Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes Based on Race of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 in a New Orleans Cohort.

Background: In Louisiana, deaths related to COVID-19 have disproportionately occurred in Black persons. Granular data are needed to better understand inequities and develop prevention strategies to mitigate further impact on Black communities.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted to an urban safety net hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, with reactive SARS-CoV-2 testing from March 9 to 31, 2020.

NPD1 induction of retinal pigment epithelial cell survival involves PI3K/Akt phosphorylation signaling.

Neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-derived lipid mediator, promotes survival in cells exposed to oxidative stress by inducing the activity of anti-inflammatory mediators and suppressing the expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Though retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells naturally produce NPD1 from DHA, investigating the mechanisms through which exogenous NPD1 induces cell survival is essential to assess mechanisms of actions and the potential of this lipid mediator for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. The PI3K/Akt and mTOR/p70S6K pathways are responsible for supporting cell survival upon exposure to oxidative stress.