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Objectives: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The exact mechanism initiating the development of HT is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between HT and the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a Sudanese population. Results: EBV-LMP1 was detected in 11.1% of HT cases, which is consistent with previous studies. Studies have reported a wide range of frequencies indicating the presence of EBV in HT, and patients with autoimmune thyroiditis have increased titers of anti-EBV antibodies in their sera compared to healthy subjects. Intrathyroidal EBV-infected B cells may be responsible for the increased risk of development of B-cell lymphoma in the thyroid gland in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Our study suggests that regular follow-up is necessary for patients diagnosed with HT and are positive for EBV, as antiviral therapy is not applicable due to the risk of thyroid dysfunction. The study suggests an association between EBV and HT, but causation cannot be determined. The study also highlights the need for further research to determine the viral role and correlate it with the severity and progression of HT.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is a prevalent, sexually transmitted infection with poorly characterized prevalence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This study characterized HSV-2 epidemiology in MENA. HSV-2 reports were systematically reviewed as guided by the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook and findings were reported following PRISMA guidelines. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions were performed to estimate pooled mean outcome measures and to assess predictors of HSV-2 antibody prevalence (seroprevalence), trends in seroprevalence, and between-study heterogeneity. In total, sixty-one overall (133 stratified) HSV-2 seroprevalence measures and two overall (four stratified) proportion measures of HSV-2 detection in laboratory-confirmed genital herpes were extracted from 37 relevant publications. Pooled mean seroprevalence was 5.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6%–6.8%) among general populations, 13.3% (95% CI: 8.6%–18.7%) among intermediate-risk populations, 20.6% (95% CI: 5.3%–42.3%) among female sex workers, and 18.3% (95% CI: 3.9%–39.4%) among male sex workers. Compared to Fertile Crescent countries, seroprevalence was 3.39-fold (95% CI: 1.86–6.20) and 3.90-fold (95% CI: 1.78–8.57) higher in Maghreb and Horn of Africa countries, respectively. Compared to studies published before 2010, seroprevalence was 1.73-fold (95% CI: 1.00–2.99) higher in studies published after 2015. Pooled mean proportion of HSV-2 detection in genital herpes was 73.8% (95% CI: 42.2%–95.9%). In conclusion, MENA has a lower HSV-2 seroprevalence than other world regions. Yet, 1 in 20 adults is chronically infected, despite conservative prevailing sexual norms. Seroprevalence may also be increasing, unlike other world regions. Findings support the need for expansion of surveillance and monitoring of HSV-2 infection in MENA. This work was supported by the Qatar National Research Fund [NPRP 9-040-3-008] and by pilot funding from the Biomedical Research Program at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar.

Biomass is a renewable and sustainable green energy material. It is made up of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose with considerable amount of water, extractives, and inorganic chemical compounds. The use of biomass materials and other biogenic wastes for energy recovery represents an eco-friendly way. Biomass material selection is one of the most significant aspects for any energy conversion process, and it is a common outsourcing problem that includes material preparation, reactor performance, economic assessment, and calorific value of the products. Fuzzy systems can be quite useful in high-performance computing during the selection of biomass materials. In each engineering process, material selection is a crucial step since each material is having its own set of characteristics. This study presents the application of type-1 fuzzy set for the selection of suitable biomass material for yielding maximum bio-oil. This study focuses on seven locally available materials such as rice straw (M-1), sunflower shell (M-2), hardwood (M-3), wheat straw (M-4), sugarcane bagasse (M-5), corn cop (M-6), and palm shell (M-7). The study evaluated seven important properties of the materials such as lignin (P-1), cellulose (P-2), hemicellulose (P-3), volatile matter (P-4), fixed carbon (P-5), moisture content (P-6), and ash content (P-7). The findings demonstrated that sugarcane bagasse (M-5) is the best option for maximum bio-oil yield. Furthermore, the potential of nanoscale catalysts in improving the yield of bio-oil through real-time experiments was studied. The findings of this work add to our understanding of the application of fuzzy-based systems for energy applications.

