Pericytes may facilitate SARS-CoV-2 entry into the nervous system

Objective: Although the neurological and olfactory symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 have been identified, the neurotropic properties of the causative virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remain unknown. We sought to identify the susceptible cell types and potential routes of SARS-CoV-2 entry into the central nervous system, olfactory system, and respiratory system. Method(s): We collected single-cell RNA data from normal brain and nasal epithelium specimens, along with bronchial, tracheal, and lung specimens in public datasets. The susceptible cell types that express SARS-CoV-2 entry genes were identified using single-cell RNA sequencing and the expression of the key genes at protein levels was verified by immunohistochemistry. We compared the coexpression patterns of the entry receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the spike protein priming enzyme transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS)/cathepsin L among the specimens. Result(s): The SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2 and the spike protein priming enzyme TMPRSS/cathepsin L were coexpressed by pericytes in brain tissue;this coexpression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In the nasal epithelium, ciliated cells and sustentacular cells exhibited strong coexpression of ACE2 and TMPRSS. Neurons and glia in the brain and nasal epithelium did not exhibit coexpression of ACE2 and TMPRSS. However, coexpression was present in ciliated cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts in tracheal tissue;ciliated cells and goblet cells in bronchial tissue;and alveolar epithelium type 1 cells, AT2 cells, and ciliated cells in lung tissue. Conclusion(s): Neurological symptoms in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 could be associated with SARS-CoV-2 invasion across the blood-brain barrier via pericytes. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2-induced olfactory disorders could be the result of localized cell damage in the nasal epithelium.Copyright © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Performance of screening of contacts of COVID-19 cases in same flight].

Objective: To understand the performance of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection in screening of contacts of COVID-19 cases in same flights and provide evidence for the effective screening of persons at high risk for the infection in domestic flights. Methods: The information of passengers who took same domestic flights with COVID-19 cases in China from April 1, 2020 to April 30, 2022 were retrospectively collected,and χ2 test was used to analyze positive nucleic acid detection rates in the passengers in different times before the onsets of the index cases, in different seat rows and in epidemic periods of different 2019-nCoV variants. Results: During the study period, a total of 433 index cases were identified among 23 548 passengers in 370 flights. Subsequently, 72 positive cases of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid were detected in the passengers, in whom 57 were accompanying persons of the index cases. Further analysis of the another 15 passengers who tested positive for the nucleic acid showed that 86.67% of them had onsets or positive detections within 3 days after the diagnosis of the index cases, and the boarding times were all within 4 days before the onsets of the index cases. The positive detection rate in the passengers who seated in first three rows before and after the index cases was 0.15% (95%CI: 0.08%-0.27%), significantly higher than in the passengers in other rows (0.04%, 95%CI: 0.02%-0.10%, P=0.007),and there was no significant difference in the positive detection rate among the passengers in each of the 3 rows before and after the index cases (P=0.577). No significant differences were found in the positive detection rate in the passengers, except the accompanying persons, among the epidemics caused by different 2019-nCoV variants (P=0.565). During the Omicron epidemic period, all the positive detections in the passengers, except the accompanying persons, were within 3 days before the onset of the index cases. Conclusions: The screening test of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid can be conducted in the passengers took the same flights within 4 days before the onsets of the index cases on board. Passengers who seated within 3 rows from the index cases can considered as the close contacts at high risk for 2019-nCoV, for whom screening should be conducted first and special managements are needed. The passengers in other rows can be classified as general risk persons for screening and management.

Research on Mask Wearing Detection Based on Faster RCNN

In the context of the global raging of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), to effectively prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in the crowd, many places require the wearing of masks in public places. In response to this problem, this paper proposes a mask wearing detection based on the FasterRCNN algorithm. The method uses ResNet-50 to extract convolution features and selects high-quality suggestion boxes through NMS (non-maximum suppression), which increases the detection of incorrectly wearing masks, which can play a reminder role in practical applications and further improve the prevention of epidemics, and the final experiments show that the wearing of masks can be accurately and efficiently detected through the steps of feature extraction and prediction frame generation. © 2022 IEEE.

