Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Low Levels of Trust affect Protective Behaviours and Conspiracy Belief during the COVID-19 Pandemic -
  The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis, and the spread of the virus needs to be curbed. We hypothesized that trust in authorities is at the root of adherence to guidelines, associated with improved information and risk perceptions. Moreover, we hypothesised that the pivotal role of trust means that populism and conspiracy thinking - both characterised by a deep distrust of authorities - are risk factors in the effort to curb the pandemic. Distrust in the information sources of authorities, but trust in social media, further typifies those endorsing populism and conspiracy theories. Through a large survey in twelve countries worldwide (N = 7,755), we show that adherence to government-generated protective guidelines is driven by concern about COVID-19, perceived risk, female gender, perceived knowledge, and trust in scientists. Endorsement of core conspiracy belief that the virus is artificially created was predicted by distrust in scientists, trust in populist governments, and distrust in non-populist governments. An examination of trust in media demonstrated that conspiracy belief was associated with trust in Facebook and distrust in institutional websites (WHO, government and healthcare). This research shows that trust in authorities, associated with access to trustworthy information, is paramount to encourage adherence to safety guidelines and avoid conspiracy thinking during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis, and the spread of the virus needs to be curbed. We hypothesized that trust in authorities is at the root of adherence to guidelines, associated with improved information and risk perceptions. Moreover, we hypothesised that the pivotal role of trust means that populism and conspiracy thinking - both characterised by a deep distrust of authorities - are risk factors in the effort to curb the pandemic. Distrust in the information sources of authorities, but trust in social media, further typifies those endorsing populism and conspiracy theories. Through a large survey in twelve countries worldwide (N = 7,755), we show that adherence to government-generated protective guidelines is driven by concern about COVID-19, perceived risk, female gender, perceived knowledge, and trust in scientists. Endorsement of core conspiracy belief that the virus is artificially created was predicted by distrust in scientists, trust in populist governments, and distrust in non-populist governments. An examination of trust in media demonstrated that conspiracy belief was associated with trust in Facebook and distrust in institutional websites (WHO, government and healthcare). This research shows that trust in authorities, associated with access to trustworthy information, is paramount to encourage adherence to safety guidelines and avoid conspiracy thinking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Low Levels of Trust affect Protective Behaviours and Conspiracy Belief during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• When we are worried, what are we thinking? Anxiety, lack of control, and conspiracy beliefs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic -
  Societal crises and stressful events are associated with an upsurge of conspiracy beliefs that may help people to tackle feelings of lack of control. In our study (N = 783), we examined whether people with higher feelings of anxiety and lack of control early in the COVID-19 pandemic endorse more conspiracy theories. Our results show that a higher perception of risk of COVID-19 and lower trust in institutions’ response to the pandemic were related to feelings of anxiety and lack of control. Feeling the lack of control, but not anxiety, independently predicted COVID-19 conspiracy theory endorsement. Importantly, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs were strongly correlated with generic conspiracy and pseudoscientific beliefs, which were likewise associated with the feeling of lack of control and lower trust in institutions. The results highlight that considering people’s emotional responses to the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for our understanding of the spread of conspiracy and pseudoscientific beliefs.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: When we are worried, what are we thinking? Anxiety, lack of control, and conspiracy beliefs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
• Association between COVID-19 Outcomes and Mask Mandates, Adherence, and Attitudes -

  Using publicly available data, we quantify the impact of mask adherence and mask mandates on COVID-19 outcomes. We show that mask mandates are associated with a statistically significant decrease in daily new cases (-3.24 per 100K), deaths (-0.19 per 100K), and the proportion of hospital admissions (-2.47%) due to COVID-19 between February 1 and September 27, 2020. These effects are large, corresponding to 13% of the highest recorded number of cases, 20% of deaths, and 7% of admission proportion. We also find that mask mandates are linked to a 23.4 percentage point increase in mask adherence in four diverse states, and that mask adherence is associated with improved COVID-19 outcomes. Lastly, using a large novel survey in 68 countries, we find that community mask adherence and attitudes towards masks are associated with a reduction in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Our results have relevant policy implications, indicating the need to maintain and encourage mask-wearing.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Association between COVID-19 Outcomes and Mask Mandates, Adherence, and Attitudes
• SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage-related perceptions and travel worry among healthcare workers -

