CORONA Main Coronavirus thread

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


Q&A: Study finds women more likely than men to suffer from long COVID
by Cam Buchan, University of Western Ontario
February 19, 2024


study-finds-women-more.jpg

Unadjusted relationship between BMI and Long COVID by sex. Credit: International Journal of Obesity (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41366-024-01477-8

A new study by Western researchers has drawn a link between higher body mass index (BMI) in women and the likelihood of long COVID, but did not find the same link in men.

The impact of COVID-19 is still being felt across the globe. In Europe, more than 60% of those affected by the virus experience persistent, often severe symptoms months after the acute infection subsided—a condition known as "long COVID."

Now, research led by Dr. Sarah Cuschieri with Dr. Saverio Stranges and Piotr Wilk indicates there is a higher likelihood of women suffering long COVID, and women at the higher end of the BMI spectrum are more likely to have these symptoms. The researchers from the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry analyzed data collected from surveys of middle-aged and older adults in 27 countries across Europe.

The paper was published recently in the International Journal of Obesity.

We talked to Cuschieri about the research.


Cam Buchan: What prompted this research into long COVID?


Cuschieri: COVID-19 was a pandemic that affected every country. From the beginning, it became very clear that some of the individuals infected by COVID-19 were reporting lagging symptoms months after the acute infection had subsided.

A substantial proportion of the world's population falls within the obese category with a Body Mass Index greater than, or equal to 30 kg per square meter. These individuals have been known to be susceptible to worse COVID-19 infection outcomes. Therefore, our research aimed to find out whether these individuals were also more susceptible to long COVID and whether there was a difference between sexes.


What was the research methodology?


The project involved gaining access to the SHARE database, a Europe-based cross-country survey targeting the adult population from the age of 50 years onwards. These studies have been repeated across several years, including during the pandemic. Through collaborative work and analyses, we identified those that reported long COVID symptoms and linked this to their BMI and their sex.



What did you learn from analyzing the data?


Women were more likely than men to suffer from long COVID regardless of their BMI status. It appears that men at the highest spectrum of the BMI actually had a lower risk of long COVID than those with a lower BMI. It is important to understand there might be other factors affecting this relationship and one cannot omit the fact that a high BMI predisposes the individuals to develop other chronic diseases.
Why is this information important in understanding long COVID prevention and treatment?

An understanding of who is more susceptible to long COVID, including sex differences, allows health-care professionals as well as policymakers to establish a preventive care pathway as well as treatment plans that target at-risk individuals with an anticipated better individual outcome. The study also emphasizes the importance of sex differences when assessing the potential long-term consequences of long COVID.


Are further studies planned?


Yes. We are currently planning to continue exploring the susceptibility of long COVID across different countries and health statuses.

More information: Piotr Wilk et al, Does sex modify the effect of pre-pandemic body mass index on the risk of Long COVID? Evidence from the longitudinal analysis of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, International Journal of Obesity (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41366-024-01477-8
Provided by University of Western Ontario
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


44.4 Percent Of Indians Exposed To SARS-CoV-2 Suffer From Post COVID Lung Damage
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
Feb 20, 2024

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unveil significant health challenges, with a recent study conducted by Christian Medical College, Vellore, shedding light on the lasting effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the Indian population. This study covered in this COVID-19 News report, considered the largest of its kind in India, investigates the post-COVID lung damage experienced by individuals who have recovered from the virus.


Study Overview

The study examined 207 individuals during the first wave of the pandemic, assessing lung function impairment and lingering symptoms in those who had mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19. The research revealed that a substantial 44.4% of Indians exposed to SARS-CoV-2 suffered from post-COVID lung damage, surpassing the impact observed in European and Chinese populations.


Key Findings

The most alarming revelation from the study was the impairment in the gas transfer (DLCO), a critical lung function test measuring the ability to transfer oxygen from the air to the bloodstream. A staggering 44% of individuals exhibited reduced DLCO, indicating a worrisome trend. Additionally, 35% showed signs of a restrictive lung defect, affecting the lung's ability to inflate with air during breathing, and 8.3% had an obstructive lung defect, impacting the ease of air movement in and out of the lungs.


Comparisons with Other Populations
Contrary to expectations, Indians fared worse in all aspects of the study when compared to Europeans and Chinese populations. The principal investigator of the study, Dr. D J Christopher, highlighted that more Indian subjects had comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, potentially contributing to the increased severity of post-COVID lung damage.


Long-term Impact on Lung Function
The study, conducted an average of 63 days after the onset of symptoms, utilized comprehensive assessments, including complete lung function tests, six-minute walk tests, blood tests, and quality of life evaluations. The findings revealed that while some individuals may experience a gradual return to normalcy over up to one year, others may have to live with permanent lung damage.


Expert Perspectives

Dr Salil Bendre, head of pulmonology at Nanavati Hospital, emphasized that approximately 4-5% of individuals who experienced moderate to severe COVID-19, requiring hospitalization, oxygen support, and steroid treatment, may face permanent lung impairment. He noted that post-infection lung fibrosis could affect approximately 95% of patients who have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus!


In-Depth Analysis of Post-COVID Lung Damage
The study also delved into the impact of post-COVID lung damage on pulmonary function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life. Key parameters, including clinical symptoms, pulmonary function test results, six-minute walk test outcomes, St George’s Respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, and chest radiographs, were meticulously analyzed.


Demographic and Comorbidity Analysis
The study included 207 subjects with a mean age of 48.7 years, with 68.1% being male. The 'COVID-19 pneumonia' group, representing moderate to severe cases, exhibited higher comorbidities, with diabetes being significantly more prevalent (49.4% vs. 29.8%). Overall, 72.5% of the subjects had underlying comorbidities, emphasizing the importance of considering pre-existing health conditions in the evaluation of post-COVID lung damage.


Pulmonary Function Tests

The study reported that 35.7% of subjects had low Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), 35% had a restrictive defect, and 8.3% had an obstructive defect. Notably, the 'COVID-19 pneumonia' group showed more significant impairment in FVC, Total Lung Capacity (TLC), and DLCO compared to the 'mild COVID-19' group, signifying a correlation between disease severity and post-COVID lung damage.


Six-Minute Walk Test and Quality of Life Assessment
Results from the six-minute walk test indicated a mean walking distance of 425.26 meters, representing 74.20% of the predicted value. The 'COVID-19 pneumonia' group exhibited lower oxygen saturation and a higher drop in saturation during the test, reinforcing the impact of post-COVID lung damage on exercise tolerance. Quality of life assessments, as measured by the SGRQ, revealed significantly higher scores in the 'COVID-19 pneumonia' group, indicating a considerable adverse impact on overall well-being.


Chest Radiology Scores

Chest radiology scores demonstrated a higher median score in the 'COVID-19 pneumonia' group compared to the 'mild COVID-19' group, emphasizing the persistence of radiographic changes in more severe cases.


Comparative Analysis with Global Studies

To contextualize the findings, the study compared results with existing studies on post-COVID lung damage in different populations. Notably, Indian subjects showed a higher prevalence of comorbidities and more severe lung function impairment compared to European and Chinese populations, raising questions about the role of demographic and genetic factors in shaping the impact of post-COVID lung damage.


Conclusion

In conclusion, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the Indian population, revealing a significant burden of post-COVID lung, as assessed by lung function tests, exercise capacity, chest radiography and quality of life measurements. The Indian population reported relatively higher symptomatology and comorbidities and greater lung function impairment, compared to most published studies. The study findings have shown that post-COVID-19 lung damage results in significant impairment of lung function, quality of life and effort tolerance.

The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: PLOS Global Public Health journal.


Read Also:


https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...s-which-cannot-be-detected-by-normal-ct-scans
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
Is the white clot vid the one with the undertakers taking out those huge things from their cadavers' jungular veins? I'm nobodies idea o' weak, heck I watched the mentally ill guy holding his dad's severed head and calling for revolution, while eating dinner-----> but the clot video I had to say No Mas to :eek:

The ones posted from John Campbell on this thread do not have that footage. I saw it though, it was pretty amazing and horrifying. I think the guy holding the severed head was much worse. ymmv!
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I was very young but seems like I DO remember this now.
Because my grandmother was a big “flu shot” devotee and I think this was being discussed at our house!

I don’t rightly recall if she got one for the swine flu or if it was stopped in time.
I’m going to watch the video later.
Thank you for sharing this!
 

Zoner

Veteran Member
thailandmedical.news


Scientists Raise Alarm About Emergence Of Novel Human-Avian Reassortment H9N2 Virus In Guangdong-China!​


Thailand Medical News

5–7 minutes



Scientists Raise Alarm About Emergence Of Novel Human-Avian Reassortment H9N2 Virus In Guangdong-China!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 20, 2024

Medical News: In the intricate interplay between viruses and humans, the H9N2 avian influenza virus has emerged as a subtle yet potent player, capable of reshuffling genetic material with various flu strains. Recent findings have raised significant concerns about a novel human-avian reassortment H9N2 virus identified in Guangdong Province, China. Despite its traditionally low pathogenicity in both poultry and humans, the virus's ability to reassort and infect a wide range of hosts has scientists on high alert.

Medical-News-Emergence-Novel-Human-Avian-Reassortment-H9N2-Virus-In-Guangdong-China.jpg

Scientists Raise Alarm About Emergence Of Novel Human-Avian
Reassortment H9N2 Virus In Guangdong-China!

H9N2's Evolutionary Potential
While H9N2 may not be known for its lethality, it compensates with an extensive host range and a penchant for reassorting with other avian, swine, human, and canine flu viruses. Numerous studies over the years have linked H9N2 to the genetic makeup of other novel influenza subtypes, including H5N1, H5N6, H7N9, H3N8, and H10N4. In China, the use of ineffective vaccines has inadvertently fueled H9N2's evolution, leading to the creation and dissemination of multiple genotypes.

