Incorporating Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Dual Functional Groups into Thermosetting Polymer Chain for Enhancing Antithrombogenicity.

In clinical practice, high-effective antithrombosis remains a challenge for blood-contacting medical devices. Inspired by the enhanced antithrombogenicity of anticoagulant and antiplatelet combination therapy, a strategy is proposed to synthesize dual-pathway antithrombotic polymers by incorporating anticoagulant and antiplatelet dual functional groups into a single thermosetting polymer chain. The synthesized polymer shows increased antithrombogenicity in vitro, with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and decreased platelet adhesion. Additionally, it downregulates the expression of coagulation- and inflammation-related factors in rabbit plasma after ex vivo arteriovenous shunt assay and maintains patency of small vascular grafts for at least 6 months without thrombosis on the luminal surface after in vivo replacement of rabbit carotid artery. This work provides a new approach to producing novel antithrombotic polymers for blood-contacting medical devices.

Hyperprolactinaemia is common in Chinese premenopausal women with breast diseases.

Purpose: Hyperprolactinaemia has been proposed to play a role in breast lesions pathophysiology. Thus far, controversial results have been reported for the relationship between hyperprolactinaemia and breast lesions. Moreover, the prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia in a population with breast lesions is scarcely reported. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia in Chinese premenopausal women with breast diseases, and explore the associations between hyperprolactinaemia with different clinical characteristics. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study performed in the department of breast surgery of Qilu hospital of Shandong University. Overall, 1,461 female patients who underwent the serum prolactin (PRL) level assay before breast surgery from January 2019 to December 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two groups: before and after menopause. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results: The results showed an elevated PRL level in 376 of the 1,461 female patients with breast lesions (25.74%). Furthermore, the proportion of hyperprolactinemia among premenopausal patients with breast disease (35.75%, 340/951) was significantly higher than among postmenopausal patients with breast disease (7.06%, 36/510). In premenopausal patients, the proportion of patients with hyperprolactinaemia and the mean serum PRL level were significantly higher in those diagnosed with fibroepithelial tumours (FETs) and in younger patients (aged < 35 years) than in those with non-neoplastic lesions and in those aged ≥ 35 years (both p < 0.05). Especially, the prolactin level exhibited steady ascending tendency for positive correlation with FET. Conclusion: Hyperprolactinaemia is prevalent in Chinese premenopausal patients with breast diseases, especially in those with FETs, which implies a potential association, to some extent, between the PRL levels in various breast diseases.

Patient-derived microphysiological model identifies the therapeutic potential of metformin for thoracic aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is the permanent dilation of the thoracic aortic wall that predisposes patients to lethal events such as aortic dissection or rupture, for which effective medical therapy remains scarce. Human-relevant microphysiological models serve as a promising tool in drug screening and discovery. METHODS: We developed a dynamic, rhythmically stretching, three-dimensional microphysiological model. Using patient-derived human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs), we tested the biological features of the model and compared them with native aortic tissues. Drug testing was performed on the individualized TAA models, and the potentially effective drug was further tested using ß-aminopropionitrile-treated mice and retrospective clinical data. FINDINGS: The HAoSMCs on the model recapitulated the expressions of many TAA-related genes in tissue. Phenotypic switching and mitochondrial dysfunction, two disease hallmarks of TAA, were highlighted on the microphysiological model: the TAA-derived HAoSMCs exhibited lower alpha-smooth muscle actin expression, lower mitochondrial membrane potential, lower oxygen consumption rate and higher superoxide accumulation than control cells, while these differences were not evidently reflected in two-dimensional culture flasks. Model-based drug testing demonstrated that metformin partially recovered contractile phenotype and mitochondrial function in TAA patients' cells. Mouse experiment and clinical investigations also demonstrated better preserved aortic microstructure, higher nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide level and lower aortic diameter with metformin treatment. INTERPRETATION: These findings support the application of this human-relevant microphysiological model in studying personalized disease characteristics and facilitating drug discovery for TAA. Metformin may regulate contractile phenotypes and metabolic dysfunctions in diseased HAoSMCs and limit aortic dilation. FUNDING: This work was supported by grants from National Key R&D Program of China (2018YFC1005002), National Natural Science Foundation of China (82070482, 81771971, 81772007, 51927805, and 21734003), the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (20ZR1411700, 18ZR1407000, 17JC1400200, and 20YF1406900), Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project (2017SHZDZX01), and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (Innovation Program 2017-01-07-00-07-E00027). Y.S.Z. was not supported by any of these funds; instead, the Brigham Research Institute is acknowledged.

