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AbstractObjectivesMethodResultsConclusionCOVID-19 lockdowns were introduced to control the pandemic, however, they resulted in a global disruption of daily life and of individual and global health. Reduced accessibility of health services, unavailability of food and drugs, and mental health challenges had a huge impact on older people and on people living with disabling conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). We assessed whether and to what extent the more disabled and vulnerable people with Parkinson’s (PwP) were affected by lockdowns.We analysed responses collected through a web-based survey of PwP according to their self-sufficiency [self-sufficient (SS); nearly self-sufficient (nSS); non-self-sufficient, cared for by family (NSS/F); non-self-sufficient, needs professional care (NSS/PC)].Fears due to COVID-19 and difficulties with food supply were highest in NSS/F PwP. Difficulties with the supply of Parkinson’s medication or other drugs were apparently not an issue, while problems accessing primary care physicians and neurologists were similar across all patient groups. On the contrary, difficulties with daily and motor activities were higher in NSS/F and NSS/PC PwP. PwP symptoms worsened in all groups, with NSS/F and NSS/PC participants experiencing the worst deterioration. Notably, the deterioration of PwP symptoms was specifically related to changes in daily and motor activities, with participants who reported less engagement in daily and motor activities experiencing the worst deterioration.Findings strongly support the need for decision-makers and healthcare providers to carefully re-evaluate the risk–benefit ratio of limiting healthcare accessibility for PwP, since evidence shows that lockdown measures primarily impact the groups who are most fragile and vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study tests the hypothesis that in isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) adrenergic ligands can affect neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. We have previously shown that, in PMN, adrenaline (A), through the activation of adrenergic receptors (AR), reduces stimulus‐dependent cell activation; we have, therefore, planned to investigate if AR are involved in NET production. PMN were obtained from venous blood of healthy subject. The ability of adrenergic ligands to affect reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, NET production, and cell migration was investigated in cells cultured under resting conditions or after activation with N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP), LPS, or IL‐8. Stimuli‐induced NET production measured as ROS, microscopic evaluation, and elastase production was reverted by A and this effect was blocked by the selective β2–AR antagonist ICI‐118,551. The stimulus‐induced ROS generation and migration was prevented by A and by isoprenaline (ISO), and these effects were counteracted only by ICI‐118,551 and not by the other two selective ligands for the β1 and β3–AR. Finally, the presence of the β–ARs on PMN was confirmed, by means of microscopy and flow cytometry. The data of the present study suggest that adrenergic compounds, through the interaction of mainly β2–AR, are able to affect neutrophil functions. These data are suggestive of a possible therapeutic role of β2–AR ligands (in addition to their classical use), promoting the possible therapeutic relevance of adrenergic system in the modulation of innate immunity proposing their possible use as anti‐inflammatory drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tests the hypothesis that in isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) adrenergic ligands can affect neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. We have previously shown that, in PMN, adrenaline (A), through the activation of adrenergic receptors (AR), reduces stimulus-dependent cell activation; we have, therefore, planned to investigate if AR are involved in NET production. PMN were obtained from venous blood of healthy subject. The ability of adrenergic ligands to affect reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, NET production, and cell migration was investigated in cells cultured under resting conditions or after activation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), LPS, or IL-8. Stimuli-induced NET production measured as ROS, microscopic evaluation, and elastase production was reverted by A and this effect was blocked by the selective β 2 -AR antagonist ICI-118,551. The stimulus-induced ROS generation and migration was prevented by A and by isoprenaline (ISO), and these effects were counteracted only by ICI-118,551 and not by the other two selective ligands for the β 1 and β 3 -AR. Finally, the presence of the β-ARs on PMN was confirmed, by means of microscopy and flow cytometry. The data of the present study suggest that adrenergic compounds, through the interaction of mainly β 2 -AR, are able to affect neutrophil functions. These data are suggestive of a possible therapeutic role of β 2 -AR ligands (in addition to their classical use), promoting the possible therapeutic relevance of adrenergic system in the modulation of innate immunity proposing their possible use as anti-inflammatory drugs., (©2018 Society for Leukocyte Biology.)