Mink as Potential Amplifiers
A significant revelation came from studies involving minks, where H9N2 infection, though non-fatal, led to replication of the virus in minks' lungs and other organs. Notably, minks infected with H9N2 could transmit the virus to other mammals, emphasizing the potential for genetic changes that enhance mammalian adaptation. This revelation gained attention last summer, as scientists underscored the risks posed by mink farms to future viral pandemics, emphasizing the need for proactive prevention measures.

The Latest Discovery in Guangdong Province
A recent Medical News report and study highlights the identification of a chicken–human–mink recombinant H9N2 virus (ZJ81 strain) in Guangdong Province, China.
One-Health Challenge in H9N2 Avian Influenza: Novel Human-Avian Reassortment Virus in Guangdong Province, China
Transboundary & Emerg. Dis.: Novel Human-Avian Reassortment H9N2 Virus in Guangdong Province, China
This strain, along with five others, demonstrated a bias for the human receptor-binding site and mutations associated with increased virulence in mice. Notably, the HA-Q226L mutation indicates a preference for human receptors, suggesting a potential shift from avian to human transmission.

Genetic Mutations and Virulence
The report identifies key mutations in the isolated strains, such as the T190V mutation in the HA protein, indicating increased replication in mice. All six strains share the D225G mutation in the HA protein, suggesting an enhanced ability for transmission and replication in pigs. These mutations pose a dual threat, indicating a potential increase in virulence in both mice and pigs, heightening concerns about cross-species transmission.

Implications for Public Health
China, being a major global producer of poultry, faces a substantial challenge in dealing with the dominance of H9N2 in its live poultry market. While the virus may not cause severe disease or high mortality in poultry, its impact on the industry includes decreased appetite, reduced egg production, and deaths resulting from mixed infections. Additionally, H9N2 serves as a genetic contributor to new recombinant viruses, such as H7N9 and H3N8, which have infected humans. This raises a significant public health concern, warranting vigilant surveillance and control measures.

The Global Spread of H9N2
Over the past 15 years, H9N2 has expanded its geographic range, spreading from Asia into Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Despite being classified as a low path avian influenza (LPAI) virus and not reportable by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), H9N2 has shown clear zoonotic potential. Seroprevalence studies indicate that individuals exposed to infected poultry often develop antibodies, suggesting mild or asymptomatic infections are likely common.

Challenges in Monitoring and Control
The intricate web of H9N2's interactions with wild birds, poultry farms, live bird markets, pig herds, peridomestic animals, and fur farms worldwide makes monitoring and control challenging. This current report from Guangdong Province provides a snapshot of H9N2's evolution five years ago, highlighting the need for real-time monitoring and control efforts. However, it serves as a reminder that our understanding is limited, and the evolution of pandemic pathogens can occur outside our immediate view.

Conclusion and Preparedness
The emergence of the novel human-avian reassortment H9N2 virus in Guangdong Province underscores the ever-present risk of zoonotic infections and the potential for genetic mutations that enhance virulence. As nature continues its relentless pursuit of successful pathogens, preparation is paramount. While the likelihood of an imminent pandemic remains uncertain, the imperative is clear: proactive measures, real-time monitoring, and international collaboration are essential to safeguard public health against the evolving threat of H9N2 and other potential pandemic viruses.
 

hd5574

Veteran Member
I might have had that borrowed on kindle. Returned it for something else. Maybe time to revisit that decision.
I purchased the paperback version of both of his D3 books..they are a part of my med book reference shelf..... I have the second one you just posted...that is his first book.... the second one has a kind of a brown cover....
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic

I watched the video and I think everyone should take the time to watch it too. Looks like the covid vaccine isn't the first time a vaccine was rolled out without properly warning the public. Unbelievable...

btw, I don't remember this. I don't think I took it, I have no memory of any of it so I'm guessing I did not.
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
thailandmedical.news


Scientists Raise Alarm About Emergence Of Novel Human-Avian Reassortment H9N2 Virus In Guangdong-China!​


Thailand Medical News

5–7 minutes



Scientists Raise Alarm About Emergence Of Novel Human-Avian Reassortment H9N2 Virus In Guangdong-China!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 20, 2024

Medical News: In the intricate interplay between viruses and humans, the H9N2 avian influenza virus has emerged as a subtle yet potent player, capable of reshuffling genetic material with various flu strains. Recent findings have raised significant concerns about a novel human-avian reassortment H9N2 virus identified in Guangdong Province, China. Despite its traditionally low pathogenicity in both poultry and humans, the virus's ability to reassort and infect a wide range of hosts has scientists on high alert.

Medical-News-Emergence-Novel-Human-Avian-Reassortment-H9N2-Virus-In-Guangdong-China.jpg

Scientists Raise Alarm About Emergence Of Novel Human-Avian
Reassortment H9N2 Virus In Guangdong-China!

H9N2's Evolutionary Potential
While H9N2 may not be known for its lethality, it compensates with an extensive host range and a penchant for reassorting with other avian, swine, human, and canine flu viruses. Numerous studies over the years have linked H9N2 to the genetic makeup of other novel influenza subtypes, including H5N1, H5N6, H7N9, H3N8, and H10N4. In China, the use of ineffective vaccines has inadvertently fueled H9N2's evolution, leading to the creation and dissemination of multiple genotypes.

Mink as Potential Amplifiers
A significant revelation came from studies involving minks, where H9N2 infection, though non-fatal, led to replication of the virus in minks' lungs and other organs. Notably, minks infected with H9N2 could transmit the virus to other mammals, emphasizing the potential for genetic changes that enhance mammalian adaptation. This revelation gained attention last summer, as scientists underscored the risks posed by mink farms to future viral pandemics, emphasizing the need for proactive prevention measures.

The Latest Discovery in Guangdong Province
A recent Medical News report and study highlights the identification of a chicken–human–mink recombinant H9N2 virus (ZJ81 strain) in Guangdong Province, China.
One-Health Challenge in H9N2 Avian Influenza: Novel Human-Avian Reassortment Virus in Guangdong Province, China
Transboundary & Emerg. Dis.: Novel Human-Avian Reassortment H9N2 Virus in Guangdong Province, China
This strain, along with five others, demonstrated a bias for the human receptor-binding site and mutations associated with increased virulence in mice. Notably, the HA-Q226L mutation indicates a preference for human receptors, suggesting a potential shift from avian to human transmission.

Genetic Mutations and Virulence
The report identifies key mutations in the isolated strains, such as the T190V mutation in the HA protein, indicating increased replication in mice. All six strains share the D225G mutation in the HA protein, suggesting an enhanced ability for transmission and replication in pigs. These mutations pose a dual threat, indicating a potential increase in virulence in both mice and pigs, heightening concerns about cross-species transmission.

Implications for Public Health
China, being a major global producer of poultry, faces a substantial challenge in dealing with the dominance of H9N2 in its live poultry market. While the virus may not cause severe disease or high mortality in poultry, its impact on the industry includes decreased appetite, reduced egg production, and deaths resulting from mixed infections. Additionally, H9N2 serves as a genetic contributor to new recombinant viruses, such as H7N9 and H3N8, which have infected humans. This raises a significant public health concern, warranting vigilant surveillance and control measures.

The Global Spread of H9N2
Over the past 15 years, H9N2 has expanded its geographic range, spreading from Asia into Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Despite being classified as a low path avian influenza (LPAI) virus and not reportable by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), H9N2 has shown clear zoonotic potential. Seroprevalence studies indicate that individuals exposed to infected poultry often develop antibodies, suggesting mild or asymptomatic infections are likely common.

Challenges in Monitoring and Control
The intricate web of H9N2's interactions with wild birds, poultry farms, live bird markets, pig herds, peridomestic animals, and fur farms worldwide makes monitoring and control challenging. This current report from Guangdong Province provides a snapshot of H9N2's evolution five years ago, highlighting the need for real-time monitoring and control efforts. However, it serves as a reminder that our understanding is limited, and the evolution of pandemic pathogens can occur outside our immediate view.

Conclusion and Preparedness
The emergence of the novel human-avian reassortment H9N2 virus in Guangdong Province underscores the ever-present risk of zoonotic infections and the potential for genetic mutations that enhance virulence. As nature continues its relentless pursuit of successful pathogens, preparation is paramount. While the likelihood of an imminent pandemic remains uncertain, the imperative is clear: proactive measures, real-time monitoring, and international collaboration are essential to safeguard public health against the evolving threat of H9N2 and other potential pandemic viruses.


hmmm.. Naturally occuring or fiddled with in the lab?

Looks like yet another candidate for Disease X. How many are we looking at now? :shk:

HD
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


Rutgers COVID-19 Shot Mandate Remains After Court Rules ‘No Fundamental Right to Refuse Vaccination’
By Matthew Lysiak
2/20/2024


A landmark court ruling upheld that students of Rutgers University have no right to refuse the COVID-19 shot.

On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of students who raised constitutional challenges against the school’s policy mandating that all students and employees be required to take the COVID-19 shot.


“Rutgers had to decide in real time, on a changing landscape of executive pronouncements and medical judgments, how to sustain its educational mission while protecting the safety of its student body,” read the majority judgment. “Students had to choose whether to vaccinate and resume in-person or to decline and proceed masked (for exempt students) or remotely or elsewhere (for non-exempt students). None of these options were ideal, and no doubt they created hardship for many.”

“That choice may have been difficult,” the court continued. “But there is no unqualified right to decide whether to ‘accept or refuse’ an Emergency Use Authorization product without consequence.”

“Nor is there an unqualified right to attend a university – let alone the university of one’s choice – without conditions.”

The court added, “As federal courts have uniformly held, there is no fundamental right to refuse vaccination.”


The ruling is only the latest blow for university students who claim their right to medical autonomy has been violated. More than a dozen students filed the federal lawsuit against Rutgers after the university first mandated students get the COVID-19 shot in 2021, arguing that the school’s requirement violated their right to medical privacy. A month later, a federal judge denied the student’s request for an injunction, and in 2022, a federal court in New Jersey dismissed the suit.

