Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Machine Learning approach to repurpose Azacitidine against Covid-19 -
  Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in 2019, new strains of the virus have evolved and currently, the Omicron (1.1.529) strain has been prevalent and rapidly spreading globally, therefore scientists have been working on developing a novel therapeutic drug that is effective against COVID19. Drug repurposing has been chosen as an emergency alternative due to the lag in typical drug development operations. Its strategy can be broadly categorized into 1) network-based, 2) structure-based, 3) artificial intelligence approaches.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Machine Learning approach to repurpose Azacitidine against Covid-19
• A Novel Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning-based scoring system for evaluating re-purposing potential of Valproic Acid drug in COVID-19 -
  Despite widespread vaccinations and the introduction of many repurposed medications, the rise of COVID-19 reinfection due to the SARS-CoV Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has presented a significant challenge to health authorities across the world. There is a critical need for novel healthcare medications. Valproic acid (VPA) has been reported to be a beneficial drug due to its excellent property to hinder enveloped viral multiplication. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have been used extensively to predict the repurposing potential of a drug by examining its past couple of years’ activity. The strategies for drug repositioning that will play a substantial role in this approach can be widely categorized into AI approaches, network-based models, and structure-based approaches.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A Novel Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning-based scoring system for evaluating re-purposing potential of Valproic Acid drug in COVID-19
• Bafilomycin A1: A potential candidate drug for COVID-19 Treatment -
  The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world has been devastating as many lives have been lost. There is an urgent need for the right therapeutic drug to control the disease. Drug development is a time-consuming process, hence the need to approach drug repurposing. Bafilomycin A1 is a drug that was used against many viruses hence used for the analysis using the developed pipeline. The drug which will be repurposed should be analyzed for its efficiency against the COVID-19. The CoV- DrugX Pipeline is developed for drug repurposing. The CoV-DrugX pipeline is available on (http://drugx.kamalrawal.in/drugx/) which integrates that should be considered for the repurposing of drugs against COVID-19. Bafilomycin A1 is a drug that was used against many viruses hence used for the analysis using the developed pipeline. The pipeline predicted and resulted in scores for the individual modules. The CoV-DrugX pipeline provides key parameters indicating the suitability of Bafilomycin A1 as a potential drug candidate for the treatment of COVID-19. The CoV-DrugX pipeline provides appropriate SI (sensitivity index) and PI (predictive index) scores which predicts that the drug Bafilomycin A1 has an efficiency of the drug repurposing.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Bafilomycin A1: A potential candidate drug for COVID-19 Treatment
• Rhinovirus-induced epithelial RIG-I inflammasome activation suppresses antiviral immunity and promotes inflammatory responses in virus-induced asthma exacerbations and COVID-19 -

