Archives: 2020-10-31

A new report of London Imperial College shows COVID-19 fatality ratio estimated from seroprevalence is about 1%

The COVID infection fatality ratio is around 1% in high-income countries, but substantially lower in low-income countries with younger populations. These are the findings of a new report from the Imperial College London COVID-19 Response Team. The report reveals that: In high income countries, the estimated overall infection fatality ratio (IFR) is 1.15% (95% prediction interval

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A direct drive parallel plane piezoelectric needle positioning robot for MRI guided intraspinal injection

Lower back pain caused by degenerative disc disorder affects approximately 40% of the population over 40 and though many of us may never experience adverse effects from the disorder, it is the cause of chronic back pain for numerous Americans. Recent imaging diagnostics and cellular based direct-injection therapeutics for degenerative disc and spinal cord injuries

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REGN-COV2 Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommends holding Enrollment in Hospitalized Patients with High Oxygen requirements and continuing Enrollment in Patients with Low or No Oxygen requirements

The IDMC also recommends continuation of enrollment in the REGN-COV2 outpatient trial Regeneron Pharmaceuticals received today a recommendation from the independent data monitoring committee (IDMC) for the REGN-COV2 antibody cocktail treatment trials for COVID-19 that the current hospitalized patient trial be modified. Specifically, based on a potential safety signal and an unfavorable risk/benefit profile at this

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Research advances understanding of life-threatening lung inflammation following the flu

Preclinical studies are underway at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to develop small molecule inhibitors to prevent deadly inflammation and lung damage following respiratory infections and asthma. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists have identified fibroblasts as the cells that serve as the gatekeeper of the inflammatory immune response in the lungs following influenza and other respiratory infections.

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Early results from DETECT study suggest fitness trackers and smartwatches can predict COVID-19 infection

Sensor data from wearable devices can complement virus testing and conventional screening to signal new infections. Examining data from the first six weeks of their landmark DETECT study, a team of scientists from the Scripps Research Translational Institute sees encouraging signs that wearable fitness devices can improve public health efforts to control COVID-19. The DETECT study, launched

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COVID-19 Immune Response Study of the ISB-Swedish COVID-19 Immune Response Study Could Lead to More Effective Treatments

The ISB-Swedish COVID-19 Immune Response Study has revealed new findings that suggest that treatments aimed at arresting the infection at the stage of moderate severity may be most effective. The symptoms of COVID-19 vary widely, from very mild to severe conditions requiring ICU care. Researchers comprehensively studied a large number of patients during the week

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New inflammatory disorder called vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory and somatic syndrome (VEXAS) discovered by NIH researchers

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered a new inflammatory disorder called vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory and somatic syndrome (VEXAS), which is caused by mutations in the UBA1 gene. VEXAS causes symptoms that included blood clots in veins, recurrent fevers, pulmonary abnormalities and vacuoles (unusual cavity-like structures) in myeloid cells. The scientists reported

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A published review by University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center outlines novel treatment approaches in Myelofibrosis

Their study outlines several treatments being investigated for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis and other myeloproliferative neoplasms, generally after they have become resistant or intolerant to Janus kinase inhibition. A recent study outlines several treatments being investigated for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis (MF) and other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), generally after they have become resistant or

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Use of mesenchymal stem cells in COVID-19 mediated acute respiratory failure: a review published on npj regenerative medicine.

In patients with critical manifestations of COVID-19, life-threatening complications such as ARDS and multiple organ dysfunction are mediated by extensive inflammation, neutrophils recruitment, cytokine storm syndrome and dysregulated immune innate responses. MSCs because of their immunomodulatory, regenerative, and antimicrobial properties could render several therapeutic effects in the setting of COVID-19. While data from countless clinical

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