Cell Death in Acute Organ Injury and Fibrosis.

Tissue fibrosis is characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in various organs, including the lungs, liver, skin, kidneys, pancreas, and heart, ultimately leading to organ failure [...].

Impact of immune-related adverse events on survival outcomes in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently become the standard of care in the first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Although immune-related adverse events have been reported to influence prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer patients, few studies have investigated the prognostic value of immune-related adverse events in small cell lung cancer patients. In this study, we evaluated the prognosis of patients who developed immune-related adverse events after first-line treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitor-based chemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. METHODS: We enrolled 90 patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer who received immune checkpoint inhibitor-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment from September 2019 to December 2022 in six hospitals in Japan. The patients were categorized into groups with and without immune-related adverse events. RESULTS: There were 23 patients with and 67 without immune-related adverse events. Seventeen patients had grade 1-2 immune-related adverse events, and nine (including overlapping cases) had grade ≥3. The most frequent immune-related adverse event was a skin rash. The median survival time was 22 months in patients with immune-related adverse events and 9.3 months in patients without immune-related adverse events. The hazard ratio was 0.40 (95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.83, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that immune-related adverse events are associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

Role of microbiota-derived corisin in coagulation activation during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: Coagulopathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Hypercoagulability in COVID-19 results in deep vein thrombosis, thromboembolic complications, and diffuse intravascular coagulation. Microbiome dysbiosis influences the clinical course of COVID-19. However, the role of dysbiosis in COVID-19-associated coagulopathy is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: The present study tested the hypothesis that the microbiota-derived proapoptotic corisin is involved in the coagulation system activation during SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 47 consecutive patients who consulted for symptoms of COVID-19. A mouse acute lung injury model was used to recapitulate the clinical findings. A549 alveolar epithelial, THP-1, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used to evaluate procoagulant and anticoagulant activity of corisin. RESULTS: COVID-19 patients showed significantly high circulating levels of corisin, thrombin-antithrombin complex, D-dimer, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 with reduced levels of free protein S compared with healthy subjects. The levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex, D-dimer, and corisin were significantly correlated. A monoclonal anticorisin-neutralizing antibody significantly inhibited the inflammatory response and coagulation system activation in a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-associated acute lung injury mouse model, and the levels of corisin and thrombin-antithrombin complex were significantly correlated. In an in vitro experiment, corisin increased the tissue factor activity and decreased the anticoagulant activity of thrombomodulin in epithelial, endothelial, and monocytic cells. CONCLUSION: The microbiota-derived corisin is significantly increased and correlated with activation of the coagulation system during SARS-CoV-2 infection, and corisin may directly increase the procoagulant activity in epithelial, endothelial, and monocytic cells.

Hangeshashinto-Associated Mesenteric Phlebosclerosis and Highly Atypical Adenoma Requiring Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy.

Mesenteric phlebosclerosis is a rare ischemic colonic disorder caused by impaired venous drainage. Its prevalence is higher in East Asia, where herbal medicine is widely used. Treatment remains controversial. A 76-year-old woman who had taken Hangeshashinto, an herbal medicine, for 11 years was admitted for endoscopic treatment of high-grade dysplasia in the ascending colon. She had diarrhea and mesenteric phlebosclerosis diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography at age 71. At age 75, small polyps were detected in the ascending colon. A subsequent study revealed an increase in polyp size to 15 mm. Endoscopic mucosal resection failed to remove the lesion. A biopsy showed high-grade dysplasia with possible colon cancer risk. Conservative therapy did not improve mesenteric phlebosclerosis-related diarrhea; therefore, a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed. Intraoperatively, the cecum was adherent to the abdominal wall and the right ovary. The specimen showed high-grade dysplasia in the mucosa and severe submucosal fibrosis. No metastasis was observed. This case shows the link between mesenteric phlebosclerosis and high-grade dysplasia in the ascending colon. Endoscopic mucosal resection was unsuccessful in removing the tumor. Endoscopic submucosal dissection was an alternative, but its safety in mesenteric phlebosclerosis-affected colonic segments remains uncertain. A laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed.

