Dynamics of Inflammatory Responses After SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Vaccination Status in the USA: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Cytokines and chemokines play a critical role in the response to infection and vaccination. We aimed to assess the longitudinal association of COVID-19 vaccination with cytokine and chemokine concentrations and trajectories among people with SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: In this longitudinal, prospective cohort study, blood samples were used from participants enrolled in a multi-centre randomised trial assessing the efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy for ambulatory COVID-19. The trial was conducted in 23 outpatient sites in the USA. In this study, participants (aged ≥18 years) were restricted to those with COVID-19 before vaccination or with breakthrough infections who had blood samples and symptom data collected at screening (pre-transfusion), day 14, and day 90 visits. Associations between COVID-19 vaccination status and concentrations of 21 cytokines and chemokines (measured using multiplexed sandwich immunoassays) were examined using multivariate linear mixed-effects regression models, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, trial group, and COVID-19 waves (pre-alpha or alpha and delta). FINDINGS: Between June 29, 2020, and Sept 30, 2021, 882 participants recently infected with SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled, of whom 506 (57%) were female and 376 (43%) were male. 688 (78%) of 882 participants were unvaccinated, 55 (6%) were partly vaccinated, and 139 (16%) were fully vaccinated at baseline. After adjusting for confounders, geometric mean concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2RA, IL-7, IL-8, IL-15, IL-29 (interferon-λ), inducible protein-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumour necrosis factor-α were significantly lower among the fully vaccinated group than in the unvaccinated group at screening. On day 90, fully vaccinated participants had approximately 20% lower geometric mean concentrations of IL-7, IL-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A than unvaccinated participants. Cytokine and chemokine concentrations decreased over time in the fully and partly vaccinated groups and unvaccinated group. Log INTERPRETATION: Initially and during recovery from symptomatic COVID-19, fully vaccinated participants had lower concentrations of inflammatory markers than unvaccinated participants suggesting vaccination is associated with short-term and long-term reduction in inflammation, which could in part explain the reduced disease severity and mortality in vaccinated individuals. FUNDING: US Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, Bloomberg Philanthropies, State of Maryland, Mental Wellness Foundation, Moriah Fund, Octapharma, HealthNetwork Foundation, and the Shear Family Foundation

COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Therapy Decreases Inflammatory Cytokines: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study examined the role that cytokines may have played in the beneficial outcomes found when outpatient individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 were transfused with COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) early in their infection. We found that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 decreased significantly faster in patients treated early with CCP. Participants with COVID-19 treated with CCP later in the infection did not have the same effect. This decrease in IL-6 levels after early CCP treatment suggests a possible role of inflammation in COVID-19 progression. The evidence of IL-6 involvement brings insight into the possible mechanisms involved in CCP treatment mitigating SARS-CoV-2 severity

Évaluation d’un outil innovant pour étudier la stimulation des défenses de la vigne au vignoble

National audienc

HPLC-DAD-MS/MS profiling of phenolics from different varieties of peach leaves and evaluation of their antioxidant activity: A comparative study

Peach (Prunus persica L.) leaves have been traditionally used in folk medicine for their several biological activities that are correlated to the presence of polyphenolic compounds. The aim of the present study is to characterize phenolic compounds present in foliar extracts of seven peach varieties cultivated in Algeria by HPLC–MS and the study of their antioxidant potential. Antioxidant capacity of the foliar extracts was assessed by several tests acting by different mechanisms: Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), 2,2-DiPhenyl-PicrylHydrazyl radical (DPPH), 2,-Azinobis(3-ethylBenzoThiazoline-6-Sulfonic acid) (ABTS), Potassium Ferricyanide Reducing Antioxidant Power (PFRAP) and Iron Chelating Activity (ICA). Fourteen phenolic compounds were identified in the peach leaf extracts including cinnamic acids and flavonols. Flavonols represent the main class of phenolic compounds accounting for an average percentage higher than 95% of the overall phenolics. Kaempferol 3-glucoside is the main phenolic compound in all peach leaf extracts with an average percentage higher than 32% followed by quercetin 3-glucoside (17.9%), quercetin 3-galactoside (17.1%) and kaempferol 3-galactoside (15.4%). Results showed that variety significantly affected the phenolic content of peach leaves. Romea and Red Top varieties present the higher concentration in phenolic compounds, Dixired, Flavorcrest and Tebana a moderate one and, Cardinal and Spring Belle the lowest content. The data obtained with DPPH, ABTS, ORAC and PFRAP assays showed that polyphenols present in the all foliar peach extracts were potent antioxidative agents. Except for ICA assay, good positive correlations were found between phenolic concentration and the different measured antioxidant capacities. That means that phenolic compounds present in peach leaf cultivars were major contributors of reducing power and scavenging radicals capacities (DPPH, ABTS and ORAC). All these results allowed us to conclude that peach leaves are a good source of phenolics with active properties, as antioxidant ones. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Organic volatile compounds as suitable markers of grapevine response to defense elicitors in the vineyard

