Analysis of Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Titers of Recovered COVID-19 Patients

ABSTRACT The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been theorized to provide protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our aim was to determine whether any MMR IgG titers are inversely correlated with severity in recovered COVID-19 patients previously vaccinated with MMR II. We divided 80 subjects into two groups, comparing MMR titers to recent COVID-19 severity levels. The MMR II group consisted of 50 subjects who would primarily have MMR antibodies from the MMR II vaccine, and a comparison group of 30 subjects consisted of those who would primarily have MMR antibodies from sources other than MMR II, including prior measles, mumps, and/or rubella illnesses. There was a significant inverse correlation (rs = −0.71, P < 0.001) between mumps virus titers (mumps titers) and COVID-19 severity within the MMR II group. There were no significant correlations between mumps titers and severity in the comparison group, between mumps titers and age in the MMR II group, or between severity and measles or rubella titers in either group. Within the MMR II group, mumps titers of 134 to 300 arbitrary units (AU)/ml (n = 8) were found only in those who were functionally immune or asymptomatic; all with mild symptoms had mumps titers below 134 AU/ml (n = 17); all with moderate symptoms had mumps titers below 75 AU/ml (n = 11); all who had been hospitalized and had required oxygen had mumps titers below 32 AU/ml (n = 5). Our results demonstrate that there is a significant inverse correlation between mumps titers from MMR II and COVID-19 severity. IMPORTANCE COVID-19 has presented various paradoxes that, if understood better, may provide clues to controlling the pandemic, even before a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available. First, young children are largely spared from severe disease. Second, numerous countries have COVID-19 death rates that are as low as 1% of the death rates of other countries. Third, many people, despite prolonged close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive, never test positive themselves. Fourth, nearly half of people who test positive for COVID-19 are asymptomatic. Some researchers have theorized that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine may be responsible for these disparities. The significance of our study is that it showed that mumps titers related to the MMR II vaccine are significantly and inversely correlated with the severity of COVID-19-related symptoms, supporting the theorized association between the MMR vaccine and COVID-19 severity.

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Inverse correlation between average monthly high temperatures and COVID-19-related death rates in different geographical areas.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-29039/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Francesca Benedetti ◽

Maria Pachetti ◽

Bruna Marini ◽

Rudy Ippodrino ◽

Robert C. Gallo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Los Angeles ◽

Population Density ◽

High Temperatures ◽

Death Rate ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

The United States ◽

Western World ◽

Significant Inverse Correlation ◽

Death Rates ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background With the aim of providing a dynamic evaluation of the effects of basic environmental parameters on COVID-19-related death rate, we assessed the correlation between average monthly high temperatures and population density, with death/rate (monthly number of deaths/1M people) for the months of March (start of the analysis and beginning of local epidemic in most of the Western World, except in Italy where it started in February) and April 2020 (continuation of the epidemic). Different geographical areas of the Northern Hemisphere in the United States and in Europe were selected in order to provide a wide range among the different parameters. The death rates were gathered from an available dataset. As a further control, we also included latitude, as a proxy for temperature.Methods Utilizing a publicly available dataset, we retrieved data for the months of March and April 2020 for 25 areas in Europe and in the US. We computed the monthly number of deaths/1M people of confirmed COVID-19 cases and calculated the average monthly high temperatures and population density for all these areas. We determined the correlation between number of deaths/1M people and the average monthly high temperatures, the latitude and the population density. Results We divided our analysis in two parts: analysis of the correlation among the different variables in the month of March and subsequent analysis in the month of April. The differences were then evaluated. In the month of March there was no statistical correlation between average monthly high temperatures of the considered geographical areas and number of deaths/1M people. However, a statistically significant inverse correlation became significant in the month of April between average monthly high temperatures (p=0.0043) and latitude (p=0.0253) with number of deaths/1M people. We also observed a statistically significant correlation between population density and number of deaths/1M people both in the month of March (p=0.0297) and in the month of April (p=0.0116), when three areas extremely populated (NYC, Los Angeles and Washington DC) were included in the calculation. Once these three areas were removed, the correlation was not statistically significant (p=0.1695 in the month of March, and p=0.7076 in the month of April). Conclusions The number of COVID-19-related deaths/1M people was essentially the same during the month of March for all the geographical areas considered, indicating essentially that the infection was circulating quite uniformly except for Lombardy, Italy, where it started earlier. Lockdown measures were implemented between the end of March and beginning of April, except for Italy which started March 9th. We observed a strong, statistically significant inverse correlation between average monthly high temperatures with the number of deaths/1M people. We confirmed the data by analyzing the correlation with the latitude, which can be considered a proxy for high temperature. Previous studies indicated a negative effect of high climate temperatures on Sars-COV-2 spreading. Our data indicate that social distancing measure are more successful in the presence of higher average monthly temperatures in reducing COVID-19-related death rate, and a high level of population density seems to negatively impact the effect of lockdown measures.

