scholarly journals Gastrointestinal involvement attenuates COVID-19 severity and mortality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra E. Livanos ◽  
Divya Jha ◽  
Francesca Cossarini ◽  
Ana S. Gonzalez-Reiche ◽  
Minami Tokuyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Intestinal Infection ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Inflammatory Proteins ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Intestinal Enterocytes ◽  
Related Mortality

AbstractGiven that gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a prominent extrapulmonary manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we investigated intestinal infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its effect on disease pathogenesis. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in small intestinal enterocytes by immunofluorescence staining or electron microscopy, in 13 of 15 patients studied. High dimensional analyses of GI tissues revealed low levels of inflammation in general, including active downregulation of key inflammatory genes such as IFNG, CXCL8, CXCL2 and IL1B and reduced frequencies of proinflammatory dendritic cell subsets. To evaluate the clinical significance of these findings, examination of two large, independent cohorts of hospitalized patients in the United States and Europe revealed a significant reduction in disease severity and mortality that was independent of gender, age, and examined co-morbid illnesses. The observed mortality reduction in COVID-19 patients with GI symptoms was associated with reduced levels of key inflammatory proteins including IL-6, CXCL8, IL-17A and CCL28 in circulation but was not associated with significant differences in nasopharyngeal viral loads. These data draw attention to organ-level heterogeneity in disease pathogenesis and highlight the role of the GI tract in attenuating SARS-CoV-2-associated inflammation with related mortality benefit.One Sentence SummaryIntestinal infection with SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a mild inflammatory response and improved clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals Class Altruism and Redistribution

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Ghiglino ◽  
David Juárez-Luna ◽  
Andreas Müller
Keyword(s):  
Income Tax ◽  
The United States ◽  
Tax Rates ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Other Regarding ◽  
Other Regarding Preferences

Abstract Why do tax rates vary so much across countries? We study the role of other-regarding preferences and ethnic fragmentation in redistribution. A government is elected by altruistic voters and chooses a redistributive income tax. Altruism is directed toward social identity groups. Three main factors yield low levels of redistribution: (i) strong in-group altruism among rich voters—referred to as class altruism; (ii) weak universal altruism—in particular among the rich; and (iii) ethnic fragmentation among poor voters. We document survey evidence that the pattern of altruism in the United States and the European Union is consistent with the observed differences in taxes.

scholarly journals Relative Dominance of Gag p24-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Is Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Control

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 3122-3125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Zuñiga ◽  
Aldo Lucchetti ◽  
Patricia Galvan ◽  
Shyla Sanchez ◽  
Carmen Sanchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
The United States ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Ctl Responses

ABSTRACT Conflicting data on the role of total virus- and protein-specific cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses in the control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression exist. We present data generated from a Peruvian cohort of untreated, clade B-infected subjects, demonstrating that the proportion of Gag-specific, and in particular p24-reactive, CTL responses among the total virus-specific CTL activity is associated with individuals' CD4 counts and viral loads. Analyses in a second cohort in the United States confirm these findings and point towards a dominant role of Gag-specific immunity in effective control of HIV infection, providing important guidance for HIV vaccine development.

scholarly journals Taxonomical and functional changes in COVID-19 faecal microbiome are related to SARS-CoV-2 faecal load

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Armengaud ◽  
Lucia Grenga ◽  
Olivier Pible ◽  
Guylaine Miotello ◽  
Karen Culotta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Intestinal Infection ◽  
Gi Tract ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Faecal Microbiome ◽  
Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis

Abstract Since the beginning of the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract has emerged as an important organ influencing the propensity to and potentially severity of the related COVID-19 disease. However, the contribution of the SARS-CoV-2 intestinal infection on COVID-19 pathogenesis remains to be clarified. In this exploratory study, we evidenced that alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota depends on the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the gastrointestinal tract but not on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the respiratory tract, COVID-19 severity and GI symptoms. Altered molecular functions in the microbiota profiles of high SARS-CoV-2 RNA level faeces as established by metaproteomics highlight mechanisms that may contribute to vicious cycles. Uncovering the role of this gut microbiota dysbiosis could drive the investigation of alternative therapeutic strategies to favour the clearance of the virus and potentially mitigate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals SSDoH in Latinxs: Factors of Influence