Rutgers is one of 68 universities still requiring students and staff to receive the shot to be enrolled for the upcoming fall semester. The school’s website currently states, “COVID-19 shots are required of students and employees unless granted a medical or religious exemption by the university.” Those who don’t show proof that they have had the shot will not be allowed to return for the first day of class on Sept. 6.

The site added that “face coverings are not required at the university but are welcomed.”

According to Lucia Sinatra, co-founder of No College Mandates, the ruling comes as another roadblock for health privacy advocates who believe an individual’s medical care should be a personal decision and not subject to coercion.

“This was a huge disappointment,” said Ms. Sinatra, who served as an advisor in the lawsuit. “How a federal court can rule that bodily autonomy is not a protected freedom or constitutional right is mind blowing to me. This is a politically driven decision coming from a judiciary that is largely corrupted.”

“The right to bodily autonomy is one of the most basic rights an individual has, and how a judge won’t defend that most basic of constitutional rights is just beyond scary,” she told The Epoch Times.

The past two years have seen the COVID-19 shots become mired in controversy. The original COVID-19 vaccines were taken by more than 80 percent of Americans after officials pledged that the shots would effectively prevent contraction and stop the spread of the disease.

However, once it was revealed that the shots didn’t work as promised, interest in the subsequent booster decreased dramatically.

The shots could also be attributed to widespread reports of adverse health outcomes believed to have been caused by the therapies. COVID-19 shots have been named the primary suspect in over 1.5 million adverse event reports, according to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database. The numbers could be even higher. An FDA-funded studyout of Harvard found that VAERS cases represent fewer than 1 percent of vaccine adverse events.

Despite the controversy, COVID-19 vaccine mandates continue to be in effect for students at 68 (including Rutgers) out of the top 800 colleges in the United States, according to recent data acquired by No College Mandates, which describes itself as a “group of concerned parents, doctors, nurses, professors, students, and other college stakeholders working towards the common goal of ending COVID-19 vaccine mandates.”

The student group that filed the lawsuit plans to appeal the ruling to the district court, according to Mr. Sinatra.

“The stakes couldn’t be greater,” said Ms. Sinatra. “This isn’t just about a single shot, it is about the right of medical autonomy for every individual in this country.”
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oeTsOubsQ
Horrendous Rise in Liver Disease - Any Idea of the Cause?
Vejon Health
Streamed live February 20, 2024
15 min 8 sec

Recently seen an analysis of data from the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (UK) regarding the excess mortality by disease.

Liver disease mortality has risen significantly!

The combination of immune priming through vaccination with continued exposure to the virus could be explosive.

Sgamato, Costantino, et al. "Autoimmune liver diseases and SARS-CoV-2." World Journal of Gastroenterology 29.12 (2023): 1838.

 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


U.S. Wastewater Shows That COVID-19 Is Going Up In America. JN.2.5 Continues To Wreak Havoc In Mato Grosso-Brazil
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
Feb 21, 2024


U.S. Wastewater Shows That COVID-19 Is Once Again Rising Across United States.
While the U.S. CDC is claiming that COVID-19 cases are declining in America, data from waste water surveillance by Biobot (not Verily which is a subsidiary of Google and is currently contracted by the U.S. CDC) is showing that COVID-19 infections are once again rising across various parts of the United States.



COVID-19 Deaths Continue To Rise In Texas
Data for the Texas state health department shows that COVID-19 Deaths are continuing to rise in Texas despite claims by the U.S. CDC that COVID-19 cases and deaths are declining. In fact, if one is to peruse through all the specific data form various states, the data contradicts whatever the U.S. CDC is stating.



JN 2.5 Rampages Through Mato Grosso, Brazil
The new variant JN.2.5 which strangely most researchers or ‘variant hunters’ are not talking about and neither have there been any studies done on its immune evasiveness nor about its transmissibility is continuing to wreak havoc in Mato Gross-Brazil and is now also spreading across other areas in Brazil and also into neighboring countries.


https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...-brazil-possivity-test-rates-now-70-3-percent

https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...riant-is-wreaking-havoc-in-mato-grosso-brazil

According to latest COVID-19 News Briefs, the Brazil Carnival festivities was also cancelled in certain locations in Brazil.

https://www.thailandmedical.news/ne...st-in-india-young-people-dying-at-worrisome-r ates-in-finland-jn-2-5-causes-brazil-s-carnival-cancella

Between January 1st and February 20th, the State Department of Health of Mato Grosso (SES-MT) has reported 15,744 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 42 fatalities.

In January alone, 5,377 cases and 10 deaths were confirmed. Over the past 20 days, an alarming surge with 10,367 new cases and 32 deaths has been recorded, with 9 fatalities occurring in Cuiabá.

As of the latest update on February 20th, the Covid-19 Panel reveals that 78 individuals are currently hospitalized, with 25 in intensive care units (ICUs) and 31 in standard hospital wards. The adult ICU occupancy rate stands at 100%, emphasizing the strain on healthcare facilities. Presently, 3,658 cases are under monitoring.

The incidence rate has climbed from 398.33 to 424.92 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while mortality has risen from 0.98 to 1.07 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The rapid surge in cases has prompted both municipal and state health departments to reinforce the importance of wearing masks in enclosed spaces, particularly within healthcare settings. Vaccination remains crucial to safeguarding lives and curbing the potential surge in cases, which could further burden healthcare facilities already grappling with dengue outbreaks in the state of Mato Grosso.



560 New COVID-19 Cases And 2 Deaths In 24 Hours In St. Petersburg, Russia In 24 Hours
In the span of 24 hours, St. Petersburg recorded 557 fresh cases of COVID-19, accompanied by the unfortunate passing of two individuals due to the virus. This update comes from Smolny's daily epidemiological report dated February 19.

The city is actively managing COVID-19 cases, with eight hospitals dedicated to treating patients with both COVID-19 and pneumonia. Currently, there are 1,335 individuals receiving treatment in these hospitals out of the 1,753 available beds. Throughout the day, 89 patients were discharged, reflecting ongoing efforts in patient care.

Within intensive care units, 115 patients are receiving critical care, with 22 individuals relying on ventilators for respiratory support.

Additionally, 4,417 patients are undergoing outpatient treatment for confirmed or suspected COVID-19, while 4,146 individuals are benefiting from free medication assistance at home.

On a national scale, Russia has reported 27.4 thousand new cases of coronavirus within the past week.

 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)



Six Measles Cases Confirmed in Florida School District

Olivia Rondeau
21 Feb 2024

A Florida public school district has confirmed its sixth case of measles as health officials warn of an outbreak.

Broward County Public Schools officials announced that its latest case came out of Manatee Bay Elementary on Tuesday, just days after the Florida Department of Health confirmed Friday that another student at the same school was the first to test positive, Fox News reported.

According to Broward County Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata, it’s fine for children to come to school if they’re vaccinated.

“It’s safe. It’s safe if your child is vaccinated,” Licata told 7 News Miami.

He added that any major decision regarding school closures would be made by state health officials.

“We are not allowed to keep children from coming to school but if the state feel [sic] it’s the best interest, they’ll deem that as a state of emergency for the school,” the superintendent said.

“We expect to receive further guidance from the Florida Department of Health tomorrow and will continue to keep the school and its families updated with the latest information,” district communications chief John Sullivan said in a statement obtained by ABC News Tuesday.

“Over the weekend, the District took further preventive measures by conducting a deep cleaning of the school premises and replacing its air filters,” he added.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that a total of 20 measles cases had been reported by 11 jurisdictions as of February 15: Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

This figure does not include the recent outbreak in Florida schools.

The health agency also listed the countries that were hit with the most measles cases from July 2023 to December 2023:

Yemen – 18,464

Azerbaijan – 13,721

Kazakhstan – 13,195

India – 12,301

Ethiopia – 10,060

While the worst statistics are from Western Asian and Middle Eastern regions, European health officials have been warning about outbreaks as well.

The U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) launched a new pro-vaccine publicity campaign in January after 216 confirmed measles cases and 103 probable cases in children throughout England since October, Breitbart London reported in January.
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


Swarming Secrets: Bat ‘Nightclubs’ Hold the Key to Preventing Future Viral Outbreaks
By Courtney Price, Texas A&M University
February 21, 2024

The evolution of viral tolerance in Myotis bats may help scientists prevent future pandemics, say researchers at Texas A&M.

Bats carry some of the deadliest zoonotic diseases that can infect both humans and animals, such as Ebola and COVID-19.

In a recently published article in the journal Cell Genomics, a Texas A&M research team revealed that some species of bats are protected against the viruses they carry because they commonly exchange immune genes during seasonal mating swarms.

“Understanding how bats have evolved viral tolerance may help us learn how humans can better fight emerging diseases,” said Dr. Nicole Foley, from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS). “As genomicists, our work often lays the groundwork for research by scientists who study virus transmission directly. They may be developing vaccines for diseases or monitoring vulnerable animal populations. We all depend on each other to stay ahead of the next pandemic.”

Because bats are often immune to the diseases they carry, Foley and Dr. Bill Murphy, a professor in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, believe that studying bats’ disease immunity could hold the key to preventing the next global pandemic.

“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prediction and prevention of outbreaks is front of mind for researchers and the public alike,” Foley said. “Several bat species are tolerant of viruses that are detrimental to human health, which means they become reservoirs for disease — they carry the viruses, but crucially they don’t develop symptoms.”

The Secret Of Swarming Behavior

To uncover exactly how bats have evolved tolerance to these deadly viruses, Foley, Murphy, and their international research partners mapped the evolutionary tree of Myotis bats, something they knew to be crucial in trying to identify which genes might be involved.

“Myotis bats are the second-largest genus of mammals, with over 140 species,” she said. “They’re found almost all over the world and they host a large diversity of viruses.”

To add to the difficulties associated with figuring out relationships among species, Myotis and other bat species also engage in swarming behavior during mating.

“You can think of swarming behavior like a social gathering; there’s lots of flight activity, increased communication, and inter-species mingling; for bats, it’s not unlike going to a club,” Foley said.

Complicating things for the researchers, swarming creates increased numbers of hybrids — individual bats with parents from different species.

