ImportanceSARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with persistent, relapsing, or new symptoms or other health effects occurring after acute infection, termed postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long COVID. Characterizing PASC requires analysis of prospectively and uniformly collected data from diverse uninfected and infected individuals.ObjectiveTo develop a definition of PASC using self-reported symptoms and describe PASC frequencies across cohorts, vaccination status, and number of infections.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsProspective observational cohort study of adults with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection at 85 enrolling sites (hospitals, health centers, community organizations) located in 33 states plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Participants who were enrolled in the RECOVER adult cohort before April 10, 2023, completed a symptom survey 6 months or more after acute symptom onset or test date. Selection included population-based, volunteer, and convenience sampling.ExposureSARS-CoV-2 infection.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPASC and 44 participant-reported symptoms (with severity thresholds).ResultsA total of 9764 participants (89% SARS-CoV-2 infected; 71% female; 16% Hispanic/Latino; 15% non-Hispanic Black; median age, 47 years [IQR, 35-60]) met selection criteria. Adjusted odds ratios were 1.5 or greater (infected vs uninfected participants) for 37 symptoms. Symptoms contributing to PASC score included postexertional malaise, fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, palpitations, changes in sexual desire or capacity, loss of or change in smell or taste, thirst, chronic cough, chest pain, and abnormal movements. Among 2231 participants first infected on or after December 1, 2021, and enrolled within 30 days of infection, 224 (10% [95% CI, 8.8%-11%]) were PASC positive at 6 months.Conclusions and RelevanceA definition of PASC was developed based on symptoms in a prospective cohort study. As a first step to providing a framework for other investigations, iterative refinement that further incorporates other clinical features is needed to support actionable definitions of PASC.
Objective-To assess technical and operational performance of a dried blood spot (DBS)-based HIV-1 RNA service for remote healthcare facilities in a low-income country.Design-A method comparison and operational evaluation of DBS RNA against conventional tests for early infant diagnosis of HIV and HIV RNA quantitation under field conditions in Tanzania.Methods-DBS were prepared and plasma was frozen at −80°C. DBS were mailed and plasma couriered to a central laboratory for testing using the Abbott m2000 system. Infant diagnosis DBS were also tested for HIV-1 DNA by ROCHE COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan System. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptResults of DBS RNA were compared with conventional tests; program performance was described.Results-Among 176 infant diagnosis participants, using a threshold of ≥1,000 copies/mL, sensitivity and specificity of DBS versus plasma RNA were 1.00 and 0.99, and of DBS RNA versus DBS DNA were 0.97 and 1.00. Among 137 viral load monitoring participants, when plasma and DBS RNA were compared R was 0.9709; R was 0.9675 ≥5,000 copies/mL but was 0.7301 <5,000 copies/mL. The highest plasma RNA value at which DBS RNA was not detected was 2,084 copies/mL. Median (range) turnaround time from sample collection to result receipt at sites was 23 (4-69) days. The Tanzania mail service successfully transmitted all DBS and results between sites and the central laboratory.Conclusion-Under program conditions in Tanzania, DBS provided HIV-1 RNA results comparable to conventional methods to remote healthcare facilities. DBS RNA testing is an alternative to liquid plasma for HIV-1 RNA services in remote areas.
High resolution 'H NMR spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the metabolic profile of heatlhy human knee-joint synovial fluid (SF) and the biochemical data acquired have been compared with those of matched serum, and inflammatory knee-joint SF samples. Results obtained indicate that the healthy human knee-joint has a hypoxic status (high lactate level when expressed relative to that of paired serum) that is milder than that of the inflamed human knee-joint. Moreover, normal SF differs from that of inflammatory SF in that it contains little or no NMRdetectable lipoprotein-associated fatty acids and 'acute-phase' glycoproteins, an observation reflecting the limited passage of these macromolecules from plasma into the synovial space in healthy subjects.
Objective-Vitamin E, the most potent naturally occurring lipid soluble antioxidant has been suggested to possess both anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in humans. This double blind and randomised study used a broad spectrum of clinical and laboratory parameters to investigate whether there was any additional anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects, or both, of orally administered -tocopherol in rheumatoid arthritis patients who were already receiving antirheumatic drugs. Methods-Forty two patients were enrolled and treated with -tocopherol (n=20) at a dose of 600 mg twice a day (2 × 2 capsules) or with placebo (n=22) for 12 weeks. The following parameters were measured: (1) Three clinical indices of inflammation-the Ritchie articular index, the duration of morning stiVness, and the number of swollen joints; (2) three measures of pain-pain in the morning, pain in the evening, and pain after chosen activity; (3) haematological and biochemical measures of inflammatory activity; (4) assays for the oxidative modification of proteins and lipids. Results-All laboratory measures of inflammatory activity and oxidative modification were unchanged. Furthermore, the clinical indices of inflammation were not influenced by the treatment. However, the pain parameters were significantly decreased after vitamin E treatment when compared with placebo. Conclusion-The results provide preliminary evidence that vitamin E may exert a small but significant analgesic activity independent of a peripheral antiinflammatory eVect, but which complements standard anti-inflammatory treatment.
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