Functional immunoparalysis characterized by elevated Interleukin-10 and Interleukin-10-to-Lymphocyte Count Ratio is associated with severe disease and poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

ObjectivesSevere coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a dysregulated immune state, called cytokine storm. While research has focused on the hyperinflammation, little research has been performed on the compensatory anti-inflammatory response which if severe may lead to a state of functional immunoparalysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory response to COVID-19, by assessing interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-10/lymphocyte count ratio and their association with patient outcomes. MethodsAdult patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were recruited. The primary endpoint was peak COVID-19 severity within 30 days of index ED visit. Additional endpoints included COVID-19 severity at ED disposition, development of severe acute kidney injury (AKI) or secondary bacterial infections. ResultsA total of 52 COVID-19 patients were enrolled. IL-10 and IL-10/lymphocyte count were significantly higher in patients with severe disease at both time points (all p<0.05), as well as in those who developed severe AKI and secondary bacterial infection (all p[≤]0.01). In multivariable analysis, a one-unit increase in IL-10 was associated with 42% increased odds of severe COVID-19 (p=0.031), whilst a one-unit increase IL-10/lymphocyte ratio was also associated with 32% increase in odds of severe COVID-19 (p=0.013). ConclusionsThe hyperinflammatory response to COVID-19 is accompanied by a simultaneous anti-inflammatory response, which is associated with poor outcomes and may increase the risk of secondary bacterial infections. IL-10 and IL-10/lymphocyte ratio at ED presentation were independent predictors of COVID-19 severity. Functional immunoparalysis in COVID-19 requires further investigation to enable more precise immunomodulatory therapy against SARS-CoV-2.

Exploring Genitoanal Injury and HIV Risk Among Women: Menstrual Phase, Hormonal Birth Control, and Injury Frequency and Prevalence.

BACKGROUND: Genital, anal, and oral injuries sustained from sexual intercourse may explain HIV transmission among women. We determined the variability in genitoanal injury frequency and prevalence in women after consensual sexual intercourse, exploring the role of menstrual phase and hormonal birth control. METHODS: We used a longitudinal observational design with a convenience sample of 393 women aged 21 years and older. Participants had a baseline interview with gynecological examination, followed by consensual sexual intercourse with a male partner and a second gynecological examination. We analyzed injury prevalence with logistic regression and injury frequency with negative binomial regression among women who were (1) menstrual, not using hormonal birth control, (2) menstrual, using hormonal birth control, or (3) menopausal. We also compared injury among menstrual women in the follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. FINDINGS: Women using hormonal birth control had 38% more external genitalia injuries [adjusted rate ratio (ARR) = 1.38, P = 0.030] and more than twice the anal injuries (ARR = 2.67, P = 0.005) as the nonhormonal birth control menstruating group. Menopausal women had more than 3 times the anal injuries (ARR = 3.36, P = 0.020) than those in the nonhormonal menstrual group. Among menstrual women, those in the follicular phase had a greater prevalence and frequency of external genitalia injuries than those in other phases. INTERPRETATION: Increased rates of postcoital genitoanal injuries are noted among women using hormonal birth control and/or in the follicular phase of menstruation. Biological factors that influence women's risk for HIV warrant further investigation.

The University of Washington Health Sciences Library BioCommons: an evolving Northwest biomedical research information support infrastructure.

SETTING: The University of Washington Health Sciences Libraries and Information Center BioCommons serves the bioinformatics needs of researchers at the university and in the vibrant for-profit and not-for-profit biomedical research sector in the Washington area and region. PROGRAM COMPONENTS: The BioCommons comprises services addressing internal University of Washington, not-for-profit, for-profit, and regional and global clientele. The BioCommons is maintained and administered by the BioResearcher Liaison Team. The BioCommons architecture provides a highly flexible structure for adapting to rapidly changing resources and needs. EVALUATION MECHANISMS: BioCommons uses Web-based pre- and post-course evaluations and periodic user surveys to assess service effectiveness. Recent surveys indicate substantial usage of BioCommons services and a high level of effectiveness and user satisfaction. NEXT STEPS/FUTURE DIRECTIONS: BioCommons is developing novel collaborative Web resources to distribute bioinformatics tools and is experimenting with Web-based competency training in bioinformation resource use.

The DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 14.

Chromosome 14 is one of five acrocentric chromosomes in the human genome. These chromosomes are characterized by a heterochromatic short arm that contains essentially ribosomal RNA genes, and a euchromatic long arm in which most, if not all, of the protein-coding genes are located. The finished sequence of human chromosome 14 comprises 87,410,661 base pairs, representing 100% of its euchromatic portion, in a single continuous segment covering the entire long arm with no gaps. Two loci of crucial importance for the immune system, as well as more than 60 disease genes, have been localized so far on chromosome 14. We identified 1,050 genes and gene fragments, and 393 pseudogenes. On the basis of comparisons with other vertebrate genomes, we estimate that more than 96% of the chromosome 14 genes have been annotated. From an analysis of the CpG island occurrences, we estimate that 70% of these annotated genes are complete at their 5' end.