Enhanced Interlayer Interaction and Second-Harmonic-Generation Response in a KBe2BO3F2-Type Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Zinc Borate.

A new inorganic-organic hybrid zinc borate was prepared under hydrothermal conditions. This compound is the first KBe2BO3F2 (KBBF) derivative with zinc borate layers linked by mononegatively charged amino acids. Notably, it exhibits a relatively large second-harmonic-generation response of about 2.0 times that of KBBF and a moderate birefringence for phase matching in the UV region. The enhanced interlayer interaction was evaluated by theoretical calculations based on density functional theory.

Potentially effective drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 or MIS-C in children: a systematic review.

The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using potential drugs: remdesivir and glucocorticoid in treating children and adolescents with COVID-19 and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating MIS-C. We searched seven databases, three preprint platform, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google from December 1, 2019, to August 5, 2021, to collect evidence of remdesivir, glucocorticoid, and IVIG which were used in children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C. A total of nine cohort studies and one case series study were included in this systematic review. In terms of remdesivir, the meta-analysis of single-arm cohort studies have shown that after the treatment, 54.7% (95%CI, 10.3 to 99.1%) experienced adverse events, 5.6% (95%CI, 1.2 to 10.1%) died, and 27.0% (95%CI, 0 to 73.0%) needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or invasive mechanical ventilation. As for glucocorticoids, the results of the meta-analysis showed that the fixed-effect summary odds ratio for the association with mortality was 2.79 (95%CI, 0.13 to 60.87), and the mechanical ventilation rate was 3.12 (95%CI, 0.80 to 12.08) for glucocorticoids compared with the control group. In terms of IVIG, most of the included cohort studies showed that for MIS-C patients with more severe clinical symptoms, IVIG combined with methylprednisolone could achieve better clinical efficacy than IVIG alone. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the current evidence in the included studies is insignificant and of low quality. It is recommended to conduct high-quality randomized controlled trials of remdesivir, glucocorticoids, and IVIG in children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C to provide substantial evidence for the development of guidelines. WHAT IS KNOWN: • The efficacy and safety of using potential drugs such as remdesivir, glucocorticoid, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating children and adolescents with COVID-19/MIS-C are unclear. WHAT IS NEW: • Overall, the current evidence cannot adequately demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of using remdesivir, glucocorticoids, and IVIG in treating children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C. • We are calling for the publication of high-quality clinical trials and provide substantial evidence for the development of guidelines.

Selective Leaching of Inert Mineral Product and the RO Phase in Steel Slag with Acetum to Improve Total Fe Content.

The chemical and mineral components of the leaching residues obtained during the leaching of inert mineral product (IMP) and two samples of divalent metal oxide continuous solid solution (RO phase) by acetum at 20 °C were analyzed to reveal the selective leaching characteristics of the chemical and mineral components in steel slag, and clarify the leaching rates and differences of MgO and FeO in the RO phase. The results indicated that the content of total Fe (TFe) in the leaching residue increased, whereas the contents of CaO, SiO2, and MgO decreased during the leaching of the inert mineral product by acetum. Fe3O4 was insoluble in acetum. The leaching rates of the RO phase and metallic Fe were very low, while those of calcium silicate (C2S + C3S) and dicalcium ferrite (C2F) were quite high. MgO and FeO in the RO phase continuously leached over time, and the leaching rate of MgO reached 1.9 times that of FeO. Therefore, during the leaching of the RO phase by acetum, the FeO content increased, whereas the MgO content decreased. In conclusion, acetum leaching can effectively improve the TFe content of the RO phase and the inert mineral product.

