Predictors of COVID-19 Fatality: A Worldwide Analysis of the Pandemic over Time and in Latin America

SARS-CoV-2 has infected over one hundred million people worldwide and has affected Latin America particularly severely in terms of both cases and deaths. This study aims to determine the association between SARS-CoV-2 testing and COVID-19 fatality rate worldwide over 8 months and to examine how this relationship differs between Latin America and all other countries. This cross-sectional study used March 2021 data from 169 countries. Multivariate regressions predicted COVID-19 fatality (outcome) from the number of SARS-CoV-2 tests (exposure), while controlling for other predictors. Results for March 2021 were compared to results from June 2020. Additionally, results for Latin America were also compared to all other countries except Latin American for March 2021. SARS-CoV-2 testing was associated with a significant decrease in COVID-19 fatality rate in both June 2020 and March 2021 (RR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.87–0.96 and RR = 0.86; 95% CI 0.74–1.00, respectively). SARS-CoV-2 testing was associated with a significant decrease in COVID-19 fatality rate in Latin American countries but not in all other countries (RR = 0.45; 95% CI 0.23–0.89 and RR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.82–1.11, respectively). However, the difference between the risk ratios for June 2020 and March 2021 and between the risk ratios for Latin America and all other countries were not statistically significant. Increased SARS-CoV-2 testing may be a significant predictor of lower COVID-19 case fatality rate, specifically in Latin American countries, due to the existence of a strong association, which may have driven the worldwide results.

Association Study of the M132L Single Nucleotide Polymorphism With Susceptibility to Chronic Wasting Disease in Korean Elk: A Meta-Analysis

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a deleterious brain proteinopathy caused by a pathogenic form of prion protein (PrPSc), which is converted from a benign form of prion protein (PrPC) encoded by the prion protein gene (PRNP). In elk, the M132L single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the PRNP gene likely plays a pivotal role in susceptibility to CWD. However, the association of the M132L SNP with susceptibility to CWD has not been evaluated in Korean elk to date. To estimate the association of the M132L SNP with susceptibility to CWD in Korean elk, we investigated the genotype and allele frequencies of the M132L SNP by amplicon sequencing and performed association analysis between CWD-positive and CWD-negative elk. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between the M132L SNP and susceptibility to CWD in quantitatively synthesized elk populations. Furthermore, we estimated the effect of the M132L SNP on elk PrP using in silico programs, including PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, AMYCO and Swiss-PdbViewer. We did not identify a significant association between the M132L SNP of PRNP and susceptibility to CWD in Korean elk. The meta-analysis also did not identify a strong association between the M132L SNP of PRNP and susceptibility to CWD in quantitatively synthesized elk populations. Furthermore, we did not observe significant changes in structure, amyloid propensity or electrostatic potential based on the M132L SNP in elk PrP. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report of an association analysis and meta-analysis in Korean elk and quantitatively synthesized elk populations, respectively.

Dietary Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methyl Butyrate Supplementation Inhibits Hepatic Fat Deposition via Regulating Gut Microbiota in Broiler Chickens

The present study is aimed to explore the effects of different dietary beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl butyrate (HMB) levels (0, 0.05%, 0.10%, or 0.15%) on liver lipid metabolism on Wenshi broiler chickens. Results showed that HMB reduced the liver weight as well as liver concentrations of triacylglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) (quadratically, p < 0.05), and the lowest values were observed in the 0.10% HMB group. Meanwhile, HMB supplementation significantly altered the expression levels of key genes related to lipid metabolism in the liver of broiler chickens (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that HMB supplementation could greatly change the richness, diversity, and composition of the broiler gut microbiota, and the Bacteroidetes relative abundance at the phylum level and the Alistipes relative abundance at the genus level were affected (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis further suggested a strong association between Bacteroidetes relative abundance and lipid metabolism-related parameters (p < 0.05). Together, these data suggest that 0.10% HMB supplementation could inhibit hepatic fat deposition via regulating gut microbiota in broilers.