“The problem with Myotis bats is that there are so many species, about 130, but they all look very similar,” Foley said. “It can be very hard to distinguish them from each other, and then hybridization makes it even more difficult. If we’re trying to map out how these bats evolved so we can understand their disease immunity, being able to tell who’s who is very important.”

Untangling Hybridization

With this in mind, to create a map of the true relationships between Myotis bats, Foley and Murphy first untangled the genetic code for hybridization so they could tell more clearly which species were which.

“We collaborated with researchers from Ireland, France, and Switzerland to sequence the genomes of 60 Myotis bat species,” she explained. “That allowed us to figure out which parts of the DNA represented the species’ true evolutionary history and which parts arose from hybridization.”

With that part of the puzzle solved, the researchers were finally able to examine the genetic code more closely to see how it might shed light on disease immunity.

They found that immune genes were some of those most frequently exchanged between species while swarming.

“Swarming behavior has always been a bit of a mystery for researchers,” Foley said. “Now we have a better understanding of why this particular behavior evolved — perhaps to promote hybridization, which helps spread beneficial immune gene variants more widely throughout the population.”

New Questions For Researchers

Foley and Murphy’s findings have opened the doors to new questions about the importance of hybridization in evolution.

“Hybridization played a much bigger role in our findings than we anticipated,” Foley noted. “These results have led us to wonder to what extent hybridization has obscured genomicists’ knowledge of mammalian evolutionary history, so far.

“Now, we’re hoping to identify other instances where hybridization has occurred among mammals and see what we can learn about how they are related and even how and why genomes are organized the way that they are,” she said.

Reference: “Karyotypic stasis and swarming influenced the evolution of viral tolerance in a species-rich bat radiation” by Nicole M. Foley, Andrew J. Harris, Kevin R. Bredemeyer, Manuel Ruedi, Sebastien J. Puechmaille, Emma C. Teeling, Michael F. Criscitiello and William J. Murphy, 17 January 2024, Cell Genomics.
DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100482
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


Thailand Medical Researchers Find That High Long COVID Prevalence Linked To Under 60s And Early Cough
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
Feb 22, 2024

Since its emergence in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to global health systems. Among the numerous complications associated with this viral illness, the phenomenon of long COVID has garnered significant attention. In Thailand, where over 2 million COVID-19 cases had been reported as of May 2021, the prevalence of long COVID among recovered patients reached a staggering 90%. As the pandemic landscape continues to evolve, with the emergence of new variants like Omicron and the rollout of vaccination and antiviral treatments, understanding the dynamics of long COVID becomes increasingly vital. This study covered in this COVID-19 News report endeavors to shed light on the prevalence, associated factors, and health outcomes of long COVID in Thailand's evolving pandemic context.


Methodology
Conducted by Thailand Medical researchers from Chiang Mai University, this observational study enrolled 390 adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between January and March 2022. These patients were subsequently followed up via telephone interviews every three months for a duration of one year. The comprehensive data collection process included demographic information, vaccination status, antiviral treatment history, and detailed assessments of physical and mental health post-COVID-19.

Participants were queried about persistent symptoms, mental well-being, sleep disturbances, and overall quality of life using standardized questionnaires.


Results

Among the cohort of 390 participants, with an average age of 31.8, a striking 77.7% exhibited symptoms indicative of long COVID. Fatigue emerged as the most prevalent symptom, reported by 64.1% of participants, followed closely by cough at 43.9%. Mental health assessments revealed that 8.2% of participants experienced symptoms of depression, while 4.1% reported anxiety. Additionally, 33.3% of participants reported poor sleep quality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis highlighted significant associations between long-COVID symptoms and certain demographic and clinical factors. Specifically, individuals under the age of 60 (p = 0.042) and those who initially presented with a cough (p = 0.045) were more likely to experience persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Furthermore, gender-specific analysis revealed that female participants with long COVID were significantly more likely to report symptoms such as headaches (p = 0.001), dizziness (p = 0.007), and brain fog (p = 0.013).


Discussion

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the ongoing challenges posed by long COVID, even in the context of extensive vaccination and antiviral treatment availability. Despite the implementation of robust public health measures and the introduction of vaccines and therapeutics, the prevalence of long COVID remains alarmingly high, particularly among individuals under the age of 60 and those who initially presented with a cough. These results underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of long COVID, with both physical and mental health implications requiring comprehensive attention and support.

Additionally, the gender-specific differences observed in symptom presentation highlight the need for further research to elucidate the underlying factors contributing to these disparities.


Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the enduring impact of long COVID on individuals' health and well-being in Thailand's evolving pandemic landscape. Despite significant progress in vaccination and treatment efforts, the prevalence of persistent COVID-19 symptoms remains substantial, particularly among certain demographic groups. Moving forward, it is imperative that healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers collaborate to address the multifaceted challenges posed by long COVID and develop targeted interventions to support affected individuals. By leveraging a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to long COVID and its associated health outcomes, we can work towards mitigating its impact and improving the overall resilience of our communities in the face of future health crises.

The study findings were published in the peer reviewed Journal of Clinical Medicine.

 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Is Much Lower In Hospitalized Patients, Including Deaths Compared To Outpatients
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
Feb 22, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has posed unprecedented challenges to global health systems since its emergence in late 2019. As the virus continues to evolve, giving rise to new variants with distinct characteristics, understanding the dynamics of viral load and its implications for disease severity and transmission becomes increasingly crucial. In this context, a pioneering study covered in this COVID-19 News report and conducted by researchers from Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) and Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) in Mexico has delved into the intricate relationships between SARS-CoV-2 variants, demographic variables, disease severity, and viral load.


COVID-19-News-SARS-CoV-2-Viral-Load-Is-Much-Lower-In-Hospitalized-Patients-Including-Deaths-Compared-To-Outpatients.jpg

Relationship between CT and disease severity in patients infected with the different variants


The study found that that the viral load caused by different variants differs only in the first two days after the onset of symptoms, being higher when infections are caused by the delta variant and lower when caused by omicron. Furthermore, the viral load appears to be higher in outpatients compared to hospitalized patients or in cases of death. On the other hand, no differences were found in the viral load produced in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, nor did it differ between genders.


Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Classification and Concerns
Since its inception, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone genetic mutations, leading to the emergence of several variants with varying attributes. To classify these variants and assess their potential impact, organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have developed categorization schemes based on their characteristics. Variants are classified as variants under monitoring (VUM), variants of interest (VOI), variants of concern (VOC), and variants of high consequence (VOHC). In Mexico, the landscape of SARS-CoV-2 variants includes Alpha, Beta, Mu, Lambda, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, each presenting unique challenges and concerns.


Importance of Viral Load in COVID-19 Progression
Viral load, the amount of virus present in an infected individual, plays a pivotal role in determining disease severity, transmission dynamics, and treatment strategies. Previous studies have suggested that certain variants, such as the Delta variant, exhibit higher viral loads compared to the original strain, potentially influencing disease outcomes and transmission rates. Additionally, the relationship between viral load and disease severity remains a topic of debate, with conflicting findings in the literature. Factors such as the timing of sample collection, patient demographics, and immune responses contribute to the complexity of understanding viral load dynamics in COVID-19.


Insights from the Comprehensive Study in Mexico
The groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from IPN and IMSS involved the analysis of over 16,800 samples from individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in Mexico. The study aimed to unravel the intricate interplay between viral load, demographic variables, disease severity, and SARS-CoV-2 variants. By employing advanced analytical techniques, including the ?CT method, researchers sought to elucidate patterns and associations within the data.


Results and Analysis
The comprehensive analysis revealed intriguing insights into SARS-CoV-2 viral load dynamics across different stages of infection and among various demographic groups. Notably, the study observed a significant decrease in viral load over time, particularly in the initial days following symptom onset. However, differences in viral load were observed between SARS-CoV-2 variants, with the Delta variant associated with higher viral loads at the onset of infection compared to other variants.

Surprisingly, the study found that outpatients consistently exhibited higher viral loads compared to hospitalized patients, challenging conventional beliefs about the relationship between viral load and disease severity. This unexpected finding underscores the need for further investigation into the factors influencing viral load dynamics and disease outcomes.

Furthermore, the analysis explored the association between viral load, age, sex, and vaccination status. Older adults displayed lower viral loads compared to younger age groups during the early stages of infection, highlighting age-related variations in viral dynamics. However, no significant differences were observed between genders, and vaccination status did not result in significant differences in viral load.


Discussion and Implications
The findings of the study have significant implications for our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 viral load dynamics and disease progression. The unexpected observation of higher viral loads in outpatients challenges prevailing assumptions about the relationship between viral load and disease severity. This discrepancy suggests the involvement of immunological factors and coinfections in determining disease outcomes, warranting further investigation.

The distinct viral load patterns observed among different SARS-CoV-2 variants underscore the dynamic nature of the virus and its potential implications for disease transmission and severity. While the Delta variant exhibited higher viral loads initially, the study found that severity outcomes were associated with specific variants throughout the disease course.

Limitations of the study, including uneven data distribution among different variants and age groups, highlight the need for larger and more diverse datasets to draw comprehensive conclusions. Additionally, the absence of detailed information on symptoms and comorbidities presents a potential area for future research.


Conclusion
In conclusion, the comprehensive study conducted in Mexico offers valuable insights into SARS-CoV-2 viral load dynamics and its associations with demographic variables, disease severity, and SARS-CoV-2 variants. The findings challenge conventional beliefs about viral load and disease severity, underscoring the complex interplay between host factors, viral dynamics, and disease outcomes. As the global community continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, studies of this nature are essential for guiding public health interventions and refining our understanding of the virus. Further research is warranted to unravel the complexities of viral load dynamics and its implications for disease management and control.

The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Microorganisms.

 

Zoner

Veteran Member
Dr. David Martin's 21 minute speech in Brussels documenting where Sars/Cov1 and 2 came from and by who... is the most watched video in history ... with 4 billion views. Then there was a private interview with him that was Part I. Yesterday they released Part II. I had to register to watch it. It's worth it. The link will lead to a four minute trailer which is powerful in and of itself.


