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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

Researchers found that oral vitamin K2 supplementations reduces the frequency, intensity, & duration of nocturnal leg cramps (NLCs) in older individuals. 1/ Approximately 50% to 60% of adults experience NLCs (Charley horse) in their lifetime, w/ ~20% encountering significant distress and insomnia that lead them to seek medical intervention.
There are no medical treatments without a substantial list of unpleasant side effects. 2/

Researchers reveal a powerful link between olfactory loss & inflammation in a staggering 139 medical conditions. This research emphasizes a little-known but potentially life-altering connection: the role our sense of smell plays in maintaining our physical and mental health 1/ Olfactory dysfunction, often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, may actually be an early sign of various neurological and bodily diseases, as indicated by this research. 2/

Why Covid19 vaccines failed to generate durable immunity?

We know Long lasting plasma cells (LLPC) in the bone marrow which derived from the memory B cells, are the key immune cell that provide longevity to vaccine induced protection. 1/ While most vaccines generate memory B-cells, not all of them turn into LLPC. Special signals from B-cell receptors required for this to happen. Cross-linking between these receptors (BCR cross-linking) & the antigen present in the vaccine triggers the T-cells help 2/

Doctors in India are grappling to diagnose and treat unexplained and persistent symptoms of #LongCovid patients due to limited guidelines, whereas researchers have flagged inadequate studies on the condition. 1/ While studies have suggested that about a third of those moderately or severely infected are likely to suffer from long Covid, region-wise though, incidence could vary. 2/

Cough2COVID-19: A new, highly accurate, groundbreaking innovation in Covid diagnostics!

An innovative approach employing AI framework that detect Covid-19 with 98% specificity based on the sound of your cough 1/ The CoughFeatureRanker algorithm selects the most prominent features based on their optimal discriminatory performance from 15 features to detect COVID-19. 2/

Researchers have developed an innovative antibody platform aimed at tackling one of the greatest challenges in treating rapidly evolving viruses like SARS-CoV-2: their ability to mutate and evade existing vaccines and therapies. 1/ Their findings, including preclinical studies in mice, introduce the Adaptive Multi-Epitope Targeting and Avidity-Enhanced (AMETA) Nanobody Platform, a new antibody approach for addressing how viruses like SARS-CoV-2 evolve to evade vaccines and treatments. 2/

Repeated COVID vaccinations enhance mucosal immunity against the virus!

A NEW study finds that individuals who received multiple doses of mRNA vaccines exhibited a marked increase in neutralizing antibodies in nasal secretions, which are essential for blocking viral entry. 1/ Not only that, but the immune responses generated by mRNA vaccines may persist longer than previously thought, which provides hope for sustained protection against emerging variants of the virus. 2/

SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to ‘Alice In Wonderland Syndrome’!

SARS-CoV-2 may be responsible for ‘Alice In Wonderland Syndrome’ (AIWS), in addition to other neurological symptoms. AIWS can persist up to one month after the resolution of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. 1/ Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is a disorienting neurological condition that affects human perception to the senses of vision, hearing, touch, sensation, and the phenomenon of time. 2/

With other viral infections, the most susceptible populations are generally at two extremes in age: the very young and the very old. Influenza & RSV—are just two of multiple viruses that cause significant morbidity and mortality in the two vulnerable age groups. 1/ But, this of thumb fails to apply, however, when the infection is caused by SARS-CoV-2, or any other coronavirus capable of causing severe infections.
How does the youngest population of children, no matter where they are in the world, continually elude severe COVID? 2/

Disruptions of mitochondrial functions have a fundamental influence on Crohn's disease. This connection has now been demonstrated by a recent study. Researchers show that defective mitochondria trigger symptoms of chronic intestin inflammation and influence the microbiome. 1/ Although the causes of Crohn's disease are not yet fully understood, it has been known for some years that changes in the gut microbiome are associated with inflammatory diseases. 2/

Researchers in a NEW study found people with wide-ranging #longCOVID symptoms were twice as likely to have SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood, compared to those without longCOVID symptoms. 1/ A persistent infection could explain why some people experience longCOVID symptoms. The researchers found evidence of persistent infection in 43 percent of participants with cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal or neurologic symptoms of longCOVID. 2/

Researchers have discovered more than 200 new vaccine target candidates from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, that could lead to the development of vaccines with a longer lasting broader immunity than existing vaccinations. 1/ Original Covid-19 vaccines focused on B cell-mediated antibody responses for developing immunity. We now know that recruiting the other arm of the immune system, the T cells, can help to maintain immunity for longer. 2/

A history of COVID-19 can double the risk of heart attack, stroke or death!

The study found that people with any type of COVID-19 infection were twice as likely to have a major cardiac event, such as heart attack, stroke or even death, for up to 3 years after diagnosis. 1/ The risk was significantly higher for patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and more of a determinant than a previous history of heart disease. 2/

Researchers find many patients w/ #LongCOVID had persistently abnormal CT scans of their lungs. Some patients would recover, while others would remain with scar tissue referred to as respiratory post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) with radiographic abnormalities (RPRA) 1/ The researchers combined state-of-the-art gene expression technology and CT scan analysis to determine which cells and molecules were responsible for radiographic abnormalities in longCOVID patients, which could help inform future treatment options. 2/

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 viremia on long-term outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is poorly understood.

Now, a NEW study finds that patients with SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia were more likely to develop critical cases and had a higher incidence of sepsis & death 1/ Accordingly, they had a higher 180-day mortality (57.1% vs. 19.7%, P < 0.001), as well as in-hospital mortality (50.0% vs. 13.7%, P < 0.001), independent of age, disease severity, sepsis, lymphocyte count and C-Reactive protein. 2/