scholarly journals High SARS-CoV-2 load in the nasopharynx of patients with a mild form of COVID-19 is associated with clinical deterioration regardless of the hydroxychloroquine administration

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0246396
Author(s):  
Alexey Komissarov ◽  
Ivan Molodtsov ◽  
Oxana Ivanova ◽  
Elena Maryukhnich ◽  
Svetlana Kudryavtseva ◽  
...  

Because of the constantly growing numbers of COVID-19 infections and deaths, attempts were undertaken to find drugs with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity among ones already approved for other pathologies. In the framework of such attempts, in a number of in vitro, as well as in vivo, models it was shown that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has an effect against SARS-CoV-2. While there were not enough clinical data to support the use of HCQ, several countries including Russia have included HCQ in treatment protocols for infected patients and for prophylaxis. In the current non-randomized, observational study we evaluated the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharynx swabs from infected patients 7–10 days post symptoms with clinically mild disease and compared the viral RNA load dynamics between patients receiving HCQ (200 mg twice per day according to the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation treatment instructions, n = 33) and a control group without antiviral pharmacological therapy (n = 12). We found a statistically significant relationship between maximal RNA quantity and deterioration of patients’ medical conditions, and as well we confirmed arterial hypertension to be a risk factor for people with COVID-19. However, we showed that at the dose used in the study HCQ therapy neither shortened the viral shedding period nor reduced the virus RNA load.

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Gusti Ayu Agung Praharsini ◽  
Anak Agung Gde Putra Wiraguna ◽  
Stefani Nurhadi

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common chronic skin disease involving blockage and or inflammation of pilosebaceous glands which usually affects teenagers and young adults. Elevated sebaceous gland secretion, Propionibacterium acne colonization and inflammation, high androgen effects, and follicular hyperproliferation are the main pathogenic factors of AV. IGF-1 and insulin were studied to stimulate sebaceous lipogenesis. In the skin, besides inducing lipid production in human sebocytes IGF-1 also induces keratinocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo. HOMA-IR is an examination to determine insulin activity in the basal state.Objective: To prove that high HOMA-IR value is a risk factor for the occurrence of acne vulgaris.Methods: This study is a case control analytic study by comparing HOMA-IR in subjects with AV (case group) and non AV (control group). AV is diagnosed based on clinical predilection. Insulin testing was carried out by the immulite 2000 device through the immunochemiluminescent method.Results: Mean HOMA-IR of case group is 2.63 ± 0.29 meanwhile in the control group was 1.71 ± 0.26 (p <0.001). Subjects with high HOMA-IR had 4.8 times higher risk to experience AV compared to patients with normal HOMA-IR values (p <0.001; 95% IK 2,765-8,332). Conclusion: HOMA-IR values in acne patients were higher than controls. A high HOMA-IR value is an AV risk factor.


Author(s):  
Alexey Komissarov ◽  
Ivan Molodtsov ◽  
Oxana Ivanova ◽  
Elena Maryukhnich ◽  
Svetlana Kudryavtseva ◽  
...  

AbstractDue to the urgent need to stop the spread of the COVID-19 attempts to find the drug with anti SARS-CoV-2 effects among ones already available on a market are actively being made. A number of in vitro as well as in vivo model animal studies have shown that widely used compound hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is able to cause anti-viral effect on SARS-CoV-2. While there is no enough clinical data to support the use of HCQ, several countries including Russia have already approved HCQ as treatment and prophylactic option. In the current study we analyzed the dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantity change in nasopharynx swabs of infected patients in mild condition and compared that of patients receiving HCQ and receiving no antiviral pharmacological therapy. We found that most of the patients demonstrated gradual decrease in the number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies in the swab regardless of the HCQ receiving. Noteworthy that patients with RNA load higher than 106 copies were hospitalized due to condition deteriorating significantly more frequently compared to those with RNA load below 106 copies even with HCQ administration. In addition, the results of the current study indicate that recovering patients may produce viruses at least during 18 days from the onset of symptoms and HCQ therapy does not block or reduce it.