  Background: Healthcare workers9 (HCWs9) travel-related anxiety needs to be assessed in light of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutations. Methods: An online, cross-sectional questionnaire among HCWs between December 21, 2020 to January 7, 2021. The outcome variables were HCWs9 knowledge and awareness of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage, and its associated travel worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) score. Results: A total of 1,058 HCWs completed the survey; 66.5% were female, 59.0% were nurses. 9.0% indicated they had been previously diagnosed with COVID-19 themselves. Regarding the B.1.1.7 lineage, almost all (97.3%) were aware of its emergence, 73.8% were aware that it is more infectious, 78.0% thought it causes more severe disease, and only 50.0% knew that current COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing it. Despite this, 66.7% of HCWs were not registered to receive the vaccine. HCWs9 most common source of information about the new variant was social media platforms (67%), and this subgroup was significantly more worried about travelling. Nurses were more worried than physicians (P=0.001); additionally, those who had not travelled in the previous 3 months and those who had not received or registered for the COVID-19 vaccine were also significantly more worried (P = 0.037 and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Most HCWs were aware of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant and expressed substantial travel worries. Increased worry levels were found among HCWs who used social media as their main source of information, those with lower levels of COVID-19 vaccine uptake, and those with higher GAD-7 scores. Utilization of official social media platforms could improve accurate information dissemination among HCWs regarding the pandemic9s evolving mutations. Targeted vaccine campaigns are warranted to assure HCWs about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines toward SARS-CoV-2 variants.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage-related perceptions and travel worry among healthcare workers
• Changes in healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, practices, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic -

  Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an unprecedented health crisis around the world, not least because of its heterogeneous clinical presentation and course. The new information on the pandemic emerging daily has made it challenging for healthcare workers (HCWs) to stay current with the latest knowledge, which could influence their attitudes and practices during patient care. Methods: This study is a follow-up evaluation of changes in HCWs9 knowledge, attitudes, and practices as well as anxiety levels regarding COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Data were collected through an anonymous, predesigned, self-administered questionnaire that was sent online to HCWs in Saudi Arabia. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 1500 HCWs, with a 63.8% response rate (N=957). The majority of respondents were female (83%), and the most common age group was 31-40 years (52.2%). Nurses constituted 86.3% of the respondents. HCWs reported higher anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic which increased from 4.91±2.84 to 8.6±2.27 on an 11-point Likert scale compared to other viral outbreaks. HCWs believed that their own preparedness as well as that of their hospital9s intensive care unit (ICU) or emergency room (ER) was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than during the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus pandemic (2012-2015). About 58% of HCWs attended one or more simulations concerning the management of COVID-19 patients in their ICU/ER, and nearly all had undergone N95 mask fit testing. The mean score of HCWs9 knowledge of COVID-19 was 9.89/12. For most respondents (94.6%), the perception of being at increased risk of infection was the main cause of anxiety related to COVID-19; the mean score of anxiety over COVID-19 increased from 4.91±2.84 before to 8.6±2.27 during the pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Conclusions: HCWs9 anxiety levels regarding COVID-19 have increased since a pandemic was declared. It is vital that healthcare facilities provide more emotional and psychological support for all HCWs.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Changes in healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, practices, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic
• GRP78 binds SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and ACE2 and GRP78 depleting antibody blocks viral entry and infection in vitro -
  The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the current COVID-19 global pandemic, utilizes the host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for viral entry. However, other host factors may also play major roles in viral infection. Here we report that the stress-inducible molecular chaperone GRP78 can form a complex with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and ACE2 intracellularly and on the cell surface, and that the substrate binding domain of GRP78 is critical for this function. Knock-down of GRP78 by siRNA dramatically reduced cell surface ACE2 expression. Treatment of lung epithelial cells with a humanized monoclonal antibody (hMAb159), selected for its ability to cause GRP78 endocytosis and its safe clinical profile in preclinical models, reduces cell surface ACE2 expression, SARS-CoV-2 Spike-driven viral entry, and significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Our data suggest that GRP78 is an important host auxiliary factor for SARS-CoV-2 entry and infection and a potential target to combat this novel pathogen and other viruses that utilize GRP78.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: GRP78 binds SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and ACE2 and GRP78 depleting antibody blocks viral entry and infection in vitro
• Debiasing Covid-19 prevalence estimates -

