Current Biologic Therapies for Severe Asthma and Real-World Data: Are Expectations Being Met?

Advances in knowledge about clinical features, physiology, and underlying immunology are leading to targeted therapies and a new era of therapies. Biological treatments for severe asthma have changed the way this disease is managed, especially in patients who do not respond adequately to conventional treatments with corticosteroids and bronchodilators. These treatments block the action of different molecules involved in the immune response and in the inflammation of the airways, bronchoconstriction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and excessive mucus production.

Effect of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors on survival free of organ support in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (ACTIV-4a): a pragmatic, multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, platform trial.

Background: Patients hospitalised for COVID-19 are at risk for multiorgan failure and death. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors provide cardiovascular and kidney protection in patients with cardiometabolic conditions and could provide organ protection during COVID-19. We aimed to investigate whether SGLT2 inhibitors can reduce the need for organ support in patients hospitalised for COVID-19.

Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Severe Asthma-A Retrospective Study of Two Cohorts: Asthma Type T2 Treated with Biologics and Non-Type T2.

: The prevalence of cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with asthma varies amongst studies, with little evidence as to their prevalence in patients treated with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In this retrospective, observational study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of CVEs in patients with T2 and non-T2 asthma and to identify risk factors associated with CVEs. : A total of 206 patients with severe asthma were included.

The role of environmental pollution in the development of pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis: a narrative review.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common autosomal recessive disease in the Caucasian race. Its course is chronic and progressive, with pulmonary involvement being associated with greater morbidity and mortality. One of the factors most related to worse prognosis in these patients is respiratory exacerbations.

Renal involvement in adults with cystic fibrosis: study of 89 patients.

Introduction: We are assisting to an increase in survival rates among individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Until now, renal involvement was a minority issue, but with the rise in life expectancy, we will likely see an increase in its prevalence. Our main objective was to assess renal function in CF and study risk factors associated with its deterioration.

Air pollution exposure and its effects on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: clinical worsening, lung function decline, and radiological deterioration.

Introduction: Major urban pollutants have a considerable influence on the natural history of lung disease. However, this effect is not well known in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of air pollution on clinical worsening, lung function, and radiological deterioration in patients with IPF.

Anti-IL-5 and anti-IL-5R biologics for severe asthma. Are there any differences in their effects?

Objective: The aim of this retrospective multicentre study is to describe the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with severe eosinophilic asthma receiving anti-IL-5/anti-IL-5Rα therapies and to compare their effectiveness.

Methods: We collected and analysed results separately for anti-IL-5 and anti-IL-5Rα therapies from January 2016 until December 2021 in multidisciplinary severe asthma units. We collected demographic and clinical data, treatment with previous anti-IgE and/or anti-IL-5 agents, and comorbidities.

Influenza vaccination mitigates severe complications in hospitalized patients: A ten-year observational study, Spain, 2009-2019.

Background: Influenza epidemics annually impact a substantial portion of adults worldwide, leading to numerous hospitalizations and fatalities. While the primary goal of vaccination is to prevent influenza virus infection, breakthrough infections can still occur despite vaccination. Evaluating the vaccine effectiveness in preventing severe cases among hospitalized patients is crucial for enhancing vaccination strategies.

Impact of AlphaFold on structure prediction of protein complexes: The CASP15-CAPRI experiment.

We present the results for CAPRI Round 54, the 5th joint CASP-CAPRI protein assembly prediction challenge. The Round offered 37 targets, including 14 homodimers, 3 homo-trimers, 13 heterodimers including 3 antibody-antigen complexes, and 7 large assemblies. On average ~70 CASP and CAPRI predictor groups, including more than 20 automatics servers, submitted models for each target.

Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) Levels in Post-COVID Follow-Up: Differences According to the Severity of COVID-19.

To evaluate KL-6 levels in medium-term post-COVID and to compare them in three groups categorised by the severity of COVID-19, we conducted a real-world, retrospective, cohort study. Data from the COVID-19 episode and follow-up during the post-COVID phase were extracted from the COVID@HULP and POSTCOVID@HULP databases, respectively. For the post-COVID period we included demographics, medical history, symptoms, quality of life, physical activity, anxiety and depression status and laboratory results.

Relationship between air pollution exposure and the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Madrid: Chronic respiratory failure, hospitalizations, and mortality. A retrospective study.

Introduction: Air pollution has a significant impact on the morbidity and mortality of various respiratory diseases. However, this has not been widely studied in diffuse interstitial lung diseases, specifically in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective: In this study we aimed to assess the relationship between four major air pollutants individually [carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O), and nitrogen oxides (NO)] and the development of chronic respiratory failure, hospitalization due to respiratory causes and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Efficacy of Common Antimicrobial Interventions at and above Regulatory Allowable Pick-Up Levels on Pathogen Reduction.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the food safety efficacy of common antimicrobial interventions at and above required uptake levels for processing aids on the reduction of Shiga-toxin producing (STEC) and spp. through spray and dip applications. Beef trim was inoculated with specific isolates of STEC or strains.

Impact of systemic corticosteroids on hospital length of stay among patients with COVID-19.

