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Objective: This study was designed to investigate clinical characteristics associated with mortality and predictors of survival in older adults hospitalized with COVID-19 with a focus on neurological comorbidities and presenting neurological manifestations., Methods: We compared clinical characteristics in an age- and gender-matched sample of 75 deceased and 75 recovered patients (M Age  = 78) hospitalized with COVID-19 and developed a logistic regression to predict likelihood of survival., Results: Deceased patients were more like to have dementia, altered mental status (AMS), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, mechanical ventilation, and balance difficulties; higher heart rate, respiratory rate, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and absolute neutrophils; lower oxygen saturation and absolute lymphocytes; and shorter length of hospitalization. Logistic regression based on three mortality predictors (ARDS, AMS, and length of hospitalization) correctly predicted 87% of the outcome (89% sensitivity at 85% specificity)., Conclusions: Dementia and AMS were strong predictors of death in older adults hospitalized with COVID-19. Our findings add to the rapidly growing neurology of COVID-19 literature and underscore the importance of early recognition and the incorporation of a mental status examination into the medical assessment of COVID-19., (© 2021. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.)

Parental behavior modifies neural, physiologic, and behavioral characteristics of both maternal and paternal mammals. These parenting-induced modifications extend to brain regions not typically associated with parental responses themselves but that enhance ancillary responses, such as foraging efficiency and predator avoidance. Here we hypothesized that male and female owl monkeys (Aotus spp.) with reproductive experience (RE) would demonstrate more adaptive ancillary behavioral and neuroendocrine responses than those of their nonRE counterparts. To assess cognitive skills and coping flexibility, we introduced a foraging strategy task, including a set of novel objects (coin holders) marked with different symbols representing different food rewards, to the animals. To assess endocrine responses, urine samples were assayed for cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels and their ratios to determine physiologic measures of emotional regulation in RE and nonRE owl monkeys. Compared with nonRE monkeys, experienced parents had higher DHEA:cortisol ratios after exposure to habituation training and on the first day of testing in the foraging task. Both hormones play critical roles in the stress response and coping mechanisms, and a high DHEA:cortisol ratio usually indicates increased coping skills. In addition, RE monkeys exhibited more efficient foraging responses (by 4-fold) than did the nonRE mating pairs. We conclude that RE modifies relevant behavioral and hormonal responses of both maternal and paternal owl monkeys exposed to a challenging cognitive paradigm. Corroborating previous research demonstrating adaptive modifications in foraging efficiency and emotional responses in reproductively experienced rodents, the current results extend these findings to a monogamous primate species.

Cystic fibrosis is a common autosomal recessive disorder that is associated with a defective chloride transport channel in epithelial cells. The discovery of the cystic fibrosis gene in 1989 has led to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease and the development of more effective therapeutic interventions. Chronic recurrent lung infections, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and elevated sweat chloride levels are hallmarks of the disease. Survival of patients with cystic fibrosis is steadily improving and most patients survive into adulthood. As lung disease progresses, secondary pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale are likely to develop. Pulmonary hypertension is correlated with the degree of hypoxemia and may be associated with increased mortality. The goal of therapy of cor pulmonale in cystic fibrosis is to correct hypoxemia and lower the elevated pulmonary artery pressures. This is best achieved by supplemental oxygen and aggressive treatment of the pulmonary disease with antibiotics and airway clearance techniques. It is also important to assess oxygenation during sleep and exercise. Bilateral lung transplantation is a treatment option for patients with end-stage lung disease, even in the presence of cor pulmonale.

A full-length cDNA clone encoding the previously purified mouse glutathione S-transferase GST 5.7 [(1991), Biochem. J. 278, 793-799] has been isolated from a mouse lung cDNA library in lambda gt11. Sequencing of the clone revealed the presence of microheterogeneity in GST 5.7. Comparison of the deduced protein sequence with other glutathione S-transferases, together with previous information available on GST 5.7, indicates that the enzyme belongs to a novel subgroup within the alpha class of glutathione S-transferases. Members of the subgroup, which also include the rat GST 8-8 and perhaps chicken GST CL3, show high sequence homology with each other, but only moderate similarity to other alpha class enzymes. They share a substrate specificity profile that resembles pi-class enzymes, and are active in the conjugation of lipid peroxidation products.