1990 ◽  
Vol 29 (03) ◽  
pp. 120-124
Author(s):  
R. P. Baum ◽  
E. Rohrbach ◽  
G. Hör ◽  
B. Kornhuber ◽  
E. Busse

The effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on the differentiation of cultured neuroblastoma (NB) cells was studied after 9 days of treatment with a dose of 10-4 M/106 cells per day. Using phase contrast microscopy, 30-50% of NB cells showed formation of neurites as a morphological sign of cellular differentiation. The initial rise of the mitosis rate was followed by a plateau. Changes in cyclic nucleotide content, in the triphosphates and in the activity of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) were assessed in 2 human and 2 murine cell lines to serve as biochemical parameters of the cell differentiation induced by T3. Whereas the cAMP level increased significantly (3 to 7 fold compared with its initial value), the cGMP value dropped to 30 to 50% of that of the control group. ATP and GTP increased about 200%, the ODC showed a decrease of about 50%. The present studies show a biphasic effect of T3 on neuroblastoma cells: the initial rise of mitotic activity is followed by increased cell differentiation starting from day 4 of the treatment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Zerrouki ◽  
N. Djebli ◽  
L. Gadouche ◽  
I. Erdogan Orhan ◽  
F. SezerSenol Deniz ◽  
...  

Nowadays, because of the industrialization, a lot of contaminant were available ; the consequences of this availability are apparition of diseases including neurodegeneration. Neurodegenerative diseases of the human brain comprise a variety of disorders that affect an increasing percentage of the population. This study is based on the effect of the Boswellic resin, which is from a medicinal plant and known for its antioxidant effects on nerve cell damage. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of the Boswellic resin on anticholinesterase activity and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) induced by D-galactose and aluminum tetrachloride in Swiss mice. Chemical composition of the resin essential oil was identified by the CG-MS analysis. The antioxidant activity was also assessed by the DMPD and metal chelation methods. In order to understand the mechanism of memory improvement, the acetylcholinesterase, AChE, and butyrylcholinesterase, BChE, inhibitory assays were performed. In vivo part of the study was achieved on Swiss mice divided into four groups: control, AD model, treated AD, and treated control group. The identification of chemical composition by CG-MS reach the 89.67% of the total extract compounds presented some very important molecules (p-Cymene, n-Octyl acetate, α-Pinene…). The present study proves that Boswellic resin improves memory and learning in treated Alzheimer’s group, modulates the oxidative stress and be involved in the protective effect against amyloid deposition and neurodegeneration, and stimulates the immune system in mice’s brain.


Author(s):  
Joon M. Jung ◽  
Hae K. Yoon ◽  
Chang J. Jung ◽  
Soo Y. Jo ◽  
Sang G. Hwang ◽  
...  

Cold plasma can be beneficial for promoting skin wound healing and has a high potential of being effectively used in treating various wounds. Our aim was to verify the effect of cold plasma in accelerating wound healing and investigate its underlying mechanism in vitro and in vivo. For the in vivo experiments, 2 full-thickness dermal wounds were created in each mouse (n = 30). While one wound was exposed to 2 daily plasma treatments for 3 min, the other wound served as a control. The wounds were evaluated by imaging and histological analyses at 4, 7, and 11 days post the wound infliction process. Immunohistochemical studies were also performed at the same time points. In vitro proliferation and scratch assay using HaCaT keratinocytes and fibroblasts were performed. The expression levels of wound healing–related genes were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. On day 7, the wound healing rates were 53.94% and 63.58% for the control group and the plasma-treated group, respectively. On day 11, these rates were 76.05% and 93.44% for the control and plasma-treated groups, respectively, and the difference between them was significant ( P = .039). Histological analysis demonstrated that plasma treatment promotes the formation of epidermal keratin and granular layers. Immunohistochemical studies also revealed that collagen 1, collagen 3, and alpha-smooth muscle actin appeared more abundantly in the plasma-treated group than in the control group. In vitro, the proliferation of keratinocytes was promoted by plasma exposure. Scratch assay showed that fibroblast exposure to plasma increased their migration. The expression levels of collagen 1, collagen 3, and alpha-smooth muscle actin were elevated upon plasma treatment. In conclusion, cold plasma can accelerate skin wound healing and is well tolerated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 431
Author(s):  
Sabine Hofer ◽  
Norbert Hofstätter ◽  
Albert Duschl ◽  
Martin Himly