National audienc

CODEVI-SDP -Mesurer et caractériser les Composés Organiques Volatils de la vigne comme réponse à une application d'un produit Stimulateur des Défenses des Plantes

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are molecules emitted into the air by the plant during a stress, as the attack of a pest. The objective of the CODEVI SDP project (2017-2019) was to characterize the VOCs emitted by the vine after being treated with registered Plant Defence Inducers (PDI) and to inform whether there is a correlation between this emission and the resistance induced against downy mildew (P. viticola). This emission measurement could be an index to validate a plant response to the action of a PDI application and to improve their practical use at the vineyard. The project was conducted in Burgundy and Bordeaux vineyards and joined research and technical teams (UMR AE, IFV and University of Bordeaux) of these territories for the experimentations. The expertise in the measurement and analysis of VOCs was provided by the ICOA laboratory (CNRS Orléans). The main part of the measurements was carried out based on the theoretical triptych that should follow the application of the PDI: emission of VOCs by the vine / expression of defence molecules in the leaves / efficiency in control of P. viticola. In controlled conditions, using leaf cuttings under confined atmosphere, UMR AE showed the performance of Twister® sensors, and that some specific VOCs were emitted after application of PDIs (including the registered product Bastid®), notably the sesquiterpenes beta-caryophyllene and alpha-farnesene and an increase of stilbenes in leaves. Nevertheless, straight correlation between those production and protection against downy mildew is not obvious and rather suggests combined actions of numerous molecules to build an efficient defence. In the vineyard, on microplots of vines, the results are less clear and the signals weaker. The first VOCs capture methodology that was proposed was not indicative in a such open atmosphere and in presence of numerous uncontrollable parameters. Thus, it was modified with bagged branches to concentrate the VOCs response on the sensors. Moreover, the PDI Bastid® showed only poor levels of protection against downy mildew in the pathotests performed on leaf discs and no control in the vineyard. From the results harvested during the three years, under three extremely different environmental conditions, the initial triptych was not established in this part of the project. Nevertheless, some global profiles could be highlighted, with noticeable terpene amounts of beta-ocimene and beta-caryophyllene within the scent of the elicited vineyard.Les composés organiques volatiles (COV) sont des molécules émises dans l’air par la plante, notamment lors d’un stress (attaque d’un bioagresseur). Le projet CODEVI SDP avait pour objectif de caractériser les COV émis par la vigne lors de son traitement avec des produits Stimulateurs des défenses homologuées et de renseigner l’existence potentielle d’une corrélation entre cette émission et la résistance induite contre le mildiou (Plasmopara viticola). Cette émission de COV pourrait devenir un indice de réaction de la plante permettant de valider au vignoble l’action d’une application de produit Stimulateurs des défenses des plantes (SDP) et permettre une optimisation de leur usage en conditions de production. Le projet a été mené sur des vignobles Bourguignon et Bordelais et a rassemblé des équipes de recherche implantées dans ces territoires (UMR AE Dijon, IFV et Université de Bordeaux) pour la réalisation des expérimentations sous l’expertise du laboratoire de l’ICOA (UMR 7311 Orléans) pour la mesure et l’analyse des COV. Suite à l’application de produits SDP, l’essentiel des mesures a été mené sur la base du triptyque théorique : émission de COV par la vigne, synthèse de molécules de défense dans les feuilles et efficacité de protection contre P. viticola. En conditions contrôlées, surboutures foliaires sous atmosphère confinée, l’UMR AE a montré l’intérêt de l’utilisation des capteurs Twister® et que quelques COV spécifiques étaient émis après application de certains SDP (dont le produit homologué Bastid®), notamment des sesquiterpènes dont le bêta-caryophyllène et l’alpha-farnésène, ainsi qu’une augmentation des stilbènes dans les feuilles. Au vignoble, sur des microplacettes de ceps en production, les signaux sont plus faibles et les résultats en découlant plus difficiles à interpréter. La première méthodologie de capture des COV qui a été entreprise n’a pas été idéale face à une atmosphère ouverte et de nombreux paramètres non maîtrisables, celle-ci a ensuite été modifiée en utilisant l’ensachage des rameaux pour concentrer l’adsorption des COV sur les capteurs. De plus, le produit SDP Bastid® n’a induit que de faibles niveaux de protection contre le mildiou dans les pathotests sur disques de feuilles et pas de protection au vignoble. A partir des résultats cumulés sur trois années successives, présentant trois conditions climatiques extrêmement différentes, le triptyque initial n’a pas été établi pour cette partie terrain. Cependant, des profils généraux d’émission de COV peuvent être mis en évidence, avec une proportion non négligeable de terpènes bêta-ocimène et de bêta-caryophyllène dans les « bouquets » émis par des parcelles de vigne élicitées

