Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• An Autoantigen Profile from Jurkat T-Lymphoblasts Provides a Molecular Guide for Investigating Autoimmune Sequelae of COVID-19 -
  In order to understand autoimmune phenomena contributing to the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and post-COVID syndrome, we have been profiling autoantigens (autoAgs) from various cell types. Although cells share numerous autoAgs, each cell type gives rise to unique COVID-altered autoAg candidates, which may explain the wide range of symptoms experienced by patients with autoimmune sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on the unifying property of affinity between autoantigens (autoAgs) and the glycosaminoglycan dermatan sulfate (DS), this paper reports 140 candidate autoAgs identified from proteome extracts of human Jurkat T-cells, of which at least 105 (75%) are known targets of autoantibodies. Comparison with currently available multi-omic COVID-19 data shows that 125 (89%) of DS-affinity proteins are altered at protein and/or RNA levels in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells or patients, with at least 94 being known autoAgs in a wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Protein alterations by ubiquitination and phosphorylation in the viral infection are major contributors of autoAgs. The autoAg protein network is significantly associated with cellular response to stress, apoptosis, RNA metabolism, mRNA processing and translation, protein folding and processing, chromosome organization, cell cycle, and muscle contraction. The autoAgs include clusters of histones, CCT/TriC chaperonin, DNA replication licensing factors, proteasome and ribosome proteins, heat shock proteins, serine/arginine-rich splicing factors, 14-3-3 proteins, and cytoskeletal proteins. AutoAgs such as LCP1 and NACA that are altered in the T cells of COVID patients may provide insight into T-cell responses in the viral infection and merit further study. The autoantigen-ome from this study contributes to a comprehensive molecular map for investigating acute, subacute, and chronic autoimmune disorders caused by SARS-CoV-2.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: An Autoantigen Profile from Jurkat T-Lymphoblasts Provides a Molecular Guide for Investigating Autoimmune Sequelae of COVID-19
• Genome Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia, ASEAN and the Neighbouring East Asian Countries: Features, Challenges and Achievements -
  A year after the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, much has been learned with respect to SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology, vaccine production and disease treatment. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has played a significant role in contributing to our understanding of the epidemiology and biology of this virus. In this paper, we investigate the use of SARS-CoV-2 WGS in Southeast and East Asia and the impact of technological development, access to resources, and demography of individual countries on its uptake. Facilitated by the Nottingham-Indonesia Collaboration for Clinical Research and Training (NICCRAT) initiative, we showcased a bilateral collaboration between the University of Nottingham and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI/Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia) to establish WGS of SARS-CoV-2 using Oxford Nanopore Technology(R) in Indonesia. Analyses of SARS-CoV-2 genomes deposited on GISAID from Southeast and East Asian countries reveals the importance of collecting clinical and demographic metadata and the importance of open access and data sharing. Lineage and phylogenetic analyses per 1 June 2021 found that: 1) B.1.466.2 variants were the most predominant in Indonesia, with mutations in the spike protein including D614G at 100%, N439K at 99.1%, and P681R at 69.7% frequency, 2) The variants of concern, B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) were first detected in Indonesia in January 2021, 2) B.1.470 was first detected in Indonesia and spread to the neighbouring regions, and 3) The highest rate of virus transmissions between Indonesia and the rest of the world appears to be through interactions with Singapore and Japan, two neighbouring countries with high degree of access and travels to and from Indonesia. Overall, we conclude that WGS of SARS-CoV-2 using Oxford Nanopore Technology(R) platforms fits well with the Indonesian context and can catalyse the increase of sequencing rates in the country.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Genome Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia, ASEAN and the Neighbouring East Asian Countries: Features, Challenges and Achievements
• Human airway lineages derived from pluripotent stem cells reveal the epithelial responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection -
  There is an urgent need to understand how SARS-CoV-2 infects the airway epithelium and in a subset of individuals leads to severe illness or death. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a near limitless supply of human cells that can be differentiated into cell types of interest, including airway epithelium, for disease modeling. We present a human iPSC-derived airway epithelial platform, composed of the major airway epithelial cell types, that is permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Subsets of iPSC-airway cells express the SARS-CoV-2 entry factors ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Multiciliated cells are the primary initial target of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Upon infection with SARS-CoV-2, iPSC-airway cells generate robust interferon and inflammatory responses and treatment with remdesivir or camostat methylate causes a decrease in viral propagation and entry, respectively. In conclusion, iPSC-derived airway cells provide a physiologically relevant in vitro model system to interrogate the pathogenesis of, and develop treatment strategies for, COVID-19 pneumonia.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Human airway lineages derived from pluripotent stem cells reveal the epithelial responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection
• Investigating the conformational dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 NSP6 protein with emphasis on non-transmembrane 91-112 & 231-290 regions -
  The NSP6 protein of SARS-CoV-2 is a transmembrane protein, with some regions lying outside the membrane. Besides, a brief role of NSP6 in autophagosome formation, this is not studied significantly. Also, there is no structural information available till date. Based on the prediction by TMHMM server for transmembrane prediction, it is found that the N-terminal residues (1-11), middle region residues (91-112) and C-terminal residues (231-290) lies outside the membrane. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations showed that NSP6 consisting of helical structures, whereas membrane outside lying region (91-112) showed partial helicity, which further used as model and obtain disordered type conformation after 1.5 microseconds. Whereas, the residues 231-290 has both helical and beta sheet conformations in its structure model. A 200ns simulations resulted in the loss of beta sheet structures, while helical regions remained intact. Further, we have characterized the residue 91-112 by using reductionist approaches. The NSP6 (91-112) was found disordered like in isolation, which gain helical conformation in different biological mimic environmental conditions. These studies can be helpful to study NSP6 (91-112) interactions with host proteins, where different protein conformation might play significant role. The present study adds up more information about NSP6 protein aspect, which could be exploited for its host protein interaction and pathogenesis.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Investigating the conformational dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 NSP6 protein with emphasis on non-transmembrane 91-112 & 231-290 regions
• A Newcastle disease virus-vector expressing a prefusion-stabilized spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 induces protective immune responses against prototype virus and variants of concern in mice and hamsters -
  Rapid development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and expedited authorization for use and approval has been proven beneficial to mitigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread and given hope in this desperate situation. It is believed that sufficient supplies and equitable allocations of vaccines are necessary to limit the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of additional variants of concern. We have developed a COVID-19 vaccine based on Newcastle disease virus (NDV) that can be manufactured at high yields in embryonated eggs. Here we provide evidence that the NDV vector expressing an optimized spike antigen (NDV-HXP-S), upgraded from our previous construct, is a versatile vaccine that can be used live or inactivated to induce strong antibody responses and to also cross-neutralize variants of concern. The immunity conferred by NDV-HXP-S effectively counteracts SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice and hamsters. It is noteworthy that vaccine lots produced by existing egg-based influenza virus vaccine manufacturers in Vietnam, Thailand and Brazil exhibited excellent immunogenicity and efficacy in hamsters, demonstrating that NDV-HXP-S vaccines can be quickly produced at large-scale to meet global demands.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A Newcastle disease virus-vector expressing a prefusion-stabilized spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 induces protective immune responses against prototype virus and variants of concern in mice and hamsters
• SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technology and Rapid PCR Barcoding in Bolivia -
  SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance has Illumina technology as the golden standard. However, Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) provides significant improvements in accessibility, turnaround time and portability. Characteristics that gives developing countries the opportunity to perform genome surveillance. The most used protocol to sequence SARS-CoV-2 with ONT is an amplicon-sequencing protocol provided by the ARTIC Network which requires DNA ligation. Ligation reagents can be difficult to obtain in countries like Bolivia. Thus, here we provide an alternative for library preparation using the rapid PCR barcoding kit (ONT). We mapped more than 3.9 million sequence reads that allowed us to sequence twelve SARS-CoV-2 genomes from three different Bolivian cities. The average sequencing depth was 324X and the average genome length was 29527 bp. Thus, we could cover in average a 98,7% of the reference genome. The twelve genomes were successfully assigned to four different nextstrain clades (20A, 20B, 20E and 20G) and we could observe two main lineages of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in Bolivia. Therefore, this alternative library preparation for SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing is effective to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants with high accuracy and without the need of DNA ligation. Hence, providing another tool to perform SARS-CoV-2 genome surveillance in developing countries.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technology and Rapid PCR Barcoding in Bolivia
• T-CoV: a comprehensive portal of HLA-peptide interactions affected by SARS-CoV-2 mutations -
  Rapidly appearing SARS-CoV-2 mutations can affect T cell epitopes, which can help the virus to evade either CD8 or CD4 T-cell responses. We developed T-cell COVID-19 Atlas (T-CoV, https://t-cov.hse.ru) - the comprehensive web portal, which allows one to analyze how SARS-CoV-2 mutations alter the presentation of viral peptides by HLA molecules. The data are presented for common virus variants and the most frequent HLA class I and class II alleles. Binding affinities of HLA molecules and viral peptides were assessed with accurate in silico methods. The obtained results highlight the importance of taking HLA alleles diversity into account: mutation-mediated alterations in HLA-peptide interactions were highly dependent on HLA alleles. For example, we found that the essential number of peptides tightly bound to HLA-B*07:02 in the reference Wuhan variant ceased to be tight binders for the Indian (Delta) and the UK (Alpha) variants. In summary, we believe that T-CoV will help researchers and clinicians to predict the susceptibility of individuals with different HLA genotypes to infection with variants of SARS-CoV-2 and/or forecast its severity.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: T-CoV: a comprehensive portal of HLA-peptide interactions affected by SARS-CoV-2 mutations
• Mouse Antibodies with Activity Against the SARS-CoV-2 D614G and B.1.351 Variants -
  With the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including those that are resistant to antibodies authorized for emergency use, it is apparent that new antibodies may be needed to effectively protect patients against more severe disease. Differences between the murine and human antibody repertoires may allow for the isolation of murine monoclonal antibodies that recognize a different or broader range of SARS-CoV-2 variants than the human antibodies that have been characterized so far. We describe mouse antibodies B13 and O24 that demonstrate neutralizing potency against SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan (D614G) and B.1.351 variants. Such murine antibodies may have advantages in protecting against severe symptoms when individuals are exposed to new SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Mouse Antibodies with Activity Against the SARS-CoV-2 D614G and B.1.351 Variants
• Vaccination willingness for COVID-19 among health care workers in Switzerland -

