Efficacy and safety of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells for COVID-19 pneumonia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of inflammatory factors are associated with poor prognosis in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). However, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory functions. Accordingly, this meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of MSC-based therapy in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: Online global databases were used to find relevant studies. Two independent researchers then selected and evaluated the studies for suitability while the Cochrane risk of bias tool determined the quality of all articles and Cochran's Q test and I2 index assessed the degree of heterogeneity in the principal studies. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager software, and the effect of each study on the overall estimate was evaluated by sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis, and all MSCs used in the trials were acquired from the umbilical cord. The results of these studies (n = 328) indicated that patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who received MSCs had a 0.58 risk of death compared with controls (95% CI = 0.38, 0.87; P = 0.53; I2 = 0%). In terms of inflammatory biomarkers, MSCs reduced the levels of C-reactive protein (n = 88; MD = - 32.49; 95% CI = - 48.43, - 16.56; P = 0.46; I2 = 0%) and interferon-gamma (n = 44; SMD = - 1.23; 95% CI = - 1.89, - 0.57; P = 0.37; I2 = 0%) in severe COVID-19 patients but had no significant effect on interleukin-6 (n = 185; MD = - 0.75; 95% CI = - 7.76, 6.27; P = 0.57; I2 = 0%). A summary of the data revealed no significant differences in adverse events (n = 287) or serious adverse events (n = 229) between the MSC and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of umbilical cord-derived MSCs is an effective strategy for treating patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, with no noticeable adverse effects.

Impact of COVID-19 on psychological wellbeing.

This cross-sectional study aims to record post-traumatic stress (PTS) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) of the general population of China during the first wave of COVID-19 spread. Method: An online survey was distributed in China during February and March 2020 to record the general population's PTS (using the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version, PCL-C) and PTG (using the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, PTGI) due to COVID-19. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) and a Two-Part Model (TPM) of regression analysis were conducted. Results: In total, 29,118 Chinese participants completed the survey (54.20% were in their 20s, 68% were males, and 60.30% had a university education). CFA results illustrated that bifactor models described the Chinese psychometric traits of PTS and PTG over the default models. Results of TPM suggested that female, low-educated, and middle-aged individuals were more vulnerable to PTS. Remarkably, mutual and positive correlations between the PTS and the PTG, though small in statistics, were observed through regression analyses. Conclusions: The current results presented new best-fit structural models, potential predictors, and valuable baseline information on the PTS and the PTG of the Chinese population in the context of COVID-19.

Este estudio transversal se realizó para registrar el estrés postraumático (EPT) y el crecimiento de estrés postraumático (CPT) de la población general de China durante la primera ola de la extensión del COVID-19. Método: Se realizó una encuesta en línea en China durante febrero y marzo del año 2020 para registrar EPT de la población (utilizando el Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version, PCL-C) y CPT (utilizando el Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, PTGI). Se llevaron a cabo Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC) y Modelo de Dos Partes (MDP) de análisis de regresión. Resultados: En total, 29.118 chinos completaron la encuesta (54,2% de ellos tenían 20~29 años, 68,0% eran hombres, y 60,3% tenían una Educación Universitaria). Los resultados de AFC ilustraron que los modelos de bifactoriales eran mejores para descubrir los rasgos psicométricos de EPT y CPT de los participantes chinos que los modelos predeterminados. Los resultados de MDP sugirieron que las mujeres, las personas con bajo nivel educativo y de mediana edad eran más vulnerables a EPT. Se observaron correlaciones mutuas y positivas entre EPT y CPT, aunque pequeñas. Conclusiones: Los resultados actuales presentaron nuevos modelos estructurales de mejor ajuste, predictores potenciales e información de referencia valiosa de EPT y CPT de la población China en el contexto de COVID-19.

Characterizing the cellular and molecular variabilities of peripheral immune cells in healthy recipients of BBIBP-CorV inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by single-cell RNA sequencing.