Increased environmental concerns and global warming have diverted effort all over the world to focus on renewable and sustainable resources for the next generation of composite products due to their recyclability, renewability, cost effectiveness, and satisfactory mechanical performance. Bio/natural fibers which are environment friendly materials employed as reinforcement have led to developing a biocomposite for reduction in greenhouse emission and carbon footprints. However, biofibers are also having some limitations that need to be addressed including poor compatibility between the reinforcing fiber matrices, high moisture absorption, swelling, poor chemical and fire resistance, and high dispersion of mechanical properties. A lot of research has been performed on physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber composite. Properties of such novel composite mainly depend on adhesion between fiber and matrices. Consequently, poor adhesion, high moisture absorption, and swelling lead to formation of crack in both the matrix and fiber. Therefore, numerous techniques have been tried till date to modify both fiber surfaces to enhance their adhesion and reduce their water absorption. This review article provides comprehensive information about effect of various surface modification techniques that include alkaline, silane, acetylation, permanganate, peroxide, benzoylation, acrylonitrile grafting, maleic anhydride grafted, acrylation, and isocyanate. In addition, the effects of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin of biofibers are also reported. This review concluded that chemical treatment of biofibers with 5% NaOH concentration improves the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the resulting composites compared to untreated fiber composites.

Supercapacitors are a revolutionary type of energy storage device. They must be able to charge and discharge quickly while maintaining a high energy density. A storage material’s cyclic stability is a desirable feature. The type of electrode materials employed for the specific study design affects supercapacitor performance. Manganese dioxide has long been regarded as one of the best and most abundant materials in nature, having a potentially high specific capacitance. They also offer a wider potential range, more electroactivity, and are more environmentally friendly. However, because of its decreased volume expansion and low conductivity, it is difficult to use as a capacitor material. As a result, carbon-based porous films and supports can be employed to produce critical composites to overcome the current shortcoming. These nanoparticle-based materials will have improved electrical conductivity and a large surface area. Graphene oxide (GO) has a high surface area, thermal stability, and porosity. As an electrode material, many types of MnO2/carbon-based materials have been widely used in supercapacitors. Their overall performance is influenced by their construction processes, metal ratios, electrolyte medium, and voltage factors. Microwave technology was chosen as a cost-efficient and effective alternative to expensive and laborious techniques for fabricating MnO2/GO composites. The production procedure of a supercapacitor has been explored in this study using MnO2-GO composite materials. Using the electrochemical deposition process, the nanocomposite materials of MnO2-GO are significantly deposited on the stainless steel (SS) substrate material. Galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analytical methods were used to investigate the storage and cycle ability of supercapacitors. The composite MnO2-GO supercapacitor has a higher electrochemical capacitance based on these findings.

This paper reports the effect of snake grass (SG) fibers in Ficus exasperata Leaf Ash (FELA) concrete. Snake grass fibers of percentages 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 were used in this investigation. Tests of compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength and durability studies of salt resistance, sulphate resistance, and impact energy resistance were determined, and the test results are discussed in detail. Test results revealed that FELA ash of 15% replacement in cement showed remarkable binding property. Moreover, incorporation of snake grass fiber in concrete improves the strength, postcracking resistance, and energy absorption. It is also observed that 1.5% snake grass fiber incorporation in concrete exhibited better strength properties and energy absorption property than 0.5% and 1%. Also, beyond 1.5%, there is significant reduction in workability property. Regardless of durability property, the mix containing 1.5% snake grass fiber has shown better resistance against durability when compared with other mixes. It is also observed that penetration of chloride and sulphate ions made slight deterioration at sharp edges. Moreover, test results revealed that applications of FELA concrete with snake grass fiber can be effectively expanded in the construction industry.

