Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

• From Preprints
• From Clinical Trials
• From PubMed
• From Patent Search

From Preprints

• Masked face identification is improved by diagnostic feature training -
  To slow the spread of COVID-19, many people now wear face masks in public. Face masks impair our ability to identify faces, which can cause problems for professional staff who identify offenders or members of the public. Here, we investigate whether performance on a masked face matching task can be improved by training participants to compare diagnostic facial features (the ears and facial marks) – a validated training method that improves matching performance for unmasked faces. We show this brief diagnostic feature training, which takes less than two minutes to complete, improves matching performance for masked faces by approximately 5%. A control training course, which was unrelated to face identification, had no effect on matching performance. Our findings demonstrate that comparing the ears and facial marks is an effective means of improving face matching performance for masked faces. These findings have implications for professions that regularly perform face identification.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Masked face identification is improved by diagnostic feature training
• Prediction of deterioration from COVID-19 in patients in skilled nursing facilities using wearable and contact-free devices: a feasibility study -

  Background and Rationale: Approximately 35% of all COVID-19 deaths occurred in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). In a healthy general population, wearables have shown promise in providing early alerts for actionable interventions during the pandemic. We tested this promise in a cohort of SNFs patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted for post-acute care under quarantine. We tested if 1) deployment of wearables and contact-free biosensors is feasible in the setting of SNFs and 2) they can provide early and actionable insights into deterioration. Methods: This prospective clinical trial has been IRB-approved (NCT04548895). We deployed two commercially available devices detecting continuously every 2-3 minutes heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and uniquely providing the following biometrics:

1. the wrist-worn bracelet by Biostrap yielded continuous oxygen saturation (O2Sat), 2) the under-mattress ballistocardiography sensor by Emfit tracked in-bed activity, tossing, and sleep disturbances. Patients also underwent routine monitoring by staff every 2-4 h. For death outcomes, cases are reported due to the small sample size. For palliative care versus at-home discharges, we report mean士SD at p<0.05. Results: From 12/2020 - 03/2021, we approached 26 PCR-confirmed SarsCoV2-positive patients at two SNFs: 5 declined, 21 were enrolled into monitoring by both sensors (female=13, male=8; age 77.2士9.1). We recorded outcomes as discharged to home (8, 38%), palliative care (9, 43%) or death (4, 19%). The O2Sat threshold of 91% alerted for intervention. Biostrap captured hypoxic events below 91% nine times as often as the routine intermittent pulse oximetry. In the patient deceased, two weeks prior we observed a wide range of O2Sat values (65-95%) captured by the Biostrap device and not noticeable with the routine vital sign spot checks. In this patient, the Emfit sensor yielded a markedly reduced RR (7/min) in contrast to 18/min from two routine spot checks performed in the same period of observation as well as compared to the seven patients discharged home over a total of 86 days of monitoring (RR 19士4). Among the patients discharged to palliative care, a total of 76 days were monitored, HR did not differ compared to the patients discharged home (68士8 vs 70士7 bpm). However, we observed a statistically significant reduction of RR at 16士4/min as well as the variances in RR (10士6 vs 19士4/min vs16士13) and activity of palliative care patients vs. patients discharged home. Conclusion/Discussion: We demonstrate that wearables and under-mattress sensors can be integrated successfully into the SNF workflows and are well tolerated by the patients. Moreover, specific early changes of oxygen saturation fluctuations and other biometrics herald deterioration from COVID-19 two weeks in advance and evaded detection without the devices. Wearable devices and under-mattress sensors in SNFs hold significant potential for early disease detection.
   🖺 Full Text HTML: Prediction of deterioration from COVID-19 in patients in skilled nursing facilities using wearable and contact-free devices: a feasibility study

• Combined Infection Control Interventions Protect the Essential Workforce from Occupationally-Acquired SARS-CoV-2 during Produce Production, Harvesting and Processing Activities -

  Essential food workers experience an elevated risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to prolonged occupational exposures (e.g., frequent close contact, enclosed spaces) in food production and processing areas, shared transportation (car or bus), and employer-provided shared housing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of combined food industry interventions and vaccination on reducing the daily cumulative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for produce workers. Six linked quantitative microbial risk assessment models were developed in R to simulate daily scenarios experienced by a worker. Standard industry interventions (2 m physical distancing, handwashing, surface disinfection, universal masking, increased ventilation) and two-dose mRNA vaccinations (86-99% efficacy) were modeled individually and jointly to assess risk reductions. The infection risk for an indoor (0.802, 95% Uncertainty Interval [UI]: 0.472-0.984) and outdoor (0.483, 95% UI: 0.255-0.821) worker reduced to 0.018 (93% reduction) and 0.060 (87.5% reduction), respectively, after implementation of combined industry interventions. Upon integration with vaccination, the infection risk for indoor (0.001, 95% UI: 0.0001-0.005) and outdoor (0.004, 95% UI: 0.001-0.016) workers was reduced by >99.1%. Food workers face considerable risk of occupationally-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection without intervention; however, consistent implementation of key infection control measures paired with vaccination effectively mitigates these risks.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Combined Infection Control Interventions Protect the Essential Workforce from Occupationally-Acquired SARS-CoV-2 during Produce Production, Harvesting and Processing Activities
• STIMULATE-ICP-Delphi (Symptoms, Trajectory, Inequalities and Management: Understanding Long-COVID to Address and Transform Existing Integrated Care Pathways Delphi): Study Protocol. -

