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Introduction: It is known that Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients produce severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgM and IgG. However, the frequency and duration of the antibodies production are not fully understood. Aim and objectives: We aimed to investigate the production of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG over 12 months and to verify the relationship with the characteristics of COVID-19 patients. Method(s): COVID-19 patients admitted to either of Showa University Hospital, Koto Toyosu Hospital, Fujigaoka Hospital, or Northern Yokohama Hospital, were enrolled for the study. The patients were followed up until they became negative for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG or for up to 12 months after the date of SARS-CoV-2 PCR became negative. Result(s): Forty-five patients were enrolled, and 34 patients were followed up to the end. The positivity rates of SARSCoV-2 IgM and IgG were 27.3% and 68.2% when SARS-CoV-2 PCR was negative. The positivity rate of SARS-CoV2 IgG was 70.6%, 52.9%, 14.7%, 2.9% and 0.0% after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively, after the date of PCR negativity. Moreover, we divided the patients into 2 groups;the milder conditions who did not require oxygen administration (non-severe group) and the severe conditions who required oxygen administration (severe group). The positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG was significantly higher in severe group compared to non-severe group on the date of PCR negativity and after 1 month, but no significant difference after 3 months. Conclusion(s): Present study suggested that more severe COVID-19 patients produced more SARS-CoV-2 IgG. However, the duration of SARS-CoV-2 IgG production was independent of COVID-19 severity.
ABSTRACT
Rationale: In severe COVID-19 patients, decrease of ATP production caused by mitochondrial dysfunction thought to induce the lung injury. Febuxostat, which is a therapeutic medicine for hyperuricemia, is thought to have the effect of improving mitochondrial dysfunction and enhances the production of ATP. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of febuxostat in LPS induced lung injury mouse model. Methods: C57BL/6 WT mice (8-12 wk-old males) were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intratracheally to develop the murine model of LPS-induced lung injury. For the treatment, 100 μg of febuxostat was administered twice a day from 2 days before the exposure of LPS. Bronchial lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected 24 hours and 7 days after the LPS exposure. The BALF were analyzed for total and differential cell counts. The lung tissues were stained with Masson's trichrome staining and analyzed for lung fibrosis. Results: Twenty-four hours after the LPS exposure, the number of total cells and neutrophils in the BALF was increased. In the group receiving febuxostat, the number of total cells and neutrophils were significantly decreased at 24 hours after the LPS exposure. At 7 days after the LPS exposure, the number of total cells and neutrophils in both LPS and LPS + Febuxostat group returned to almost the same level as control group. Additionally, the percentage of collagen deposition area representing lung fibrosis in the entire lung field was enhanced in LPS group compared to control group at 7 days after the LPS exposure. Moreover, the treatment of febuxostat inhibited the fibrosis in LPS group. Conclusions: Administration of febuxostat inhibited the lung inflammation in the acute phase and improved the lung fibrosis in LPS-induced lung injury model. This study suggests that the treatment of febuxostat may inhibit the lung injury caused in severe COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
Due to the spread of new coronavirus infections, it is desirable to allow people to use public devices such as bank ATMs and beverage vending machines without touching them directly. Therefore, we developed a system that enables non-contact operation of various public devices using personal smartphones while reducing the impact on existing public devices.
ABSTRACT
[Background] A pulmonary artery to ascending aorta ratio (PA:Ao) is helpful for detecting pulmonary hypertension. Few studies have revealed the characteristics of PA:Ao in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of the present study is to clarify the significance of the PA:Ao in patients with COVID-19. [Material and Methods]We retrospectively analyzed 373 patients who had an outpatient visit or admission to our hospital and underwent chest CT from February to October 2020. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of lung lesions. The diameter of the PA was measured at the subjective bifurcation. The diameter of the Ao was measured at the same CT slice, then PA/Ao ratio was calculated. These imaging analyses were performed by two pulmologists.[Results]The number of COVID-19 group (hereafter group C) and non COVID-19 group (hereafter group non-C) were 274 and 99. Mean age of group C/group non-C = 49.1 ± 19.4/58.0 ± 20.9 years. Male: female in group C/group non-C = 179:95/68:31. Lung lesions on CT in group C : presence/absence = 220/54;non-C group: presence/absence = 34/65 patients. The mean PA diameter/A diameter was 27.5±4.1 mm /30.6±5.2 mm in group C and 26.2±4.6 mm /34.1±5.2 mm in group non-C. The mean PA/Ao ratio of group C and group non-C were 0.91 vs. 0.79. The PA/Ao ratio was significantly increased in group C(p<0.05). Regarding the group without lung lesions on CT, the mean PA/A diameter was 27.6±4.1 mm/30.6±5.2 mm in group C and 25.9±4.3 mm/34.1±5.3 mm in group non-C. The mean PA/Ao ratio of group C and group non-C were 0.93 vs 0.78(p<0.05). The PA/Ao ratio is significantly increased in the group C(p<0.05). This indicates that the PA/A ratio is elevated in COVID-19 patients with or without lung lesions on CT. [Conclusion]An elevation in PA/Ao ration in COVID-19 were found with or without lung lesions on CT.This may suggest the presence of potential pulmonary hypertension in COVID-19 patients.