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The New England Journal of Medicine Sep 2021REGEN-COV (previously known as REGN-COV2), a combination of the monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab, has been shown to markedly reduce the risk of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
REGEN-COV (previously known as REGN-COV2), a combination of the monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab, has been shown to markedly reduce the risk of hospitalization or death among high-risk persons with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Whether subcutaneous REGEN-COV prevents severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and subsequent Covid-19 in persons at high risk for infection because of household exposure to a person with SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown.
METHODS
We randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, participants (≥12 years of age) who were enrolled within 96 hours after a household contact received a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to receive a total dose of 1200 mg of REGEN-COV or matching placebo administered by means of subcutaneous injection. At the time of randomization, participants were stratified according to the results of the local diagnostic assay for SARS-CoV-2 and according to age. The primary efficacy end point was the development of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection through day 28 in participants who did not have SARS-CoV-2 infection (as measured by reverse-transcriptase-quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction assay) or previous immunity (seronegativity).
RESULTS
Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection developed in 11 of 753 participants in the REGEN-COV group (1.5%) and in 59 of 752 participants in the placebo group (7.8%) (relative risk reduction [1 minus the relative risk], 81.4%; P<0.001). In weeks 2 to 4, a total of 2 of 753 participants in the REGEN-COV group (0.3%) and 27 of 752 participants in the placebo group (3.6%) had symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (relative risk reduction, 92.6%). REGEN-COV also prevented symptomatic and asymptomatic infections overall (relative risk reduction, 66.4%). Among symptomatic infected participants, the median time to resolution of symptoms was 2 weeks shorter with REGEN-COV than with placebo (1.2 weeks and 3.2 weeks, respectively), and the duration of a high viral load (>10 copies per milliliter) was shorter (0.4 weeks and 1.3 weeks, respectively). No dose-limiting toxic effects of REGEN-COV were noted.
CONCLUSIONS
Subcutaneous REGEN-COV prevented symptomatic Covid-19 and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in previously uninfected household contacts of infected persons. Among the participants who became infected, REGEN-COV reduced the duration of symptomatic disease and the duration of a high viral load. (Funded by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04452318.).
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Asymptomatic Diseases; COVID-19; Child; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Incidence; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Acuity; SARS-CoV-2; Viral Load; Young Adult; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 34347950
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2109682 -
National Journal of Maxillofacial... 2021Insulin Resistance syndromes (IR's), are a group of genetic disorders caused due a functional defect in chromosome 19p13. It is an autosomal recessive condition. Donohue...
Insulin Resistance syndromes (IR's), are a group of genetic disorders caused due a functional defect in chromosome 19p13. It is an autosomal recessive condition. Donohue Syndrome was initially described by Donohue and Uchida in 1948 and 1954, a case of sisters born to parents with a first-degree consanguineous marriage. Infants presented with typical facial features that resembled the Leprechaun elves of Irish fairy tales. The following is a report of a rare case of dental complications of Severe Insulin Resistance Syndrome. An eight year old female child, with characteristic features of severe insulin resistance syndrome, reported to the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, presenting with cariously destructed molars and a previous history of dental treatment under local anaesthesia. Given her condition, it was decided to reduce the multiple appointments, to one appointment with all procedures done under general anaesthesia. The following case report discusses the advantages, disadvantages and post operative complications faced when forming a treatment strategy for Severe Insulin Resistance Syndrome.
PubMed: 34188410
DOI: 10.4103/njms.NJMS_55_20 -
Radiology Case Reports Jul 2021The extent, severity, and radiological findings of ovarian growth in infants with genetic syndromes of insulin resistance have not been fully described. We report a rare...
The extent, severity, and radiological findings of ovarian growth in infants with genetic syndromes of insulin resistance have not been fully described. We report a rare case of reversible massive ovarian enlargement in a female infant with a congenital insulin resistance syndrome, likely Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome given the less clinically severe course. The patient presented with neonatal diabetes with hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia due to congenital insulin resistance. She developed increasing severe bilateral ovarian enlargement which peaked at 4 months of age, followed by gradual decrease in size of the ovaries following treatment with insulin-sensitizing drugs and improved hyperinsulinemia. The ovarian enlargement is postulated to be secondary to the trophic effects of insulin acting in a gonadotropin-independent mechanism. Hyperinsulinemia in congenital insulin resistance can also result in hypertrophy of other organs. Understanding the pathophysiology behind massive ovarian enlargement in the setting of congenital insulin resistance syndromes can help guide appropriate therapy.