Development of a bifunctional edible coating for formaldehyde scavenging and preservation of aquatic products.

BACKGROUND: Although exogenous and endogenous formaldehyde in squid has led to severe health threat, an in-depth study on natural edible scavengers for formaldehyde in squid is still lacking. RESULTS: Response surface methodology (RSM) combined with experimental verification approaches was applied to obtain an optimal 'recipe' to achieve formaldehyde removal rate of >85%: 6 mg mL-1 tea polyphenols, 20 mg mL-1 chitosan, 3:2 (v/v) tea polyphenols and chitosan, a pH value of 3 and 60 min treatment time. Apart from the capability of removing formaldehyde, the scavenger derived from natural food exhibited a significant preservation effect (extension of preservation time up to 40%) on squid during chilled storage, and was safe and environmentally friendly. Meanwhile, a synergetic effect of the two components on scavenging formaldehyde was unraveled by multimolecular infrared spectroscopy. CONCLUSION: An edible and bifunctional reagent composed of tea polyphenols and chitosan was developed for simultaneously removing artificially added or endogenous formaldehyde and for preservation of squid. The bifunctional coating shows promise as a formaldehyde scavenger and green preservative for aquatic products. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Application of an Automatic Medical Information System to Implement Bundle Care for the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a common hospital-acquired infection. It causes patients to stay longer in the hospital and increases medical costs. This study explores the effect of applying an automatic medical information system to implement five-item prevention care bundles on the prevention of ventilator-related pneumonia. This study was a retrospective cohort study. This study was conducted from October 2017 to February 2018 and collected data from the intensive care unit of a medical center in southern Taiwan from January 2013 to May 2016. The control group (enrolled from January 2013 to June 2014) received oral hygiene. The experimental group (enrolled from July 2014 to December 2015) received five-item ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention care bundles, which consisted of (1) elevation of the head of the bed to 30-45°; (2) daily oral care with 0.12-0.2% chlorhexidine twice daily; (3) daily assessment of readiness to extubate; (4) daily sedative interruption; and (5) emptying water from the respirator tube. Results showed the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the bundle group was significantly less than the oral hygiene group (p = 0.029). The factors that significantly affected the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia were ventilator-associated pneumonia care bundle, ventilator-days, and intensive care unit length of stay. A significant reduction in ventilator-associated pneumonia rate in the bundle group compared to the oral hygiene group (OR = 0.366, 95% CI = 0.159-0.840) was observed, with 63.4% effectiveness. Application of an automatic medical information system to implement bundle care can significantly reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Aorta smooth muscle-on-a-chip reveals impaired mitochondrial dynamics as a therapeutic target for aortic aneurysm in bicuspid aortic valve disease.

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiovascular disease in general population and is frequently associated with the development of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). There is no effective strategy to intervene with TAA progression due to an incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis. Insufficiency of NOTCH1 expression is highly related to BAV-TAA, but the underlying mechanism remains to be clarified. Methods: A comparative proteomics analysis was used to explore the biological differences between non-diseased and BAV-TAA aortic tissues. A microfluidics-based aorta smooth muscle-on-a-chip model was constructed to evaluate the effect of NOTCH1 deficiency on contractile phenotype and mitochondrial dynamics of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs). Results: Protein analyses of human aortic tissues showed the insufficient expression of NOTCH1 and impaired mitochondrial dynamics in BAV-TAA. HAoSMCs with NOTCH1-knockdown exhibited reduced contractile phenotype and were accompanied by attenuated mitochondrial fusion. Furthermore, we identified that mitochondrial fusion activators (leflunomide and teriflunomide) or mitochondrial fission inhibitor (Mdivi-1) partially rescued the disorders of mitochondrial dynamics in HAoSMCs derived from BAV-TAA patients. Conclusions: The aorta smooth muscle-on-a-chip model simulates the human pathophysiological parameters of aorta biomechanics and provides a platform for molecular mechanism studies of aortic disease and related drug screening. This aorta smooth muscle-on-a-chip model and human tissue proteomic analysis revealed that impaired mitochondrial dynamics could be a potential therapeutic target for BAV-TAA. Funding: National Key R and D Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project, Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