  Aims of the study: Vaccination is regarded as the most promising response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed opinions towards COVID-19 vaccination, willingness to be vaccinated, and reasons for vaccination hesitancy among health care workers (HCWs). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey among 3,793 HCWs in December 2020 in the Canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, before the start of the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Results: Median age was 43 years (interquartile range [IQR] 31-53), 2,841 were female (74.9%). 1,511 HCWs (39.8%) reported willingness to accept vaccination, while 1,114 (29.4%) were unsure, and 1,168 (30.8%) would decline vaccination. Among medical doctors, 76.1% were willing, while only 27.8% of nurses expressed willingness. Among 1,168 HCWs who would decline vaccination, 1,073 (91.9%) expressed concerns about vaccine safety and side effects. The willingness of HCWs to be vaccinated was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.97, 95%Cl 1.71-2.27) and having been vaccinated for influenza this year (aOR 2.70, 95%Cl 2.20-3.31). HCWs who reported a lack of confidence in government were less likely to be willing to be vaccinated (aOR 0.58, 95%Cl 0.40-0.84), and women were less willing to be vaccinated than men (OR 0.33 (0.28-0.38). Conclusion: Less than half of HCWs reported willingness to be vaccinated before the campaign start, but proportions varied greatly depending on the profession and workplace. Strategies with clear and objective messages that particularly address the concerns of HCWs are needed if their willingness to be vaccinated is to be increased.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Vaccination willingness for COVID-19 among health care workers in Switzerland
• Drug offence detection during the COVID-19 lockdown: a spatiotemporal study of change in a street-level drug market -
  The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent introduction of strict government orders to `stay-at-home’ has led to a significant decline in most crime types–except, notably, illicit drug detections. However, the impact of these restrictions on open-air, or street-level, drug markets has been neglected in the study of COVID-19. In this paper, we use data from the state of Queensland, Australia, to explore how COVID-19 restrictions may have impacted the open-air drug market of Fortitude Valley in Brisbane. Using a spatiotemporal generalised additive model (GAM), we find that drug detections did not change in the Fortitude Valley region (despite significant increases across the whole state) but that this finding masked considerable reductions in and around the Fortitude Valley train station as well as in the vicinity Brunswick Street mall. It seems that any COVID-19-related decrease appears to have been offset by increases elsewhere, particularly to the streets north and south west of the main street market. These results highlight the limitations of city-wide aggregate analyses of crime during the pandemic and highlights the need for future research, including with qualitative and ethnographic methods to better understand the lived experiences of drug sellers/users and the law enforcement officers who policed these areas.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Drug offence detection during the COVID-19 lockdown: a spatiotemporal study of change in a street-level drug market
• Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, clinical trial to study co-administration of Ashwagandha on safety, immunogenicity, and protection with COVID-19 vaccine: A Study Protocol -