  Rhinoviruses (RV) and inhaled allergens, such as house dust mite (HDM) are the major agents responsible for asthma onset, exacerbations and progression to the severe disease, but the mechanisms of these pathogenic reciprocal virus-allergen interactions are not well understood. To address this, we analyzed mechanisms of airway epithelial sensing and response to RV infection using controlled experimental in vivo RV infection in healthy controls and patients with asthma and in vitro models of HDM exposure and RV infection in primary airway epithelial cells. We found that intranasal RV infection in patients with asthma led to the highly augmented inflammasome-mediated lower airway inflammation detected in bronchial brushes, biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Mechanistically, RV infection in bronchial airway epithelium led to retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), but not via NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation, which was highly augmented in patients with asthma, especially upon pre- exposure to HDM. This excessive activation of RIG-I inflammasomes was responsible for the impairment of antiviral type I/III interferons (IFN), prolonged viral clearance and unresolved inflammation in asthma in vivo and in vitro. Pre- exposure to HDM amplifies RV-induced epithelial injury in patients with asthma via enhancement of pro-IL1β expression and release, additional inhibition of type I/III IFNs and activation of auxiliary proinflammatory and pro-remodeling proteins. Finally, in order to determine whether RV-induced activation of RIG-I inflammasome may play a role in the susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection in asthma, we analyzed the effects of HDM exposure and RV/SARS-CoV-2 coinfection. We found that prior infection with RV restricted SARS-CoV-2 replication, but co-infection augmented RIG-I inflammasome activation and epithelial inflammation in patients with asthma, especially in the presence of HDM. Timely inhibition of epithelial RIG-I inflammasome activation may lead to more efficient viral clearance and lower the burden of RV and SARS-CoV-2 infections.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Rhinovirus-induced epithelial RIG-I inflammasome activation suppresses antiviral immunity and promotes inflammatory responses in virus-induced asthma exacerbations and COVID-19
• Anxiety and Worries of Individuals with Down Syndrome During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study in the UK -
  The present study explored the effects of the pandemic on individuals with Down Syndrome (n= 67) compared to other SEND diagnoses (n= 48) and their Typically Developing Siblings (n= 56). In total, 115 caregivers reported on their own anxiety and worries as well as of their children. Anxiety levels for individuals with Down syndrome appeared to be lower compared to other SEND populations and to Typically Developing Siblings. In terms of worries, individuals with Down Syndrome worried more about social-related worries but worried less about family- related aspects compared to the other groups. In sum, individuals with Down Syndrome might show less anxiety but still worried more about specific aspects related to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their lives.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Anxiety and Worries of Individuals with Down Syndrome During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study in the UK
• COVID-19 Outbreak and Sectoral Performance of the Australian Stock Market: An Event Study Analysis -
  The outbreak of COVID-19 has weakened the economy of Australia and its capital market since early 2020. The overall stock market has declined. However, some sectors become highly vulnerable while others continue to perform well even in the crisis period. Given this new reality, we seek to investigate the initial volatility and the sectoral return. In this study, we analyse data for eight sectors such as, transportation, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy, food, real estate, telecommunications and technology of the Australian stock market. In doing so, we obtain data from Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and analysed them based on `Event Study’ method. Here, we use the 10-days window for the event of official announcement of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia on 27 February, 2020. The findings of the study show that on the day of announcement, the indices for food, pharmaceuticals and healthcare exhibit impressive positive returns. Following the announcement, the telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors exhibit good performance, while poor performance is demonstrated by the transportation industry. The findings are vital for investors, market participants, companies, private and public policymakers and governments to develop recovery action plans for vulnerable sectors and enable investors to regain their confidence to make better investment decisions.