Over 3 billion doses of inactivated vaccines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been administered globally. However, our understanding of the immune cell functional transcription and T cell receptor (TCR)/B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire dynamics following inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination remains poorly understood. Here, we performed single-cell RNA and TCR/BCR sequencing on peripheral blood mononuclear cells at four time points after immunization with the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BBIBP-CorV. Our analysis revealed an enrichment of monocytes, central memory CD4+ T cells, type 2 helper T cells and memory B cells following vaccination. Single-cell TCR-seq and RNA-seq comminating analysis identified a clonal expansion of CD4+ T cells (but not CD8+ T cells) following a booster vaccination that corresponded to a decrease in the TCR diversity of central memory CD4+ T cells and type 2 helper T cells. Importantly, these TCR repertoire changes and CD4+ T cell differentiation were correlated with the biased VJ gene usage of BCR and the antibody-producing function of B cells post-vaccination. Finally, we compared the functional transcription and repertoire dynamics in immune cells elicited by vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection to explore the immune responses under different stimuli. Our data provide novel molecular and cellular evidence for the CD4+ T cell-dependent antibody response induced by inactivated vaccine BBIBP-CorV. This information is urgently needed to develop new prevention and control strategies for SARS-CoV-2 infection. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04871932).

A data-driven interpretable ensemble framework based on tree models for forecasting the occurrence of COVID-19 in the USA.

This prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the most serious public health crises. Tree-based machine learning methods, with the advantages of high efficiency, and strong interpretability, have been widely used in predicting diseases. A data-driven interpretable ensemble framework based on tree models was designed to forecast daily new cases of COVID-19 in the USA and to determine the important factors related to COVID-19. Based on a hyperparametric optimization technique, we developed three machine learning algorithms based on decision trees, including random forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and three linear ensemble models were used to integrate these outcomes for better prediction accuracy. Finally, the SHapley Additive explanation (SHAP) value was used to obtain the feature importance ranking. Our outcomes demonstrated that, among the three basic machine learners, the prediction accuracy was the following in descending order: LightGBM, XGBoost, and RF. The optimized LAD ensemble was the most precise prediction model that reduced the prediction error of the best base learner (LightGBM) by approximately 3.111%, while vaccination, wearing masks, less mobility, and government interventions had positive effects on the control and prevention of COVID-19.

Nasal Spray of Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody 35B5 Confers Potential Prophylaxis Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants of Concern (VOCs): A Small-scale Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, especially the Delta and Omicron variants, have been reported to show significant resistance to approved neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines. We previously identified a mAb named 35B5 that harbors broad neutralization to SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. Herein, we explored the protection efficacy of a 35B5-based nasal spray against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in a small-scale clinical trial. METHODS: We enrolled 30 healthy volunteers who were nasally administrated with the modified 35B5 formulation. At 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after nasal spray, the neutralization efficacy of nasal mucosal samples was assayed with pseudoviruses coated with SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein of the wild-type (WT), Alpha, Beta, Delta, or Omicron variants. RESULTS: The nasal mucosal samples collected within 24 hours after nasal spray effectively neutralized SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (including Delta and Omicron). Meanwhile, the protection efficacy was 60% effective and 20% effective at 48 and 72 hours after nasal spray, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A single nasal spray of 35B5 formation conveys 24-hour effective protection against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, including the Alpha, Beta, Delta, or Omicron variants. Thus, 35B5 nasal spray might be potential in strengthening SARS-CoV-2 prevention, especially in the high-risk population.

Pilot Study of Pollution Characteristics and Ecological Risk of Disinfection Byproducts in Natural Waters in Hong Kong.

Increased disinfection efforts in various parts of China, including Hong Kong, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus may lead to elevated concentrations of disinfectants in domestic sewage and surface runoff in Hong Kong, generating large quantities of toxic disinfection byproducts. Our study investigated the presence and distribution of four trihalomethanes (THMs), six haloacetic acids (HAAs), and eight nitrosamines (NAMs) in rivers and seawater in Hong Kong. The concentrations of THMs (mean concentration: 1.6 µg/L [seawater], 3.0 µg/L [river water]), HAAs (mean concentration: 1.4 µg/L [seawater], 1.9 µg/L [river water]), and NAMs (mean concentration: 4.4 ng/L [seawater], 5.6 ng/L [river water]) did not significantly differ between river water and seawater. The total disinfection byproduct content in river water in Hong Kong was similar to that in Wuhan and Beijing (People's Republic of China), and the total THM concentration in seawater was significantly higher than that before the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the regulated disinfection byproducts, none of the surface water samples exceeded the maximum index values for THM4 (80 µg/L), HAA5 (60 µg/L), and nitrosodimethylamine (100 ng/L) in drinking water. Among the disinfection byproducts detected, bromoform in rivers and seawater poses the highest risk to aquatic organisms, which warrants attention and mitigation efforts. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2613-2621. © 2022 SETAC.

