SARS-CoV-2-Induced TSLP Is Associated with Duration of Hospital Stay in COVID-19 Patients.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelium-derived pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in lung inflammatory responses. Previous studies show conflicting observations in blood TSLP in COVID-19, while none report SARS-CoV-2 inducing TSLP expression in bronchial epithelial cells. Our objective in this study was to determine whether TSLP levels increase in COVID-19 patients and if SARS-CoV-2 induces TSLP expression in bronchial epithelial cells. Plasma cytokine levels were measured in patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Demographic and clinical information from COVID-19 patients was collected. We determined associations between plasma TSLP and clinical parameters using Poisson regression. Cultured human nasal (HNEpC) and bronchial epithelial cells (NHBEs), Caco-2 cells, and patient-derived bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) obtained from elective bronchoscopy were infected in vitro with SARS-CoV-2, and secretion as well as intracellular expression of TSLP was detected by immunofluorescence. Increased TSLP levels were detected in the plasma of hospitalized COVID-19 patients (603.4 ± 75.4 vs 997.6 ± 241.4 fg/mL, mean ± SEM), the levels of which correlated with duration of stay in hospital (ß: 0.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01-0.21). In cultured NHBE and HBECs but not HNEpCs or Caco-2 cells, TSLP levels were significantly elevated after 24 h post-infection with SARS-CoV-2 (p < 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner. Plasma TSLP in COVID-19 patients significantly correlated with duration of hospitalization, while SARS-CoV-2 induced TSLP secretion from bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. Based on our findings, TSLP may be considered an important therapeutic target for COVID-19 treatment.

Information needs, seeking behaviors, and support among low-income expectant women.

Previous studies have consistently found associations between low income and infant health outcomes. Moreover, although health information-seeking is a maternal behavior related to improved health outcomes, little is known about the health information-seeking behaviors and information needs of low-income pregnant women. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the information needs, information-seeking behaviors, and perceived informational support of low-income pregnant women. Accordingly, the study recruited 63 expectant women enrolled in a subsidized prenatal care program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during two time periods: March-May 2011 and October-December 2011. Results indicated that participants relied heavily upon interpersonal sources of information, especially family and the father of the baby; rarely used the Internet for health-related information; and desired information beyond infant and maternal health, such as finding jobs and accessing community/government resources. Participants who used family members as primary sources of information also had significantly increased levels of perceived informational support and reduced uncertainty about pregnancy. Our findings have implications for the dissemination of pregnancy-related health information among low-income expectant women.

A two-way text-messaging system answering health questions for low-income pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to gauge the effectiveness of a low-cost, automated, two-way text-messaging system to distribute pregnancy and health-related information to low-income expectant women. METHODS: In total, 20 participants were recruited for a one-month intervention involving the use of cell phones to text pregnancy-related questions to the system. Participants received either a direct answer or encouragement to seek answers from health care providers. Pre- and post-tests as well as a focus group at the end of the intervention were conducted. RESULTS: Participants uniformly found the system easy to use and accessible. Using the system increased levels of perceived pregnancy-related knowledge and facilitated patient-provider communication. Moreover, participants reported significant reductions in stress and depression and improved mental health after using the system. The system responded to most known questions quickly and accurately, and also encountered many new topics and linguistic expressions. CONCLUSION: Overall, the data indicated that the text messaging system offered psychological benefits and promoted health communication by providing health information and encouraging patient-provider communication. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: An automated, two-way text messaging system is an efficient, cost-effective, and acceptable method for providing health information to low-income pregnant women.