• Engineering SARS-CoV-2 cocktail antibodies into a bispecific format improves neutralizing potency and breadth -
  One major limitation of neutralizing antibody-based COVID-19 therapy is the requirement of costly cocktails to reduce antibody resistance. We engineered two bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) using distinct designs and compared them with parental antibodies and their cocktail. Single molecules of both bsAbs block the two epitopes targeted by parental antibodies on the receptor-binding domain (RBD). However, bsAb with the IgG-(scFv)2 design (14-H-06) but not the CrossMAb design (14-crs-06) increases antigen-binding and virus-neutralizing activities and spectrum against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants including the Omicron, than the cocktail. X-ray crystallography and computational simulations reveal distinct neutralizing mechanisms for individual cocktail antibodies and suggest higher inter-spike crosslinking potentials by 14-H-06 than 14-crs-06. In mouse models of infections by SARS-CoV-2 and the Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants, 14-H-06 exhibits higher or equivalent therapeutic efficacy than the cocktail. Rationally engineered bsAbs represent a cost-effective alternative to antibody cocktails and a promising strategy to improve potency and breadth.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Engineering SARS-CoV-2 cocktail antibodies into a bispecific format improves neutralizing potency and breadth
• Assessing functional connectivity differences and work-related fatigue in surviving COVID-negative patients. -
  The recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected all aspects of life around the world. Neuroimaging evidence suggests the novel coronavirus can attack the central nervous system (CNS), causing cerebro-vascular abnormalities in the brain. This can lead to focal changes in cerebral blood flow and metabolic oxygen consumption rate in the brain. However, the extent and spatial locations of brain alterations in COVID-19 survivors are largely unknown. In this study, we have assessed brain functional connectivity (FC) using resting-state functional MRI (RS-fMRI) in 38 (25 males) COVID patients two weeks after hospital discharge, when PCR negative and 31 (24 males) healthy subjects. FC was estimated using independent component analysis (ICA) and dual regression. The COVID group demonstrated significantly enhanced FC in regions from the Occipital and Parietal Lobes, comparing to the HC group. On the other hand, the COVID group exhibited significantly reduced FC in several vermal layers of the cerebellum. More importantly, we noticed negative correlation of FC with self-reported fatigue within regions from the Parietal lobe, which are known to be associated with fatigue. Keywords: COVID, Functional Connectivity, ICA, Fatigue, RS-fMRI
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Assessing functional connectivity differences and work-related fatigue in surviving COVID-negative patients.
• Influenza virus-like particle-based hybrid vaccine containing RBD induces immunity against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses -
  Several approaches have produced an effective vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the influence of immune responses induced by other vaccinations on the durability and efficacy of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is still unknown. We have developed a hybrid vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses using influenza virus-like particles (VLP) incorporated by protein transfer with glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored SARS-CoV-2 S1 RBD fused to GM-CSF as an adjuvant. GPI-RBD-GM-CSF fusion protein was expressed in CHO-S cells, purified and incorporated onto influenza VLPs to develop the hybrid vaccine. Our results show that the hybrid vaccine induced a strong antibody response and protected mice from both influenza virus and mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 challenges, with vaccinated mice having significantly lower lung viral titers compared to naive mice. These results suggest that the hybrid vaccine strategy is a promising approach for developing multivalent vaccines to prevent influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 infections.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Influenza virus-like particle-based hybrid vaccine containing RBD induces immunity against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses
• Conserved Neutralizing Epitopes on the N-Terminal Domain of Variant SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins -
  SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination produces neutralizing antibody responses that contribute to better clinical outcomes. The receptor binding domain (RBD) and the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the spike trimer (S) constitute the two major neutralizing targets for the antibody system. Neutralizing antibodies targeting the RBD bind to several different sites on this domain. In contrast, most neutralizing antibodies to NTD characterized to date bind to a single supersite, however these antibodies were obtained by methods that were not NTD specific. Here we use NTD specific probes to focus on anti-NTD memory B cells in a cohort of pre-omicron infected individuals some of which were also vaccinated. Of 275 NTD binding antibodies tested 103 neutralized at least one of three tested strains: Wuhan-Hu-1, Gamma, or PMS20, a synthetic variant which is extensively mutated in the NTD supersite. Among the 43 neutralizing antibodies that were further characterized, we found 6 complementation groups based on competition binding experiments. 58% targeted epitopes outside the NTD supersite, and 58% neutralized either Gamma or Omicron, but only 14% were broad neutralizers. Three of the broad neutralizers were characterized structurally. C1520 and C1791 recognize epitopes on opposite faces of the NTD with a distinct binding pose relative to previously described antibodies allowing for greater potency and cross- reactivity with 7 different variants including Beta, Delta, Gamma and Omicron. Antibody C1717 represents a previously uncharacterized class of NTD-directed antibodies that recognizes the viral membrane proximal side of the NTD and SD2 domain, leading to cross-neutralization of Beta, Gamma and Omicron. We conclude SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or Wuhan-Hu-1 mRNA vaccination produces a diverse collection of memory B cells that produce anti-NTD antibodies some of which can neutralize variants of concern. Rapid recruitment of these cells into the antibody secreting plasma cell compartment upon re-infection likely contributes to the relatively benign course of subsequent infections with SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Conserved Neutralizing Epitopes on the N-Terminal Domain of Variant SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins
• Behavioural Activation for Social IsoLation (BASIL+) trial (Behavioural activation to mitigate depression and loneliness among older people with long-term conditions): Protocol for a fully-powered pragmatic randomised controlled trial -

  Abstract Introduction Depression is a leading mental health problem worldwide. People with long-term conditions are at increased risk of experiencing depression. The COVID-19 pandemic led to strict social restrictions being imposed across the UK population. Social isolation can have negative consequences on the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults. In the Behavioural Activation in Social IsoLation (BASIL + ) trial we will test whether a brief psychological intervention (based on Behavioural Activation), delivered remotely, can mitigate depression and loneliness in older adults with long-term conditions during isolation. Methods We will conduct a two-arm, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial across several research sites, to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the BASIL + intervention. Participants will be recruited via participating general practices across England and Wales. Participants must be aged ≥65 with two or more long-term conditions, or a condition that may indicate they are within a ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ group in relation to COVID-19, and have scored ≥5 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9), to be eligible for inclusion. Randomisation will be 1:1, stratified by research site. Intervention participants will receive up to eight intervention sessions delivered remotely by trained BASIL + Support Workers and supported by a self-help booklet. Control participants will receive usual care, with additional signposting to reputable sources of self-help and information, including advice on keeping mentally and physically well. A qualitative process evaluation will also be undertaken to explore the acceptability of the BASIL + intervention, as well as barriers and enablers to integrating the intervention into participants’ existing health and care support, and the impact of the intervention on participants’ mood and general wellbeing in the context of the COVID-19 restrictions. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with intervention participants, participant’s caregivers/supportive others and BASIL + Support Workers. Outcome data will be collected at one, three, and 12 months post-randomisation. Clinical and cost-effectiveness will be evaluated. The primary outcome is depressive symptoms at the three-month follow up, measured by the PHQ9. Secondary outcomes include loneliness, social isolation, anxiety, quality of life, and a bespoke health services use questionnaire. Discussion This study is the first large-scale trial evaluating a brief Behavioural Activation intervention in this population, and builds upon the results of a successful external pilot trial. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.Gov identifier ISRCTN63034289, registered on 5th February 2021.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Behavioural Activation for Social IsoLation (BASIL+) trial (Behavioural activation to mitigate depression and loneliness among older people with long-term conditions): Protocol for a fully-powered pragmatic randomised controlled trial
• An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a public-facing office in England, 2021 -

