Vaccination reduces viral load and accelerates viral clearance in SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate vaccine effectiveness in relieving symptoms in patients with the SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 31 patients did not receive any vaccine (non-vaccination, NV), 21 patients received 1-dose of inactivated vaccine (one-dose vaccination, OV), and 60 patients received at least 2-dose inactivated vaccine (two-dose vaccination, TV). The baseline data, clinical outcomes and vaccination information were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Patients in the OV group were younger than those in the other two groups (p = 0.001), but there was no significant difference in any of the other baseline data among the three groups. The TV group showed higher IgG antibody levels and cycle threshold values of SARS-CoV-2 than the NV and OV groups (p < 0.01), and time to peak viral load was shorter in the TV group (3.5 ± 2.3 d) than in the NV (4.8 ± 2.8 d) and OV groups (4.8 ± 2.9 d, p = 0.03). The patients in the TV group (18%) showed a higher recovery rate without drug therapy (p < 0.001). Viral clearance time and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the TV group than in the NV and OV groups (p < 0.01), and there were no significant differences in these parameters between the OV and NV groups, but IgG values were higher in the OV group (p = 0.025). No severe complications occurred in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that 2-dose vaccination can reduce viral load and accelerate viral clearance in patients with the delta variant and enhance the protection afforded by IgG antibodies in vivo.Key MessagesIn this study, our results shows that two-dose vaccination can reduce viral loads and accelerate viral clearance, and two-dose vaccination enhance the protection of IgG antibodies in vivo; however, one-dose vaccination did not confer protective effectiveness.

Liver Injury in Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to explore the incidence, characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis of liver injury in patients with COVID-19. Methods: We collected clinical data of 384 cases of COVID-19 and retrospectively analyzed the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of liver injury of the patients. In addition, we followed the patient two months after discharge. Results: A total of 23.7% of the patients with COVID-19 had liver injury, with higher serum AST (P < 0.001), ALT (P < 0.001), ALP (P = 0.004), GGT (P < 0.001), total bilirubin (P = 0.002), indirect bilirubin (P = 0.025) and direct bilirubin (P < 0.001) than the control group. The median serum AST and ALT of COVID-19 patients with liver injury were mildly elevated. Risk factors of liver injury in COVID-19 patients were age (P = 0.001), history of liver diseases (P = 0.002), alcoholic abuse (P = 0.036), body mass index (P = 0.037), severity of COVID-19 (P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P < 0.001), Qing-Fei-Pai-Du-Tang treatment (P = 0.032), mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001), and ICU admission (P < 0.001). Most of the patients (92.3%) with liver injury were treated with hepatoprotective drugs. 95.6% of the patients returned to normal liver function tests at 2 months after discharge. Conclusions: Liver injury was commen in COVID-19 patients with risk factors, most of them have mild elevations in transaminases, and conservative treatment has a good short-term prognosis.

Crisis lifecycle, policy response, and policy effectiveness

The dimension of time has been neglected in the practice and research of public administration for decades. By developing a framework to guide the quantification and operationalization of the crisis lifecycle model, this study explores how the timing, sequence, and tempo of government policy response impact policy effectiveness. Quantitative analysis of COVID-19-related data in 152 countries/regions from 1 January to 31 July 2020 shows that direct policies on curtailing infection sources in the early outbreak stage are key to controlling the pandemic. This article concludes by identifying different time tactics that may help policymakers improve strategic decision-making.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Vero cells) on disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in China: a multicenter study.

AIMS: To evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on IBD activity. METHODS: Adult IBD patients from five large IBD centers in China were enrolled and followed up for 6 months. Patients were divided into vaccinated and unvaccinated groups according to vaccination status. Demographic and clinical data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 280 individuals (213 UC and 67 CD patients) were enrolled in the study. The unvaccinated and vaccinated groups of UC patients were comparable for basic characteristics, including age (t = - 0.8, p = 0.425), sex (χ2 = 0.980, p = 0.322), course of disease (z = - 0.513, p = 0.608), surgical conditions (χ2 = 1.042, p = 0.838), disease extent (χ2 = 4.853, p = 0.088), or baseline drug therapy (χ2 = 7.784, p = 0.064). In the subgroup of UC patients, there was no association between vaccination and disease activities, according to the medium disease activity scores for two groups: unvaccinated patients having scores (IQR) 1(2.75), 1(2), 1(2), and 1(2) at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, whereas vaccinated patients having scores (IQR) 1(2), 1(2), 1(2), and 1(2). Similar conclusions were also derived in the subgroup of CD patients. There were also no statistically significant differences in age (t = - 1.48, p = 0.144), sex (χ2 = 0.003, p = 0.957), course of disease (z = - 0.074, p = 0.941), surgical conditions (χ2 = 0.613, p = 0.594), localization (χ2 = 6.261, p = 0.199), or baseline drug therapy (χ2 = 5.881, p = 0.114) between 2 groups of CD patients. The medium disease activity scores (IQR) of the unvaccinated group at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months were 1(4), 1(3), 1(3), and 1(3), respectively, whereas those of vaccinated group were 2.5(3.75), 2.5(3.75), 3(2), and 2(2), respectively. Overall, very few participants in this study described worsening IBD disease activity requiring a change or addition of medication. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has no adverse effect on disease activity in IBD population. IBD patients should be recommended to receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in time.