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Inverse correlation between average monthly high temperatures and COVID-19-related death rates in different geographical areas.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-29039/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Francesca Benedetti ◽

Maria Pachetti ◽

Bruna Marini ◽

Rudy Ippodrino ◽

Robert C. Gallo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Los Angeles ◽

Population Density ◽

High Temperatures ◽

Death Rate ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

The United States ◽

Western World ◽

Significant Inverse Correlation ◽

Death Rates ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background With the aim of providing a dynamic evaluation of the effects of basic environmental parameters on COVID-19-related death rate, we assessed the correlation between average monthly high temperatures and population density, with death/rate (monthly number of deaths/1M people) for the months of March (start of the analysis and beginning of local epidemic in most of the Western World, except in Italy where it started in February) and April 2020 (continuation of the epidemic). Different geographical areas of the Northern Hemisphere in the United States and in Europe were selected in order to provide a wide range among the different parameters. The death rates were gathered from an available dataset. As a further control, we also included latitude, as a proxy for temperature. Methods Utilizing a publicly available dataset, we retrieved data for the months of March and April 2020 for 25 areas in Europe and in the US. We computed the monthly number of deaths/1M people of confirmed COVID-19 cases and calculated the average monthly high temperatures and population density for all these areas. We determined the correlation between number of deaths/1M people and the average monthly high temperatures, the latitude and the population density. Results We divided our analysis in two parts: analysis of the correlation among the different variables in the month of March and subsequent analysis in the month of April. The differences were then evaluated). In the month of March there was no statistical correlation between average monthly high temperatures of the considered geographical areas and number of deaths/1M people. However, a statistically significant inverse correlation became significative in the month of April between average monthly high temperatures (p=0.0104) and latitude (p=0.0119) with number of deaths/1M people. We also observed a statistically significative correlation between population density and number of deaths/1M people only in the month of April, when three areas extremely populated (NYC, Los Angeles and Washington DC) were included in the calculation. Once these three areas were removed, the correlation was not statistically significant (p=0.682). Conclusions The number of COVID-19-related deaths/1M people was essentially the same during the month of March for all the geographical areas considered, indicating essentially that the infection was circulating quite uniformly except for Lombardy, Italy, where it started earlier. Lockdown measures were implemented between the end of March and beginning of April, except for Italy which started March 9 th . We observed a strong, statistically significant inverse correlation between average monthly high temperatures with the number of deaths/1M people. We confirmed the data by analyzing the correlation with the latitude, which can be considered a proxy for high temperature. Previous studies indicated a negative effect of high climate temperatures on Sars-COV-2 spreading. Our data indicate that social distancing measure are more successful in the presence of higher daily average temperatures in reducing COVID-19-related death rate, and a high level of population density seems to negatively impact the effect of lockdown measures.

