Visuospatial deficit was associated with brain neuroimaging findings, and correlated with the upregulation of certain immune markers in approximately one-quarter of participants four months after acute COVID-19.
intracellular microbes
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The cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, recently defined by the American Heart Association
AHA presidental advisory provides the definition of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome syndrome and the guidance on how to better detect, prevent, and manage it.
A role of tau protein dysregulation in glaucomatous neurodegeneration
This review article discusses the new perspective of glaucoma as a tau-associated disorder, and analyzes the recent findings on the link between tau protein dysregulation and glaucomatous neurodegeneration.
Autoantibodies against elements of autonomic regulation are present in individuals with post-COVID-19 vaccination syndrome
Two receptor antibodies (angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies and alpha-2B adrenergic receptor) and serum levels of IL-6/IL-8 can distinguish individuals with PCVSÂ from vaccinated individuals who did not develop PCVS.
Symptoms of dysautonomia and neuropathy in a new-onset small fiber neuropathy after COVID-19
A case series of a new onset small fiber neuropathy after COVID-19. Some patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.
Differences in immune profiles and hormone levels in individuals with long COVID, more than one year after acute infection
This study demonstrated differences in immune profiles and hormone levels in individuals with long COVID, more than one year after acute infection.
Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is more likely to cause febrile seizures and unconsciousness in children than non-Omicron variants
The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was associated with a higher rate of febrile seizures and unconsciousness in infected children than the non-Omicron variants.
The risk of cardiac arrhythmias is increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (nationwide Swedish cohort study)
The patients with inflammatory bowel disease had an increased long-term risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias, with the exception of bradyarrhythmias
The diversity of intracellular microbes in immune cells of SARS-CoV-2 positive and COVID-19 recovered individuals
This study demonstrates diversity of intracellular microbes in immune cells of healthy individuals, SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, and COVID-19 recovered individuals.
Other Entries
Reduced corneal innervation and increased dendritic cell density in the cornea of long COVID patients 20 months after the infection
These results show a decrease in corneal nerve density and branch density, as well as an increase in dendritic cell density in patients with long COVID in comparison to the control group.
The classification of SARS-CoV-2 variants into five serotypes is based on the antigenicity of the receptor-binding domain
Chinese researchers propose the classification of SARS-CoV-2 variants into five serotypes based on the antigenicity of the receptor-binding domain
The occurrence of anosmia is strongly dependent on the SARS-CoV-2 variant (animal study)
In hamsters infected with the original Wuhan strain, or the three viral variants, anosmia was strongly dependent on the SARS-CoV-2 variant.
Rosmarinic acid has a protective effect in an animal model of inflammatory bowel disease by regulating intestinal flora
The rosmarinic acid effectively reduces intestinal inflammation, intestinal flora dysbiosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, cell death, and intestinal smooth muscle contraction abnormalities through the regulation of intestinal microbiota.
SARS-CoV-2 infects human CD4+T helper cells by binding to the CD4 molecule
This study showed that SARS-CoV-2 infects CD4+ T cells, and that the S glycoprotein binds directly to the CD4 molecule.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can cross-react with Dengue virus and enhance its infection through antibody-dependent enhancement
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can cross-react with DENV-2 and enhance Dengue virus infection through antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).
Long COVID patients improved with chronic use of acyclovir (case series studies)
Two case series studies demonstrated that four patients with long COVID improved with chronic use of acyclovir.
Transfer of fecal material from Alzheimer’s disease patients to healthy young adult rats resulted in cognitive symptoms and impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis
Transfer of fecal material from Alzheimer’s disease patients to healthy young adult rats resulted in cognitive symptoms and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis.
29% of healthcare workers developed de novo autoantibody production after receiving three doses of mRNA-based anti-SARSCoV-2 vaccines
A significant proportion (29%) of healthcare workers developed de novo autoantibody production after mRNA-based anti-SARSCoV-2 vaccination.
Neurometabolites indicative of neuronal damage and glial dysfunction are altered in the brains of patients with long COVID and neuropsychiatric symptoms
Alterations in neurometabolites that indicate neuronal damage and glial dysfunction in the brains of subjects with long COVID syndrome
Proteomic analyzes showed that 50% of subjects who received mRNA-based vaccines had specific fragments of recombinant S protein in their blood samples 2–6 months after vaccination
50% of subjects who received mRNA-based vaccines had specific fragments of recombinant S protein in their blood samples 2–6 months after vaccination.
The activation of human endogenous retroviruses and inflammatory mediators in children with COVID-19, Kawasaki disease and multisystem inflammatory syndrome
Activation of HERVs and inflammatory mediators in children with COVID19, multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and Kawasaki disease.