  Abstract Introduction As mortality rates from COVID-19 disease fall, the high prevalence of long-term sequelae (Long COVID) is becoming increasingly widespread, challenging healthcare systems globally. Traditional pathways of care for Long Term Conditions (LTCs) have tended to be managed by disease-specific specialties, an approach that has been ineffective in delivering care for patients with multi-morbidity. The multi-system nature of Long COVID and its impact on physical and psychological health demands a more effective model of holistic, integrated care. The evolution of integrated care systems (ICSs) in the UK presents an important opportunity to explore areas of mutual benefit to LTC, multi-morbidity and Long COVID care. There may be benefits in comparing and contrasting ICPs for Long COVID with ICPs for other LTCs. Methods and analysis This study aims to evaluate health services requirements for ICPs for Long COVID and their applicability to other LTCs including multi-morbidity and the overlap with medically not yet explained symptoms (MNYES). The study will follow a Delphi design and involve an expert panel of stakeholders including people with lived experience, as well as clinicians with expertise in Long COVID and other LTCs. Study processes will include expert panel and moderator panel meetings, surveys, and interviews. The Delphi process is part of the overall STIMULATE- ICP programme, aimed at improving integrated care for people with Long COVID. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for this Delphi study has been obtained (Research Governance Board of the University of York) as have approvals for the other STIMULATE-ICP studies. Study outcomes are likely to inform policy for ICPs across LTCs. Results will be disseminated through scientific publication, conference presentation and communications with patients and stakeholders involved in care of other LTCs and Long COVID. Registration Researchregistry: https://www.researchregistry.com/browse- the-registry#home/registrationdetails/6246bfeeeaaed6001f08dadc/.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: STIMULATE-ICP- Delphi (Symptoms, Trajectory, Inequalities and Management: Understanding Long-COVID to Address and Transform Existing Integrated Care Pathways Delphi): Study Protocol.
• Vaccine effectiveness of BNT162b2 against Omicron and Delta outcomes in adolescents -

  Introduction Data on vaccine effectiveness (VE) against Omicron in adolescents are limited. We estimated 2-dose and 3-dose VE against Omicron and Delta in adolescents aged 12-17 years in Ontario, Canada. Methods We conducted a test- negative design study among SARS-CoV-2-tested adolescents aged 12-17 years between November 22, 2021 (date of first Omicron detection) and March 6, 2022; we assessed Delta outcomes prior to January 2, 2022. We used multivariable logistic regression to compare the odds of vaccination in cases to symptomatic test-negative controls and calculated VE as 1-adjusted odds ratio. Results VE was lower against symptomatic Omicron infection than against Delta and decreased more rapidly over time, from 51% (95%CI, 38-61%) in the 7-59 days following a second dose to 29% (95%CI, 17-38%) after 180 days, compared to 97% (95%CI, 94-99%) and 90% (95%CI, 79-95%) for the same intervals against symptomatic Delta infection. Overall, 2-dose VE against severe outcomes caused by Omicron was 85% (95%CI, 74-91%) ≥7 days following a second dose and estimates were similar over time. VE against symptomatic Omicron infection was 62% (95%CI, 49-72%) ≥7 days following a third dose. Discussion Two-dose VE against symptomatic Omicron infection wanes over time in adolescents. While lower than observed against Delta, protection against severe outcomes appears to be maintained over time. A third dose substantially improves protection against Omicron infection, but 3-dose VE is only moderate at approximately 60% in the early period following vaccination and the duration of this protection is unknown.