COVID-19, predominantly a mild disease, is associated with more severe clinical manifestation upon pulmonary involvement. Virion-laden aerosols and droplets target different anatomical sites for deposition. Compared to droplets, aerosols more readily advance into the peripheral lung. We performed in silico modeling to confirm the secondary pulmonary lobules as the primary site of disease initiation. By taking different anatomical aerosol origins into consideration and reflecting aerosols from exhalation maneuvers breathing and vocalization, the physicochemical properties of generated respiratory aerosol particles were defined upon conversion to droplet nuclei by evaporation at ambient air. To provide detailed, spatially-resolved information on particle deposition in the thoracic region of the lung, a top-down refinement approach was employed. Our study presents evidence for hot spots of aerosol deposition in lung generations beyond the terminal bronchiole, with a maximum in the secondary pulmonary lobules and a high preference to the lower lobes of both lungs. In vivo, initial chest CT anomalies, the ground glass opacities, resulting from partial alveolar filling and interstitial thickening in the secondary pulmonary lobules, are likewise localized in these lung generations, with the highest frequency in both lower lobes and in the early stage of disease. Hence, our results suggest a disease initiation right there upon inhalation of virion-laden respiratory aerosols, linking the aerosol transmission route to pathogenesis associated with higher disease burden and identifying aerosol transmission as a new independent risk factor for developing a pulmonary phase with a severe outcome.


2020 ◽  
pp. 155335062097800
Author(s):  
Ian A. Makey ◽  
Nitin A. Das ◽  
Samuel Jacob ◽  
Magdy M. El-Sayed Ahmed ◽  
Colleen M. Makey ◽  
...  

Background. Retained hemothorax (RH) is a common problem in cardiothoracic and trauma surgery. We aimed to determine the optimum agitation technique to enhance thrombus dissolution and drainage and to apply the technique to a porcine-retained hemothorax. Methods. Three agitation techniques were tested: flush irrigation, ultrasound, and vibration. We used the techniques in a benchtop model with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and pig hemothorax with tPA. We used the most promising technique vibration in a pig hemothorax without tPA. Statistics. We used 2-sample t tests for each comparison and Cohen d tests to calculate effect size (ES). Results. In the benchtop model, mean drainages in the agitation group and control group and the ES were flush irrigation, 42%, 28%, and 2.91 ( P = .10); ultrasound, 35%, 27%, and .76 ( P = .30); and vibration, 28%, 19%, and 1.14 ( P = .04). In the pig hemothorax with tPA, mean drainages and the ES of each agitation technique compared with control (58%) were flush irrigation, 80% and 1.14 ( P = .37); ultrasound, 80% and 2.11 ( P = .17); and vibration, 95% and 3.98 ( P = .06). In the pig hemothorax model without tPA, mean drainages of the vibration technique and control group were 50% and 43% (ES = .29; P = .65). Discussion. In vitro studies suggested flush irrigation had the greatest effect, whereas only vibration was significantly different vs the respective controls. In vivo with tPA, vibration showed promising but not statistically significant results. Results of in vivo experiments without tPA were negative. Conclusion. Agitation techniques, in combination with tPA, may enhance drainage of hemothorax.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1602
Author(s):  
Anna Elizarova ◽  
Alexey Sokolov ◽  
Valeria Kostevich ◽  
Ekaterina Kisseleva ◽  
Evgeny Zelenskiy ◽  
...  

