The Impact of Smoking Status and Smoking-Related Comorbidities on Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patient Outcomes: A Causal Mediation Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking history is a known risk factor for significant chronic diseases as well as pulmonary infections; however, the impact of smoking status on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes has not been conclusively characterized. This study aims to evaluate the association of smoking status on COVID-19 outcomes, and to explore the mechanism by which smoking and smoking-related comorbidities relate to COVID-19 outcomes. AIMS AND METHODS: Patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection from November 2020 through January 2021 were included in this study. Causal mediation models investigating the associations between smoking status and the outcomes of mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, advanced respiratory support, mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and hospital length of stay, through mediation via smoking-related comorbidities, were examined. RESULTS: Active smokers did not experience worse COVID-19 outcomes once hospitalized. Former smokers had a higher odds of mortality (total effect OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.38, p = .01; indirect effect OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.93, p < .001), and advanced respiratory support (total effect OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.67, p = .02; indirect effect OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.54, p = .02), which were mediated by smoking-related comorbidities. While there was a nonsignificant increase in the total effect for mechanical ventilation, smoking-related comorbidities were significant mediators for their increased need (total effect OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.92 to 2.14, p = .13; indirect effect OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.87, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Although active smokers did not experience worse COVID-19 outcomes compared to never smokers, these results should be interpreted with caution. Compared to never smokers, former smokers had greater odds of mortality, advanced respiratory support, and mechanical ventilation which was significantly mediated through smoking-related comorbidities. IMPLICATIONS: Previous studies have linked smoking status with worse COVID-19 outcomes, and have inferred that smoking-related comorbidities may play a role in these findings. This causal mediation analysis provides statistical evidence supporting this hypothesis, clarifying the risk that smoking-related comorbidities impart on COVID-19 outcomes in those with a smoking history.

Pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis is associated with changes in esophageal microRNAs.

The incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has increased in the past several years, yet our understanding of its pathogenesis remains limited. To test the hypothesis that microRNAs (miRNAs) are altered in children with EoE, miRNAs were profiled in esophageal mucosa biopsies obtained from patients with active disease (n = 5) and healthy control subjects (n = 6). Fourteen miRNAs were significantly altered between groups; four of these miRNAs were decreased in EoE patients. A panel of five miRNAs (miR-203, miR-375, miR-21, miR-223, and miR-142-3p) were selected for validation in an independent set of samples from control (n = 22), active disease (n = 22), inactive disease (n = 22), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (n = 6) patients. Each panel miRNA was significantly altered among groups. miRNA changes in esophageal biopsies were not reflected in the circulating RNA pool, as no differences in panel miRNA levels were observed in sera collected from the four patient groups. In addition, in contrast to previous studies, no change in esophageal miRNA levels was detected following treatment that resolved esophageal eosinophilia. In an effort to identify the ramifications of reduced esophageal miR-203, miR-203 activity was inhibited in cultured epithelial cells via expression of a tough decoy miRNA inhibitor. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-203 does not directly regulate human IL-15 through targeting of the IL-15 3'-untranslated region. From these experiments, it is concluded that miRNAs are perturbed in the esophageal mucosa, but not the serum, of pediatric EoE patients. Further investigation is required to decipher pathologically relevant consequences of miRNA perturbation in this context.

COVID-19 patients with obesity at risk for worse outcomes despite younger age and fewer inflammatory derangements.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral pulmonary infection that can progress to cytokine storm syndrome because of widespread dysregulated inflammatory response. Many patients at risk for severe COVID-19 manifestation have been identified as those with preexisting conditions of pulmonary origin, as well as conditions that impair appropriate immune response, such as obesity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to describe the manifestation, clinical course, and inflammatory biomarker milieu of COVID-19 in patients with obesity. SETTING: University Hospital Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 600 patients who were positive for COVID-19 were stratified by World Health Organization (WHO) obesity class and their presenting symptoms, disease biomarkers, demographics, and outcomes (intubation rate, intensive care unit [ICU] admission, length of stay [LOS], and mortality) were investigated. RESULTS: Age was inversely related to obesity class; patients of obesity class III presented 12.9 years younger than patients of normal weight (P < .0001). Initial ferritin lab values were negatively correlated with increasing obesity class (P = .0192). Normal or near-normal lymphocyte profile was noted in patients with obesity compared with patients without obesity (P = .0017). Patients with obesity had an increased rate of ICU admission (P = .0215) and increased length of stay (P = .0004), but no differences in intubation rate (P = .3705) or mortality (P = .2486). CONCLUSION: Patients with obesity were more likely to present to the hospital at a younger age, with reduced levels of COVID-19 related biomarker disturbances, and increased LOS and ICU admission rates, although were not at increased risk for mortality.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with obesity undergoing bariatric care.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obesity are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19. The pandemic has caused delays in preoperative preparation, progression, and completion of bariatric surgeries. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on bariatric surgery patients and assess their concern of COVID-19 as they continue the preoperative process. SETTING: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to patients to assess the impact of COVID-19 on their weight loss goals, physical activity, and diet. Time points assessed were initial bariatric consultation (T1), as well as the beginning (T2), and the end (T3) of lockdown restrictions in the region. RESULTS: Seventy-four participants were invited and 50 completed the survey, for a response rate of 67.6%. The average age of participants was 44.1 years. Two-thirds of patients reported significant concern that COVID-19 would affect their weight loss goals. Patients reported significant improvements in their diet from T1 to T2 (P < .01). However, at T3, some patients returned to behaviors held at T1, with snacking behaviors significantly increasing between T2 and T3 (P < .01). Physical activity decreased in 60% of patients between T2 to T3. The vast majority (90%) wanted to have their surgery as soon as possible; 56% reported low levels of concern for COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION: Bariatric patients were highly motivated to proceed with bariatric surgery despite the risks imposed by the pandemic.

