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Background & Aim: Immunological characteristics of COVID-19 show pathological hyperinflammation associated with lymphopenia and dysfunctional T cell responses. These features provide a rationale for restoring functional T cell immunity in COVID-19 patients by adoptive transfer of SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells. Methods, Results & Conclusion(s): To generate SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 7 COVID-19 recovered and 13 unexposed donors. Consequently, we stimulated cells with SARS-CoV-2 peptide mixtures covering spike, membrane and nucleocapsid proteins. Then, we culture expanded cells with IL-2 for 21 days. We assessed immunophenotypes, cytokine profiles, antigen specificity of the final cell products. Our results show that SARSCoV- 2 specific T cells could be expanded in both COVID-19 recovered and unexposed groups. Immunophenotypes were similar in both groups showing CD4+ T cell dominance, but CD8+ and CD3+CD56+ T cells were also present. Antigen specificity was determined by ELISPOT, intracellular cytokine assay, and cytotoxicity assays. One out of 14 individuals who were previously unexposed to SARS-CoV-2 failed to show antigen specificity. Moreover, ex-vivo expanded SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells mainly consisted of central and effector memory subsets with reduced alloreactivity against HLA-unmatched cells suggesting the possibility for the development of third-party partial HLA-matching products. In conclusion, our findings show that SARSCoV- 2 specific T cell can be readily expanded from both COVID-19 and unexposed individuals and can therefore be manufactured as a biopharmaceutical product to treat severe COVID-19 patients.Copyright © 2023 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy
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Overlay journals, a potentially overlooked model of scholarly communication, have seen a resurgence due to the increasing number of preprint repositories and preprints on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related topics. Overlay journals at various stages of maturity were examined for unique characteristics, including whether the authors submitted their article to the journal, whether the peer reviews of the article were published by the overlay journal, and whether the overlay journals took advantage of opportunities for increased discovery. As librarians and researchers seek new, futuristic models for publishing, overlay journals are emerging as an important contribution to scholarly communication.
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and continues to spread worldwide. Although several vaccines were developed and are being used worldwide, antivirals are still needed for people who are not vaccinated or who are vaccinated but infected due to insufficient immune responses. Plant-derived natural substances have long been studied to develop drugs for infectious diseases, and accumulated evidences support a possibility that these may well be efficacious in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the present study, it was determined whether somatid natural gels (SNGs) prepared from mandarin, ginseng, or garlic inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro study. Cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay, immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to evaluate the effect of SNGs on SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture. Among three SNGs, the mandarin SNG had the highest inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2-induced CPE, while the garlic SNG showed no activity. When viral protein levels were identified by IFA, mandarin SNG treatment suppressed N protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, viral RNA copy numbers and infectious viral titers of SARS-CoV-2 were also signifi-cantly reduced by mandarin SNG. Our results suggest that mandarin SNG exerts antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2, implying a possible use of these natural materials as a preventive or therapeutic agent for COVID19. © 2021 Journal of Bacteriology and Virology.
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In this study, we performed a comprehensive assessment of the vertical CO2 concentration in the urban atmosphere using measurements at two different heights (113 m and 420 m) in Seoul, South Korea. The difference in CO2 concentration between the two altitudes (△CO2 = CO2 at 113 m minus CO2 at 420 m) showed a significant diurnal variation, with the highest at 07:00 (19.9 ppm) and the lowest at 16:00 (3.9 ppm). When the planetary boundary layer (PBL) rose above the two sites (daytime), the CO2 concentrations at the two altitudes were highly correlated (r = 0.87) with low △CO2. In contrast, when the PBL was located between the two sites (night time), the correlation coefficient of the CO2 concentration between the two altitudes decreased by 0.55 with a high △CO2. To explain the cause of this variation in △CO2 according to PBL, we performed Weather Research and Forecasting-stochastic time-inverted Lagrangian transport (WRF-STILT) simulations. Simulations showed that CO2 measurements at two different heights were influenced by the same nearby urban areas during the daytime. However, the site above the PBL only measured the CO2 of air transported from the outside downtown area during the night time. Consequently, the observed night time △CO2 is explained by the difference in air mass between the two measurements owing to PBL variations. The night time △CO2 further implicates the local attribution of observed CO2 below the PBL by removing the effect from the remote area. Because of this unique night time characteristic of △CO2, we evaluated the changes in CO2 concentration in Seoul during the COVID-19 period. Compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, △CO2 clearly decreased from 26.5 ppm to 6.2 ppm with the implementation of social distancing, thus confirming the decreasing local influence of CO2 concentrations. Our findings highlight the potential of atmospheric CO2 monitoring at high altitudes as an observation-based method to assess the effectiveness of local carbon management. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.