  Between August-September 2021, an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, with an attack rate of 55% (22/40 workers), occurred in a public-facing office in England. To identify workplace and worker-related risk factors, a comprehensive investigation involving surface sampling, environmental assessment, molecular and serological testing, and worker questionnaires was performed between 3 September and 27 October 2021. The results affirm the utility of surface sampling to identify SARS-CoV-2 control deficiencies and the importance of evolving, site-specific risk assessments with layered COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a public-facing office in England, 2021
• The course of COVID-19 in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria receiving omalizumab treatment -

  Introduction: Although there are case reports and guideline recommendations that states omalizumab can be used in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there are scarce studies showing the course of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in CSU patients receiving omalizumab. Materials and Methods: A total of 370 patients with chronic urticaria were included in the study between June 2020 and December 31, 2020. Results: Sixty patients (16.2%) became infected with the SARS-CoV-2. The rate of pneumonia and hospitalization were 4.1% and 1.9%. There was no significant difference was determined between the CSU patients with omalizumab treatment and the non- receivers in regard to the rate of SARS-CoV-2 (+) (p: 0.567) and in regard to the rate of SARS-CoV-2 related pneumonia and hospitalization (p: 0.331 and p: 0.690). Gender, duration of CSU, serum IgE levels, omalizumab treatment, and atopy were not found to be associated with an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 positivity in patients with CSU. Conclusion: Our study shows that the use of omalizumab does not increase the risk of COVID-19 infection, COVID-19-related pneumonia, and hospitalizations in CSU patients and supports the view that omalizumab can be used safely in patients with CSU during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: chronic spontaneous urticaria, omalizumab, COVID-19

  🖺 Full Text HTML: The course of COVID-19 in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria receiving omalizumab treatment
• Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes in Parkinson Disease (Parkinson ECHO): A Feasibility Study -

  Parkinson disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and presents with a heterogeneous group of symptoms. Managing these symptoms requires coordinated care from a neurology specialist and a primary care provider. Access to neurology care is limited for those patients with Parkinson disease who reside in rural areas given financial and mobility constraints along with the rarity of specialty providers. To close this gap, we developed and implemented a telehealth-based Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) program, “Parkinson ECHO,” to provide education and support for rural clinicians and allied health members. We assessed the feasibility of this tele-mentoring educational offering and the effect it had on clinician confidence in diagnosing and treating Parkinson disease. Participants from across Oregon (n=33), of whom 70% served rural and/or medically underserved communities, attended the biweekly sessions. The sessions focused on a topic within Parkinson disease diagnosis or management followed by case discussions. We assessed clinician confidence and acceptability using surveys before and after their participation in the program. The COVID-19 pandemic was an unexpected obstacle in executing this project, delaying the program by several months and likely accounting for a lower number of attendees for the last two sessions. Nevertheless, we found Parkinson ECHO did significantly increase participant confidence levels in diagnosing and managing Parkinson disease.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes in Parkinson Disease (Parkinson ECHO): A Feasibility Study
• Ethiopian Healthcare Workers’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic -

  Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread health and socioeconomic disruptions around the world. Understanding the impact that this crisis has had on health workers and the delivery of routine health care services within countries provides evidence on pandemic preparedness and response. Here, we conduct an investigation into these factors for the Ethiopian context. Methods and findings: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey with Ethiopian health care professionals between August 27 and October 10, 2020 via existing research networks. The variables of interest were confidence in COVID-19 related knowledge, training and experience, the adoption of precautionary health practices, risk perceptions, and respondent concerns. The majority of surveyed health care professionals in Ethiopia reported seeing fewer patients than usual during the COVID-19 crisis, gaps in pandemic training, inadequate access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and barriers to accessing COVID-19 testing. Most health care professionals were also deeply concerned and worried about their own COVID-19 risks and the likelihood that they would transmit the disease to others. Conclusions: Our study findings point to a possible reduction in routine health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic and gaps in pandemic preparedness in Ethiopia. The ministry of health and other stakeholders should work towards improving access to PPE and testing, and identify approaches to ensure that essential healthcare provision (such as immunizations) is not disrupted during crises akin to the COVID-19 outbreak.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Ethiopian Healthcare Workers’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