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 81-81
Author(s):  
David Marquez
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Syndrome Type ◽  
Structural Determinants ◽  
Resilience Factors ◽  
Factors Of Influence ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract Research with Latinxs/os/as regarding Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is lacking. This is staggering because among Latinxs in the United States, the number diagnosed with ADRD is expected to grow by more than 800% from 2012 to 2060 (Wu et al., 2016). Older Latinxs have a high risk and prevalence of ADRD - partially attributed to their longer life spans and the presence of adverse risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and other cardiovascular conditions (Chin et al., 2011). What is often missing in the discussion is the role of social and structural determinants of health (SSDOH) in this population. Overall Latinxs have low levels of formal education, work in physically demanding jobs, and experience immigration stress. How these and other SSDoH influence Latinxs will be discussed; as well as potential resilience factors like familial relationships, and religiosity or spirituality.

scholarly journals Insidious bleeding; the danger of complacency: Case Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aldon Delport ◽  
Timothy Makrides ◽  
Shannon Delport ◽  
Hannah Makrides
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Acute Care Surgery ◽  
Warming Blanket ◽  
Haemorrhage Control ◽  
Partial Amputation ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Care Surgery ◽  
Tree Branch ◽  
Related Mortality

Background: A recent publication in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery reported that patients who received a tourniquet (TQ) for severe extremity bleeding had a fourfold decrease in overall shock related mortality (Scerbo et al., 2017). A systematic review conducted in the United States (US) by Beaucreux, Vivian, Miles, Sylvain, and Pasquier (2018) showed that tourniquets are an effective tool for haemorrhage control in civilian populations with low levels of associated complications. Not a lot is known about the attitudes of Australian paramedics toward TQ’s or their use thereof, but anecdotal evidence suggests that their use is contentious. Case: We present a case of severe extremity haemorrhage involving a 90-year-old male who sustained a partial amputation to the lower aspect of the left leg proximal to the ankle whilst cutting a tree branch with a 5-inch toothed garden saw. Conclusion: In this case, the paramedics who attended to this patient believed that the use of a TQ was extreme. Standard trauma management and haemorrhage control measures that included a pressure bandage, vacuum splint and warming blanket served as confounding factors in obscuring an ongoing insidious bleed. Based on the injury profile, the patients advanced age, medications for comorbidities and associated decrease in physiological reserves this patient was a candidate for early TQ application. Failure to apply a TQ may have contributed to coagulopathy and the need for postoperative transfusions.

scholarly journals Insidious bleeding; the danger of complacency: Case Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aldon Delport ◽  
Timothy Makrides ◽  
Shannon Delport ◽  
Hannah Makrides
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Acute Care Surgery ◽  
Warming Blanket ◽  
Haemorrhage Control ◽  
Partial Amputation ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Care Surgery ◽  
Tree Branch ◽  
Related Mortality

Background: A recent publication in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery reported that patients who received a tourniquet (TQ) for severe extremity bleeding had a fourfold decrease in overall shock related mortality (Scerbo et al., 2017). A systematic review conducted in the United States (US) by Beaucreux, Vivian, Miles, Sylvain, and Pasquier (2018) showed that tourniquets are an effective tool for haemorrhage control in civilian populations with low levels of associated complications. Not a lot is known about the attitudes of Australian paramedics toward TQ’s or their use thereof, but anecdotal evidence suggests that their use is contentious. Case: We present a case of severe extremity haemorrhage involving a 90-year-old male who sustained a partial amputation to the lower aspect of the left leg proximal to the ankle whilst cutting a tree branch with a 5-inch toothed garden saw. Conclusion: In this case, the paramedics who attended to this patient believed that the use of a TQ was extreme. Standard trauma management and haemorrhage control measures that included a pressure bandage, vacuum splint and warming blanket served as confounding factors in obscuring an ongoing insidious bleed. Based on the injury profile, the patients advanced age, medications for comorbidities and associated decrease in physiological reserves this patient was a candidate for early TQ application. Failure to apply a TQ may have contributed to coagulopathy and the need for postoperative transfusions.

