ABSTRACT
The non-linear progression of new infection numbers in a pandemic poses challenges to the evaluation of its management. The tools of complex systems research may aid in attaining information that would be difficult to extract with other means. To study the COVID-19 pandemic, we utilize the reported new cases per day for the globe, nine countries and six US states through October 2020. Fourier and univariate wavelet analyses inform on periodicity and extent of change. Evaluating time-lagged data sets of various lag lengths, we find that the autocorrelation function, average mutual information and box counting dimension represent good quantitative readouts for the progression of new infections. Bivariate wavelet analysis and return plots give indications of containment versus exacerbation. Homogeneity or heterogeneity in the population response, uptick versus suppression, and worsening or improving trends are discernible, in part by plotting various time lags in three dimensions. The analysis of epidemic or pandemic progression with the techniques available for observed (noisy) complex data can aid decision making in the public health response.
ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a worldwide health threat. Here, we report that low plasma interleukin-3 (IL-3) levels were associated with increased severity and mortality during SARS-CoV-2 infections. IL-3 promoted the recruitment of antiviral circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) into the airways by stimulating CXCL12 secretion from pulmonary CD123+ epithelial cells. This study identifies IL-3 as a predictive disease marker and potential therapeutic target for SARS-CoV-2 infections.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.View Full Text