Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Absence of evidence or methodological issues? Commentary on “Stay-at-home policy is a case of exception fallacy: an internet-based ecological study” -
  We read with interest the paper written by Savaris et al. entitled “Stay-at-home policy is a case of exceptional fallacy: an internet-based ecological study”[1]. We believe that the topic of whether non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have an impact on COVID-19 mortality is a key metric that is important to measure, and applaud the authors for attempting to do so. However, we believe that several key deficiencies within the methodology make the conclusions – that the authors found no evidence that COVID-19 deaths were reduced by staying at home – largely meaningless. In this letter we explain the deficiencies in the analysis, and why the methodology may be inadequate to detect an effect even if it were to exist.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Absence of evidence or methodological issues? Commentary on “Stay-at-home policy is a case of exception fallacy: an internet-based ecological study”
• Social isolation during COVID-19 lockdown impairs cognitive function -
  Studies examining the effect of social isolation on cognitive function typically involve older adults and/or specialist groups (e.g., expeditions). We considered the effects of COVID-19-induced social isolation on cognitive function within a representative sample of the general population. We additionally considered how participants ‘shielding’ due to underlying health complications, or living alone, performed. We predicted that performance would be poorest under strictest, most-isolating conditions. At five timepoints over 13 weeks, participants (N=342; aged 18-72 years) completed online tasks measuring attention, memory, decision-making, time-estimation, and learning. Participants indicated their mood as ‘lockdown’ was eased. Performance typically improved as opportunities for social contact increased. Interactions between participant sub-groups and timepoint demonstrated that performance was shaped by individuals’ social isolation levels. Social isolation is linked to cognitive decline in the absence of ageing covariates. The impact of social isolation on cognitive function should be considered when implementing prolonged pandemic-related restrictive conditions.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Social isolation during COVID-19 lockdown impairs cognitive function
• Effects of COVID-19 Public Health Safety Measures on Births in Scotland between March and May 2020 -
  Objective: To combat the wide-spread transmission of COVID-19, many countries, including the United Kingdom, have imposed nationwide lockdowns. Little is known about how these public health safety measures affect pregnant mothers and their offspring. This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 public health safety measures on births in Scotland. Study Design: Cohort Study Methods: Using routinely collected health data on pregnancy and birth in Scotland, this study compares all births (N = 11220) between March and May 2020 to births in the same period in 2018 (N = 12428) to investigate the potential negative effects of public health safety measures introduced in Scotland in spring 2020. Birth outcomes were compared using Mann-Whitney-U tests and chi-square tests. Results: Mothers giving birth during the pandemic tended to combine breastfeeding and formula-feeding rather than exclusively breastfeed or exclusively formula-feed, stayed in hospital for fewer days and more often had an epidural or a spinal anaesthetic compared to women giving birth in 2018. Conclusion: Overall, results suggest little impact of public health safety measures on birth outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the longer-term impacts of being born in the pandemic on both maternal mental health and child development.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Effects of COVID-19 Public Health Safety Measures on Births in Scotland between March and May 2020
• Pituitary insufficiency as a complication of COVID-19 -
  We here report a case of multiple endocrine disorders—hypopituitarism with multiple hormone insufficiency and primary hypogonadism—that developed after recovery from respiratory failure in an individual with COVID-19.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Pituitary insufficiency as a complication of COVID-19
• A map of direct SARS-CoV-2 protein interactions implicates specific human host processes -
  Key steps in viral propagation, immune suppression and pathology are mediated by direct, binary physical interactions between viral and host proteins. To understand the biology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, we generated an unbiased systematic map of binary physical interactions between viral and host interactions, complementing previous co-complex association maps by conveying more direct mechanistic understanding and enabling targeted disruption of direct interactions. To this end, we deployed two parallel strategies, identifying 205 virus-host and 27 intraviral binary interactions amongst 171 host and 19 viral proteins, with orthogonal validation by an internally benchmarked NanoLuc two-hybrid system to ensure high data quality. Host proteins interacting with SARS-CoV-2 proteins were enriched in various cellular processes, including immune signaling and inflammation, protein ubiquitination, and membrane trafficking. Specific subnetworks provide new hypotheses related to viral modulation of host protein homeostasis and T-cell regulation. The direct virus-host protein interactions we identified can now be prioritized as targets for therapeutic intervention. More generally, we provide a resource of systematic maps describing which SARS-CoV-2 and human proteins interact directly.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A map of direct SARS-CoV-2 protein interactions implicates specific human host processes