  Introduction The government of India has rolled out COVID-19 vaccine program for individuals who are 18 years of age and above and priority is being given to the elderly, and individuals with morbidity. Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD) is most widely used in India. A large number of Indian people have been consuming various traditional medicines in the hope of better protection against COVID-19 infection. Several studies have reported immunological benefits of Ashwagandha and its potential as vaccine adjuvant. We plan to study co-administration of Ashwagandha with COVISHIELD vaccine on safety, immunogenicity and protection. Methods and analysis We designed a prospective, randomized, double blind, parallel group, placebo controlled, two arm, exploratory study on healthy volunteers receiving the COVISHIELDTM vaccine. In addition to the two dose schedule of COVISHIELD vaccine as per national guidelines, participants will be administered 8gm Ashwagandha or placebo tablets respectively per day. Primary outcome measure is immunogenicity as measured by SARS-CoV-2 spike (S1) and RBD-specific IgG antibody titres. Secondary outcome measures are safety, protective immune response and quality of life measures. Adverse event following immunization will be monitored at each time throughout the study. Participants will be tracked on a daily basis with a user friendly mobile phone application. Following power calculation 600 participants will be recruited per arm to demonstrate superiority by a margin of 7% with 80% power. Study duration is 28 weeks with interim analysis at the end of 12 weeks. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was obtained through the Central and institutional Ethics Committees. Participant recruitment is expected to commence by August 2021. Results will be presented in conferences and published in preprint followed by peer-reviewed medical journals. Registration details Clinical Trial Registry India (CTRI) Registration Number: CTRI/2021/06/034496. Date of Registration June 30, 2021.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, clinical trial to study co-administration of Ashwagandha on safety, immunogenicity, and protection with COVID-19 vaccine: A Study Protocol
• Application of nasal spray containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DSMO) and ethanol during the COVID-19 pandemic may protect healthcare workers: A randomized controlled trials -