Muslim marriages are not recognised in South Africa and therefore divorces are not regulated by the courts. There are multiple methods of terminating a Muslim marriage; this is not the position with civil marriages in South Africa which are terminated through the divorce proceedings set out in the Divorce Act 70 of 1979. Due to the non-regulation of Muslim marriages, many abuses occur when parties terminate their marriages. With regard to the implementation of Sharī`ah in South Africa, much has been written about the recognition of Muslim Personal Law (MPL). There is a need for research which goes beyond identifying individual challenges and which aims to achieve a more holistic analysis, exploring the root causes of the abuses that could arises in the event that a Muslim marriage is terminated. The purpose of this enquiry therefore is to examine these possible systemic causes and to suggest proposed solutions. This contribution commences with a review of the laws, procedures and institutions regulating the termination of Muslim marriages in South Africa. Challenges with regard to such terminations are then explored and analysed. In conclusion, some remarks are made in respect of addressing the challenges holistically.

The risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (Met-S) including hypertension, hyperglycemia, central obesity, and dyslipidemia are preventable, particularly at their early stage. There are limited data available on the association between Met-S and preventable risk factors in young adults. We randomly selected 2,010 Saudis aged 18–30 years, who applied to be recruited in military colleges. All the procedures followed the guidelines of International Diabetes Federation. The results showed that out of 2,010 subjects, 4088 were affected with Met-S. The commonest risk factors were high blood sugar (63.6%), high systolic and diastolic blood pressures (63.3 and 37.3%), and high body mass index (57.5%). The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes were 55.2 and 8.4%, respectively. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia were significantly associated with Met-S. The frequency of smoking was significantly linked with the development of Met-S. The prevalence of Met-S was found to be significantly higher in individuals with sedentary lifestyle. In conclusion, the results of this study clearly indicate that military recruits, who represent healthy young adults, are also prone to Met-S. The findings of this study will help in designing preventive measures as well as public awareness programs for controlling the high prevalence of Met-S in young adults.

COF-derived nitrogen-doped-carbon structure supported palladium catalysts exhibited excellent EOR and MOR activities, much higher than those of commercial Pd/C, with good catalytic stability.

Background: The plants of high phenolic contents are perfect antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents and participate in biological studies as effective agents towards different cancer cell lines. Objective: To investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of the hydromethanolic leaf extract of Jasminum multiflorum (Burm. f.) Andrews. (J. multiflorum), and phenolic profiling of the extract. Methods: The antioxidant activity for the extract was estimated using β-Carotene-linoleic and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by histamine release assay. Cytotoxicity of J. multiflorum was performed using a neutral red uptake assay towards breast cancer (MCF-7) and colorectal cancer (HCT 116) cell lines. Phenolic profiling of the leaves was characterized using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detector-mass spectroscopy-mass spectroscopy (HPLC-PDA-MS/MS), and chromatographic isolation and identification of the isolated compounds were performed using spectroscopic and NMR data, and virtual docking was performed to the isolated compounds against HSP90 (HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 90). Results : At a concentration of 75 μg mL-1, J. multiflorum extract showed high antioxidant power; 68.23±0.35 % inhibition and 60.30±0.60 a TEAC (μmol Trolox g-1) for β-Carotene-linoleic assay and FRAP assay; respectively, and possessed anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 67.2 μg/ml. J. multiflorum showed high cytotoxic activity with IC50 of 24.81 μg/ml and 11.38 μg/ml for MCF-7 and HCT 116 cell lines, respectively. HPLC-PDA-MS/MS analysis tentatively identified 39 compounds; major compounds are secoiridoid glycosides, kaempferol, and quercetin glycosides, in addition to simple phenylethanoid compounds. Isolation of active metabolites was performed and led to the isolation and identification of four compounds. On the basis of docking study using HSP90 legend, kaempferol neohesperidoside showed a high cytotoxic potential supported by a high affinity score towards HSP90 legend protein. Conclusion: Jasminum multiflorum is a good candidate to isolate cytotoxic agents.

Synovial sarcoma arises primarily in the lower extremities with a predilection for sites in proximity to large joints, such as the knee. It rarely occurs in the head and neck region, and the tonsil is an unusual site for the tumor, with only eight previously published cases in this anatomical site. 6–10 % of all soft tissue tumors, only 3–5 % arise in the head and neck region, and SS arising in the tonsil is a rare finding, with only eight well-documented cases reported in the English language literature. We describe the histopathological findings of a primary synovial sarcoma of the palatine tonsil arising in a 20-year-old male, with presentation of dysphagia and sleep disturbance.