Characteristics of endemic human coronavirus infections during times of COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: After the implementation of mitigation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of respiratory viruses, including human coronaviruses (HCoV), experienced a significant decrease. The aim of this study is to characterize the epidemiology and clinical aspects of HCoV infections in ambulatory adults during COVID-19 pandemic times. METHODS: descriptive, prospective, longitudinal study performed in a private hospital in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina between November 2020 and October 2022; 458 outpatient adults with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) were studied undergoing clinical and microbiological follow-up. RESULTS: 44 (9.6%) subjects were positive by multiplex PCR for HCoV. 14 of them for 229E (31.8%), 13 for OC43 (29.5%), 11 for HKU-1 (25.1%) and 6 for NL63 (13.6%). A repeated PCR was positive for the same HCoV in 19 (57%) of 33 patients on day 3-5. No hospitalizations or deaths were reported. DISCUSSION: Endemic HCoV caused a significant proportion of URTI among outpatient adults during COVID-19-related restrictions times. An alternating pattern of circulation between alfa-HCoV and beta-HCoV was observed.

Introducción: Tras la implementación de estrategias de mitigación durante la pandemia de COVID-19, la incidencia de virus respiratorios, incluyendo los coronavirus humanos (HCoV), disminuyó significativamente. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar la epidemiología y los aspectos clínicos de las infecciones por HCoV en adultos ambulatorios durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, longitudinal, realizado en un hospital privado de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre noviembre de 2020 y octubre de 2022. Se estudiaron 458 pacientes adultos ambulatorios con infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior (ITRS) bajo seguimiento clínico y microbiológico. Resultados: 44 (9.6%) sujetos fueron positivos por PCR multiplex para HCoV. Se detectaron 14 229E (31.8%), 13 OC43 (29.5%), 11 HKU-1 (25.1%) y 6 NL63 (13.6%). Una segunda PCR fue positiva para el mismo HCoV en 19 (57 %) de 33 pacientes en los días 3-5. No se reportaron hospitalizaciones ni muertes. Discusión: los HCoV endémicos causaron una proporción significativa de ITRS entre pacientes adultos ambulatorios durante los tiempos de restricciones relacionados con COVID-19. Se observó un patrón alternante de circulación entre alfa-HCoV y beta-HCoV.

Elevated plasma and bile levels of corisin, a microbiota-derived proapoptotic peptide, in patients with severe acute cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholangitis is a severe, life-threatening infection of the biliary system that requires early diagnosis and treatment. The Tokyo Guidelines recommend a combination of clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings for diagnosis and severity assessment, but there are still challenges in identifying severe cases that need immediate intervention. The microbiota and its derived products have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute cholangitis. Corisin is a microbiome-derived peptide that induces cell apoptosis, acute tissue injury, and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of plasma and bile corisin as a biomarker of acute cholangitis. METHODS: Forty patients with acute cholangitis associated with choledocholithiasis or malignant disease were enrolled. Nine patients without acute cholangitis were used as controls. Corisin was measured by enzyme immunoassays in plasma and bile samples. Patients were classified into severe and non-severe groups. The associations of plasma and bile corisin with the clinical grade of acute cholangitis and other parameters were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Plasma and bile corisin levels were significantly higher in patients with acute cholangitis than in controls. Patients with severe acute cholangitis had significantly higher plasma and bile corisin levels than those with non-severe form of the disease. Bile corisin level was significantly correlated with markers of inflammation, coagulation, fibrinolysis, and renal function. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association of bile corisin but a weak association of plasma corisin with the clinical grade of acute cholangitis. In contrast, multivariate analysis showed a significant relationship between plasma corisin level and the disease clinical grade. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed low sensitivity but high specificity for plasma and bile corisin to detect the severity of acute cholangitis. The plasma and bile corisin sensitivity was increased when serum C-reactive protein level was included in the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these findings suggest that plasma and bile corisin levels may be useful biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring acute cholangitis and that corisin may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease by modulating inflammatory, coagulation and renal pathways.