  Background: Coronavirus pandemic has affected a large population worldwide. Currently, the standard care for individuals who are exposed is supportive care, symptomatic management, and isolation. The aim of our study was to evaluate effects of combined use of ethanol and DMSO as a nasal spray in preventing COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial on volunteer healthcare workers of medical centers that were at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 in Shahroud, Iran. Two hundred and thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups to receive DSMO/ethanol or routine care, respectively. The subjects were followed for 4 weeks to determine the incidence of COVID-19 infection in each group based on the RT-qPCR test. Finally, absolute risk difference and relative risk were calculated to evaluate the effect of DSMO in prevent COVID-19. Results: The results showed that the incidence of COVID-19 in the control group and intervention group were 0.07 and 0.008, respectively. The relative risk (RR) was 0.12 (0.9-0.02) according to the incidence rate in the two groups. Conclusion: combined application of DSMO and ethanol in healthcare providers can considerably prevent COVID-19.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Application of nasal spray containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DSMO) and ethanol during the COVID-19 pandemic may protect healthcare workers: A randomized controlled trials
• Comorbidity accounts for severe COVID-19 risk, but how do we measure it? Retrospective assessment of the performance of three measures of comorbidity using 4,607 hospitalizations -

  Background: Comorbidity burden has been identified as a relevant predictor of critical illness in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, comorbidity burden is often represented by a simple count of few conditions that may not fully capture patients9 complexity. Purpose: To evaluate the performance of a comprehensive index of the comorbidity burden (Queralt DxS), which includes all chronic conditions present on admission, as an adjustment variable in models for predicting critical illness in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and compare it with two broadly used measures of comorbidity. Patients and methods: We analyzed data from all COVID-19 hospitalizations reported in eight public hospitals of Catalonia (North-East Spain) between June 15 and December 8 2020. The primary outcome was a composite of critical illness that included the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, transfer to ICU, or in-hospital death. Predictors included age, sex, and comorbidities present on admission measured using three indices: the Charlson index, the Elixhauser index, and the Queralt DxS index for comorbidities on admission. The performance of different fitted models was compared using various indicators, including the area under the receiving operating characteristics curve (AUC). Results: Our analysis included 4,607 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Of them, 1,315 experienced critical illness. Comorbidities significantly contributed to predicting the outcome in all summary indices used. The AUC for prediction of critical illness was 0.641 (95% CI 0.624-0.660) for the Charlson index, 0.665 (0.645-0.681) for the Elixhauser index, and 0.787 (0.773-0.801) for Queralt DxS. Other metrics of model performance also showed Queralt DxS being consistently superior to the other indices. Conclusion: In our analysis, the ability of comorbidity indices to predict hospital outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients increased with their exhaustivity. The comprehensive Queralt DxS index may improve the accuracy of predictive models for resource allocation and clinical decision-making in the hospital setting.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Comorbidity accounts for severe COVID-19 risk, but how do we measure it? Retrospective assessment of the performance of three measures of comorbidity using 4,607 hospitalizations
• Lockdowns exert selection pressure on overdispersion of SARS-CoV-2 variants -