The full interview is here: The Great Setup trailer
 
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Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
Profit of Doom and hd5574 - this one's for you.... :)


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCiABhI9qjU
Vitamin D deficiency pandemic
Dr. John Campbell
Feb 22, 2024
50 min 47 sec

Professor David Anderson. Early vitamin D research doctor.
Vitamin D and other topics, a fascinating wide ranging discussion with retired Consultant Physician and Professor of Endocrinology David Anderson. Download a free copy of VITAMIN D3 and the Great Biology Reset, by Professor David Anderson and Dr David Grimes.
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


Novavax resolves Gavi dispute over COVID-19 vaccines
Anjalee Khemlani·Senior Reporter Yahoo Finance
Thu, February 22, 2024, 11:09 AM EST

Novavax (NVAX) has resolved a battle with global nonprofit vaccine alliance Gavi that could have resulted in a single hit of up to $700 million this year over undelivered COVID-19 vaccine doses during the pandemic, the company said Thursday.

The announcement boosted the company's stock by more than 15% in early trading Thursday, reaching a high of $5.30 early in the session. But Novavax's stock is down nearly 90% over the past five years as a result of its missed COVID efforts.

The resolution is a return of a portion of the original $700 million amount charged to Gavi during the pandemic in advance of what was expected to be a total order of $2 billion in COVID-19 doses during the pandemic.

Instead, Novavax will now repay $80 million per year until the end of 2028, for a total of up to $400 million. In addition, Novavax will get an annual vaccine credit in the same amount for Gavi to acquire doses of any vaccine for low- and lower-middle-income countries.

"Use of the annual vaccine credit for qualifying sales would reduce Novavax’s annual cash obligation. In addition to the annual obligation, Novavax will provide an additional vaccine credit of up to $225 million, should there be additional demand, which can be applied towards qualifying dose purchases of any of the company’s vaccines in such countries throughout the five-year term," Novavax said in a statement.

Novavax CEO John Jacobs told Yahoo Finance the news should bring relief as the company had maintained the liability on its balance sheet last year, which had worried investors.

"This agreement is a complete resolution of the outstanding financial matter," Jacobs said.

Both Novavax and Gavi have new leaders at the helm since the original agreement was penned in 2021, and both entities are looking to the future as a result.

Jacobs said that includes having brought down the company's expenses and a pathway to new revenues in two years.

"We have about two more seasons we're anticipating being a standalone COVID company," Jacobs said.

The company expects its combination COVID-flu vaccine to launch in 2026, which presents market opportunity in the US and abroad. In addition, a malaria vaccine created in part with a Novavax ingredient licensed to the Serum Institute of India — and recommended for use by the World Health Organization — is expected to be a steady revenue source for the company through royalties.

In order to set the company up to achieve this, there has been cost-cutting to refocus the company away from its pandemic failure in the past year, Jacobs said.

"We've reduced about a billion dollars out of our operating expenses," he said, noting that included a 30% reduction in head count from a year ago.

"We've cleaned up a lot of the one-time liabilities that were concerning, and rightfully so, to investors. We've made the company a lot more lean," he added.
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


Researchers discover underlying cause of brain fog linked with long COVID
by Trinity College Dublin
February 22, 2024

A team of scientists from Trinity College Dublin and investigators from FutureNeuro has announced a major discovery with profound importance for our understanding of brain fog and cognitive decline seen in some patients with long COVID. The work appears in Nature Neuroscience.

In the months after the emergence of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 in late 2019 a patient-reported syndrome termed long COVID began to come to the fore as an enduring manifestation of acute infection.

Long COVID has up to 200 reported symptoms to date, but in general, patients report lingering symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, problems with memory and thinking and joint/muscle pain. While the vast majority of people suffering from COVID-19 make a full recovery, any of these symptoms that linger for more than 12 weeks post infection can be considered long COVID.

Long COVID has now become a major public health issue since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. While international incidence rates vary, it is estimated to affect up to 10% of patients infected with the SARS-CoV2 virus. Of these patients suffering from long COVID, just under 50% of them report some form of lingering neurological effect such as cognitive decline, fatigue and brain fog.

Now, the findings reported by the Trinity team have shown that there was disruption to the integrity of the blood vessels in the brains of patients suffering from long COVID and brain fog. This blood vessel "leakiness" was able to objectively distinguish those patients with brain fog and cognitive decline compared to patients suffering from long COVID but not with brain fog.

The team led by scientists at the Smurfit Institute of Genetics in Trinity's School of Genetics and Microbiology and neurologists in the School of Medicine have also uncovered a novel form of MRI scan that shows how long COVID can affect the human brain's delicate network of blood vessels.

"For the first time, we have been able to show that leaky blood vessels in the human brain, in tandem with a hyperactive immune system may be the key drivers of brain fog associated with long COVID. This is critically important, as understanding the underlying cause of these conditions will allow us to develop targeted therapies for patients in the future," said Prof. Matthew Campbell, Professor in Genetics and Head of Genetics at Trinity, and Principal Investigator at FutureNeuro.

This project was initiated at the height of the pandemic in 2020 and involved recruiting patients suffering from the effects of long COVID as well as patients who were hospitalized in St James's Hospital.

"Undertaking this complicated clinical research study at a time of national crisis and when our hospital system was under severe pressure is a testament to the skill and resource of our medical trainees and staff. The findings will now likely change the landscape of how we understand and treat post-viral neurological conditions. It also confirms that the neurological symptoms of long COVID are measurable with real and demonstrable metabolic and vascular changes in the brain," said Prof. Colin Doherty, Professor of Neurology and Head of the School of Medicine at Trinity, and Principal Investigator at FutureNeuro.


Moving beyond COVID-19

In recent years, it has become apparent that many neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) likely have a viral infection as the initiating event that triggers the pathology. However, proving that direct link has always been challenging.

Prof. Campbell added, "Here, the team at Trinity was able to prove that every patient that developed long COVID had been diagnosed with SARS-CoV2 infection, because Ireland required every documented case to be diagnosed using the more accurate PCR-based methods. The concept that many other viral infections that lead to post-viral syndromes might drive blood vessel leakage in the brain is potentially game changing and is under active investigation by the team."

Dr. Chris Greene, Postdoctoral research fellow and first author of the study, added, "Our findings have now set the stage for further studies examining the molecular events that lead to post-viral fatigue and brain fog. Without doubt, similar mechanisms are at play across many disparate types of viral infection and we are now tantalizingly close to understanding how and why they cause neurological dysfunction in patients."

More information: Blood–brain barrier disruption and sustained systemic inflammation in individuals with long COVID-associated cognitive impairment, Nature Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01576-9
Journal information: Nature Neuroscience
Provided by Trinity College Dublin
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


Hospitals And ER Departments In Costa Rica Collapses As Respiratory Infections, Dengue, Measles, Heart Failures And Strokes Rises Exponentially
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
Feb 23, 2024

Costa Rica, renowned for its natural beauty and progressive healthcare system, is currently facing an unprecedented healthcare crisis. Hospitals and emergency departments across the nation are overwhelmed by a surge in respiratory infections, dengue fever, measles, heart failures, and strokes. This Hospital News report delves into the multifaceted challenges plaguing Costa Rica's healthcare infrastructure, shedding light on the root causes, real-life impact on patients, and urgent need for systemic reforms.


The Escalating Healthcare Crisis
Costa Rica's healthcare system, once a beacon of success in Latin America, is now buckling under the weight of an escalating crisis. The San Rafael de Alajuela Hospital, a vital medical institution serving the population, has become emblematic of the strain facing healthcare facilities nationwide. Dr Ana Sofía Echeverría, the head of the Emergency Service at San Rafael, paints a sobering picture of the situation, citing a dramatic increase in patient admissions due to a myriad of ailments ranging from urinary and skin infections to life-threatening cardiovascular events and respiratory illnesses. Rise in dengue and measles cases are adding to the complexities and the country is literally facing an unprecendented medical crisis!

In fact, various local news coverages have already shown that various hospitals and emergency departments across Costa Rica have simply collapsed in the last few days.

https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/sindicato-nacional-de-enfermeria-pide-declarar-emergencia-institucional-por-colapso-en-salas-de-emergencias/

Servicio de emergencias en “jaque mate” por faltante de recurso humano - El Guardián CR

Esta es la lista de los hospitales con el servicio de Emergencias colapsado | Crhoy.com

Hospital de Alajuela solicita hacer uso racional del servicio de emergencias ante saturación - Monumental

Hospital de Nicoya cerró la semana con un 185% de ocupación en Emergencias | Crhoy.com


Pressure Points in Emergency Services
Emergency departments, the frontline of healthcare delivery, are bearing the brunt of the crisis. San Rafael de Alajuela Hospital has identified two distinct peaks in patient demand: one between 11 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon, and another at 10 at night when local health clinics are closed. This influx places immense strain on already stretched resources, prompting hospital authorities to appeal to the population for judicious use of emergency services.


Human Resource Shortage
At the heart of the crisis lies a critical shortage of healthcare professionals. The National Union of Nursing and Allied Workers (SINAE AFINES) conducted a comprehensive assessment of multiple emergency centers, revealing an acute scarcity of human resources. Nurses, doctors, and support staff are grappling with burnout syndrome, a consequence of relentless workloads and prolonged exposure to distressing medical scenarios. Lenin Hernández Navas, Secretary General of SINAE AFINES, has called upon the Costa Rican Social Security Fund to declare an institutional emergency, urging swift action to address the staffing crisis.


A Glimpse into Patients' Plight
Behind the grim statistics lie poignant stories of patients grappling with the fallout of the healthcare crisis. Carmen Molina, a patient at the San Carlos Hospital, endured three agonizing days awaiting gallbladder surgery while her legs swelled from prolonged sitting. Sebastian Robles spent four days oscillating between a chair and an armchair at the same hospital, grappling with pancreatitis. Maria Yessenia, a mother of two, languished in the emergency room for three days, her anxiety mounting as she awaited treatment for gallbladder stones.

