Comorbid asthma decreased the risk for COVID-19 mortality in the United Kingdom: Evidence based on a meta-analysis.

The study aimed to investigate the influence of comorbid asthma on the risk for mortality among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United Kingdom (UK) by utilizing a quantitative meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated by conducting a random-effects model. Sensitivity analysis, I2 statistic, meta-regression, subgroup analysis, Begg's analysis and Egger's analysis were all implemented. Our results presented that comorbid asthma was significantly related to a decreased risk for COVID-19 mortality in the UK based on 24 eligible studies with 1,209,675 COVID-19 patients (pooled OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.71-0.93; I2 = 89.2%, P < 0.01). Coming through further meta-regression to seek the possible cause of heterogeneity, none of elements might be responsible for heterogeneity. A sensitivity analysis proved the stability and reliability of the overall results. Both Begg's analysis (P = 1.000) and Egger's analysis (P = 0.271) manifested that publication bias did not exist. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that COVID-19 patients with comorbid asthma might bear a lower risk for mortality in the UK. Furthermore, routine intervention and treatment of asthma patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection should be continued in the UK.

Anxiety, depression, insomnia symptoms & associated factors among young to middle-aged adults during the resurgent epidemic of COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern. However, its stress on the mental health of young to middle-aged adults is largely unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health difficulties during the resurgent phase of COVID-19 among young to middle-aged adults in China. There were 1,478 participants with a median age of 26 years (IQR, 23 - 30), including 535 males (36.2%). The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia were 8.6%, 11.4%, and 13.7%, respectively. Participants aged 29 - 59 years (OR, 95% CI: 2.46, 1.23 - 4.91) and females (2.49, 1.55 - 4.01) had a higher risk of anxiety. Education status, worried level about the current COVID-19, and the level of COVID-19's impact on life were significantly associated with the prevalence of anxiety. Besides, the level of COVID-19's impact on life was positively related to the prevalence of depression and insomnia. Our study provided novel evidence of psychological difficulties among young to middle-aged adults during the resurgent stage of the COVID-19 epidemic. Psychological intervention should be continuously implemented to prevent long-term psychological comorbidities during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Dendrobium officinale aqueous extract influences the immune response following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, it is often less protective and does not significantly increase antibody levels, especially in individuals with impaired immune systems. Nevertheless, the immunocompetence can be enhanced using a natural immunomodulator, such as Dendrobium officinale aqueous extract (DoAE). METHODS: To determine whether DoAE promotes antibody production, we treated healthy volunteers with DoAE during COVID-19 vaccination. Meanwhile, the control volunteers were given a placebo (cornstarch) during the vaccination. Antibody levels were measured at three-week intervals in the DoAE and control groups. RESULTS: DoAE enhanced immunity and preserved immune cell homeostasis. However, the neutralizing antibody (nAb) levels in the DoAE group were lower than those in the control group. Analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that the abundance of anti-inflammatory flora was increased, while the pro-inflammatory flora was reduced in the DoAE group. CONCLUSION: DoAE has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, DoAE has the potential for COVID-19 prophylaxis, treatment, and recovery from the adverse effects of COVID-19. However, its anti-inflammatory activity affects the production of nAbs. Thus, DoAE may not be recommended for consumption during COVID-19 vaccination.

Truncated expression of S1 protein of Feline infectious peritonitis virus and preparation of its monoclonal antibody

In order to develop monoclonal antibody against Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) S1 protein, the truncated S1 protein (rS1) was expressed through Escherichia coli and subsequently purified. Then BALB/c mice were immunized with purified rSl. Three hybridoma cell strains, named 2D7,3D8 and 5G1, stably secreting antibodies against rSl were obtained by cell fusion and indirect ELISA screening. The identification of antibody subtype showed that antibody subtypes of 2D7,5G1 and 3d8 strains were IgG2a,IgG2a and IgGl,respectively. And the light chain of those three hybridoma cell strains was Kappa. Result of karyotype identification of hybridoma cells showed that the chromosome numbers of those three hybridoma cells were about 102,101 and 103, which was belonged to the karyotype of hybridoma. The titer of ascites antibody for indirect ELISA was 1 : 204 800, and monoclonal antibodies were purified. Moreover, all of 2D7,3D8 and 5G1 could react with rS1 by Western-blot and FIPV in cells by IFA. These data suggest that three monoclonal antibodies against rSl with good activities were ideal materials in the study of early diagnosis of FIPV and the biological function of FIPV in the future.