  The SARS-CoV-2 ancestral strain has caused pronounced superspreading events, reflecting a disease characterized by overdispersion, where about 10% of infected people causes 80% of infections. New variants of the disease have different person-to-person variations in viral load, suggesting for example that the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant is more infectious but relatively less prone to superspreading. Meanwhile, mitigation of the pandemic has focused on limiting social contacts (lockdowns, regulations on gatherings) and decreasing transmission risk through mask wearing and social distancing. Using a mathematical model, we show that the competitive advantage of disease variants may heavily depend on the restrictions imposed. In particular, we find that lockdowns exert an evolutionary pressure which favours variants with lower levels of overdispersion. We find that overdispersion is an evolutionarily unstable trait, with a tendency for more homogeneously spreading variants to eventually dominate.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Lockdowns exert selection pressure on overdispersion of SARS-CoV-2 variants
• Social inequalities in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake for children and adolescents in Montreal, Canada: a cross-sectional study -

  Background. The success of current and prospective COVID-19 vaccine campaigns for children and adolescents will in part depend on the willingness of parents to accept vaccination. This study examined social determinants of parental COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake for children and adolescents. Methods. We used cross-sectional data from an ongoing COVID-19 cohort study in Montreal, Canada and included all parents of 2 to 18-year-olds who completed an online questionnaire between May 18 and June 26, 2021 (n=809). We calculated child age-adjusted prevalence estimates of vaccine acceptance by parental education, race/ethnicity, birthplace, household income, and neighbourhood, and used multinomial logistic regression to estimate adjusted prevalence differences (aPD) and ratios (aPR). Social determinants of vaccine uptake were estimated for the vaccine-eligible sample of 12 to 18 year-olds (n=306). Results. Intention to vaccinate children against COVID-19 was high, with only 12.4% of parents unlikely to have their child vaccinated. Parents with younger children were less likely to accept vaccination, as were those from lower-income households, racialized groups, and those born outside Canada. The percent of parents whose child was vaccinated or very likely to be vaccinated was 18.4 percentage points lower among those with annual household incomes <$100,000 vs. >=$150,000 (95% CI: 10.1 to 26.7). Racialized parents reported greater unwillingness to vaccinate compared to White parents (aPD=10.3; 95% CI: 1.5, 19.1). Vaccine-eligible adolescents from the most deprived neighbourhood were half as likely to be vaccinated compared to those from the least deprived neighbourhood (aPR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.77). Interpretation. This study identified marked social inequalities in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake for children and adolescents. Efforts are needed to reach disadvantaged and marginalized populations with tailored strategies that promote informed decision making and facilitate access to vaccination.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Social inequalities in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake for children and adolescents in Montreal, Canada: a cross-sectional study

From Clinical Trials

• Cognitive and Psychological Disorders After Severe COVID-19 Infection - Condition:   COVID 19
  Interventions:   Diagnostic Test: Cognitive assessment;   Diagnostic Test: Imaging;   Diagnostic Test: Routine care;   Other: Psychiatric evaluation
  Sponsors:   Central Hospital, Nancy, France;   Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besancon;   University Hospital, Strasbourg, France;   Centre Hospitalier Régional Metz-Thionville;   Centre hospitalier Epinal;   Hopitaux Civils de Colmar
  Not yet recruiting

• Phase 1 Study to Assess Safety, Tolerability, PD, PK, Immunogenicity of IV NTR-441 Solution in Healthy Volunteers and COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: NTR-441;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Neutrolis
  Recruiting

• COVID-19 Vaccinations With a Sweepstakes - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Philly Vax Sweepstakes
  Sponsors:   University of Pennsylvania;   Philadelphia Department of Public Health
  Active, not recruiting

• Covid-19 Virtual Recovery Study - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Behavioral: Strength RMT;   Behavioral: Strength RMT and nasal breathing;   Behavioral: Endurance RMT;   Behavioral: Endurance RMT and nasal breathing;   Behavioral: Low dose RMT
  Sponsor:   Mayo Clinic
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study to Evaluate MVC-COV1901 Vaccine Against COVID-19 in Adolescents - Condition:   Covid19 Vaccine
  Interventions:   Biological: MVC-COV1901(S protein with adjuvant);   Biological: MVC-COV1901(Saline)
  Sponsor:   Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp.
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy of Inhaled Therapies in the Treatment of Acute Symptoms Associated With COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: inhaled beclametasone;   Drug: Inahaled beclomethasone / formoterol / glycopyrronium
  Sponsors:   UPECLIN HC FM Botucatu Unesp;   Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.
  Not yet recruiting