• Structure, Mechanism and Crystallographic fragment screening of the SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 helicase -
  The global COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has infected over 100 million and caused over 2 million fatalities worldwide at the point of writing. There is currently a lack of effective drugs to treat people infected with SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 Non-structural protein 13 (NSP13) is a superfamily1B helicase that has been identified as a possible target for anti-viral drugs due to its high sequence conservation and essential role in viral replication. In this study we present crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 solved in the APO form and in the presence of both phosphate and the non-hydrolysable ATP analogue (AMP-PNP). Comparisons of these structures reveal details of global and local conformational changes that are induced by nucleotide binding and hydrolysis and provide insights into the helicase mechanism and possible modes of inhibition. Structural analysis reveals two pockets on NSP13 that are classified as “druggable” and include one of the most conserved sites in the entire SARS-CoV-2 proteome. To identify possible starting points for anti-viral drug development we have performed a crystallographic fragment screen against SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 helicase. The fragment screen reveals 65 fragment hits across 52 datasets, with hot spots in pockets predicted to be of functional importance, including the druggable nucleotide and nucleic acid binding sites, opening the way to structure guided development of novel antiviral agents.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Structure, Mechanism and Crystallographic fragment screening of the SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 helicase
• Sleeping for Two Structured Study Protocol -
  Insomnia and sleep disturbances are common in pregnancy and have potentially significant consequences for both maternal and infant health. There is limited research examining the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) during pregnancy. With increased distress and limited access to services during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is also an unprecedented need for telehealth delivery of treatment programs for pregnant women. The primary aim of the trial is to evaluate the impact of in-person or telehealth cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) versus a treatment as usual (TAU) control group in reducing symptoms of insomnia experienced in pregnancy. We hypothesize that participants who receive CBT-I delivered in person or via telehealth will report fewer insomnia symptoms. The secondary aims are to investigate if CBT-I versus TAU increases gestational length and reduces symptoms of depression. We hypothesize that receiving CBT-I will be associated with longer gestational length (as confirmed by public health records) and lower depressive symptoms.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Sleeping for Two Structured Study Protocol
• Developing an accuracy-prompt toolkit to reduce COVID-19 misinformation online -
  Recent research suggests that shifting users’ attention to accuracy increases the quality of news they subsequently share online. Here we help develop this initial observation into a suite of deployable interventions for practitioners. We ask (i) how prior results generalize to other approaches for prompting users to consider accuracy, and (ii) for whom these prompts are more versus less effective. In a large survey experiment examining participants’ intentions to share true and false headlines about COVID-19, we identify a variety of different accuracy prompts that successfully increase sharing discernment across a wide range of demographic subgroups while maintaining user autonomy. Research questions: * There is mounting evidence that inattention to accuracy plays an important role in the spread of misinformation online. Here we examine the utility of a suite of different accuracy prompts aimed at increasing the quality of news shared by social media users. * Which approaches to shifting attention towards accuracy are most effective? * Does the effectiveness of the accuracy prompts vary based on social media user characteristics? Summary: Using survey experiments with N=9,070 American social media users (quota-matched to the national distribution on age, gender, ethnicity, and geographic region), we compared the effect of different treatments designed to induce people to think about accuracy when deciding what news to share. Participants received one of the treatments (or were assigned to a control condition), and then indicated how likely they would be to share a series of true and false news posts about COVID-19. We identified three lightweight, easily-implementable approaches that each increased sharing discernment (the quality of news shared, measured as the difference in sharing probability of true versus false headlines) by roughly 50%, and a slightly more lengthy approach that increased sharing discernment by close to 100%. We also found that another approach that seemed promising ex ante (descriptive norms) was ineffective. Furthermore, gender, race, partisanship, and concern about COVID-19 did not moderate the effectiveness of the accuracy prompts, while the prompts were more effective for participants who were more attentive, reflective, engaged with COVID-related news, concerned about accuracy, college-educated, and middle-aged. From a practical perspective, our results suggest a menu of accuracy prompts that are effective in our experimental setting and that technology companies could consider testing on their own services.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Developing an accuracy-prompt toolkit to reduce COVID-19 misinformation online