Impacto de la movilidad poblacional en el comportamiento de virus respiratorios durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Impact of population mobility on the behavior of respira tory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumen Introducción : Durante la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 en Argentina se implementaron intervenciones no farma cológicas que produjeron cambios en la movilidad de la población. El objetivo de este estudio fue relacionar los porcentajes de positividad y la diversidad viral con la movi lidad poblacional durante parte del período de restricciones. Métodos : Estudio retrospectivo analítico realizado en el Instituto Médico Platense durante los años 2020 a 2022 que incluyó 458 pacientes a los que se les tomó un hisopado nasofaríngeo para la búsqueda de patóge nos respiratorios por PCR multiplex. Se analizaron los cambios en la movilidad de la población utilizando los "Informes de Movilidad Local", herramienta desarrollada por Google, cuyos datos son de público acceso. Resultados : La movilidad poblacional se correlacionó significativamente con el porcentaje de positividad de las muestras (p = <0.01; R2 = 0.89) y la diversidad viral (p = 0.04; R2 = 0.78). Discusión : Las intervenciones no farmacológicas destinadas a limitar la propagación del SARS-CoV-2 tuvieron efecto en la circulación de otros virus respi ratorios, hallándose mayor porcentaje de positividad y diversidad a medida que las mismas disminuyeron su grado de restricción.

Abstract Introduction : During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Ar gentina population suffered from significant changes in population mobility due to non-pharmaceutical interventions. The aim of this study was to describe the impact of the mobility restrictions to the rates of positivity and diversity among different respiratory viruses. Methods : Retrospective analytical study per formed at Instituto Médico Platense in La Plata that included 458 patients with nasopharyngeal swab to search for respiratory pathogens by multiplex PCR. Changes in mobility were studied using "Community Mobility Reports", data set developed by Google and publicly available. Results : Community mobility had significant cor relation with the percentages of viral test positiv ity (p = < 0.01; R2=0.89) and viral diversity (p = 0.04; R2 = 0.78). Discussion : Non-pharmaceutical interventions estab lished to contain SARS-CoV-2 spread had a significant impact in the circulation patterns of other respiratory viruses.

Factors associated with mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 disease treated with convalescent plasma.

The use of convalescent plasma (CP) for hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection might be a useful option in certain settings. Soon after the outbreak of COVID-19, the National Ministry of Health of Argentina recommended the use of CP transfusion for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 disease. Between 1 June and 3 October 2020, 480 patients, excluding those on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), received at least one CP infusion in the province of Santa Fe. We aimed to find factors associated with mortality among this cohort of patients. The median age was 60 years (interquartile range: 49-69 years) and 320 (66.7%) were males. Most of these patients (93.75%) received a single CP infusion, 82.1% and 95.6% before day 4 and day 7 of hospitalization, respectively. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 titers were determined in the CP units administered using Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay. At 28 days of follow-up, 250 patients were discharged (52.1%), 131 (27.3%) remained hospitalized without and 16 (3.3%) with oxygen requirement, 27 (5.6%) were on IMV, and 56 (11.7%) had died. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the factors significantly associated with 28-day mortality were (i) requirement of IMV, (ii) the administration of CP after the third day of hospitalization, (iii) age, and (iv) number of comorbidities. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the infused CP were not associated with mortality. Our findings may imply a seemingly favorable effect of CP administration among patients with severe COVID-19 disease when infused sooner after hospitalization.IMPORTANCEThe use of convalescent plasma (CP) could be an option for patients with severe COVID-19, especially in poor-resource countries where direct antiviral drugs are not commercially available. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration limits the CP administration for outpatients and inpatients with COVID-19 who are immunocompromised and only if high levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are confirmed in the CP unit. Although most of the randomized clinical trials failed to show a clear-cut benefit of CP in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19, other studies have shown that if given early in the course of the disease, it might be a useful therapeutic option. In this retrospective study, we demonstrated that early treatment (within 3 days of hospitalization) was significantly associated with reduced 28-day mortality compared with those patients treated beyond day 3. The results from our study add up to the scientific evidence on the use of CP as a relatively safe, cheap, and possibly effective therapy in certain patients suffering from severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