  Background: Wrong Covid-19 prevalence measurement can cost lives or economic output. A number of countries offer random Covid-19 tests and report daily positivity rates. However, since virus testing has to be voluntary, all tests done in the field, even if supposedly random, suffer from selection bias, which is not limited to having a representative sample, and thus cannot be corrected by the usual methods. The issue is that people who feel they have symptoms (or other reasons to suspect they have Covid-19), are more likely to volunteer to get tested, and testing stations cannot readily correct this by oversampling. Methods: We used a controlled, incentivized online experiment with over 600 subjects of all ages in a European country. Results: People under 30 with symptoms are 1.532 times more likely to test when there is no waiting time, compared to those without symptoms. This figure increases to 2.882 when there is a short wait of 5-15 minutes; 4.423 with a 15-30 minute wait; 15.5 with a 30-60 minute wait and 38 with a 1-2 hour wait. The ratio for 30-50 year-olds rages between 1.517 for no wait and 16 for a 1-2 hour wait. For over 50-year-olds, the ratio ranges between 1.708 and 11.333. Conclusions: 9Random9 tests in the field inflate infection figures by many times. We suggest ways to correct the bias of the testing stations and a cleaner way to sample the population to avoid the bias altogether. Our methodology is relevant to Covid-19 and to any other epidemic.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Debiasing Covid-19 prevalence estimates
• Use Of Canine Olfactory Detection For COVID-19 Testing Study On U.A.E. Trained Detection Dog Sensitivity -
  This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of 21 dogs belonging to different United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Interior (MOI), trained for COVID-19 olfactory detection. The study involved 17 explosives detection dogs, two cadaver detection dogs and two dogs with no previous detection training. Training lasted two weeks before starting the validation protocol. Sequential five and seven-cone line-ups were used with axillary sweat samples from symptomatic COVID-19 individuals (SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive) and from asymptomatic COVID-19 negative individuals (SARS-CoV-2 PCR negative). A total of 1368 trials were performed during validation, including 151 positive and 110 negative samples. Each line-up had one positive sample and at least one negative sample. The dog had to mark the positive sample, randomly positioned behind one of the cones. The dog, handler and data recorder were blinded to the positive sample location. The calculated overall sensitivities were between 71% and 79% for three dogs, between 83% and 87% for three other dogs, and equal to or higher than 90% for the remaining 15 dogs (more than two thirds of the 21 dogs). After calculating the overall sensitivity for each dog using all line-ups, matched sensitivities were calculated only including line-ups containing COVID-19 positive and negative samples strictly comparable on confounding factors such as diabetes, anosmia, asthma, fever, body pain, diarrhoea, sex, hospital, method of sweat collection and sampling duration. Most of the time, the sensitivities increased after matching. Pandemic conditions in the U.A.E., associated with the desire to use dogs as an efficient mass-pretesting tool has already led to the operational deployment of the study dogs. Future studies will focus on comparatives fields-test results including the impact of the main COVID-19 comorbidities and other respiratory tract infections.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Use Of Canine Olfactory Detection For COVID-19 Testing Study On U.A.E. Trained Detection Dog Sensitivity
• Data Driven Decision-Making (DDDM) for Business Leaders post COVID-19 Outbreak: A COSTA-webQDA Technique Proposition at 5th World Conference on Qualitative Research - 20/01/2021 -
  Business leaders with an aptitude for using data intelligibly will be able to perform better post COVID-19 outbreak era (McAfee & Brynjolfsson, 2012). Businesses can no longer ignore the role data plays in making crucial decisions about the next major step to be taken, particularly during the time of disaster or facing potential threats resulting from COVID-19 or similar occurrences. Data-informed decision-making will be beneficial to leaders who need to be at the vanguard of knowledge generation within the realm of ideation. COSTA Technique on the webQDA software provides organizations with cutting-edge technology using mix-media applications and web-based strategies to keep up with current trends, insights and multi-perspectival stakeholder analysis in real-time with high levels of efficiency and integrity. This talk will present ideas adapted to the capabilities framework developed by Jia, Hall and Song (2015), addressing five key dimensions in decision-making, such as data governance, data analytics, insights exploitation, performance management and data integration. Using the COSTA Model technique with webQDA, we will present how large volumes of textual data, also known and referred to as “big qualitative data” may be transformed into structured, coherent, meaningful and timely decision-making enablers.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Data Driven Decision-Making (DDDM) for Business Leaders post COVID-19 Outbreak: A COSTA-webQDA Technique Proposition at 5th World Conference on Qualitative Research - 20/01/2021
• Evaluation of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 genetic mutations on diagnostic RT-PCR assays -
  Several mutant strains of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are emerging. Mismatch(es) in primer/probe binding regions would decrease the detection sensitivity of the PCR test, thereby affecting the results of clinical testing. In this study, we conducted an in silico survey on SARS-CoV-2 sequence variability within the binding regions of primer/probe published by the Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In silico analysis revealed the presence of mutations in the primer/probe binding regions. We performed RT-PCR assays using synthetic RNAs containing the mutations and showed that some mutations significantly decreased the detection sensitivity of the RT-PCR assays. Our results highlight the importance of genomic monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and evaluating the effects of mismatches on PCR testing sensitivity.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Evaluation of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 genetic mutations on diagnostic RT-PCR assays
• Increased elastase sensitivity and decreased intramolecular interactions in the more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants' spike protein -
