Hybrid immunity augments cross-variant protection against COVID-19 among immunocompromised individuals.

Background: Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection differs considerably among individuals. We investigate the critical pathways that influence vaccine-induced cross-variant serological immunity among individuals at high-risk of COVID-19 complications.

Methods: Neutralizing antibodies to the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants (Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron) were analyzed in patients with autoimmune diseases, chronic comorbidities (multimorbidity), and healthy controls.

Structural basis for the inhibition of βFXIIa by garadacimab.

Activated FXII (FXIIa) is the principal initiator of the plasma contact system and can activate both procoagulant and proinflammatory pathways. Its activity is important in the pathophysiology of hereditary angioedema (HAE). Here, we describe a high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the beta-chain from FXIIa (βFXIIa) complexed with the Fab fragment of garadacimab.

Multi-actor system dynamics in access to disease-modifying treatments for multiple sclerosis in Southeast Asia: A regional survey and suggestions for improvement.

Background: Despite the global availability of multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments, accessing and financing them in Southeast Asia (SEA) remains a challenge. This descriptive survey-based study aimed to describe the current state of MS treatment access and local access dynamics within this region.

Methods: The survey questionnaire, comprising of 15 closed-ended and five open-ended questions, was developed by three neurologists with expertise in MS and routine MS patient management, or had training in neuroimmunology.

Biomarkers of early SARS-CoV-2 infection before the onset of respiratory symptoms.

Objectives: Currently, limited data exist regarding the pathological changes occurring during the incubation phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We utilized proteomic analysis to explore changes in the circulatory host response in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection before the onset of symptoms.

Methods: Participants were individuals from a randomized clinical trial of prophylaxis for COVID-19 in a workers' dormitory.

A High-Throughput Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Assay to Determine the Conformational Change of Plasminogen.

Plasminogen (Plg) is the inactive form of plasmin (Plm) that exists in two major glycoforms, referred to as glycoforms I and II (GI and GII). In the circulation, Plg assumes an activation-resistant "closed" conformation via interdomain interactions and is mediated by the lysine binding site (LBS) on the kringle (KR) domains. These inter-domain interactions can be readily disrupted when Plg binds to lysine/arginine residues on protein targets or free L-lysine and analogues.

Parenting measurement, normativeness, and associations with child outcomes: Comparing evidence from four non-Western cultures.

This study compared parenting across four non-Western cultures to test cross-cultural commonality and specificity principles in three aspects: measurement properties, parenting normativeness, and their associations with child outcomes. Both mothers and fathers (N = 1509 dyads) with preschool-aged children (M = 5.00 years; 48% girls) from urban areas of four countries (Malaysia, N = 372; China, N = 441; Turkey, N = 402; and Japan, N = 294) reported on four parenting constructs (authoritative, authoritarian, group harmony socialization, and intrusive control) and their sub-dimensions using modified culturally relevant measures.

Facilities, selection, outcome measurement, and limitations of therapeutic plasma exchange for neuroimmunological disorders: The South East Asian survey study.

Introduction: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for neuroimmunological disorders has played an important role in the Southeast Asian region. This study investigates the challenges of performing TPE within the region.

Method: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted and launched to 15 South East Asian Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Consortium (SEATPEC) members from seven countries in January 2021.

Stable thyroid function despite regular use of povidone-iodine throat spray for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis.

Background: It is unclear whether unintentional ingestion of povidone-iodine following its application to the oropharyngeal space could affect thyroid function.

Objective: To examine thyroid function among individuals who regularly apply povidone-iodine throat spray for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis.

Methods: We designed a case-control study to compare thyroid function among participants who received povidone-iodine throat spray three times a day for 42 days ('cases') and those who received vitamin C ('controls').

Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy masquerading as tuberculosis of the central nervous system: a case series.

We describe the case history of three patients with meningoencephalitis who were initially treated for presumed tuberculous meningoencephalitis before being diagnosed with autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy. We highlight the overlapping clinical features between autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy and tuberculous meningoencephalitis and the challenges in early diagnosis, as both entities respond to an initial course of steroids accompanying antituberculous medications. Early evaluation of GFAP-immunoglobulin G in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients who present with aseptic meningoencephalitis could reveal autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy, which responds favorably to immunotherapy.