Study of Effective Factors in the Tendency of Young People to Smoke Hookah in Teahouses in Deprived Areas of Zahedan in 2018 - 2019

Background: Given the increasing trend of hookah use among youth in deprived areas and the increasing number of traditional teahouses serving hookahs, it is critical to investigate the reasons for this issue. Objectives: The aim was to determine the factors affecting the tendency to use hookahs. Methods: This study was conducted in Zahedan City, the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The sampling method in this study was cluster sampling, such that among 15 traditional teahouses, 4 teahouses were randomly chosen. After referring to each of these teahouses, 1385 questionnaire forms were distributed among all youth, and 300 questionnaire forms were returned. The structured questionnaire consisted of a series of questions about demographic data, favorite flavor, duration of using a hookah, the main reason for hookah smoking, etc. The analysis of the data involved both descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean, SD, and linear regression. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: The results of linear regression showed that the duration of smoking (B = 0.30; 95% CI, 0.22-0.37) and reason for smoking were significantly associated with the rate of hookah smoking (B = 0/56; 95% CI, 0.45 - 0.68). Conclusions: As a result, there is a strong association between smoking duration and the atmosphere of traditional teahouses with the rate of hookah smoking. Thus, other places with a healthy atmosphere (such as gyms and sports clubs) should be made for youths to spend their time.

Immunoglobulin G Concentrations in Alpaca Colostrum during the First Four Days after Parturition

Colostrum provides the newborn with nutrients and immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins and their intestinal transfer play a major role in the immune system of neonates since they are born agammaglobulinemic. In this study immunoglobulin G (IgG) content was determined in alpaca colostrum and the correlations of the IgG concentration by fat, protein, lactose and minerals were calculated. Colostrum samples were collected daily from 20 multiparous alpaca mares during the first four days after parturition. The IgG concentrations were determined by radial immunodiffusion using a Camelid IgG Test Kit. The IgG concentration decreased significantly from 26,319 mg/dL on day 1 to 3848.8 mg/dL on day 4. There were significant correlations between IgG concentration and the other components of the colostrum. While the correlations between IgG and fat (r = −0.69, p ≤ 0.001) and lactose (r = −0.64, p ≤ 0.001) were negative, the correlations with protein (r = 0.91, p ≤ 0.001), magnesium (r = 0.86, p ≤ 0.001) and cobalt (r = 0.87, p ≤ 0.001) were strongly positive. Due to the strong association, the colostrum protein concentration could be used for a brief estimation of the IgG content.

Training associated alterations in equine respiratory immunity using a multiomics comparative approach

Neutrophilic airway inflammation is highly prevalent in racehorses in training, with the term mild to moderate equine asthma (MMEA) being applied to the majority of such cases. Our proposed study is largely derived from the strong association between MMEA in racehorses and their entry into a race training program. The objectives of this study are to characterise the effect of training on the local pulmonary immune system by defining the gene and protein expression of tracheal wash (TW) derived samples from Thoroughbred racehorses prior to and following commencement of race training. Multiomics analysis detected 2138 differentially expressed genes and 260 proteins during the training period. Gene and protein sets were enriched for biological processes related to acute phase response, oxidative stress, haemopoietic processes, as well as to immune response and inflammation. This study demonstrated TW samples to represent a rich source of airway cells, protein and RNA to study airway immunity in the horse and highlighted the benefits of a multiomics methodological approach to studying the dynamics of equine airway immunity. Findings likely reflect the known associations between race-training and both airway inflammation and bleeding, offering further insight into the potential mechanisms which underpin training associated airway inflammation.

Do partnership dissolutions and living alone affect systemic chronic inflammation? A cohort study of Danish adults

BackgroundPartnership breakups and living alone are associated with several adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study, carried out in Denmark, is to investigate whether accumulated numbers of divorces/partnership breakups or years lived alone across 26 years of adult life are associated with levels of inflammation, and if vulnerability with regards to gender or educational level can be identified.Methods4835 participants from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (CAMB) aged 48–62 years were included. Data on accumulated numbers of partnership breakups and years living alone were retrieved from a national standardised annual register. Inflammatory markers interleukin 6 (IL-6) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured in blood samples. Multivariate linear regression analyses were adjusted for age, educational level, early major life events, body mass index, chronic diseases, medicinal intake affecting inflammation, acute inflammation and personality scores.ResultsFor men, an association was found between an increasing number of partnership breakups or number of years living alone and higher levels of inflammatory markers. No such association was found for women, and no evidence of partnership breakups and educational level having a joint effect was found for either gender.ConclusionThe findings suggest a strong association between years lived alone or accumulated number of partnership breakups and low-grade inflammation for middle-aged men, but not for women. Among those of either sex with a lower level of education, no specific vulnerability to accumulated years lived alone or number of breakups was identified.

