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<h1 data-aos="fade-down" id="covid-19-sentry">Covid-19 Sentry</h1>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" data-aos-anchor-placement="top-bottom" id="contents">Contents</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="#from-preprints">From Preprints</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-clinical-trials">From Clinical Trials</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-pubmed">From PubMed</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-patent-search">From Patent Search</a></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-preprints">From Preprints</h1>
<ul>
<li><strong>PRINCIPLE trial demonstrates scope for in-pandemic improvement in primary care antibiotic stewardship</strong> -
<div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Abstract Background The Platform Randomised trial of INterventions against COVID-19 In older peoPLE (PRINCIPLE) trial has provided in-pandemic evidence of what does not work in the early primary care management of coronavirus-2019 disease (COVID-19). PRINCIPLE9s first finding was that azithromycin and doxycycline were not effective. Aim To explore the extent to which azithromycin and doxycycline were being used in-pandemic, and the scope for trial findings impacting on practice. Design and Setting We compared crude rates of prescribing and respiratory tract infections (RTI) in 2020, the pandemic year, with 2019, using the Oxford-Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC). Methods We used a negative binomial model including age-band, gender, socioeconomic status, and NHS region to compare azithromycin and doxycycline lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), and influenza-like-illness (ILI) in 2020 with 2019; reporting incident rate ratios (IRR) between years and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results Azithromycin prescriptions increased 7% in 2020 compared to 2019, whereas doxycycline decreased by 7%. Concurrently, LRTI and URTI incidence fell by over half (58.3% and 54.4% respectively) while ILI rose slightly (6.4%). The overall percentage of RTI prescribed azithromycin rose by 42.1% between 2019 and 2020, doxycycline increased by 33%. Our adjusted IRR showed azithromycin prescribing was 22% higher in 2020 (IRR=1.22, 95%CI:1.19-1.26, p&lt;0.0001), for every unit rise in confirmed COVID there was an associated 3% rise in prescription (IRR=1.026, 95%CI 1.024-1.0285, p&lt;0.0001); whereas these measures were static for doxycycline. Conclusion PRINCIPLE trial flags scope for improvement in antimicrobial stewardship.
</p>
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.02.21250902v1" target="_blank">PRINCIPLE trial demonstrates scope for in-pandemic improvement in primary care antibiotic stewardship</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Estimation of infection rate and the population size potentially exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in Japan during 2020</strong> -
<div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Background: The infectious respiratory disease COVID-19, caused novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reached pandemic status during 2020. The primary statistic data are important to survey the actual circumstances of COVID-19. Here, we report the analysis of the primary data of COVID-19 in Japan during 2020. Methods: Data were collected and released systematically under Japan domestic law. Machine learning was conducted to estimate the positive rate in Japan and four prefectures (Tokyo, Osaka, Chiba, and Fukuoka). Results: Primary data analysis revealed there were at least two peaks of infection in Japan; the first one was during April 2020 and the second one started from November 1, 2020. Estimating the positive rate in Japan as well as in the four prefectures reinforced the above observations. The positive rate in Japan during 2020 was estimated to be around 6% to 8%. We also estimated that 1.95 million people were possibly exposed to the novel virus on October 31, 2020. The numbers of related deaths were over 3,000 people at the end of 2020. Conclusion: We estimated the infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in Japan to be 6 and 8% in 2020. We also concluded that Japan had at least two infection-spreading periods, the first one being from Jan 19, 2020 until May 2020, and the second one beginning from November 1, 2020. Importantly, our analysis supports the need for clear definition of the criteria for conducting confirmation tests before embarking on data analysis.
</p>
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.01.21250971v1" target="_blank">Estimation of infection rate and the population size potentially exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in Japan during 2020</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Usability of saliva collection devices for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics</strong> -
<div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
There is an urgent need to expand testing for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens as the global community struggles to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Current diagnostic methods can be affected by supply chain bottlenecks and require the assistance of medical professionals, impeding the implementation of large-scale testing. Self-collection of saliva may solve these problems because it can be completed without specialized training and uses generic materials. In this study, we observed thirty individuals who self-collected saliva using four different collection devices and analyzed their feedback. These devices enabled the safe collection of saliva that was acceptable for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing.
</p>
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.01.21250946v1" target="_blank">Usability of saliva collection devices for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Point-of-care evaluation of a rapid antigen test (CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test) for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals</strong> -
<div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Rapid antigen assays (RAD) based on lateral flow immunochromatography (LFIC) technology have emerged as a valuable tool for the control of COVID-19 pandemic. Manufacturerindependent, realworld evaluation of these assays is crucial given the considerable heterogeneity reported in their clinical and analytical performances. Here, we report for the first time on the point-of-care performance of the CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test (Siemens, Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany) to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection in presumptive COVID-19 cases or asymptomatic close contacts of COVID-19 patients. When compared to RT-PCR, the overall sensitivity of the assay was 80.2 (95% CI, 70.9-87.1) for symptomatic patients sampled (nasopharyngeal specimens) within five days after the onset of symptoms and 60% (95% CI, 40.7-76.6%) for asymptomatic participants. The overall specificity was 100% in both population groups.
</p>
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.02.21250984v1" target="_blank">Point-of-care evaluation of a rapid antigen test (CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test) for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>COVID-19 Can Exacerbate Pattern Hair Loss and Trigger Telogen Effluvium The Role of Proteoglycan Replacement Therapy with Nourkrin® in Clinical Treatment of COVID-19 Associated Hair Loss</strong> -
<div>
The unfolding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has increased the incidence of several dermatological disorders, including diffuse hair loss. Observational studies revealed an escalated incidence of pattern hair loss (PHL) and telogen effluvium (TE) in COVID-19 patients. Psychological stress, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are potential culprits. Reduced anagenic expression of proteoglycans is a potential mediating mechanism that connects hair loss to critical health conditions such as COVID-19. Proinflammatory cytokines and stress hormones negatively affect the normal metabolism of proteoglycans, which are known regulators of the hair growth cycle. Anagen shortening and hair miniaturisation are thus conceivable consequences of a resultant hypofunctional follicular matrix. In this review, we discuss the association between COVID-19 and diffuse hair loss and elucidate the position of proteoglycan replacement therapy (PRT) using Nourkrin® with Marilex® in addressing the dysmetabolism of proteoglycans in COVID-19. PRT with Nourkrin® is a hair loss treatment with anti-inflammatory and hair growth cycle normalising effects. This treatment is shown to improve the histological severity of inflammation, suppress several proinflammatory cytokines and expand regulatory T-cell lineages in-vivo. Accordingly, Nourkrin® has potential in treating new-onset or aggravated PHL in COVID-19 survivors. In addition, bioactive proteoglycans in Marilex®, e.g., decorin and versican, exhibit anagen inducing and catagen suppressing properties, which help to reverse anagen shortening in stress-induced TE. Further clinical investigation of PRT in COVID-19 survivors through controlled trials and real-world studies is warranted. In conclusion, Nourkrin® can be considered as a safe treatment to prevent and treat COVID-19 related PHL and TE.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://osf.io/m7b3j/" target="_blank">COVID-19 Can Exacerbate Pattern Hair Loss and Trigger Telogen Effluvium The Role of Proteoglycan Replacement Therapy with Nourkrin® in Clinical Treatment of COVID-19 Associated Hair Loss</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Delta-range coupling between prefrontal cortex and hippocampus supported by respiratory rhythmic input from the olfactory bulb in freely behaving rats</strong> -
<div>
An explosion of recent findings firmly demonstrated that brain activity and cognitive function in rodents and humans are modulated synchronously with nasal respiration. Rhythmic respiratory (RR) coupling of wide-spread forebrain activity was confirmed using advanced techniques, including current source density analysis, single unit firing, and phase modulation of local gamma activity, creating solid premise for investigating how higher networks use this mechanism in their communication. Here we show essential differences in the way prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HC) process the RR signal from the olfactory bulb (OB) allowing dynamic PFC-HC coupling utilizing this input. We used inter-regional coherences and their correlations in rats, breathing at low rate (~2 Hz) at rest, outside of the short sniffing bouts. We found strong and stable OB-PFC coherence, contrasting OB-HC coherence which was low but highly variable. PFC-HC coupling, however, primarily correlated with the latter, indicating that HC access to the PFC output is dynamically regulated by the responsiveness of HC to the common rhythmic drive. This pattern was present in both theta and non-theta states of waking, whereas PFC-HC communication appeared protected from RR synchronization in sleep states. The findings help to understand the mechanism of rhythmic modulation of non-olfactory cognitive processes by the on-going regular respiration, reported in rodents as well as humans. These mechanisms may be impaired when nasal breathing is limited or in OB-pathology, including malfunctions of the OB epithelium due to infections, such as in COVID-19.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.04.077461v3" target="_blank">Delta-range coupling between prefrontal cortex and hippocampus supported by respiratory rhythmic input from the olfactory bulb in freely behaving rats</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Several SARS-Cov2 variants with large (72, 89, 96) deletions in the spike protein, circulating globally since Covid19 began - B.1.351 mutations accumulate on top of this, explaining poor results of J&amp;J vaccine in South Africa</strong> -