From Clinical Trials

• A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of Booster With AZD1222, mRNA-1273, or MVC-COV1901 Against COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19 Vaccine
  Interventions:   Biological: Half dose of MVC-COV1901;   Biological: Full dose of MVC-COV1901;   Biological: AZD1222;   Biological: Half dose of mRNA-1273
  Sponsors:   Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp.;   Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy of Breathox Device Inhalation Therapy in the Treatment of Acute Symptoms Associated With COVID-19 and in the Prevention of the Use of Health Resources - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: BREATHOX 5 sessions;   Drug: BREATHOX 10 sessions
  Sponsors:   UPECLIN HC FM Botucatu Unesp;   Liita Holdings LTD
  Recruiting

• A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of MVC-COV1901 or MVC-COV1901(Beta) Against COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19 Vaccine
  Interventions:   Biological: MVC-COV1901(Beta);   Biological: MVC- COV1901
  Sponsor:   Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp.
  Not yet recruiting

• Exercise Fatigue Parameters and Endothelial Function in Pediatric Patients With a History of COVID-19 Infection or MIS-C - Conditions:   COVID-19;   MIS-C Associated With COVID-19
  Interventions:  
  Device: Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET);   Device: Peripheral Arterial Tonography (PAT) using the EndoPAT™ device;   Diagnostic Test: Endothelin
  Sponsors:   Rambam Health Care Campus;   The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya
  Recruiting

• Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of TF0023 in Treatments for COVID-19 in Hospitalized Adults - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Intervention:   Drug: TF0023
  Sponsor:  
  Techfields Inc
  Not yet recruiting

• Immunogenicity of an Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Biological: Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine
  Sponsor:   Sinovac Research and Development Co., Ltd.
  Recruiting

• Short Daily Versus Conventional Hemodialysis for COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Other: Short daily dialysis
  Sponsor:  
  Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
  Completed

• Non-inferiority Trial on Monoclonal Antibodies in COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Bamlanivimab Etesevimab;   Drug: Sotrovimab;   Drug: Casirivimab-Imdevimab
  Sponsors:   Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona;   Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco;   Azienda Sanitaria-Universitaria Integrata di Udine
  Recruiting

• Availability and Advice on Test Uptake During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Vignette Study. - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Behavioral: Customised testing advice;   Behavioral: Regular testing advice;   Behavioral: LFT available;   Behavioral: No LFT available
  Sponsor:  
  National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
  Completed

• Efficacy and Safety of Ingavirin®, 90 mg Capsules in Patients With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Ingavirin®, 90 mg capsules;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Valenta Pharm JSC
  Recruiting

• Phase IIa Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Study of Codivir in Hospitalized Patients With Moderate COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Covidir injections;   Diagnostic Test: Quantitative PCR SARS-CoV-2;   Diagnostic Test: IgM and IgG dosage;   Diagnostic Test: Screening Blood tests;   Diagnostic Test: Electrocardiogram;   Other: NEWS-2 score;   Other: WHO score;   Other: Physical examination;   Other: COVID-19-Related Symptoms assessment
  Sponsor:   Code Pharma
  Recruiting

• Exercise in Adults With Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Infection Study - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Other: Exercise Prescription
  Sponsor:  
  Baylor Research Institute
  Not yet recruiting

• Safety and Immunogenicity Study of EgyVax Vaccine Candidate for Prophylaxis of COVID-19 Infection - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: EgyVax Vaccine Candidate;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:   Eva Pharma;   Veterinary Serum & Vaccine Research Institute (VSVRI), Egypt;   The Supreme Council of University Hospitals, Egypt;   Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Egypt
  Not yet recruiting

• A Prospective, Phase II Study to Evaluate Safety of 101-PGC-005 (’005) for Moderate to Severe COVID-19 Disease Along With Standard of Care - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: 101-PGC-005 (’005) + SOC;   Drug: Placebo + SOC
  Sponsor:   101 Therapeutics
  Recruiting