Estimating transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 at different intraspatial levels in an institutional outbreak.

Introduction: Large, localised outbreaks of COVID-19 have been repeatedly reported in high-density residential institutions. Understanding the transmission dynamics will inform outbreak response and the design of living environments that are more resilient to future outbreaks.

Methods: We developed an individual-based, multilevel transmission dynamics model using case, serology and symptom data from a 60-day cluster randomised trial of prophylaxes in a densely populated foreign worker dormitory in Singapore.

COVID-19 infection after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in multiple sclerosis, AQP4-antibody NMOSD and MOGAD.

Background: In pre-vaccinated people with multiple sclerosis (MS), certain disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), particularly the anti-CD20 treatments, appear to be associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection and indeed with severe infection. It is still not known if such observations extend to vaccinated individuals and there have been considerably fewer studies in aquaporin-4-antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-antibody associated disease (MOGAD) patients. In this study, we investigated the rates of symptomatic COVID-19 infection in adult patients with MS, AQP4-NMOSD and MOGAD who had received 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine.

Repurposing povidone-iodine to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission: a narrative review.

Background: Accumulating data suggest antiviral effects of povidone-iodine against the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. This narrative review aims to examine the antiviral mechanisms of povidone-iodine, efficacy of povidone-iodine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and safety of povidone-iodine to human epithelial cells and thyroid function.

Methods: We searched the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.

Incidence of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection vs mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Singapore.

Importance: Reports of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) after messenger RNA (mRNA)-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has caused safety concerns, but CVT is also known to occur after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Comparing the relative incidence of CVT after infection vs vaccination may provide a better perspective of this complication.

Objective: To compare the incidence rates and clinical characteristics of CVT following either SARS-CoV-2 infection or mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Mitigating SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Hospitals: A Systematic Literature Review.

Hospital outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infection are dreaded but preventable catastrophes. We review the literature to examine the pattern of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in hospitals and identify potential vulnerabilities to mitigate the risk of infection. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Scopus) were searched from inception to July 27, 2021 for publications reporting SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in hospital.

A mechanism for hereditary angioedema caused by a lysine 311-to-glutamic acid substitution in plasminogen.

Patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) experience episodes of bradykinin (BK)-induced swelling of skin and mucosal membranes. The most common cause is reduced plasma activity of C1 inhibitor, the main regulator of the proteases plasma kallikrein (PKa) and factor XIIa (FXIIa). Recently, patients with HAE were described with a Lys311 to glutamic acid substitution in plasminogen (Plg), the zymogen of the protease plasmin (Plm).

Bacteria.guru: Comparative Transcriptomics and Co-Expression Database for Bacterial Pathogens.

While bacteria can be beneficial to our health, their deadly pathogenic potential has been an ever-present concern exacerbated by the emergence of drug-resistant strains. As such, there is a pressing urgency for an enhanced understanding of their gene function and regulation, which could mediate the development of novel antimicrobials. Transcriptomic analyses have been established as insightful and indispensable to the functional characterization of genes and identification of new biological pathways, but in the context of bacterial studies, they remain limited to species-specific datasets.

Impact of Covid-19 on the therapeutic plasma exchange service within the South East Asian region: Consensus recommendations and global perspectives.

Introduction: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for neuroimmunological disorders has played an increasingly important role within the Southeast Asian (SEA) region. The South East Asian Therapeutic Plasma exchange Consortium (SEATPEC) was formed in 2018 to promote education and research on TPE within the region. The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic has produced challenges for the development and expansion of this service.

Hospital-based observational study of neurological disorders in patients recently vaccinated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

Purpose: We describe the spectrum of acute neurological disorders among hospitalized patients who recently had COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

Method: We performed a prospective study at 7 acute hospitals in Singapore. Hospitalized patients who were referred for neurological complaints and had COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, in the last 6 weeks were classified into central nervous system (CNS) syndromes, cerebrovascular disorders, peripheral nervous system (PNS) disorders, autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders and immunization stress-related responses (ISRR).

α-Amylase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitory effects of bark extracts and identification of bioactive constituents using and approaches.

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