<div>
The Covid19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov2 [1,2]) has caused significant mortality globally [3], along with severe socio-economic damage [4,5]. Many vaccines have been given emergency authorization in different countries [6,7]. Mutations raise concerns about these vaccines efficiencies [8] and re-infections [9]. Researchers lately have identified variants (with multiple single mutations, like N501Y and E484K) from different countries (B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1) which are assumed to be more transmissible [10]. There have been reports of small deletions [11]. Here, I report large deletions in multiple parts of the spike protein - these exact protein sequences occur in different countries in different time-frames, (sometimes as early as Jan 2020), making it very unlikely that these are sequencing artifacts. This has probably escaped detection since sometimes sequencing fails to generate the complete genome - filling the missing parts with ”N”, which translates in ”X” as a protein. When there are stretches of this, computational programs looking for mutations ignore these. Also, this happens if one assembles based on a reference genome. A denovo assembly would have given the correct genome, with deletions.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://osf.io/hukgm/" target="_blank">Several SARS-Cov2 variants with large (72, 89, 96) deletions in the spike protein, circulating globally since Covid19 began - B.1.351 mutations accumulate on top of this, explaining poor results of J&amp;J vaccine in South Africa</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Highlighting COVID-19 Racial Disparities Reduces Fear and Support for Safety Precautions</strong> -
<div>
U.S. media has extensively covered racial disparities in COVID-19 infections and deaths. In two preregistered studies, we examined how the association between people of color and COVID-19 impacts White U.S. residents attitudes toward COVID-19 and people of color. Utilizing a correlational design (N = 498), we found that awareness of COVID-19 racial disparities predicted reduced fear of COVID-19 and race-related social distancing. Next, we manipulated exposure to information about COVID-19 racial disparities (N = 1,505). Reading about the systemic causes of COVID-19 racial disparities reduced support for COVID-19 safety precautions and empathy for those vulnerable to COVID-19, reduced fear of COVID-19, and increased bias against people of color. These findings have important implications for understanding how public health information may perpetuate systemic racial inequalities.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://osf.io/td4cs/" target="_blank">Highlighting COVID-19 Racial Disparities Reduces Fear and Support for Safety Precautions</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Exaggerated cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein S1 and its inhibition by dexamethasone</strong> -
<div>
An understanding of the pathological inflammatory mechanisms involved in SARS CoV-2 virus infection is necessary in order to discover new molecular pharmacological targets for SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. In this study, the effects of a recombinant SARS CoV-2 spike glycoprotein S1 was investigated in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Stimulation with spike glycoprotein S1 (100 ng/mL) resulted in significant elevation in the production of TNF, IL-6, IL-1{beta} and IL-8. However, pre-treatment with dexamethasone (100 nM) caused a significant reduction in the release of these cytokines. Further experiments revealed that S1 stimulation of PBMCs increased phosphorylation of NF-{kappa}B p65 and I{kappa}B, while increasing I{kappa}B degradation. DNA binding of NF-{kappa}B p65 was also significantly increased following stimulation with S1. Treatment of PBMCs with dexamethasone (100 nM) or BAY11-7082 (1 M) resulted in inhibition of S1-induced NF-{kappa}B activation. Activation of p38 MAPK by S1 was blocked in the presence of dexamethasone and SKF 86002. CRID3, but not dexamethasone pre-treatment produced significant inhibition of S1-induced activation of NLRP3/caspase 1. Further experiments revealed that S1-induced increase in the production of TNF, IL-6, IL-1{beta} and IL-8 was reduced in the presence of BAY11-7082 and SKF 86002, while CRID3 pre-treatment resulted in the reduction of IL-1{beta} production. These results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein S1 stimulate PBMCs to release pro inflammatory cytokines through mechanisms involving activation of NF-{kappa}B, p38 MAPK and NLRP3 inflammasome. It is proposed that clinical benefits of dexamethasone in COVID-19 is possibly due to its anti-inflammatory activity in reducing SARS-CoV-2 cytokine storm.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.429536v1" target="_blank">Exaggerated cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein S1 and its inhibition by dexamethasone</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Variation in predicted COVID-19 risk among lemurs and lorises</strong> -
<div>
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which in humans leads to the disease COVID-19, has caused global disruption and more than 1.5 million fatalities since it first emerged in late 2019. As we write, infection rates are currently at their highest point globally and are rising extremely rapidly in some areas due to more infectious variants. The primary viral target is the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). Recent sequence analyses of the ACE2 gene predicts that many nonhuman primates are also likely to be highly susceptible to infection. However, the anticipated risk is not equal across the Order. Furthermore, some taxonomic groups show high ACE2 amino acid conservation, while others exhibit high variability at this locus. As an example of the latter, analyses of strepsirrhine primate ACE2 sequences to date indicate large variation among lemurs and lorises compared to other primate clades despite low sampling effort. Here, we report ACE2 gene and protein sequences for 71 individual strepsirrhines, spanning 51 species and 19 genera. Our study reinforces previous results and finds additional variability in other strepsirrhine species, and suggests several clades of lemurs have high potential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Troublingly, some species, including the rare and Endangered aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), as well as those in the genera Avahi and Propithecus, may be at high risk. Given that lemurs are endemic to Madagascar and among the primates at highest risk of extinction globally, further understanding of the potential threat of COVID-19 to their health should be a conservation priority. All feasible actions should be taken to limit their exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.429540v1" target="_blank">Variation in predicted COVID-19 risk among lemurs and lorises</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Molecular dynamics simulation study of effects of key mutations in SARS-CoV-2 on protein structures</strong> -
<div>
SARS-CoV-2 has been spreading rapidly since 2019 and has produced large-scale mutations in the genomes. Differences in gene sequences may lead to changes in protein structure and traits, which would have a great impact on the epidemiological characteristics. In this study, we selected the key mutations of SARS-CoV-2, including D614G and A222V of S protein and Q57H of ORF3a protein, to conduct molecular dynamics simulation and analysis on the structures of the mutant proteins. The results suggested that D614G improved the stability of S protein, while A222V enhanced the ability of protein to react with the outside environment. Q57H enhanced the structural flexibility of ORF3a protein. Our findings could complete the mechanistic link between genotype--phenotype--epidemiological characteristics in the study of SARS-CoV-2. We also found no significant changes in the antigenicity of S protein, ORF3a protein and their mutants, which provides reference for vaccine development and application.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.429495v1" target="_blank">Molecular dynamics simulation study of effects of key mutations in SARS-CoV-2 on protein structures</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Characterization of the NiRAN domain from RNA-dependent RNA polymerase provides insights into a potential therapeutic target against SARS-CoV-2</strong> -
<div>
Apart from the canonical fingers, palm and thumb domains, the RNA dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp) from the viral order Nidovirales possess two additional domains. Of these, the function of the Nidovirus RdRp associated nucleotidyl transferase domain (NiRAN) remains unanswered. The elucidation of the 3D structure of RdRp from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), provided the first ever insights into the domain organisation and possible functional characteristics of the NiRAN domain. Using in silico tools, we predict that the NiRAN domain assumes a kinase or phosphotransferase like fold and binds nucleoside triphosphates at its proposed active site. Additionally, using molecular docking we have predicted the binding of three widely used kinase inhibitors and five well characterized anti-microbial compounds at the NiRAN domain active site along with their drug-likeliness as well as DFT properties. For the first time ever, using basic biochemical tools, this study shows the presence of a kinase like activity exhibited by the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp. Interestingly, the proposed kinase inhibitors and a few of the predicted nucleotidyl transferase inhibitors significantly inhibited the aforementioned enzymatic activity. In line with the current global COVID-19 pandemic urgency and the emergence of newer strains with significantly higher infectivity, this study provides a new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug target and potential lead compounds for drug repurposing against SARS-CoV-2.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.429510v1" target="_blank">Characterization of the NiRAN domain from RNA-dependent RNA polymerase provides insights into a potential therapeutic target against SARS-CoV-2</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>A high-throughput radioactivity-based assay for screening SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 complex</strong> -
