Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruth Faden, Alejandro Cravioto, Joachim Hombach, David C. Kaslow, Sonali Kochhar, Hanna Nohynek, Annelies Wilder-Smith, Matthew A. Crane, Saad B. Omer
Summary: An advisory group used a new approach to tackle the challenge of advising the World Health Organization on prioritizing COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Frank P. Esper, Yu-Wei Cheng, Thamali M. Adhikari, Zheng Jin Tu, Derek Li, Erik A. Li, Daniel H. Farkas, Gary W. Procop, Jennifer S. Ko, Timothy A. Chan, Lara Jehi, Brian P. Rubin, Jing Li
Summary: The study found that the clade assignment of SARS-CoV-2 is closely associated with patient outcomes, with certain variants significantly linked to lower hospitalization rates and higher survival rates. Understanding these variants is crucial for clinical risk stratification and may provide important clues to the complex virus-host relationship.
Article
Virology
Yan Chen, Shiyong Li, Wei Wu, Shuaipeng Geng, Mao Mao
Summary: This study provides insights into the evolutionary and expansion dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 by analyzing viral genomes. It reveals the changes and distributions of major viral genotypes, which can be used as molecular barcodes to monitor the spreading routes of the pandemic and evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. Additionally, the study helps in early identification of new strains, development of molecular diagnosis and vaccines, and assessment of their accuracy and efficacy.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Aylin O. Alpaydin, Naciye S. Gezer, Gokcen O. Simsek, Kemal C. Tertemiz, Oya O. E. Kutsoylu, Arzu N. Zeka, Irmak Guzel, Mujde Soyturk, Ayca A. Sayiner, Vildan A. Oguz
Summary: The study identified distinct clinical and laboratory features between COVID-19 and pneumonia caused by other viruses, but did not rule out the possibility of coinfections. Some clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings may assist in differentiating COVID-19 from other viral infections.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Wael H. Roshdy, Mohamed K. Khalifa, James Emmanuel San, Houriiyah Tegally, Eduan Wilkinson, Shymaa Showky, Darren Patrick Martin, Monika Moir, Amel Naguib, Nancy Elguindy, Mokhtar R. Gomaa, Manal Fahim, Hanaa Abu Elsood, Amira Mohsen, Ramy Galal, Mohamed Hassany, Richard J. Lessells, Ahmed A. Al-Karmalawy, Rabeh EL-Shesheny, Ahmed M. Kandeil, Mohamed A. Ali, Tulio de Oliveira
Summary: In this study, the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Egypt was described using a subset of high-quality Egyptian genomes analyzed alongside global sequences. The dominant lineage, C.36, was introduced early in the pandemic and acquired mutations to maintain its prevalence. The findings underscore the importance of continuous genomic surveillance in areas where VOCs are not prominent and the enforcement of public health measures to prevent the spread of existing lineages.
Article
Immunology
Jose Alberto Choreno-Parra, Luis Armando Jimenez-Alvarez, Gustavo Ramirez-Martinez, Montserrat Sandoval-Vega, Citlaltepetl Salinas-Lara, Carlos Sanchez-Garibay, Cesar Luna-Rivero, Erika Mariana Hernandez-Montiel, Luis Alejandro Fernandez-Lopez, Maria Fernanda Cabrera-Cornejo, Eduardo Misael Choreno-Parra, Alfredo Cruz-Lagunas, Andrea Dominguez, Eduardo Marquez-Garcia, Carlos Cabello-Gutierrez, Francina Valezka Bolanos-Morales, Lourdes Mena-Hernandez, Diego Delgado-Zaldivar, Daniel Rebolledo-Garcia, Parmenides Guadarrama-Ortiz, Nora E. Regino-Zamarripa, Criselda Mendoza-Milla, Ethel A. Garcia-Latorre, Tatiana Sofia Rodiguez-Reyna, Diana Cervantes-Rosete, Carmen M. Hernandez-Cardenas, Shabaana A. Khader, Albert Zlotnik, Joaquin Zuniga
Summary: The study found that serum levels of CXCL17 were increased only in patients with pandemic influenza A(H1N1), and its expression in lung tissue had specific patterns, while no similar observations were made in COVID-19 and TB patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Arturo Casadevall, Susan R. Weiss, Michael J. Imperiale
Summary: The origins of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are being debated between a natural and a lab accident hypothesis, and while science can provide important information, it may not offer a definitive answer.