  Two SARS-CoV-2 variants showing increased transmissibility relative to the Wuhan virus have recently been identified. Although neither variant causes more severe illness or increased risk of death, the faster spread of the virus is a major threat. Using computational tools, we found that the new SARS-CoV-2 variants may acquire an increased transmissibility by increasing the propensity of its spike protein to expose the receptor binding domain. This information leads to the identification of potential treatments to avert the imminent threat of these more transmittable SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Increased elastase sensitivity and decreased intramolecular interactions in the more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants' spike protein
• Neutralizing and protective human monoclonal antibodies recognizing the N-terminaldomain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein -
  Most human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 recognize the spike (S) protein receptor-binding domain and block virus interactions with the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. We describe a panel of human mAbs binding to diverse epitopes on the N-terminal domain (NTD) of S protein from SARS-CoV-2 convalescent donors and found a minority of these possessed neutralizing activity. Two mAbs (COV2-2676 and COV2-2489) inhibited infection of authentic SARS-CoV-2 and recombinant VSV/SARS-CoV-2 viruses. We mapped their binding epitopes by alanine-scanning mutagenesis and selection of functional SARS-CoV-2 S neutralization escape variants. Mechanistic studies showed that these antibodies neutralize in part by inhibiting a post-attachment step in the infection cycle. COV2-2676 and COV2-2489 offered protection either as prophylaxis or therapy, and Fc effector functions were required for optimal protection. Thus, natural infection induces a subset of potent NTD-specific mAbs that leverage neutralizing and Fc-mediated activities to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection using multiple functional attributes.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Neutralizing and protective human monoclonal antibodies recognizing the N-terminaldomain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
• Coevolutionary Analysis and Perturbation-Based Network Modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Complexes with Antibodies: Binding-Induced Control of Dynamics, Allosteric Interactions and Signaling -
  The structural and biochemical studies of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins and complexes with highly potent antibodies have revealed multiple conformation-dependent epitopes highlighting the link between conformational plasticity of spike proteins and capacity for eliciting specific binding and broad neutralization responses. In this study, we used coevolutionary analysis, molecular simulations, and perturbation-based hierarchical network modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 S complexes with H014, S309, S2M11 and S2E12 antibodies targeting distinct epitopes to explore molecular mechanisms underlying binding-induced modulation of dynamics, stability and allosteric signaling in the spike protein trimers. The results of this study revealed key regulatory centers that can govern allosteric interactions and communications in the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. Through coevolutionary analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, we identified highly coevolving hotspots and functional clusters forming coevolutionary networks. The results revealed significant coevolutionary couplings between functional regions separated by the medium-range distances which may help to facilitate a functional cross-talk between distant allosteric regions in the SARS-CoV-2 spike complexes with antibodies. We also discovered a potential mechanism by which antibody-specific targeting of coevolutionary centers can allow for efficient modulation of allosteric interactions and signal propagation between remote functional regions. Using a hierarchical network modeling and perturbation-response scanning analysis, we demonstrated that binding of antibodies could leverage direct contacts with coevolutionary hotspots to allosterically restore and enhance couplings between spatially separated functional regions, thereby protecting the spike apparatus from membrane fusion. The results of this study also suggested that antibody binding can induce a switch from a moderately cooperative population-shift mechanism, governing structural changes of the ligand-free SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, to antibody-induced highly cooperative mechanism that can better withstand mutations in the functional regions without significant deleterious consequences for protein function. This study provides a novel insight into allosteric regulatory mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 S proteins, showing that antibodies can modulate allosteric interactions and signaling of spike proteins, providing a plausible strategy for therapeutic intervention by targeting specific hotspots of allosteric interactions in the SARS-CoV-2 proteins.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Coevolutionary Analysis and Perturbation-Based Network Modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Complexes with Antibodies: Binding-Induced Control of Dynamics, Allosteric Interactions and Signaling
• Reduction in Human Activity can Enhance the Urban Heat Island: Insights from the COVID-19 Lockdown -
  The COVID-19 lockdowns drastically reduced human activity, emulating a controlled experiment on human-land-atmosphere coupling. Here, using a fusion of satellite and reanalysis products, we examine this coupling during the lockdown in the Indo-Gangetic Basin, one of the world’s most populated and polluted regions. During the lockdown, the reduction (>10%) in columnar air pollution, expected to increase incoming solar radiation, was counteracted by a ~30% enhancement in cloud cover, causing little change in available energy at the surface. More importantly, the delay in winter crop harvesting increased surface vegetation cover, causing almost half the regional cooling (of -3.9 K) via evapotranspiration. Since this cooling was higher for rural areas, the daytime surface urban heat island (SUHI) intensity increased (by 0.20 to 0.41 K) during a period of reduced human activity. Our study provides strong observational evidence of the influence of agricultural activity on both urban and rural climate in this region.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Reduction in Human Activity can Enhance the Urban Heat Island: Insights from the COVID-19 Lockdown
• Seroepidemiological Study of Novel Corona Virus (CoVID-19) in Tehran, Iran -