Comorbid Asthma Increased the Risk for COVID-19 Mortality in Asia: A Meta-Analysis.

We aimed to explore the influence of comorbid asthma on the risk for mortality among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Asia by using a meta-analysis. Electronic databases were systematically searched for eligible studies. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated by using a random-effect model. An inconsistency index (I2) was utilized to assess the statistical heterogeneity. A total of 103 eligible studies with 198,078 COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the meta-analysis; our results demonstrated that comorbid asthma was significantly related to an increased risk for COVID-19 mortality in Asia (pooled OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.20−1.68; I2 = 70%, p < 0.01). Subgroup analyses by the proportion of males, setting, and sample sizes generated consistent findings. Meta-regression indicated that male proportion might be the possible sources of heterogeneity. A sensitivity analysis exhibited the reliability and stability of the overall results. Both Begg's analysis (p = 0.835) and Egger's analysis (p = 0.847) revealed that publication bias might not exist. In conclusion, COVID-19 patients with comorbid asthma might bear a higher risk for mortality in Asia, at least among non-elderly individuals.

Prevalence and genotypic diversity of Canine Coronavirus in Shandong Province

Objective: To learn the prevalence and genotypic diversity of canine coronavirus(CCoV)in healthy and diarrhea dogs in Shandong Province.

Intensive Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in a sudden sharp rise in hospitalizations for pneumonia with multiorgan disease [...].

Research progress on mink Coronavirus

Mink coronavirus(MCoV),a member of Coronaviridae,Alphacoronavirus,is an important pathogenic agent of Mink epizootic catarrhal gastroenteritis(ECG), which is characterized by catarrhal diarrhea in minks. ECG has broken out in many mink farms in several countries and caused serious threats to minks. This article reviews the research progress on ECG reported since 1975, including the genomic structure, genetic evolution and receptor characteristics of MCoV,diagnosis, prevention and treatment of ECG. This review will provide reference for clinical prevention and treatment of ECG, and arouse people's attention to MCoV.

The Chinese Spring Festival Impact on Air Quality in China: A Critical Review.

It is known that the sharp change of air pollutants affects air quality. Chinese Spring Festival is the most important holiday for Chinese people, and the celebration of the holiday with fireworks and the movement of people all around the country results in significant change in multiple air pollutant emissions of various sources. As many cities and rural areas suffer from the air pollution caused by firework displays and more residential fuel consumption, there is an urgency to examine the impact of the Chinese Spring Festival on air quality. Hence, this paper firstly gives an overall insight into the holiday's impact on ambient and household air quality in China, both in urban and rural areas. The main findings of this study are: (1) The firework displays affect the air quality of urban and rural atmosphere and household air; (2) the reduction in anthropogenic emissions improves the air quality during the Chinese Spring Festival; (3) the household air in urban areas was affected most by firework burning, while the household air in rural homes was affected most by fuel consumption; and (4) the short-term health impact of air pollution during the holidays also need more concern. Although there have been many publications focused on the holiday's impact on ambient and household air quality, most of them focused on the measurement of pollutant concentration, while studies on the formation mechanism of air pollution, the influence of meteorological conditions, and the health outcome under the effect of the Chinese Spring Festival are rare. In the future, studies focused on these processes are welcomed.