• Enhancing qualities of consciousness during online learning via multisensory interactions -
  Online-learning is a feasible alternative to the physical classroom during this current global COVID-19 pandemic. In this time, Information Technologies have allowed sharing experiences but has also highlighted some limitations compared to the traditional way of learning. Learning is strongly sustained by some qualities of consciousness such as flow (intended as the optimal state of absorption and engagement in activity) and sense of presence (feeling of exerting control, interacting with and getting immersed into real/virtual environments), together with the need for social interaction. During online learning, feelings of disconnection, social isolation, distractions, lack of control exert a detrimental effect on the ability to reach the state of flow, the feeling of presence, the feeling of social involvement. Since online environments could prevent the rising of these learning-supporting variables, this article aims at describing the role of flow, presence and social interactions during online sessions and characterizing multi sensory stimulations as a driver to cope with these issues. We argue that the use of augmented, mixed or virtual reality can support abovementioned domains of consciousness and thus counteract the detrimental effects of physical distance. Such support could be further increased by enhancing multisensory stimulation modalities within augmented and virtual environments.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Enhancing qualities of consciousness during online learning via multisensory interactions
• Culture, COVID-19, and Collectivism: A Paradox of American Exceptionalism? -
  Do geographic differences in collectivism relate to COVID-19 case and death rates? And if so, would they also replicate across states within arguably the most individualistic country in the world—the United States? Further still, what role might the U.S.’s history of ethnic strife and race-based health disparities play in either reinforcing or undermining state-level relations between collectivism and COVID-19 rates? To answer these questions, we examined archival data from 98 countries (Study 1) and the 48 contiguous United States (Study 2) on country/state-level collectivism, COVID-19 case/death rates, relevant covariates (per-capita GDP, population density, spatial dependence), and in the U.S., percent of non-Whites. In Study 1, country-level collectivism negatively related to both cases (r = -.28) and deaths (r = -.40) in simple regressions; however, after controlling for covariates, the former became non-significant (rp = -.07), but the latter remained significant (rp = -.20). In Study 2, state-level collectivism positively related to both cases (r = .56) and deaths (r = .41) in simple regressions, and these relationships persisted after controlling for all covariates except race, where a state’s non-White population dominated all other predictors of COVID-19 cases (rp = .35) and deaths (rp = .31). We discuss the strong link between race and collectivism in U.S. culture, and its implications for understanding COVID-19 responses.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Culture, COVID-19, and Collectivism: A Paradox of American Exceptionalism?
• Modelling the complexity of pandemic-related lifestyle quality change and mental health: An analysis of a nationally representative UK general population sample -
  Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way many individuals go about their daily lives. This study attempted to model the complexity of change in lifestyle quality as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its context within the UK adult population. Methods: Data from the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium Study (Wave 3, July 2020; N=1166) were utilised. A measure of COVID-19-related lifestyle change captured how individuals’ lifestyle quality had been altered as a consequence of the pandemic. Exploratory factor analysis and latent profile analysis were used to identify distinct lifestyle quality change subgroups, while multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to describe class membership. Results: Five lifestyle dimensions, reflecting partner relationships, health, family and friend relations, personal and social activities, and work life were identified by the EFA, while seven classes characterised by distinct patterns of change across these dimensions emerged from the LPA: (1) Better overall (3.3%), (2) Worse except partner relations (6.0%), (3) Worse overall (2.5%), (4) Better relationships (9.5%), (5) Better except partner relations (4.3%), (6) No different (67.9%), and (7) Worse partner relations only (6.5%). Predictor variables differentiated membership of classes. Notably, classes 3 and 7 were associated with poorer mental health (COVID-19 related PTSD and suicidal ideation). Conclusions: Four months into the pandemic, most individuals’ lifestyle quality remained largely unaffected by the crisis. Concerningly however, a substantial minority (15%) experienced worsened lifestyles compared to before the pandemic. In particular, a pronounced deterioration in partner relations seemed to constitute the more severe pandemic-related lifestyle change.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Modelling the complexity of pandemic-related lifestyle quality change and mental health: An analysis of a nationally representative UK general population sample
• Non-uniform UV-C dose across N95 facepieces can cause 2.9-log variation in SARS-CoV-2 inactivation -

