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Diana Betancor

Bio: Diana Betancor is an academic researcher from McMaster University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Asthma. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 11 publications receiving 26 citations.

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Severity of COVID-19 on-admission was classified according to the FIO2 required: A0 (FIO2 21%), A1 (F IO2 up to 35%), A2 (35% >FIO 2≤60%) and A3 (Fio2> 60%).
Abstract: Material and Methods. Demographic data, smoking status, non-atopic comorbidities, presence of atopy, symptoms, clinical, radiological and laboratory data on-admission and discharge, need of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) admission days of hospitalization and death were analyzed. Severity of COVID-19 on-admission was classified according to the FIO2 required: A0 (FIO2 21%), A1 (FIO2 up to 35%), A2 (35% >FIO2≤60%) and A3 (FIO2> 60%).

15 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The main objectives of this study were to characterize the human miRNA profile during anaphylaxis and to assess their capacity as diagnostic markers and determine their participation in the molecular mechanisms of this event.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Anaphylaxis is the most severe manifestation of allergic disorders. The poor knowledge of its molecular mechanisms often leads to under-diagnosis. MicroRNAs (miRNA) regulate physiologic and pathologic processes, and they have been postulated as promising diagnostic markers. The main objectives of this study were to characterize the human miRNA profile during anaphylaxis and to assess their capacity as diagnostic markers and determine their participation in the molecular mechanisms of this event. METHODS The miRNA serum profiles from the acute and baseline phase of 5 oral food-challenged anaphylactic children (<18 years old) were obtained by next-generation sequencing (NGS). From the panel of statistically significant miRNAs obtained, several candidates were selected and analyzed in 19 anaphylactic children by qPCR. We performed system biology analysis (SBA) on their target genes to identify main functions and canonical pathways. A functional in vitro assay was carried out incubating endothelial cells (ECs) in anaphylactic conditions. RESULTS The NGS identified 389 miRNAs among which 41 were significantly different between acute and baseline samples. The high levels of miR-21-3p (fold change = 2.28, P = .006) and miR-487b-3p (fold change = 1.04, P = .039) observed by NGS in acute serum samples were confirmed in a larger group of 19 patients. The SBA revealed molecular pathways related to the inflammation and immune system regulation. miR-21-3p increased intracellularly and in acute phase serum after EC stimulation. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide, for the first time, some insights into the anaphylactic miRNA serum profile in children and point to miR-21-3p and miR-487b-3p as candidate biomarkers. Furthermore, the SBA revealed a possible implication of these molecules in the underlying molecular mechanisms. Moreover, ECs increased miR-21-3p intracellularly and released it to the environment in response to anaphylaxis.

11 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assessed the development of plant food allergy in nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP)-sensitized patients 10 years after diagnosis and found that 35 of the 113 patients who were sensitized to nsLTP reported reactions to new, previously tolerated plant foods, mainly Rosaceae/Prunoideae fruits and nuts followed by vegetables, Rosacea/Pomoideae fruit, legumes, and cereals.
Abstract: Introduction: Allergy to nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) is the main cause of plant-food allergy in Spain. nsLTPs are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and have high cross-reactivity but extremely variable clinical expression. Little is known about the natural evolution of this allergy, which complicates management. The objective of this study was to assess the development of allergy to new plant foods in nsLTP-sensitized patients 10 years after diagnosis. Methods: One hundred fifty-one patients showing specific IgE to nsLTP determined by ISAC (Thermofisher) were included. After clinical workup (i.e., anamnesis, skin test, and challenge when needed), these patients were divided into two groups: 113 patients allergic to one or more plant food (74.5%) and 38 patients not allergic to any plant food (25.1%). Ten years later, a telephone interview was conducted to check whether patients had developed additional allergic reactions to plant foods. Results: Ten years after diagnosis, 35 of the 113 (31%) plant-food-allergic patients sensitized to nsLTP reported reactions to new, previously tolerated plant foods, mainly Rosaceae/Prunoideae fruits and nuts followed by vegetables, Rosacea/Pomoideae fruits, legumes, and cereals. Five out of 38 (13.2%) patients previously sensitized to nsLTP but without allergy to any plant food had experienced allergic reactions to some plant food: two to Rosaceae/Prunoideae fruits, two to Rosaceae/Prunoideae fruit and nuts, and one to legumes. Conclusion: Patients sensitized to nsLTP developed allergic reactions to other plant foods, mainly Rosaceae-Prunoideae fruits and nuts. This was more frequent among plant-food-allergic patients than among those who had never had plant-food allergy.

9 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of eosinophils in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is analyzed and the association with the severity of disease, especially between different respiratory diseases.
Abstract: Background: Studies on the role of eosinophils in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are scarce, though available findings suggest a possible implication in disease severity. Here, we analyzed the relationship of eosinophils and COVID-19 addressing the association with the severity of disease, especially between different respiratory diseases. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 3018 subjects who were attended at either of two public hospitals in Madrid (Spain) with PCR-confirmed to coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection from January 31 to April 17, 2020. Patients with eosinophil counts below 0.02×109/L were considered to have eosinopenia. Individuals with respiratory diseases (n=384) were classified according to their particular disease, i.e. asthma, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, or obstructive sleep apnea. Results: Among the 3018 patients enrolled, 479 were excluded because lack of enough information at the time of admission. Of 2539 subjects assessed, 1396 patients had an eosinophil count performed on admission, revealing eosinopenia in 376 (26.93%). Eosinopenia on admission was associated with a higher risk of intensive care unit (ICU) or respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) admission (OR:2.21; 95%CI:1.42-3.45; p0.05). Conclusions: Eosinopenia on admission conferred a higher risk of severe disease, requiring ICU/RICU care but was not associated with increased mortality. Moreover, patients with chronic respiratory diseases who develop COVID-19, age seems to be the main risk factor for a higher risk of progressing to severe disease requiring ICU/RICU admission or death.

