Community Masks-from an Emergency Solution to an Innovation Booster for the Textile Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in shortages of personal protective equipment and medical devices in the initial phase. Agile small and medium-sized enterprises from regional textile industries reacted quickly. They delivered alternative products such as textile-based community masks in collaboration with industrial partners and research institutes from various sectors. The current mask materials and designs were further improved by integrating textiles with antiviral and antimicrobial properties and enhanced protection and comfort by novel textile/membrane combinations, key factors to increase the acceptance and compliance of mask wearing. The safety and sustainability of masks, as well as taking into account particular needs of vulnerable persons in our society, are new fields for textile-based innovations. These innovations developed for the next generation of facemasks have a high adaptability to other product segments, which make textiles an attractive material for hygienic applications and beyond.

It Takes Two to Tango: Secondary Entry Pathway for SARS-CoV-2 Induces Analgesia

As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to impact the world, its mechanisms of action begin to unravel. The main entry pathway for SARS-CoV-2 into the cell is thought to be through binding to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2, but it seems another protein can induce its viral entry: neuropilin-1 receptor (NRP-1). NRP-1 is usually bound by vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), a - amongst other- pro-nociceptive factor. By binding to NRP-1, the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 blocks neuronal signaling, reducing the pro-nociceptive implication of VEGF-A. This analgesic role of SARS-CoV-2 gave rise to an increase in screenings for new compounds that could interfere with this pathway. Preventing VEGFA from binding to NRP1 opens new possibilities for therapeutic strategies in the field of neuropathic pain. © Lavoisier SAS 2021

Relationship between Anti-Spike Protein Antibody Titers and SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro Virus Neutralization in Convalescent Plasma

Newly emerged pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 highlight the urgent need for assays that detect levels of neutralizing antibodies that may be protective. We studied the relationship between anti-spike ectodomain (ECD) and anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG titers, andSARS-CoV-2 virus neutralization (VN) titers generated by two different in vitro assays using convalescent plasma samples obtained from 68 COVID-19 patients, including 13 who donated plasma multiple times. Only 23% (16/68) of donors had been hospitalized. We also studied 16samples from subjects found to have anti-spike protein IgG during surveillance screening of asymptomatic individuals. We report a strong positive correlation between both plasma anti-RBD and anti-ECD IgG titers, and in vitro VN titer. Anti-RBD plasma IgG correlated slightly better than anti-ECD IgG titer with VN titer. The probability of a VN titer 160 was 80% or greater with anti-RBD or anti-ECD titers of 1:1350. Thirty-seven percent (25/68) of convalescent plasma donors lacked VN titers 160, the FDA-recommended level for convalescent plasma used for COVID-19 treatment. Dyspnea, hospitalization, and disease severity were significantly associated with higher VN titer. Frequent donation of convalescent plasma did not significantly decrease either VN or IgG titers. Analysis of 2,814 asymptomatic adults found 27 individuals with anti-RBD or anti-ECD IgG titers of 1:1350, and evidence of VN1:160. Taken together, we conclude that anti-RBD or anti-ECD IgG titers can serve as a surrogate for VN titers to identify suitable plasma donors. Plasma anti-RBD or anti-ECD titer of1:1350 may provide critical information about protection against COVID-19 disease.

["Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome"-Experiences from a Berlin Children's Hospital]. / "Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome" ­ Erfahrungen aus einer Berliner Kinderklinik.

BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV­2 pandemic, cases of the hyperinflammatory syndrome pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) have been accumulating. The clinical presentation is variable and it occurs 2-6 weeks after infection with SARS-CoV­2. As of today, immunoglobulins and/or steroids as well as ASS are used for medication. METHOD: In our clinic 11 patients presented with PIMS between 06/2020 and 06/2021, whose data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients 6 were male, the age distribution ranged from 4-18 years and 7 were overweight or obese. Almost all patients showed gastrointestinal and cardiovascular involvement, 4 had respiratory symptoms, 6 showed signs of nephritis. All showed blood count changes with anemia or leukocytosis and coagulopathy. CRP, ferritin, and soluble IL2 receptor were highly elevated in all patients. Only 2 patients had neither troponin­T nor NT-pro-BNP elevation and 7 patients had impaired left ventricular function. Positive SARS-CoV­2 serology was found in 10, and positive SARS-CoV­2 PCR via nasopharyngeal swabs in 2.All were initially treated with antibiotics, 3 patients required O2 supplementation, 6 required intensive care and 5 required vasoactive agents. All but one patient received immunoglobulins and ASS, 5 received prednisolone. Length of stay ranged from 4-51 days. CONCLUSION: PIMS is a severe acute hyperinflammatory disease, which was secured in 11 patients in our clinic. In some cases, there was a need for intensive care. Under anti-inflammatory therapy there was a good response without exception.

„Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome“ – Erfahrungen aus einer Berliner Kinderklinik “Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome”—Experiences from a Berlin Children’s Hospital

Hintergrund Seit Beginn der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie häufen sich Fälle des Hyperinflammationssyndroms „pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome“ (PIMS). Die Klinik ist variabel und tritt 2 bis 6 Wochen nach einer Infektion mit SARS-CoV‑2 auf. Aktuell kommen Immunglobuline und/oder Steroide sowie ASS zum Einsatz. Methode Im Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln präsentierten sich zwischen Juni 2020 und Juni 2021 11 Patient*innen mit PIMS, deren Daten retrospektiv erhoben und ausgewertet wurden. Ergebnis Von den 11 Patient*innen waren 6 männlich, die Altersverteilung reichte von 4 bis 18 Jahren. Sieben Patient*innen waren übergewichtig oder adipös. Fast alle Patient*innen zeigten eine gastrointestinale und kardiovaskuläre Beteiligung, 4 hatten respiratorische Symptome, 6 Zeichen einer Nephritis. Alle zeigten Blutbildveränderungen mit Anämie oder Leukozytose und eine Koagulopathie. CRP, Ferritin und der lösliche IL-2-Rezeptor waren bei allen Patient*innen stark erhöht. Nur 2 Patient*innen hatten weder eine Troponin-T- noch NT-proBNP-Erhöhung. Sieben Patient*innen hatten eine eingeschränkte linksventrikuläre Funktion. Bei 10 fand sich eine positive SARS-CoV-2-Serologie, bei 2 eine positive SARS-CoV-2-PCR im Nasen-Rachen-Abstrich. Alle wurden zunächst antibiotisch behandelt. 3 Patient*innen benötigten eine O2-Supplementation, 6 mussten intensivmedizinisch behandelt werden, bei 5 bestand Katecholaminbedarf. Bis auf eine Patientin erhielten alle Immunglobuline und ASS, 5 erhielten Prednisolon. Die Liegedauer lag zwischen 4 und 51 Tagen. Schlussfolgerung PIMS ist eine schwere akute hyperinflammatorische Erkrankung, die in unserer Klinik bei 11 Patient*innen gesichert wurde. Teilweise bestand intensivmedizinischer Handlungsbedarf. Unter antiinflammatorischer Therapie zeigte sich ausnahmslos ein gutes Ansprechen.

e-Rum2020: how we turned a physical conference into a successful virtual event

The European R Users Meeting 2020 (e-Rum2020) was a conference that was held virtually in June 2020. Originally, e-Rum2020 had been planned as a physical event to be held in Milano. However, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the declaration of a nationwide lockdown induced the Organizing Committee to fully rethink the event, and to turn it into a live virtual conference. In this article, we describe the challenges that we encountered during the organization of e-Rum2020, and how we reacted to them. In doing so, we aim to provide future conference organizers with useful information on how to organize a successful virtual conference, and even to turn a physical conference into a virtual meeting on a relatively short notice.

Inflammatory Skin Lesions in Three SARS-CoV-2 Swab-Negative Adolescents: A Possible COVID-19 Sneaky Manifestation?

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is associated with various clinical manifestations, including skin lesions. In particular, during the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down period numerous chilblain-like lesions, mainly located on the feet, were observed in adolescents. The latter were often asymptomatic or associated with very mild respiratory symptoms. Here, we report three cases of acral nodular lesions in SARS-CoV-2 swab-negative adolescents with histological findings of chronic immune-mediated inflammation and immunohistochemical evidence of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins in endothelial cells and eccrine sweat glands. In one of these cases, the virus presence was confirmed by electron microscopy.

e-Rum2020: how we turned a physical conference into a successful virtual even

The European R Users Meeting 2020 (e-Rum2020) was a conference that was held virtually in June 2020. Originally, e-Rum2020 had been planned as a physical event to be held in Milano. However, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the declaration of a nationwide lockdown induced the Organizing Committee to fully rethink the event, and to turn it into a live virtual conference. In this article, we describe the challenges that we encountered during the organization of e-Rum2020, and how we reacted to them. In doing so, we aim to provide future conference organizers with useful information on how to organize a successful virtual conference, and even to turn a physical conference into a virtual meeting on a relatively short notice. © 2020, The R Journal. All Rights Reserved

Effect of road traffic on air pollution. Experimental evidence from COVID-19 lockdown

The increasing concentration of human activities in cities has been leading to a worsening in air quality, thus negatively affecting the lives and health of humans living in urban contexts. Transport is one of the main sources of pollution in such environments. Several local authorities have therefore implemented strict traffic-restriction measures. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of these interventions, by analyzing the relationship between traffic flows and air quality. The used dataset contains concentrations of NO, NO₂, NOx and PM₁₀, vehicle counts and meteorology, all collected during the COVID-19 lockdown in the city of Padova (Italy), in which severe limitations to contain the spread of the virus simulated long and large-scale traffic restrictions in normal conditions. In particular, statistical tests, correlation analyses and multivariate linear regression models were applied to non-rainy days in 2020, 2018 and 2017, in order to isolate the effect of traffic. Analysis indicated that vehicle flows significantly affect NO, NO₂, and NOx concentrations, although no evidence of a relationship between traffic and PM₁₀ was highlighted. According to this perspective, measures to limit traffic flows seem to be effective in improving air quality only in terms of reducing nitrogen oxide.