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Background & Aim: Background. Immunological characteristics of COVID-19 show pathological hyperinflammation associated with lymphopenia and dysfunctional T cell responses. These features provide a rationale for restoring functional T cell immunity in COVID-19 patients by adoptive transfer of SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells. Methods, Results & Conclusion: Methods. To generate SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 7 COVID-19 recovered and 13 unexposed donors. Consequently, we stimulated cells with SARS-CoV-2 peptide mixtures covering spike, membrane and nucleocapsid proteins. Then, we culture expanded cells with IL-2 for 21 days. We assessed immunophenotypes, cytokine profiles, antigen specificity of the final cell products. Results. Our results show that SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells could be expanded in both COVID-19 recovered and unexposed groups. Immunophenotypes were similar in both groups showing CD4+ T cell dominance, but CD8+ and CD3+CD56+ T cells were also present. Antigen specificity was determined by ELISPOT, intracellular cytokine assay, and cytotoxicity assays. One out of 14 individuals who were previously unexposed to SARS-CoV-2 failed to show antigen specificity. Moreover, ex-vivo expanded SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells mainly consisted of central and effector memory subsets with reduced alloreactivity against HLA-unmatched cells suggesting the possibility for the development of third-party partial HLA-matching products. Conclusion. In conclusion, our findings show that SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell can be readily expanded from both COVID-19 and unexposed individuals and can therefore be manufactured as a biopharmaceutical product to treat severe COVID-19 patients.
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The first step of SARS-CoV-2 infection is binding of the spike proteins receptor binding domain to the host cells ACE2 receptor on the plasma membrane. Here, we have generated a versatile imaging probe using recombinant Spike receptor binding domain conjugated to fluorescent quantum dots (QDs). This probe is capable of engaging in energy transfer quenching with ACE2-conjugated gold nanoparticles to enable monitoring of the binding event in solution. Neutralizing antibodies and recombinant human ACE2 blocked quenching, demonstrating a specific binding interaction. In cells transfected with ACE2-GFP, we observed immediate binding of the probe on the cell surface followed by endocytosis. Neutralizing antibodies and ACE2-Fc fully prevented binding and endocytosis with low nanomolar potency. Importantly, we will be able to use this QD nanoparticle probe to identify and validate inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike and ACE2 receptor binding in human cells. This work enables facile, rapid, and high-throughput cell-based screening of inhibitors for coronavirus Spike-mediated cell recognition and entry.
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Recent studies have reported a 9% decrease in global carbon emissions during the COVID-19 lockdown period;however, its impact on the variation of atmospheric CO2 level remains under question. Using atmospheric CO2 observed at Anmyeondo station (AMY) in South Korea, downstream of China, this study examines whether the decrease in China's emissions due to COVID-19 can be detected from the enhancement of CO2 mole fraction (Delta CO2) relative to the background value. The Weather Research and Forecasting-Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport model was applied to determine when the observed mole fractions at AMY were affected by air parcels from China. Atmospheric observations at AMY showed up to a -20% (-1.92 ppm) decrease in Delta CO2 between February and March 2020 compared to the same period in 2018 and 2019, particularly with a -34% (-3.61 ppm) decrease in March. Delta CO, which was analyzed to explore the short-term effect of emission reductions, had a decrease of -43% (-80.66 ppb) during the lockdown in China. Particularly in East China, where emissions are more concentrated than in Northeast China, Delta CO2 and Delta CO decreased by -44% and -65%, respectively. The Delta CO/Delta CO2 ratio (24.8 ppb ppm(-1)), which is the indicator of emission characteristics, did not show a significant difference before and after the COVID-19 lockdown period (alpha = 0.05), suggesting that this decrease in Delta CO2 and Delta CO was associated with emission reductions rather than changes in emission sources or combustion efficiency in China. Reduced carbon emissions due to limited human activity resulted in a decrease in the short-term regional enhancement to the observed atmospheric CO2.
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INTRODUCTION: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) has been the mainstay of therapy for the treatment of hyperkalemia, but it has been associated with case reports of gastrointestinal injuries. In May 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) for the treatment of hyperkalemia, which demonstrated efficacy in achieving restoration of normokalemia after 24 to 72 hours. In January 2020, SZC replaced SPS as the preferred potassium binder at our institution based on published literature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the resolution of hyperkalemia with SZC containing regimens compared to SPS containing regimens within 24 hours. METHODS: This retrospective chart review was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Patients who were 18 years of age and older and received at least one dose of SZC (from January 2020 to November 2020) or SPS (from January 2019 to September 2019) for the treatment of hyperkalemia were reviewed to be included in the study. Patients who were critically ill, COVID-19 positive, on chronic hemodialysis, on chronic potassium binders, or treated based on a hemolyzed potassium level were excluded from the study. The primary endpoint was the restoration of normokalemia within 24 hours. Secondary endpoints included evaluation of additional doses proximal to a repeat potassium level, magnitude of potassium reduction within 24 hours after potassium binder administration, discontinuation of agents known to cause hyperkalemia, and management of hyperkalemia per or off hospital protocol. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients from each arm were included in the primary and secondary endpoint analysis. The primary endpoint occurred in 44% of patients from the SZC arm compared to 40% from the SPS arm (P=0.608). Additional doses prior to and after a repeat potassium level were higher in the SZC arm compared to the SPS arm (32% vs. 4%, P=0.0001;53.6% vs. 32.8%, P=0.0014). There were no statistically significant differences in the remaining secondary endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective evaluation, SZC and SPS containing regimens were found to be equivalent. Further evaluation is needed to determine which potassium binder is the most operationally efficient and cost effective for acute hyperkalemia.
