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1]. It reports observations on 522 patients with confirmed CoViD-19 symptomatology, compared to 40 control subjects. In brief, notable T cytopoenia was recorded by flow cytometry in the CD4+ and the CD8+ populations, which were significantly yet inversely correlated with remarkably increased serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-a. Flow cytometry established a progressive increase in the expression of programmed cell death marker-1 (PD-1) and T cell immunoglobulin & mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) as patients (n=14) deteriorated from prodromal to symptomatic CoViD-19 requiring intensive care. Here, we interpret these observations of Diao et al from our current understanding of T cell immunophysiology and immunopathology following an immune challenge in the form of sustained viral infection, as is the case in CoViD-19, with emphasis on exhausted T cells (Tex). Recent clinical trials to rescue Tex show promising outcomes. The relevance of these interventions for the prevention and treatment of CoViD-19 is discussed. Taken together, the data of Diao et al could proffer the first glimpse of immunopathology and possible immunotherapy for patients with CoViD-19.

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Study objective: To determine whether there is an association between the use of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Design

Most information on population risk factors for stroke and myocardial infarction is based on epidemiological studies of men, whose risk of cardiovascular disease is greater than that of women.Whereas the risks of fatal stroke are fairly similar in men and women, the risk of fatal ischaemic heart disease is substantially lower in women than in men at all ages, especially so under the age of about 65 years. About 40% of deaths in women of all ages and >20% of those in women under the age of 65, however, are attributed to ischaemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease.' Additional information on *Present address and requests for reprints to Dr S G Thompson,