Highly sensitive and portable mRNA detection platform for early cancer detection.

Pancreatic cancer, at unresectable advanced stages, presents poor prognoses, which could be prevented by early pancreatic cancer diagnosis methods. Recently, a promising early-stage pancreatic cancer biomarker, extracellular vesicles (EVs) related glypican-1 (GPC1) mRNA, is found to overexpress in pancreatic cancer cells. Current mRNA detection methods usually require expensive machinery, strict preservation environments, and time-consuming processes to guarantee detection sensitivity, specificity, and stability. Herein, we propose a novel two-step amplification method (CHAGE) via the target triggered Catalytic Hairpin Assembly strategy combined with Gold-Enhanced point-of-care-testing (POCT) technology for sensitive visual detection of pancreatic cancer biomarker. First, utilizing the catalyzed hairpin DNA circuit, low expression of the GPC1 mRNA was changed into amplification product 1 (AP1, a DNA duplex) as the next detection targets of the paper strips. Second, the AP1 was loaded onto a lateral flow assay and captured with the gold signal nanoparticles to visualize results. Finally, the detected results can be further enhanced by depositing gold to re-enlarge the sizes of gold nanoparticles in detection zones. As a result, the CHAGE methodology lowers the detection limit of mRNA to 100 fM and provides results within 2 h at 37 °C. Furthermore, we demonstrate the successful application in discriminating pancreatic cancer cells by analyzing EVs' GPC1 mRNA expression levels. Hence, the CHAGE methodology proposed here provides a rapid and convenient POCT platform for sensitive detection of mRNAs through unique probes designs (COVID, HPV, etc.).

Direct solar vapor generation with micro‐3D printed hydrogel device

Direct solar vapor generation (SVG) provides a sustainable and eco‐friendly solution to the current global water scarcity challenges. However, existing SVG systems operating under natural sunlight suffer from low water yield and high energy requirement of vaporization. New materials with reduced latent heat of water vaporization are in urgent demand to boost SVG process. Herein, we propose a novel strategy to additively fabricate anisotropic hybrid 3D structure from photocurable thermoresponsive p(NIPAm‐co‐PEGDA) hydrogel on the top of PEGDA foam for SVG. The in‐situ post‐printing synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles within the p(NIPAm‐co‐PEGDA) hydrogel on the top surface, thus introducing anisotropy, is achieved by adding metallic salt precursor into the printing solution. The as‐fabricated hydrogel composite structure exhibits superior light absorption properties and rapid capillary‐driven water transport through a 3D‐printed microchannel network within the hydrogel. As a result, our SVG device achieves an extraordinary water evaporation rate of 5.12 kg m−2 h−1 under one sun (1 kW/m2). The intrinsic water activation states, in addition to wettability modulation with temperature increase within p(NIPAm‐co‐PEGDA) hydrogel, plays a critical role in reducing the equivalent vaporization enthalpy and shifting the vaporization to relatively lower temperatures. The proposed hybrid SVG device is feasible, portable, and highly efficient, promising great potential for grand water‐energy nexus challenges.

The preliminary comparative results between Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients in Western China.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the comparative clinical characteristics of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients. METHODS: Fifteen Covid-19 and 93 non-Covid-19 patients were included in RNA testing. All epidemiological and clinical data were collected and analyzed, and then comparative results were carried out. RESULTS: Covid-19 patients were older (46.40 ± 18.21 years vs 34.43 ± 18.80 years) and had a higher body weight (70.27 ± 10.67 kg vs 60.54 ± 12.33 kg, P < 0.05). The main symptoms that were similar between Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients, and Covid-19 patients showed a lower incidence of sputum production (6.67% vs 45.16%, P < 0.01) and a lower white-cell count (4.83 × 109/L vs 7.43 × 109/L) and lymphocyte count (0.90 × 109/L vs 1.57 × 109/L, P < 0.01). Although there were no differences, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were elevated in Covid-19 patients. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of CT images were 0.87 and 0.97, respectively. Covid-19 patients showed a higher contact history of Wuhan residents (80% vs 30.11%) and higher familial clustering (53.33% vs 8.60%, P < 0.001). Covid-19 patients showed a higher major adverse events (ARDS, 13.33%; death, 6.67%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that Covid-19patients had a significant history of exposure and familial clustering and a higher rate of severe status; biochemical indicators showed lymphocyte depletion.