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CONSPECTUS: The development of a highly effective, low-cost method for protection against direct transmission through infectious media associated with respiratory diseases has been considered to be a major challenge in the management of the pandemic outbreak. Currently, filtration in respirators and masks depends on the mesh size, raising safety concerns about direct contact with the virus-laden layers of masks and respirators during use and disposal. Also, conventional medical face masks and respirators are recommended for single use only because long-term use and reuse of masks increase the risk of contact transmission of pathogens. As a result, mask reusability has gained much attention in addressing the global problem of respirator and mask shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, coinfection by influenza, SARSCoV-2, and bacteria has been an ongoing issue in the current COVID-19 pandemic. In our response to the increasing demand for more convenient forms of disease control, our group has investigated antimicrobial technologies for respiratory devices against pandemic/epidemic diseases and developed two universal antimicrobial coating technologies: (1) nonwashable, reusable salt-coated fabrics and (2) washable, photopolymerizable polymer-coated fabrics which efficiently inactivate infectious viruses by contact with the filter. This is an opportune time to assess research efforts toward antimicrobial face mask technology for its expected impact on society and the economy. In this Account, we introduce the importance of respiratory devices for protection against respiratory diseases, decontamination methods, technical challenges for reuse and extended use, antimicrobial substances used in masks, antimicrobial functionalization strategies for mask fibers, and the characterization of antimicrobial performance and the limitations of the current procedure. Then, the major focus will be directed to discussing the continued efforts of our group to develop antimicrobial fabrics for face mask covers and face masks/respirators based on salt-coated polypropylene (PP) fibers. In the following sections of this Account, we will first discuss salt coating methods and pathogen inactivation mechanisms in salt-coated filters. Then, an overview of our recent progress in evaluating the antimicrobial performance of salt-coated PP fabrics against five different bacterial species, influenza viruses, and human coronaviruses will be presented. The technical challenges in the implementation of the technology will be highlighted in the last section. We believe that easy-to-implement antimicrobial respiratory devices would guarantee improved protection without decontamination processes and enable rapid responses to future pandemic/epidemic outbreaks.
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Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the changed parenting experiences of mothers of elementary school kids living in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. Methods: From July to August in 2020, 10 mothers parenting elementary school students under the COVID-19 were interviewed in depth. For data analysis, a phenomenological research methodology suggested by Colaizzi was used. Results: According to the analysis, the experiences of mothers consisted of four categories: the ‘pain from the uncontrollable COVID-19‘, ‘the problem of family relations due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation’, ‘standing firm against the drastic changes', and ‘accepting the world changed by the COVID-19'. Conclusion: The findings in this study vividly represent the parenting experiences of mothers of elementary school students after the outbreak of COVID-19. As the pandemic persists, mothers parenting elementary school students feel complex emotions and experience exhaustion, but in the process, they found family members growing positively and trying to adjust to each other to overcome the crisis. To support positive adaptation to catastrophic situations, an institutional and political foundation is needed to develop a systematic crisis management program customized for mothers and families of elementary school students. The results of this study can be used as basic data when establishing national policies and support systems so that mothers parenting elementary school students can better adapt to and overcome crisis situations. © 2021 Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing. All Rights Reserved.
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Background: Hearing loss is highly prevalent in older adults, especially in those with cognitive impairment;however, it is often left unaddressed. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid switch to telehealth services, and addressing hearing loss has become critical to optimizing provider-patient communication. To meet this need, our study sought to evaluate the feasibility of using a commercially available mobile hearing test application via telehealth to screen for hearing loss in older adults with cognitive impairment. Methods: Patients were recruited from the Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer's Treatment Center, an outpatient memory clinic. Older adult patients (mean age 74;n=10) underwent a hearing screening using Mimi Hearing Test, a commercially available iOS-based audiometric testing application. Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Blind (MoCA-B) or Telephone Mini-Mental State Exam (T-MMSE) were performed remotely to assess participants' cognitive function. Results: Ten participants underwent hearing screening via Zoom. Five out of 8 participants (63%) received reliable results. The average screening length was 34 minutes (16-75 minutes). Patients with reliable results had higher MMSE scores compared to those without reliable results, but this difference was not statistically significant (mean MMSE 23 ± 5.1 vs. 21 ± 2.7, p=0.5). Patients with lower MMSE scores were able to successfully complete the screening test if they had a prepared and involved caregiver. Barriers to screening included unfamiliarity with using a touchscreen, difficulty following the app's instructions, and being a non-iOS user. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that using a mobile app to screen for hearing loss remotely is feasible among older patients with cognitive impairment. However, challenges included less reliable test results with worse cognitive function. Caregivers play an important role in remote telehealth assessments, as some of the more cognitively impaired patients were able to successfully complete the assessment if they had an involved caregiver. Future research is needed to ensure commercially available audiometric screening applications reflect the unique needs of older adults with cognitive impairment.