<div>
Frequent outbreaks of novel coronaviruses (CoVs), highlighted by the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, necessitate the development of therapeutics that could be easily and effectively administered world-wide. The conserved mRNA-capping process enables CoVs to evade their host immune system and is a target for antiviral development. Nonstructural protein (nsp) 16 in complex with nsp10 catalyzes the final step of coronaviral mRNA-capping through its 2'-O-methylation activity. Like other methyltransferases, SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 complex is druggable. However, the availability of an optimized assay for high-throughput screening (HTS) is an unmet need. Here, we report the development of a radioactivity-based assay for methyltransferase activity of nsp10-nsp16 complex in a 384-well format, and kinetic characterization, and optimization of the assay for HTS (Z'-factor: 0.83). Considering the high conservation of nsp16 across known CoV species, the potential inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 complex may also be effective against other emerging pathogenic CoVs.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.429625v1" target="_blank">A high-throughput radioactivity-based assay for screening SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 complex</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Multi-specific DARPin(R) therapeutics demonstrate very high potency against mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro</strong> -
<div>
The SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic has so far infected more than 100 million people globally, and continues to undergo genomic evolution. Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants show increased infectivity and may lead to resistance against immune responses of previously immunized individuals or existing therapeutics, especially antibody-based therapies. Several monoclonal antibody therapeutics authorized for emergency use or in development start to lose potency against various SARS-CoV-2 variants. Cocktails of two different monoclonal antibodies constitute a promising approach to protect against such variants as long as both antibodies are potent, but come with increased development complexity and therefore cost. As an alternative, we developed two multi-specific DARPin(R) therapeutics, each combining three independent DARPin(R) domains binding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in one molecule, to potently neutralize the virus and overcome virus escape. Here, we show in a panel of in vitro studies that both multi-specific DARPin(R) therapeutics, ensovibep (MP0420) and MP0423, are highly potent against the new circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 (UK variant) and B.1.351 (South African variant) and the most frequent emerging mutations in the spike protein. Additionally, viral passaging experiments show potent protection by ensovibep and MP0423 against development of escape mutations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the cooperative binding of the individual modules in a multi-specific DARPin(R) antiviral is key for potent virus inhibition and protection from escape variants. These results, combined with the relatively small size and high production yields of DARPin(R) molecules, suggests ensovibep and MP0423 as superior alternatives to monoclonal antibody cocktails for global supply and demonstrate the strength of the DARPin(R) platform for achieving potent and lasting virus inhibition for SARS-CoV-2 and possibly other viruses.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.429164v1" target="_blank">Multi-specific DARPin(R) therapeutics demonstrate very high potency against mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro</a>
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<li><strong>Impact of the B.1.1.7 variant on neutralizing monoclonal antibodies recognizing diverse epitopes on SARS-CoV-2 Spike</strong> -
<div>
The interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor binding domain (RBD) with the ACE2 receptor on host cells is essential for viral entry. RBD is the dominant target for neutralizing antibodies and several neutralizing epitopes on RBD have been molecularly characterized. Analysis of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants has revealed mutations arising in the RBD, the N-terminal domain (NTD) and S2 subunits of Spike. To fully understand how these mutations affect the antigenicity of Spike, we have isolated and characterized neutralizing antibodies targeting epitopes beyond the already identified RBD epitopes. Using recombinant Spike as a sorting bait, we isolated &gt;100 Spike-reactive monoclonal antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. {approx}45% showed neutralizing activity of which {approx}20% were NTD-specific. None of the S2-specific antibodies showed neutralizing activity. Competition ELISA revealed that NTD-specific mAbs formed two distinct groups: the first group was highly potent against infectious virus, whereas the second was less potent and displayed glycan-dependant neutralization activity. Importantly, mutations present in B.1.1.7 Spike frequently conferred resistance to neutralization by the NTD-specific neutralizing antibodies. This work demonstrates that neutralizing antibodies targeting subdominant epitopes need to be considered when investigating antigenic drift in emerging variants.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.429355v1" target="_blank">Impact of the B.1.1.7 variant on neutralizing monoclonal antibodies recognizing diverse epitopes on SARS-CoV-2 Spike</a>
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</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-clinical-trials">From Clinical Trials</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of a Single Dose of STI-2020 (COVI-AMG™) to Treat COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Biological: COVI-AMG;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Study to Evaluate a Single Dose of STI-2020 (COVI-AMG™) in Adults With Mild COVID-19 Symptoms</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Biological: COVI-AMG;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Phase III Study of AZD7442 for Treatment of COVID-19 in Outpatient Adults</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: AZD7442;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   AstraZeneca<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Fluvoxamine Administration in Moderate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Infected Patients</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Placebo;   Drug: Fluvoxamine<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   SigmaDrugs Research Ltd.<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>TOCILIZUMAB - An Option for Patients With COVID-19 Associated Cytokine Release Syndrome; A Single Center Experience</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: Tocilizumab<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry<br/><b>Completed</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Convalescent Plasma in the Treatment of Covid-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Biological: Convalescent plasma from COVID-19 donors;   Biological: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   Helsinki University Central Hospital;   Finnish Red Cross<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of VB-201 in Patients With COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Severe COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: VB-201 + Standard of care;   Drug: Standard of care<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Vascular Biogenics Ltd. operating as VBL Therapeutics<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Efficacy of Nano-Ivermectin Impregnated Masks in Prevention of Covid-19 Among Healthy Contacts and Medical Staff</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid-19<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Other: ivermectin impregnated mask<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   South Valley University<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>An Outpatient Clinical Trial Using Ivermectin and Doxycycline in COVID-19 Positive Patients at High Risk to Prevent COVID-19 Related Hospitalization</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Ivermectin Tablets;   Drug: Doxycycline Tablets;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Max Health, Subsero Health<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>COVID-19 Immunologic Antiviral Therapy With Omalizumab</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Biological: Omalizumab;   Other: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>CPI-006 Plus Standard of Care Versus Placebo Plus Standard of Care in Mild to Moderately Symptomatic Hospitalized Covid-19 Patients</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: CPI-006 2 mg/kg + SOC;   Drug: CPI-006 1 mg/kg + SOC;   Drug: Placebo + SOC<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Phase IIb Clinical Trial of Recombinant Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (COVID-19) Vaccine (Sf9 Cells)</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Biological: Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells);   Biological: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   Jiangsu Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;   West China Hospital<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Effectiveness of Ivermectin in SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Patients</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: Ivermectin<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry<br/><b>Completed</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Famotidine vs Placebo for the Treatment of Non-Hospitalized Adults With COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Famotidine;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   Northwell Health;   Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Study to Assess Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled Interferon-β Therapy for COVID-19</strong> - <b>Conditions</b>:   Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2;   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: SNG001;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Synairgen Research Ltd.