  During public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, ultraviolet-C (UV-C) decontamination of N95 respirators for emergency reuse has been implemented to mitigate shortages. However, decontamination efficacy across N95s is poorly understood, due to the dependence on received UV-C dose, which varies across the complex three-dimensional N95 shape. Robust quantification of UV-C dose across N95 facepieces presents challenges, as few UV-C measurement tools have sufficient 1) small, flexible form factor, and 2) angular response. To address this gap, we combine optical modeling and quantitative photochromic indicator (PCI) dosimetry with viral inactivation assays to generate high-resolution maps of “on-N95” UV-C dose and concomitant SARS-CoV-2 viral inactivation across N95 facepieces within a commercial decontamination chamber. Using modeling to rapidly identify on-N95 locations of interest, in-situ measurements report a 17.4 ± 5.0-fold dose difference across N95 facepieces, yielding 2.9 ± 0.2-log variation in SARS-CoV-2 inactivation. UV-C dose at several on-N95 locations was lower than the lowest-dose locations on the chamber floor, highlighting the importance of on-N95 dose validation. Overall, we couple optical simulation with in-situ PCI dosimetry to relate UV-C dose and viral inactivation at specific on-N95 locations to inform the design of safe and effective decontamination protocols.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Non-uniform UV-C dose across N95 facepieces can cause 2.9-log variation in SARS-CoV-2 inactivation
• Paired SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Mutations Observed During Ongoing SARS-CoV-2 Viral Transfer from Humans to Minks and Back to Humans -
  A mutation analysis of a collection of SARS-CoV-2 genomes around the world via sequence, date, geographic location, and species has revealed a large number of variants from the initial reference sequence in Wuhan. It also reveals that humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 have infected mink populations in the Netherlands, Denmark, United States, and Canada. In these animals, a small set of mutations often in combination, in the spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) has apparently transferred back into humans. The viral genomic mutations in minks observed in the Netherlands and Denmark show the potential for new mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD to be introduced into humans by zoonotic transfer. Our data suggests that close attention to viral transfer from humans to farm animals and pets will be required to prevent build-up of a viral reservoir for future zoonotic transfer.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Paired SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Mutations Observed During Ongoing SARS-CoV-2 Viral Transfer from Humans to Minks and Back to Humans
• Cetylpyridinium chloride-containing mouthwashes reduce the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro -
  Oral mouthwashes decrease the infectivity of several respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2. However, the precise agents with antiviral activity present in these oral rinses and their exact mechanism of action remain unknown. Here we show that Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), a quaternary ammonium compound present in many oral mouthwashes, reduces SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by inhibiting the viral fusion step with target cells after disrupting the integrity of the viral envelope. We also found that CPC-containing mouth rinses decreased more than a thousand times the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, while the corresponding vehicles had no effect. This activity was effective for different SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the B.1.1.7 variant, predominant in UK, also in the presence of sterilized saliva. CPC-containing mouth rinses could therefore represent a cost-effective measure to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in saliva, aiding to reduce viral transmission from infected individuals regardless of the variants they are infected with.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Cetylpyridinium chloride-containing mouthwashes reduce the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro
• Multilevel proteomics reveals host perturbations by SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV -
  The global emergence of SARS-CoV-2 urgently requires an in-depth understanding of molecular functions of viral proteins and their interactions with the host proteome. Several individual omics studies have extended our knowledge of COVID-19 pathophysiology. Integration of such datasets to obtain a holistic view of virus-host interactions and to define the pathogenic properties of SARS-CoV-2 is limited by the heterogeneity of the experimental systems. We therefore conducted a concurrent multi-omics study of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. Using state-of-the-art proteomics, we profiled the interactome of both viruses, as well as their influence on transcriptome, proteome, ubiquitinome and phosphoproteome in a lung-derived human cell line. Projecting these data onto the global network of cellular interactions revealed crosstalk between the perturbations taking place upon SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV infections at different layers and identified unique and common molecular mechanisms of these closely related coronaviruses. The TGF-{beta} pathway, known for its involvement in tissue fibrosis, was specifically dysregulated by SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 and autophagy by SARS-CoV-2 ORF3. The extensive dataset (available at https://covinet.innatelab.org) highlights many hotspots that can be targeted by existing drugs and it can guide rational design of virus- and host-directed therapies, which we exemplify by identifying kinase and MMPs inhibitors with potent antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Multilevel proteomics reveals host perturbations by SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV

From Clinical Trials

• Clinical Study in the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Molixan;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Pharma VAM
  Recruiting

• Diagnostic Performance of the ID Now™ COVID-19 Screening Test Versus Simplexa™ COVID-19 Direct Assay - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: ID Now™ COVID-19 Screening Test
  Sponsor:   Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint Joseph
  Active, not recruiting

• Dose-Ranging Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Melatonin in Outpatients Infected With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Melatonin;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:   State University of New York at Buffalo;   National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS)
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Brilacidin in Hospitalized Participants With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Brilacidin;   Drug: Placebo;   Drug: Standard of Care (SoC)
  Sponsor:   Innovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  Recruiting

• Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Second Generation VIR-7831 Material in Non-hospitalized Participants With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: VIR-7831 (Gen1);   Biological: VIR-7831 (Gen2)
  Sponsors:   Vir Biotechnology, Inc.;   GlaxoSmithKline
  Recruiting

• DCI COVID-19 Surveillance Project - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay for Detection of COVID-19 Infection
  Sponsors:   Temple University;   Dialysis Clinic, Inc.
  Recruiting

• Off-the-shelf NK Cells (KDS-1000) as Immunotherapy for COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: KDS-1000;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Kiadis Pharma
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study to Assess if a Medicine Called Bamlanivimab is Safe and Effective in Reducing Hospitalization Due to COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: Bamlanivimab;   Other: Standard of Care
  Sponsors:   Fraser Health;   Fraser Health Authrority Department of Evaluation and Research Services;   Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation;   University of British Columbia;   Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences;   BC Support Unit;   Abcellera;   Surrey Memorial Hospital Clinical Research Unit
  Not yet recruiting

• Effects of Telerehabilitation After Discharge in COVID-19 Survivors - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Other: Telerehabilitation
  Sponsor:   Hacettepe University
  Recruiting

• Corticosteroids for COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Prednisone;   Device: Point of Care testing device for C-reactive protein
  Sponsor:   University of Alberta
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy of Adaptogens in Patients With Long COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Dietary Supplement: ADAPT-232 oral solution;   Other: Placebo oral solution
  Sponsors:   Swedish Herbal Institute AB;   National Family Medicine Training Centre, Georgia;   Tbilisi State Medical University;   Phytomed AB
  Not yet recruiting