[Impact of population mobility on the behavior of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Impacto de la movilidad poblacional en el comportamiento de virus respiratorios durante la pandemia COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Argentina population suffered from significant changes in population mobility due to non-pharmaceutical interventions. The aim of this study was to describe the impact of the mobility restrictions to the rates of positivity and diversity among different respiratory viruses. METHODS: Retrospective analytical study performed at Instituto Médico Platense in La Plata that included 458 patients with nasopharyngeal swab to search for respiratory pathogens by multiplex PCR. Changes in mobility were studied using "Community Mobility Reports", data set developed by Google and publicly available. RESULTS: Community mobility had significant correlation with the percentages of viral test positivity (p = < 0.01; R2=0.89) and viral diversity (p = 0.04; R2 = 0.78). DISCUSSION: Non-pharmaceutical interventions established to contain SARS-CoV-2 spread had a significant impact in the circulation patterns of other respiratory viruses.

Introducción: Durante la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 en Argentina se implementaron intervenciones no farmacológicas que produjeron cambios en la movilidad de la población. El objetivo de este estudio fue relacionar los porcentajes de positividad y la diversidad viral con la movilidad poblacional durante parte del período de restricciones. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo analítico realizado en el Instituto Médico Platense durante los años 2020 a 2022 que incluyó 458 pacientes a los que se les tomó un hisopado nasofaríngeo para la búsqueda de patógenos respiratorios por PCR multiplex. Se analizaron los cambios en la movilidad de la población utilizando los "Informes de Movilidad Local", herramienta desarrollada por Google, cuyos datos son de público acceso. Resultados: La movilidad poblacional se correlacionó significativamente con el porcentaje de positividad de las muestras (p = <0.01; R2 = 0.89) y la diversidad viral (p = 0.04; R2 = 0.78). Discusión: Las intervenciones no farmacológicas destinadas a limitar la propagación del SARS-CoV-2 tuvieron efecto en la circulación de otros virus respiratorios, hallándose mayor porcentaje de positividad y diversidad a medida que las mismas disminuyeron su grado de restricción.

Bilateral Nephrectomy for Resistant Hypertension and Secondary Aldosteronism in a Hemodialysis Patient: A Case Report.

A 42-year-old Japanese woman with end-stage renal failure due to hypertension presented with a systolic blood pressure of 160-200 mmHg despite treatment with 4 different antihypertensive agents. The plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin activity (PRA) were elevated. Adrenal vein sampling suggested bilateral excessive aldosterone secretion, whereas adrenocortical scintigraphy showed right-dominant accumulation. Open bilateral nephrectomy and right adrenalectomy improved the systolic blood pressure, PAC, and PRA. A pathological examination revealed zona glomerulosa hyperplasia but not microaldosteronoma. This report shows that bilateral nephrectomy, not unilateral adrenalectomy, is a potentially effective treatment option for resistant hypertension with an elevated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in hemodialysis patients.