  A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has now spread to all countries of the world, including Iran. Although new anti-coronavirus antibodies in patients may be identified by immunological methods with sufficient sensitivity and specificity, the conclusive diagnosis of the disease is by the molecular RT-PCR process. We used a population-based seroepidemiological survey to quantify the proportion of the exposed population with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and evaluated whether the antibodies are a marker of total or partial immunity to the proportion of the population that remains susceptible to the virus. This cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of CoVID-19 in Tehran, the capital of Iran, between April and end of October 2020. Specimens of clotted and heparinized blood (2ml) were collected from the patients. The serum and plasma were separated and stored at −80 C until use. We examined serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies from 1375 in-patients admitted to our hospitals using ELISA kits. In total, 1375 participants were enrolled in this study, and SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies were detected using IgM‐IgG antibody assay in 291 patients. Among the seropositive patients studied, 187 were men (64.3%), and 104 were women (35.7%) (P<0.05). The mean age of the patients was 49 years; the majority (27%) were in age group 31-40 years. Also, the lowest frequency of cases was reported in the age group of 1-10 years (P <0.05). We determined the seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 for IgM or IgG antibodies to be 21.2%. Diabetes mellitus was the most common underlying disease among SARS‐CoV‐2 patients [P=0.05; Odd Ratio=1.61(0.90-2.91)]. Conventional serological assays in SARS‐CoV‐2 cases, such as the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for specific IgM and IgG antibodies, have a high-throughput advantage and minimize false-negative rates that occur with the RT-PCR method. This study determined the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to be 21%. Control of diabetes among other cases factors shall play important role in management and control of COVID-19.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Seroepidemiological Study of Novel Corona Virus (CoVID-19) in Tehran, Iran

