and fatigue perception. Similar responses were observed for other variables.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Danielle Rosa Beserra, Ricardo Wesley Alberca, Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo Branco, Luana de Mendonca Oliveira, Milena Mary de Souza Andrade, Sarah Cristina Gozzi-Silva, Franciane Mouradian Emidio Teixeira, Tatiana Mina Yendo, Alberto Jose da Silva Duarte, Maria Notomi Sato
Summary: This study evaluated the expression of PD-1 in lymphocytes from COVID-19 patients and found that the PD-1/PDL-1 axis plays an important role in the disease. Severe/critical patients showed lymphocyte depletion and increased PD-1 expression in TCD4+ and CD19+ lymphocytes, as well as decreased monocyte frequency with increased PD-1 expression on CD14+ monocytes. Additionally, there was a correlation between disease severity and elevated sPD-L1 levels.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Virology
Adele Caterino-de-Araujo, Karoline R. Campos, Luanda M. S. Oliveira, Paula O. Rigato
Summary: HIV, HTLV-1/-2, and HCV share routes of transmission, and co-infection can lead to worse outcomes. This study analyzed biomarkers in HIV-infected individuals and found differences in cytokines/chemokines, T cells, and viral load among different groups. Although the sample size is small and the study design is cross-sectional, the findings suggest a negative impact of HTLV-1 and a possible protective role of HTLV-2 in HIV infection progression.
Article
Cell Biology
Sarah Cristina Gozzi-Silva, Luana de Mendonca Oliveira, Ricardo Wesley Alberca, Natalli Zanete Pereira, Fabio Seiti Yoshikawa, Anna Julia Pietrobon, Tatiana Mina Yendo, Milena Mary de Souza Andrade, Yasmim Alefe Leuzzi Ramos, Cyro Alves Brito, Emily Araujo Oliveira, Danielle Rosa Beserra, Raquel Leao Orfali, Valeria Aoki, Alberto Jose da Silva Duarte, Maria Notomi Sato
Summary: This study evaluated the characteristics of T lymphocytes in COVID-19 patients and found that patients with severe/critical conditions express more activation markers and the immunological checkpoint protein PD-1. In addition, the increased cytotoxicity of CD4+ T cells may compensate for the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells. These findings contribute to our understanding of the interplay of T cells in the severity of acute COVID-19 infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milena M. de Souza Andrade, Vinicius N. C. Leal, Iara G. Fernandes, Sarah C. Gozzi-Silva, Danielle R. Beserra, Emily A. Oliveira, Franciane M. E. Teixeira, Tatiana M. Yendo, Maria da Gloria T. Sousa, Walcy R. Teodoro, Luana de M. Oliveira, Ricardo W. Alberca, Valeria Aoki, Alberto J. S. Duarte, Maria N. Sato
Summary: The formation of microthrombi in lung autopsies indicates the involvement of NETs in the immunopathogenesis of severe COVID-19. Therefore, using supplements inhibiting NET formation and drugs with fewer adverse effects may be an effective strategy to attenuate the disease. Resveratrol may serve as an adjunctive therapy to decrease neutrophil activation and NET formation, improving patient outcomes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mirian Krystel De Siqueira, Vinicius Andrade-Oliveira, Apollo Stacy, Joao Pedro Torres Guimaraes, Ricardo Wesley Alberca-Custodio, Angela Castoldi, Jaqueline Marques Santos, Marcela Davoli-Ferreira, Luisa Menezes-Silva, Walter Miguel Turato, Seong-Ji Han, Arielle Glatman Zaretsky, Timothy Wesley Hand, Niels Olsen Saraiva Camara, Momtchilo Russo, Sonia Jancar, Denise Morais da Fonseca, Yasmine Belkaid
Summary: This study reveals that transient gut infection can optimize host metabolism by altering the gut microbiota, leading to enhanced carbohydrate utilization and insulin sensitivity. These infection-induced metabolic changes protect the host against growth restriction under limited nutrient availability.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Virology
Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo Branco, Emily Araujo De Oliveira, Natalli Zanete Pereira, Ricardo Wesley Alberca, Amaro Nunes Duarte-Neto, Luiz Fernando Ferraz Da Silva, Fernanda Guedes Luiz, Naiura Vieira Pereira, Mirian Nacagami Sotto, Naiara Naiana Dejani, Patricia Helen Carvalho Rondo, Elyzabeth Avvad-Portari, Zilton Farias Meira De Vasconcelos, Alberto Jose da Silva Duarte, Tamiris Azamor, Maria Notomi Sato
Summary: The incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide, particularly in women, and this can affect pregnancy outcomes. During this period, viral infections pose a risk to the mother, placenta, and fetus. The Zika virus outbreak in Brazil has resulted in the congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and devastating consequences such as microcephaly in newborns. This study examines the impact of maternal overweight/obesity on the expression of antiviral factors in the placental tissue of Zika-infected mothers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kelly Cristina Gomes Manfrere, Marina Passos Torrealba, Frederico Moraes Ferreira, Emanuella Sarmento Alho de Sousa, Denis Miyashiro, Franciane Mouradian Emidio Teixeira, Ricardo Wesley Alberca Custodio, Helder I. Nakaya, Yasmin Alefe Leuzzi Ramos, Mirian Nacagami Sotto, Anders Woetmann, Niels odum, Alberto Jose da Silva Duarte, Jose Antonio Sanches, Maria Notomi Sato
Summary: This study investigated the expression levels of inflammatory markers IL-1B and IL-18 in the skin, serum, blood cells, and lymph nodes of patients with Sezary syndrome, as potential markers of inflammasome activation. The findings showed compartmentalized expressions of IL-1B and IL-18, with increased expression of IL-1B in the epidermis and increased expression of IL-18 in the dermis. In advanced stages of the disease, enhanced expression of IL-18 and downregulation of IL-1B were observed in the lymph nodes. This study provided the first evidence of the imbalance of IL-1B and IL-18 in patients with Sezary syndrome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Camila R. Moreno, Alexandre M. Soeiro, Maria N. Sato, Jaqueline J. Pereira, Renata N. Ikegami, Joyce T. Kawakami, Marcia M. Reis, Luanda M. Oliveira, Maria Lourdes Higuchi
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Gabriela Gama Freire Alberca, Ricardo Wesley Alberca
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2021)