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with integral and mutual healthcare oriented to the well-being of all persons

Introduction. The complex problem of COVID-19 and the possibilities of responding through innovative general health strategies have been raised. The development of innovative health strategies was stimulated by the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care and by related perspectives around the 2018 Astana Conference. To this may be added the contributions of the International College and the Latin American Network of Person Centered Medicine toward the exploration and formulation of innovative concepts and strategies of health focused on persons.Objectives: (1) Ontological clarification of the concept of health and of the strategies and tactics for health actions; (2) Delineation of and assessment of multifactorial support for promising general health strategies focused on persons; and (3) Elucidation of the relevance of such strategies to respond to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: (a) Analysis and reflection on health concepts and strategies by a multidisciplinary authors group; (b) Selective review of the international and Latin American literature on health systems and the pandemic, displayed, and analyzed tabular and narratively.Results1. Ontological concepts corresponding to the meaning and functions of health and of specific general strategies and tactics to restore and promote health were formulated.2. A general health strategy was outlined based on an analysis of the process of building promising health constructs emerging from conferences and international declarations in recent years. Then, early and contemporary historical considerations, as well as contextual perspectives (Social Determinants of Health, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Essential Functions of Public Health) were identified as supporting the specific elements of the persons-centered mutual and integral healthcare strategy.3. The relevance of the essential concept of health and the elements of the examined general health strategy was ascertained positively to respond to the demands of the current pandemic.Discussion: The value, implications, and limitations of the results obtained were discussed in the light of COVID-19 and future pandemics. Emerging recommendations on desirable next steps were also presented.Conclusions: The contributions of this study include the ontological clarification of the concept of person-centered health and the strategies and tactics for health actions, as well as the historical and contemporary multifactorial substantiation of the general health strategy involving Integral and Mutual Health Care Oriented to the Well-being of all Persons, particularly in the face of the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic

CODEVI-SDP -Mesurer et caractériser les Composés Organiques Volatils de la vigne comme réponse à une application d'un produit Stimulateur des Défenses des Plantes

International audienceLes composés organiques volatiles (COV) sont des molécules émises dans l’air par la plante, notamment lors d’un stress (attaque d’un bioagresseur). Le projet CODEVI SDP avait pour objectif de caractériser les COV émis par la vigne lors de son traitement avec des produits Stimulateurs des défenses homologuées et de renseigner l’existence potentielle d’une corrélation entre cette émission et la résistance induite contre le mildiou (Plasmopara viticola). Cette émission de COV pourrait devenir un indice de réaction de la plante permettant de valider au vignoble l’action d’une application de produit Stimulateurs des défenses des plantes (SDP) et permettre une optimisation de leur usage en conditions de production. Le projet a été mené sur des vignobles Bourguignon et Bordelais et a rassemblé des équipes de recherche implantées dans ces territoires (UMR AE Dijon, IFV et Université de Bordeaux) pour la réalisation des expérimentations sous l’expertise du laboratoire de l’ICOA (UMR 7311 Orléans) pour la mesure et l’analyse des COV. Suite à l’application de produits SDP, l’essentiel des mesures a été mené sur la base du triptyque théorique : émission de COV par la vigne, synthèse de molécules de défense dans les feuilles et efficacité de protection contre P. viticola. En conditions contrôlées, surboutures foliaires sous atmosphère confinée, l’UMR AE a montré l’intérêt de l’utilisation des capteurs Twister® et que quelques COV spécifiques étaient émis après application de certains SDP (dont le produit homologué Bastid®), notamment des sesquiterpènes dont le bêta-caryophyllène et l’alpha-farnésène, ainsi qu’une augmentation des stilbènes dans les feuilles. Au vignoble, sur des microplacettes de ceps en production, les signaux sont plus faibles et les résultats en découlant plus difficiles à interpréter. La première méthodologie de capture des COV qui a été entreprise n’a pas été idéale face à une atmosphère ouverte et de nombreux paramètres non maîtrisables, celle-ci a ensuite été modifiée en utilisant l’ensachage des rameaux pour concentrer l’adsorption des COV sur les capteurs. De plus, le produit SDP Bastid® n’a induit que de faibles niveaux de protection contre le mildiou dans les pathotests sur disques de feuilles et pas de protection au vignoble. A partir des résultats cumulés sur trois années successives, présentant trois conditions climatiques extrêmement différentes, le triptyque initial n’a pas été établi pour cette partie terrain. Cependant, des profils généraux d’émission de COV peuvent être mis en évidence, avec une proportion non négligeable de terpènes bêta-ocimène et de bêta-caryophyllène dans les « bouquets » émis par des parcelles de vigne élicitées