Article
Virology
Vladimir Stevanovic, Irena Tabain, Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek, Maja Mauric Maljkovic, Iva Benvin, Zeljka Hruskar, Snjezana Kovac, Iva Smit, Gorana Miletic, Suzana Hadina, Vilim Staresina, Lada Radin, Valentina Plichta, Branimir Skrlin, Zoran Vrbanac, Mirna Brkljacic, Marija Cvetnic, Josipa Habus, Kresimir Martinkovic, Iva Zecevic, Gabrijela Jurkic, Ivana Ferencak, Zinka Stritof, Matko Perharic, Lovro Bucic, Ljubo Barbic
Summary: The study revealed a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs, especially prominent in households with confirmed COVID-19 cases. While most dogs with acute infections are asymptomatic, they still pose a significant health risk, particularly male dogs, specific breeds, and older ages.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sebastian Giraldo-Ramirez, Santiago Rendon-Marin, Javier A. Jaimes, Marlen Martinez-Gutierrez, Julian Ruiz-Saenz
Summary: The study reveals that domestic cats are mostly asymptomatic when infected with SARS-CoV-2, while wild felines primarily exhibit respiratory symptoms, with up to 96.5% of affected animals presenting with coughing. Symptomatic animals belong to different subfamilies within the Felidae family.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bruno da-Costa-Rodrigues, Caio Cheohen, Felipe Sciammarella, Allan Pierre-Bonetti-Pozzobon, Lupis Ribeiro, Jose Luciano Nepomuceno-Silva, Marcio Medeiros, Flavia Mury, Cintia Monteiro-de-Barros, Cristiano Lazoski, Manuela Leal-da-Silva, Amilcar Tanuri, Rodrigo Nunes-da-Fonseca
Summary: This study investigates the genomic profile of SARS-CoV-2 in the strategic Brazilian city of Macae and explores the functional aspects of emerging viral mutations associated with clinical data. The study reveals a high occurrence of viral introduction events and local transmissions in Macae, including the spread of the B.1.1.28 lineage. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 mutations were found in patients with different levels of COVID-19 severity. The study also demonstrates that certain mutations in the spike protein have higher molecular interactions with human ACE2.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Carla Lopez-Causape, Pablo A. Fraile-Ribot, Santiago Jimenez-Serrano, Gabriel Cabot, Ester del Barrio-Tofino, M. Carmen Prado, Juana Maria Linares, Aranzazu Lopez, Adoracion Hurtado, Elena Riera, Antoni Serra, Eva Rosello, Lluis Carbo, M. Victoria Fernandez-Baca, Carmen Gallegos, Juan Saurina, Emilio Arteaga, M. Magdalena Salom, Antonia Salva, Antoni Nicolau, Fernando Gonzalez-Candelas, Inaki Comas, Antonio Oliver
Summary: Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology in the Balearic Islands, a unique setting influenced by insularity, severe social restrictions, and tourism travels, revealed B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.2/AY.X as major circulating lineages. Additionally, lineage B.1.221 was the third most prevalent in Ibiza/Formentera.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Ana Carolina Ramirez-Cazares, Yodira Guadalupe Hernandez-Ruiz, Cesar Adrian Martinez-Longoria, Cesar Eduardo Tamez-Gomez, Obed Medina-Macias, Roberto Guadalupe Trevino-Montalvo
Summary: This study retrospectively observed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in a private hospital from April 1, 2020 to April 30, 2022 using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. The study found that most children and adolescents had asymptomatic or mild infections, with a low incidence of severe cases. The majority of patients had prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2-infected households, and treatment and reinfection were not age-related.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Xueling Zhu, Wenrui Wu, Jianwen Ning, Tingting Dai, Daiqiong Fang, Jingjing Wu, Ding Shi
Summary: A study found that compared to sporadic cases, clustered cases of COVID-19 exhibited milder disease severity and better clinical outcomes. This may be attributed to the management of early detection, early diagnosis, early treatment, and early isolation of the disease.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shakir Ahamad, Scotty Branch, Shea Harrelson, Mohd Kamil Hussain, Mohammad Saquib, Saeed Khan
Summary: The global effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing, with a urgent need for collaboration, development of new diagnostics, therapies, vaccines, and improvement of healthcare infrastructure, particularly in poorer countries. Researchers worldwide are working tirelessly on new treatments and vaccines, with drug repurposing emerging as a realistic strategy to counter the virus.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nils Chr Stenseth, Guha Dharmarajan, Ruiyun Li, Zheng-Li Shi, Ruifu Yang, George F. Gao
Summary: This article summarizes the timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lessons learned by the public health community, discussing the implications for future public health policy and outlining an agenda for improved pandemic control. It contrasts the ongoing pandemic with the SARS outbreak, identifying areas where valuable lessons were learned as well as key areas where international public health policy failed.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Virology