<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-pubmed">From PubMed</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Complement inhibition initiated recovery of a severe myasthenic crisis with COVID-19</strong> - We report on a patient with refractory Myasthenia gravis with acetylcholine receptor antibodies with two prior myasthenic crises suffering from COVID-19 with rapid evolving weakness and respiratory failure. Respiratory failure developed and prolonged mechanical ventilation was necessary. After plasmapheresis, residual, severe generalized and bulbar weakness persisted. Complement inhibition with eculizumab was, therefore, introduced and lead to rapid recovery. In refractory myasthenic crisis...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Association between antidepressant use and reduced risk of intubation or death in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: results from an observational study</strong> - A prior meta-analysis showed that antidepressant use in major depressive disorder was associated with reduced plasma levels of several pro-inflammatory mediators, which have been associated with severe COVID-19. Recent studies also suggest that several antidepressants may inhibit acid sphingomyelinase activity, which may prevent the infection of epithelial cells with SARS-CoV-2, and that the SSRI fluoxetine may exert in-vitro antiviral effects on SARS-CoV-2. We examined the potential usefulness...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Native High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) with Higher Paraoxonase Exerts a Potent Antiviral Effect against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), While Glycated HDL Lost the Antiviral Activity</strong> - Human high-density lipoproteins (HDL) show a broad spectrum of antiviral activity in terms of anti-infection. Although many reports have pointed out a correlation between a lower serum HDL-C and a higher risk of COVID-19 infection and progression, the in vitro antiviral activity of HDL against SARS-CoV-2 has not been reported. HDL functionality, such as antioxidant and anti-infection, can be impaired by oxidation and glycation and a change to pro-inflammatory properties. This study compared the...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Analogue discovery of safer alternatives to HCQ and CQ drugs for SAR-CoV-2 by computational design</strong> - COVID-19 outbreak poses a severe health emergency to the global community. Due to availability of limited data, the selection of an effective treatment is a challenge. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a chloroquine (CQ) derivative administered for malaria and autoimmune diseases, has been shown to be effective against both Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) and SARS-CoV-2. Apart from the known adverse effects of these drugs, recently the use of CQ and HCQ as a potential treatment for...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Repurposing of Tetracyclines for COVID-19 Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Manifestations: A Valid Option to Control SARS-CoV-2-Associated Neuroinflammation?</strong> - The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has gained considerable attention worldwide due to its increased potential to spread and infect the general population. COVID-19 primarily targets the human respiratory epithelium but also has neuro-invasive potential. Indeed, neuropsychiatric manifestations, such as fatigue, febrile seizures, psychiatric symptoms, and delirium, are consistently observed in COVID-19. The neurobiological basis of neuropsychiatric COVID-19 symptoms is not...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>SARS-CoV-2 induces human plasmacytoid predendritic cell diversification via UNC93B and IRAK4</strong> - Several studies have analyzed antiviral immune pathways in late-stage severe COVID-19. However, the initial steps of SARS-CoV-2 antiviral immunity are poorly understood. Here we have isolated primary SARS-CoV-2 viral strains and studied their interaction with human plasmacytoid predendritic cells (pDCs), a key player in antiviral immunity. We show that pDCs are not productively infected by SARS-CoV-2. However, they efficiently diversified into activated P1-, P2-, and P3-pDC effector subsets in...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Prediction of Single Point Mutations in Human Coronavirus and Their Effects on Binding to 9-O-Acetylated Sialic Acid and Hidroxychloroquine</strong> - Due to the current spreading of the new disease CoViD-19, the World Health Organization formally declared a world pandemic on March 11, 2020. The present trends indicate that the pandemic will have an enormous clinical and economic impact on population health. Infections are initiated by the transmembrane spike (S) glycoproteins of human coronavirus (hCoV) binding to host receptors. Ongoing research and therapeutic product development are of vital importance for the successful treatment of...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Graphene Sheets with Defined Dual Functionalities for the Strong SARS-CoV-2 Interactions</strong> - Search of new strategies for the inhibition of respiratory viruses is one of the urgent health challenges worldwide, as most of the current therapeutic agents and treatments are inefficient. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic and has taken lives of approximately two million people to date. Even though various vaccines are currently under development, virus, and especially its spike glycoprotein can mutate, which highlights a need for a...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Computational and Experimental Studies Reveal That Thymoquinone Blocks the Entry of Coronaviruses Into In Vitro Cells</strong> - CONCLUSION: Thymoquinone is a potential broad-spectrum inhibitor for the treatment of coronavirus infections.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>SARS-CoV-2 recruits a haem metabolite to evade antibody immunity</strong> - The coronaviral spike is the dominant viral antigen and the target of neutralizing antibodies. We show that SARS-CoV-2 spike binds biliverdin and bilirubin, the tetrapyrrole products of haem metabolism, with nanomolar affinity. Using cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography we mapped the tetrapyrrole interaction pocket to a deep cleft on the spike N-terminal domain (NTD). At physiological concentrations, biliverdin significantly dampened the reactivity of SARS-CoV-2 spike with immune...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Magnitude and timing of the antiviral response determine SARS-CoV-2 replication early in infection</strong> - The interferon response is a potent antiviral defense mechanism, but its effectiveness depends on its timing relative to viral replication. Here, we report viral replication and host response kinetics in patients at the start of SARS-CoV-2 infection and explore the impact of these kinetics experimentally. In both longitudinal patient nasopharyngeal samples and airway epithelial organoids, we found that SARS-CoV-2 initially replicated exponentially with a doubling time of 6hr, and induced...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Genome-scale metabolic modeling reveals SARS-CoV-2-induced host metabolic reprogramming and identifies metabolic antiviral targets</strong> - Tremendous progress has been made to control the COVID-19 pandemic, including the development and approval of vaccines as well as the drug remdesivir, which inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. However, remdesivir confers only mild benefits to a subset of patients, and additional effective therapeutic options are needed. Drug repurposing and drug combinations may represent practical strategies to address these urgent unmet medical needs. Viruses, including coronaviruses, are known...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Aurintricarboxylic acid and its metal ion complexes in comparative virtual screening versus Lopinavir and Hydroxychloroquine in fighting COVID-19 pandemic: synthesis and characterization</strong> - The salt of Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) was utilized in this study to synthesize new alkaline earth metal ion complexes. The analytical results proposed the isolation of mononuclear (Sr<sup>(+2)&amp;Ba</sup>(+2)) and binuclear complexes (Mg<sup>(+2)&amp;Ca</sup>(+2)). These complexes were analyzed by available analytical and spectral techniques. The tetrahedral geometry was suggested for all complexes (SP³) through bidentate binding mode of ligand with each central atom. UV-Vis spectra reveal the influence of L→M...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Structure of papain-like protease from SARS-CoV-2 and its complexes with non-covalent inhibitors</strong> - The pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to expand. Papain-like protease (PLpro) is one of two SARS-CoV-2 proteases potentially targetable with antivirals. PLpro is an attractive target because it plays an essential role in cleavage and maturation of viral polyproteins, assembly of the replicase-transcriptase complex, and disruption of host responses. We report a substantive body of structural, biochemical, and virus replication studies that...</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Mediterranean Diet for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes in the Covid-19 Era: Implications of Il-6 In Diabesity</strong> - The aim of this review is to highlight the influence of the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) during the COVID-19 pandemic era and the specific role of interleukin (IL)-6 in diabesity. It is known that diabetes, high body mass index, high glycated hemoglobin and raised serum IL-6 levels are predictive of poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The immunopathological mechanisms of the severe acute respiratory...</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-patent-search">From Patent Search</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>SARS-CoV-2 antibodies</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU315792577">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>SARS-CoV-2 antibodies</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU315792579">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION OF NITAZOXANIDE AND MEFLOQUINE AND METHOD THEREOF</strong> - A pharmaceutical composition for treating Covid-19 virus comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a nitazoxanide or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and an mefloquine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition comprises the nitazoxanide in the ratio of 0.05% to 66% w/v and the mefloquine in the ratio of 0.05% to 90% w/v. The composition is found to be effective for the treatment of COVID -19 (SARS-CoV2). The pharmaceutical composition of nitazoxanide and mefloquine has been found to be effective and is unexpectedly well tolerated with a low rate of side-effects, and equally high cure-rates than in comparable treatments. - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=IN316412781">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>TREATMENT OF COVID-19 WITH REBAMIPIDE</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU315792482">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING POWER CONSUMPTION IMPACT BASED ON IMPACT OF COVID-19 EPIDEMIC</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU314745621">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION OF ARTESUNATE AND MEFLOQUINE AND METHOD THEREOF</strong> - A pharmaceutical composition for treating Covid-19 virus comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an artesunate or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and a mefloquine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition comprises the artesunate in the ratio of 0.25% to 66% w/v and mefloquine in the ratio of 0.25% to 90% w/v. The composition is found to be effective for the treatment of COVID -19 (SARS-CoV2). The pharmaceutical composition of Artesunate and Mefloquine has been found to be effective and is unexpectedly well tolerated with a low rate of side-effects, and equally high cure-rates than in comparable treatments. The present invention also discloses a method to preparing the pharmaceutical composition comprising of Artesunate and Mefloquine. - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=IN315303355">link</a></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Zahnbürstenaufsatz, elektrische Versorgungseinheit einer elektrischen Zahnbürste, elektrische Zahnbürste mit einem Zahnbürstenaufsatz, Zahnbürste sowie Testaufsatz für eine elektrische Zahnbürste</strong> -