As shown recently, oleic acid (OA) in complex with lactoferrin (LF) causes the death of cancer cells, but no mechanism(s) of that toxicity have been disclosed. In this study, constitutive parameters of the antitumor effect of LF/OA complex were explored. Complex LF/OA was prepared by titrating recombinant human LF with OA. Spectral analysis was used to assess possible structural changes of LF within its complex with OA. Structural features of apo-LF did not change within the complex LF:OA = 1:8, which was toxic for hepatoma 22a cells. Cytotoxicity of the complex LF:OA = 1:8 was tested in cultured hepatoma 22a cells and in fresh erythrocytes. Its anticancer activity was tested in mice carrying hepatoma 22a. In mice injected daily with LF-8OA, the same tumor grew significantly slower. In 20% of animals, the tumors completely resolved. LF alone was less efficient, i.e., the tumor growth index was 0.14 for LF-8OA and 0.63 for LF as compared with 1.0 in the control animals. The results of testing from 48 days after the tumor inoculation showed that the survival rate among LF-8OA-treated animals was 70%, contrary to 0% rate in the control group and among the LF-treated mice. Our data allow us to regard the complex of LF and OA as a promising tool for cancer treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malinee Thanee ◽  
Sureerat Padthaisong ◽  
Manida Suksawat ◽  
Hasaya Dokduang ◽  
Jutarop Phetcharaburanin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is widely known as an xCT inhibitor suppressing CD44v9-expressed cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) being related to redox regulation. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has a high recurrence rate and no effective chemotherapy. A recent report revealed high levels of CD44v9-positive cells in CCA patients. Therefore, a combination of drugs could prove a suitable strategy for CCA treatment via individual metabolic profiling. Methods We examined the effect of xCT-targeted CD44v9-CSCs using sulfasalazine combined with cisplatin (CIS) or gemcitabine in CCA in vitro and in vivo models and did NMR-based metabolomics analysis of xenograft mice tumor tissues. Results Our findings suggest that combined SSZ and CIS leads to a higher inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of cell death than CIS alone in both in vitro and in vivo models. Xenograft mice showed that the CD44v9-CSC marker and CK-19-CCA proliferative marker were reduced in the combination treatment. Interestingly, different metabolic signatures and significant metabolites were observed in the drug-treated group compared with the control group that revealed the cancer suppression mechanisms. Conclusions SSZ could improve CCA therapy by sensitization to CIS through killing CD44v9-positive cells and modifying the metabolic pathways, in particular tryptophan degradation (i.e., kynurenine pathway, serotonin pathway) and nucleic acid metabolism.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4634
Author(s):  
Md. Shaekh Forid ◽  
Md. Atiar Rahman ◽  
Mohd Fadhlizil Fasihi Mohd Aluwi ◽  
Md. Nazim Uddin ◽  
Tapashi Ghosh Roy ◽  
...  

This research investigated a UPLC-QTOF/ESI-MS-based phytochemical profiling of Combretum indicum leaf extract (CILEx), and explored its in vitro antioxidant and in vivo antidiabetic effects in a Long–Evans rat model. After a one-week intervention, the animals’ blood glucose, lipid profile, and pancreatic architectures were evaluated. UPLC-QTOF/ESI-MS fragmentation of CILEx and its eight docking-guided compounds were further dissected to evaluate their roles using bioinformatics-based network pharmacological tools. Results showed a very promising antioxidative effect of CILEx. Both doses of CILEx were found to significantly (p < 0.05) reduce blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol (TC), and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Pancreatic tissue architectures were much improved compared to the diabetic control group. A computational approach revealed that schizonepetoside E, melianol, leucodelphinidin, and arbutin were highly suitable for further therapeutic assessment. Arbutin, in a Gene Ontology and PPI network study, evolved as the most prospective constituent for 203 target proteins of 48 KEGG pathways regulating immune modulation and insulin secretion to control diabetes. The fragmentation mechanisms of the compounds are consistent with the obtained effects for CILEx. Results show that the natural compounds from CILEx could exert potential antidiabetic effects through in vivo and computational study.


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