Meanwhile, Francisco Herrera suffered a heart attack and endured a four-day wait for diagnostic tests at the San Francisco de Asís Hospital in Greece. Ana Rosa Mora spent a sleepless night in the Emergency Room, her heart racing with fear after a suspected cardiac event. Ligia Vega, battling heart problems, languished in a dilapidated wheelchair for two days at the San Rafael Hospital before securing a bed for proper care.


Saturation and Desperation
The saturation of emergency services paints a grim picture of a healthcare system stretched to its limits. The Enrique Baltodano Briceño Hospital in Liberia experienced a staggering 150% saturation, while La Anexión Hospital in Nicoya reached an alarming 188%. The San Juan de Dios Hospital in San José faced a saturation level of 170%, with emergency staff overwhelmed by the sheer volume of patients seeking urgent care.


Conclusion
Costa Rica's healthcare crisis is a clarion call for immediate action and systemic reform. The strain on hospitals and emergency departments underscores the urgent need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, bolstering of human resources, and implementation of proactive measures to address public health challenges. As the nation grapples with the fallout of the crisis, it is imperative for stakeholders to come together and chart a course towards a more resilient and responsive healthcare system. Only through collective effort and unwavering commitment can Costa Rica overcome this unprecedented healthcare challenge and ensure the well-being of its citizens for generations to come.
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Mutation Trajectory Is Faster Than What Has Been Seen In The Influenza Virus Over The Last 30 Years
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
Feb 23, 2024

Since its emergence in 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has sparked a global pandemic, causing widespread infections and continually evolving through mutations. Scientists, particularly those at Akita Prefectural University in Japan, have been closely monitoring these mutations to understand their patterns and implications for the trajectory of the virus. Unlike the gradual accumulation of mutations seen in the influenza virus over the last 30 years, SARS-CoV-2 mutations exhibit a distinct pattern characterized by abrupt emergence and targeted changes, particularly in the spike protein and small open reading frames (ORFs). The latest variant, JN.1, has shown a trajectory of change that sets it apart from previous Omicron variants, raising concerns about the virus's evolving nature.


Understanding the Omicron Variant
The Omicron variant, which surfaced in late 2021 as reported by past COVID-19 News reports, has proven to be more transmissible than any previous variant, dominating the virus's history for about half of its existence. Researchers aimed to unravel the characteristics of the Omicron variant and compare the mutational patterns of SARS-CoV-2 with the influenza H1N1 virus. To achieve this, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed, offering a comprehensive overview and revealing distinct differences between the two viruses.


Mutational Patterns in SARS-CoV-2
The study identified a significant departure from the mutational patterns observed in influenza. Unlike influenza, where mutations accumulate gradually, SARS-CoV-2 mutations manifest abruptly and substantially. The Omicron variant, represented by BA.1, exhibited a trajectory of change distinct from previous variants, marked by sudden emergence and subsequent dominance.

The emergence of JN.1 further added to the complexity, with substantial changes at previously unmutated sites, indicating a new direction of mutation.


Sites of Mutation in the Genome
Analyzing the nucleotide sequences, researchers observed that the mutations in SARS-CoV-2 were concentrated in the spike glycoprotein (S), with frequent variations across nearly all bases. This stands in stark contrast to influenza, where all ORFs mutate at uniform rates. The study also highlighted the rarity of insertions in SARS-CoV-2, with the JN.1 variant showing some unique features closer to earlier variants than other Omicrons.


Mutations Observed in Spike Protein
Further investigation into the spike protein mutations revealed a unique pattern in SARS-CoV-2, with abrupt and discrete clusters of mutations. The rapid and continuous mutations observed in the spike protein raised concerns about the practicality of targeting it for detection or immune response purposes. The study suggested that focusing on other regions, such as ORF3a, E, and specific regions of N, might offer a more effective approach, considering the rapid mutation rate of the virus.


Comparative Analysis with Influenza
The comparison between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza highlighted fundamental differences in their evolutionary patterns. Influenza undergoes continuous evolution of a single variant, accumulating mutations over time, leading to recurrent outbreaks. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 variants, infecting fewer individuals, exhibit independent mutations, and new variants appear suddenly, irrespective of previous ones. The study emphasized the impact of the spike protein's binding to ACE2, resulting in multiple strains circulating simultaneously.


Implications for Public Health
The rapid mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2, particularly in the spike protein, has posed challenges for detection methods and immune response strategies. The study suggested that repeated vaccinations targeting the rapidly mutating spike protein may not be the most effective approach. Instead, considering the mutational patterns observed, a vaccine targeting other regions of the virus may offer longer-lasting efficacy with potentially fewer health concerns associated with repeated vaccinations.


Conclusion
The research conducted at Akita Prefectural University sheds light on the unprecedented mutational dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, particularly the Omicron variant. The distinct patterns observed in the trajectory of mutations, compared with the influenza virus, emphasize the need for a nuanced approach in understanding and addressing the challenges posed by the virus. As JN.1 and future variants continue to emerge with unique characteristics, ongoing vigilance and research are crucial for adapting public health measures and vaccine strategies to effectively combat the evolving nature of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The study findings were published on a preprint server and are currently being peer reviewed.

 

inskanoot

Veteran Member
Vitamin D Vitamin C Iodine

Vitamin D Vitamin C Iodine: Why more is better Paperback – October 9, 2022​

by Alexandre Doumenach (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 140 ratings
Amazon

See all formats and editions

Against cancer, atherosclerosis, heart disease, diabetes, infection, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, acne, rheumatoid arthritis, PCOS, endometriosis, osteoporosis, infertility, migraine, depression, obesity, thyroid disease and more.

In his latest book, Dr. Alexandre Doumenach presents the remarkable properties of vitamin D, vitamin C and iodine on the basis of scientific studies and long medical practice. He explains, summarizes and draws key conclusions about the role of these powerful substances in our health.

Both healthy and sick people as well as doctors who would like to heal more effectively will certainly benefit from this book.
 

Tristan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Dr. Campbell discusses the ongoing Clarifications/Manipulations/Jiggery-Pokery going on with the "Excess Deaths" data in the UK:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOgDwhWXYk

rt: 10:51

Shockingly, the apparent "Excess Deaths" statistic has been updated and reflects much lower Excess Deaths - even though the actual numbers of deaths are the same.

It seems apparent (to me, at least) that the efforts to munge the data are ongoing.

As expected.
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic

hmm.

Posted about the Montana Lab on January 28, 2024, post 69,880.

In light of those tweets, I'll paste it here again.




(fair use applies)

GO TO LINK FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL TESTING PICTURES, not going to copy them over

EXCLUSIVE Inside NIH virus lab in Montana - that has eerie ties to Wuhan - where US scientists inject pigs and monkeys with EBOLA and other dangerous bio-agents
By Alexa Lardieri
Published: 09:57 EST, 27 January 2024

  • Photos obtained by a watchdog group show experiments performed on animals
  • NIH lab in Montana was previously found to have been experimenting with SARS

Photos and videos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show US government-funded researchers experimenting on animals at a controversial lab in Montana where risky virus research is carried out.

Images and video footage obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request and shared exclusively with this website show researchers sedating monkeys and pigs and giving them injections, as well as piglets housed in small and unsanitary cages.

While there is no suggestion any of the footage shows illegal activity, it gives an eerie glimpse into what goes on at the National Institutes of Health's Rocky Mountain Lab (RML), which has come under scrutiny in recent months.

Last year, this website revealed that RML in Montana had been experimenting with SARS-like viruses a year before the Covid pandemic, and while that research has stopped, current projects involving other deadly pathogens with the potential to spark a new pandemic are still being carried out at the lab.

These include injecting pigs with Ebola and infecting monkeys with Covid-19 and studying how they react to Hemorrhagic Fever, which involves vomiting blood, internal bleeding, bleeding in the brain and from the eyes, nose and mouth.

The footage was obtained through a FOIA request by the White Coat Waste Project (WCW), which has campaigned against risky virus research and cruel animal experiments.

The RML was first revealed to be experimenting with deadly pathogens in WCW's first batch of documents provided to this website last year.

Previous documents from WCW revealed that in 2018, NIH researchers infected bats at the Rocky Mountain Lab with a 'SARS-like' virus as part of a collaboration with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which is at the center of the Covid cover-up scandal.

They showed US taxpayer money was used to experiment with coronaviruses from the Chinese lab thought to be the source of the Covid pandemic more than a year before the global outbreak.

The NIH, under Dr Anthony Fauci's leadership, infected 12 Egyptian fruit bats with a 'SARS-like' virus called WIV1 at RML.

The WIV1-coronavirus was shipped from the Wuhan lab the FBI believes caused the Covid pandemic and was tested on bats acquired from a 'roadside' Maryland zoo.

The research determined the novel virus could not cause a 'robust infection,' but is more evidence of ties between the US government and the Wuhan lab, as well as the funding of dangerous virus research across the globe.

Following the WCW's investigation and DailyMail.com's reporting, Republican Senators Joni Ernst, from Iowa, and Eric Schmitt, from Missouri, sent a letter to the NIH demanding 'to learn more about potentially risky research' carried out by scientists at RML.

Most recently, Sen Ernst wrote another letter, along with Rep Mike Gallagher, to the Pentagon demanding a review of the $50million in grants the US is sending to Chinese pandemic research institutions, including those based in Wuhan.

The senator said in a statement: 'Taxpayers deserve to know how much of their money is being shipped to China and why Washington continues collecting and creating deadly super viruses — both of which could pose threats to our national security.'

While the 'SARS-like' virus research has stopped, current projects involving other deadly pathogens with the potential to spark a new pandemic are still being carried out at the lab.

As part of WCW's current lawsuit, the NIH was compelled to send the group records of its experiments taking place at RML.

The documents reveal NIH scientists proposed infecting two- to three-week old piglets with reston virus (REBOV), a family of pathogens that could cause Ebola, a virus with a death rate of up to 90 percent, for a project to take place between 2017 and 2020.

