Journal of internal medicine
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Several studies have investigated associations between ABO blood group and risk of COVID-19, with inconsistent results. ⋯ Individuals with blood groups A, AB, and B are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 as well as developing more severe forms of the disease.
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Emerging evidence suggests that animal protein foods may increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We therefore examined the NAFLD risk reduction related to substituting plant protein foods for animal protein foods. ⋯ Our findings suggest that replacing animal protein foods with plant protein foods is related to a significant reduction in NAFLD risk.
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Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020, researchers worldwide have made efforts to understand the mechanisms behind the varying range of COVID-19 disease severity. Since the respiratory tract is the site of infection, and immune cells differ depending on their anatomical location, studying blood is not sufficient to understand the full immunopathogenesis in patients with COVID-19. It is becoming increasingly clear that monocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) are involved in the immunopathology of COVID-19 and may play important roles in determining disease severity. ⋯ In contrast, airways of patients with severe COVID-19 display hyperinflammation with elevated levels of inflammatory monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages, and reduced levels of tissue-resident alveolar macrophages. These monocyte-derived cells contribute to excess inflammation by producing cytokines and chemokines. Here, we review the current knowledge on the role of monocytes, DCs, and M-MDSCs in COVID-19 and how alterations and the anatomical distribution of these cell populations may relate to disease severity.
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The occurrence and healthcare use trajectory of post COVID-19 condition (PCC) is poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate these aspects in SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals with and without a PCC diagnosis. ⋯ The differential association of age, sex, comorbidities, and healthcare use with the severity of the acute infection indicates different trajectories and phenotypes of PCC, with incomplete resolution 1 year after infection.