• Effectiveness of the Adsorbed Vaccine COVID-19 (Coronavac) Among Education and Law Enforcement Professionals With Risk Factors for Severity - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Biological: Adsorbed SARS-CoV-2 (inactivated) vaccine
  Sponsors:   Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado;   Butantan Institute
  Not yet recruiting

• Improved Oxygen Therapy in Covid-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Other: oxygen mask
  Sponsor:   Region Skane
  Recruiting

• COVID-19 Self-Testing Through Rapid Network Distribution - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Behavioral: COVID-19 self-test;   Behavioral: COVID-19 test referral
  Sponsors:   University of Pennsylvania;   Public Health Management Corporation
  Not yet recruiting

• Vitamin D3 Levels in COVID-19 Outpatients From Western Mexico - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3
  Sponsor:   University of Guadalajara
  Completed

From PubMed

• The serotonin reuptake inhibitor Fluoxetine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in human lung tissue - To circumvent time-consuming clinical trials, testing whether existing drugs are effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2, has led to the discovery of Remdesivir. We decided to follow this path and screened approved medications “off-label” against SARS-CoV-2. Fluoxetine inhibited SARS-CoV-2 at a concentration of 0.8 µg/ml significantly in these screenings, and the EC50 was determined with 387 ng/ml. Furthermore, Fluoxetine reduced viral infectivity in precision-cut human lung slices showing its…

• Unique and complementary suppression of cGAS-STING and RNA sensing- triggered innate immune responses by SARS-CoV-2 proteins - The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of human deaths. The efficient replication and population spread of SARS-CoV-2 indicates an effective evasion of human innate immune responses, although the viral proteins responsible for this immune evasion are not clear. In this study, we identified SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins, accessory proteins, and the main viral protease as potent inhibitors of host innate…

• Resveratrol-mediated Attenuation of Superantigen-driven Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is Mediated by Microbiota in the Lungs and Gut - Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is triggered by a variety of agents, including Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB). Interestingly, a significant proportion of patients with COVID-19, also develop ARDS. In the absence of effective treatments, ARDS results in almost 40% mortality. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that resveratrol (RES), a stilbenoid, with potent anti-inflammatory properties can attenuate SEB-induced ARDS. In the current study, we investigated the role of…

• Inhibition of interferon-stimulated gene 15 and lysine 48-linked ubiquitin binding to the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease by small molecules: In silico studies - The SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PL^(pro)) is a suitable target for drug development, and its deubiquitinating and deISGylating activities have also been reported. In this study, molecular docking was used to investigate the binding properties of a selection of dietary compounds and naphthalene-based inhibitors to the previously characterised binding site of GRL-0617. The structures of the SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV PL^(pro) in complex with interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) and lysine 48…

• Antiviral activity of oleandrin and a defined extract of Nerium oleander against SARS-CoV-2 - With continued expansion of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2), both antiviral drugs as well as effective vaccines are desperately needed to treat patients at high risk of life-threatening disease. Here, we present in vitro evidence for significant inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by oleandrin and a defined extract of N. oleander (designated as PBI-06150). Using Vero cells, we found that prophylactic (pre-infection) oleandrin (as…

• Umifenovir and coronavirus infections: a review of research results and clinical practice - Coronaviruses are known to cause acute respiratory infections. Antiviral therapy, including for COVID-19, is based on clinical practice, experimental data and trial results. The purpose of this review is to: provide and systematize actual preclinical data, clinical trials results and clinical practice for antiviral agent umifenovir (Arbidol). Databases Scopus, Web of Science, RSCI and medRxiv were used for publication searching from 2004. A meta-analysis of clinical trials results was performed….