• To Evaluate Safety & Immunogenicity of DelNS1-2019-nCoV-RBD-OPT1 for COVID-19 in Healthy Adults Received 2 Doses of BNT162b2 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: DelNS1-2019-nCoV-RBD-OPT1;   Biological: Matching placebo
  Sponsor:   The University of Hong Kong
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• Attenuation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Losartan in Human Kidney Organoids - COVID-19 associated acute kidney injury (COVID-AKI) is a common complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients. The susceptibility of human kidneys to direct SARS-CoV-2 infection and pharmacologic manipulation of the renin-angiotensin II signaling (RAS) pathway modulation of this susceptibility remain poorly characterized. Using induced pluripotent stem cell derived kidney organoids, SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV tropism, defined by the paired expression of a host receptor…

• Development and Characterization of Antimicrobial Textiles from Chitosan-Based Compounds: Possible Biomaterials Against SARS-CoV-2 Viruses - Novel antiviral cotton fabrics impregnated with different formulations based on Chitosan (CH), citric acid (CA), and Copper (Cu) were developed. CA was selected as a CH crosslinker agent and Cu salts as enhancers of the polymer antimicrobial activity. The characterization of the polymeric-inorganic formulations was assessed by using atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. The achieved data…

• Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease (PLpro) Inhibitors Using Combined Computational Approach - In the current pandemic, finding an effective drug to prevent or treat the infection is the highest priority. A rapid and safe approach to counteract COVID-19 is in silico drug repurposing. The SARS-CoV-2 PLpro promotes viral replication and modulates the host immune system, resulting in inhibition of the host antiviral innate immune response, and therefore is an attractive drug target. In this study, we used a combined in silico virtual screening for candidates for SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protease…

• Exploring the inhibitory potential of novel bioactive compounds from mangrove actinomycetes against nsp10 the major activator of SARS-CoV-2 replication - The current study reveals the inhibitory potential of novel bioactive compounds of mangrove actinomycetes against nsp10 of SARS-CoV-2. A total of fifty (50) novel bioactive (antibacterial, antitumor, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti- inflammatory) compounds of mangrove actinomycetes from different chemical classes such as alkaloids, dilactones, sesquiterpenes, macrolides, and benzene derivatives are used for interaction analysis against nsp10 of SARS-CoV-2. The six antiviral agents sespenine,…

• SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors from Nigella Sativa - The recently encountered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 creates huge predicaments among various countries. Lack of specific treatment of COVID-19 disease demands urgency in drug design against SARS-CoV-2 targets. Nigella sativa the miraculous herb native to South and Southwest Asia and belonging to the family Ranunculaceae, due to its beneficial bioactive properties, was used by us for performing in silico study to analyze the potential of its compounds so that they can target…

• Recognition and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by humoral innate immunity pattern recognition molecules - The humoral arm of innate immunity includes diverse molecules with antibody-like functions, some of which serve as disease severity biomarkers in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study was designed to conduct a systematic investigation of the interaction of human humoral fluid-phase pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Of 12 PRMs tested, the long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) bound the viral…

• 5-Iodotubercidin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerged infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The rapid global emergence of SARS-CoV-2 highlights the importance and urgency for potential drugs to control the pandemic. The functional importance of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in the viral life cycle, combined with structural conservation and absence of closely related homologs in humans, makes it an attractive…

• Tafenoquine and its derivatives as inhibitors for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 - The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has severely affected human lives around the world as well as the global economy. Therefore, effective treatments against COVID-19 are urgently needed. Here, we screened a library containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved compounds to identify drugs that could target the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^(pro)), which is indispensable for viral protein maturation and regard as an important therapeutic…

• Co-administration of Favipiravir and the Remdesivir Metabolite GS-441524 Effectively Reduces SARS-CoV-2 Replication in the Lungs of the Syrian Hamster Model - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide since December 2019, causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although vaccines for this virus have been developed rapidly, repurposing drugs approved to treat other diseases remains an invaluable treatment strategy. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of drugs on SARS-CoV-2 replication in a hamster infection model and in in vitro assays. Favipiravir significantly suppressed virus replication in hamster…

• Gasdermin D Inhibits Coronavirus Infection by Promoting the Noncanonical Secretion of Beta Interferon - Pyroptosis, a programmed cell death, functions as an innate immune effector mechanism and plays a crucial role against microbial invasion. Gasdermin D (GSDMD), as the main pyroptosis effector, mediates pyroptosis and promotes releasing proinflammatory molecules into the extracellular environment through pore-forming activity, modifying inflammation and immune responses. While the substantial importance of GSDMD in microbial infection and cancer has been widely investigated, the role of GSDMD in…