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
</p><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">Zahnbürstenaufsatz für eine elektrische Zahnbürste (20) umfassend einen Koppelabschnitt (2), über den der Zahnbürstenaufsatz (1) mit einer elektrischen Versorgungseinheit (10) der elektrischen Zahnbürste (20) verbindbar ist und einen Bürstenabschnitt (3), der zur Reinigung der Zähne ausgebildete Reinigungsmittel (3.1) aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass an dem Zahnbürstenaufsatz (1) eine Sensoreinheit (4) vorgesehen ist, die dazu ausgebildet ist, selektiv das Vorhandensein eines Virus oder eines Antigen im Speichel eines Nutzers des Zahnbürstenaufsatzes (1) durch Messen zumindest eines virusspezifischen Parameters zu bestimmen.</p></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=DE315274678">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>一种医用可佩戴式防护口鼻的微型气幕系统</strong> - 本发明公开了一种医用可佩戴式防护口鼻的微型气幕系统,包括框柱,框柱一侧开凿有气幕送风口和呼吸用送风口,气幕送风口和呼吸用送风口内分别连接有软管一和软管二,框柱内开凿有水平条缝和垂直条缝,水平条缝与垂直条缝均与气幕送风口相连通,框柱靠近水平条缝的一侧贯穿开凿有出风口,出风口内设有滤网,出风口贯穿框柱的一端连接有高效过滤器,滤网与高效过滤器之间连接有吸气泵,框柱靠近出风口的一侧连接有电池和开关。本发明通过提出一种在口腔处应用洁净空气幕阻挡气溶胶传播的可佩戴装置,可以在口腔类相关诊疗过程,保护医生和周围人的健康,避免引起可能引发的呼吸道疾病交叉感染。 - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=CN316342421">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>COVID-19 CLASSIFICATION RECOGNITION METHOD BASED ON CT IMAGES OF LUNGS</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU314054415">link</a></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Vorrichtung umfassend einen Schutzschirm und einen Filter zum Herausfiltern von Viren aus einem Schall erzeugenden Luftstrom</strong> -
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
</p><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">Vorrichtung (10) umfassend einen Schutzschirm (12) und einen Filter (14) zum Herausfiltern von Viren (16) aus einem Schall erzeugenden Luftstrom (18), der von einem Musiker (20) beim Musizieren mit einem Musikinstrument oder beim Singen erzeugt wird, wobei der Schutzschirm (12) zur Verringerung des Risikos einer Infektion mit den Viren (16) dafür vorgesehen ist, wenigstens einen Teil der mit dem Luftstrom transportierten Viren (16) aufzufangen, der Schutzschirm (12) eine erste Seite (22) und eine zweite Seite (24) aufweist, die voneinander abgewandt sind, und der Schutzschirm (12) wenigstens einen sich von der ersten (22) bis zu der zweiten Seite (24) erstreckenden Durchlass (26) aufweist, wobei dieser Durchlass (26) zum Durchströmen mit wenigstens einem Teil des beim Musizieren erzeugten Luftstroms (18) vorgesehen ist und der Filter (14) zum Herausfiltern von Viren (16) aus dem Luftstrom (18) in dem Durchlass (26) des Schutzschirms (12) angeordnet ist.</p></li>
</ul>
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<li><a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=DE315274597">link</a></li>
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<h1 data-aos="fade-down" id="daily-dose">Daily-Dose</h1>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" data-aos-anchor-placement="top-bottom" id="contents">Contents</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="#from-new-yorker">From New Yorker</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-vox">From Vox</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-the-hindu-sports">From The Hindu: Sports</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-the-hindu-national-news">From The Hindu: National News</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-bbc-europe">From BBC: Europe</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-ars-technica">From Ars Technica</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-jokes-subreddit">From Jokes Subreddit</a></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-new-yorker">From New Yorker</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>State Republican Leaders Are Rushing to Exploit Trumps Big Lie</strong> - In diverse parts of the country, followers of the former President are attacking voting laws and systems, using his claims that the election was stolen as a justification. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/state-republican-leaders-are-rushing-to-exploit-donald-trumps-big-lie">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>When Reporting Becomes a Defense for Rioting</strong> - John Sullivan claims that he was at the Capitol insurrection as a neutral journalist. Others say he was a riot chaser who urged the mob to “burn this shit down.” - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/us-journal/when-reporting-becomes-a-defense-for-rioting">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Why Are So Many Health-Care Workers Resisting the Coronavirus Vaccine?</strong> - The roots of their hesitancy predate the coronavirus—and may not be easily dispelled. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/why-are-so-many-health-care-workers-resisting-the-covid-vaccine">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Examining the Case Against the Filibuster</strong> - In a new book, Adam Jentleson blames government failures on more than a century of Southern obstruction in the Senate. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/examining-the-case-against-the-filibuster">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>On Climate, Bidens Administration Needs to Combat Zombie Trumpism Quickly</strong> - And Montanas Yaak Valley is a good place to start. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-a-warming-planet/on-climate-bidens-administration-needs-to-combat-zombie-trumpism-quickly">link</a></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-vox">From Vox</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Canada has designated the Proud Boys as a terrorist organization</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="A person carrying a “Proud Boys” flag on their shoulder." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_YQy89gWvJnDZdZQ1H03NgW8ijw=/693x0:6240x4160/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68765649/1297101692.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Members of the Proud Boys join other gun rights advocates in front of the State House as pro-gun supporters gather on January 18, 2021, in Richmond, Virginia.  | Spencer Platt/Getty Images
</figcaption>
</figure></li>
</ul>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Its not clear whether the Biden administration will follow suit.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="tRfMSz">
The Canadian government has designated the <a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/10/15/17978358/proud-boys-trump-biden-debate-violence">Proud Boys</a>, a far-right hate group, as a terrorist organization in the wake of its involvement in the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="paLiX3">
The Canadian government cited the groups engagement in violence against Black Lives Matter protesters as well as its “<a href="https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-en.aspx#510">pivotal role</a>” in the insurrection as reasons behind the designation.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="899Tr8">
The designation will allow the Canadian government to turn away members of the Proud Boys at the border and remove their internet postings within Canada, as well as impose penalties on anyone who deals with their property or finances. While the group was founded in 2016 in the US, where it remains most prevalent, there are semi-autonomous chapters based in Canada.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="lcFUEl">
“Violent acts of terrorism have no place in Canadian society or abroad,” Canadian public safety minister Bill Blair said in a statement. “Canadians expect their government to keep them safe and to keep pace with evolving threats and global trends, such as the growing threat of ideologically motivated violent extremism.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="01SGF9">
Canadas decision to designate the Proud Boys as a terrorist group has put pressure on US authorities to do the same. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that the Biden administrations national security team is currently examining “violence and this type of concerning group activity across the country” and will make a determination as to how to proceed once that review is complete.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="BrGUKt">
The <a href="https://fas.org/sgp/crs/terror/IN11573.pdf">Congressional Research Service</a> has asserted that the Capitol insurrection was an act of domestic terrorism, as defined by federal regulations and law, and noted that the FBI has identified the criminal activity by the Proud Boys to pose a domestic terrorism threat. But the US government currently does not formally designate domestic groups as terrorist organizations — that designation is <a href="https://www.lawfareblog.com/what-does-terrorist-designation-mean">reserved for foreign actors</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="9mv1ih">
Former President Donald Trump previously called for the militant left-wing group <a href="https://fas.org/sgp/crs/terror/IN11573.pdf">antifa </a>to be designated as a domestic terrorist group, but that would have required creating a new legal mechanism. Its possible that Congress <a href="https://www.lawfareblog.com/road-map-congress-address-domestic-terrorism">could pass a law</a> creating that mechanism, but that would raise concerns about the government using the designation to infringe on First Amendment free speech rights and target certain ideologies. Should the Biden administration want to designate the Proud Boys as domestic terrorists, they would likely face the same quandary.