To function properly, the heart must remain a one-way system, pumping out oxygenated blood into the aorta ­ the largest artery in the body ­ so it can be distributed across the organism. The aortic valve, which sits at the entrance of the aorta, is a key component of this system. Its three flaps (or 'cusps') are pushed open when the blood exits the heart, and they shut tightly so it does not flow back in the incorrect direction. Nearly 1.4% of people around the world are born with 'bicuspid' aortic valves that only have two flaps. These valves may harden or become leaky, forcing the heart to work harder. This defect is also associated with bulges on the aorta which progressively weaken the artery, sometimes causing it to rupture. Open-heart surgery is currently the only way to treat these bulges (or 'aneurysms'), as no drug exists that could slow down disease progression. This is partly because the biological processes involved in the aneurysms worsening and bursting open is unclear. Recent studies have highlighted that many individuals with bicuspid aortic valves also have lower levels of a protein known as NOTCH1, which plays a key signalling role for cells. Problems in the mitochondria ­ the structures that power up a cell ­ are also observed. However, it is not known how these findings are connected or linked with the aneurysms developing. To answer this question, Abudupataer et al. analyzed the proteins present in diseased and healthy aortic muscle cells, confirming a lower production of NOTCH1 and impaired mitochondria in diseased tissues. They also created an 'aorta-on-a-chip' model where aortic muscle cells were grown in the laboratory under conditions resembling those found in the body ­ including the rhythmic strain that the aorta is under because of the heart beating. Abudupataer et al. then reduced NOTCH1 levels in healthy samples, which made the muscle tissue less able to contract and reduced the activity of the mitochondria. Applying drugs that tweak mitochondrial activity helped tissues from patients with bicuspid aortic valves to work better. These compounds could potentially benefit individuals with deficient aortic valves, but experiments in animals and clinical trials would be needed first to confirm the results and assess safety. The aorta-on-a-chip model developed by Abudupataer et al. also provides a platform to screen for drugs and examine the molecular mechanisms at play in aortic diseases.

Plasma proteomic profiling reveals biomarkers associated with aortic dilation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve.

BACKGROUND: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart anomaly and is prone to cause complications, such as valvular stenosis and thoracic aortic dilation. There is currently no reliable way to predict the progression rate to thoracic aortic aneurysm. Here, we aimed to characterize the proteomic landscape in the plasma of stenotic BAV patients and provide potential biomarkers to predict progressive aortic dilation. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 45 subjects (30 stenotic BAV patients and 15 healthy controls). All samples were properly prepared and analyzed using mass spectrometry (MS)-based label-free quantitative proteomics. RESULTS: A total of 748 plasma proteins had missingness <50%, and 193 (25.8%) were differentially expressed in the BAV patients. Functions regarding cell junction and actin cytoskeleton were largely enriched. NOTCH3, a Notch receptor known to interact with the BAV-causing gene NOTCH1, was negatively correlated with aortic diameter and was downregulated in BAV patients' plasma and aortic smooth muscle cells. Further, a subset of plasma proteins, including ADAM10, was associated with rapidly progressive aortic dilation in BAV patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal unique features in the proteomic architecture of stenotic BAV patients' plasma, and we propose the potential of Notch signaling proteins NOTCH3 and ADAM10 in predicting aortic dilation.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: a systematic review of published case studies.