PubMed: 34007398
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2021.03.067 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2021Defects in the insulin receptor () gene cause various severe insulin resistance conditions, including Donohue syndrome (DS), Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome (RMS) and type A...
OBJECTIVE
Defects in the insulin receptor () gene cause various severe insulin resistance conditions, including Donohue syndrome (DS), Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome (RMS) and type A insulin resistance (type A-IR). This study aimed to investigate the clinical characterization and molecular defects in three Chinese children with -related insulin resistance syndrome.
METHODS
We reviewed the clinical data of three Chinese children with -related insulin resistance syndrome from two unrelated kindreds. Genetic analysis was performed using whole-exome sequencing and the effects of the novel variants were further assessed by functional assays.
RESULTS
The proband with type A-IR presented with acanthosis nigricans, hypertrichosis, and euglycemia with mild insulin resistance in early childhood. His sister presented with features typical of type A-IR and was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus with severe insulin resistance at the age of 9.8 years. The proband with DS showed typical dysmorphic characteristics, severe intrauterine growth retardation, extreme insulin resistance, fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia from birth. The heterozygote variants c.[3670G>A]; c.[3614C>T] were identified in both siblings with type A-IR; and c.[749_751del]; c.[3355C>T] in the patient with DS. studies showed that the novel variant c.749_751del [p.(Thr250del)] in the α-subunit, reduced expression of the mature INSR protein and severely impaired INSR function. In contrast, the novel variant c.3670G>A [p.(Val1224Met)] in the β-subunit had no effect on total protein expression and phosphorylation of INSR and Akt, suggesting that the variant p.Val1224Met appeared to be tolerated and was not responsible for the severe insulin resistance.
CONCLUSION
Our study detailed the clinical features of three patients with type A-IR and DS, and identified two novel variants in the gene. Functional assays indicated the novel variant p.Thr250del was pathogenic. In contrast, the novel variant p.Val1224Met was suggested to be tolerated by our experimental data, even though bioinformatics analyses predicted the variant as deleterious.
Topics: Acanthosis Nigricans; Animals; Antigens, CD; CHO Cells; Child; Child, Preschool; China; Cricetulus; DNA Mutational Analysis; Diabetes Complications; Donohue Syndrome; Family; Female; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Mutation, Missense; Patient Acuity; Pedigree; Receptor, Insulin; Syndrome
PubMed: 33995269
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.606964 -
MedRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Mar 2021As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues and millions remain vulnerable to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2...
BACKGROUND
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues and millions remain vulnerable to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), attention has turned to characterizing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).
METHODS
From April 21 to December 31, 2020, we assembled a cohort of consecutive volunteers who a) had documented history of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positivity; b) were ≥ 2 weeks past onset of COVID-19 symptoms or, if asymptomatic, first test for SARS-CoV-2; and c) were able to travel to our site in San Francisco. Participants learned about the study by being identified on medical center-based registries and being notified or by responding to advertisements. At 4-month intervals, we asked participants about physical symptoms that were new or worse compared to the period prior to COVID-19, mental health symptoms and quality of life. We described 4 time periods: 1) acute illness (0-3 weeks), 2) early recovery (3-10 weeks), 3) late recovery 1 (12-20 weeks), and 4) late recovery 2 (28-36 weeks). Blood and oral specimens were collected at each visit.
RESULTS
We have, to date, enrolled 179 adults. During acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, 10 had been asymptomatic, 125 symptomatic but not hospitalized, and 44 symptomatic and hospitalized. In the acute phase, the most common symptoms were fatigue, fever, myalgia, cough and anosmia/dysgeusia. During the post-acute phase, fatigue, shortness of breath, concentration problems, headaches, trouble sleeping and anosmia/dysgeusia were the most commonly reported symptoms, but a variety of others were endorsed by at least some participants. Some experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, as well as difficulties with ambulation and performance of usual activities. The median visual analogue scale value rating of general health was lower at 4 and 8 months (80, interquartile range [IQR]: 70-90; and 80, IQR 75-90) compared to prior to COVID-19 (85; IQR 75-90). Biospecimens were collected at nearly 600 participant-visits.
CONCLUSION
Among a cohort of participants enrolled in the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we found many with persistent physical symptoms through 8 months following onset of COVID-19 with an impact on self-rated overall health. The presence of participants with and without symptoms and ample biological specimens will facilitate study of PASC pathogenesis. Similar evaluations in a population-representative sample will be needed to estimate the population-level prevalence of PASC.