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High Levels of Plasma Protein C in Nephrotic Syndrome

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1661225 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 53 (01) ◽

pp. 005-007 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

I Pabinger-Fasching ◽

K Lechner ◽

H Niessner ◽

P Schmidt ◽

E Balzar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nephrotic Syndrome ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Protein C ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

Elevated Plasma ◽

Significant Inverse Correlation ◽

At Iii ◽

Thrombotic Tendency ◽

Protein C Activity

SummaryIn patients with severe nephrotic syndrome determinations of plasma protein C : Ag levels (8 patients: 5 adults, 3 children) and protein C activity (3 out of 8 patients) revealed significantly elevated plasma protein C concentrations. Furthermore we observed a significant inverse correlation of protein C : Ag to AT III : Ag levels. No protein C : Ag could be detected in the urine of two patients studied. We conclude from our data, that changes of plasma protein C do not contribute to the high thrombotic tendency in nephrotic syndrome.

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The Dependence of Renal 68Ga[Ga]-DOTATOC Uptake on Kidney Function and Its Relevance for Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy with 177Lu[Lu]-DOTATOC

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11071216 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1216

Author(s):

Falk Gühne ◽

Alexander Heinzig ◽

Philipp Seifert ◽

Robert Drescher ◽

Martin Freesmeyer

Keyword(s):

Kidney Function ◽

Specific Binding ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy ◽

Tracer Uptake ◽

Significant Inverse Correlation ◽

Peptide Receptor ◽

Pet Ct ◽

Induced Changes

Background: In addition to its SSTR-specific binding in tumors and healthy tissues, DOTATOC analogues accumulate in kidney parenchyma. Renal tracer uptake might be a surrogate of kidney function or dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate if kidney function can be estimated from 68Ga[Ga]-DOTATOC uptake in PET/CT and its impact on the nephrotoxicity of 177Lu[Lu]-DOTATOC PRRT. Methods: Two cohorts of patients (A: 128 diagnostic patients; B: 32 PRRT patients) were evaluated retrospectively. SUV values of the kidneys, physiologically SSTR-expressing organs and in background compartments were assessed. Kidney function was calculated as eGFR by CKD-EPI creatinine equation. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and treatment-induced changes of uptake and kidney function were assessed and compared. Results: Kidney function and renal DOTATOC uptake showed a significant inverse correlation (R2 = 0.037; p = 0.029). Evaluated models of PET/CT measurements were not able to predict kidney function sufficiently. The uptake of other organs did not depend on eGFR. While the renal uptake increased after PRRT (p < 0.001), the kidney function did not change significantly (p = 0.382). Neither low pre-therapeutic eGFR nor high pre-therapeutic kidney uptake were risk factors of PRRT-induced deterioration in kidney function. Conclusion: The relevance of kidney function for renal 68Ga[Ga]-DOTATOC uptake is limited. The nephrotoxicity of 177Lu[Lu]-DOTATOC PRRT might be low and cannot be reliably predicted by pre-therapeutic measurements.

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Construct Validity for Self-Acceptance and Fear of Negative Evaluation

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.2001.89.2.386 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 89 (2) ◽

pp. 386-386 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mark W. Durm ◽

Patricia E. Glaze

Keyword(s):

Construct Validity ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

The Self ◽

Negative Evaluation ◽

Fear Of Negative Evaluation ◽

Significant Inverse Correlation ◽

Acceptance Scale ◽

Self Acceptance

For 55 students (13 men, 42 women) there was a significant inverse correlation for scores on the Self-acceptance Scale and scores on the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, thereby giving credence to the construct validity of both scales, that is, the more one accepts oneself, the less negative evaluation there is of oneself.