</p>
<h3 id="l3kKtb">
Individual Proud Boys have begun facing legal consequences for their role in the Capitol riot
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="G2j2bQ">
Members of the Proud Boys are being prosecuted for their role in the events leading up to and including the Capitol insurrection.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ciAa8p">
The groups leader, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/politics/proud-boys-arrest-black-lives-matter-banner/index.html">arrested</a> two days before the insurrection for allegedly burning a Black Lives Matter banner that was stolen from a church in northwest Washington, DC, following a “Stop the Steal” rally in December. When he was arrested, police found him in possession of two high-capacity firearm magazines. He was consequently charged with destruction of property and possession of a high-capacity feeding device.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="cRdX7L">
Two additional members — Dominic Pezzola and William Pepe, both of New York — were <a href="https://www.vox.com/2021/1/30/22257682/two-proud-boys-charged-conspiracy-us-capitol-insurrection">charged with conspiracy</a> last week for storming the Capitol building. Federal prosecutors said that they “engaged in a conspiracy to obstruct, influence, impede, and interfere with law enforcement officers engaged in their official duties in protecting the U.S. Capitol and its grounds on Jan. 6, 2021.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="3O0Uve">
The group has vocally supported Trump and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, making appearances at various “Stop the Steal” rallies nationwide. Trump infamously refused to denounce them and other white supremacist organizations during a presidential debate with now-President Joe Biden in October, instructing them to instead “<a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/9/29/21494841/trump-proud-boys-stand-white-supremacy">stand back and stand by</a>.” Trump later downplayed the statement, but many in the group took it as a command, embracing it as a rallying cry and put it on their <a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/10/15/17978358/proud-boys-trump-biden-debate-violence">official merchandise</a>.
</p>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Democrat Chuck Schumer will finally take the title of Senate majority leader</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lukJCMuYaCiRT0iKNronx2iKwz8=/235x0:5000x3574/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68765499/1230452379.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Sens. Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell attend a joint session of Congress. | Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
</figcaption>
</figure></li>
</ul>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
With the belated passage of the Senate organizing resolution, Democrats are finally able to take over as committee chairs.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="lvIVVq">
Thirty-one days into the new Congress and weeks after the <a href="https://www.vox.com/22224701/how-democrats-flipped-georgia-blue">Georgia Senate runoffs gave them 50 seats</a>, Democrats now officially control the functioning of the Senate.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="r5EhbJ">
It took weeks of negotiation between party leaders to decide how Democrats and Republicans would share power and resources in the evenly divided Senate, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stonewalled the process, trying to extract promises from Democrats about retaining the filibuster. That obstruction left Republicans chairing committees, despite the seating of a 50-50 Senate, in which Democrats, through Vice President Kamala Harris, hold the tie-breaking vote. But on Wednesday, the Senate finally passed an organizing resolution largely sharing power. The resolution was adopted by unanimous consent.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="t27VF7">
“Committees can promptly set up and get to work, with Democrats holding the gavels,” Majority Leader Chuck<strong> </strong>Schumer said on the Senate floor Wednesday morning, announcing the deal. “Senate Democrats are not going to waste any time taking on the biggest challenges facing our country and our planet.”
</p>
<div id="YP3poe">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" dir="ltr" lang="en">
SCHUMER: "I am happy to report this morning that the leadership of both parties has finalized the organizing resolution for the Senate."<br/><br/>Democrats take control of Senate committees, as McConnell and Schumer reach a deal on how to run a 50-50 Senate after weeks of negotiations. <a href="https://t.co/iB6lz8HUCq">pic.twitter.com/iB6lz8HUCq</a>
</p>
— Zach Purser Brown (<span class="citation">@zachjourno</span>) <a href="https://twitter.com/zachjourno/status/1356987639795232774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="zeMMEp">
Under the agreement, Schumer will control what legislation gets brought to the floor and Democrats will chair committees. But due to the even split, committees will have an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, <a href="https://www.vox.com/22242810/50-50-senate-rules-chuck-schumer-mitch-mcconnell">as Voxs Li Zhou explains</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="bZW40u">
Schumer and McConnell also offered a written colloquy emphasizing a fresh start for bipartisanship in the Senate, pledging to promote substantive debate over administrative obstruction through processes like “filling the amendment tree.”
</p>
<div id="wHK28B">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" dir="ltr" lang="en">
It's now official: Senate just passed S.Res.27, the organizing resolution, by unanimous consent, along with resolutions naming Democratic and Republican committee appointments. Democrats are now chairs of all Senate committees.
</p>
— Mike DeBonis (<span class="citation">@mikedebonis</span>) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikedebonis/status/1357086652619980801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="AupPxX">
The belated passage of the organizing resolution eliminates <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/537121-schumer-mcconnell-reach-deal-on-senate-organizing-resolution?rl=1">the trouble Democrats ran into</a> trying to confirm President Joe Bidens Cabinet nominees without technically being seated as the majority. In the Senate Judiciary Committee, for example, incoming Chair Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) had to request that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) schedule a hearing for Bidens attorney general nominee, because Graham still held the gavel. Graham <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/01/merrick-garland-ag-confirmation-hearing-464593">rejected the request</a>, underscoring the stakes of the hold-up over the organizing resolution.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="lWHiti">
McConnell had previously held up negotiations because he wanted a commitment from Schumer that Democrats would not use the majority to blow up the filibuster, a piece of leverage Schumer was unwilling to concede. Because organizing resolutions can be filibustered and therefore need 60 votes to pass, McConnell could effectively block its passage. He <a href="https://www.vox.com/2021/1/25/22249786/mitch-mcconnell-filibuster-organizing-resolution">agreed to move forward</a> last week after two Senate Democrats — Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) — announced their support for maintaining the filibuster.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="oHaM0V">
Now, Democrats can proceed with confirming Bidens appointees, scheduling oversight hearings, and passing legislation. But the fight over the organizing resolution could foreshadow just how much difficulty theyll run into while in control.
</p>
<h3 id="wIob4g">
How the Senate organizing resolution will work
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="a0gw71">
With the resolution in place, Democrats can seat their new members on committees and assume leadership roles.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="7ERLyA">
<a href="https://www.vox.com/22242810/50-50-senate-rules-chuck-schumer-mitch-mcconnell">As Voxs Li Zhou has reported</a>, the resolution mirrors the 2001 agreement between Sens. Tom Daschle and Trent Lott, who presided over the last 50-50 Senate.
</p>
<blockquote>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="dbTiOQ">
“Because Democrats have the majority with Vice President Harriss vote, theyll hold the chair positions of every committee, but the resolution would split committee membership evenly, as well as office space and funding. Any measure that receives a tie vote in committee would also be able to receive some consideration for advancement on the floor.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="la58Ir">
As majority leader, Schumer will still control the floor schedule for legislation, and when to proceed to votes. “As for controlling the agenda, the Democrats will ensure they have standard majority party power, because in essence, they do,” <a href="https://www.politifact.com/article/2021/jan/07/how-will-senate-work-under-50-50-tie/">Josh Ryan, a political scientist at Utah State University, told PolitiFact</a>.”