PubMed: 33758895
DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.11.21252311 -
BioMed Research International 2021Mutations in insulin receptor genes can cause severe insulin resistance syndrome. Compared with Rabson-Mendenhall Syndrome and Donohue's Syndrome, type A insulin...
BACKGROUND
Mutations in insulin receptor genes can cause severe insulin resistance syndrome. Compared with Rabson-Mendenhall Syndrome and Donohue's Syndrome, type A insulin resistance syndrome is generally not serious. The main manifestations in woman with type A insulin resistance syndrome are hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, acanthosis nigricans, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovary. . A 13-year-old girl (Han nationality) visited the hospital due to hairiness and acanthosis nigricans. Further examination revealed severe hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, elevated blood glucose, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovary. Analysis of the insulin receptor gene by sequencing showed the presence of a nucleotide change in intron 7 (c. 1610+1G > A). The mutation was a splicing mutation, which can obviously affect the mRNA splicing of the insulin receptor and cause its function loss. The patient was finally diagnosed with type A insulin resistance syndrome. After 2 months of metformin treatment, the patient had spontaneous menstrual cramps and significantly improved acanthosis nigricans and sex hormones.
CONCLUSION
We report for the first time a new splicing mutation on the insulin receptor gene at the 7th intron (c.1610+1G > A), which leads to type A insulin resistance syndrome. In clinically suspected patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, if there are extremely high blood levels of insulin in the blood, genetic testing should be performed to detect insulin receptor gene mutation of type A insulin resistance syndrome.
Topics: Adolescent; Antigens, CD; Female; Humans; Introns; Metabolic Syndrome; Metformin; Point Mutation; RNA Splicing; Receptor, Insulin; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 33728347
DOI: 10.1155/2021/8878149 -
BMC Pediatrics Mar 2021The prevalence of monogenic diabetes is estimated to be 1.1-6.3% of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Europe. The overlapping clinical features of various forms of...
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of monogenic diabetes is estimated to be 1.1-6.3% of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Europe. The overlapping clinical features of various forms of diabetes make differential diagnosis challenging. Therefore, this study investigated the etiologic distribution and clinical characteristics of pediatric diabetes, including monogenic diabetes, who presented at a single tertiary center over the last 20 years.
METHODS
This study included 276 consecutive patients with DM diagnosed before 18 years of age from January 2000 to December 2019 in Korea. Clinical features, biochemical findings, β-cell autoantibodies, and molecular characteristics were reviewed retrospectively.
RESULTS
Of the 276 patients, 206 patients (74.6%), 49 patients (17.8%), and 21 patients (7.6%) were diagnosed with type 1 DM, type 2 DM, and clinically suspected monogenic diabetes, respectively. Among 21 patients suspected to have monogenic diabetes, 8 patients had clinical maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), and the remaining 13 patients had other types of monogenic diabetes. Among them, genetic etiologies were identified in 14 patients (5.1%) from 13 families, which included MODY 5, transient neonatal DM, developmental delay, epilepsy, and neonatal diabetes (DEND) syndrome, Wolfram syndrome, Donohue syndrome, immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome, Fanconi-Bickel syndrome, Wolcott-Rallison syndrome, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and maternally inherited diabetes and deafness.
CONCLUSIONS
Genetically confirmed monogenic diabetes accounted for 5.1% of patients evaluated at a single tertiary center over 20-year period. Based on the findings for our sample, the frequency of mutations in the major genes of MODY appears to be low among pediatric patients in Korea. It is critical to identify the genetic cause of DM to provide appropriate therapeutic options and genetic counseling.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Deafness; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Europe; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Mitochondrial Diseases; Mutation; Republic of Korea; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 33663443
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02575-6 -
Journal of Addiction MedicineState Medicaid programs are the largest single provider of healthcare for pregnant persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). Our objective was to provide comparable,...
OBJECTIVES
State Medicaid programs are the largest single provider of healthcare for pregnant persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). Our objective was to provide comparable, multistate measures estimating the burden of OUD in pregnancy, medication for OUD (MOUD) in pregnancy, and related neonatal and child outcomes.
