Detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies formed in response to the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1237 mRNA vaccine by commercial antibody tests.

Background: With rapid approval of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, the ability of clinical laboratories to detect vaccine-induced antibodies with available high-throughput commercial assays is unknown. We aimed to determine if commercial serology assays can detect vaccine-induced antibodies (VIAs) and understand the vaccination response.

Methods: This cohort study recruited healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities (receiving the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 products, respectively) who underwent serum collection pre-vaccination (BNT162b2 group), 2-weeks post vaccination (both groups), and pre-2nd dose (both groups).

Effects of a switch from tenofovir- to abacavir-based antiretroviral therapy, with or without atazanavir, on renal function.

Introduction: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-associated renal dysfunction may abate when TDF is replaced with abacavir (ABC). The extent to which the third drug atazanavir contributes to renal dysfunction is unclear.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on adults who had plasma viral load (pVL)<200 copies/mL for≥six months while receiving TDF/lamivudine (3TC) - or TDF/emtricitabine (FTC)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART), then switched to ABC/3TC while retaining the third drug in the ART regimen.

Patterns of retention of particulate matter in lung tissues of patients with COPD: potential role in disease progression.

Background: Particulate matter (PM) is present in lung tissues of smokers and urban dwellers. This study was designed to quantify the burden of PM in different lung tissues of subjects with COPD and determine its relationship to disease severity.

Methods: Surgical lung tissue samples from nonsmokers (control subjects) were compared with those from smokers with normal spirometry and subjects in the four other categories of the GOLD (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease) classification of COPD severity using quantitative histologic techniques.

Particulate matter air pollution exposure: role in the development and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Due to the rapid urbanization of the world population, a better understanding of the detrimental effects of exposure to urban air pollution on chronic lung disease is necessary. Strong epidemiological evidence suggests that exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution causes exacerbations of pre-existing lung conditions, such as, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. However, little is known whether a chronic, low-grade exposure to ambient PM can cause the development and progression of COPD.

The association between small airway obstruction and emphysema phenotypes in COPD.

Background: Airflow limitation in COPD is due to a variable combination of small airway obstruction and centrilobular emphysema (CLE) and/or panlobular emphysema (PLE), but the relationship between these three different phenotypes is poorly understood. This study compares the severity of small airway obstruction in both forms of emphysema and determines its relationship with FEV(1).

Methods: We compared the lung histology of nonsmoking control subjects without emphysema (n = 10) to that of patients with CLE (n = 30) and PLE with (n = 8) and without alpha(1)-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (n = 11).