• Study on Sequential Immunization of Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine and Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (Ad5 Vector) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Ad5 vectored vaccine;   Biological: Inactive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Vero cell)
  Sponsors:   Jiangsu Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;   CanSino Biologics Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy of Amantadine Treatment in COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   Patients With Moderate or Severe COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: Amantadine
  Sponsors:   Noblewell;   Medical Research Agency (ABM);   Leszek Giec Upper-Silesian Medical Centre of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice
  Recruiting

• Dapsone Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Trial (DAP-CORONA) COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Dapsone 85 mg PO BID;   Drug: Placebo 85 mg PO BID
  Sponsors:   McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre;   Pulmonem Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Covid-19 Patients Management During Home Isolation - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Procedure: Oxygen therapy and physical therapy;   Device: Oxygen therapy
  Sponsor:   Cairo University
  Not yet recruiting

• Ivermectin Versus Standard Treatment in Mild COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: Ivermectin Tablets
  Sponsor:   Assiut University
  Not yet recruiting

• SCALE-UP Utah: Community-Academic Partnership to Address COVID-19 Testing Among Utah Community Health Centers - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Behavioral: Text-Messaging (TM);   Behavioral: Patient Navigation (PN)
  Sponsors:   University of Utah;   Association for Utah Community Health;   Utah Department of Health;   National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  Recruiting

• SCALE-UP Utah: Community-Academic Partnership to Address COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Among Utah Community Health Centers - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Behavioral: Text-Messaging (TM);   Behavioral: Patient Navigation (PN)
  Sponsors:   University of Utah;   Association for Utah Community Health;   Utah Department of Health;   National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  Recruiting

• Chinese Herbal Formula for COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: mQFPD;   Drug: organic brown rice
  Sponsor:   University of California, San Diego
  Not yet recruiting

• Remdesivir- Ivermectin Combination Therapy in Severe Covid-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: Ivermectin
  Sponsor:   Assiut University
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• Kynurenic acid may underlie sex-specific immune responses to COVID-19 - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has poorer clinical outcomes in males than in females, and immune responses underlie these sex-related differences. Because immune responses are, in part, regulated by metabolites, we examined the serum metabolomes of COVID-19 patients. In male patients, kynurenic acid (KA) and a high KA-to-kynurenine (K) ratio (KA:K) positively correlated with age and with inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and negatively correlated with T cell responses. Males that…

• Pacemaker-related Candida parapsilosis fungaemia in an immunosuppressed renal transplant recipient - Renal transplant recipients are at risk for opportunistic infections due to their immunosuppressed state. We describe the case of a 59-year-old renal transplant recipient who presented with sepsis and bilateral pulmonary emboli due to Candida parapsilosis She was treated with intravenous caspofungin and had a transoesophageal echocardiogram, which revealed vegetations on her pacemaker leads. She then underwent surgery to replace her pacemaker; however, her blood cultures remained positive for C….

• Re-Du-Ning injection ameliorates LPS-induced lung injury through inhibiting neutrophil extracellular traps formation - CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that RDN ameliorates LPS-induced ALI through suppressing MAPK pathway to inhibit the formation of NETs.

• SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies: Longevity, breadth, and evasion by emerging viral variants - The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody neutralization response and its evasion by emerging viral variants and variant of concern (VOC) are unknown, but critical to understand reinfection risk and breakthrough infection following vaccination. Antibody immunoreactivity against SARS-CoV-2 antigens and Spike variants, inhibition of Spike-driven virus-cell fusion, and infectious SARS-CoV-2 neutralization were characterized in 807 serial samples from 233 reverse…

• Human immunoglobulin from transchromosomic bovines hyperimmunized with SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen efficiently neutralizes viral variants - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with amino-acid substitutions and deletions in spike protein (S) can reduce the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and may compromise immunity induced by vaccines. We report a polyclonal, fully human, anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin produced in transchromosomic bovines (Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2) hyperimmunized with two doses of plasmid DNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain S gene, followed by repeated immunization with…

• Two Inhibitors Against the 3C-Like Proteases of Swine Coronavirus and Feline Coronavirus - Coronaviruses (CoVs) are important human and animal pathogens that cause respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. Porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED), characterized by severe diarrhoea and vomiting in pigs, is a highly lethal disease caused by porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) and causes substantial losses in the swine industry worldwide. However, currently available commercial drugs have not shown great therapeutic effects. In this study, a fluorescence resonance energy transfer…

• Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells modulate TNF and soluble TNF Receptor 2 (sTNFR2) in COVID-19 ARDS patients - CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that sTNFR2 plays a mechanistic role in mediating UC-MSC effect on TNFα and TNFβ plasma levels, determining a decrease in inflammation in COVID-19 ARDS.