• Distinct evolutionary trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 interacting proteins in bats and primates identify important host determinants of COVID-19 -
  The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus that spilled from the bat reservoir. Despite numerous clinical trials and vaccines, the burden remains immense, and the host determinants of SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 severity remain largely unknown. Signatures of positive selection detected by comparative functional-genetic analyses in primate and bat genomes can uncover important and specific adaptations that occurred at virus-host interfaces. Here, we performed high-throughput evolutionary analyses of 334 SARS-CoV-2 interacting proteins to identify SARS-CoV adaptive loci and uncover functional differences between modern humans, primates and bats. Using DGINN (Detection of Genetic INNovation), we identified 38 bat and 81 primate proteins with marks of positive selection. Seventeen genes, including the ACE2 receptor, present adaptive marks in both mammalian orders, suggesting common virus- host interfaces and past epidemics of coronaviruses shaping their genomes. Yet, 84 genes presented distinct adaptations in bats and primates. Notably, residues involved in ubiquitination and phosphorylation of the inflammatory RIPK1 have rapidly evolved in bats but not primates, suggesting different inflammation regulation versus humans. Furthermore, we discovered residues with typical virus-host arms-race marks in primates, such as in the entry factor TMPRSS2 or the autophagy adaptor FYCO1, pointing to host-specific in vivo important interfaces that may be drug targets. Finally, we found that FYCO1 sites under adaptation in primates are those associated with severe COVID-19, supporting their importance in pathogenesis and replication. Overall, we identified functional adaptations involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection in bats and primates, critically enlightening modern genetic determinants of virus susceptibility and severity.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Distinct evolutionary trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 interacting proteins in bats and primates identify important host determinants of COVID-19
• Prime-pull immunization of mice with a BcfA-adjuvanted vaccine elicits mucosal immunity and prevents SARS CoV-2 infection and pathology -
  Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 that induce mucosal immunity capable of preventing infection and disease remain urgently needed. We show that intramuscular priming of mice with an alum and BcfA-adjuvanted Spike subunit vaccine, followed by a BcfA-adjuvanted mucosal booster, generated Th17 polarized tissue resident CD4+ T cells, and mucosal and serum antibodies. The serum antibodies efficiently neutralized SARS-CoV-2 and its Delta variant, suggesting cross- protection against a recent variant of concern (VOC). Immunization with this heterologous vaccine prevented weight loss following challenge with mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 and reduced viral replication in the nose and lungs. Histopathology showed a strong leukocyte and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell infiltrate without epithelial damage in mice immunized with BcfA-containing vaccines. In contrast, viral load was not reduced in the upper respiratory tract of IL-17 knockout mice immunized with the same formulation, suggesting that the Th17 polarized T cell responses are critical for protection. We show that vaccines adjuvanted with alum and BcfA, delivered through a heterologous prime-pull regimen, protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection without causing enhanced respiratory disease.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Prime-pull immunization of mice with a BcfA-adjuvanted vaccine elicits mucosal immunity and prevents SARS CoV-2 infection and pathology
• **Spike induced disturbances (SPAS*) – an analysis of common suspected adverse experiences associated with Covid-19 vaccines** -
  Current Covid-19 vaccines possess an unusually broad spectrum of adverse reactions. For the first time, frequently observed organ-related suspected adverse events in the peripheral and central nervous systems, musculature, and skin have been described which can be mainly attributed to a common pathogenesis following vaccination. The key role here is played by the spike/ACE2 interaction, which after downloading of ACE2 can trigger countless clinically relevant disorders, such as vasoconstriction, tissue ischemia, induction of proliferation processes, increased oxidative stress, inflammation, or coagulation disorders, as already shown for cardiovascular reactions. For side effects based on this mode of action, it is proposed to use the collective term SPAS – spike induced disturbances (Spike ausgelöste Störungen in German). Auto-antibodies may also be involved, but their presence and development needs further clarification. The common mode of action and the only slightly different frequencies of adverse events and fatal outcomes do not indicate any principal differences in the adverse event profiles of the individual spike-based Covid-19 vaccines. A class- specific side effect profile can be assumed. Awareness of the comprehensive adverse event profile of the novel Covid-19 vaccines and their potential dangerousness may improve vaccine safety.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Spike induced disturbances (SPAS*) – an analysis of common suspected adverse experiences associated with Covid-19 vaccines
• Covid-19: acquired acute porphyria hypothesis -
  Pandemic Covid-19 pneumonia, of SARS-CoV-2 aetiology, is of global importance to health systems, national economies and individual civil liberties. Multiple therapeutic and prophylactic agents are currently undergoing clinical trial and, while progress towards a curative agent is promising, the principal limiting factor in public health emergency is time. A pre-existing licensed therapeutic would offer reprieve to international citizens currently enduring the adverse consequences of lockdown policies. This brief communication serves as an update on the initial version of the acquired acute porphyria hypothesis and advocates for direct testing of the hypothesis.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Covid-19: acquired acute porphyria hypothesis
• Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Practice and Work Life Integration experienced by Academic Medical Faculty -
  Introduction: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, physician burnout was endemic in North America. The pandemic placed an increase demand on physicians’ time both at work and home. We sought to identify the frequency of burnout in a large academic institution and its impact on clinical practice, non-clinical work, and homelife. Methods: All academic physicians and non-physician faculty members in the Department of Medicine (DOM) at McMaster University were invited to participate in an anonymous survey between January 22 and February 21, 2021. The survey elicited information on how clinical practice, work, and home life changed over the course of the pandemic. Responses to questions were captured on a 1-to-5 Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and the Mann Whitney U test were used for determining statistical significance (p< 0.05). The results were compared to the 2019 DOM survey which included a question on burnout. Results: Among 330-faculty, 76.7% completed the survey. The reported burnout was high at 75.9%, affecting women to a greater extent than men faculty (82.5% vs 70.4%, P< 0.01). Early career faculty also reported proportionally more burnout (83.5% versus 65.7%; p< 0.001). Medical-legal liability of phone-based care was a concern for 48% of physicians. The reported hours of work per day was significantly higher amongst women compared with men (80.4% vs 58.0%; p< 0.001). Loneliness (64.1% vs 51.4%; p< 0.05) and hours spent on caring for dependents (54.5% vs 31.1%, p< 0.01) were higher for women versus men. Both genders reported career fulfillment and research productivity were overall lower by 51.2% and 52.3% respectively. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased burnout amongst DOM academic faculty, and disproportionately affected women and early career faculty. A thoughtful systems level approach, with dedicated resources, is needed to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for women and early career faculty.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Practice and Work Life Integration experienced by Academic Medical Faculty
• Under the weather. Trade union positions on Covid-19-related occupational health and safety measures in Germany, France and Luxembourg (March 2020-December 2021) -
  Given the major role of workplaces as points of contamination and the traditional commitment of trade unions to uphold occupational health and safety standards, trade unions could be expected to be strongly involved in mobilising against the Covid-19 pandemic. This article focuses on their policy positions (at national and sectoral level) towards the occupational health and safety measures taken to limit the spread of Covid-19 in Germany, France and Luxembourg from the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 until the surging fourth wave of infections in November-December 2021. Our data shows that unions have found it increasingly difficult over the course of the pandemic to develop policy positions in the domain of occupational health and safety that address the variegated situations and needs of their different member groups and that achieve a balance between membership logics and public health considerations.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Under the weather. Trade union positions on Covid-19-related occupational health and safety measures in Germany, France and Luxembourg (March 2020-December 2021)
• Lived Experiences of Transgenders during COVID-19: A Study from India -
  Transgender persons are one such group of people who have been marginalized and excluded from general society and COVID-19 pandemic has amplified these socio-cultural problems for them. Therefore, it is imperative to protect such vulnerable population from this pandemic particularly considering they are at an increased risk for a wide range of issues. Telephonic Interviews were conducted with 20 participants, from April 1, 2021 to May 12, 2021. The findings of the study revealed that their lived experiences as transgenders, made it apparent that they had been socially excluded and marginalized at many stages of their lives from performing normal social functions and roles and COVID-19 pandemic has added to their miseries. Due to this health crisis transgender people are struggling to manage financial, mental, physical and social issues it has created for this vulnerable group. Using a qualitative approach, this study aimed to examine the changing nature of socio-cultural implications of COVID-19 on Transgenders in Kashmir.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Lived Experiences of Transgenders during COVID-19: A Study from India
• Evaluation of Eight Lateral Flow Tests For The Detection Of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies In A Vaccinated Population -