Progress in tissue engineering: simplified two-layer cerebral cortical tissue can be produced using a droplet-based 3D-printing technique
The results show that a simplified two-layer cerebral cortical tissue can be produced using a droplet-based 3D-printing. Implantation of these constructs into ex vivo mouse brain explants demonstrated the structural integration of the implants and their correlated Ca2+ oscillations.
Increased T-cell activation in numerous tissues and SARS-CoV-2 spike RNA+ rectosigmoid cells were found in vaccinated individuals up to 2.5 years after acute COVID-19
A whole-body positron emission tomography with a novel radiopharmaceutical [18F]F-AraG showed increased T cell activation in numerous anatomical regions in the post-acute COVID up to 2.5 years after initial infection.
Asymptomatic vaccinated participants have higher myocardial 18F-FDG uptake than unvaccinated participants up to 6 months after their second anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination (PET/CT study)
Individuals who were asymptomatic and underwent PET/CT within a period of 1–180 days following their second vaccination exhibited increased myocardial 18Fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake as compared to unvaccinated individuals.
Spike protein and its receptor-binding domain stimulate different proinflammatory mediators by activating different receptors in cultured microglia
Recombinant full-length S protein and RBD can stimulate human microglia to secrete various proinflammatory mediators via activation of different receptors.
Antiviral drugs have unrecognized antibacterial properties that may contribute to antibiotic resistance burden
A culture-based study, using the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus, has shown that antiviral drugs have previously unrecognized antibacterial properties that may contribute to antibiotic resistance burden.
GWAS revealed that the FOXP4 locus on chromosome 6 is associated with long COVID
The first genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified genetic variants within the FOXP4 locus as a risk factor for long COVID.
BA.2.86 variant is highly immune evasive and antigenically distinct from XBB.1.5 and previous Omicron variants
BA.2.86 is highly immune evasive and may have advantages over currently circulating variants in its ability to resist XBB-induced humoral immunity.
The impact of childhood abuse on structural brain changes
Brain regions most frequently affected by childhood abuse include the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, corpus callosum, and cerebellum.
Functional outcomes in patients with locked-in syndrome (Norwegian National Study)
The majority of patients with locked-in syndrome remain severely disabled, but, even small improvements in function can significantly increase the potential for activity and participation.
Spike protein binds directly to bacterial lipopolysaccharide, boosting the inflammatory response and forming spike protein aggregates
The S protein binds to LPS through multiple sites on the S1 and S2 subunits, and that this interaction enhances the inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo.
The S1 subunit of spike protein induces endothelial cell inflammation through processes independent of viral replication
The S1 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces endothelial inflammation via ACE2 through processes that are independent of viral replication.
Brain pathology in deceased athletes who played contact sports and were younger than 30 years of age at the time of death
41% of 152 young brain donors who were exposed to repeated head impacts and who donated their brain to the UNITE Brain Bank, had chronic traumatic encephalopathy
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine alters cytokine responses to heterologous pathogens and Toll-like receptor agonists in children up to six months after vaccination (in vitro study)
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine alters cytokine responses to heterologous stimulants (killed pathogens, Toll-like receptor agonists, and SARS-CoV-2 antigens) in children, and that these effects can persist for up to six months after vaccination.
Semorinemab, an anti-tau monoclonal antibody, did not improve functional and global outcomes in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease (the phase II Lauriet study)
Results showed that semorinemab had a modest positive cognitive effect in patients with mild to moderate AD, but, did not result in improved functional or global outcomes.
Elevated circulating levels of HERV-W ENV and proinflammatory cytokines in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with psychosis spectrum disorder
This study showed that SARS-CoV-2 is connected with HERV-ENV expression and elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with psychosis spectrum disorder who had no history of acute COVID-19 infection and had not been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2.
Omicron variants may have been artificially synthesized rather than naturally formed
According to the results of the study, the scientists concluded that the SARS-CoV-2 isolates are formed by a completely new mechanism that cannot be explained by previous biology and that it is highly unlikely that these viruses arose spontaneously.
The presence of the circulating HERV-W ENV protein and elevated plasma levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgE in post-COVID patients
The study showed that the HERV-W ENV protein was expressed in 58% of plasma samples from post-COVID patients, long after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection was resolved.
Rapid improvement of severe myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease in two children treated with the IL-6 receptor blocker-tocilizumab
IL-6 receptor blocker tocilizumab rapidly improved the condition in both patients with severe, acute manifestations of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD).
SARS-CoV-2 is able to infect and replicate in macrophages in coronary atherosclerotic lesions, promoting plaque inflammation
This study showed that SARS-CoV-2 infected macrophages in coronary atherosclerotic lesions, resulting in plaque inflammation that may promote acute cardiovascular complications.
The analysis of VAERS reporting rates of myocarditis/ pericarditis after mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (pharmacovigilance study)
The retrospective pharmacovigilance study with a comprehensive analysis of potential safety signals associated with myocarditis/pericarditis after the primary and up to three booster doses of mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in different age groups.