9 citations


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Posted ContentDOI
18 Nov 2020-medRxiv
TL;DR: Seroprevalence data is synthesized to better estimate the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection, identify high-risk groups, and inform public health decision making to protect disproportionately affected groups, including non-White people and seniors.
Abstract: Background Studies reporting estimates of the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies have rapidly emerged. We aimed to synthesize seroprevalence data to better estimate the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection, identify high-risk groups, and inform public health decision making. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched publication databases, preprint servers, and grey literature sources for seroepidemiological study reports, from January 1, 2020 to August 28, 2020. We included studies that reported a sample size, study date, location, and seroprevalence estimate. Estimates were corrected for imperfect test accuracy with Bayesian measurement error models. We conducted meta-analysis to identify demographic differences in the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and meta-regression to identify study-level factors associated with seroprevalence. We compared region-specific seroprevalence data to confirmed cumulative incidence. PROSPERO: CRD42020183634. Findings We identified 338 seroprevalence studies including 2.3 million participants in 50 countries. Seroprevalence was low in the general population (median 3.2%, IQR 1.0-6.4%) and slightly higher in at-risk populations (median 5.4%, IQR 1.5-18.4%). Median seroprevalence varied by WHO Global Burden of Disease region (p Interpretation Most of the population remains susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Public health measures must be improved to protect disproportionately affected groups, including non-White people and adults. Measures taken in SE Asia, E Asia and Oceania, and Latin America and Caribbean may have been more effective in controlling virus transmission than measures taken in other regions. Funding Public Health Agency of Canada through the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force.

120 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Great variability in the prevalence of comorbid asthma among COVID-19 patients in different countries or regions is found and asthmatic patients are found to have lower risk of death compared with non-asthmatic patients.

98 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the literature related to asthma's potential role in COVID-19 severity was conducted, and the results of their analyses did not provide clear evidence of increased risk of increased diagnosis, hospitalization, severity, or mortality due to asthma.
Abstract: Rationale: Health outcomes of people with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) range from no symptoms to severe illness and death. Asthma, a common chronic lung disease, has been considered likely to increase the severity of COVID-19, although data addressing this hypothesis have been scarce until very recently.Objectives: To review the epidemiologic literature related to asthma's potential role in COVID-19 severity.Methods: Studies were identified through the PubMed (MEDLINE) and medRxiv (preprint) databases using the search terms "asthma," "SARS-CoV-2" (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), and "COVID-19," and by cross-referencing citations in identified studies that were available in print or online before December 22, 2020.Measurements and Main Results: Asthma prevalence data were obtained from studies of people with COVID-19 and regional health statistics. We identified 150 studies worldwide that allowed us to compare the prevalence of asthma in patients with COVID-19 by region, disease severity, and mortality. The results of our analyses do not provide clear evidence of increased risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalization, severity, or mortality due to asthma.Conclusions: These findings could provide some reassurance to people with asthma regarding its potential to increase their risk of severe morbidity from COVID-19.

63 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on five main databases including the WHO COVID-19 database between December 1, 2019 to July 11, 2021 on studies with a control (non-asthma) group was conducted as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Background Individual case series and cohort studies have reported conflicting results on the vulnerability to and risk of mortality of people with asthma from COVID-19. Research Question Are people with asthma at a higher risk of being infected, hospitalised or of poorer clinical outcomes from COVID-19? Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis based on five main databases including the WHO COVID-19 database between December 1, 2019 to July 11, 2021 on studies with a control (non-asthma) group was conducted. Prevalence and risk ratios were pooled using Sidik-Jonkman random effects meta-analyses. Findings Fifty-one studies with an 8.08% (95% CI 6.87–9.30) pooled prevalence of people with asthma among COVID-19 positive cases. The risk ratios were 0.83 (95% CI 0.73–0.95, p=0.01) for acquiring COVID-19; 1.18 (95% CI 0.98–1.42, p=0.08) for hospitalisation; 1.21 (95% CI 0.97–1.51, p=0.09) for ICU admission; 1.06 (95% CI 0.82–1.36, p=0.65) for ventilator use and 0.94 (95% CI 0.76–1.17; p=0.58) for mortality for people with asthma. Subgroup analyses by continent revealed a significant difference in risk of acquiring COVID-19, ICU admission, ventilator use and death between the continents. Interpretation The risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 was reduced compared to the non-asthma group. No statistically significant differences in hospitalisation, ICU admission and ventilator use were found between groups. Subgroup analyses showed significant differences in outcomes from COVID-19 between America, Europe and Asia. Additional studies are required to confirm this risk profile, particularly in Africa and South America where few studies originate.

50 citations