  With the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations across the globe and the limited access in many countries, quick determination of an individuals antibody status could be beneficial in allocating limited vaccine doses in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Antibody lateral flow tests (LFTs) have potential to address this need as a quick, point of care test, they also have a use case for identifying sero-negative individuals for novel therapeutics, and for epidemiology. Here we present a proof-of-concept evaluation of eight LFT brands using sera from 95 vaccinated individuals to determine sensitivity for detecting vaccination generated antibodies. All 95 (100%) participants tested positive for anti-spike antibodies by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) reference standard post-dose two of their SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech, n=60), AZD1222 (AstraZeneca, n=31), mRNA-1273 (Moderna, n=2) and Undeclared Vaccine Brand (n=2). Sensitivity increased from dose one to dose two in six out of eight LFTs with three tests achieving 100% sensitivity at dose two in detecting anti-spike antibodies. These tests are quick, low-cost point-of-care tools that can be used without prior training to establish antibody status and may prove valuable for allocating limited vaccine doses in LMICs to ensure those in at risk groups access the protection they need. Further investigation into their performance in vaccinated peoples is required before more widespread utilisation is considered.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Evaluation of Eight Lateral Flow Tests For The Detection Of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies In A Vaccinated Population
• Neural Dysregulation in Post-Covid Fatigue -