Association between immunosuppressants and antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with autoimmune liver diseases (preprint)

Background and aims: Little is known regarding the antibody responses of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with autoimmune liver diseases (AILD). We aim to evaluate the antibody responses and explore the impact of immunosuppressants on SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in AILD.Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study and included participants been healthy as controls and AILD. All adverse events (AEs) were recorded. IgG antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike protein (anti-RBD-IgG) and Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) were tested after the COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 specific B cells were detected by flow cytometry.Results: 76 patients and 136 healthy controls (HC) were included. All AEs were mild and self-limiting, and the incidences were similar between AILD and HC groups. The seropositivity rates of anti-RBD-IgG and NAbs in AILD were 97.4% (100% in HC, p = 0.13) and 63.2% (84.6% in HC, p < 0.001), respectively. The titers of anti-RBD-IgG and NAbs were significantly lower in AILD compared with HC. After adjusting for confounders, immunosuppressive therapy was an independent risk factor for the low-level anti-RBD-IgG (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-15.2; p = 0.01) and reduced probability of NAbs seropositivity (AOR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.0-8.9; p = 0.04) in AILD patients. However, regardless of immunosuppressants, the SARS-CoV-2 specific memory B cells responses were comparable between AILD and HC groups.Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine is safe, but its immunogenicity is compromised in patients with AILD. Moreover, immunosuppressants are significantly associated with poor antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Analysis of neutralizing antibody to COVID-19 vaccine in hospitalized patients with liver dysfunction (preprint)

Background: To evaluate the level of neutralizing antibodies(NAbs) after COVID-19 vaccination in patients suffered from liver dysfunction.Methods: In this cross-sectional study with longitudinal follow-up , a total of 137 patients and 134 healthy volunteers with full-course COVID-19 vaccination for more than 1 month were enrolled. Data of clinical characteristics , dates after vaccination and the types of vaccine were collected. Blood samples were collected for NAbs test when the patient was hospitalized, and some collected second time after treatment. Results: Both seropositivity and mean titer of NAbs in patients was significantly lower than that in healthy control(65.7% vs 80.60%; 3.954 vs 4.944 log2AU/ml ). The decrease of antibody titer in patients was significantly faster than that in healthy controls（-2.642 vs -0.9654 AU/ml per day). In multiple logistic regression analysis, more severe liver damage (odds ratio (OR): 0.30; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.12–0.71; p=0.0067) and male (OR: 0.17; 95%CI: 0.06–0.46; p=0.0005)were significantly associated with reduction of the probability of NAbs seropositivity. Chronic liver status(β =−1.45; 95% CI: −2.13 to −0.76; p<0.0001) and male sex (β =−1.18; 95% CI: −1.73 to −0.64; p<0.0001) were significantly associated with higher NAbs titers. In 26 patients with liver failure, both the antibody seropositivity and titer did not decrease, but increased(before 53.8% vs after 84.6%; 3.553 vs 4.321 log2AU/ml)after artificial liver plasmapheresis.Conclusions: Compared with healthy people, the seropositivity and titer of NAbs after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with liver dysfunction were lower and the titer decreased faster. Male, severe liver injury and chronic liver status have increased risk of poor antibody responses, and artificial liver treatment does not reduce NAbs titers in patients with liver failure. 