SARS-CoV-2 variants affect brain cells and the blood–brain barrier differently
The Wuhan wild-type strain and the Omicron variant induced stress of CNS cells, altered extracellular glutamate concentration, and damaged cellular components of the BBB.
Hemorrhagic myelitis after the SARS-CoV-2 infection (Case series)
An uncommon disease, hemorrhagic myelitis was presented in three cases following SARS-CoV-2 infection, with minimal or no improvement during follow-up.
Three metabolites as possible candidates for “toxic” gut–brain communication in patients with multiple sclerosis
Three metabolites from catabolism of two essential amino acids, tryptophan and phenylalanine, represent possible candidates for ‘toxic’ gut–brain communication in patients with multiple sclerosis.
The role of the tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme IDO2 in patients with long COVID
The tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2 (IDO2) is expressed in PBMC and brain tissue from patients with PASC and involved in PASC pathology.
Exclusive breastfeeding restores perturbations in the gut microbiota caused by the mode of delivery
The perturbation of the infant’s gut microbiota caused by Cesarean section was associated with higher risks of respiratory infection in the first months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding mitigated these delivery mode-induced changes in the infant’s gut microbiota, resulting in decreased susceptibility to respiratory infections.Â
The changes in plasma metabolome observed in long COVID patients two years after acute infection
Mitochondrial dysfunction, redox state imbalance, impaired energy metabolism, and chronic immune dysregulation are likely to be the main hallmarks of long COVID, even two years after acute infection.
Leprosy adverse events associated with BNT162b2 anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (two case reports)
The study presented two cases who met the criteria for a new leprosy adverse event associated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
The presence of concurrent intracellular pathogens can lead to T-cell exhaustion and potentially severe consequences
This theoretical paper discusses the possible interactions between intracellular pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoan parasites when they concurrently infect the same host cells. Concurrent intracellular pathogens can lead to T-cell exhaustion and subvert innate and adaptive immune defenses, with severe consequences.
Cardiac outcome in adolescents with COVID-19 vaccine–associated myocarditis up to one 1 after diagnosis
Impaired systolic and diastolic myocardial deformation and the persistent late gadolinium enhancement were found in a significant subset of patients.
The incidence of leprosy is increasing in the southeastern United States (Case report)
In a recent case report, the authors from the US have warned about an increase in the incidence of leprosy cases without traditional risk factors in Florida, and rising evidence that leprosy has become endemic in the southeastern United States.
The association between depressive symptoms and specific forms of childhood trauma in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders is gender-specific
The study demonstrated that severity of depressive symptoms was associated with specific forms of childhood trauma in men and women with recent-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
An unusual outbreak of Guillain Barré Syndrome in Peru
The Pan American Health Organization as the regional office for the World Health Organization in the Americas issued a briefing note on July 10, 2023, regarding the unusual increase of cases of Guillain Barré Syndrome in different parts of Peru.
Myocardial injury after COVID-19 mRNA-1273 booster vaccination
The findings showed that myocardial injury after mRNA-1273 booster vaccination occurred in one out of 35 people (2.8%), which was higher than incidence estimated in meta-analyses of hospitalized cases with myocarditis (incidence of 0.0035%) after the second vaccination.
Higher risk of intracranial hemorrhage in healthy older people receiving daily low-dose aspirin (ASPREE randomized clinical trial)
The totals of intracranial hemorrhage resulting from a combination of hemorrhagic stroke and other causes of intracerebral hemorrhage, such as subdural, extradural, and subarachnoid bleeding, were significantly higher among individuals treated with aspirin than in individuals assigned to placebo.
The WHO recently confirmed a Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) case in the United Arab Emirates-case description (from July 24, 2023)
On July 24, 2023, the World Health Organization announced a case of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the United Arab Emirates.
A disruption in the expression of steroid receptor coactivator 3 on the regulatory T cells led to the complete elimination of tumors in mouse models of cancer
The findings showed that SRC-3 is a key modulator of Tregs–mediated tumor escape. A disruption in the expression of SRC-3 in Tregs resulted in a complete elimination of tumors in aggressive syngeneic breast cancer mouse models.
A novel signaling-specific inhibitor of the CB1 receptor as a safe and potentially effective treatment for cannabis use disorder (phase 1 and phase 2a randomized trials)
AEF0117 is the first member of a novel pharmacological class of inhibitors, called CB1-SSi, that change the activity of the target receptor in a signaling-specific manner.
The epigenetic crosstalk between the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine or the original S gene of SARS-CoV-2 with the human genome
The original SARS-CoV-2 S gene and the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine exhibit Watson-Crick nucleotide complementarity with human coding or noncoding genes. The patterns of sequence complementarity to the human genome of the BNT162b2 mRNA, encoding the S protein of SARS-CoV-2, differed from those of the original SARS-CoV-2 S gene.