Australians urged to sign up to tracking app

PM Scott Morrison said wide usage would be the "ticket" to normal life resuming as soon as possible. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

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Coronavirus: 'When will pandemic end?' and other questions from kids

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Coronavirus: Italy's PM outlines lockdown easing measures

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Coronavirus: Boris Johnson back at Downing Street to lead response

Boris Johnson will chair the morning cabinet meeting, just over two weeks after leaving hospital. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Coronavirus: New Zealand claims no community cases as lockdown eases

After single-figure new cases for more than a week, NZ says it has ended local transmissions for now. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Spain's children allowed to run free again

For the first time in six weeks, the country's children have been allowed outside to exercise and play. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Coronavirus: Military to test key workers in mobile units

The mobile units will travel to "hard to reach" areas as the government looks to ramp up testing. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Coronavirus: Immunity passports ‘could increase virus spread’

No evidence people who develop antibodies after recovering are protected against a second infection. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Coronavirus: Lockdown's heavy toll on Italy's mental health

Coronavirus: Lockdown's heavy toll on Italy's mental health - BBC News. What started as a physical health emergency is morphing into a psychological one:



From BBC: "Italy’s coronavirus death toll is the second highest in the world, and its lockdown is the strictest and longest in Europe.Doctors say both things are creating a mental health emergency. The BBC has been given access to a psychological support centre run by the Red Cross, where staff say they’re overwhelmed by calls from people struggling. Psychologists are warning that Italy is not equipped to deal with the crisis, and that the rest of Europe must prepare. If you've been affected by a mental health issue, help and support is available. Visit Befrienders International for more information about support services in your country, or visit BBC Action Line. Film by the BBC’s Europe Correspondent Jean Mackenzie, produced by Sara Monetta, filmed and edited by Andy Smythe."

Psychiatrist Jud Brewer offers helpful tips how to deal with the multiple negative emotions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic: How to Break the Coronavirus Anxiety Cycle

Not a bad summary of the current COVID-19 quarantine situation by the Rolling Stones:

"ALWAYS HAD THE FEELING
IT WOULD ALL COME TUMBLING DOWN

LIFE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL
THEN WE ALL GOT LOCKED DOWN

IT ISN’T ANY FUN
IF I WANT A PARTY
IT’S A PARTY OF ONE

PLEASE LET THIS BE OVER
NOT STUCK IN A WORLD WITHOUT END"



The song was recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Posted at Clinical Cases and Images. Stay updated and subscribe, follow us on Twitter and connect on Facebook.

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Coronavirus: Free our children from lockdown, says Barcelona mayor

In Spain, children are not allowed to leave home for any reason under strict coronavirus rules. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Coronavirus pandemic: Tracking the global outbreak

Key maps and charts explaining how the respiratory virus has spread around the world and how it is being dealt with. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

World Health Organization: What is the WHO and what does it do?

President Trump has been critical - but what do others think of the "global guardian of public health"? via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Coronavirus: US to halt funding to WHO, says Trump

The World Health Organization "failed in its basic duty" over coronavirus, Donald Trump says. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

UK Biobank: DNA to unlock coronavirus secrets

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Measles resurgence fear amid coronavirus

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Coronavirus lockdown: How can we lift restrictions?

What is the path to normality as coronavirus leaves countries in lockdown? via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

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Wim Hof Method decreases IL-6, can it prevent IL-6-induced cytokine storm in COVID19?

A subgroup of patients with severe COVID-19 may have a cytokine storm syndrome.

A cytokine profile in severe COVID-19 disease includes increased interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, interferon-gamma inducible protein 10, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-6. Mortality might be due to virally driven hyperinflammation.

Anti-IL-6 antibody tocilizumab (IL-6 receptor blocker) has been used in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and elevated IL-6. Other agents, such as sarilumab and siltuximab, which also target the IL-6 pathway, are being evaluated in clinical trials.

Wim Hof Method decreases IL-6, can it prevent IL-6-induced cytokine storm in COVID19?

Traditionally, both the autonomic nervous system and innate immune system are regarded as systems that cannot be voluntarily influenced, hence the name "autonomic", independent, from voluntary influence.

The mainstay of the Wim Hof Method is a 20-minute meditation centered around a breathing technique (cyclic hyperventilation followed by breath retention). In a small study of 24 patients (12 in the intervention arm vs 12 controls), levels of proinflammatory mediators TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 were lower in the intervention group. There was a large increase in the IL-10 levels in the intervention group. See figure 4 here: https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/111/20/7379/F4.large.jpg, https://www.pnas.org/content/111/20/7379

A video of a study participant from the article is embedded below:



You can try the Wim Hof Method for yourself via his app at the link below: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/wim-hof-method-mobile-app

All the usual disclaimers apply (linked in the sidebar of this website).

References:

COVID-19: consider cytokine storm syndromes and immunosuppression. Puja Mehta et al. Lancet, 2020,
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30628-0/fulltext

Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans. Matthijs Kox et al. PNAS May 20, 2014 111 (20) 7379-7384; first published May 5, 2014 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1322174111

Related podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfAgSusi6t0

Posted at Clinical Cases and Images. Stay updated and subscribe, follow us on Twitter and connect on Facebook.

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