Management issues for women with epilepsy--focus on pregnancy (an evidence-based review): III. Vitamin K, folic acid, blood levels, and breast-feeding: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee and Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society.

A committee assembled by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) reassessed the evidence related to the care of women with epilepsy (WWE) during pregnancy, including preconceptional folic acid and prenatal vitamin K use and the clinical implications of placental and breast-milk transfer of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The committee evaluated the available evidence based on a structured literature review and classification of relevant articles. Preconceptional folic acid supplementation is possibly effective in preventing major congenital malformations in the newborns of WWE taking AEDs. There is inadequate evidence to determine if the newborns of WWE taking AEDs have a substantially increased risk of hemorrhagic complications. Primidone and levetiracetam probably transfer into breast milk in clinically important amounts. Valproate, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine probably are not transferred into breast milk in clinically important amounts. Pregnancy probably causes an increase in the clearance and a decrease in the concentrations of lamotrigine, phenytoin, and, to a lesser extent carbamazepine, and possibly decreases the level of levetiracetam and the active oxcarbazepine metabolite, the monohydroxy derivative (MHD). Supplementing WWE with at least 0.4 mg of folic acid before pregnancy may be considered. Monitoring of lamotrigine, carbamazepine, and phenytoin levels during pregnancy should be considered, and monitoring of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine (as MHD) levels may be considered. A paucity of evidence limited the strength of many recommendations.

Rectal microRNAs are perturbed in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease of the colon.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Changes in intestinal microRNAs have been reported in adult patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. The goal of this study was to identify changes in microRNA expression associated with colitis in children with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Rectal mucosal biopsies (n = 50) and blood samples (n = 47) were collected from patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease undergoing endoscopy. Rectal and serum microRNA levels were profiled using the nCounter platform and the TaqMan low-density array platform, respectively. Significantly altered microRNAs were validated in independent sample sets via quantitative RT-PCR. In vitro luciferase reporter assays were performed in the human colorectal Caco-2 cell line to determine the effect of miR-192 on NOD2 expression. RESULTS: Profiling of rectal RNA identified 21 microRNAs significantly altered between control, UC, and colonic CD sample groups. Nine of the ten microRNAs selected for validation were confirmed as significantly changed. Rectal miR-24 was increased 1.47-fold in UC compared to CD samples (p = 0.0052) and was the only microRNA altered between IBD subtypes. Three colitis-associated microRNAs were significantly altered in sera of disease patients and displayed diagnostic utility. However, no serum microRNAs were found to distinguish ulcerative colitis from Crohn's colitis. Finally, miR-192 inhibition did not affect luciferase reporter activity, suggesting that miR-192 does not regulate human NOD2. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that rectal and serum microRNAs are perturbed in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Future studies identifying targets of inflammatory bowel disease-associated microRNAs may lead to novel therapies.

Novel targets of miR-30, a microRNA required for biliary development.

MicroRNAs have been found to play a profound role in embryonic and post-natal development through their regulation of processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and morphogenesis. The microRNA-30 (miR-30) family is necessary for vertebrate hepatobiliary development; however, the mechanism through which miR-30 regulates these processes is not fully understood. Here, we identify genes directly regulated by miR-30 that have been characterized as key developmental factors. The targets were confirmed via a luciferase reporter assay, following exogenous over-expression of miR-30a and miR-30c2 in cultured cells. Five novel miR-30ac2 targets were identified using this approach, all of which play crucial roles in hepatobiliary development or are involved in hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.