Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• SARS-CoV-2 induces human endogenous retrovirus type W envelope protein expression in blood lymphocytes and in tissues of COVID-19 patients. -

  Patients with COVID-19 may develop abnormal inflammatory response and lymphopenia, followed in some cases by delayed-onset syndromes, often long-lasting after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. As viral infections may activate human endogenous retroviral elements (HERV), we studied the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on HERV-W and HERV-K envelope (ENV) expression, known to be involved in immunological and neurological pathogenesis of human diseases. Our results have showed that the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus activates early HERV-W and K transcription but only HERV-W ENV protein expression, in an infection- and ACE2-independent way within peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from one-third of healthy donors. Moreover, HERV-W ENV protein was significantly increased in serum and plasma of COVID-19 patients, correlating with its expression in CD3+ lymphocytes and with disease severity. Finally, HERV-W ENV was found expressed in post-mortem tissues of lungs, heart, brain olfactory bulb and nasal mucosa from acute COVID-19 patients in cell-types relevant for COVID-19-associated pathogenesis within affected organs, but different from those expressing of SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Altogether, the present study revealed that SARS-CoV-2 can induce HERV-W ENV expression in cells from individuals with symptomatic and severe COVID-19. Our data suggest that HERV-W ENV is likely to be involved in pathogenic features underlying symptoms of acute and post-acute COVID. It highlights the importance to further understand patients genetic susceptibility to HERV-W activation and the relevance of this pathogenic element as a prognostic marker and a therapeutic target in COVID-19 associated syndromes.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: SARS-CoV-2 induces human endogenous retrovirus type W envelope protein expression in blood lymphocytes and in tissues of COVID-19 patients.
• First detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canadian wildlife identified in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from southern Quebec, Canada -
  White-tailed deer are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and represent a relevant species for surveillance. We investigated SARS-CoV-2 infection in white-tailed deer in Quebec, Canada. In November 2021, 251 nasal swabs and 104 retropharyngeal lymph nodes from 258 deer were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, whole genome sequencing and virus isolation and 251 thoracic cavity fluid samples were tested for neutralizing antibodies. We detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in three nasal swabs from the Estrie region and virus was isolated from two samples; evidence of past exposure was detected among deer from the same region. Viral sequences were assigned to lineage AY.44, a sublineage of B.1.617.2. All deer sequences clustered with human GISAID sequences collected in October 2021 from Vermont USA, which borders the Estrie region. Mutations in the S-gene and a deletion in ORF8 encoding a truncated protein were detected. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance of key wildlife species for SARS-CoV-2.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: First detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canadian wildlife identified in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from southern Quebec, Canada
• The COVID States Project #79: At-home COVID tests -
  The availability of home antigen testing alongside continued challenges in pursuing PCR and antigen tests outside of the home means it is likely that some positive cases are not represented in official counts of cases or positivity rates. Community survey methods could prove helpful in evaluating the extent to which such cases may be missing from official COVID-19 tracking statistics. In this brief report, we assess the extent to which positive results on home antigen tests are not reflected in the number of official cases in the United States. In our current survey, we asked individuals if they had tested positive, and then whether they had ever tested positive using an “at-home” test.

