Risk factors associated with COVID-19 in systemic lupus erythematosus: Results from a longitudinal prospective cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) have a higher risk of infection due to dysregulated immune system as well as long-term use of immunosuppressants (IS). This could influence the risk of COVID-19 and its outcome. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal prospective study across 15 rheumatology centres during the first wave of the pandemic to understand the risk factors contributing to COVID-19 in SLE patients. During the 6 months follow-up, those who tested positive for COVID-19, their clinical course and outcome information were recorded. RESULTS: Through the study period (April-December 2020), 36/1379 lupus patients (2.9%) developed COVID-19. On analysing the COVID-19 positive versus negative cohort during the study period, male gender (adjusted RR 3.72, 95% C.I. 1.85,7.51) and diabetes (adjusted RR 2.94, 95% C.I. 1.28, 6.79) emerged as the strongest risk factors for COVID-19, in the adjusted analysis. There was no significant influence of organ involvement, hydroxychloroquine, glucocorticoid dosage (prednisolone< 7.5 mg or ≥ 7.5 mg/day) or IS on the risk of COVID-19. There was only one death (1/36) among the lupus patients due to COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Traditional risk factors rather than lupus disease process or IS influenced the risk of COVID-19 in our cohort.

Influence of AS-7 on the storage lesion in young and old circulating erythrocytes.

Blood and its components are stored to meet the demands of blood transfusion. Erythrocytes undergo progressive modifications during storage known as storage lesions. Storage solutions were developed to improve shelf life and extend red cell viability. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the effects of AS-7 on young and old erythrocytes during storage. Blood was collected from the blood bank at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) hospital, Bengaluru. Erythrocytes were isolated from whole blood and separated based on its age using Percoll density gradient. The young and old erythrocytes were stored in AS-7 for 35 days and every 5th day, oxidative stress markers - Hemoglobin (Hb), Oxidative Hemolysis, Mechanical Fragility, Sialic Acid, Superoxides, Glucose, Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Glutathione, antioxidant capacity (TACCUPRAC), Plasma Membrane Redox System (PMRS), antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation products were assessed. Hb, glucose, TACCUPRAC, and superoxide dismutase reduced, while oxidative hemolysis, mechanical fragility, protein oxidation, and lipid peroxidation products increased in young and old cells over storage. LDH, PMRS, catalase, advanced oxidation protein products, and conjugate dienes were significant in old cells from day 5 itself, whereas in young cells towards the end of storage (from day 25). Oxidative insult was higher in old cells compared to young cells. AS-7 was beneficial to young erythrocytes during storage and thus laying the foundation for the possibilities of utilizing young cells as models for storage studies.

Age-Related Modulations in Erythrocytes under Blood Bank Conditions.

BACKGROUND: During storage of erythrocytes, storage lesions are formed that reduce the safety and efficacy of the stored blood. Thus, there is a need to understand the changes that occur during storage. Most studies have focused on storage of a mixed population of erythrocytes. The aim of this study is to analyze the changes in young and old erythrocytes over the course if storage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood was collected from the blood bank at the Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital (Bengaluru, India) and stored for 35 days in CPDA-1 at 4°C. Every 5 days, erythrocytes were separated based on the blood's age using a Percoll-BSA gradient. Young and old erythrocytes obtained were used for analysis of the following oxidative stress (OS) markers: hemoglobin (Hb), hemolysis, mechanical fragility, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase [CAT]), superoxides, sialic acid, glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glucose, plasma membrane redox system (PMRS), total antioxidant capacity-cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay (TACCUPRAC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde [MDA] and conjugate dienes), and protein oxidation products (advanced oxidation protein products and protein sulfhydryls). RESULT: Young cells had higher amounts of Hb, sialic acid, GOT, LDH, TACCUPRAC, CAT, and superoxides compared to old cells. Old cells, however, had higher PMRS and MDA levels with respect to young cells. DISCUSSION: Young cells could endure OS during storage more efficiently than old cells. In conclusion, the efficacy of stored blood depends on the ratio of young cells in the population. This study highlights the prospects of storing young erythrocytes for a prolonged shelf life of blood.

Analysis of gene function in rice through virus-induced gene silencing.

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a powerful RNA-silencing based technology adapted for the study of host-gene function. VIGS functions through the expression of a host gene from a virus vector. Both the virus-encoded host sequence and the homologous host target messenger RNA are destroyed or made inactive through a host surveillance system. Here, we describe procedures for the use of a new virus vector for VIGS in monocotyledonous hosts and, in particular, in rice (Oryza sativa), a species for which no VIGS vector was previously available.