  Following infection from SARS-CoV-2, a substantial minority of people develop lingering after-effects known as ′long COVID′. Fatigue is a common complaint with substantial impact on daily life, but the neural mechanisms behind post-COVID fatigue remain unclear. We recruited 37 volunteers with self-reported fatigue after a mild COVID infection and carried out a battery of behavioural and neurophysiological tests assessing the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. In comparison to age and sex matched volunteers without fatigue (n=52), we show underactivity in specific cortical circuits, dysregulation of autonomic function, and myopathic change in skeletal muscle. Cluster analysis revealed no sub-groupings, suggesting post-COVID fatigue is a single entity with individual variation, rather than a small number of distinct syndromes. Based on our analysis we were also able to exclude dysregulation in sensory feedback circuits and descending neuromodulatory control. These abnormalities on objective tests may indicate novel avenues for principled therapeutic intervention, and could act as fast and reliable biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of fatigue over time.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Neural Dysregulation in Post- Covid Fatigue
• Does pre-infection stress increase the risk of long COVID? Longitudinal associations between adversity worries and experiences in the month prior to COVID-19 infection and the development of long COVID and specific long COVID symptoms -

  Background Long COVID is increasingly recognised as public health burden. Demographic and infection-related characteristics have been identified as risk factors, but less research has focused on psychosocial predictors such as stress immediately preceding the index infection. Research on whether stressors predict the development of specific long COVID symptoms is also lacking. Methods Data from 1,966 UK adults who had previously been infected with COVID-19 and who took part in the UCL COVID-19 Social Study were analysed. The number of adversity experiences (e.g., job loss) and the number of worries about adversity experiences within the month prior to COVID-19 infection were used to predict the development of self-reported long COVID and the presence of three specific long COVID symptoms (difficulty with mobility, cognition, and self-care). The interaction between a three-level index of socio-economic position (SEP; with higher values indicating lower SEP) and the exposure variables in relation to long COVID status was also examined. Analyses controlled for a range of COVID-19 infection characteristics, socio-demographics, and health-related factors. Findings Odds of self-reported long COVID increased by 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04 to 1.51) for each additional worry about adversity in the month prior to COVID-19 infection. Although there was no evidence for an interaction between SEP and either exposure variable, individuals in the lowest SEP group were nearly twice as likely to have developed long COVID as those in the highest SEP group (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.19 to 3.19) and worries about adversity experiences remained a predictor of long COVID (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.98). The number of worries about adversity experiences also corresponded with increased odds of certain long COVID symptoms such as difficulty with cognition (e.g., difficulty remembering or concentrating) by 1.46 (95% CI: 1.02 to 2.09) but not with mobility (e.g., walking or climbing steps) or self-care (e.g., washing all over or dressing). Interpretation Results suggest a key role of stress in the time preceding the acute COVID-19 infection for the development of long COVID and for difficulty with cognition specifically. These findings point to the importance of mitigating worries and experiences of adversities during pandemics both to reduce their psychological impact but also help reduce the societal burden of longer-term illness.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Does pre-infection stress increase the risk of long COVID? Longitudinal associations between adversity worries and experiences in the month prior to COVID-19 infection and the development of long COVID and specific long COVID symptoms

From Clinical Trials

• Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate The Efficacy and Safety of Healthtone as Prophylaxis for COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: Rhea® Health Tone
  Sponsor:   Indonesia University
  Completed

• Aerobic Exercise in People With Post-COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Other: Conventional rehabilitation;   Other: Aerobic exercise
  Sponsor:   Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA
  Recruiting

• Efficacy, Safety and Immunogenicity Study of COVID-19 Protein Subunit Recombinant Vaccine - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit recombinant vaccine;   Biological: placebo
  Sponsors:   PT Bio Farma;   Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta;   Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang;   Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang;   Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Hassanudin, Makassar
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness and Safety of SCTV01E (a Recombinant Protein COVID-19 Vaccine) in Population Aged ≥12 Years - Conditions:   COVID-19;   SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  Interventions:   Biological: SCTV01E;   Biological: CoronaVac;   Biological: Sinopharm inactivated COVID-19 vaccine;   Biological: other approved COVID-19 vaccines
  Sponsor:   Sinocelltech Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of SCTV01C and SCTV01E (Two Recombinant Protein COVID-19 Vaccines) in Population Aged ≥12 Years - Conditions:   COVID-19;   SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  Interventions:   Biological: SCTV01C;   Biological: SCTV01E;   Biological: mRNA vaccine manufactured by Pfizer or Moderna;   Biological: Sinopharm inactivated COVID-19 vaccine
  Sponsor:   Sinocelltech Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• COVID-19 Treatment Cascade Optimization Study - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Behavioral: Navigation Services;   Behavioral: Brief Counseling;   Behavioral: Critical Dialogue;   Behavioral: Referral and Digital Brochure
  Sponsors:   University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;   National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID);   Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center;   North Jersey Community Research Initiative;   University of Michigan
  Not yet recruiting