Close-to-lesion transbronchial biopsy: a novel technique to improve suitability of specimens for genetic testing in patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Bronchoscopy with radial-probe endobronchial ultrasound, a guide sheath, and electromagnetic navigation can improve the diagnostic yield of peripheral lung nodules. However, the suitability of specimens for genetic analysis remains unsatisfactory. We hypothesized that a transbronchial biopsy performed after closely approaching the bronchoscope tip to the lesion might provide more suitable specimens for genetic analysis. We enrolled 155 patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions who underwent bronchoscopy with a thin or ultrathin bronchoscope. Bronchoscopy was performed using virtual bronchoscopic navigation and radial-probe endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath. The bronchoscope tip was placed closer to the lesion during bronchoscopy to collect larger specimens with higher malignant cell content. The patients who underwent a close-to-lesion biopsy had higher rates of overall diagnostic yield, histopathological diagnostic yield, and specimen quality for genetic testing than those who did not. The significant determinants of the specimen's suitability were the close-to-lesion approach, within-the-lesion image, the use of standard 1.9-mm-forceps, and the number of cancer-cell-positive specimens. The significant predictors of the specimen's suitability for genetic analysis were close-to-lesion biopsy and the number of malignant cell-positive tissue samples. This study demonstrates that the close-to-lesion transbronchial biopsy significantly improves the suitability of bronchoscopic specimens for genetic analysis.

"Fruiting Liquid" of Mushroom-Forming Fungi, A Novel Source of Bioactive Compounds - Fruiting-Body Inducer and HIF and Axl Inhibitors.

In general, mushroom-forming fungi secrete liquid on the surface of mycelia just before fruiting-body formation. However, no researchers in mushroom science have paid attention to the liquid until now. We formulated a hypothesis that the liquid plays an important role(s) in the formation of the fruiting body and produces various bioactive compounds and named it the "fruiting liquid (FL)". Four novel compounds (1-4) were isolated from FL of Hypholoma lateritium and Hericium erinaceus. The structures of 1-4 except for their stereochemistry were determined by interpretation of MS and NMR data. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-4 were determined by quantum chemical calculation of the ECD spectrum, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, or by chemical syntheses. Compounds 1, 3, and 4 induced fruiting body formation of Flammulina velutipes. Compound 4 inhibited the activity of hypoxia-inducible factor, and compounds 2-4 suppressed receptor tyrosine kinase (Axl) expression.

Female rats are more responsive than are males to the protective effects of voluntary physical activity against the behavioral consequences of inescapable stress.

Common stress-related mental health disorders affect women more than men. Physical activity can provide protection against the development of future stress-related mental health disorders (i.e. stress resistance) in both sexes, but whether there are sex differences in exercise-induced stress resistance is unknown. We have previously observed that voluntary wheel running (VWR) protects both female and male rats against the anxiety- and exaggerated fear-like behavioral effects of inescapable stress, but the time-course and magnitude of VWR-induced stress resilience has not been compared between sexes. The goal of the current study was to determine whether there are sex differences in the time-course and magnitude of exercise-induced stress resistance. In adult female and male Sprague Dawley rats, 6 weeks of VWR produced robust protection against stress-induced social avoidance and exaggerated fear. The magnitude of stress protection was similar between the sexes and was independent of reactivity to shock, general locomotor activity, and circulating corticosterone. Interestingly, 3 weeks of VWR prevented both stress-induced social avoidance and exaggerated fear in females but only prevented stress-induced social avoidance in males. Ovariectomy altered wheel-running behavior in females such that it resembled that of males, however; 3 weeks of VWR still protected females against behavioral consequences of stress regardless of the absence of ovaries. These data indicate that female Sprague Dawley rats are more responsive to exercise-induced stress resistance than are males.

The duration of wheel running required to enable stress resistance differs between the sexes in a behavior-dependent manner.Wheel running enables rapid protection against stress-induced social avoidance in both male and female Sprague Dawley rats.Wheel running enables protection against stress-induced exaggerated fear more readily in female Sprague Dawley rats compared to males.Ovarian hormones are not necessary for stress-protection produced by 3 weeks of wheel running in female Sprague Dawley rats.