BACKGROUND Over half of pregnant women experience anxiety symptoms, however perinatal mental health disparities exist. Women of Mexican descent exhibit higher levels of anxiety symptoms which may be linked to sociocultural stressors. However, little is known about culturally relevant factors that may protect against anxiety in this fast-growing population, such as religiosity, an important facet of Mexican culture. METHODS Pregnant women of Mexican descent (n = 197) were recruited from a local community clinic and followed into the postpartum period. Women completed surveys assessing religiosity, acculturation, acculturative stress, and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS Higher levels of religiosity were associated with lower levels of anxiety symptoms throughout pregnancy, but not postpartum (b = -1.01, p = .002). Additionally, religiosity significantly buffered the relationship between acculturative stress and anxiety symptoms during early (R2 = .13, b = -.12, p = .041), mid- (R2 = .19, b = -.19, p < .001) and late pregnancy (R2 = .14, b = -.13, p = .023), and at six weeks postpartum (R2 = .08, b = -.12, R2 = .08, p = .016). LIMITATIONS The study was limited to women of Mexican descent and it is possible that other immigrant groups may exhibit different patterns of religiosity and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that religiosity may be protective against maternal anxiety among women of Mexican descent, which has important implications for culturally relevant perinatal interventions and treatments.

Different genetic and environmental factors are implicated in type I diabetes (T1DM) pathogenesis. About 50% of the genetic susceptibility for T1DM is related to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. Other non-HLA genes have variable roles in the destruction of pancreatic β cells. A highly variable gene called endoplasmic reticulum associated with antigen processing gene 1(ERAP1) shares in activating autoreactive CD8+ T lymphocytes, peptide trimming, and subsequent pancreatic β cells destruction. Local production of inflammatory cytokines within the cells of islets of Langerhans is linked to T1DM progression. Different viral and autoimmune disorders have been linked to genetic variations in type III interferon (IFNλs). This study aimed to determine genetic polymorphisms of interferon lambda 4 (IFNλ4rs 73555604) and endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases 1 (ERAP1 rs26618) in Egyptian patients with T1DM. The study recruited 120 patients with T1DM from Kafrelsheikh University Hospital and 100 normal controls who were age and sex matched with the patients' group. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of ERAP1(rs26618) and IFN-λ-4(rs73555604) was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Patients with CC genotype were less likely to develop T1DM than those with TC and TT genotypes for both genes. In addition, T allele frequency in comparison to C allele frequency was significantly increased in T1DM patients when compared to control group (p0.001). There were positive correlations between studied SNPs for both genes, fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels which suggest the association of these genes with T1DM occurrence. We concluded that the studied SNPs of ERAP1gene (rs26618) and IFNλ-4 gene(rs73555604) may be associated with T1DM development. In addition, T alleles for both genes could be considered risk alleles while C alleles would be regarded as a protective allele. Patients with TC and TT genotypes would be at a higher risk for T1DM than those carrying CC genotype.

Corruption involves greed, money, and risky decision-making. We explore the love of money, pay satisfaction, probability of risk, and dishonesty across cultures. Avaricious monetary aspiration breeds unethicality. Prospect theory frames decisions in the gains-losses domain and high-low probability. Pay dissatisfaction (in the losses domain) incites dishonesty in the name of justice at the individual level. The Corruption Perceptions Index, CPI, signals a high-low probability of getting caught for dishonesty at the country level. We theorize that decision-makers adopt avaricious love-of-money aspiration as a lens and frame dishonesty in the gains-losses domain (pay satisfaction-dissatisfaction, Level 1) and high-low probability (CPI, Level 2) to maximize expected utility and ultimate serenity. We challenge the myth: Pay satisfaction mitigates dishonesty across nations consistently. Based on 6500 managers in 32 countries, our cross-level three-dimensional visualization offers the following discoveries. Under high aspiration conditions, pay dissatisfaction excites the highest- (third-highest) avaricious justice-seeking dishonesty in high (medium) CPI nations, supporting the certainty effect. However, pay satisfaction provokes the second-highest avaricious opportunity-seizing dishonesty in low CPI entities, sustaining the possibility effect-maximizing expected utility. Under low aspiration conditions, high pay satisfaction consistently leads to low dishonesty, demonstrating risk aversion-achieving ultimate serenity. We expand prospect theory from a micro and individual-level theory to a cross-level theory of monetary wisdom across 32 nations. We enhance the S-shaped Curve to three 3-D corruption surfaces across three levels of the global economic pyramid, providing novel insights into behavioral economics, business ethics, the environment, and responsibility. WOS:000951258300001

