This work highlights different effects of SARS-CoV-2 S protein on both early and late stages of retinal development, and provides insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of these effects.
Alzheimer’s disease
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Elevated levels of arthroplasty-relevant metals were found in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of individuals with arthroplasty implants
This cross-sectional study showed that chronic exposure to arthroplasty implants was associated with increased blood levels of cobalt, chromium, titanium, niobium, and zirconium. Arthroprosthetic cobalt, chromium, titanium, niobium, and zirconium seemed to cross blood-brain barrier and accumulate in CSF.
The changes in innate and adaptive immune cells, as well as a shift from Th1 to Th2 cytokine pattern, were found in unvaccinated COVID-19 convalescents 10 months after the infection
A follow-up study of immune parameters in unvaccinated COVID-19 convalescents 10 weeks and 10 months after a first and mostly mild infection with the Wuhan-strain Hu-1 showed a long-term reduction of innate and adaptive immune cells, associated with a shift from Th1 to Th2 cytokine pattern.
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Sex-specific differences in the gene transcriptomics of peripheral blood cells are observed in vaccinated patients with post-COVID syndrome
The gene expression in men with post-COVID syndrome differed from that of men who had recovered after COVID-19, with 399 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared to men who had recovered after COVID-19 and to control men. These DEGs showed high enrichment in genes related to erythrocyte development and differentiation and heme metabolism.
Recurrent venous thromboembolism in patients who discontinued anticoagulant therapy for COVID-19-associated venous thromboembolism after at least three months of treatment
After discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy, recurrent VTE occurred in 3.5% of patients, with a rate of 3.1 per 100 patient-years, and no fatal pulmonary embolism.
Alcohol-associated end-organ complications among adolescents
Among adolescents and young adults, alcohol-associated pancreatic complications were more frequent than liver-related complications (29% versus 19% respectively), and the most frequent pancreatic complications were acute pancreatitis (92%).
Phase-resolved functional lung MRI revealed pulmonary perfusion abnormalities in children and adolescents with post-COVID syndrome (84% COVID-vaccinated)
PREFUL MRI parameters revealed subtle pulmonary changes in children and adolescents with post-COVID syndrome, such as reduced regional ventilation and perfusion.
According to a nationwide Swedish study, the use of antidepressants is associated with faster cognitive deterioration in patients with dementia
This nationwide cohort study showed that the current use of antidepressants, in particular SSRIs (i.e., citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram) and mirtazapine was associated with faster cognitive decline in patients with dementia.
In patients with newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis, an altered IgA-bound fecal microbiota and an altered abundance and prevalence of specific gut bacterial strains were found before and after B-cell depletion therapy
This study demonstrated that, both before and after six months of B-cell depletion therapy, healthy people and MS patients had different host immunologic responses, particularly IgA-binding patterns to the gut microbiome.
Immunological and other features of post-COVID-19 vaccination syndrome
This study demonstrated immunological and other characteristics in individuals experiencing persistent symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination.
CDC reports high severity season of influenza for all age groups
Based on data available for the week ending February 8, 2025, this season is classified as a high severity season for all age groups (children, adults, older adults) for the first time since 2017-2018.
Chorea after COVID-19 infection or vaccination
In these two systematic reviews, the authors examined the existing literature on chorea associated with COVID-19 infection or vaccination.
A Korean nationwide study conducted on more than 44 million vaccinated individuals found that the incidence of myocarditis associated with COVID vaccination was highest in males aged 12 to 17 years, and the most serious adverse effect was sudden cardiac death
The authors concluded that the findings of sudden cardiac deaths attributable to COVID vaccine-related myocarditis warrant the careful monitoring or warning of sudden cardiac death as a potentially fatal complication of COVID-19 vaccination, especially in individuals younger than 45 years of age who received the mRNA vaccines.
New-onset or relapse of uveitis within a month after COVID-19 infection or vaccination
These studies found an association between COVID-19 infection or vaccination and newly diagnosed or recurrent uveitis.
An increase in Guillain-Barré Syndrome cases in Maharashtra (India)
According to the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, they are still investigating the cause behind the sudden spike in GBS cases in Maharashtra.
Higher serum ferritin levels distinguish long COVID patients who subsequently developed a clinical diagnosis of ME/CFS from those who did not meet the ME/CFS criteria
This study revealed that patients with long COVID who developed ME/CFS based on all of the three internationally standardized criteria had increased serum ferritin levels, identifyng serum ferritin as a possible biomarkers for detecting the transition to an ME/CFS condition, especially in female patients.