BACKGROUND: Many cases have been reported recently on multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a newly emerged disease that seemed to correlate with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this review was to describe the clinical features, treatment and outcomes of MIS-C, as well as to assess the risk of bias of published case studies, analyzing their reporting quality. METHODS: We searched all articles reporting on multisystem inflammatory condition in children and adolescents in the context of COVID-19 through MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from their inception to June 17, 2020. We used CARE and IHE checklists to evaluate the risk of bias and quality of the included studies. We combined the data of clinical manifestations, imaging findings, treatments and outcomes using STATA version 15. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were included, with a total of 270 participants. Most cases were from Europe and the United States, and the terms of MIS-C in different articles were varied. Fever and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most experienced symptoms. Shock, rash, conjunctivitis, lips or oral cavity changes, hand and feet anomalies, and lymphadenopathy were observed, while respiratory symptoms seemed relatively infrequent. Seventy-eight percent to 100% of patients had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 by serology [86% (95% CI: 78%, 95%)] were more than those by RT-PCR [36% (95% CI: 26%, 46%)]. Most patients had one or more increased inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and D-dimer, accompanied by neutrophilia and lymphopenia. Impaired cardiac function was seen from elevated biomarkers and abnormal echocardiography. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), anticoagulants, inotropic agents and glucocorticoids were the main treatments, along with other intensive supportive care. Overall, the outcomes of MIS-C were favorable, and only one death was recorded. In terms of the quality assessment of included studies, most of the case studies did not follow the standard reporting checklist, so that they failed to get higher scores in the risk of bias assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MIS-C present with symptoms more severe than children with COVID-19, with fever and gastrointestinal symptoms as the primary manifestations and multisystem involvement, particularly cardiovascular system. Longer follow-up and further researches for the pathophysiology of MIS-C are urgently needed. In addition, attention should be paid to the quality of case studies to improve the completeness and transparency of scientific reports.

Simultaneous detection of trace adulterants in food based on multi-molecular infrared (MM-IR) spectroscopy.

Simultaneously rapid detection of trace adulterants in the complex systems of food without extraction is considered highly challenging. Herein, a high-throughput and rapid methodology, multi-molecular infrared (MM-IR) spectroscopy was developed for simultaneous detection of multiple trace adulterants in food. Flour was applied to demonstrate the capabilities of MM-IR with spatial resolution, spectral qualitative and quantitative analysis. Signals of 5 trace adulterants (rongalit, potassium bromate, borax, aluminum potassium sulfate and fluorescent brighter) were spatially revealed by IR hyperspectral imaging with group-peak matching, and further unveiled spectrally with second derivative two dimensional correlation infrared (SD-2DCOS IR) spectroscopy for higher resolution. Moreover, quantitative analysis of trace adulterants was conducted with partial least squares (PLS) modeling in ppm level. Composed of the above techniques and a series of resolution enhancement techniques (MW-2DCOS IR, 2T-2DCOS IR, etc.), MM-IR presented significant advantages on simultaneous detection of trace adulterants in food and therefore possessed the potential for food comprehensive analysis.

Breastfeeding of infants born to mothers with COVID-19: a rapid review.

BACKGROUND: Existing recommendations on whether mothers with COVID-19 should continue breastfeeding are still conflicting. We aimed to conduct a rapid review of mother-to-child transmission of COVID-19 during breastfeeding. METHODS: We systematically searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and preprint articles up to March 2020. We included studies relevant to transmission through milk and respiratory droplets during breastfeeding of mothers with COVID-19, SARS, MERS and influenza. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and used GRADE to assess certainty of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 4,481 records were identified in our literature search. Six studies (five case reports and one case series) involving 58 mothers (16 mothers with COVID-19, 42 mothers with influenza) and their infants proved eligible. Five case reports showed that the viral nucleic acid tests for all thirteen collected samples of breast milk from mothers with COVID-19 were negative. A case series of 42 influenza infected postpartum mothers taking precautions (hand hygiene and wearing masks) before breastfeeding showed that no neonates were infected with influenza during one-month of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleic acid has not been detected in breast milk. The benefits of breastfeeding may outweigh the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants. Mothers with COVID-19 should take appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of transmission via droplets and close contact during breastfeeding.

