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Coronavirus

·May 24, 2020·5 min read

Preventing ‘cytokine storm’ may ease severe COVID-19 symptoms

Treating coronavirus patients with alpha-blockers may help prevent the cytokine storm associated with severe COVID-19 infection. Alpha-blockers interfere with the cell signaling that triggers cytokine storms. Mice with bacterial infections that were treated with alpha-blockers experienced reduced cytokine storms and decreased death rates.

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·May 24, 2020·5 min read

No improvement in death rate for COVID-19 patients who received hydroxychloroquine

Coronavirus patients treated with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine are significantly more likely to experience ventricular arrhythmias than those who were treated with other medications. The study also revealed that out of 100,000 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized, the 15,000 who received hydroxychloroquine were more likely to have worse health outcomes than those treated with other drugs.

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·May 22, 2020·5 min read

Placentas from COVID-19-positive pregnant women show injury

The placentas of sixteen women who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy showed evidence of significant injury, a new study reports. The placental injuries were consistent with abnormal blood flow between mother and baby in-utero, suggesting another complication of coronavirus infection in pregnant women.

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·May 20, 2020·3 min read

COVID-19 cytokine storm: Possible mechanism for the deadly respiratory syndrome

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, enters human cells by attaching to ACE2 and utilizing TMPRSS2. Drugs that block ACE2 or inhibit the enzyme could help treat the coronavirus, but only during early infection. As the infection progresses, SARS-CoV-2 becomes engulfed in human cells, reducing the number of ACE2 receptors on a cell and leading to an increase of angiotensin II in the blood. Angiotensin II triggers an inflammatory pathway, providing a positive feedback cycle, named IL-6 amplifier, resulting in excessive immune activation and the cytokine storm associated with severe COVID-19.

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·May 19, 2020·6 min read

Complement genes add to sex-based vulnerability in lupus and schizophrenia

Gene variants in the immune system result in sex-based vulnerabilities to autoimmune diseases and schizophrenia.

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·May 19, 2020·1 min read

High rate of blood clots in COVID-19

Coronavirus has been linked to a higher rate of developing venous thromboembolism. A D-dimer blood test is a useful way to identify COVID-19 patients at a higher risk of venous thromboembolism.

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·May 19, 2020·3 min read

Six feet not far enough to stop coronavirus transmission in light winds

A new study reveals the recommended 6 foot of distance to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 may not be enough. Researchers report that even with a slight breeze of 4 KPH, saliva and cough droplets travel 18 feet per 5 seconds.

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·May 18, 2020·4 min read

Study reports ‘staggering’ death rate in US among those infected who show symptoms

The current national death rate among those infected with coronavirus is 1.3%. The comparable rate of death for seasonal flu is 0.1%. The study estimates that if the same number of people are infected with COVID-19 by the end of the year as are infected with flu, roughly 33.5 million people in 20018-19, almost 500,000 people will die as a result of coronavirus infection. However, COVID-19 is more infectious than the seasonal flu. Current conservative estimates suggest 20% of the US population will be infected by the end of 2020, leading to a possible 1.2 million deaths.

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·May 18, 2020·4 min read

Antibody neutralizes SARS and COVID-19 coronaviruses

S309, a neutralizing antibody first identified in blood samples from a patient who recovered from SARS in 2003, shows promise for the treatment of COVID-19.

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·May 18, 2020·3 min read

Smokers more likely to express ACE2 protein that coronavirus uses to enter human cells

Smoking increases the gene expression of ACE2, a protein that binds to SARS-CoV-2, increasing the risk of coronavirus infection. Findings suggest long-term smokers could have an increase of ACE2 in the lungs, leading to higher rates of morbidity in COVID-19 patients.

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·May 16, 2020·5 min read

Detailed analysis of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 bodes well for COVID-19 vaccine

Study reveals the body's immune system can recognize SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in many ways. The findings should help dispel fears the virus may elude ongoing efforts to create a successful vaccine.

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·May 15, 2020·8 min read

What pandemic dreams may come

Researchers discuss how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the quality and content of people's dreams. The stress we are experiencing may be manifesting in our dream content as we sleep.