Piotr Rzymski, Nadiia Kasianchuk, Dominika Sikora, Barbara Poniedzialek
Summary: This study analyzed the relationship between COVID-19 vaccine coverage and infection rates, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths during the Omicron wave in the European Economic Area. The findings showed that infection rates were not correlated with vaccine coverage. However, in January and February, the completion of initial vaccination and booster dose percentages were strongly negatively correlated with hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and death. The study suggests that COVID-19 vaccination can help reduce the strain on healthcare systems during the Omicron wave, but new vaccine strategies may be needed for long-term effectiveness and durability.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Robert Flisiak, Piotr Rzymski, Dorota Zarebska-Michaluk, Przemyslaw Ciechanowski, Krystyna Dobrowolska, Magdalena Rogalska, Jerzy Jaroszewicz, Anna Szymanek-Pasternak, Marta Rorat, Dorota Kozielewicz, Justyna Kowalska, Ewa Dutkiewicz, Katarzyna Sikorska, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska
Summary: This study compares the epidemiological characteristics, symptomatology, and outcomes of COVID-19 patients hospitalized during periods dominated by different variants. The Delta period had a higher proportion of hospitalized females, fewer comorbidities, and a different age distribution. Omicron dominance was associated with the lowest need for oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. Symptoms such as cough, fever, dyspnea, and fatigue were most prevalent during the Delta period. The Omicron period showed higher discharge rates and lower mortality compared to the Delta period.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Maria Pokorska-Spiewak, Magdalena Marczynska
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Michal Brzdek, Dorota Zarebska-Michaluk, Federica Invernizzi, Marta Cilla, Krystyna Dobrowolska, Robert Flisiak
Summary: Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major health problem affecting 58 million people worldwide. Treatment with direct-acting antivirals has significantly improved, offering hope for the elimination of HCV as a public threat by 2030. Patients treated with antiviral therapies are now younger, healthier, and have less advanced liver disease.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Olga Tronina, Michal Brzdek, Dorota Zarebska-Michaluk, Dorota Dybowska, Beata Lorenc, Ewa Janczewska, Wlodzimierz Mazur, Anna Parfieniuk-Kowerda, Anna Piekarska, Rafal Krygier, Jakub Klapaczynski, Hanna Berak, Jerzy Jaroszewicz, Aleksander Garlicki, Krzysztof Tomasiewicz, Jolanta Citko, Robert Flisiak
Summary: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) pangenotypic options in patients who failed previous NS5A inhibitor therapy. The study demonstrated that pangenotypic rescue regimens were highly effective in these patients, with cirrhosis being a negative prognostic factor of treatment effectiveness.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Malgorzata Pawlowska, Maria Pokorska-Spiewak, Ewa Talarek, Anna Mania, Barbara Hasiec, Elzbieta Zwirek-Pytka, Magdalena Stankiewicz, Martyna Stani, Paulina Franczak-Chmura, Leszek Szenborn, Izabela Zaleska, Joanna Chruszcz, Ewa Majda-Stanislawska, Urszula Dryja, Kamila Gasiorowska, Magdalena Figlerowicz, Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska, Kamil Faltin, Przemyslaw Ciechanowski, Michal Peregrym, Joanna Lasecka-Zadrozna, Jozef Rudnicki, Barbara Szczepanska, Ilona Palyga-Bysiecka, Ewelina Rogowska, Dagmara Hudobska-Nawrot, Katarzyna Domanska-Granek, Adam Sybilski, Izabela Kucharek, Justyna Franczak, Malgorzata Sobolewska-Pilarczyk, Ernest Kuchar, Michal Wronowski, Maria Paryz, Boleslaw Kalicki, Kacper Toczylowski, Artur Sulik, Slawomira Niedzwiecka, Robert Flisiak, Magdalena Marczynska
Summary: This study analyzed the differences in severity and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in infants hospitalized in Poland from 2020 to 2021. It found that more infants were hospitalized in 2021, with an increase in comorbidities. Fever and respiratory symptoms were prevalent, and severe conditions were more common among infants with comorbidities. The study also noted a higher number of hospitalizations during the period of dominance of variants of concern, especially the delta variant.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Krystyna Dobrowolska, Dorota Zarebska-Michaluk, Michal Brzdek, Piotr Rzymski, Magdalena Rogalska, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska, Dorota Kozielewicz, Marcin Hawro, Marta Rorat, Katarzyna Sikorska, Jerzy Jaroszewicz, Justyna Kowalska, Robert Flisiak
Summary: Continuous evaluation is needed for the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 medicines due to the evolving nature of SARS-CoV-2 and the possibility of resistance. This retrospective study analyzed the outcomes of COVID-19 patients treated with remdesivir (RDV) during the Delta and Omicron waves, compared to a matched group not treated with antivirals. The results showed that RDV treatment was associated with a significantly lower risk of death during both variants' dominance. This study provides evidence that RDV remains effective against more pathogenic variants of SARS-CoV-2 and those causing milder disease.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Agnieszka Genowska, Dorota Zarebska-Michaluk, Birute Strukcinskiene, Arturas Razbadauskas, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska, Jonas Jurgaitis, Robert Flisiak