From Clinical Trials

• Dexamethasone for COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: Dexamethasone
  Sponsor:   University of Oklahoma
  Not yet recruiting

• The (HD)IVACOV Trial (The High-Dose IVermectin Against COVID-19 Trial) - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Ivermectin 0.6mg/kg/day;   Drug: Ivermectin 1.0mg/kg/day;   Drug: Placebo;   Drug: Hydroxychloroquine
  Sponsor:   Corpometria Institute
  Not yet recruiting

• APT™ T3X on the COVID-19 Contamination Rate - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Tetracycline hydrochloride 3%;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:   University of Nove de Julho;   Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study of ORTD-1 in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 Related Pneumonia - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: ORTD-1 low dose;   Drug: ORTD-1 mid dose;   Drug: ORTD-1 high dose;   Other: Vehicle control
  Sponsor:   Oryn Therapeutics, LLC
  Recruiting

• Rapid Diagnosis of COVID-19 by Chemical Analysis of Exhaled Air - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: Performance evaluation (sensitivity and specificity) for COVID-19 diagnosis of the Vocus PTR-TOF process
  Sponsor:   Hospices Civils de Lyon
  Not yet recruiting

• IMUNOR® Preparation in the Prevention of COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: IMUNOR
  Sponsor:   University Hospital Ostrava
  Not yet recruiting

• Clinical Experimentation With Tenofovir Disoproxyl Fumarate and Emtricitabine for COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Vitamin C 500 MG Oral Tablet;   Drug: Tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate 300 MG Oral Tablet;   Drug: Tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate 300 MG plus emtricitabine 200 MG Oral Tablet
  Sponsors:   Universidade Federal do Ceara;   Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico;   São José Hospital for Infectious Diseases - HSJ;   Central Laboratory of Public Health of Ceará - Lacen-CE
  Recruiting

• Safety and Efficacy of Doxycycline and Rivaroxaban in COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Doxycycline Tablets;   Drug: Rivaroxaban 15Mg Tab;   Combination Product: Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin
  Sponsor:   Yaounde Central Hospital
  Recruiting

• The Safety and Efficacy of Pyronaridine-artesunate (Pyramax® or Artecom®)in COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Artecom® (pyronaridine-artesunate);   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Shin Poong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of BGE-175 in Participants ≥ 60 Years of Age and Hospitalized With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) That Are Not in Respiratory Failure - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: BGE-175;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsor:   BioAge Labs, Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Antiseptic Mouth Rinses to Reduce Salivary Viral Load in COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Betadine© bucal 100 mg/ml;   Drug: Oximen® 3%;   Drug: Clorhexidine Dental PHB©;   Drug: Vitis Xtra Forte©;   Drug: Distilled Water
  Sponsors:   Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana;   Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz;   Hospital Universitario General de Villalba;   Hospital Universitario Infanta Elena;   Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca;   Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia;   Dentaid SL
  Completed

• RU Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) mAbs in Healthy Volunteers - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Biological: C144-LS and C-135-LS
  Sponsor:   Rockefeller University
  Recruiting

• Pilot Study of Cefditoren Pivoxil in COVID-19 Patients With Mild to Moderate Pneumonia - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Intervention:   Drug: Cefditoren pivoxil 400mg
  Sponsor:   Meiji Pharma Spain S.A.
  Recruiting

• The Influence of Covid-19 on the Audio-vestibular System - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: Audio-Vestibular evaluation
  Sponsor:   HaEmek Medical Center, Israel
  Not yet recruiting

• Study of COVID-19 Outbreak in Hospital Departments of Bamako, Mali - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Diagnostic Test: SARS-CoV-2 screening by molecular biology;   Diagnostic Test: Serological screening
  Sponsor:   Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with COVID-19 Infection: The Results of the SARS-RAS Study of the Italian Society of Hypertension - The COVID-19 infection has rapidly spread around the world and a second wave is sweeping in many countries. Different clinical and epidemiological aspects characterize the disease and their understanding is necessary to better face the management of the pandemic in progress. The Italian society of arterial hypertension with the SARS-RAS study has contributed significantly to the knowledge of the interaction between inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system and COVID-19 infection. Furthermore,...

• Enisamium is an inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase and shows improvement of recovery in COVID-19 patients in an interim analysis of a clinical trial - Pandemic SARS-CoV-2 causes a mild to severe respiratory disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Control of SARS-CoV-2 spread will depend on vaccine-induced or naturally acquired protective herd immunity. Until then, antiviral strategies are needed to manage COVID-19, but approved antiviral treatments, such as remdesivir, can only be delivered intravenously. Enisamium (laboratory code FAV00A, trade name Amizon®) is an orally active inhibitor of influenza A and B viruses in cell...

• N-terminal domain antigenic mapping reveals a site of vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2 - SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells is orchestrated by the spike (S) glycoprotein that contains an immunodominant receptor-binding domain (RBD) targeted by the largest fraction of neutralizing antibodies (Abs) in COVID-19 patient plasma. Little is known about neutralizing Abs binding to epitopes outside the RBD and their contribution to protection. Here, we describe 41 human monoclonal Abs (mAbs) derived from memory B cells, which recognize the SARS-CoV-2 S N-terminal domain (NTD) and show that a...