</p>
</blockquote>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="obUCJK">
The organizing resolution accounts for potential ties in committee, allowing those bills to come to the floor.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="qR4BG6">
Six years have passed since the Democrats last held the Senate. Some senators will be returning to their previously held chairmanships, while others will be assuming gavels for the first time. The Democratic Senate chairs include:
</p>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="wX4boM">
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI), Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="dc2xBf">
Sen. Patrick Leahy (VT), Appropriations Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="dQpUiw">
Sen. Jack Reed (RI), Armed Services Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="yABtxt">
Sen. Sherrod Brown (OH), Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="LvpOb5">
Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), Budget Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="2HLy2Y">
Sen. Maria Cantwell (WA), Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="wMSipx">
Sen. Joe Manchin (WV), Energy and Natural Resources Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="rBMkeD">
Sen. Tom Carper (DE), Environment and Public Works Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ePBvXe">
Sen. Ron Wyden (OR), Finance Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="qTEpGo">
Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ), Foreign Relations Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="J6hcu2">
Sen. Patty Murray (WA), Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="h1rHpg">
Sen. Gary Peters (MI), Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="i7xL6f">
Sen. Mark Warner (VA), Intelligence Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="4XIOiy">
Sen. Dick Durbin (IL), Judiciary Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="9xRYYo">
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN), Rules and Administration Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Xy80vb">
Sen. Ben Cardin (MD), Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="HrdBbi">
Sen. Jon Tester (MT), Veterans Affairs Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="0MHsj2">
Sen. Bob Casey (PA), Special Committee on Aging
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="NKyoC7">
Sen. Chris Coons (DE), Select Committee on Ethics
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="uEkjb0">
Sen. Brian Schatz (HI), Indian Affairs Committee
</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="M0srNl">
Sen. Martin Heinrich (NM), Joint Economic Committee
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Why the Indian government is mad at Rihanna</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jtzArgdzVpr6-tCJP6X1UcwPY_c=/60x0:3000x2205/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68765138/GettyImages_512084596.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Rihanna attends the BRIT Awards 2016 at The O2 Arena on February 24, 2016, in London, England. | Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
</figcaption>
</figure></li>
</ul>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Twitter trolls are after the pop star, too.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="fSTvmt">
International pop star Rihanna and teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg have seriously angered the Indian government and awakened right-wing trolls in India<strong> </strong>after voicing support for the <a href="https://www.vox.com/2021/1/26/22242395/india-farmer-protest-republic-day-delhi">thousands of farmers who have been protesting for months</a> against agricultural reforms passed by Indias government last fall.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="CR1jqo">
On February 2, Rihanna <a href="https://twitter.com/rihanna/status/1356625889602199552?s=20">called attention to the issue on Twitter</a>, sharing a link to a CNN story about the Indian government <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/01/asia/india-internet-cut-farmers-intl-hnk/index.html">shutting off internet</a> access after protests during Indias Republic Day celebrations unexpectedly turned violent last week.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="1iVmlV">
The singers tweet, which included the hashtag #FarmersProtest, got hundreds of thousands of “Likes” and brought significant attention to the issue. But it also angered the Indian government, which <a href="https://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33456/Press_Statement_on_recent_comments_by_foreign_individuals_and_entities_on_the_farmers_protests">responded</a> that foreign celebrities should know the facts before weighing in on Indian affairs.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="lAgNfA">
“These reforms give expanded market access and provided greater flexibility to farmers. They also pave the way for economically and ecologically sustainable farming,” read a <a href="https://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33456/Press_Statement_on_recent_comments_by_foreign_individuals_and_entities_on_the_farmers_protests">statement</a> from Indias Ministry of External Affairs.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="qZscuf">
“Before rushing to comment on such matters, we would urge that the facts be ascertained, and a proper understanding of the issues at hand be undertaken,” the statement continued. “The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="DuLZgv">
Rihannas comments also set off nasty vitriol on Twitter, with some supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modis right-wing nationalist government, which passed the agriculture reform laws in question,<strong> </strong>making racist comments and even <a href="https://www.thequint.com/neon/gender/rihanna-trolls-praise-chris-brown-for-assault-farmers-protest-tweet">joking about Chris Browns 2009 assault of the singer</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="9OSTfm">
One of Bollywoods most famous actresses, Kangana Ranaut, <a href="https://twitter.com/KanganaTeam/status/1356640083546406913?s=20">called</a> Rihanna a “fool” for supporting the protesters, claiming they are not actually farmers but “terrorists.”
</p>
<div id="QdtO8L">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" dir="ltr" lang="en">
No one is talking about it because they are not farmers they are terrorists who are trying to divide India, so that China can take over our vulnerable broken nation and make it a Chinese colony much like USA... <br/>Sit down you fool, we are not selling our nation like you dummies. <a href="https://t.co/OIAD5Pa61a">https://t.co/OIAD5Pa61a</a>
</p>
— Kangana Ranaut (<span class="citation">@KanganaTeam</span>) <a href="https://twitter.com/KanganaTeam/status/1356640083546406913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="77tKHC">
Rihanna wasnt the only international celebrity to express support for the protests. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg also tweeted in support of the protesters, <a href="https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg/status/1356694884615340037?s=20">offering solidarity</a> between the climate movement and the protesting farmers. Right-wing trolls in India immediately attacked her on Twitter as well. Ranaut called her a <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kangana-ranaut-calls-greta-thunberg-a-spoilt-brat-for-supporting-farmers-suggests-she-s-uneducated-101612330394862.html">“spoilt brat.”</a>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="nyoPYI">
However, some experts offered more reasoned criticism of Thunbergs tweet. <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/experts/shamika-ravi/">Shamika Ravi</a>, an economist and fellow at the Brookings Institution who previously served as an economic adviser to Prime Minister Modi, <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamikaRavi/status/1356828571872882689?s=20">called out Thunbergs support of farmers on environmental grounds</a>, noting that the activist was defending farmers although their agricultural practices have “led to poisoned land.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="0bd2NW">
Ravi has <a href="https://theprint.in/opinion/debt-unemployment-punjab-economy-needs-reform-agriculture/563891/">argued </a>that Punjab, the region where many of the protesting farmers are from, is in dire need of economic reform and that these new laws are a part of that process.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="gT72im">
The legislation, enacted by Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in late September, aims to deregulate Indias agricultural industry in a move the government says will provide farmers with more autonomy over choosing prices and make the agricultural sector more efficient.
</p>
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Under the new policies, farmers will now <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2020/12/1/why-are-thousands-of-indian-farmers-protesting">sell goods and make contracts with independent buyers</a> outside of government-sanctioned marketplaces, which have long served as the primary locations for farmers to do business. Modi and members of his party believe these reforms will help India <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-farm-bills-passed-in-parliament-will-not-only-bring-radical-changes-in-agriculture-sector-but-will-also-empower-farmers-tweets-pm-modi/story-Wsi1df81nxjXQFeAHXPVtI.html">modernize and improve its farming industry</a>, which will mean greater freedom and prosperity for farmers.
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But the protesting farmers arent convinced.
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Although the government has said it will not drop <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/minimum-support-price-msp-farmers-explained-6706253/">minimum support prices</a> for essential crops like grain, which the Indian government has set and guaranteed for decades, the farmers are concerned they will disappear. Without them, the farmers believe they will be at the mercy of large corporations that will pay extremely low prices for essential crops, plunging them into debt and financial ruin.
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“Farmers have so much passion because they know that these three laws are like death warrants for them,” Abhimanyu Kohar, coordinator of the National Farmers Alliance, a federation of more than 180 nonpolitical farm organizations across India, <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/12/2/21726648/india-farmer-protests-strike-action-new-delhi">told me</a> in an interview in January. “Our farmers are doing this movement for our future, for our very survival.”
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Modis government and the farmers have been engaged in talks for weeks now to try to come to some sort of resolution, but they have yet to succeed. Modi offered to suspend the laws for 18 months, but the farmers have refused, demanding a full repeal of the laws.
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And Mondays crackdown on the internet and the governments angry reaction to international celebrities expressing support for farmers show just how determined Modis government is to keep the international community from having a say in the dispute.
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Eight journalists who reported on the Republic Day violence have been arrested for crimes the Human Rights Watch calls “<a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/02/india-journalists-covering-farmer-protests-charged">baseless.”</a> The New Delhi police have responded to clashes by <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55899754">fortifying the city</a> against future protests. Undeterred, the farmers are planning to <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/farmers-protest-india-rihanna-greta-thunberg-meena-harris-government-crackdown/">continue blocking</a> roads on Saturday.