Interstitial lung disease independently associated with higher risk for COVID-19 severity and mortality: A meta-analysis of adjusted effect estimates.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to address the association between interstitial lung disease and the risk for severity and mortality among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE were systematically searched. The pooled effect size with 95 % confidence interval (CI) was computed by a random-effects meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity test, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, meta-regression analysis, Begg's test and Egger's test were performed. RESULTS: A total of sixteen eligible studies with 217,260 COVID-19 patients were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The findings based on adjusted effect estimates indicated that pre-existing interstitial lung disease was significantly associated with higher risk for COVID-19 severity (pooled effect = 1.34 [95 % CI: 1.16-1.55]) and mortality (pooled effect = 1.26 [95 % CI: 1.09-1.46]). Consistent results were observed in the subgroup analysis stratified by sample size, age, the percentage of male patients, study design, setting, the methods for adjustment and the factors for adjustment. The results of meta-regression demonstrated that sample size, age and region might be the potential sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis exhibited that our results were stable and robust. No publication bias was observed in Egger's test and Begg's test. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis on the basis of adjusted effect estimates demonstrated that pre-existing interstitial lung disease was independently associated with significantly higher risk for COVID-19 severity and mortality.

Significant association between anemia and higher risk for COVID-19 mortality: A meta-analysis of adjusted effect estimates.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether there was a significant relationship between anemia and the risk for mortality among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients by a quantitative meta-analysis based on the adjusted effect estimates. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases to identify all published literature. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled effect size and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity test, Begg's test, subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles with 573,928 COVID-19 patients were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. There was a significant association between anemia and an elevated risk of COVID-19 mortality (pooled effect size = 1.47, 95% CI [1.30-1.67]). We observed this significant association in the further subgroup analyses by age, proportion of males, sample size, study design, region and setting. Sensitivity analysis exhibited that our results were reliable. Begg's test showed that there was no publication bias. Meta-regression indicated that the tested variables might not be the source of heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis based on risk factors-adjusted effect estimates indicated that anemia was independently associated with a significantly elevated risk for mortality among COVID-19 patients.

Peripheral artery disease independently associated with significantly higher risk for COVID-19 mortality: Evidence based on adjusted effect estimates.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) on the risk of mortality among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients based on adjusted effect estimates. METHODS: Systematic searches were performed through electronic databases. A random-effect model was applied to calculate the pooled effect and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Inconsistency index (I2) was used to evaluate the heterogeneity across studies. Sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and Begg's test were all implemented. RESULTS: On the basis of 16 eligible studies with 142,832 COVID-19 patients, the meta-analysis showed that PAD significantly increased the risk for mortality among COVID-19 patients (pooled effect = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.10-1.51). The significant association was also observed in the subgroup analysis stratified by hospitalized patients, mean age ≥ 60 years, Europe and North America. Sensitivity analysis verified the robustness of our findings. Begg's test (P = 0.15) showed there was no potential publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 patients with PAD may have a greater risk of mortality. Clinicians and nursing staff are supposed to identify and monitor these high-risk patients in a timely manner and provide appropriate clinical treatment for them.

Significant association between HIV infection and increased risk of COVID-19 mortality: a meta-analysis based on adjusted effect estimates.

To investigate the relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the risk of mortality among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients based on adjusted effect estimate by a quantitative meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect size (ES) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). I2 statistic, sensitivity analysis, Begg's test, meta-regression and subgroup analyses were also conducted. This meta-analysis presented that HIV infection was associated with a significantly higher risk of COVID-19 mortality based on 40 studies reporting risk factors-adjusted effects with 131,907,981 cases (pooled ES 1.43, 95% CI 1.25-1.63). Subgroup analyses by male proportion and setting yielded consistent results on the significant association between HIV infection and the increased risk of COVID-19 mortality. Allowing for the existence of heterogeneity, further meta-regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to seek the possible source of heterogeneity. None of factors might be possible reasons for heterogeneity in the further analyses. Sensitivity analysis indicated the robustness of this meta-analysis. The Begg's test manifested that there was no publication bias (P = 0.2734). Our findings demonstrated that HIV infection was independently associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Further well-designed studies based on prospective study estimates are warranted to confirm our findings.