Multi-omic and comparative analyses revealed monocyte-derived alpha-defensin-1 correlated with COVID-19 severity and inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a highly contagious disease, spreading quickly and threatening global public health. The symptoms of COVID-19 vary from mild reactions to severe respiratory distress or even fatal outcomes probably due to the different status of host immunity against the virus. Here in the study, we unveiled plasma proteomic signatures and transcriptional patterns of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using blood samples of 10 COVID-19 patients with different severity. Through systemic analysis, α-defensin-1 (DEFA1) was identified to be elevated in both plasma and PBMCs, and correlated with disease severity and stages. In vitro study demonstrated that DEFA1 was secreted from immunocytes and suppressed SARS-CoV-2 infection of both original and mutated strains with dose dependency. By using sequencing data, we discovered that DEFA1 was activated in monocytes through NF-κB signaling pathway after infection, and secreted into circulation to perturb SARS-CoV-2 infection by interfering protein kinase C expression. It worked mainly during virus replication instead of entry in host cells. Together, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 mechanism of DEFA1 has unveiled a corner of how innate immunity is against SARS-CoV-2 and explored its clinical potential in disease prognosis and therapeutic intervention.

Prevalence of mental health problems and associated risk factors among military healthcare workers in specialized COVID-19 hospitals in Wuhan, China: A cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION: China has been severely affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since December 2019. Military healthcare workers in China have experienced many pressures when combating COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the current psychological status and associated risk factors among military healthcare workers. METHODS: We collected data from 194 military healthcare workers from three inpatient wards in two specialized COVID-19 hospitals using a web-based cross-sectional survey. The survey covered demographic information, the patient health questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the patient health questionnaire-15. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to explore potential risk factors for mental health problems. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rates of depressive, generalized anxiety, and somatic symptoms were 37.6%, 32.5%, and 50%, respectively. Rates of severe depression, generalized anxiety, and somatic symptoms were 5.2%, 3.6%, and 15.5%, respectively. In 22.7% of cases, comorbidities existed between depression, generalized anxiety, and somatization. A junior-grade professional title was associated with depression, older age was associated with generalized anxiety and somatization, and short sleep duration and poor sleep quality were associated with all three symptoms. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of depression, generalized anxiety, and somatic symptoms among military healthcare workers in specialized COVID-19 hospitals is high during the current COVID-19 outbreak. A junior-grade professional title, older age, short sleep duration, and poor sleep quality significantly affect military healthcare workers' mental health. Continuous surveillance and monitoring of the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak should be routine to promote mental health among military healthcare workers.

Coronavirus disease 2019-related mental health: research progress

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in late December 2019, and then erupted in China. COVID-19 is characterized by strong infectivity and a high mortality rate. The public and medical staff are under great psychological pressure. Scholars at home and abroad have carried out researches on mental health during the outbreak of COVID-19. This article summarizes the current researches on mental health related to COVID-19 from three aspects: mental health policy, mental intervention measures and mental health of key population.