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<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-the-hindu-sports">From The Hindu: Sports</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Farmers' protest | We briefly discussed it in team meeting: Virat Kohli</strong> - Let us all stay united in this hour of disagreements, the Indian captain had tweeted on Wednesday</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Ministry provides ₹ 2.5 lakh assistance to MP wrestler found doing "labour work"</strong> - The Sports Ministry on Thursday sanctioned ₹ 2.5 lakh to Madhya Pradesh-based wrestler Sunny Jadhav for his training, procurement of equipment and p</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Back in Backyard: Kohli's India set to rely on present, England bank on deep Rooted history</strong> - India will be wanting to guard themselves against the complacency that can always creep in after a triumph like Australia.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Bangladesh's limited overs tour of NZ delayed by a week due to COVID-19 related challenges</strong> - Under the revised schedule, Bangladesh will play three ODIs and an equal number of T20 Internationals between March 20 and April 1</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Channel 4 strikes deal with Star Sports, secures TV rights for England vs India Test series</strong> - “Channel 4 will show exclusive free to air live television coverage of Englands Test series against India,” the channel said in a statement.</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-the-hindu-national-news">From The Hindu: National News</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>BJP readies three lakh prishtha pramukhs for Assam polls</strong> - They are assigned the job of meeting every person on a page of the electoral rolls.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Samagra Shiksha home projects for students</strong> - Lab@home and Library@home to be implemented</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>NIA spells out modus operandi of gold smugglers</strong> - Smuggling carried out to threaten nations economic security</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>PMMVY beneficiaries cross 1.75 crore</strong> - The governments maternity benefit scheme, or Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, has crossed 1.75 crore eligible women till financial year 2020, th</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Rajpath revamp: Hardee Singh Puri performs bhoomi pujan for redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue</strong> - Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on February 4 performed the bhoomi pujan for the redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-bbc-europe">From BBC: Europe</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>France bomb plot: Iran diplomat Assadollah Assadi sentenced to 20 years</strong> - Assadollah Assadi is convicted by a Belgian court of planning an attack on an opposition rally in 2018.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>UK and EU in 'constructive discussions' over NI trade row</strong> - Both sides have vowed to "work intensively" to solve post-Brexit trade problems in Northern Ireland.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Draghi asked to form new Italian coalition government</strong> - The former European Central Bank chief is asked by the president to form a new coalition government.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Why jailing Navalny may mean more problems for Putin</strong> - The Kremlin's tough tactics could backfire, with the opposition leader's jail term fuelling protests.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Coronavirus: German medics fly in to aid Portugal's hospital emergency</strong> - Almost a year after Italy sought help because of its virus emergency, Portugal welcomes German aid.</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-ars-technica">From Ars Technica</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>SolarWinds patches vulnerabilities that could allow full system control</strong> - Fixes come as SolarWinds sorts out its role in a major hack on its customers. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1739666">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Russias Sputnik V vaccine looks good in early analysis</strong> - If the results hold up—a big if—we'll have another good vaccine option. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1739590">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Pornhub brings in third-party “identity verification” system for users</strong> - Ideally, the arrangement would both confirm consent and keep performer data private. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1739474">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Amazon begins delivering packages with prototype electric trucks</strong> - Amazon is aiming to put 100,000 Rivian electric trucks on the road by 2024. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1739488">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>AT&amp;T customer since 1960 buys WSJ print ad to complain of slow speeds</strong> - Open letter to CEO asks why AT&amp;T left DSL areas with shoddy Internet access. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1739513">link</a></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-jokes-subreddit">From Jokes Subreddit</h1>
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<li><strong>A Covid test nurse asked me if Ive had a sudden loss of taste.</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
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I told her, "No, I've dressed like this for quite a while."
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Psych40"> /u/Psych40 </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lc4py5/a_covid_test_nurse_asked_me_if_ive_had_a_sudden/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lc4py5/a_covid_test_nurse_asked_me_if_ive_had_a_sudden/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><strong>A priest and a rabbi were sitting next to each other on an airplane. After a while, the priest turned to the rabbi and asked, "Is it still a requirement of your faith that you not eat pork?"</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
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The rabbi responded, "Yes, that is still one of our beliefs."
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The priest then asked, "Have you ever eaten pork?"
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To which the rabbi replied, "Yes, on one occasion I did succumb to temptation and tasted a ham sandwich."
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The priest nodded in understanding and went on with his reading.
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A while later, the rabbi spoke up and asked the priest, "Is it still a requirement of your church that you remain celibate?
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The priest replied, "Yes, that is still very much a part of our faith."
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The rabbi then asked him, "Have you ever fallen to the temptations of the flesh?"
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The priest replied, "Yes, rabbi, on one occasion I was weak and broke my faith and made love to a woman."
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The rabbi nodded understandingly and remained silent, thinking about five minutes.
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Finally, the rabbi said, "Beats a fucking ham sandwich, doesn't it?"
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/YZXFILE"> /u/YZXFILE </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lbyhen/a_priest_and_a_rabbi_were_sitting_next_to_each/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lbyhen/a_priest_and_a_rabbi_were_sitting_next_to_each/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><strong>There was a very, very unlucky man with a single testicle.</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
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One day, he went on a plane. Unfortunately, a malfunction occurred. The flight crew announced that the plane was going down and one of the passengers had to be thrown out to reduce weight.
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To determine the victim, passengers drew lots, and the unlucky man was chosen. He refused furiously, saying "No, I lived a miserable life because of my bad luck and I refuse to let it dictate the end of my days!"
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Passengers drew lots for the second time, he was chosen again. He refused for the second time, with less determination.
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When the lots were drawn for the third time, his name was chosen once more. He refused again.
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Finally, when his name appeared again after the fourth ballot, he said:
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"OK, I agree to jump off the plane on one condition. You have to guess this correctly: What is the total number of testicles of me and the man in front of me?"
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Passengers looked at each other with slight surprise and a grin on their faces and said "Four, of course!". The man laughed at them saying "No! You're wrong, as you see!" while revealing his proud, single testicle to them. Then the other man pulled down his pants...
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He had three testicles.
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/L0J1MA"> /u/L0J1MA </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lcapm3/there_was_a_very_very_unlucky_man_with_a_single/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lcapm3/there_was_a_very_very_unlucky_man_with_a_single/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><strong>A gas station owner was trying to increase his sales, so he put up a sign that read, “Free Sex with Every Fill-Up.”</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
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Rob pulled in, filled his tank and asked for his free sex. The owner told him to pick a number from 1 to 10, and said that if he guessed correctly, he would get his free sex. Rob said "today is my birthday, i'm feeling LUCKY and I guess 8".
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The owner said, “You were very close, the lucky number was 7. Sorry, no sex this time.”
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A week later, Rob, with his friend Marvin, pulled in for another fill-up. Again Rob asked for his free sex. The proprietor again gave him the same story, and asked him to guess the correct number. Rob guessed 2. The proprietor said, “Sorry, it was 3, you were very close, but no free sex this time.”
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As they were driving away, Marvin said to Rob, “I think that game is rigged and he doesnt really give away free sex at all.”
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Rob replied, “No its genuine enough Marvin. My wife won twice last week.”
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/evan_lolz"> /u/evan_lolz </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lbterp/a_gas_station_owner_was_trying_to_increase_his/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lbterp/a_gas_station_owner_was_trying_to_increase_his/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><strong>A weeping woman bursts into her hypnotist's office</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
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A weeping woman bursts into her hypnotist's office
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"I have been faithful to my husband for 15 years, but yesterday I had an affair!" she sobbed.
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"The guilt is killing me. I just want to forget that it never happened!"
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The hypnotherapist shakes his head and sighs. "Not again...."
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Lucid_Kris"> /u/Lucid_Kris </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lbo58u/a_weeping_woman_bursts_into_her_hypnotists_office/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/lbo58u/a_weeping_woman_bursts_into_her_hypnotists_office/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
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