• Phase 1/2 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled IBIO123 in Participants With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Illness - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: IBIO123;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Immune Biosolutions Inc
  Recruiting

• Compass Course: COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Compass Course
  Sponsor:  
  Allina Health System
  Recruiting

• Phase 1&2 Study to Evaluate the Safety & Efficacy of Inhaled IBIO123 in Severe COVID-19 Illness - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: IBIO123;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Immune Biosolutions Inc
  Recruiting

• Clinical Evaluation of Rapid RNA Test for Covid-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: rapid RT-LAMP test to detect SARS-COV-2 RNA
  Sponsors:   University of Southampton;   West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust;   University of Oxford
  Completed

• Clinical Evaluation of Rapid Antibody Test for Covid-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: Livzon Rapid Antibody Test for COVID-19
  Sponsors:   University of Southampton;   West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust
  Completed

• A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ivermectin in COVID-19 Prevention - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Ivermectin Tablets;   Drug: Matching placebo tablets
  Sponsor:   MedinCell S.A
  Recruiting

• Tele-Rehabilitation in Individuals With Covid-19 - Condition:   Individuals With Covid-19
  Intervention:   Other: Exercise
  Sponsor:  
  Hacettepe University
  Completed

• Study to Monitor the Occurrence of Viral Variants in Patients With Compromised Immune Systems Being Treated for COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: Sotrovimab
  Sponsor:   GlaxoSmithKline
  Not yet recruiting

• Assessment of the Efficacy of Calcium Dobesilate vs. Placebo on SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Amongst Outpatients With COVID-19. - Condition:   COVID-19 Virus Disease
  Interventions:   Drug: Calcium Dobesilate;   Drug: Mannitol
  Sponsors:   Hervé SPECHBACH;   OM Pharma
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• A critical evaluation of risk to reward ratio of quercetin supplementation for COVID-19 and associated comorbid conditions - The interim results of the large, multinational trials on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using a combination of antiviral drugs appear to have little to no effect on the 28-day mortality or the in-hospital course. Therefore, there is a still vivid interest in finding alternate re-purposed drugs and nutrition supplements, which can halt or slow the disease severity. We review here the multiple preclinical studies, partially supported by clinical evidence showing the quercetin’s possible…

• Characterization, in-silico, and in-vitro study of a new steroid derivative from Ophiocoma dentata as a potential treatment for COVID-19 - The medicinal potential of marine invertebrates’ bioactive components that may act as anti-COVID-19 demonstrated promising results. Ophiocoma dentata, which is common in the Red Sea, is one such source. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate a new compound from the brittle star, Ophiocoma dentata, and evaluate its efficacy as anti-COVID-19 in-silico and in-vitro. Standard procedures were followed in order to assess the isolated compound’s preliminary toxicity and anti-inflammatory properties….

• Development of optimized drug-like small molecule inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease for treatment of COVID-19 - The SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease is a critical drug target for small molecule COVID-19 therapy, given its likely druggability and essentiality in the viral maturation and replication cycle. Based on the conservation of 3CL protease substrate binding pockets across coronaviruses and using screening, we identified four structurally distinct lead compounds that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease. After evaluation of their binding specificity, cellular antiviral potency, metabolic stability, and water…

• Activated CD8(+)CD38(+) Cells Are Associated With Worse Clinical Outcome in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that spread around the world during the past 2 years, has infected more than 260 million people worldwide and has imposed an important burden on the healthcare system. Several risk factors associated with unfavorable outcome were identified, including elderly age, selected comorbidities, immune suppression as well as laboratory markers. The role of immune system in the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection is indisputable: while an…

• Phytochemicals-based targeting RdRp and main protease of SARS-CoV-2 using docking and steered molecular dynamic simulation: A promising therapeutic approach for Tackling COVID-19 - The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide and caused substantial socio-economic losses. Few successful vaccine candidates have been approved against SARS-CoV-2; however, their therapeutic efficacy against the mutated strains of the virus remains questionable. Furthermore, the limited supply of vaccines and promising antiviral drugs have created havoc in the present scenario. Plant-based phytochemicals (bioactive molecules) are promising because of their low side…

• Red blood cells-hitchhiking mediated pulmonary delivery of ivermectin: effects of nanoparticles properties - Recent studies have demonstrated that ivermectin (IVM) exhibits antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative virus of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the repurposing of IVM for treatment of COVID-19 has presented challenges primarily due to the low IVM plasma concentration after oral administration, which was well below IC(50). Here, a red blood cells (RBCs)-hitchhiking strategy was used for the targeted delivery of IVM-loaded…

