A generalized classification and coding system of Human Disease Animal Model Resource data with a case study to show improving database retrieval efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Currently there is no unified data classification and coding standard for the existing human disease animal model resource data worldwide. Different data classification and coding systems produce different retrieval methods. Some of these methods are inefficient and difficult to use. This research investigated the rules for the classification and coding of such data based on the Replication Methodology of Animal Models for Human Disease, the Classification and Coding Rules for Health Information Data Set (WS/T 306-2009), the Science and Technology Resource Identification (GB/T 32843-2016), the Scientific Data Management Measures (000014349/2018-00052), and The Generic Description Specification for Natural Science and Technology Resources. This research aimed to develop a classification and coding system for data obtained from human disease animal model resource based on the Internet environment to provide a standardized and unified foundation for the collection, saving, retrieval, and sharing of data from this resource. RESULTS: A complete data classification and coding table compiled in the form of letters and numbers was produced, with a classification infrastructure that expanded layer by layer according to the three dimensions (namely, system diseases, animal species, and modeling methods) and essential attributes. When necessary, it adopted the hierarchy of major, intermediate, and minor categories for certain layer and also one-to-one matched the code and classification result. CONCLUSION: Through this study, a sharing and joint construction mechanism for data from this resource can be developed by all research institutes in this field. As a case study, this research also offered technical support for constructing the database for the National Human Disease Animal Model Resource Center. The technological innovation of this paper is to derive a research oriented retrieval method, which provides technical support for the research on the current COVID-19 epidemic and on possible future epidemics.

Impact of ultra-processed food intake on the risk of COVID-19: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Nutrition plays a key role in supporting the human immune system and reducing the risk of infections. However, there is limited evidence exploring the relationship between diet and the risk of COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the associations between consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and COVID-19 risk. METHODS: In total, 41,012 participants from the UK Biobank study with at least 2 of up to 5 times 24-h dietary assessments were included in this study. Dietary intakes were collected using an online 24-h dietary recall questionnaire and food items were categorized according to their degree of processing by the NOVA classification. COVID-19 infection was defined as individuals tested COVID-19 positive or dead of COVID-19. Association between average UPF consumption (% daily gram intake) and COVID-19 infection was assessed by multivariable logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Compared to participants in the lowest quartile of UPF proportion (% daily gram intake) in the diet, participants in the 2nd, 3rd, and highest quartiles were associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 with the odds ratio (OR) value of 1.03 (95% CI: 0.94-1.13), 1.24 (95% CI: 1.13-1.36), and 1.22 (95% CI: 1.12-1.34), respectively (P for trend < 0.001), after adjusting for potential confounders. The results were robust in a series of sensitivity analyses. No interaction effect was identified between the UPF proportions and age groups, education level, body mass index, and comorbidity status. BMI mediated 13.2% of this association. CONCLUSION: Higher consumption of UPF was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. Further studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms in such association.

Effect of psychotropics on the risk of COVID-19 in middle-aged and older adults.

Older adults have been markedly impacted by the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, and many reports have cited concerns regarding potential psychiatric sequelae of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but the actual effects of psychotropics on the COVID-19 are unclear. In this study, multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between the prescription of psychotropics and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and COVID-19-related death among the participants who were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) before October 18, 2021, in UK Biobank. The psychotropics included 18 types of medications. Among 168,173 participants who underwent testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, 30,577 (18.2%) were positive, and 14,284 (8.5%) participants used psychotropics. Among 30,577 participants who were infected with SARS-CoV-2, 1,181 (3.9%) were COVID-19-related deaths, and 2,542 (8.3%) participants used psychotropics. In multivariate logistic regression, psychotropics use was significantly associated with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-0.98), and COVID-19-related death (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64-0.98). Interestingly, the use of diazepam was significantly associated with a 31% lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53-0.88). The use of sertraline was significantly associated with a 89% lower risk of COVID-19-related death (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.39). In conclusion, our findings suggested that the use of psychotropics was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related deaths.

A Survey of Survival Status of 601 Hemophilia Patients in Guangdong Region during COVID-19 Pandemic: Investigation and Implications