METHODS
Drawing on the Medicaid Outcomes Distributed Research Network (MODRN), we accessed administrative healthcare data for 1.6 million pregnancies and 1.3 million live births in 9 state Medicaid populations from 2014 to 2017. We analyzed within- and between-state prevalences and time trends in the following outcomes: diagnosis of OUD in pregnancy, initiation, and continuity of MOUD in pregnancy, Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), and well-child visit utilization among children with NOWS.
RESULTS
OUD diagnosis increased from 49.6 per 1000 to 54.1 per 1000 pregnancies, and the percentage of those with any MOUD in pregnancy increased from 53.4% to 57.9%, during our study time period. State-specific percentages of 180-day continuity of MOUD ranged from 41.2% to 84.5%. The rate of neonates diagnosed with NOWS increased from 32.7 to 37.0 per 1000 live births. State-specific percentages of children diagnosed with NOWS who had the recommended well-child visits in the first 15 months ranged from 39.3% to 62.5%.
CONCLUSIONS
Medicaid data, which allow for longitudinal surveillance of care across different settings, can be used to monitor OUD and related pregnancy and child health outcomes. Findings highlight the need for public health efforts to improve care for pregnant persons and children affected by OUD.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Delivery of Health Care; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Medicaid; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Opioid-Related Disorders; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; United States
PubMed: 33560699
DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000780 -
Diabetology International Jan 2021Whereas the genetic basis of insulin sensitivity is determined by variation in multiple genes, mutations of single genes can give rise to profound changes in such...
Whereas the genetic basis of insulin sensitivity is determined by variation in multiple genes, mutations of single genes can give rise to profound changes in such sensitivity. Mutations of the insulin receptor gene ()-which trigger type A insulin resistance, Rabson-Mendenhall, or Donohue syndromes-and those of the gene for the p85α regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (), which give rise to SHORT syndrome, are the most common and second most common causes, respectively, of single-gene insulin resistance. Loss-of-function mutations of the genes for the protein kinase Akt2 () or for TBC1 domain family member 4 () have been identified in families with severe insulin resistance. Gain-of-function mutations of the gene for protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 11 (), which negatively regulates insulin receptor signaling, give rise to Noonan syndrome, and some individuals with this syndrome manifest insulin resistance. Gain-of-function mutations of the gene for the p110α catalytic subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase () have been identified in individuals with segmental overgrowth or megalencephaly, some of whom also manifest spontaneous hypoglycemia. A gain-of-function mutation of was also found in individuals with recurrent hypoglycemia. Loss-of-function mutations of the gene for phosphatase and tensin homolog (), another negative regulator of insulin signaling, give rise to Cowden syndrome in association with exaggerated metabolic actions of insulin. Clinical manifestations of individuals with such mutations of genes related to insulin signaling thus provide insight into the essential function of such genes in the human body.
PubMed: 33479580
DOI: 10.1007/s13340-020-00455-5 -
The Journal of Clinical Investigation Mar 2021The effectiveness of virus-specific strategies, including administered HIV-specific mAbs, to target cells that persistently harbor latent, rebound-competent HIV genomes...
The effectiveness of virus-specific strategies, including administered HIV-specific mAbs, to target cells that persistently harbor latent, rebound-competent HIV genomes during combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been limited by inefficient induction of viral protein expression. To examine antibody-mediated viral reservoir targeting without a need for viral induction, we used an anti-CD4 mAb to deplete both infected and uninfected CD4+ T cells. Ten rhesus macaques infected with barcoded SIVmac239M received cART for 93 weeks starting 4 days after infection. During cART, 5 animals received 5 to 6 anti-CD4 antibody administrations and CD4+ T cell populations were then allowed 1 year on cART to recover. Despite profound CD4+ T cell depletion in blood and lymph nodes, time to viral rebound following cART cessation was not significantly delayed in anti-CD4-treated animals compared with controls. Viral reactivation rates, determined based on rebounding SIVmac239M clonotype proportions, also were not significantly different in CD4-depleted animals. Notably, antibody-mediated depletion was limited in rectal tissue and negligible in lymphoid follicles. These results suggest that, even if robust viral reactivation can be achieved, antibody-mediated viral reservoir depletion may be limited in key tissue sites.
Topics: Animals; Anti-HIV Agents; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Viral; CD4 Antigens; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Female; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; Lymphocyte Depletion; Lymphoid Tissue; Macaca mulatta; Male; Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Simian Immunodeficiency Virus; Viral Load; Virus Activation; Virus Replication
PubMed: 33465055
DOI: 10.1172/JCI142421