Summary: Limited information is available on trends in HCV infection in Central Europe. The study analyzed HCV epidemiology in Poland and found a shift in trends from positive to negative between 2009 and 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly decreased the diagnosis rate of HCV.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Tomasz Sobierajski, Piotr Rzymski, Monika Wanke-Rytt
Summary: The study investigated the link between individuals' attitudes towards vaccination and their actual vaccination behavior, with a focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing vaccination debate. The survey conducted among a representative sample of Poles revealed that strong vaccine supporters were more likely to receive COVID-19 booster doses, follow physicians' recommendations, and have increased confidence in vaccines during the pandemic. However, communication plays a crucial role as over half of moderate vaccine supporters reported weakened vaccine confidence and a significant portion remained unvaccinated against COVID-19.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Dorota Dybowska, Dorota Zarebska-Michaluk, Piotr Rzymski, Hanna Berak, Beata Lorenc, Marek Sitko, Michal Dybowski, Wlodzimierz Mazur, Magdalena Tudrujek-Zdunek, Justyna Janocha-Litwin, Ewa Janczewska, Jakub Klapaczynski, Anna Parfieniuk-Kowerda, Anna Piekarska, Barbara Sobala-Szczygiel, Krystyna Dobrowolska, Malgorzata Pawlowska, Robert Flisiak
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in 14272 patients with chronic hepatitis C, including 942 patients with different mental disorders. The results showed that DAA treatment was safe and effective in HCV-infected patients with mental disorders, with similar efficacy compared to patients without mental disorders. Some patients experienced worsening of mental illness symptoms during treatment, but treatment discontinuation was rare.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Anna Wroblewska, Anna Woziwodzka, Magda Rybicka, Krzysztof P. Bielawski, Katarzyna Sikorska
Summary: This study found that genetic variants related to iron metabolism are associated with the progression of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C patients. Specific single nucleotide polymorphisms in certain genes are correlated with histopathological changes in liver tissue, and the combination of HDAC3 rs976552 and CYBRD1 rs884409 mutations is associated with a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Polymorphisms related to iron homeostasis are associated with histopathological changes in the liver.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Robert Flisiak, Dorota Zarebska-Michaluk, Krystyna Dobrowolska, Marta Rorat, Magdalena Rogalska, Justyna Anna Krynska, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska, Piotr Czupryna, Dorota Kozielewicz, Jerzy Jaroszewicz, Katarzyna Sikorska, Agnieszka Bednarska, Anna Piekarska, Piotr Rzymski
Summary: This study compared the clinical presentation of COVID-19 during the initial and later periods of Omicron dominance and identified populations still at risk. Patients hospitalized during the later period had a milder disease course, with older age, better clinical condition on admission, lower need for oxygen and mechanical ventilation, less frequent lung involvement on imaging, and faster clinical improvement. However, the overall mortality during the initial period was higher than that in the later period. Patients with lung involvement had a similar high mortality rate in both groups.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Krystyna Dobrowolska, Michal Brzdek, Dorota Zarebska-Michaluk, Piotr Rzymski, Magdalena Rogalska, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska, Anna Szymanek-Pasternak, Jerzy Jaroszewicz, Ewa Dutkiewicz, Justyna Kowalska, Katarzyna Sikorska, Robert Flisiak
Summary: The study aimed to compare the baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized during the Delta and Omicron predominance in Poland. The results showed that during the Delta wave, patients were younger and had fewer comorbidities compared to the Omicron surge. Omicron-infected patients presented less often in an unstable symptomatic state with low oxygen saturation on admission. Antiviral drugs were more frequently used during the Omicron wave, and the risk of mechanical ventilation and death was lower for Omicron-infected patients.
POLISH ARCHIVES OF INTERNAL MEDICINE-POLSKIE ARCHIWUM MEDYCYNY WEWNETRZNEJ
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pawel Sledzinski, Agnieszka Nowak-Terpilowska, Piotr Rzymski, Ryszard Slomski, Joanna Zeyland
Summary: Plant cannabinoids, such as CBD, have the potential to mimic endocannabinoids and exhibit anti-cancer activities. This study found that CBD-rich extracts and purified CBD reduced the viability of breast cancer and prostate cancer cells, while having no effect on non-malignant cells. Additionally, the study observed changes in gene expression related to apoptosis and cell cycle control. These findings suggest that CBD could be a promising agent for further preclinical and clinical testing.