Proteins in COVID-19 patients' blood could predict severity of illness, study finds

LONDON - Scientists have found 27 key proteins in the blood of people infected with COVID-19 which they say could act as predictive biomarkers for how ill a patient could become with the disease.

In research published in the journal Cell Systems on Tuesday, scientists at Britain's Francis Crick Institute and Germany's Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin found the proteins are present in different levels in COVID-19 patients, depending on the severity of their symptoms.

The markers could lead to the development of a test that would help doctors predict how ill a patient might get when infected with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, they said, and could also provide new targets for the development of potential treatments for the disease.

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 374,000 people worldwide and infected more than 6.7 million.

Doctors and scientists say those infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, respond differently - with some developing no symptoms at all, while others need to be hospitalized and others suffer fatal infection.

"A test to help doctors predict whether a COVID-19 patient is likely to become critical or not would be invaluable," said Christoph Messner, an expert in molecular biology at the Crick Institute who co-led the research.

He said such tests would help doctors decide how best to manage the disease for each patient, as well as identify those most at risk of needing hospital treatment or intensive care.

Messner's team used a method called mass spectrometry to rapidly test for the presence and quantity of various proteins in blood plasma from 31 COVID-19 patients at Berlin's Charite hospital. They then validated their results in 17 other patients with COVID-19 at the same hospital, and in 15 healthy people who acted as controls.

Three of the key proteins identified were linked with interleukin IL-6, a protein known to cause inflammation and also a known marker for severe COVID-19 symptoms. 

-reuters-

Blue, blood, and super moon

The "super blue blood moon" is seen at full lunar eclipse from Quezon City on Wednesday. The rare extraterrestrial event was seen in different parts of the country and around the world. 

source: news.abs-cbn.com

LOOK: Artist paints Pacquiao using blood

MANILA -- An artist from San Jose City in Nueva Ecija expressed his support for Manny Pacquiao by painting the Filipino boxer using his own blood.

Elito Circa, who goes by the Amang Pintor, is known for using his own hair and blood (Type O) for his paintings.

His painting of Pacquiao depicts the different aspects of the boxer's life, including his stint as a singer and his role as a congressman.

Circa also emphasized Pacquiao's religiosity in his painting.

"Kasi 'yung pagiging maka-Diyos, 'yung mapagkumbaba niya, gusto ko 'yun," he said.

Circa added he only uses his blood in painting themes that are close to his heart, like the portraits of his two sons.

"Hindi ko ginagamit sa lahat ng painting ko, kapag mahalaga para sa akin 'yung subject gagamitan ko ng dugo," he said.

The painter also clarified that his work is not for sale.

Whether Pacquiao wins or loses, Circa hopes that the boxer's attitude does not change.

"Sana huwag siya magbago 'pag natalo siya. Ang mahalaga, 'yung personality niya," he said. -- report from Noriel Padiernos, ABS-CBN News North Central Luzon

Mobile users can view the desktop version of the slideshow here.

 

Elito Circa, known as Amang Pintor, painted a portrait of Pacquiao using his own blood. Photo taken from Amang Pintor' Facebook page.

 source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What you need to know about sepsis

MANILA -- Are you worried you or someone you know might have sepsis? Here are ways to identify its symptoms.

Sepsis is a life-threatening complication caused by any kind of infection. Formerly referred to as blood infection, it became known in 2005 as the cause of death of Pope John Paul II.

In an interview on "Magandang Gabi Dok" on Thursday, Dr. Jose Emmanuel Palo of The Medical City explained how common infections can lead to sepsis.

"Ang sepsis ay reaction ng katawan sa isang infection," Palo said. "Hindi siya 'yung infection, separate po siya doon sa infection mismo. Kaya lang, 'yung reaction po na iyon, inherent po, nasa loob ng katawan natin. Minsan nakaka-damage po or nakakasama sa sariling mga organs or tissues po ng katawan natin."

Any kind of infection, whether caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus, may cause sepsis, Palo added.

Sepsis can also lead to death, especially in severe cases.

According to Palo, common symptoms of sepsis include fever, increase in pulse and heart rate, rapid breathing and a feeling of weakness.

Once it becomes severe, sepsis can also cause a person's blood pressure to drop.

"Kapag bumagsak na ang blood pressure ng isang taong may sepsis, tapos hindi na po mahabol using swero o fluids, nangangailangan na po ng special na medicines para mapaakyat ang blood pressure," Palo added.

Palo said it is important for people to immediately consult a doctor once they notice these symptoms.

"Ang importante siguro is kapag nandoon na ang mga symptoms or signs na 'yun at nararamdaman natin, the moment po na feeling natin kakaiba na po ang pakiramdam, nanghihina po, mas importante po siguro na i-check po kung nangyayari na ang sepsis."

Doctors can then check whether a person is suffering from sepsis through blood tests.

Palo also said people with prevailing illnesses like cancer, or those undergoing treatments like dialysis, are at high risk of sepsis.

This is also the reason why doctors and other hospital personnel should practice proper hygiene.

"Halimbawa may cancer. Habang nag-chemotherapy, habang ginagamot, bumabagsak ang immune system. Mas mataas ang chance na magkaroon ng sepsis," he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What your heavy menstrual bleeding could be telling you

“Filipino or Asian women think that because menstrual blood makes up a lot of dirty blood, the more blood you lose the better,” says Dr. Delfin Tan, who heads the section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City during the product launch of Qlaira at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“In the Philippines, clinical experience indicates a significant increase in the prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding but this has not been given serious attention,” continues Dr. Tan.

That is why Bayer through its latest offering, an oral contraceptive estradiol valerate/dienogest or Qlaira^® brings to mind a way to significantly reduce Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB), or what used to be called dysfunctional uterine bleeding and menorrhagia (two different terms).

If you worry about your menses going too quick, you need not worry as that is not HMB. Dr. Tan shares, “You can have two menses in a month as long as the interval from the first day to the next menstruation is 24 days. You can go through a month without menstruating because the interval could be as long as 38 days.”

Dr. Ian Milsom, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden says.“If you want to check very easily if you have HMB, there are two simple questions you can ask yourself.”

1. Do you get up at night to change your sanitary protection? If you do then you are most likely to have HMB.
2. How many sanitary pads do you use during your period? If you’re soaking every hour then it’s likely you have HMB.

HMB is common during the start of the fertile age or those beginning their menses at age 12 and 13. It is, however, more common in women aged 35 to 45.

Risks

Studies have estimated that up to 52 percent of women experience HMB at some point in their lives.In clinical practices, the prevalence of HMB is likely to be underestimated as only a minority of women seek medical advice for this condition.

However, those who fail to seek medical attention may not see the risks that they are putting themselves in. A woman who has HMB, says Dr. Milsom, “is very likely to have anemia, and become very tired and not have the normal strength, this is why it influences working performance. It is also emotionally stressful to have this menstrual bleeding. It’s an economic bleeding because you have to use more sanitary protection. It’s an economic burden to society because it means that you are away from work.”

“Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common problem that can have a significant negative impact on a woman’s everyday activities. New analyses confirm that estradiol valerate/dienogest is an attractive treatment option for women with heavy menstrual bleeding,” said Dr. Milsom.

Netdoctor.com reports that (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/menstruationheavy.htm) causes of heavy menstrual bleeding are the following:

• In younger women, heavy periods may be due to a temporary hormone imbalance, which eventually corrects itself.
• For women 45 years of age onwards, or those in the menopausal phase, heavy menstrual bleeding often indicates hormone imbalance. However, the possibility of heavy periods due to an underlying disease increases with age.
• Other medical conditions that may be indicated by heavy menstrual bleeding include fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, polyps on the lining of the womb, and a condition called dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), which refers to heavy menstrual bleeding without any known reason.

Both Dr. Tan and Dr. Milsom agree that it’s time to see a gynecologist if the bleeding is disrupting daily activities and affecting one’s quality of life.

Interventions and oral contraceptives

Any interventions should aim to improve quality of life measures. According to Dr. Tan, when you go visit a doctor, your ob-gynecologist would be more concerned for tumors or infection, especially if you are of age. Also, there are drugs such as Qlaira available in the market today to treat HMB.

Qlaira is a combined contraceptive and an approved treatment for HMB. This is the first contraceptive that provides women with a non-invasive, short-acting treatment that preserves their reproductive health. It delivers estradiol, the same estrogen produced by a woman’s body.

Clinical trials show that Estradiol valerate/dienogest or Qlaira have helped reduced the blood flow by as much as 88 percent after treatment versus baseline. Reduction in HMB is a class effect, however oral contraceptives are typically known to reduce menstrual bleeding by 35-43%.

“What Qlaira could provide would be lighter bleeding, significantly shorter bleeding and spotting days for women. The preparation provides good cycle control, it is an effective contraceptive, and provides potentially fewer hormone side effects,” said Dr. Milsom.

source: interaksyon.com