Spike mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron: more likely to occur in the epitopes (preprint)

Almost two years since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in 2019, and it is still pandemic over the world. SARS-COV-2 continuing to mutate and evolve, which further exacerbated the spread of the epidemic. Omicron variant, as an emerging mutation recently in South Africa, spreaded fastly to other countries worldwide. However, the gene charicterstic of Omicron and the effect on epitopes are still unclear. In this study, we retrieved 800 SARS-CoV-2 full-length sequences from GISAID database on 14 December 2021 (Alpha 110, Beta 101, Gamma 108, Delta 110, Omicron 107, Lambda 98, Mu 101, GH/490R 65). Overall, 1320 amino acid (AA) sites were mutated in these 800 SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Covariant network analysis showed that the covariant network of Omicron variant was significantly different from other variants. Further, 218 of the 1320 AA sites were occurred in the S gene, including 78 high-frequency mutations (>90%). Notably, we identified 25 unique AA mutations in Omicron, which may affect the transmission and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2. Finally, we analyzed the effect of Omicron on epitope peptide. As expected, 64.1% mutations (25/39) of Omicron variants were in epitopes, which was significantly higher than in other variants. These mutations may cause a poor response to vaccines to Omicron variants. In conclusion, Omicron variants, as an emerging mutation, should be alerted for us due that it may lead to poor vaccine response, and more data is needed to evaluate the virulence and vaccines responses to this variants.

Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19.

We report acute antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in 285 patients with COVID-19. Within 19 days after symptom onset, 100% of patients tested positive for antiviral immunoglobulin-G (IgG). Seroconversion for IgG and IgM occurred simultaneously or sequentially. Both IgG and IgM titers plateaued within 6 days after seroconversion. Serological testing may be helpful for the diagnosis of suspected patients with negative RT-PCR results and for the identification of asymptomatic infections.

Cardiac Biomarker Abnormalities Are Closely Related to Prognosis in Patients with COVID-19

武漢大学人民医院に入院した新型コロナウイルス感染症の重症患者148例(男性67例、女性81例、平均57.2±17.7歳)を対象に、心筋バイオマーカーと予後との関連性について検討した。患者148例のうち99例(66.9%)は高血圧症、糖尿病、貧血、腎障害、肝障害、慢性閉塞性肺疾患、心血管疾患、悪性腫瘍等の基礎疾患を有していた。患者を転帰に応じて、生存群96例(男性39.6%、平均51.4±16.1歳)と死亡群52例(男性55.8%、平均68.6±14.8歳)の2群に分類した。血中NT-proBNP(基準範囲は450pg/mL未満)は死亡群(1035.46pg/mL)が生存群(81.15pg/mL)より有意に高く、CK-MBも死亡群(2.62ng/mL)が生存群(0.67ng/mL)より有意に高かった(いずれもP<0.001)。心筋トロポニンcTnIは生存群で0.000であったが、死亡群は0.131ng/mLであった。血清ミオグロビンは死亡群(101.83μg/L)が生存群(26.86μg/L)より有意に高かった(P<0.001)。心血管合併症を呈した19例のうち14例が死亡した。

Sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 Variants to Neutralization by Convalescent Sera and a VH3-30 Monoclonal Antibody.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Though vaccines and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been developed to fight COVID-19 in the past year, one major concern is the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Indeed, SARS-CoV-2 VOCs such as B.1.1.7 (UK), B.1.351 (South Africa), P.1 (Brazil), and B.1.617.1 (India) now dominate the pandemic. Herein, we found that binding activity and neutralizing capacity of sera collected from convalescent patients in early 2020 for SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, but not non-VOC variants, were severely blunted. Furthermore, we observed evasion of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs from a VH3-30 mAb 32D4, which was proved to exhibit highly potential neutralization against wild-type (WT) SARS-CoV-2. Thus, these results indicated that SARS-CoV-2 VOCs might be able to spread in convalescent patients and even harbor resistance to medical countermeasures. New interventions against these SARS-CoV-2 VOCs are urgently needed.

Dynamic functional network connectivity associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms in COVID-19 survivors.