• A bivalent recombinant vaccine targeting the S1 protein induces neutralizing antibodies against both SARS-CoV-2 variants and wild-type of the virus - The emerging variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in pandemic call for the urgent development of universal corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines which could be effective for both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and mutant strains. In the current study, we formulated protein subunit vaccines with AS03 adjuvant and recombinant proteins of S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 (S1-WT) and S1 variant (K417N, E484K, N501Y, and D614G) subunit (S1-Mut), and immunized transgenic mice…

• Target-based drug discovery, ADMET profiling and bioactivity studies of antibiotics as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M(pro)) - A recent outbreak of a new strain of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health burden, which has resulted in deaths. No proven drug has been found to effectively cure this fast-spreading infection, hence the need to explore old drugs with the known profile in tackling this pandemic. A computer-aided drug design approach involving virtual screening was used to obtain the binding scores and inhibiting efficiencies of previously known antibiotics against SARS-CoV-2 main protease…

• Laser-facilitated epicutaneous immunization of mice with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces antibodies inhibiting spike/ACE2 binding - The skin represents an attractive target tissue for vaccination against respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Laser-facilitated epicutaneous immunization (EPI) has been established as a novel technology to overcome the skin barrier, which combines efficient delivery via micropores with an inherent adjuvant effect due to the release of danger-associated molecular patterns. Here we delivered the S1 subunit of the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to the skin of BALB/c mice via laser-generated…

• Phytotherapic Drugs For Covid19 Treatment: A Scoping Review - CONCLUSION: Altogether, the review presents the action mechanism of plant extracts rich in bioactive compounds and depicted potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. These plant bioactive compounds can serve as lead molecules to develop phytomedicine, ensuring all safety regulations in the clinical trials to treat or prevent COVID19 viral infections.

• Mechanistic Aspects of Medicinal Plants and Secondary Metabolites against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - CONCLUSION: Medicinal plants and/or their bioactive compounds with inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2 support the human immune system and help in fighting against COVID-19 and rejuvenating the immune system.

• Triangle of cytokine storm, central nervous system involvement, and viral infection in COVID-19: the role of sFasL and neuropilin-1 - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is identified as the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is often linked to extreme inflammatory responses by over activation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), cytokine storm, and sepsis. These are robust causes for multi-organ damage. In particular, potential routes of SARS-CoV2 entry, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), have been linked to central nervous system (CNS) involvement. CNS has been…

• Protein S: function, regulation, and clinical perspectives - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Protein S (PS) is an essential natural anticoagulant. PS deficiency is a major contributor to acquired hypercoagulability. Acquired hypercoagulability causes myocardial infarction, stroke, and deep vein thrombosis in millions of individuals. Yet, despite its importance in hemostasis, PS is the least understood anticoagulant. Even after 40 years since PS was first described, we are still uncovering information about how PS functions. The purpose of this review is to highlight…

• Boswellic acids/Boswellia serrata extract as a potential COVID-19 therapeutic agent in the elderly - The most severe cases of COVID-19, and the highest rates of death, are among the elderly. There is an urgent need to search for an agent to treat the disease and control its progression. Boswellia serrata is traditionally used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung. This review aims to highlight currently published research that has shown evidence of potential therapeutic effects of boswellic acids (BA) and B. serrata extract against COVID-19 and associated conditions. We reviewed…

From Patent Search

• Differential detection kit for common SARS-CoV-2 variants in COVID-19 patients - - link

• SARS-CoV-2 anti-viral therapeutic - - link

• A POLYHERBAL ALCOHOL FREE FORMULATION FOR ORAL CAVITY - The present invention generally relates to a herbal composition. Specifically, the present invention relates to a polyherbal alcohol free composition comprising of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Elettaria cardamomum fruit extract, Mentha spicata (Spearmint) oil and Tween 80 and method of preparation thereof. The polyherbal alcohol free composition of the present invention possesses excellent antimicrobial properties and useful for oral cavity. - link