• Vitamin D can reduce severity in COVID-19 through regulation of PD-L1 - COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral infection that has killed millions of people around the world. The most important diagnostic feature of COVID-19 is lymphocyte depletion, particularly the depletion of T cells. In COVID-19 infections, there is a link between destruction of T cells and increased expression of inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules (PD-1/PD-L1) on T cell surfaces. It was shown that PD-1/PD-L1 levels increase in severely COVID-19 infected individuals. Higher proinflammatory…

• Andrographolide Derivatives Target the KEAP1/NRF2 Axis and Possess Potent Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity - Naturally occurring compounds represent a vast pool of pharmacologically active entities. One of such compounds is andrographolide, which is endowed with many beneficial properties, including the activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To initiate a drug repurposing or hit optimization campaign, it is imperative to unravel the primary mechanism(s) of the antiviral action of andrographolide. Here, we showed by means of a reporter gene assay that…

• Excavating phytochemicals from plants possessing antiviral activities for identifying SARS-CoV hemagglutinin- esterase inhibitors by diligent computational workflow - Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to a group of RNA viruses that cause diseases in vertebrates including. Newer and deadlier than SARS CoV-2 are sought to appear in future for which the scientific community must be prepared with the strategies for their control. Spike protein (S-protein) of all the CoVs require angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2), while CoVs also require hemagglutinin-acetylesterase (HE) glycoprotein receptor to simultaneously interact with O-acetylated sialic acids on host cells,…

• Molecular Mechanism of SARS-CoVs Orf6 Targeting the Rae1-Nup98 Complex to Compete With mRNA Nuclear Export - The accessory protein Orf6 is uniquely expressed in sarbecoviruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is an ongoing pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 Orf6 antagonizes host interferon signaling by inhibition of mRNA nuclear export through its interactions with the ribonucleic acid export 1 (Rae1)-nucleoporin 98 (Nup98) complex. Here, we confirmed the direct tight binding of Orf6 to the Rae1-Nup98 complex, which competitively inhibits RNA binding. We determined the…

• ACE2 Shedding and the Role in COVID-19 - Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a transmembrane glycoprotein, is an important part of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In the COVID-19 epidemic, it was found to be the receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). ACE2 maintains homeostasis by inhibiting the Ang II-AT1R axis and activating the Ang I (1-7)-MasR axis, protecting against lung, heart and kidney injury. In addition, ACE2 helps transport amino acids across the membrane. ACE2 sheds from the…

From Patent Search

• IDENTIFICATION AND ALARM SYSTEM FOR FACIAL CORONA MASK USING CNN BASED IMAGE PROCESSING - tThe covid-19 epidemic is the world’s largest wake-up call for people to pay attention to their own and society’s health. One thing to keep in mind is that there is a segment of the population that has been exposed to the covid-19 virus and has generated antibodies without developing any significant illnesses and is continuing to be healthy. This indicates that a significant section of the population, even excluding the elderly, lacks the necessary bodily immunity to combat a Viral infection. As terrible as covid-19 is on a global scale, developing personal health standards and preventative measures for any pathogenic virus as a community would have spared many lives. In’this work, a camera is combined with an image processing system to recognise facial masks, which may be improved in a variety of ways. First and foremost, this method is meant to identify masks on a single person’s face. While this method is efficient in identifying someone has a mask, it does not ensure that they will wear it all of the time. The most effective update for this task is to install a camera with a wide field of view so that many individuals can be seen in the frame, and the faces of those who aren’t wearing markings can be identified, as well as the number of people and the timing. - link

• ANTIMICROBIAL SANITIZING FORMULATION - An antimicrobial sanitizing formulation, comprising, i) isopropyl alcohol in the range of 0.1%- 80% w/w, ii) an emollient in the range of 0.1%-15% w/w, iii) hydrogen peroxide in the range of 0.1 0.13% w/w, iv) citric acid in the range of 0.1% to 2.0% w/w, v) silver nitrate in the range of 0.1% to 0.5% w/w, and vi) a fragrance imparting agent in the range of 0.1% to 2.0% w/w. - link

• A HEALTH BAND WITH A BIOMETRIC MODULE AND WORKING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses a health band with a biometric module and method thereof. The assembly includes, but not limited to, a plurality of sensors configured to gather health data associated with a predefined symptom of a medical condition of a user; a memory unit configured to store the data and an interface, which is configured to determine the medical condition using the data;a processing unit configured to execute the application; and a notification facility configured to provide a notification upon receiving from the interface an instruction associated with the notification, wherein the notification is associated with a drug reminder and the like. - link