Objectives. Inflammatory mediators are associated with many chronic diseases; however, their role in metabolic syndrome (Met-S) is not well documented. We therefore aimed to compare the serum markers of inflammation including C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and TNF-β in young military recruits with and without Met-S. We hypothesized that any significant change in inflammatory markers between the two groups would indicate the role of inflammation in Met-S that would help in future directions for screening and treatment of Met-S. Design and Methods. A total of 2010 adult men, aged 18-30 years, were divided into two groups: with Met-S ( N = 488 ) and without Met-S ( N = 1522 ), according to the International Diabetes Federation definition. We compared the serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers between the two groups. We also studied the correlations between the inflammatory markers and the components of Met-S to explore the biomarker potential of inflammatory markers for screening of Met-S. Logistic regression analysis was performed to test the association between inflammatory markers and Met-S. Results. A large number of subjects in the Met-S group were suffering from obesity. Out of the 2010 total subjects, only 731 (36.4%) had normal fasting blood sugar (FBS), while the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes was significantly higher in subjects with Met-S. We observed significant increases in serum levels of CRP, MPO, IL-6, and TNF-β but not TNF-α in subjects with Met-S as compared to subjects without Met-S. All the markers of inflammation showed significant correlations with Met-S, triglycerides (TG), blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and age; however, none of these markers were correlated with HDL. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between Met-S and inflammatory markers. Conclusions. Serum levels of CRP, MPO, IL-6, and TNF-β are significantly increased in young adults with Met-S. This is probably the first study reporting TNF-β levels in Met-S. Since a proinflammatory cascade precedes many years before the onset of cardiovascular disease, these inflammatory biomarkers could help in the monitoring of high-risk individuals with Met-S who will be requiring therapeutic intervention.

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multi-systemic autoimmune disease. SLE patients may experience a wide range of physical, psychological, and social perception of well-being influenced by the patient illness that are not always fully captured by descriptions of the disease’s physiological consequences alone. Nowadays, patients with SLE have a better survival than decades ago, nevertheless still experience a low health related quality of life (HRQoL). Assessing disease activity in SLE is crucial to the physician as it forms the basis for treatment decisions, moreover careful evaluation for respiratory involvement should be routinely considered. More chronic lung disease related to SLE can have a significant negative effect on patient well-being and physical performance status and are detrimental to quality of life. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life changes in SLE patients using Lupus QoL scale, assessing their correlation with different disease aspects particularly pulmonary manifestations and predictors for worse QoL. Materials and methods Total of 60 SLE patients, who fulfilled the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria, were enrolled in this study. Disease activity was measured by systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) and quality of life was assessed by Lupus QoL. Pulmonary evaluation included pulmonary function tests parameters (PFTs), mMRC dyspnea scale, HRCT score, and pulmonary damage index. Results Lupus QoL had a strong significant correlations with PFTs FEV1, FVC, and DLCO (r = 0.79, 0.78, 0.76, p < .001), respectively}, while Lupus QoL had strong negative correlations with both mMRC dyspnea scale and HRCT score (r = −0.96, −0.85, p < .001), respectively, and moderate negative correlation with neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) (r = −0.61, p < .001). Weak negative correlations were found between Lupus QoL, photosensitivity, alopecia, Raynaud’s and renal affection (r = −0.29, −0.30, −0.30, 0.38, p = .03, .02, .02, .002), respectively. NPSLE and pulmonary involvement were the most consistent predictors of low HRQoL [contributing 36% and 18% of the variance of Lupus QoL], respectively. Conclusion Lupus QoL is negatively correlated with different SLE clinical parameters particularly pulmonary manifestations. Neuropsychiatric, pulmonary, renal affection, and SLEDAI are the best determinants for worse Lupus QoL.

