COVID-19 infection and pulmonary sarcoidosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of morbidity, severity and mortality.

Background: The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) influenced millions of lives, not only healthy subjects but also patients with various comorbidities. Of those, interstitial lung disease (ILD) is known to be specifically vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, sometimes leading to a lethal outcome. Sarcoidosis, one of the ILDs, has been suggested to be more susceptible to COVID-19, but the results of previous studies are in disagreement.

Lysine-Proline-Valine peptide mitigates fine dust-induced keratinocyte apoptosis and inflammation by regulating oxidative stress and modulating the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) poses a major environmental risk that impairs skin health by triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Lysine-Proline-Valine (KPV)-an endogenous peptide derived from α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-against oxidative damage and inflammation induced by fine PM (PM) in human HaCaT keratinocytes. Our results show that PM markedly suppresses HaCaT cell proliferation via cytotoxic effects and induces a pro-inflammatory response by increasing IL-1β secretion.

Increased risk of ischemic stroke in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a nationwide cohort study in South Korea.

Background: We investigated the risk of ischemic stroke in ALS and analyzed the effect of ALS-related physical disability using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database.

Methods: A total of 2,251 ALS patients diagnosed between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2015, and 1:10 age- and sex-matched control populations were included. Cases that participated in the national health check-up programs were selected.

Cardiac Effects of Modern Breast Radiation Therapy in Patients Receiving Systemic Cancer Therapy.

Background: Radiation therapy (RT) improves breast cancer outcomes, but cardiac morbidity remains a concern.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate changes in cardiac function after RT and the relationship between cardiac dose metrics and echocardiography-derived measures of function.

Methods: In a longitudinal cohort study of women with breast cancer, radiation cardiac dose metrics and core lab quantitated echocardiographic measures of cardiac function were evaluated.