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Neurocysticercosis: Report of Unusual Pediatric Cases

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.98.5.974 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 98 (5) ◽

pp. 974-977

Author(s):

Julie Kim Stamos ◽

Anne H. Rowley ◽

Yoon S. Hahn ◽

Ellen Gould Chadwick ◽

Peter M. Schsntz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Latin America ◽

Young Children ◽

Incubation Period ◽

Endemic Area ◽

Close Contact ◽

The United States ◽

Prolonged Incubation ◽

Endemic Areas ◽

Infants And Young Children

Cysticercosis is widely endemic in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The incidence of cysticercosis has been increasing in the United States during the last decade.1 Although an infection still seen primarily in immigrants, it has been reported in increasing numbers in individuals who have close contact with persons who have resided in endemic areas.2 Only 6 cases of cysticercosis in children born in the United States have been reported; in 3 of these cases, the parents were from or had traveled to an endemic area and Taenia ova were recovered from the stools of the parent(s).1,3-6 Because of the prolonged incubation period, cases are rarely seen in infants and young children.4

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Changes in Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) and Sclerostin following a Loading Dose of Vitamin D2(300,000 IU)

Journal of Osteoporosis ◽

10.1155/2014/682763 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

A. Sankaralingam ◽

R. Roplekar ◽

C. Turner ◽

R. N. Dalton ◽

G. Hampson

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Bone Health ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

Loading Dose ◽

Multilinear Regression ◽

Significant Inverse Correlation ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Multilinear Regression Analysis ◽

Wnt Inhibitors ◽

Dickkopf 1

Background. Vitamin D is important for bone health, although high loading doses have been associated with an increase in fracture risk. The mechanisms remain uncertain.Aim. We hypothesize that supraphysiological concentrations of 1,25 (OH)2vitamin D may inhibit formation by increasing the production of Wnt inhibitors: sclerostin andDKK1.Subjects and Methods. We measured serum sclerostin andDKK1in 34 patients (21 F, 13 M) aged mean (SD) 61.3 (15.6) years with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency treated with a loading dose of vitamin D2(300,000 IU) intramuscularly. Blood samples were taken at baseline and serially up to 3 months.Results. Serum 1,25 (OH)2vitamin D increased markedly at 3 months (mean (SD) baseline 116 (63), 3 months : 229 (142) pmol/L,P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between sclerostin andDKK1at baseline (r=0.504, P=0.002) and at 3 months (r=0.42, P=0.013). A significant inverse correlation was observed between sclerostin and eGFR at 3 months (r=-0.494, P=0.007). Sclerostin increased significantly at 3 months (P=0.033). In a multilinear regression analysis with % change in sclerostin andDKK1as dependent variable, a positive significant association was observed with % change in 1,25 (OH)2vitamin D (P=0.038), independent of changes in PTH and following correction for confounders such as age, gender, BMI, BMD and eGFR.Conclusions. Supraphysiological concentration in 1,25 (OH)2vitamin D achieved following a loading dose of vitamin D increases sclerostin and may inhibit Wnt signalling. This may have detrimental effects on bone.

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Radiographic changes in TMJ in relation to serology and disease activity in RA patients

Dentomaxillofacial Radiology ◽

10.1259/dmfr.20190186 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

pp. 20190186

Author(s):

Mostafa Mahmoud Youssef Mohamed ◽

Mushira M. Dahaba ◽

Mary Medhat Farid ◽

Adel Mahmoud Ali Elsayed

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Joint Damage ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

Rheumatoid Arthritis Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Inverse Correlation ◽

Moderate Disease ◽

Condylar Head ◽

Radiographic Changes

Objectives: This study was undertaken as an attempt to assess radiographic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) changes in relation to rheumatoid factor (RF), anticitrullinated protein (ACCP) antibodies and disease activity score 28 (DAS28) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to find the best predictor of rheumatoid affection of the TMJ with the ultimate goal of maintaining TMJ function and preventing joint damage. Methods: 20 Rheumatoid Arthritis patients as well as 20 volunteers were included in this study. RA group were assessed for RF, ACCP, DAS28. Both groups were assessed by CBCT for TMJ dimensions and radiographic osteoarthritic changes. All data were statistically analyzed. Results: Rheumatoid Arthritis group showed significantly less condylar height and more radiographic osteoarthritic changes than the control group. RF showed no significant correlation with either TMJ measurements or TMJ radiographic osteoarthritic changes. ACCP showed significant inverse correlation with condylar height and anteroposterior (AP) dimensions, but non-significant relation with mediolateral dimension and radiographic osteoarthritic changes. DAS28 showed significant inverse correlation with condylar AP and mediolateral dimensions. It also showed significant correlation with flattening of the TMJ condylar head and flattening of the articular fossa. Patients with high and moderate disease activity showed significantly smaller AP TMJ dimension than patients with low disease activity. Disease activity showed statistically significant direct correlation with all osteoarthritic changes except for erosions of the glenoid fossa and condyle. Conclusion: Disease Activity Score28 score and disease activity are strong indicators of TMJ affection in RA patients when compared to RF and ACCP. ACCP is a better indicator of changes in condylar measurements than TMJ osteoarthritic changes. While RF is the least efficient indicator of TMJ involvement in RA patients.