Efficacy and safety of antibiotic agents in children with COVID-19: a rapid review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antibiotic agents in children with COVID-19, as well as to introduce the present situation of antibiotics use and bacterial coinfections in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We searched Cochrane library, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CBM, Wanfang Data and CNKI from their inception to March 31, 2020. In addition, we searched related studies on COVID-19 published before March 31, 2020 through Google Scholar. We evaluated the risk of bias of included studies, and synthesized the results using a qualitative synthesis. RESULTS: Six studies met our inclusion criteria. Five studies on SARS showed an overall risk of death of 7.2% to 20.0%. One study of SARS patients who used macrolides, quinolones or beta lactamases showed that the mean duration of hospital stay was 14.2, 13.8 and 16.2 days, respectively, and their average duration of fever was 14.3, 14.0 and 16.2 days, respectively. One cohort study on MERS indicated that macrolide therapy was not associated with a significant reduction in 90-day mortality (adjusted OR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.47-1.51, P=0.56) and improvement in MERS-CoV RNA clearance (adjusted HR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.47-1.64, P=0.68). According to the findings of 33 studies, the proportion of antibiotics use ranged from 19.4% to 100.0% in children and 13.2% to 100.0% in adults, despite the lack of etiological evidence. The most commonly used antibiotics in adults were quinolones, cephalosporins and macrolides and in children meropenem and linezolid. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of antibiotic agents for adults with SARS or MERS were questionable in the absence of bacterial coinfections. There is no evidence to support the use of antibiotic agents for children with COVID-19 in the absence of bacterial coinfection.

A follow-up study of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 from western China.

BACKGROUND: To clarify the characteristic and the duration of positive nucleic acid in children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including asymptomatic children. METHODS: A total of 32 children confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection between January 24 and February 12, 2020 from four provinces in western China were enrolled in this study and followed up until discharge and quarantine 14 days later. RESULTS: Eleven children (34%) were asymptomatic, among whom six children had normal computed tomographic (CT) scan images. Age and gender were not associated with clinical symptoms or the results of CT scan in children infected with SARS-CoV-2. The concentrations of white blood cells and neutrophils were higher in children with asymptomatic infection than in children with clinical symptoms or CT abnormalities. Patients who presented with CT abnormalities had lower D-dimer or lower total bilirubin than those who had normal CT scan but clinical symptoms. All children recovered and no one died or was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The mean duration of positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was 15.4 (SD =7.2) days and similar for both asymptomatic children and children with symptoms or CT abnormalities. We found a significant negative correlation between the lymphocyte count and the duration of positive nucleic acid test. CONCLUSIONS: Children with asymptomatic infection should be quarantined for the same duration as symptomatic patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The clinical significance and mechanism behind the negative correlation between the number of lymphocytes and the duration of positive SARS-CoV-2 needs further study.

Effectiveness and safety of glucocorticoids to treat COVID-19: a rapid review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids are widely used in the treatment of various pulmonary inflammatory diseases, but they are also often accompanied by significant adverse reactions. Published guidelines point out that low dose and short duration systemic glucocorticoid therapy may be considered for patients with rapidly progressing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) while the evidence is still limited. METHODS: We comprehensively searched electronic databases and supplemented the screening by conducting a manual search. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies evaluating the effectiveness and safety of glucocorticoids in children and adults with COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and conducted meta-analyses of the main indicators that were identified in the studies. RESULTS: Our search retrieved 23 studies, including one RCT and 22 cohort studies, with a total of 13,815 patients. In adults with COVID-19, the use of systemic glucocorticoid did not reduce mortality [risk ratio (RR) =2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69 to 5.75, I2=90.9%] or the duration of lung inflammation [weighted mean difference (WMD) =-1 days, 95% CI: -2.91 to 0.91], while a significant reduction was found in the duration of fever (WMD =-3.23 days, 95% CI: -3.56 to -2.90). In patients with SARS, glucocorticoids also did not reduce the mortality (RR =1.52, 95% CI: 0.89 to 2.60, I2=84.6%), duration of fever (WMD =0.82 days, 95% CI: -2.88 to 4.52, I2=97.9%) or duration of lung inflammation absorption (WMD =0.95 days, 95% CI: -7.57 to 9.48, I2=94.6%). The use of systemic glucocorticoid therapy prolonged the duration of hospital stay in all patients (COVID-19, SARS and MERS). CONCLUSIONS: Glucocorticoid therapy was found to reduce the duration of fever, but not mortality, duration of hospitalization or lung inflammation absorption. Long-term use of high-dose glucocorticoids increased the risk of adverse reactions such as coinfections, so routine use of systemic glucocorticoids for patients with COVID-19 cannot be recommend.