Objective:Investigation the survival status of patients with hemophilia in Guangdong during the COVID-19 pandemic, and exploring the effectiveness of coping strategies to provide some experience and inspiration for the management of rare chronic diseases such as hemophilia during public health emergencies. Methods:Retrospective analysis of the disease characteristics, lifestyle, treatment, psychological, EQ-5D life quality assessment, as well as participation and effectiveness of local response measure participation and effectiveness of 601 cases of hemophiliac patients in Guangdong area before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (October 23, 2019 to April 22, 2020). Results:The 601 patients were all males, Including 22.46% patients under 6 years old, 22.96% among 7-12 years old, 13.98% among 13-20 years old , 40.44% among 21-60 years old and 0.17% over 60 years old. Hemophilia A accounted for 86.52% (520 cases) and hemophilia B 13.48% (81 cases). There were 352 cases (58.57%) of severe hemophilia (FⅧ<1%), 219 cases (36.44%) of medium (FⅧ 1~5%), 17 cases (2.83%) of 13 cases (FⅧ 5~40%), and 13 cases (FⅧ 2.16%) is not clear. There were 50 patients had inhibitors. Before the COVID-19 epidemic, 54.58% of the patients had been working or studying at home for a long time. During the epidemic, the patient’s outing activities decreased. During the 3 months of the epidemic, the frequency of hospital visit was 3.40±4.09 times per month, which was significantly lower than 4.14±4.05 times per month in the 3 months before the epidemic (P=0.000)。6.00±8.34 clinical bleeding events developed during 3 months of the epidemic, which is significantly increased from 5.47±8.09 times 3 months before the epidemic (P=0.000). The patient’s self-assessment score about healthy decreased significantly (70.67±23.76 points vs 75.01±22.28 points,P=0.000). 74.71% of patients were able to maintain the original treatment, the changes in treatment were generally different (P=0.030), and 152 patients switched treatments. Only 34 (5.66%) patients often develop symptoms of anxiety. In the EQ-5D assessment, the proportions with no difficulty in mobility, self-care, and daily life were 55.57%, 73.88%, and 56.57%;the proportions without pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression were 35.27% and 44.26%, the proportion of patients with difficulty and severe pain and anxiety is not high. Regarding the participation of our response measures, 34.28~48.25% patients chose to use the “network platform” for diagnosis and treatment, and the number of patients increased significantly during the epidemic (P=0.000);the number of patients benefited from the medical insurance policy also increased (9.65% vs 13.48%,P=0.023). During the epidemic, the patient’s awareness of hemophilia knowledge (7.59±2.16 points) was significantly improved (P=0.000) compared to that of 3 months ago (7.17±2.34 points). Conclusion:The COVID-19 epidemic had a certain impact on the condition of hemophilia patients in Guangdong. Various measures by the Guangdong Hemophilia Center and the government, especially “the online diagnosis and treatment model”, and the “long prescription” medical insurance reimbursement policy has a positive effect on hemophilia patients in the region, make the disease generally controllable, and may bring long-term profound benefits for management of such rare disease in future. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Sex Differences in Association Between Anti-Hypertensive Medications and Risk of COVID-19 in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: There is ongoing debate about the associations between drug therapies targeting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and adverse outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the associations between using medications for the cardiovascular system and the risks associated with COVID-19 in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: A total of 77,221 participants (aged 50-86 years) from UK Biobank were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The medications included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB), ß-blockers, calcium channel blockers (CCB), statins, and aspirin. COVID-19 outcomes comprised a positive test result and severity of COVID-19 (defined as mild, hospitalization or death). We evaluated the risk among total participants and for sub-groups based on sex. Propensity score matching was performed 1:1 and logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: Among the middle- and older aged participants, no significant associations between any class of medications and the likelihood of COVID-19 infection were observed. ACEI were associated with a higher mortality risk from COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.32) and CCB were associated with a lower hospitalization risk for COVID-19 (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.96) among the male patients with COVID-19, while a lower mortality risk from COVID-19 (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.96) was observed with ARB among the female patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggested sex differences in the risk of death from COVID-19 with the use of ACEI and ARB among middle-aged and older adults. Sex differences in the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 with the use of CCB was observed as well. It is of clinical importance that clinicians adopt different CVD treatment approaches for female and male patients with COVID-19.

Diagnosis and treatment of 471 patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

BACKGROUND: While the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has been largely kept under control in China, it remains a global pandemic, and the source, transmission route, and treatments of SARS-COV-2 are still being investigated. Here, we summarized the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of COVID-19 patients based on our clinical practice. METHODS: The clinical and imaging findings, treatments, and follow-up data of 471 patients with COVID-19 who were discharged from the Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital prior to February 6, 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among these patients, there were 2 mild cases, 282 moderate cases, 181 severe cases, and 6 critical cases. There were 250 males and 221 females aged 17 to 90 years. The median age was 54 years in the severe/critical group, which was significantly older than in the mild/moderate group (P<0.05). 44.59% of them had one or more underlying diseases. The most common symptoms were fever, cough, expectoration, and dyspnea. The median body temperature in the severe/critical group was 39°C, which was significantly higher than in the mild/moderate group (P<0.05). The incidences of lymphopenia and CD4+ T lymphocytopenia were 53.5% and 41.86%, respectively. Ground-glass opacity and small patchy shadows were the most common findings on chest computed tomography (CT). Compared with the mild/moderate group, the severe/critical group showed higher proportions of severe lymphocytopenia and CD4+ T lymphocytopenia, along with more ground-glass shadows and large-scale consolidation. After anti-infection, oxygen therapy, and symptomatic support, lymphocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes were markedly increased, all patients were discharged. The median time of nucleic acid conversion and hospital stay were 9 and 12 days, respectively, which were significantly longer in the severe/critical group than in the mild/moderate group. Of the 390 cases followed, only 19 were hospitalized again due to other diseases. All patients recovered well from COVID-19, with negative nucleic acid test results. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphocytopenia and CD4+ T lymphocytopenia were found to be associated with COVID-19 and thus may be important indicators in evaluating the severity and prognosis. Multidisciplinary management including antiviral treatment, immune regulation, and symptomatic support is effective, and yields a low recurrence rate.