In a 7-year follow-up, 61% of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who had no cardiovascular disease were found to have subclinical left ventricular dysfunction
Type 2 diabetes is an independent risk factor for subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in asymptomatic patients without cardiovascular diseases.
A Korean nationwide study with 558,017 participants found that COVID-vaccinated individuals had a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment
The findings showed an increased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and its prodromal stage, mild cognitive impairment, in COVID-vaccinated individuals, particularly those receiving mRNA vaccines, within three months post-vaccination.
Orthostatic intolerance associated with decreased levels of circulating growth hormone was found in long COVID patients under 20 years of age
This study showed a high rate (38%) of standing test positivity in patients with long COVID. The ST-positive long COVID patients under 20 years of age had decreased circulating growth hormone levels.
By blocking the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, pomegranate peel extract reduces inflammation and alleviates symptoms in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome
These findings underline the potential of PPE in the treatment of intestinal diseases.
The P3 peptide of the SARS-CoV2 spike protein shares sequence homology with Staphylococcus aureus superantigens and several endogenous mammalian proteins and induces T-cell proliferation
This study identified a small peptide P3 in the S2 subunit of the SARS-CoV2 S protein with sequence homology to bacterial superantigens and the capacity to induce unexpected proliferation of T-cells.
Genomic analyses of Staphylococcus aureus isolates show bacterial adaptation to COVID-19 selective pressure
Comparative genomic analysis of a collection of 339 S. aureus isolates from patients with bacteremia highlighted bacterial adaptation to COVID-19 selective pressure.
Relationship between the metabolic pathways associated with low serum vitamin D levels and the neurodevelopment measure (the ASQ communication score)
Low levels of vitamin D were associated with changes in the metabolic networks of tryptophan metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis.
The first report of a critically ill pediatric patient with avian influenza A(H5N1) infection, respiratory and renal failure (and consistently higher viral concentrations in the lower respiratory tract) in North America
The authors from Canada reported a severe avian influenza A(H5N1) illness in a 13-year-old adolescent with respiratory failure, left lower lobe pneumonia, acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia.
A low level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in liver cirrhosis is an independent risk factor for decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure, and liver-related mortality
Lower levels of IGF-1 were an independent risk factor for further decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure and liver-related mortality, highlighting the clinical significance of low IGF-1 in liver cirrhosis.
Radial artery thrombosis occurred in 13% of individuals who underwent coronary angiography via the proximal transradial route
This study investigated the occurrence of radial artery thrombosis following the transradial route of coronary angiography and related risk factors for its occurrence.
An advanced MRI technique, quantitative susceptibility mapping at 7 T, revealed microstructural brainstem abnormalities in COVID-19 survivors over months after hospitalization
Non-invasive ultra-high-field 7 T QSM showed imaging evidence of pathophysiological changes and microstructural abnormalities in the brainstem over months after COVID-19 hospitalization.
Neurological symptoms and cognitive impairment were more prevalent in younger and middle-aged patients with neuro-long COVID, and they reported lower quality of life than older patients
Age-related differences in neuro-long COVID showed that younger and middle-aged patients were more severely affected than older patients.
SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the cellular senescence pathway in susceptible dopaminergic neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells (increased risk of viral-induced parkinsonism?)
This study demonstrated selective in vitro vulnerability of purified DA neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the associated inflammatory and cellular senescence response.
Treatment of postpartum constipation using Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TTNS)
Bilateral TTNS, integrated with traditional physical therapy with diaphragmatic and abdominal exercises, improved constipation symptoms and quality of life in postpartum women.
18% of patients with post-COVID-19 vaccination syndrome were found to have autoantibodies against peripheral nerve structures
This study has shown that serum prevalence of autoreactive IgGs against peripheral nerve structures was significantly higher in PCVS patients than in healthy controls. IgG binding was directed against axons, paranodes, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, and Schwann cell nuclei.
The attachment pattern, replication, and infection of the upper and lower human respiratory tract differ between the H5N1 virus of clade 2.3.4.4b, the H5N1 virus of clade 2.1.3.2 and a seasonal H3N2 virus
Currently circulating the HPAI H5N1 virus of clade 2.3.4.4b attached better to the human respiratory tract than the H5N1 virus of clade 2.1.3.2. More abundant attachment to the human respiratory tract of the H5N12022 virus was associated with its more effective replication.
Postmortem brain samples from COVID-19 convalescents who died within 4-13 months of acute infection showed an Alzheimer’s disease-like increase in hyperphosphorylated tau protein
This study found abnormal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins in the postmortem human brain samples of hippocampus and medial entorhinal cortex within 4-13 months after acute COVID-19.