The project, 'The role of Arterivirus co-infection in the pathogenesis of Reston Ebola Virus in swine', was to test how the co-infection of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and REBOV increased the virus' transmissibility and severity.

The experiment was to be carried out in two parts, first infecting the pigs with REBOV via their noses - as seen in photos.

On day three and between days five and 10 after inoculation, four animals were to be euthanized so necropsies could be performed.

The remaining animals were to be euthanized on day 28. Then, researchers proposed inoculating pigs with PRRSV and REBOV several days later to observe their behavior and take vitals then euthanize them on day 28.

While experimental 'manipulations' were to take place while the pigs were under anesthesia, the researchers said, 'Since we are evaluating these animals as potential models of disease progression, we are unable to alleviate the signs of disease.'

Symptoms of these diseases include fever, breathing problems, weight loss, diarrhea, excessive or internal bleeding, coughing up or vomiting blood and neurological disorders that could be fatal.

Researchers said: 'The illness experienced by animals exposed to these viruses must not be treated with analgesics because treatment will interfere with studying the disease manifestation and ultimate outcomes of infection.'

In additional documents obtained by WCW, scientists proposed experiments between 2019 and 2022 on non-human primate that included infecting monkeys with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a tick-borne virus that causes a life-threatening fever, muscle and joint pain, liver and kidney failure or pulmonary failure.

The proposal said: 'In previous studies animals were scored for... reduced movement in cage and edema that on rare instances was of severity sufficient to impair function of internal organs such as the lungs and intestines.

'Since the objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of DNA vaccine candidates against CCHFV and contains necessary irrelevant DNA control group it is expected that some or animals will develop clinical signs and may suffer pain and distress.

'The illness experienced by the animals exposed to CCHFV must not be treated with analgesics because treatment could interfere with the disease manifestation and the outcome of vaccination.'

A third proposal for experiments between 2020 and 2023 was titled 'Nonhuman primate model development for the novel coronavirus emerging in Wuhan, China.'

The aim was to evaluate up to three species of nonhuman primates as potential animal models for Covid-19. For each species, one group of eight animals would be inoculated with a high dose of the virus via the eyes, nose or mouth - as seen in photos.

The primates were to be evaluated and have their vitals taken and on day three, four would be euthanized. The remaining were to be monitored for disease progression.

The proposal read: 'Infection with 2019-nCoV may cause mild to severe disease in nonhuman primates. Signs of illness may include fever, malaise, fatigue cough and heavy breathing potentially resulting in acute respiratory distress; the infection may be fatal.

'However, in this study we are unable to alleviate the disease manifestations potentially associated with 2019-nCoV infection as treatment would interfere with the outcome of the study.'

Justin Goodman, the senior vice president of the White Coat Waste Project told DailyMail.com: 'Our successful lawsuit has pierced the veil of secrecy around the NIH’s dangerous, wasteful, and cruel maximum pain animal experiments with deadly bioagents that have up to 100 percent kill rates in humans.

'We’ve uncovered how NIH gain-of-function researchers linked to EcoHealth and the Wuhan lab import primates to the Rocky Mountain Lab from Fauci’s Monkey Island in South Carolina, infect them with viruses including Ebola and COVID, and then completely withhold pain relief while the animals suffer excruciating deaths.

'Taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent in barbaric NIH animal labs that can cause a devastating lab leak and pandemic right here in the US.'
 

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Mouse study shows long COVID-19 infection linked with tangled protein that causes Alzheimer's disease
by Vanessa Wasta, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
February 23, 2024


mouse-study-shows-long.jpg

Generation and characterization of humanized ACE2 mouse line (hACE2ki). Credit: Journal of Medical Virology (2024). DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29349

With a newly developed mouse model that more accurately represents human infection with COVID-19, Johns Hopkins scientists say they have found long-term infection with SARS-CoV-2 results in brain deposits of clumped and tangled Tau proteins commonly found in people with Alzheimer's disease.

A report on the study, published Jan. 7 in the Journal of Medical Virology, adds to growing evidence in animal models and human autopsy tissue samples of the potential effects of COVID-19 on neurodegeneration.

For the study, a collaboration among experts in cell engineering, animal model development and immunology, the researchers developed a mouse model genetically engineered to produce human versions of the ACE2 protein on the surface of cells.

The ACE2 protein is considered the key linkage between human cells and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. The model also includes a kind of genetic switch that can flip on or off the production of ACE2 proteins so that researchers can better study the protein's impact at different times and sites in the body.

The scientists, led by Xiaobo Mao, Ph.D., and Hongpeng Jia, M.D., exposed the new mouse model to SARS-CoV-2 and found that, while none of the mice died prematurely, Alzheimer's disease-linked Tau proteins built up in their brains up to 21 days after the infection.

Pathological Tau proteins can spread from cell to cell, driving disease progression, say the researchers. In the new mouse model that was exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the researchers saw propagation of Tau proteins over time after infection.

"Given that Tau pathology is highly associated with cognitive decline, this aspect deserves more attention regarding long-term consequences in the post-COVID-19 period," says Mao.

"Individuals experiencing long-haul COVID are at a higher risk of cognitive impairment and symptoms resembling Alzheimer's disease. This mouse model can serve as a valuable tool for the scientific community to further investigate the neurological outcomes during long COVID," says Kundlik Gadhave, Ph.D., co-first author and postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

More information: Chang-Yong Choi et al, Generation and characterization of a humanized ACE2 mouse model to study long-term impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection, Journal of Medical Virology (2024). DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29349
Provided by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
 

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JN.1 Newer Spawns JN.1.7, JN.1.18, JN.1.22 And JN.1.8 Run Silently Amok In The United Kingd
om
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
Feb 23, 2024

While daily and weekly COVID-19 statistics in the United Kingdom is being suppressed or downplayed in the by a variety of strategies including less testing, method of defining COVID-19 related cases etc, various COVID-19 News reports are emerging that many in the country are either in a state of ‘perpetual sickness’ and thousands are unable to attend work or even schools.


This is why everyone is sick at the moment

Study reveals high number of persistent COVID-19 infections in the general population | University of Oxford

The devastating impact Covid and austerity had on children in England


In the ever-evolving landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Kingdom is currently grappling with a surge in specific SARS-CoV-2 variants, notably JN.1.7, JN.1.18, JN.1.22, and JN.1.8.

As of February 21, 2024, the prevalence and growth rates of these variants have raised concerns within the scientific community, prompting a closer examination of the genomic landscape and the potential implications for public health.

There are speculations that while these new variants are only causing mild sickness in the majority of the population (except for those in the vulnerable groups i.e. the aged, those immunocompromised, those with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, heart issues etc), the symptoms and conditions that they are experiencing tend to be lasting for a longer period of time and in some cases do not seem to be clearing.

There are reasons to believe that these new SARS-CoV-2 variants are actually not only more immune evasive but are actually evolved for enhanced viral persistence which could mean more medical and health issues for many in the near future.


Variant Prevalence and Surveillance

Understanding the prevalence of these emerging JN.1 lineages requires a nuanced analysis that takes into account testing policies and sequencing efforts. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides crucial information through the National Influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report. Lineages are categorized using the Pangolin designation, considering sequences since August 28, 2023.

Recent data reveals a notable surge in the prevalence of JN.1.7, JN.1.18, JN.1.22, and JN.1.8 lineages, reflecting their increased transmission within the population. The 'Other' category encompasses additional sub-lineages, emphasizing the complexity of SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Moreover, variant lineage relationships are elucidated through hierarchical analysis, providing insights into their evolutionary trajectories and genetic connections.



Mutations In these variants and their phenotypes.

Not much is known about these new JN.1 spawns at the moment but data from the COV-Spectrum shows the unique mutations found on them.


covSPECTRUM

covSPECTRUM

covSPECTRUM


Variant Modelling and Growth Rates

To assess the relative growth advantage of emerging lineages, researchers employ sophisticated modelling techniques, including logistic regression generalised linear models (GLM) and generalised additive models (GAM). These models, calibrated using Pillar 1 testing data from England, enable the estimation of lineage-specific growth rates while accounting for geographical variations and co-circulating lineages.

However, challenges such as reduced sampling efforts and lineage proliferation necessitate careful interpretation of model outputs. Uncertainty in growth rate estimates underscores the need for robust surveillance systems and continuous refinement of modelling approaches. Despite these challenges, recent analyses highlight the substantial growth advantage exhibited by JN.1.7, JN.1.18, and JN.1.22 lineages, as evidenced by their positive growth rates in both GLM and GAM models.


Implications for Public Health

The emergence and rapid spread of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants underscore the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. While vaccines remain a critical tool in controlling transmission and mitigating disease severity, the evolving landscape of variants necessitates ongoing vigilance and adaptive public health strategies.

Efforts to enhance genomic surveillance, bolster testing capabilities, and optimize vaccination campaigns are imperative in mitigating the impact of emerging variants. Additionally, international collaboration and data sharing are essential for monitoring global variant dynamics and facilitating timely responses to emerging threats.


Conclusion

In conclusion, the prevalence and growth rates of JN.1.7, JN.1.18, JN.1.22, and JN.1.8 SARS-CoV-2 variants in the United Kingdom underscore the ongoing challenges posed by viral evolution. Robust surveillance, advanced genomic sequencing, and sophisticated modelling techniques are indispensable tools in understanding variant dynamics and informing public health interventions.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, proactive measures aimed at containing variant spread, enhancing vaccine efficacy, and protecting vulnerable populations remain paramount. By leveraging scientific advancements and international collaboration, we can navigate the complexities of viral evolution and work towards a sustainable strategy for pandemic control.
 

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Study Claims COVID Caused More Heart Damage Than Vaccines — Here’s What the Authors Got Wrong
A 2023 study admitted that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause myocarditis, but claimed the COVID-19 virus was even more damaging than the vaccine. A recent, more detailed review of their data, however, showed the opposite is likely true.

