Associations between epidemiological and laboratory parameters and disease severity in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during first and second epidemic waves in middle south Mato Grosso.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a multisystemic disease characterized by respiratory distress. Disease severity is associated with several factors. Here we characterize virological findings and evaluate the association of laboratorial, epidemiological, virological findings and clinical outcomes of 251 patients during the first and second epidemic waves of COVID-19. METHODS: This transversal study used biological samples and data from patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between May 2020 and August 2021 in the metropolitan region of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso Brazil. Biological samples were subjected to RT-qPCR and MinION sequencing. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression and Odds ratio were used to correlate clinical, laboratorial, epidemiological data. FINDINGS: Patients were represented by males (61.7%) with mean age of 52.4 years, mild to moderate disease (49,0%), overweight/obese (69.3%), with comorbidities (66.1%) and evolving to death (55.38%). Severe cases showing symptoms for prolonged time, ≥ 25% of ground-glass opacities in the lungs and fatality rate increased significantly in second wave. Fatality was statistically associated to > 61 years of age,>25% ground-glass opacities in the lungs, immune, cardiac, or metabolic comorbidities. Higher viral load (p < 0.01/p = 0.02 in each wave), decreased erythrocyte (p < 0.01), hemoglobin (p < 0.05/p < 0.01), hematocrit (p < 0.01), RDW (p < 0.01), lymphocyte (p < 0.01), increased leucocyte (p < 0.01), neutrophil (p < 0.01) and CRP levels (p < 0.01) showed significant association with fatality in both waves, as did Neutrophil/Platelet (NPR; p < 0.01), Neutrophil/Lymphocyte (NLR; p < 0.01) and Monocyte/Lymphocyte ratio (MLR; p < 0.01). SARS-CoV-2 genomes from lineage B.1.1.33(n = 8) and Gamma/P.1(n = 15) shared 6/7 and 20/23 lineage-defining mutations, respectively. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Severity and mortality of COVID-19 associated with a panel of epidemiological and laboratorial findings, being second wave, caused by Gamma variant, more severe in this in-hospital population.

High-Protein Diet Associated with Resistance Training Improves Performance and Decreases Adipose Index in Rats.

The study tested the hypothesis that a high protein diet based on isolated whey protein (IWP) associated with strength training improves performance and reduces body fat without promoting health damage. Male Wistar rats, 45 days old, were divided into four groups (n = 8/group): normoprotein sedentary (IWP 14%; NS); hyperprotein sedentary (IWP 35%; HS); normoprotein trained (IWP 14%; NT) and hyperprotein trained (IWP 35%; HT). All groups performed the maximum load test at the beginning and after the vertical ladder training protocol for 6 weeks (3x/week). The performance improved in HT when compared to other groups. There was no difference in the plasma levels of testosterone, IGF-1 and the hematological parameters remained normal. The relative weights of the kidneys were higher in the groups fed with high protein; the liver was higher in HT compared to NS and NT, and the heart was higher in HS compared to NS and NT. Concerning relative muscle weight, quadriceps, and gastrocnemius, HT showed higher value compared to NT. Diet containing 35% isolate whey protein associated with resistance training improved performance as well as increased muscles and organs weight of the animals, without damaging the tissues related to protein metabolism (confirmed by unchanged hematological parameters), which may minimize the risk of developing cardiometabolic disorders.