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Abundance of Boeckella gracilis (Daday, 1902) (Copepoda, Calanoida) in seasonal coastal pools in the Araucania region (38°S, Chile)

Crustaceana ◽

10.1163/15685403-00003814 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 91 (10) ◽

pp. 1211-1217

Author(s):

Patricio De los Ríos

Keyword(s):

Correlation Analysis ◽

Environmental Stress ◽

Relative Abundance ◽

Calanoid Copepod ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

Inland Waters ◽

Absolute Abundance ◽

Significant Inverse Correlation

Abstract The presence of the calanoid copepod Boeckella gracilis (Daday, 1902) in Chilean seasonal pools has been only poorly studied as yet. The aim of the present study thus is to investigate the role of conductivity and temperature on the relative and absolute abundance of B. gracilis in seasonal coastal pools in the Araucania region (38°S, Chile). The results of correlation analysis revealed the presence of a significant inverse correlation between conductivity and relative abundance, whereas no significant correlations were found between conductivity and absolute abundance, between temperature and absolute abundance, and between temperature and relative abundance. These results agree partially with similar observations for mountain pools in the same region, but they would not agree with observations for calanoids of saline and subsaline inland waters in the northern and southern extremes of Chile. Considering this scenario, the species would show different populational responses to environmental stress in different situations, which phenomenon deserves to be studied more extensively and in more detail.

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Mumps Caused by an Inadequately Attenuated Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine

Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1155/2001/910649 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 144-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

WJ Bakker ◽

RG Mathias

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Attack Rate ◽

Wild Strain ◽

Mumps Virus ◽

Mmr Vaccine ◽

Rubella Vaccine ◽

Mass Immunization ◽

Separate Region ◽

Production Problems ◽

Immunization Campaign

PROBLEM:Reports of mumps following measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization.OBJECTIVE:To determine whether mumps was caused by immunization or whether there was a concurrent epidemic of a wild strain of mumps.DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS:Analysis of surveillance data and a cohort study of three schools that participated in the campaign.OUTCOME MEASURES:Cases of clinical mumps and orchitis, and immunization history and records were reviewed. The MMR vaccine was produced by the Serum Institute of India and contained the Leningrad-Zagreb strain of mumps virus. Four lots were used in the specific immunization campaign.RESULTS:Sentinel health facility surveillance showed an increase in mumps after two school immunization campaigns in western Suriname and a mass immunization campaign in the same region. There was also an increase in a geographically separate region following a mass campaign with the same vaccine. Three hundred fifteen children from three schools that were targeted in the immunization campaign were interviewed. The attack rate for mumps in those immunized was 15.1%; in those not immunized, the attack rate was 4.7%. In the affected males, the attack rate for orchitis was five of 19 (21%). Assuming 90% protection by the MMR vaccine, the incidence ratio (observed to expected) was 32.CONCLUSIONS:The mumps outbreak was caused by an inadequately attenuated MMR vaccine. Because this vaccine had not been used in these populations before in Suriname, it was not possible to determine wether the outbreak was due the virulence of the Leningrad-Zagreb mumps strain or due to production problems with one or more specific lots of vaccine. The vaccine was withdrawn from further use.

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