• Tocilizumab: From Rheumatic Diseases to Covid-19 - Tocilizumab is a humanised interleukin-6 receptor-inhibiting monoclonal antibody that is currently approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other immune-related conditions. Recently, tocilizumab has been investigated as a possible treatment for severe coronavirus-induced disease 2019 (COVID-19). Despite the lack of direct antiviral effects, tocilizumab could reduce the immune-induced organ damage caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection. Until…

• Cinnamon and Hop Extracts as Potential Immunomodulators for Severe COVID-19 Cases - No abstract

• Identification of the absorbed ingredients and metabolites in rats after an intravenous administration of Tanreqing injection using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry - The metabolic profiles of Tanreqing injection, which is a traditional Chinese medicine recommended for complementary administration to treat a novel coronavirus, have remained unclear, which inhibits the understanding of the effective chemical compounds of Tanreqing injection. In this study, a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was used to identify the compounds and metabolites in various biosamples, including plasma, bile, liver,…

• SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and HIV-1 derived ssRNA sequences activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in human macrophages through a non-classical pathway - Macrophages promote an early host response to infection by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), TNF, and IL-6. The bioactivity of interleukin-1β is classically dependent upon NLRP3 inflammasome activation which culminates in caspase-1 activation and pyroptosis. Recent studies suggest a role for NLRP3 inflammasome activation in lung inflammation and fibrosis in both COVID-19 and SARS, and there is evidence of NLRP3 involvement in HIV-1 disease. Here, we show that…

• Discovering Potential RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibitors as Prospective Drugs Against COVID-19: An in silico Approach - COVID-19, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2, is declared a Global Pandemic by WHO in early 2020. In the present situation, though more than 180 vaccine candidates with some already approved for emergency use, are currently in development against SARS-CoV-2, their safety and efficacy data is still in a very preliminary stage to recognize them as a new treatment, which demands an utmost emergency for the development of an alternative anti-COVID-19 drug sine qua non for a…

• The Potential Therapeutic Effect of RNA Interference and Natural Products on COVID-19: A Review of the Coronaviruses Infection - The SARS-CoV-2 virus was reported for the first time in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and causes respiratory infection. This pandemic pneumonia killed about 1,437,835 people out of 61,308,161cases up to November 27, 2020. The disease’s main clinical complications include fever, recurrent coughing, shortness of breath, acute respiratory syndrome, and failure of vital organs that could lead to death. It has been shown that natural compounds with antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral activities…

• Artemisia annua L. extracts inhibit the in vitro replication of SARS-CoV-2 and two of its variants - CONCLUSIONS: A. annua extracts inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the active component(s) in the extracts is likely something besides artemisinin or a combination of components that block virus infection at a step downstream of virus entry. Further studies will determine in vivo efficacy to assess whether A. annua might provide a cost-effective therapeutic to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.

• The SARS-CoV-2 Y453F mink variant displays a pronounced increase in ACE-2 affinity but does not challenge antibody neutralization - SARS-CoV-2 transmission from humans to animals has been reported for many domesticated species, including farmed minks. The identification of novel spike gene mutations appearing in minks has raised major concerns about potential immune evasion and challenges for the global vaccine strategy. One genetic variant, known as “cluster-five”, arose among farmed minks in Denmark and resulted in a complete shutdown of the world’s largest mink production. However, the functional properties of this new…

• Research Progress of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Severe COVID-19 - Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) refers to a type of pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. 60 million confirmed cases have been reported worldwide until November 29, 2020. Unfortunately, the novel coronavirus is so extremely contagious that the mortality rate of severe and critically ill patients was high. Thus, there is no definite and effective treatment in clinic except for antiviral therapy and supportive therapy. Mesenchymal stem…

From Patent Search

• Peptides and their use in diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection - - link

• A PROCESS FOR SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF COVID 19 POSITIVE PATIENTS - - link

• Sars-CoV-2 vaccine antigens - - link

• SARS-COV-2 BINDING PROTEINS - - link

• Gerät zur Unterstützung und Verstärkung natürlicher Lüftung -

  Lüftungssystem für einen mit öffnbaren Fenstern (16) ausgestatteten Gebäuderaum, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass es ein Gehäuse (18) und einen Ventilator (20) aufweist, wobei durch das Gehäuse eine vom Ventilator erzeugte Luftströmung strömen kann, wobei das Gehäuse dafür eine Einströmöffnung (24) für Luft und eine Ausströmöffnung (22) für Luft enthält, wobei eine der beiden Öffnungen der Form eines Öffnungsspalts (26) zwischen einem Fensterflügel (12) und einem Blendrahmen (14) des Fensters (16) angepasst ist.

