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Vipin M. Vashishtha

@vipintukur

May 4, 2021 • 9 tweets • 6 min read • Read on X

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Have we reached to the peak of 2nd #Covid wave in India? May be, yes! Its already 2.5 months in to it. Most badly affected countries peaked within 1.5-3 months of onset of a new surge. Is it too early to comment? 1/

More interesting would be to see which way our curve goes: the UK/Israel or the US way! While both UK/Israel took 1.5-2 months to flatten their curves w/ strict lockdowns & aggressive vaccination, US had a long plateau (>3.5 months) 2/

However, there is heterogeneity in caseloads: While states like MH, UP, CG, PB, DL are showing ⬇️ in case load, some southern & eastern states (KA, KL, AP, TN, WB, ) still reporting cases in high numbers! What is driving Covid in these states? 3/ indiatoday.in/coronavirus-ou…

Different variants (VOC) are circulating in diff states of India. While it is #B1617 is in MS & neighboring states, #B117 in PB, DL & northern states, Delhi & #B1618 in WB & eastern states outbreak.info/situation-repo… 4/

Now, a new variant having #N440K spike substitution is believed to be behind the sudden rise of cases in southern India, particularly in KA, KL, AL & Telangana. Some believe it is believed to be 15 times more lethal than the earlier ones 5/ biorxiv.org/content/10.110…

So, what lies in store for #India? The few key factors that may extend India's suffering for a prolonged period:
1-lack of strict #lockdowns: having halfway yo-yo lockdowns are not the answer!
2-sluggish #inoculation drive: still only 2% of the population received 2-doses! 6/

3-rampant circulation of #variants: not sure which one is the main driver!
4-limited #sequencing: only 1% of isolates sequenced!
5-modestly efficacious #vaccines: unlike the other 3 countries
6-lack of #effectiveness data on currently employed vaccines: so, driving blindly! 7/

What could be the saving grace? Hoping the rapid descent follows the explosive ascent! And the virus, mutating at a staggering pace, might be heading for an evolutionary cliff all on its own. Amen! 8/
bbc.com/future/article…

One interesting thing to note: All the three countries had 3 waves, the last surge the severest!

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Vipin M. Vashishtha

@vipintukur

Nov 19

Live imaging has shown COVID-19 hitches a ride on mucus to spread deep into lungs

The COVID-19 virus spreads via mucus once inside an infected airway, allowing it to reach into the lower lungs. 1/

static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1…

The SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads via mucus once inside an infected airway, allowing it to reach into the lower lungs 2/

While it’s understood that the virus latches onto healthy cells in the nose and throat to copy itself, not much is known about the process by which it spreads once inside an infected airway. 3/

Read 7 tweets

Vipin M. Vashishtha

@vipintukur

Nov 15

Cholesterol may not be the only lipid involved in trans fat-driven cardiovascular disease!

A NEW study describes how another class of lipids, called sphingolipids, contributes to arterial plaques and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD). 1/

Excess cholesterol is known to form artery-clogging plaques that can lead to stroke, arterial disease, heart attack, and more, making it the focus of many heart health campaigns. 2/

Fortunately, this attention to cholesterol has prompted the development of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins and lifestyle interventions like dietary and exercise regimens. But what if there's more to the picture than just cholesterol? 3/

Read 26 tweets

Vipin M. Vashishtha

@vipintukur

Nov 14

DNA damage caused by COVID-19 in post COVID-19

➡️ A new study finds that SARS-CoV2 caused DNA damage both during the epidemic peak and during the post-COVID-19 period. The levels of DNA damage depended on the severity of the illness. 1/

During the epidemic peak, the levels of DNA damage ranged from the highest to the lowest levels in the following groups, respectively: intubated-ICU, non-intubated-ICU, non-ICU, and influenza with a discernible increase in DNA damage in ICU-treated patients. 2/

The levels of DNA damage in the post-COVID-19 period were significantly lower compared to those in the epidemic peak period but there was still a discernible increase in DNA damage in the ICU group. 3/

Read 5 tweets

Vipin M. Vashishtha

@vipintukur

Nov 12

We know our brains store memories. But now scientists have discovered that cells from other parts of the body also perform a memory function, opening new pathways for understanding how memory works & creating the potential to enhance learning & treat memory related diseases 1/

Learning and memory are generally associated with brains and brain cells alone, but this study shows that other cells in the body can learn and form memories, too. 2/

Researchers studied if non-brain cells help w/ memory by borrowing from a long-established neurological property—massed-spaced effect—we tend to retain information better when studied in spaced intervals rather than in a single, intensive session 3/

Read 12 tweets

Vipin M. Vashishtha

@vipintukur

Nov 1

A NEW study, involving more than 200,000 adults, found that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 29% increase in risk for developing dyslipidemia, a condition involving abnormal lipid (fat) levels in the blood 1/

Seniors and people with type 2 diabetes were even more strongly affected, experiencing an approximately two-fold increased risk for developing dyslipidemia, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. 2/

Given the extent of the pandemic, this increase in dyslipidemia risk is a cause for concern around the world. Researchers advise people to have their lipid levels monitored regularly and to consult with their HCP about ways to treat dyslipidemia, if detected 3/

Read 8 tweets

Vipin M. Vashishtha

@vipintukur

Nov 1

The human brain develops slowly compared to other animals. It takes almost 30 years, roughly half our average lifespan, to mature and refine its connections. A mouse brain, however, fully develops in just 5% of its lifespan. 1/

Researchers can now snoop on what happens inside millions of brain cells by cataloguing the genes, RNA and proteins they produce. And by studying brain tissue, scientists are learning key lessons about how the organ develops and functions. 2/

If there is one thing that stands out about the human brain compared with those of other primates — and even those of some extinct human relatives — it is its size. 3/

Read 20 tweets

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