ACE2 correlated with immune infiltration serves as a prognostic biomarker in endometrial carcinoma and renal papillary cell carcinoma: implication for COVID-19.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a member of the renin-angiotension system, however, the correlation between ACE2 and prognosis in UCEC (Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma) and KIRP (Kidney Renal Papillary Cell Carcinoma) is not clear. We analyzed the expression levels of ACE2 in the Oncomine and TIMER databases, the correlation between ACE2 and overall survival in the PrognoScan, GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases. The correlation between ACE2 and immune infiltration level and the type markers of immune cells was investigated in TIMER database. A prognosis analysis based on the expression levels of ACE2 was further performed in related immune cells subgroup. The ACE2 promoter methylation profile was tested in the UALCAN database. In addition, we used GSE30589 and GSE52920 databases to elucidate the changes of ACE2 expression in vivo and in vitro after SARS-CoV infection. ACE2 was elevated in UCEC and KIRP, and high ACE2 had a favorable prognosis. The expression of ACE2 was positively correlated with the level of immune infiltration of macrophage in KIRP, B cell, CD4+T cell, neutrophil and dendritic cell immune infiltration levels in UCEC. ACE2 was significantly positively correlated with the type markers of B cells and neutrophils, macrophages in UCEC, while ACE2 in KIRP was positively correlated with the type markers of macrophages. High ACE2 expression level had a favorable prognosis in different enriched immune cells subgroups in UCEC and KIRP. And the promoter methylation levels of ACE2 in UCEC and KIRP were significantly reduced. What's more, we found that the expression of ACE2 decreased in vivo and in vitro after SARS-CoV infection. In conclusion, ACE2 expression increased significantly in UCEC and KIRP, elevated ACE2 was positively correlated with immune infiltration and prognosis. Moreover, tumor tissues may be more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19 patients with UCEC and KIRP, which may worsen the prognosis.

Psychological symptoms of ordinary Chinese citizens based on SCL-90 during the level I emergency response to COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the Corona Virus (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the psychological symptoms of ordinary Chinese citizens during the Level I Emergency Response throughout China. From January 31 to February 2 2020, an online questionnaire, Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) was designed, and differences in GSI T-scores among subgroups were examined by ANOVA. Based on a cut-off point of the GSI T-scores of 63, the overall sample was divided into high and low-risk groups. of the 1,060 participants investigated in China, more than 70% of them have moderate and higher level of psychological symptoms specifically elevated scores for obsessive compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, phobic anxiety, and psychoticism. There were no significant differences between males and females. Those who were of over 50 years old, had an undergraduate education and below, were divorced or widowed, and agricultural workers had significantly more symptoms. However, significantly more minors and medical staff were in the high-risk group. These results show that COVID-19 has a significant adverse socio-psychological influence on ordinary citizens. Therefore, governments should equip psychological health departments and pay attention to the people who are in high-risk groups, providing psychological interventions and assistance.

The preliminary comparative results between Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients in Western China (preprint)

Background: This study aims to investigate the comparative clinical characteristics of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients.Methods: Fifteen Covid-19 and 93 non-Covid-19 patients were included in RNA testing. All epidemiological and clinical data were collected and analyzed, and then comparative results were carried out.Results: Covid-19 patients were older (46.40±18.21 years vs 34.43±18.80 years) and hada higher body weight (70.27±10.67 kg vs 60.54±12.33 kg, P<0.05). The main symptoms that were similar between Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients, and Covid-19 patients showed a lower incidence of sputum production (6.67% vs 45.16%, P<0.01) and a lower white-cell count (4.83×109/L vs 7.43×109/L) and lymphocyte count (0.90×109/L vs 1.57×109/L) (P<0.01). Although there were no differences, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were elevated in Covid-19 patients. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of CT images were 0.87 and 0.97, respectively. Covid-19 patients showed a higher contact history of Wuhan residents (80% vs 30.11%) and higher familial clustering (53.33% vs 8.60%, P<0.001). Covid-19 patients showed a higher major adverse events (ARDS, 13.33%; death, 6.67%; P<0.05).Conclusion: Our results suggested that Covid-19 patients had a significant history of exposure and familial clustering and a higher rate of severe status; biochemical indicators showed lymphocyte depletion.