• Applying Modeling and Simulations for Rational Dose Selection of Novel Toll-like Receptor 7/8 Inhibitor Enpatoran for Indications of High Medical Need - Dual toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR8 inhibitor enpatoran is under investigation as a treatment for lupus and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (popPK/PD) model-based simulations, using PK and PD (inhibition of ex vivo-stimulated interleukin-6 [IL-6] and interferon-α [IFN-α] secretion) data from a phase I study of enpatoran in healthy participants, were leveraged to inform dose selection for lupus and repurposed for accelerated…

• Chloroquine and COVID-19-A systems biology model uncovers the drug’s detrimental effect on autophagy and explains its failure - The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in an urgent need for identifying potential therapeutic drugs. In the first half of 2020 tropic antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine (CQ) or hydroxochloroquine (HCQ) were the focus of tremendous public attention. In the initial periods of the pandemic, many scientific results pointed out that CQ/HCQ could be very effective for patients with severe COVID. While CQ and HCQ have successfully been used against several diseases (such as…

• SARS-CoV-2 -specific immune responses in boosted vaccine recipients with breakthrough infections during the Omicron variant surge - CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that breakthrough infections with the Omicron variant can occur despite robust immune responses to the vaccine strain spike protein.

• SARS-CoV-2 nsp5 Exhibits Stronger Catalytic Activity and Interferon Antagonism than Its SARS-CoV Ortholog - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to pose an enormous threat to economic activity and public health worldwide. Previous studies have shown that the nonstructural protein 5 (nsp5, also called 3C-like protease) of alpha- and deltacoronaviruses cleaves Q231 of the NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), a key kinase in the RIG-I-like receptor pathway, to inhibit type I interferon (IFN) production. In this study, we found that both SARS-CoV-2 nsp5 and SARS-CoV nsp5…

• Structural Basis of the Main Proteases of Coronavirus Bound to Drug Candidate PF-07321332 - The high mutation rate of COVID-19 and the prevalence of multiple variants strongly support the need for pharmacological options to complement vaccine strategies. One region that appears highly conserved among different genera of coronaviruses is the substrate-binding site of the main protease (M^(pro) or 3CL^(pro)), making it an attractive target for the development of broad-spectrum drugs for multiple coronaviruses. PF-07321332, developed by Pfizer, is the first orally administered inhibitor…

• Potential plants for inflammatory dysfunction in the SARS-CoV-2 infection - The inflammatory process is a biological response of the organism to remove injurious stimuli and initiate homeostasis. It has been recognized as a key player in the most severe forms of SARS-CoV-2, characterized by significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, the so-called “cytokine storm” that appears to play a pivotal role in this disease. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to select clinical trials with anti-inflammatory plants and relate the activity of these…

• Elucidating Design Principles for Engineering Cell-Derived Vesicles to Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infection - The ability of pathogens to develop drug resistance is a global health challenge. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents an urgent need wherein several variants of concern resist neutralization by monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies and vaccine-induced sera. Decoy nanoparticles-cell-mimicking particles that bind and inhibit virions-are an emerging class of therapeutics that may overcome such drug resistance challenges. To date, quantitative understanding as to how…

• Innovative Randomized Phase 1 Study and Dosing Regimen Selection to Accelerate and Inform Pivotal COVID-19 Trial of Nirmatrelvir - COVID-19 is a continued leading cause of hospitalization and death. Safe, efficacious COVID-19 antivirals are needed urgently. Nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332), the first orally bioavailable, SARS-CoV-2 M^(pro) inhibitor against the coronaviridae family, has demonstrated potent preclinical antiviral activity and benign safety profile. We report safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic data of nirmatrelvir with and without ritonavir as a pharmacokinetic enhancer, from an accelerated randomized,…

• Imatinib inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by an off-target-mechanism - The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causal agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 274 million individuals have suffered from COVID-19 and over five million people have died from this disease so far. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic drugs. Repurposing FDA approved drugs should be favored since evaluation of safety and efficacy of de-novo drug design are both costly and time consuming. We report that imatinib, an Abl tyrosine kinase…

From Patent Search

• MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUE TO ANALYZE THE WORK PRESSURE OF PARAMEDICAL STAFF DURING COVID 19 - Machine learning technique to analyse the work pressure of paramedical staff during covid 19 is the proposed invention that focuses on identifying the stress levels of paramedical staff. The invention focuses on analysing the level of stress that is induced on the paramedical staff especially during pandemic. - link