Intravenous Delivery of miR-21 Inhibitor in Mice With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Synthetic miRNA inhibitors have recently attracted considerable interest as potential therapeutic agents for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, due to the lack of evidence, no attempts have been made to deliver these inhibitors intravenously for squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study investigated whether intravenous administration of a miR-21 inhibitor with lipid nanoparticles could suppress HNSCC in xenograft mice. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma xenograft mice were intravenously injected with Invivofectamine 3.0® containing either a miR-21 inhibitor or a control inhibitor, using a modified protocol for nucleic acid encapsulation. Quantitative PCR was used to measure the expression level of intratumoral miR-21. And TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) immunohistochemistry was used to assess cell death. RESULTS: Intravenous injection of miR-21 inhibitor significantly inhibited head and neck squamous cell carcinoma growth and miR-21 expression in tumor tissue compared to the control inhibitor. TUNEL assay showed significant apoptosis of tumor cells after intravenous administration of miR-21 inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Intravenous delivery of a miR-21 inhibitor with lipid nanoparticles is a promising approach for miRNA-targeted therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Abatacept, Cenicriviroc, or Infliximab for Treatment of Adults Hospitalized With COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Immune dysregulation contributes to poorer outcomes in COVID-19. Objective: To investigate whether abatacept, cenicriviroc, or infliximab provides benefit when added to standard care for COVID-19 pneumonia. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a master protocol to investigate immunomodulators added to standard care for treatment of participants hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. The results of 3 substudies are reported from 95 hospitals at 85 clinical research sites in the US and Latin America. Hospitalized patients 18 years or older with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 14 days and evidence of pulmonary involvement underwent randomization between October 2020 and December 2021. Interventions: Single infusion of abatacept (10 mg/kg; maximum dose, 1000 mg) or infliximab (5 mg/kg) or a 28-day oral course of cenicriviroc (300-mg loading dose followed by 150 mg twice per day). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was time to recovery by day 28 evaluated using an 8-point ordinal scale (higher scores indicate better health). Recovery was defined as the first day the participant scored at least 6 on the ordinal scale. Results: Of the 1971 participants randomized across the 3 substudies, the mean (SD) age was 54.8 (14.6) years and 1218 (61.8%) were men. The primary end point of time to recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia was not significantly different for abatacept (recovery rate ratio [RRR], 1.12 [95% CI, 0.98-1.28]; P = .09), cenicriviroc (RRR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.86-1.18]; P = .94), or infliximab (RRR, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.99-1.28]; P = .08) compared with placebo. All-cause 28-day mortality was 11.0% for abatacept vs 15.1% for placebo (odds ratio [OR], 0.62 [95% CI, 0.41-0.94]), 13.8% for cenicriviroc vs 11.9% for placebo (OR, 1.18 [95% CI 0.72-1.94]), and 10.1% for infliximab vs 14.5% for placebo (OR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39-0.90]). Safety outcomes were comparable between active treatment and placebo, including secondary infections, in all 3 substudies. Conclusions and Relevance: Time to recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia among hospitalized participants was not significantly different for abatacept, cenicriviroc, or infliximab vs placebo. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04593940.

Culture Conditions for Mycelial Growth and Anti-Cancer Properties of Termitomyces.

Termitomyces sp. that grow in symbiosis with fungus-farming Termites have medicinal properties. However, they are rare in nature, and their artificial culture is challenging. The expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint molecules favor the growth of cancer cells. The study evaluated the optimal conditions for the artificial culture of Termitomyces and their inhibitory activity on AXL and immune checkpoint molecules in lung adenocarcinoma and melanoma cell lines. The culture of 45 strains of Termitomyces was compared. Five strains with marked growth rates were selected. Four of the selected strains form a single cluster by sequence analysis. The mycelium of 4 selected strains produces more fungal mass in potato dextrose broth than in a mixed media. The bark was the most appropriate solid substrate for Termitomyces mycelia culture. The mycelium of all five selected strains showed a higher growth rate under normal CO2 conditions. The culture broth, methanol, and ethyl acetate of one selected strain (T-120) inhibited the mRNA relative expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint molecules in cancer cell lines. Overall, these results suggest the potential usefulness of Termitomyces extracts as a co-adjuvant therapy in malignant diseases.