Background And Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a threat to hospital capacity due to the high number of admissions, which has led to the development of various strategies to release and create new hospital beds. Due to the importance of systemic corticosteroids in this disease, we assessed their efficacy in reducing the length of stay (LOS) in hospitals and compared the effect of 3 different corticosteroids on this outcome.

Methods: We conducted a real-world, controlled, retrospective cohort study that analysed data from a hospital database that included 3934 hospitalised patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital from April to May 2020.

Adherence to inhalers in patients with severe asthma treated with anti-interleukin-5 biologics.

Objective: Given poor medication adherence in severe asthma is difficult to  evaluate in daily practice, using at least two methods concurrently is recommended. We aimed to determine the prevalence of nonadherence  to  inhalers using the Test of Adherence to Inhalers questionnaire and the medication possession ratio obtained from the pharmacy refill data in patients with severe asthma treated with anti-interleukin-5 biologics and to evaluate their concordance.

Method: This was a cross-sectional retrospective observational study of 53  patients with severe asthma recruited from the severe asthma unit of a tertiary  hospital in Madrid from June to December 2020.

COVID-19 Vaccine Demand and Financial Incentives.

Background: Public health experts estimate that only very high COVID-19 vaccine uptake levels can result in herd immunity.

Objective: This study's main objective was to evaluate the impact of vaccine price levels, including payments, and the efficacy levels on COVID-19 vaccine demand.

Methods: Data for this study were collected from an online survey of 2000 US individuals aged 18 years and older, which included a set of contingent valuation questions.

Perceived Risks of Infection, Hospitalization, and Death From COVID-19 at the Equator: Ecuador and Kenya.

Objectives: This study's goal was to determine the perceived risks of infection as well as the perceived risks of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 in Ecuador and Kenya. It also assessed the factors associated with the risk-related perceptions.

Methods: Cross-sectional studies with samples from the adult populations in both countries were conducted to assess the perceived risks of contracting COVID-19.

Seasonal effect on Shiga toxin-producing O157:H7 and non-O157 in the beef industry in Colombia, South America.

This research investigated the variations in the occurrence of , STEC O157:H7 and non-O157 in the beef production chain in Colombia affected by seasons, hypothesizing that pathogen prevalence will be highest in the rainy season owing to soil moisture promoting bacteria multiplication and transfer between animals. To test this hypothesis, samples were obtained from five abattoirs, which represent 50% of the beef production in this country. A total of 1017 samples were collected, from which 606 were bovine feces, 206 were hide swabs, and 205 corresponded to carcass post-intervention.

The demand for a COVID-19 vaccine in Kenya.

The goal of achieving herd immunity to the coronavirus requires high vaccination acceptance levels on the part of the population. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Measure individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for a COVID-19 vaccine in Kenya; 2) evaluate the effect of vaccine characteristics (duration of protection and efficacy) and individuals' socioeconomic variables on WTP, and 3) estimate the aggregate demand and economic value of a COVID-19 vaccine. The contingent valuation (CV) method was used as the basis for the analyses.

Inhaled bronchodilators use and clinical course of adult inpatients with Covid-19 pneumonia in Spain: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: In the current coronavirus health crisis, inhaled bronchodilators(IB) have been suggested as a possible treatment for patients hospitalized. Patients with evidence of Covid-19 pneumonia worldwide have been prescribed these medications as part of therapy for the disease, an indication for which this medications could be ineffective taken on account the pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease progression.

Objective: The main objective was to evaluate whether there is an association between IB use and length of stay.

Quinoa in Ecuador: Recent Advances under Global Expansion.

Quinoa is a highly diverse crop domesticated in the Andean region of South America with broad adaptation to a wide range of marginal environments. Quinoa has garnered interest worldwide due to its nutritional and health benefits. Over the last decade, quinoa production has expanded outside of the Andean region, prompting multiple studies investigating the potential for quinoa cultivation in novel environments.

Psycho-demographic profile in severe asthma and effect of emotional mood disorders and hyperventilation syndrome on quality of life.

Background: Severe asthma affects a small population but carries a high psychopathological risk. Therefore, the psychodemographic profile of these patients is of interest. A substantial prevalence of anxiety, depression, alexithymia and hyperventilation syndrome in severe asthma is known, but contradictory results have been observed.

The demand for a COVID-19 vaccine in Ecuador.

In Latin America, the country of Ecuador was one of the first and most severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the demand for a COVID-19 vaccine in Ecuador by estimating individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for the vaccine, and by assessing the effect of vaccine attributes (duration of protection and efficacy) and individuals' characteristics on this valuation. The sample used (N = 1,050) was obtained through an online survey conducted from April 2 to April 7, 2020.

Comparison between Experience-Based and Household-Undernourishment Food Security Indicators: A Cautionary Tale.

Food security is a multi-dimensional concept that requires multiple indicators to measure it correctly; however, single food security indicators are often used individually or interchangeably. The misinterpretation of individual food security indicators can have important implications for policy design and implementation. The general objective of this paper is to show the discrepancies that may arise when using two different food security indicators that operate in the same dimension of the food security concept and yield the same outcome (food security status of the household) in three of the scenarios that they might be used: (1) for measuring the prevalence of food insecurity, (2) for understanding its drivers, and (3) for estimating the potential impact of a policy.