• CBD Covid 19 Protection - - link

• 沼泽红假单胞菌5-氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶突变体及应用 - 本发明公开了沼泽红假单胞菌5‑氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶突变体及应用，所述沼泽红假单胞菌5‑氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶突变体的氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO.1所示。本发明的沼泽红假单胞菌5‑氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶突变体不仅相较于未突变的5‑氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶提高了酶活性，而且还提高了解调较高浓度血红素反馈抑制的能力，这使得本发明的宿主细胞生产5‑ALA的能力得到显著提升，约提升了40%。 - link

• 荚膜红细菌5-氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶突变体及应用 - 本发明提供了一种荚膜红细菌5‑氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶突变体及应用，荚膜红细菌5‑氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶突变体的氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO.1所示。本发明的荚膜红细菌5‑氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶突变体与野生型的荚膜红细菌5‑氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶相比，在宿主细胞中对5‑氨基乙酰丙酸产量提升约22%；在20μM血红素存在下，突变型5‑氨基乙酰丙酸合成酶C201A能够保持较高的相对酶活。 - link

• METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING IMPROVED GENERALIZED FUZZY PEER GROUP WITH MODIFIED TRILATERAL FILTER TO REMOVE MIXED IMPULSE AND ADAPTIVE WHITE GAUSSIAN NOISE FROM COLOR IMAGES - ABSTRACTMETHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING IMPROVED GENERALIZED FUZZY PEER GROUP WITH MODIFIED TRILATERAL FILTER TO REMOVE MIXED IMPULSE AND ADAPTIVE WHITE GAUSSIAN NOISE FROM COLOR IMAGESThe present invention provides a new approach is proposed that includes fuzzy-based approach and similarity function for filtering the mixed noise. In a peer group, the similarity function was adaptive to edge information and local noise level, which was utilized for detecting the similarity among pixels. In addition, a new filtering method Modified Trilateral Filter (MTF) with Improved Generalized Fuzzy Peer Group (IGFPG) is proposed to remove mixed impulse and Adaptive White Gaussian Noise from Color Images. The modified trilateral filter includes Kikuchi algorithm and loopy belief propagation to solve the inference issues on the basis of passing local message. In this research work, the images were collected from KODAK dataset and a few real time multimedia images like Lena were also used for testing the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. - link

• 一种病毒核酸提取无醇裂解液、试剂盒及提取方法 - 本发明公开了一种病毒核酸提取无醇裂解液、试剂盒及提取方法。本发明病毒核酸提取无醇裂解液由胍盐、无机盐、表面活性剂和缓冲液组成；所述胍盐为异硫氰酸胍和盐酸胍中的任一种或两种；所述无机盐为氯化钠和氯化钾中的任一种或两种；所述表面活性剂为聚乙二醇和吐温20；所述缓冲液的pH值为7.5~8.5。本发明可有效避免传统核酸提取裂解液中醇类挥发或刺激性气味对人体造成伤害；配制方法简单，无有毒化学试剂，安全无污染，既可手工操作提取，也可用于自动化平台；与有醇裂解液相比，病毒核酸检测的灵敏度相当，准确度一致，线性范围相当。 - link

• 用于预防SARS-CoV-2奥密克戎株的腺病毒载体疫苗 - 本发明涉及用于预防SARS‑CoV‑2奥密克戎株的腺病毒载体疫苗。本发明采用密码子偏好性进行优化得到新的S基因序列，其能高效在人源细胞内高效表达，免疫机体后可高效表达S抗原，产生针对奥密克戎株SARS‑CoV‑2的中和抗体，可以有效保护机体免受奥密克戎株的侵染。 - link

• 表达SARS-CoV-2奥密克戎突变株病毒抗原肽的核酸序列及其应用 - 本发明提供表达SARS‑CoV‑2奥密克戎突变株病毒抗原肽的核酸序列及其应用。奥密克戎株原始的S基因序列蛋白不能有效在细胞内高效表达；本发明采用密码子偏好性进行优化得到新的S基因序，使其能高效在人源细胞内高效表达，产生相应的多肽，诱导产生相应的免疫保护反应，为SARS‑CoV‑2奥密克戎株的疫苗的研发提供基础。 - link

• A STUDY ON MENTAL HEALTH, STRESS AND ANXIETY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 - SARS-Cov-2 virus causes an infectious disease coronavirus(COVID-19).The Students life is made harder by COVID-19.The human reaction that happens normally to everyone through physical or emotional tension is stress. Feeling of angry, nervous and frustration caused through any thought or events leads to stress. As college closures and cancelled events, students are missing out on some of the biggest moments of their young lives as well as everyday moments like chatting with friend, participating in class and cultural programme. For students facing life changes due to the outbreak are feeling anxious, isolated and disappointed which lead them to feel all alone. We like to take the help of expert adolescent psychologist to find out the techniques to practice self-care and look after their mental health. We would like to find out whether techniques used reduce the anxiety and stress among Engineering Students. - link

• A METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS WITH PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE - - link