Comparison of clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in pregnant women between the Delta and Omicron variants of concern predominant periods

Background: Information regarding effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant strains on clinical manifestations and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women is limited. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using the data from the nationwide COVID-19 registry in Japan. We identified pregnant patients with symptomatic COVID-19 hospitalized during the study period. The Delta and Omicron variants of concern (VOC) predominant periods were defined as August 1 to December 31, 2021 and January 1 to May 31, 2022, respectively. Clinical characteristics were compared between the patients in the Delta and Omicron VOC periods. In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for developing moderate-to-severe COVID-19. Results: During the study period, 310 symptomatic COVID-19 cases of pregnant women were identified;111 and 199 patients were hospitalized during the Delta and Omicron VOC periods, respectively. Runny nose and sore throat were more common, and fatigue, dysgeusia, and olfactory dysfunction were less common manifestations observed in the Omicron VOC period. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, onset during the later stage of pregnancy (OR: 2.08 [1.24–3.71]) and onset during the Delta VOC period (OR: 2.25 [1.08–4.90]) were independently associated with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, whereas two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were protective against developing moderate-to-severe COVID-19 (OR: 0.34 [0.13–0.84]). Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in pregnant women differed between the Delta and Omicron VOC periods. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was still effective in preventing severe COVID-19 throughout the Delta and Omicron VOC periods. © 2022 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases

Comparison of clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in pregnant women between the Delta and omicron variants of concern predominant periods

Background: Information regarding effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant strains on clinical manifestations and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women is limited. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using the data from the nationwide COVID-19 registry in Japan. We identified pregnant patients with symptomatic COVID-19 hospitalized during the study period. The Delta and Omicron variants of concern (VOC) predominant periods were defined as August 1 to December 31, 2021 and January 1 to May 31, 2022, respectively. Clinical characteristics were compared between the patients in the Delta and Omicron VOC periods. In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for developing moderate-to-severe COVID-19. Results: During the study period, 310 symptomatic COVID-19 cases of pregnant women were identified;111 and 199 patients were hospitalized during the Delta and Omicron VOC periods, respectively. Runny nose and sore throat were more common, and fatigue, dysgeusia, and olfactory dysfunction were less common manifestations observed in the Omicron VOC period. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, onset during the later stage of pregnancy (OR: 2.08 [1.24-3.71]) and onset during the Delta VOC period (OR: 2.25 [1.08-4.90]) were independently associated with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, whereas two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were protective against developing moderate-to-severe COVID-19 (OR: 0.34 [0.13-0.84]). Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in pregnant women differed between the Delta and Omicron VOC periods. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was still effective in preventing severe COVID-19 throughout the Delta and Omicron VOC periods.

Comparison of clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in pregnant women between the Delta and Omicron variants of concern predominant periods

BACKGROUND: Information regarding effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant strains on clinical manifestations and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women is limited. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted using the data from the nationwide COVID-19 registry in Japan. We identified pregnant patients with symptomatic COVID-19 hospitalized during the study period. The Delta and Omicron variants of concern (VOC) predominant periods were defined as August 1 to December 31, 2021 and January 1 to May 31, 2022, respectively. Clinical characteristics were compared between the patients in the Delta and Omicron VOC periods. In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for developing moderate-to-severe COVID-19. RESULTS: During the study period, 310 symptomatic COVID-19 cases of pregnant women were identified;111 and 199 patients were hospitalized during the Delta and Omicron VOC periods, respectively. Runny nose and sore throat were more common, and fever, fatigue, dysgeusia, and olfactory dysfunction were less common manifestations observed in the Omicron VOC period. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, onset during the later stage of pregnancy (OR: 2.08 [1.24-3.71]) and onset during the Delta VOC period (OR: 2.25 [1.08-4.90]) were independently associated with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, whereas two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were protective against developing moderate-to-severe COVID-19 (OR: 0.34 [0.13-0.84]). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in pregnant women differed between the Delta and Omicron VOC periods. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was still effective in preventing severe COVID-19 throughout the Delta and Omicron VOC periods.

Building a Secure Network during the COVID-19

Our university updated its network to improve security and network stability in 2021. The new network has introduced UTM (Unified Threat Management) with the necessary licenses and bandwidth to allow all members to make VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections for remote work and remote lectures. The UTM appliance is equipped with security functions such as DLP in addition to access control by IP address. In order to support HyFlex (Hybrid-Flexible) lessons, we added wireless access points to each lecture room, but it did not work well. If the channel was not adjusted, it was unable to connect temporarily in a classroom where many devices trying to connect. However, by adjusting the channel and output, the WiFi can be used comfortably. In addition, as the opportunities to use the network for classes and on-campus events increased, it was difficult to adjust the schedule for stopping the network and replacing equipment, and it was difficult to update the network. In this paper, we will report what kind of design was done to build a highly secure and highly available network within a limited budget, and what kind of difficulties were encountered in the construction work. © 2022 ACM.

The Lecture in Our University During COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has changed our daily lives dramatically;temporary lectures moved online to address the pandemic are now no longer temporary but a common occurrence. In Japan, COVID-19 cases have fluctuated repeatedly and a state of emergency has been declared over and over again. No one knows when we will return to pre-pandemic life. In this prolonged situation, social life is gradually changing to a lifestyle with COVID-19. University life has also been changed. This paper reports online lectures in our university and their changes and now. © 2022 ACM.

The need for home enzyme replacement therapy for patients with lysosomal disease in Japan

[Introduction and Aim] In Europe, Australia, and North and South America, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) at home is a common practice for patients with lysosomal diseases. In Japan, on the other hand, patients need to visit a specialized hospital every one to two weeks for regular ERT. For the past 10 years, we have been proposing to the government, authorities, and academic societies to realize ERT at home, and under the circumstances of the spread of the COVID-19 in 2020, the need for ERT at home has increased. The purpose of this study was to investigate the patient burden of ERT in Japan for patients with lysosomal diseases (Fabry disease, Gaucher disease, Pompe disease, and MPS) who belong to four major lysosomal disease patient groups in Japan, and to clarify the need for enzyme replacement therapy at home. [Results] In January 2021, we conducted a questionnaire survey of lysosome disease patients and their families via four lysosome disease patient organizations (194 patients in total). Among the patients with lysosomal disease, 57% of them needed to be accompanied by their families. In addition, it took about 40 min each way to visit a specialized hospital and 246 min to stay in the hospital. In Japan, 67% of the patients preferred to receive ERT at a place other than a specialized hospital (home, clinic, school, office, etc.). [Conclusions] It is clear that lysosomal disease patients and their families in Japan are burdened by ERT. As a result of our work to date, in March 2021, 11 enzymes approved in Japan for lysosomal disease will be available for use by home physicians. Were approved to be administered by nurses under the direction of home physicians.

Jinhua Qinggan granule, a Chinese herbal medicine against COVID-19, induces rapid changes in the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and plasma levels of IL-6 and IFN-γ: An open-label, single-arm pilot study

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has provided clinical benefits to patients infected with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in China. Jinhua Qinggan granule (JHQGG) is a Chinese multi-herbal formula previously developed for the treatment of H1N1 influenza and has been encouraged for use in patients with clinically suspected COVID-19 infection. However, the immunopharmacological mechanism for the efficacy of JHQGG has not yet been confirmed. To obtain insight into this issue, the present study examined the acute effects of JHQGG ingestion on hematological and immunological parameters using uninfected individuals as subjects. For this purpose, 18 healthy volunteers were enrolled, all of whom tested negative for prior and current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Peripheral blood samples were collected 1 h after a single oral JHQGG administration and subjected to hematological, biochemical and cytokine tests. JHQGG rapidly induced a significant decrease in the plasma level of interleukin (IL)-6 (P=0.00309) and an increase in the plasma level of interferon (IFN)-γ (P=0.0268). A decrease in IL-6 and an increase in IFN-γ levels were observed in 14 (77.8%) and 13 (72.2%) subjects, respectively. Notably, JHQGG significantly decreased the proportion of neutrophils (P=0.00561) and increased that of lymphocytes (P=0.00485);accordingly, the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was significantly reduced by JHQGG (P=0.00649). These findings suggest that the clinical benefits of the use of JHQGG against COVID-19 are, at least in part, associated with its rapid modulatory effects on IL-6, IFN-γ and NLR. Considering that IL-6 and NLR are critical biomarkers for severe COVID-19 infection, JHQGG may thus be suitable not only for suppressing disease onset in suspected and asymptomatic cases, but also for preventing disease progression in patients with mild to severe infection. The present open-label, single-arm study has been prospectively registered on the University Hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) under the trial no. UMIN000040407 on May 15, 2020. Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Qingfei Paidu decoction, a Chinese herbal medicine against COVID-19, elevates the blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines: An open-label, single-arm pilot study

Qingfei Paidu decoction (QFPD) is a Chinese herbal medicine newly formulated for the treatment of COVID-19. QFPD significantly enhances the therapeutic effects of stan- dard pharmacotherapy in mild to critically ill patients with COVID-19. However, limited information is available on the immunological mechanisms underlying the efficacy of QFPD. In addition, the feasibility of the prophylactic administration of QFPD to uninfected individuals remains unconfirmed. To obtain insight into these issues, an open-label, single-arm pilot study was conducted using 19 healthy uninfected individuals as subjects, and the effects of QFPD ingestion at a dose lower than that recommended for therapeutic use on hematological and immunological parameters were examined. QFPD was prepared according to the Chinese official clinical guideline, except that the dose of each herb was reduced to 1/30 and administered orally to the participants twice daily for 3 days. Low-dose QFPD ingestion significantly increased the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (P=0.000107), interleukin (IL)-1β (P=0.000982), IL-18 (P=0.00105), IL-2 (P=0.0483) and IL-8 (P=0.000191), key mediators of a broad spectrum of antiviral immunity. No apparent adverse effects were observed during the trial. These findings suggest that the clinical efficacy of QFPD against COVID-19 is, at least in part, associated with its immunological activity to mimic the blood cytokine environ- ment produced by early antiviral immune responses, which are shown to be profoundly suppressed during the early stages of COVID-19. The daily ingestion of low-dose QFPD may thus be a possible option for the prevention of COVID-19 during the epidemic. The present study was prospectively registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) under the trial no. UMIN000040341 on May 9, 2020. © 2021 Spandidos Publications. All rights reserved.