Inhibitory Control in Children with Tourette Syndrome Is Impaired in Everyday Life but Intact during a Stop Signal Task

Tourette Syndrome (TS) has previously been associated with deficits in inhibitory control (IC). However, studies on IC in individuals with TS have produced conflicting results. In the present study, we investigated IC, comparing the Stop Signal Reaction Time (SSRT) measure with parent and teacher ratings of daily life IC in 169 children aged 8–12 (60 with TS, 60 typically developing controls, 27 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 22 with TS + ADHD). We further investigated associations of IC with TS and ADHD symptom severity. Children with TS showed intact SSRT performance, but impairments in daily life IC, as reported by parents and teachers. For the latter, we observed a staircase distribution of groups, with the healthy controls presenting with the best IC, followed by TS, TS + ADHD, and finally ADHD. Dimensional analyses indicated a strong association between ADHD severity and both measures of IC. Our results indicate that children with TS are not impaired in a laboratory-based measure of IC, although some difficulties were evident from measures of everyday behaviour, which may in part be due to parents and teachers interpreting tics as disinhibited behaviour. Comorbid ADHD or the severity of subthreshold ADHD symptomatology appeared to account for IC deficits.

Association between plasma glycocalyx component levels and poor prognosis in severe influenza type A (H1N1)

Influenza A virus infection causes a series of diseases, but the factors associated with disease severity are not fully understood. Disruption of the endothelial glycocalyx contributes to acute lung injury in sepsis, but has not been well studied in H1N1 influenza. We aim to determine whether the plasma glycocalyx components levels are predictive of disease severity in H1N1 influenza. This prospective observational study included 53 patients with influenza A (H1N1) during the influenza season, and 30 healthy controls in our hospital. Patients were grouped by severity and survival. We collected clinical data and blood samples at admission. Inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-10) and endothelial glycocalyx components (syndecan-1, hyaluronan, heparan sulfate) were measured. The plasma levels of syndecan-1, hyaluronan, and heparan sulfate were significantly higher in patients with severe influenza A (H1N1) than in mild cases. Syndecan-1 and hyaluronan were positively correlated with disease severity, which was indicated by the APACHE II and SOFA scores and lactate levels, and negatively correlated with albumin levels. At a cutoff point ≥ 173.9 ng/mL, syndecan-1 had a 81.3% sensitivity and 70.3% specificity for predicting of 28-day mortality. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated a strong association between syndecan-1 levels and 28-day mortality (log-rank 11.04, P = 0.001). Elevated plasma levels of syndecan-1 has a potential role in systemic organ dysfunction and may be indicative of disease severity in patients with influenza A (H1N1).

Association between vitamin D3 levels and insulin resistance: a large sample cross-sectional study

Previous studies have shown that vitamin D3 may be a potential factor in insulin resistance, but the relationship between vitamin D3 and insulin resistance still remains controversial. At present, more research is needed to explore the relationship between vitamin D3 and insulin resistance. The samples from 2009 to 2018 in NHANES database were analyzed to Investigate the relationship and the potential mechanism. We performed a cross-sectional study of five periods in the NHANES database. Finally, 9298 participants were selected through strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, Multivariate logistic regression analysis and curve fitting were conducted to explore the relationship between vitamin D3 level and insulin resistance. Moreover, subgroup analysis was used to further prove the association. The results revealed that there was a strong association between vitamin D3 and insulin resistance (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72–0.93). However, subgroup analyses indicated that this correlation varied between individuals and races. There was a negative correlation between vitamin D3 level and insulin resistance, which provides a new proof for exploring the influencing factors of insulin resistance. More well-designed studies are still needed to further elaborate on these associations.