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• Compositions and methods for detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein - - link

• 靶向SARS-CoV-2的抗体及其制备方法和应用 - 本发明提供了靶向SARS‑CoV‑2的抗体及其制备方法和应用，该抗体包含VH和VL，所述VH包含以下CDR：氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO:1、2、3所示的VH CDR1、VH CDR2、VH CDR3；所述VL包含以下的CDR：氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO:4、5、6所示的VL CDR1、VL CDR2、VL CDR3。该抗体能够高亲和且特异地结合SARS‑CoV‑2的S蛋白的RBD，抑制RBD蛋白与受体ACE2蛋白的结合，高效地抑制SARS‑CoV‑2感染细胞，同时对潜在的免疫逃逸突变的假病毒具有很好的中和活性，从而可有效应用于SARS‑CoV‑2病毒及相关疾病的诊断、预防和治疗中。 - link

• UV-Desinfektion von interaktiven Oberflächen -

  Desinfektionsvorrichtung (100, 200A, 200B, 300) zum Desinfizieren einer berührungsintensiven Oberfläche, umfassend: eine EWE-Vorrichtung (110) zum Emittieren von elektromagnetischen Wellen, die dafür konfiguriert ist, elektromagnetische Strahlung innerhalb des ultravioletten Spektrums (UV-Strahlung, 115) zu emittieren; und einer als Lichtleiter dienenden, mindestens teilweise für sichtbares Licht zwischen der vorderen Oberfläche (121) und der hinteren Oberfläche (122, 222) durchlässigen Scheibe (120, 220A, 220B) mit einer vorderen Oberfläche (121) und einer hinteren Oberfläche (122, 222), wobei die EWE-Vorrichtung (110) positioniert ist, um UV-Strahlung (115) in die Scheibe (120, 220A, 220B) zu emittieren, wobei die Scheibe dafür konfiguriert ist, einen Teil der von der EWE-Vorrichtung (110) empfangenen UV-Strahlung (115) in einer verteilten Art und Weise über die vordere Oberfläche (121) zu reflektieren und zu zerstreuen; und die UV-Strahlung, die von der Scheibe (120, 220A, 220B) empfangen und über die vordere Oberfläche (121) verteilt wird, zur Desinfektion der vorderen Oberfläche dient.

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• 一种SARS-CoV-2中和抗体的检测方法、检测试剂盒 - 本发明公开了一种SARS‑CoV‑2中和抗体的检测方法、检测试剂盒，属于生物医学检测技术领域。本发明公开的SARS‑CoV‑2中和抗体的检测方法是基于hACE2‑RBD放大的胶乳增强免疫比浊检测法，检测试剂盒包括SARS‑CoV‑2的S蛋白受体结合域RBD标记的第一胶乳微球和人hACE2标记的第二胶乳微球。本发明通过在胶乳微球上标记抗原，放大了检测信号，增加了检测的灵敏度，拓宽了检测范围。本发明不仅能够确定被检测者是否为感染者，还能获知被检测者感染风险。本发明对中和抗体的检测还可用于评价接种SARS‑CoV‑2疫苗后临床效果，对SARS‑CoV‑2疫苗的研发与接种，具有重大意义。 - link

• Aronia-Mundspray -

  Anordnung zum Versprühen einer Substanz in die menschliche Mundhöhle und/oder in den Rachen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anordnung eine Sprühflasche mit einer Substanz aufweist, die wenigstens Aroniasaft und eine Alkoholkomponente aufweist.

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