• Accurate bulk quantitation of droplet digital PCR - Droplet digital PCR provides superior accuracy in nucleic acid quantitation. The requirement of microfluidics to generate and analyze the emulsions, however, is a barrier to its adoption, particularly in low resource or clinical settings. Here, we report a novel method to prepare ddPCR droplets by vortexing and readout the results by bulk analysis of recovered amplicons. We demonstrate the approach by accurately quantitating SARS-CoV-2 sequences using entirely bulk processing and no...

• Tropism of SARS-CoV-2 for Developing Human Cortical Astrocytes - The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) readily infects a variety of cell types impacting the function of vital organ systems, with particularly severe impact on respiratory function. It proves fatal for one percent of those infected. Neurological symptoms, which range in severity, accompany a significant proportion of COVID-19 cases, indicating a potential vulnerability of neural cell types. To assess whether human cortical cells can be directly infected by SARS-CoV-2,...

• Small Molecules to Destabilize the ACE2-RBD Complex: A Molecular Dynamics Study for Potential COVID-19 Therapeutics - The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions of people, claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, and made a worldwide health emergency. Understanding the SARS-CoV-2 mechanism of infection is crucial in the development of potential therapeutics and vaccines. The infection process is triggered by direct binding of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) to the host cell receptor, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Many efforts have been made to design or repurpose therapeutics to...

• Synthetic Siglec-9 Agonists Inhibit Neutrophil Activation Associated with COVID-19 - Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection with SARS-Cov-2, are characterized by a hyperinflammatory immune response that leads to numerous complications. Production of proinflammatory neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) has been suggested to be a key factor in inducing a hyperinflammatory signaling cascade, allegedly causing both pulmonary tissue damage and peripheral inflammation. Accordingly, therapeutic blockage of neutrophil activation and NETosis, the cell...

• Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Tocilizumab-Treated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells as an in vitro Model of Inflammation - COVID-19 has posed a significant threat to global health. Early data has revealed that IL-6, a key regulatory cytokine, plays an important role in the cytokine storm of COVID-19. Multiple trials are therefore looking at the effects of Tocilizumab, an IL-6 receptor antibody that inhibits IL-6 activity, on treatment of COVID-19, with promising findings. As part of a clinical trial looking at the effects of Tocilizumab treatment on kidney transplant recipients with subclinical rejection, we...

• Stenoparib, an Inhibitor of Cellular Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase, Blocks Replication of the SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-NL63 Human Coronaviruses In Vitro - By late 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), had caused tens of millions of infections and over 1 million deaths worldwide. A protective vaccine and more effective therapeutics are urgently needed. We evaluated a new poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, stenoparib, that recently advanced to phase II clinical trials for treatment of ovarian cancer, for activity against human respiratory...

• Engineering a Reliable and Convenient SARS-CoV-2 Replicon System for Analysis of Viral RNA Synthesis and Screening of Antiviral Inhibitors - The etiologic agent of COVID-19 is highly contagious and has caused a severe global pandemic. Until now, there has been no simple and reliable system available in a lower-biosafety-grade laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 virologic research and inhibitor screening. In this study, we reported a replicon system which consists of four plasmids expressing the required segments of SARS-CoV-2. Our study revealed that the features for viral RNA synthesis and responses to antivirus drugs of the replicon are...

• Ipomoeassin-F inhibits the in vitro biogenesis of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its host cell membrane receptor - In order to produce proteins essential for their propagation, many pathogenic human viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 the causative agent of COVID-19 respiratory disease, commandeer host biosynthetic machineries and mechanisms. Three major structural proteins, the spike, envelope and membrane proteins, are amongst several SARS-CoV-2 components synthesised at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of infected human cells prior to the assembly of new viral particles. Hence, the inhibition of membrane protein...

• Clinical impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibition - BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer who are infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are more likely to develop severe illness and die compared with those without cancer. The impact of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) on the severity of COVID-19 illness is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ICI confers an additional risk for severe COVID-19 in patients with cancer.

• Nucleocapsid and Spike Proteins of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Induce IL6 in Monocytes and Macrophages-Potential Implications for Cytokine Storm Syndrome - The pandemic of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has led to the deaths of more than 1.5 million people worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, which exhibits wide variation in the course of disease in different people, ranging from asymptomatic and mild courses to very severe courses that can result in respiratory failure and death. Despite the rapid progression of knowledge, we still do not know how individual cells of the immune system interact...

