Research Roundup: Covid; Heart Disease; Toxic Cosmetics

Fox News: Researchers Find 'Clue' Behind Rare, Coronavirus-Linked Inflammatory Illness In Kids
A team of researchers from Mount Sinai claimed to have discovered an "important clue" behind a rare, potentially serious coronavirus-related inflammatory illness in children, called MIS-C. MIS-C, which typically arises several weeks after a COVID-19 illness or contact with someone with COVID-19, can lead to organ damage due to a hyperinflammatory response. MIS-C can cause inflammation in one or more organ systems, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, brain and/or skin. The cause of MIS-C is unknown, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states on its webpage. As of July 30, the CDC noted over 4,400 reported cases of MIS-C, and at least 37 deaths. (Rivas, 8/11)

CIDRAP: Studies Look At Clotting, Myocarditis Tied To COVID-19 Vaccines 
Two studies published by JAMA Cardiology today discuss adverse effects associated with COVID-19 vaccines. The first describes vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VITT with CVST) linked to the AstraZeneca/Oxford and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The second is a case series looking at 15 adolescents who experienced myocarditis after receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Despite these risks, both research teams continue to advocate for COVID-19 vaccines as the health risks from the virus are far greater than those linked to the vaccine. For instance, the VITT study researchers say that CVST risk from COVID-19 infection is 60- to 230-fold higher than the risk derived from COVID-19 vaccination. (McLernon, 8/10)

CIDRAP: Corticosteroid Tied To Shorter Recovery In Non-Severe COVID-19
Inhaled budesonide, a corticosteroid often used for Crohn's disease, was tied to a shorter recovery time in COVID-19 patients who were at a higher risk of severe infection, according to a study published in The Lancet yesterday. The researchers used UK residents 65 or older or who were 50 and older with comorbidities who were enrolled in the larger PRINCIPLE trial. Patients were unwell with suspected COVID-19 for up to 14 days (median, 6 days), and were randomized to budesonide from Nov 27, 2020, to Mar 31, 2021. In the primary analysis group, 787 received budesonide and usual care, 1,069 received usual care, and 974 were part of other treatment groups. None were hospitalized prior to assignment. (8/11)

New England Journal of Medicine: Subcutaneous REGEN-COV Antibody Combination To Prevent Covid-19
Subcutaneous REGEN-COV prevented symptomatic Covid-19 and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in previously uninfected household contacts of infected persons. Among the participants who became infected, REGEN-COV reduced the duration of symptomatic disease and the duration of a high viral load. (O'Brien et al, 8/4)

JAMA Network: Association Between Prison Crowding And COVID-19 Incidence Rates In Massachusetts Prisons, April 2020-January 2021 
Is prison crowding associated with the risk of COVID-19 among incarcerated persons? Findings  In this longitudinal ecological study including all incarcerated persons in 14 Massachusetts state prisons from April 2020 to January 2021, on average 6876 persons, COVID-19 incidence was significantly higher in prisons operating at a higher percentage of their design capacity and was significantly lower in prisons where a higher proportion of incarcerated people were housed in single-cell units. (Leibowitz et al, 8/9)

Also —

ScienceDaily: Eating More Plant Foods May Lower Heart Disease Risk In Young Adults, Older Women 
Eating a plant-centered diet during young adulthood is associated with a lower risk of heart disease in middle age, according to a long-term study with about 30 years of follow-up. A separate study with about 15 years of follow-up found that eating more plant-based foods that have been shown to lower cholesterol, called the 'Portfolio Diet', is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. (American Heart Association, 8/4)

The Washington Post: Is Your Long-Lasting Makeup Toxic? Study Raises Concerns About PFAS In Cosmetics
In recent weeks, the House passed the PFAS Action Act, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency to establish national drinking water standards for these so-called “forever chemicals.” A bipartisan Senate bill seeking to ban PFAS in cosmetics was introduced in June by Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn). ... The personal care industry commonly uses more than a dozen PFAS. They are added to make lotions, cosmetics and hair products more water-resistant, durable and spreadable. And small amounts not listed on ingredient labels can be found in many more products, acknowledges the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).