• RNA 검출 방법 - 본 발명은 RNA의 분석 및 검출 방법에 관한 것이다. 특히, 본 발명은 특히, 본 발명은 짧은 염기서열의 RNA까지 분석이 가능하면서도 높은 민감도 및 정확도로 정량적 검출까지 가능하여 감염증, 암 등 여러 질환의 진단 용도로도 널리 활용될 수 있다. - link

• REUNION OF PHOTOTHERMAL THERAPY WITH MXENE ADSORBED UREMIC TOXINS AND CYTOKINES: A SHILED FOR COVID-19 PATENTS - The COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc throughout the world. The disease has proved to be more fatalfor patients having comorbidities like diabetics, lungs and kidney infections, etc. In the case of COVID-19 patientsI having kidney injury, the. removal of uremic toxins from the blood is hindered and there is a rapid surge in the levelj of cytokine hormone resulting in the death of the patient in a short interval of time. To resolve this issue,iI; researchers have examined that the immediate removal of these toxins can improve the condition of the patient to a |greater extent. Studies have also found the presence of SARS CoV-2 viral RNAs in the blood of COVID-19patients, which risks their life as well as impacts the blood transfusion process, especially in the case ofasymptomatic patients. Hence it is required to control the surge of cytokines and uremic toxins as well as disinfectthe blood of the patient from the virus. MXenes, having a foam-like porous structure and hydrophilic negativesurface functionalization have greater adsorption efficiency as well as superior photothermal activity. Utilizingthese properties of MXenes, the MXene membranes can be used in the dialyzer that can help in the efficient andBiuick removal of the uremic toxins, cytokines, and other impurities from the blood. Along with this the greaterTJAdsorption efficiency of MXenes to amino acids result in the trapping of the SARS CoV-2 viruses on the surface J)3>f the MXene. Many researchers as well as the WHO have proved the efficient reduction of the viral copy numbersjjvith the increase of temperature. Hence, followed by the trapping of the viruses, the implementation of"Zphotothermal Therapy can result in the inactivation and denaturation of the viruses and their respective viral RNAsBJlby the produced heat. The same process can be repeated several times to get better results. This whole process canr>oQ-esult in impurity-free and infection-free blood, that can be returned back to the body of the patient or can be!— I Sitilized for the blood transfusion process without any risk of infection.IM - link

• REDUCING AND STOPPING OXYGEN WASTAGE IN HOSPITAL - In an aspect, the present invention discloses a system (200) for prevention and reduction of oxygen wastage from oxygen mask (202). The system (200) includes the oxygen mask (202) having straps; a tension sensor (204), the tension sensor being sensitive towards tension produced in the straps as the oxygen gets leakage through sides of the mask (202); a processor configured in alignment with the tension sensor (204); and a buzzer (206) in alignment with processor. - link

• 编码SARS-COV-2病毒C.37突变株抗原的DNA分子、DNA疫苗及应用 - 本发明涉及生物技术领域，具体而言，提供了一种编码SARS‑COV‑2病毒C.37突变株抗原的DNA分子、DNA疫苗及应用。本发明提供的SEQ ID NO：1核酸序列在真核表达系统中能够高效转录和表达，而且具有免疫原性，表现在体液免疫和细胞免疫应答中，以此作为活性成分的核酸疫苗同样具有良好的免疫原性。 - link

• SARS-COV-2病毒B.1.617.2突变株DNA疫苗及应用 - 本发明涉及生物技术领域，具体而言，提供了一种编码SARS‑COV‑2病毒B.1.617.2突变株抗原的DNA分子、DNA疫苗及应用。本发明提供的SEQ ID NO：1核酸序列在真核表达系统中能够高效转录和表达，而且具有免疫原性，表现在体液免疫和细胞免疫应答中，以此作为活性成分的核酸疫苗同样具有良好的免疫原性。 - link

• Hung Thanh Phan COVID-19 NEW SOLUTION - - link

• A METHOD TO REVEAL MOTIF PATTERNS OF COVID-19 USING MULTIPLE SEQUENCE ALIGNMENT - This present invention consists of different levels of computation and work in a pipeline manner i.e., input of one will be output of another and it is sequential process. Input data given in form of nucleotide sequence (DNA) of different COVID-19 patients (1). Using these nucleotide sequence perform mutation if possible and arrange them in a sequential order (2). Arrange number of nucleotide sequences of different patients in row wise and also compute number of characters in each row. (3). Compute frequency of occurrence of character in column wise and create a matrix having 4 rows and maximum sequence length will be the column size (4). Find the character like A, T, C, and G which one has maximum score and similarly find for each column to produce a final sequence (5). - link