Efficacy and safety of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of patients with COVID-19

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has catastrophically threatened public health worldwide and presented great challenges for clinicians. To date, no specific drugs are available against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to be a promising cell therapy owing to their potent modulatory effects on reducing and healing inflammation-induced lung and other tissue injuries. The present pilot study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential and safety of MSCs isolated from healthy cord tissues in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Twelve patients with COVID-19 treated with MSCs plus conventional therapy and 13 treated with conventional therapy alone (control) were included. The efficacy of MSC infusion was evaluated by changes in oxygenation index, clinical chemistry and hematology tests, immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, and pulmonary computerized tomography (CT) imaging. The safety of MSC infusion was evaluated based on the occurrence of allergic reactions and serious adverse events. RESULTS: The MSC-treated group demonstrated significantly improved oxygenation index. The area of pulmonary inflammation decreased significantly, and the CT number in the inflammatory area tended to be restored. Decreased IgM levels were also observed after MSC therapy. Laboratory biomarker levels at baseline and after therapy showed no significant changes in either the MSC-treated or control group. CONCLUSION: Intravenous infusion of MSCs in patients with COVID-19 was effective and well tolerated. Further studies involving a large cohort or randomized controlled trials are warranted.

An epidemiological investigation on a dengue fever outbreak / 预防医学

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever outbreak in Shaoxing City,and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control.Methods A retrospective epidemiological investigation was conducted to search the patients by given definition.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)was used for detecting the anti -dengue virus antibodies.The serum samples from patients were collected for dengue virus isolation and the positive samples were identified by RT -PCR.Breteau Index was carried out to monitor the density of mosquito larva. Results A total of 42 cases were found with no death reported.The symptoms mainly included fever (1 00%),fatigue (59. 52%),arthralgia(50. 00%),headache (47. 62%)and rash (38. 1 0%).The outbreak lasted for 71 days with the first case occurred in July 1 5 and the last in September 23.The peak was from August 30 to September 5. Thirty seven cases were located in Keqiao District and 5 cases were in Yuecheng District.The male/female ratio was 1 . 33∶1 .The age of cases ranged from 1 0 to 79 years old with the 40 -(1 9. 05%)and 50 -(1 9. 05%)age group making the largest proportion.The outbreak also showed family aggregation.IgM antibody and nucleic acid of dengue virus were detected from serum samples of 1 2 patients.The sequence of the isolation indicated that this outbreak was caused by dengue virus typeⅡ.Conclusion The imported cases,high density of mosquito vector and missed diagnosis might contribute to this outbreak.Developing a practical scheme for mosquito elimination,improving diagnostic capacity of medical staff and their consciousness of reporting could be important ways to control dengue fever.

An investigation on the current situation of food safety risk surveillance in Shaoxing / 预防医学

Objective Tolearnthecurrentsituationoffoodsafetyrisksurveillanceandtoimprovetheleveloffoodsafety riskmonitoringinShaoxingCity.Methods Wecollecteddatafromthenationalfoodcontaminantinformationsystem, foodbornediseasesurveillancereportingsystem,andthequestionnaireoffoodsafetyriskmonitoringnetwork.Results A total of 1 59 health professionals engaged in the food safety risk surveillance,and the full-time professionals was accounted for 23.90% of all the health professionals.About 90%of working equipments were equipped in the CDC of Shaoxing City, and 46% of working equipments were equipped in the county level CDC under Shaoxing′s jurisdiction.There were 483 food inspection projects in city level CDC,and 1 62 in county/district level CDC.A total of 1.595 million Yuan was allocated by the provincial special financial subsidy funds,and 1.85 million Yuan was allocated by the county special financial subsidy funds.Average 1.1 6 samples per 1 000 people of food safety risk surveillance and the positive detection rate of the foodbornediseasewas2.81%.Conclusion Theworkingfundingoffoodsafetyrisksurveillanceandprofessionalpeople were insufficient.The positive detection rate of specific pathogens foodborne disease was low and the mechanism operation was not perfect.The working mechanism should be to improved.The working funding,staffing,and monitoring ability should be strengthened.