By Angelo DePalma, Ph.D.
02/23/24

Despite the known side effects of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, some studies (here, here and here) and health websites (here, here and here) argue that whatever vaccination’s adverse outcomes, being unvaccinated is worse.

In one such study, Dr. Christian Mueller and his co-authors concluded the COVID-19 virus — not the vaccine — was responsible for more myocarditis, or heart muscle damage, than the vaccine.

However, when Rainer Johannes Klement, Ph.D., a physicist at Leopoldina Hospital in Schweinfurt, Germany, and Harald Walach, a clinical psychologist and head of the Change Health Institute in Basel, Switzerland, reanalyzed Mueller’s data they found that while coronaviruses might cause myocarditis, the COVID-19 vaccines cause at least as much or more.

The Klement paper appeared in the Feb. 1 edition of The Egyptian Health Journal.


Mueller’s study

Mueller set out to quantify and compare myocarditis in vaxed versus unvaxed subjects and to explain possible mechanisms.

To explore these mechanisms, the researchers tested subjects for antibodies against interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), the SARS-CoV-2-nucleoprotein, the viral spike protein and 14 inflammatory cytokines.

Since none of these measures differed between study groups, the “mechanism” issue was unresolved.

To assess myocarditis investigators tested 777 hospital workers (median age 37, 69.5% women) for cardiac troponin T one and three days after they received an mRNA-1273 booster. Cardiologists typically prescribe this test after a suspected heart attack to quantify the extent and duration of heart damage.

Of the 40 subjects (5.1%) with elevated troponin on Day 3, 22 (2.8%) were diagnosed with myocarditis, with 20 cases occurring in women and two in men.

The researchers reported that among these subjects troponin elevations were mild and temporary and did not involve abnormalities as determined by electrocardiogram. No patients experienced “major adverse cardiac events” within 30 days of receiving the shot.

Mueller’s team concluded:
  • COVID-19 associates with a substantially higher risk for myocarditis that [sic] mRNA vaccination …
  • Myocarditis related to COVID-19 infection has shown a higher mortality than myocarditis related to mRNA vaccination.
  • Before the COVID-19 vaccine were [sic] available, the incidence and extent of myocardial injury associated with COVID-19 infection was [sic] much higher than observed in this active surveillance study after booster vaccination.
One of the Mueller co-authors had commercial ties to diagnostics companies. Another had previously been compensated by diagnostics and vaccine manufacturers. Mueller had relationships with diagnostics, pharmaceutical and vaccine companies at the time he wrote the paper.


Where did Mueller go wrong?

One way to measure treatment effects is to compare an outcome, for example, blood pressure, in the same subjects before and after the treatment and report before-and-after results.

Although this option was known to medical researchers and available to him, Mueller did not take advantage of it — either because he did not think to measure pre-booster troponin levels or chose not to report them for some reason, perhaps because they did not align with his other results.

Instead, his team took an approach that required two well-matched study groups. Although Mueller claimed placebos and controls met this requirement they differed on the feature that mattered most: heart health.

Vaccinated subjects with current or recent heart issues were excluded from the study, while all control subjects had just entered the hospital with heart symptoms and were therefore already at greater risk for myocarditis.

Klement and Walach found more anomalies in the Mueller paper.

They began their critique by citing three 2021 studies on COVID-19 vaccine-induced myocarditis (here, here and here). All three studies showed myocarditis became a concern shortly after the COVID-19 vaccine introductions.

They discussed three papers in some detail:
  • A 2023 German autopsy study on 25 unexpected deaths within 20 days of COVID-19 vaccination identified acute myocarditis as the most probable cause of death in four cases.
  • A 2023 report on myocarditis in 303 non-vaccinated and 700 vaccinated asymptomatic subjects found significantly higher damage in the vaccinated persisting for up to 180 days post-vaccination.
  • One of the first autopsy papers, an Indian-led study based on World Health Organization pharmacovigilance data reported 2.1 times the risk for cardiac arrest, 2.7 times the risk for acute heart attack, 2.6 times the risk for elevated troponin, and 7.3-fold higher levels of D-dimer for COVID-19 vaccinations compared with the use of other medications.
These studies strongly suggest that myocarditis became an issue only after the mRNA vaccine rollouts. They contradict Mueller’s statement that the “extent of myocardial injury associated with COVID-19 infection was much higher than observed in this active surveillance study after booster vaccination.”

According to Klement and Walach, this statement is wrong for two reasons.

First, in addition to the non-equivalence of controls’ and subjects’ heart-health status, Mueller ignored the much larger number of COVID-19-infected, unhospitalized, unvaccinated individuals with (presumably) much lower troponin levels compared with patients entering the hospital with heart symptoms.

Second, Klement and Walach argued that the public health impact of myocarditis depends not only on the incidence or rate among study groups but the size of those groups. The significance is that a lower incidence in a very large group (vaccinated) is more meaningful than a slightly higher rate in a very small group (individuals infected with COVID-19).

On that basis, Klement and Walach estimated the number of myocarditis cases among all German COVID-19 hospitalizations at 27,467, and among those who were vaccinated at 1.97 million.

As a result, regardless of myocarditis severity, there were 71.7 times as many myocarditis cases among the vaccinated as among those hospitalized for COVID-19.

A similar analysis for Switzerland estimated 169,960 cases of myocarditis among vaccinated compared with 8,179 among those hospitalized for COVID-19. Although not as dramatic as the German estimates this still shows a much higher occurrence of heart damage among vaccinated versus hospitalized.

In a June 2021 paper, Walach, Klement and Dutch data analyst Wouter Aukema concluded that based on 700 adverse reactions, 16 serious side effects and 4.11 deaths for every 100,000 vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccines were released with insufficient safety data.

The authors said the risk-benefit ratio for mRNA vaccines did not add up because “for three deaths prevented by vaccination we have to accept two inflicted by vaccination.”

Mueller told The Defender via email:

“Our study reveals an important lack of prospective safety data concerning COVID-19 vaccines. Given the magnitude of the vaccinated population compared to the much smaller proportion of the population that became infected and developed symptoms, including a small percentage with possible heart damage, our findings should remain qualitatively robust.”
 

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Respiratory Infections Including COVID-19 Continue To Remain High In Japan

Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
Feb 25, 2024

In Japan, the battle against respiratory infections, including the persistent threat of COVID-19 and the influenza virus, continues to pose significant challenges. Despite efforts to curb the spread, experts are emphasizing the need for sustained preventive measures, such as the use of face masks, hand hygiene, and proper ventilation. Local COVID-19 News outlets are reporting that hospital admissions and outpatient visits are still rising.


Current Situation
As of February 11, the reported cases of COVID-19 across Japan stood at 13.75 per medical institution, with Ishikawa Prefecture recording the highest number at 21.91, followed closely by Aichi Prefecture at 20.06. Despite a marginal decrease in the national average, experts caution that the country is currently grappling with what is being referred to as the "10th wave" of infections.


Covid-19 outbreak trend graphic in Japan, from numbers of cases repoted from fixed-point medical Institutions

インフルエンザと新型コロナウイルス感染症の定点当たり報告数の推移(全国)


The Emergence of JN.1 Variant

Adding to the complexity of the situation is the emergence of the highly contagious JN.1 variant of the novel coronavirus. This variant is believed to possess an increased ability to evade the human immune system, making it a cause for concern among health authorities. The variant has been increasingly identified in infected individuals, contributing to the ongoing challenges in managing the spread of the virus.


Hospitalization Rates and High-Risk Groups
Hospitalization rates remain a cause for concern, with 3,257 new COVID-19-related hospitalizations reported in a seven-day period. Notably, this figure is comparable to the levels observed during the ninth wave last year. Individuals aged 70 and above, who are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms, accounted for over 70% of the total hospitalizations.

In tandem with COVID-19, influenza cases persist, with a per-institution new flu case rate of 23.93 reported in the week to February 11. Although this represents a slight decrease from the peak in early December 2023, Fukuoka Prefecture recorded the highest number at 56.48, followed by Saga Prefecture at 38.15. Alarmingly, the per-institution number exceeded the alert level of 10 in 44 of Japan's 47 prefectures.


Expert Insights and Projections

Dr Atsuo Hamada, a professor specializing in travel medicine at Tokyo Medical University, provides valuable insights into the current situation. While noting that new COVID-19 cases may be approaching a peak, he issues a cautionary statement that infections could resurge in the future. Additionally, Dr Hamada emphasizes that the flu outbreak is likely to persist until warmer temperatures prevail in March.


Preventive Measures and Public Cooperation

In light of the ongoing challenges, Dr Hamada urges the public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures. Wearing face masks in crowded places, practicing diligent hand hygiene, and ensuring proper ventilation in enclosed spaces are emphasized as crucial steps in minimizing the risk of infection. Hamada also underscores the importance of responsible behavior, urging individuals to stay at home if feeling unwell to prevent further spread.


The Prolonged Battle and Future Outlook

The average number of coronavirus patients in designated hospitals across Japan has been on the rise for 13 consecutive weeks, as indicated by health ministry data. This underscores the prolonged nature of the battle against respiratory infections, requiring a sustained and collective effort from the public and authorities alike.

In conclusion, Japan finds itself in a challenging scenario with both COVID-19 and influenza cases persisting at elevated levels. The emergence of the JN.1 variant adds a layer of complexity to the situation. As the nation navigates its way through the 10th wave of infections, the importance of continued adherence to preventive measures cannot be overstated. The collaboration between health authorities, experts, and the public will play a pivotal role in overcoming these respiratory challenges and paving the way for a healthier future.
 

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View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4_PgJ94SdU
Why This Government Agency Briefly Vanished from the Internet
Bloomberg Originals
Dec 6, 2023
10 min 54 sec

The US Department of Health and Human Services experienced what appeared to be an unprecedented electronic attack just as Covid-19 began wreaking havoc worldwide. Now, the department's former Chief Information Officer is stepping forward to reveal previously unknown details about the size, scope and aims of what he called a nation-state level assault.



MY REACTION AFTER WATCHING THAT VIDEO:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhe2A4ZOhAg
2 sec
 
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