α-Dystroglycan (α-DG) is uniquely modified on O-mannose sites by a repeating disaccharide (-Xylα1,3-GlcAβ1,3-)n termed matriglycan, which is a receptor for laminin-G domain-containing proteins and employed by old-world arenaviruses for infection. Using chemoenzymatically synthesized matriglycans printed as a microarray, we demonstrated length-dependent binding to Laminin, Lassa virus GP1, and the clinically-important antibody IIH6. Utilizing an enzymatic engineering approach, an N-linked glycoprotein was converted into a IIH6-positive Laminin-binding glycoprotein. Engineering of the surface of cells deficient for either α-DG or O-mannosylation with matriglycans of sufficient length recovered infection with a Lassa-pseudovirus. Finally free matriglycan in a dose and length dependent manner inhibited viral infection of wildtype cells. These results indicate that matriglycan alone is necessary and sufficient for IIH6 staining, Laminin and LASV GP1 binding, and Lassa-pseudovirus infection and support a model in which it is a tunable receptor for which increasing chain length enhances ligand-binding capacity. Graphical Abstract

Biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) occurs in about 25% of patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and up to 45% in patients who receive external beam radiotherapy (RT). Early diagnosis of PCa recurrence is of high importance for successful salvage therapy. The aim of the present study is to analyze the efficacy of 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT in detecting the presence of local and/or systemic disease in patients with a history of PCa who have BCR. A total of 52 PCa patients with BCR referred for 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT were recruited from the American University of Beirut Medical Center between November 2017 and December 2019. We compared the performance of PSMA PET/CT to the results and clinical factors based on follow up: PSA, PSA kinetics, primary treatment, and Gleason score. The relationship between the PET/CT findings and clinical indicators of disease were assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. From a total of 52 patients, 34 (65.4%) had positive PSMA-PET/CT scans. Among those, 8/34 (23.5%) received primary RT. For all patients with a positive PSMA-PET: the detection rate was 2/4 (50%) for PSA PSMA-PET/CT positivity was significantly associated with PSA level at time of PET scan, PSA doubling time, Gleason score and TNM staging. However, it did not show a significant correlation with radiotherapy as primary treatment, ongoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), time to relapse, and initial PSA before therapy. In our single center prospective trial, 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT successfully detected the recurrence of PCa in patients with BCR. Scan positivity was significantly associated with PSA level at time of PET scan, PSA doubling time, Gleason score, and TNM staging. PSMA- PET/CT is a highly promising modality in the work up of patients with PCa in the setting of BCR for earlier detection of disease recurrence.

Data for predicting the severity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are limited, and investigations are ongoing. Endothelial monocyte-activating protein II (EMAP-II) is a multifunctional polypeptide with pro-inflammatory properties. EMAP-II is a significant pathogenic component in chronic inflammatory lung diseases and lung injury. In this study, we aimed to assess the potential utility of EMAP-II as a predictor of COVID-19 severity and mortality. This study included 20 healthy volunteers and 60 verified COVID-19 patients. Nasopharyngeal samples from COVID-19-positive subjects and normal volunteers were collected at admission. The nasopharyngeal samples were subjected to EMAP-II real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). EMAP-II RNA was not detected in nasopharyngeal swabs of normal controls and mild to asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and was only detectable in severe COVID-19 patients. EMAP-II critical threshold (Ct) was positively associated with lymphocyte percentages and oxygen saturation (p < 0.001) while being negatively associated with age (p = 0.041), serum CRP, ferritin, and D-dimer levels (p < 0.001). EMAP-II Ct cutoff ≤34 predicted a worse outcome in COVID-19 illness, with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Our study suggests that EMAP-II could be considered a potential biomarker of COVID-19 severity. EMAP-II can predict the fatal outcome in COVID-19 patients.