Universality or Selectivity in Income Support to Older People? A comparative assessment of the issues

1998 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHEILA SHAVER
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
West Germany ◽  
Income Support ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Second Wave

This article reviews the issues involved in policy choices with respect to universality and selectivity in income support to older people. It considers four questions: the practical meaning of universality and selectivity in the income support systems of various countries, the effectiveness of universal and selective arrangements in the alleviation of poverty among this group, the role of universal and selective arrangements in redistributing income among elderly people and the relative generosity of universal and selective arrangements. The article draws on data from the ‘second wave’ of the Luxembourg Income Study for six countries: Australia, (West) Germany, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, concerning the incomes of elderly couples and single (non-married) women. It concludes that while selective income support arrangements achieve greater redistribution in favour of low income elderly people for the same expenditure than do universal ones, selective arrangements do not necessarily perform better in other respects, and, in particular, are associated with low levels of benefit income.

scholarly journals Role of meteorological factors in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiqun Ma ◽  
Sen Pei ◽  
Jeffrey Shaman ◽  
Robert Dubrow ◽  
Kai Chen
Keyword(s):  
Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Meteorological Factors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractImproved understanding of the effects of meteorological conditions on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for COVID-19 disease, is needed. Here, we estimate the relationship between air temperature, specific humidity, and ultraviolet radiation and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in 2669 U.S. counties with abundant reported cases from March 15 to December 31, 2020. Specifically, we quantify the associations of daily mean temperature, specific humidity, and ultraviolet radiation with daily estimates of the SARS-CoV-2 reproduction number (Rt) and calculate the fraction of Rt attributable to these meteorological conditions. Lower air temperature (within the 20–40 °C range), lower specific humidity, and lower ultraviolet radiation were significantly associated with increased Rt. The fraction of Rt attributable to temperature, specific humidity, and ultraviolet radiation were 3.73% (95% empirical confidence interval [eCI]: 3.66–3.76%), 9.35% (95% eCI: 9.27–9.39%), and 4.44% (95% eCI: 4.38–4.47%), respectively. In total, 17.5% of Rt was attributable to meteorological factors. The fractions attributable to meteorological factors generally were higher in northern counties than in southern counties. Our findings indicate that cold and dry weather and low levels of ultraviolet radiation are moderately associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility, with humidity playing the largest role.

Social Motives Predict Loneliness During a Developmental Transition

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Nikitin ◽  
Alexandra M. Freund
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Avoidance ◽  
Social Approach ◽  
Social Motives ◽  
Developmental Transitions ◽  
Avoidance Motivation ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract. Establishing new social relationships is important for mastering developmental transitions in young adulthood. In a 2-year longitudinal study with four measurement occasions (T1: n = 245, T2: n = 96, T3: n = 103, T4: n = 85), we investigated the role of social motives in college students’ mastery of the transition of moving out of the parental home, using loneliness as an indicator of poor adjustment to the transition. Students with strong social approach motivation reported stable and low levels of loneliness. In contrast, students with strong social avoidance motivation reported high levels of loneliness. However, this effect dissipated relatively quickly as most of the young adults adapted to the transition over a period of several weeks. The present study also provides evidence for an interaction between social approach and social avoidance motives: Social approach motives buffered the negative effect on social well-being of social avoidance motives. These results illustrate the importance of social approach and social avoidance motives and their interplay during developmental transitions.

Social and Temporal Comparisons as Moderators of Psychological Resources Associations With Wellbeing

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasida Ben-Zur
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Psychological Resources ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Age Range ◽  
General Wellbeing

Abstract. The current study investigated the associations of psychological resources, social comparisons, and temporal comparisons with general wellbeing. The sample included 142 community participants (47.9% men; age range 23–83 years), who compared themselves with others, and with their younger selves, on eight dimensions (e.g., physical health, resilience). They also completed questionnaires assessing psychological resources of mastery and self-esteem, and three components of subjective wellbeing: life satisfaction and negative and positive affect. The main results showed that high levels of psychological resources contributed to wellbeing, with self-enhancing social and temporal comparisons moderating the effects of resources on certain wellbeing components. Specifically, under low levels of mastery or self-esteem self-enhancing social or temporal comparisons were related to either higher life satisfaction or positive affect. The results highlight the role of resources and comparisons in promoting people’s wellbeing, and suggest that self-enhancing comparisons function as cognitive coping mechanisms when psychological resources are low.

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