• Cheminformatics-Based Identification of Potential Novel Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Natural Compounds of African Origin - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted negatively on public health and socioeconomic status, globally. Although, there are currently no specific drugs approved, several existing drugs are being repurposed, but their successful outcomes are not guaranteed. Therefore, the search for novel therapeutics remains a priority. We screened for inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease and the receptor-binding...

• Hydroxychloroquine-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry is attenuated by TMPRSS2 - Hydroxychloroquine, used to treat malaria and some autoimmune disorders, potently inhibits viral infection of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1) and SARS-CoV-2 in cell-culture studies. However, human clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine failed to establish its usefulness as treatment for COVID-19. This compound is known to interfere with endosomal acidification necessary to the proteolytic activity of cathepsins. Following receptor binding and endocytosis, cathepsin L can cleave the SARS-CoV-1 and...

From Patent Search

• COVID-19 CLASSIFICATION RECOGNITION METHOD BASED ON CT IMAGES OF LUNGS - - link

• A traditional Chinese medicine composition for COVID-19 and/or influenza and preparation method thereof - - link

• Covid 19 - Chewing Gum - - link

• STOCHASTIC MODEL METHOD TO DETERMINE THE PROBABILITY OF TRANSMISSION OF NOVEL COVID-19 - The present invention is directed to a stochastic model method to assess the risk of spreading the disease and determine the probability of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). - link

• Fahrzeuglüftungssystem und Verfahren zum Betreiben eines solchen Fahrzeuglüftungssystems -

  Die Erfindung betrifft ein Fahrzeuglüftungssystem (1) zum Belüften einer Fahrgastzelle (2) eines Fahrzeugs (3), mit einem Umluftpfad (5). Die Erfindung ist gekennzeichnet durch eine wenigstens abschnittsweise in einen Umluftansaugbereich (4) des Umluftpads (5) hineinreichende Sterilisationseinrichtung (6), wobei die Sterilisationseinrichtung (6) dazu eingerichtet ist von einem aus der Fahrgastzelle (2) entnommenen Luftstrom getragene Schadstoffe zu inaktivieren und/oder abzutöten.

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• The use of human serum albumin (HSA) and Cannabigerol (CBG) as active ingredients in a composition for use in the treatment of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and its symptoms - - link

• The use of human serum albumin (HSA) and Cannabigerol (CBG) as active ingredients in a composition for use in the treatment of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and its symptoms - - link

• "AYURVEDIC PROPRIETARY MEDICINE FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERWE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2 (SARS-COV-2." - AbstractAyurvedic Proprietary Medicine for treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)In one of the aspect of the present invention it is provided that Polyherbal combinations called Coufex (syrup) is prepared as Ayurvedic Proprietary Medicine , Aqueous Extracts Mixing with Sugar Syrup form the following herbal aqueous extract coriandrum sativum was used for the formulation of protek.Further another Polyherbal combination protek as syrup is prepared by the combining an aqueous extract of the medicinal herbs including Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Aegle marmelos, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum sanctum, Adatoda zeylanica, Piper lingum, Andrographis panivulata, Coriandrum sativum, Tinospora cordiofolia, cuminum cyminum,piper nigrum was used for the formulation of Coufex. - link

• Mund-Nasen-Bedeckung -

  Mund-Nasen-Bedeckung (1), wobei die Mund-Nasen-Bedeckung (1) mindestens an einem Ohr eines Trägers magnetisch befestigbar ist.

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• Haptens, hapten conjugates, compositions thereof and method for their preparation and use - A method for performing a multiplexed diagnostic assay, such as for two or more different targets in a sample, is described. One embodiment comprised contacting the sample with two or more specific binding moieties that bind specifically to two or more different targets. The two or more specific binding moieties are conjugated to different haptens, and at least one of the haptens is an oxazole, a pyrazole, a thiazole, a nitroaryl compound other than dinitrophenyl, a benzofurazan, a triterpene, a urea, a thiourea, a rotenoid, a coumarin, a cyclolignan, a heterobiaryl, an azo aryl, or a benzodiazepine. The sample is contacted with two or more different anti-hapten antibodies that can be detected separately. The two or more different anti-hapten antibodies may be conjugated to different detectable labels. - link