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WANESSA MATOS

PubMed •

Risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes: a study of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, immunomodulatory medications, and comorbidities in a large US healthcare system

Background: COVID-19 outcomes, in the context of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), are incompletely understood. Reported outcomes vary considerably depending on the patient population studied. It is essential to analyse data for a large population, while considering the effects of the pandemic time period, comorbidities, long term use of immunomodulatory medications (IMMs), and vaccination status.

Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, patients of all ages with IMIDs we
PubMed Central (PMC) •

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors May Moderate COVID-19 Hyperinflammatory Response: An Observational Study with Deep Immunophenotyping

As of January 2022, COVID-19, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was responsible for 5.47 million deaths with its persistent spread globally [1]. SARS-CoV2 entry into host cells is initiated by the binding of receptor-binding domain of the pathogen’s spike protein to the host cell receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) [2]. Physiologically, ACE2 is a part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Vasoconstriction, the most well-de
PubMed •

Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions worldwide with a high mortality rate due to a lack of definitive treatment. Despite having a wide range of clinical features, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has emerged as the primary cause of mortality in these patients. Risk factors and comorbidities like advanced age with limited lung function, pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity have increased the risk for seve
PubMed •

Use of Epoprostenol in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is defined as a disorder in which the mean Pulmonary Arterial Pressure (mPAP) is greater than 20 mmHg at rest. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is considered when mPAP is > 20 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is ⩾ 3 WU. PAH is a chronic progressive disease resulting in right heart failure and premature death. It is postulated to be due to an inactivating mutation of a gene named bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2), whose predominant fun
PubMed •

Thymosin alpha 1: A comprehensive review of the literature

Thymosin alpha 1 is a peptide naturally occurring in the thymus that has long been recognized for modifying, enhancing, and restoring immune function. Thymosin alpha 1 has been utilized in the treatment of immunocompromised states and malignancies, as an enhancer of vaccine response, and as a means of curbing morbidity and mortality in sepsis and numerous infections. Studies have postulated that thymosin alpha 1 could help improve the outcome in severely ill corona virus disease 2019 patients by
PubMed •

Diseases Transmitted by the Black-Legged Ticks in the United States: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

The black-legged tick is endemic to the midwestern, northeastern, western, south-eastern, and southern regions of the United States. There has been an increased burden of black-legged ticks in humans in recent years. COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened this burden. We thereby reviewed the literature to discuss the seasonality, infections, and clinical spectrum of diseases transmitted by the black-legged ticks. We also discuss the reported delay in the diagnosis of these diseases during the