• 新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因及其应用 - 本发明属于生物技术领域，具体涉及新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因及其应用。本发明的新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因，其核苷酸序列如SEQIDNO.1或SEQIDNO.6所示。本发明通过优化野生型新型冠状病毒南非B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因序列，并结合筛选确定了相对最佳序列，优化后序列产生的克隆表达效率比野生型新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD序列表达效率大幅提高，从而，本发明的新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因可以用于制备新型冠状病毒疫苗。 - link

• 检测新型冠状病毒中和抗体的试剂盒及其应用 - 本发明涉及生物技术领域，具体而言，提供了一种检测新型冠状病毒中和抗体的试剂盒及其应用。本发明提供的检测新型冠状病毒中和抗体试剂盒，具体包括（a）或（b）两种方案：（a）示踪物标记的RBD三聚体抗原，包被在固体支持物上的ACE2，以及，含有0.2‑10mg/mL十二烷基二甲基甜菜碱的工作液；（b）示踪物标记的ACE2，包被在固体支持物上的RBD三聚体抗原，以及，含有0.2‑10mg/mL十二烷基二甲基甜菜碱的工作液；其中，RBD三聚体抗原利用二硫键将刺突蛋白的RBD与S2亚基完全交联得到。十二烷基二甲基甜菜碱会显著提高RBD三聚体抗原与新冠中和性抗体结合速度，提升阳性样本平均发光强度，缩短检测时间。 - link

• 一种检测SARS-CoV-2的引物组合物及其应用 - 本发明涉及一种检测SARS‑CoV‑2的引物组合物及其应用。所述引物组合物包括SEQ ID NO:1~SEQ ID NO:12所示的核酸序列。本发明利用所述引物组合物进行逆转录巢式PCR，并结合Sanger测序，能够快速、准确地获取SARS‑CoV‑2基因信息，从而能够实现快速检测SARS‑CoV‑2以及判断SARS‑CoV‑2突变株，且具备良好的准确性、灵敏度、特异性以及重复性。 - link

• 一种新冠病毒肺炎重症化预测系统及方法 - 本发明涉及疾病预测技术领域，公开了一种新冠病毒肺炎重症化预测系统及方法，包括以下步骤：步骤一，采集患者血常规信息和用户信息；步骤二，将患者血常规信息按照用户信息进行等级分类；步骤三，将已经等级分类的患者血常规信息与对应等级的标准信息进行比较；步骤四，当患者血常规信息在标准信息范围内则判定患者为轻症患者，当患者血常规信息在标准信息范围外则判定患者为重症患者。本发明能够准确快速地区分轻症和重症。 - link

• MEDIDOR DE SATURACION - - link

• 폐마스크 밀봉 회수기 - 본 발명은 마스크 착용 후 버려지는 일회용 폐마스크를 비닐봉지에 넣은 후 밀봉하여 배출함으로써, 2차 감염을 예방하고 일반 생활폐기물과 선별 분리 배출하여 환경오염을 방지하는 데 그 목적이 있다. - link

• 백신 냉각 및 해동 기능을 갖는 백신 보관장치 - 본 발명은 백신 냉각 및 해동 기능을 갖는 백신 보관장치에 관한 것으로, 상, 하부하우징의 제1상, 하부누출방지공간에 냉각물질이 충입된 냉각파이프를 설치하되, 제2상, 하부누출방지공간에 가열물질이 충입된 가열파이프를 설치하여, 구획판부에 의해 구획된 백신냉각공간 및 백신해동공간 각각을 냉각 및 가열하고, 보조도어를 통해 백신냉각공간 내에 수용된 백신을 구획판부의 백신출구도어를 통해 백신해동공간으로 이동시켜, 백신해동공간 내에서 백신을 해동함으로써, 즉시 사용이 가능한 백신을 인출도어를 통해 인출할 수 있다. 본 발명에 따르면, 냉각파이프에 저장된 냉매에 의해 백신냉각공간 내의 온도가 극저온 상태로 변화되고, 극저온 상태를 유지하는 백신냉각공간 내에 백신을 저장하여, 안전하게 보관 할 수 있으며, 백신냉각공간 내의 백신을 백신해동공간 내로 이동시켜, 백신해동공간 내에서 백신을 해동할 수 있고, 이 해동된 백신을 인출도어를 통해 인출한 후 즉시 사용할 수 있어 백신을 해동하는 시간이 단축되며, 보조도어를 통해 백신냉각공간 내의 백신을 백신해동공간으로 이동시켜, 백신이 외기에 노출될 우려가 없으며, 백신냉각공간 내의 백신을 백신해동공간으로 이동시키거나 또는 인출도어를 통해 백신 인출시 정렬장치가 백신을 보조도어 및 인출도어 직하방에 자동 위치시킨다. - link