Accumulating evidence shows that Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) survivors may encounter prolonged mental issues, especially post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Despite manifesting a plethora of behavioral or mental issues in COVID-19 survivors, previous studies illustrated that static brain functional networks of these survivors remain intact. The insignificant results could be due to the conventional statistic network analysis was unable to reveal information that can vary considerably in different temporal scales. In contrast, time-varying characteristics of the dynamic functional networks may help reveal important brain abnormalities in COVID-19 survivors. To test this hypothesis, we assessed PTSS and collected functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with COVID-19 survivors discharged from hospitals and matched controls. Results showed that COVID-19 survivors self-reported a significantly higher PTSS than controls. Tapping into the moment-to-moment variations of the fMRI data, we captured the dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) states, and three discriminative reoccurring brain dFNC states were identified. First of all, COVID-19 survivors showed an increased occurrence of a dFNC state with heterogeneous patterns between sensorimotor and visual networks. More importantly, the occurrence rate of this state was significantly correlated with the severity of PTSS. Finally, COVID-19 survivors demonstrated decreased topological organizations in this dFNC state than controls, including the node strength, degree, and local efficiency of the supplementary motor area. To conclude, our findings revealed the altered temporal characteristics of functional networks and their associations with PTSS due to COVID- 19. The current results highlight the importance of evaluating dynamic functional network changes with COVID-19 survivors.

Effects of climate variables on the transmission of COVID-19: a systematic review of 62 ecological studies.

The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was initially discovered at the end of 2019 in Wuhan City in China and has caused one of the most serious global public health crises. A collection and analysis of studies related to the association between COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) transmission and meteorological factors, such as humidity, is vital and indispensable for disease prevention and control. A comprehensive literature search using various databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, was systematically performed to identify eligible studies from Dec 2019 to Feb 1, 2021. We also established six criteria to screen the literature to obtain high-quality literature with consistent research purposes. This systematic review included a total of 62 publications. The study period ranged from 1 to 8 months, with 6 papers considering incubation, and the lag effect of climate factors on COVID-19 activity being taken into account in 22 studies. After quality assessment, no study was found to have a high risk of bias, 30 studies were scored as having moderate risks of bias, and 32 studies were classified as having low risks of bias. The certainty of evidence was also graded as being low. When considering the existing scientific evidence, higher temperatures may slow the progression of the COVID-19 epidemic. However, during the course of the epidemic, these climate variables alone could not account for most of the variability. Therefore, countries should focus more on health policies while also taking into account the influence of weather.

Characteristics of immune and inflammatory responses among different age groups of pediatric patients with COVID-19 in China.

BACKGROUND: Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among pediatric patients are more common in children less than 1 year of age. Our aim is to address the underlying role of immunity and inflammation conditions among different age groups of pediatric patients. METHODS: We recruited pediatric patients confirmed of moderate COVID-19 symptoms, admitted to Wuhan Children's Hospital from January 28th to April 1st in 2020. Patients were divided into four age groups (≤ 1, 1-6, 7-10, and 11-15 years). Demographic information, clinical characteristics, laboratory results of lymphocyte subsets test, immune and inflammation related markers were all evaluated. RESULTS: Analysis included 217/241 (90.0%) of patients with moderate clinical stage disease. Average recovery time of children more than 6 years old was significantly shorter than of children younger than 6 years (P = 0.001). Reduced neutrophils and increased lymphocytes were significantly most observed among patients under 1 year old (P < 0.01). CD19+ B cells were the only significantly elevated immune cells, especially among patients under 1 year old (cell proportion: n = 12, 30.0%, P < 0.001; cell count: n = 13, 32.5%, P < 0.001). While, low levels of immune related makers, such as immunoglobulin (Ig) G (P < 0.001), IgA (P < 0.001), IgM (P < 0.001) and serum complement C3c (P < 0.001), were also mostly found among patients under 1 year old, together with elevated levels of inflammation related markers, such as tumor necrosis factor γ (P = 0.007), interleukin (IL)-10 (P = 0.011), IL-6 (P = 0.008), lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.001), and procalcitonin (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The higher rate of severe cases and long course of COVID-19 among children under 1 year old may be due to the lower production of antibodies and serum complements of in this age group.