Outcomes of Kidney Transplant Recipients with Covid-19 in Singapore Treated with Sotrovimab in the Era of the Delta Variant

Purpose: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at higher risk for severe COVID- 19 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS646 All Infections (Excluding Kidney & Viral Hepatitis) I CoV-2). Sotrovimab decreases the risk of disease progression in the general population, but efficacy and safety in KTRs is unknown. Herein, we describe our experience in treating COVID-19 infected KTRs with sotrovimab. Method(s): We performed a retrospective, single-center cohort study of KTRs diagnosed with COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction from 07/15/21-11/30/21. KTRs with COVID-19 were admitted to the hospital to expedite evaluation and treatment. KTRs with COVID-19 were eligible for sotrovimab if they 1) were not requiring oxygen at admission, 2) were unvaccinated or if SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody (SAb) after vaccination was <100 U/mL, and 3) duration of symptoms/day of illness (DOI) was <=7 days. COVID-19 disease requiring oxygen therapy was treated with remdesevir + dexamethasone. Immunomodulator therapy (baricitinib or tocilizimab) was given for rapidly progressive disease requiring high-flow oxygen or ICU care. Baseline characteristics, treatments, and outcomes including oxygen supplementation, ICU admission, and mortality were manually ed and evaluated. Result(s): In all, 36 KTRs were diagnosed with COVID-19 - mean age 59 years, 72% male, 67% Chinese, 64% diabetic and 17% obese;72% were deceased donor and 28% were living donor KTRs presenting a mean 11 years from transplant. The majority (69%) were vaccinated with >=2 doses of mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, 22% received 3 doses, and 15% were unvaccinated. Among KTRs who received >=2 doses, SAb was reactive in 36% and >100 U/mL in 16%. In all, 14 (39%) required oxygen, 11 (31%) required ICU admission, 5 (14%) were mechanically ventilated, and 4 (11%) died (Table). Sotrovimab was given to 27 eligible KTRs at median DOI 2 (range 0-6). Of these, 8 (30%) required oxygen, 5 (19%) required ICU admission, 2 (7%) were mechanically ventilated, and 1 died (4%). KTRs receiving sotrovimab at DOI <=3 vs >3 were less likely to require oxygen (p=0.01) or ICU admission (p=0.02). Sotrovimab was well tolerated with one associated adverse event (self-limiting diarrhea). Conclusion(s): KTRs remain at high risk for severe COVID-19. Sotrovimab administered early in the disease course is associated with a lower rate of severe COVID-19. Outcomes of KTRs with COVID-19 overall and among those receiving sotrovimab by day of illness (Figure Presented).

Signal

Awaiting for light in the darkness(covid-19) is similar to searching for hope(normal life). The artwork is combined with the physical space, projection visual, laser light, smoke, represent as a "Cyber Sea". Present the emotions of people who looking for connection through real time computer animation (projection and laser light) in space. The way to interact with the work can be from the connection of people's mobile phone, or the audience who walks into the artwork. • Realtime: If the artwork senses people or receives a connection from the Internet, then the laser light will oscillate and reverberate in real time. Indicates that the signal was received or responded. Through images of projection visual presents the concept of a huge network with moving images such as coordinates, particles, gravity, and geometry. • Real Data: Visualize the latest Covid-19 diagnosis data in various countries every day and present them in the projection screen, symbolize the information impact of continuous updating and accumulation of information. • Connect: Each mobile devices connected to the work through the Internet, can project geometric dynamic images, include the IP data that symbolizes the uniqueness. • Interactive Instruction: (1) When audience walks into the artwork, there will be an irregular dynamic aperture around the audience, just like the received a signal. (2) The viewers can scan the QR Code on the work description with their mobile devices, and log in the interactive system. Follow the instruction and walk into the work to get the trajectory. Viewers can control the movement of various light points in the space thought internet signal transmission. © 2021 Owner/Author.

Relation between Cardiac Injury and Elevated Levels of Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Severe COVID-19

Background: Since early December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global pandemic and public health crisis. This study aims to explore the relationship between cardiac injury and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with severe COVID-19. Methods: We collected data on 91 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of severe COVID-19 from February 8 to March 31, 2020. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, and in-hospital outcomes were compared. The relationship between cardiac injury and inflammatory biomarkers was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to explore the independent risk factors for cardiac injury. Results: The mean age of all patients was 61 years +/- 14 years. About half of the patients were male. Hypertension and coronary heart disease were more common in the cardiac injury group. The levels of inflammatory biomarkers in patients who experienced cardiac injury were generally higher than the levels of those without cardiac injury, including interleukin-6, interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), procalcitonin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. There were positive correlations between the levels of high-sensitivity troponin I and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide and the levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Logistic regression shows that IL-2R (odds ratio 1.001, 95% confidence interval 1.000-1.002, P = 0.045) and comorbidities (odds ratio 4.909, 95% confidence interval 1.231-19.579, P = 0.024) are independent risk factors for cardiac injury in patients with severe COVID-19. Conclusion: High levels of inflammatory biomarkers are associated with higher risk of cardiac injury in patients with severe COVID-19. IL-2R and comorbidities are predictors of cardiac injury.