Three types of massive screening for body temperature during prevention and control of COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: To study three different large-scale body temperature screening methods during the prevention and control period of COVID-19, so as to select appropriate body temperature screening methods for medical institutions. METHODS: Body temperatures of 874 pre-diagnosed patients was screened by infrared thermography, frontal thermography (forehead measurement) and aural thermography. Each patient was measured once independently by three methods, and gender and body temperature were recorded. The screening effect of three methods on fever patients with different genders and at different environment temperatures were analyzed. RESULTS: The average body temperatures detected by thermal imager, ear thermometer and frontal thermometer were as the following: ear thermometer> frontal thermometer > thermal imager. The coefficient of variation was frontal thermometer (1.359%) > ear thermometer(1.186%) > thermal imager (1.090%). The difference between the three methods was significant (P < 0.001). When ear thermometer and frontal thermometer were used to screen body temperature, the body temperature of male was higher than that of female, and the difference was significant (P<0.001). Among the three methods of temperature measurement, the average body temperature of group C (outdoor temperature 6-19 degrees C) was significantly higher than that of group A(outdoor temperature 1-6 degrees C) and group B (outdoor temperature 1-10 degrees C). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Ten suspected febrile patients were screened by thermal imager, but no suspected febrile patients were detected by frontal thermometer and ear thermometer, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The thermal imager has higher stability and accuracy and less affected by sex and outdoor temperature, and it should be used in large-scale body temperature screening for febrile patients.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms in COVID-19 survivors: a self-report and brain imaging follow-up study.

Previous coronavirus pandemics were associated elevated post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), but the self-report and neurological basis of PTSS in patients who survived coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are largely unknown. We conducted a two-session study to record PTSS in the COVID-19 survivors discharged from hospitals for a short (i.e., about 3 months, Session 1) to a medium period (i.e., about 6 months, Session 2), as well as brain imaging data in Session 2. The control groups were non-COVID-19 locals. Session 1 was completed for 126 COVID-19 survivors and 126 controls. Session 2 was completed for 47 COVID-19 survivors and 43 controls. The total score of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) score was significantly higher in COVID-19 survivors compared with controls in both sessions. The PCL-5 score in COVID-19 survivors was positively correlated with the duration after discharge (r = 0.27, p = 0.003 for Session 1), and increased by 20% from Session 1 to Session 2 for the survivors who participated both sessions. The increase was positively correlated with individual's test-retest duration (r = 0.46, p = 0.03). Brain structural volume and functional activity in bilateral hippocampus and amygdala were significantly larger in COVID-19 survivors compared with controls. However, the volumes of the left hippocampus and amygdala were negatively correlated with the PCL-5 score for the COVID-19 survivors. Our study suggests that COVID-19 survivors might face possible PTSS deteriorations, and highlights the importance of monitoring mental wellness of COVID-19 survivors.

The lncRNA Snhg1-Vps13D vesicle trafficking system promotes memory CD8 T cell establishment via regulating the dual effects of IL-7 signaling.

The efficient induction and long-term persistence of pathogen-specific memory CD8 T cells are pivotal to rapidly curb the reinfection. Recent studies indicated that long-noncoding RNAs expression is highly cell- and stage-specific during T cell development and differentiation, suggesting their potential roles in T cell programs. However, the key lncRNAs playing crucial roles in memory CD8 T cell establishment remain to be clarified. Through CD8 T cell subsets profiling of lncRNAs, this study found a key lncRNA-Snhg1 with the conserved naivehi-effectorlo-memoryhi expression pattern in CD8 T cells of both mice and human, that can promote memory formation while impeding effector CD8 in acute viral infection. Further, Snhg1 was found interacting with the conserved vesicle trafficking protein Vps13D to promote IL-7Rα membrane location specifically. With the deep mechanism probing, the results show Snhg1-Vps13D regulated IL-7 signaling with its dual effects in memory CD8 generation, which not just because of the sustaining role of STAT5-BCL-2 axis for memory survival, but more through the STAT3-TCF1-Blimp1 axis for transcriptional launch program of memory differentiation. Moreover, we performed further study with finding a similar high-low-high expression pattern of human SNHG1/VPS13D/IL7R/TCF7 in CD8 T cell subsets from PBMC samples of the convalescent COVID-19 patients. The central role of Snhg1-Vps13D-IL-7R-TCF1 axis in memory CD8 establishment makes it a potential target for improving the vaccination effects to control the ongoing pandemic.