• T cell response following anti COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccination is maintained against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron B.1.1.529 variant of concern -
  The progression of the COVID-19 pandemic leads to the emergence of variants of concern (VOC), which may compromise the efficacy of the currently administered vaccines. Antigenic drift can potentially bring about a reduced protective T cell immunity and consequently to more severe disease manifestations. To assess this possibility, the T cell responses to the wild-type, Wuhan-1 SARS-CoV-2 ancestral spike protein and Omicron B.1.1.529 spike protein were compared. Accordingly, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 8 healthy volunteers 4-5 months following a third vaccination with BNT162b2, and stimulated with overlapping peptide libraries representing the spike of either the ancestral or Omicron SARS-CoV-2 virus variants. Quantification of the specific T cells was carried out by a fluorescent ELISPOT assay, monitoring interferon-gamma (IFNg), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) secreting cells. For all the examined individuals, comparable level of reactivity to both forms of spike protein were determined. In addition, a dominant Th1 response was observed, manifested mainly by IFNg secreting cells and only limited numbers of IL-10 and IL-4 secreting cells. The data demonstrates a stable T cell activity to the emerging Omicron variant in the tested individuals, therefore the protective immunity to the variant following BNT162b2 vaccination is not significantly affected.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: T cell response following anti COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccination is maintained against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron B.1.1.529 variant of concern
• Serological screening suggests single SARS-CoV-2 spillover events to cattle -
  Widespread human SARS-CoV-2 infections pose a constant risk for virus transmission to animals. Here, we serologically investigated 1000 cattle samples collected in late 2021 in Germany. Eleven sera tested antibody-positive, indicating that cattle may be occasionally infected by contact to SARS-CoV-2-positive keepers, but there is no indication of further spreading.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Serological screening suggests single SARS-CoV-2 spillover events to cattle
• Measuring and validating spatial accessibility to Covid-19 vaccination sites: a case study in England -
  The global Covid-19 pandemic has caused numerous deaths and illnesses and posed unprecedented social and economic challenges to many countries. One of the key strategies to contain the pandemic is mass vaccination. While it is essential to ensure safe and easy accessibility to Covid-19 vaccines for all communities, limited research has been carried out to understand and validate the spatial accessibility of these vaccines. This study addresses this gap by measuring and validating the spatial accessibility to Covid-19 vaccines with a particular focus on England, United Kingdom. More specifically, we compare three floating catchment area (FCA) methods with differing parameters for measuring the small-scale spatial accessibility to vaccination services. Then, we calibrate these accessibility measurements using a beta regression model and the reported vaccination uptake rates. The results show that the three- step FCA method with a distance parameter of 30 miles is the optimal model for measuring the spatial accessibility to Covid-19 vaccines. The findings provide an improved understanding of the spatial inequality of vaccine services. Further, the framework of calibrating spatial accessibility to vaccine services is generalisable to other types of healthcare services.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Measuring and validating spatial accessibility to Covid-19 vaccination sites: a case study in England
• Underlying vulnerabilities and inequalities compromise COVID-19 response - Perspectives on India and beyond -
  The WHO recommends ‘testing, tracking and isolation’ of COVID-19 cases as the ‘backbone’ of pandemic response; these seemingly simple recommendations can be daunting for many countries in the Global South. In this commentary based on data from India, we dissect and exemplify some of the underlying vulnerabilities of the countries in the Global South that may impede effective implementation of WHO guidelines from the standpoint of vulnerability assessment and risk management. In the midst of urgent decision-making underlying vulnerabilities can be overlooked, as technical and logistical aspects take precedence. However, differentials in vulnerability can not only modulate the outbreak impact, but also the capacity and effectiveness of the response. Countries need to design their response with due consideration of existing capacity gaps and vulnerabilities to ensure a sustainable response that can avert knee-jerk reactions and minimize likely cascading effects.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Underlying vulnerabilities and inequalities compromise COVID-19 response - Perspectives on India and beyond
• High prevalence of olfactory disorders 18 months after contracting COVID-19 -

  Reduced olfactory function is the symptom with the highest prevalence in COVID-19 with nearly 70% of individuals with COVID-19 experiencing partial or total loss of their sense of smell at some point during the disease. Recent reports suggest that more than 7 months after recovering from COVID-19, a large proportion of these individuals still have olfactory dysfunction of some form. To establish the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction 18 months and beyond, we tested 100 individuals with established COVID-19 in the first wave of the pandemic using psychophysical full-scale testing of smell and taste functions as well as assessments of parosmia. Participants were recruited from an ongoing study, comprising healthcare workers at a hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, that are regularly tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies since the start of the pandemic in Sweden. To assess potential skewed recruitment of individuals with prior olfactory dysfunction and assess normal rate of dysfunctions in the used population, 44 SARS-CoV-2 IgG naive individuals were also tested as a control group. One and a half year after COVID-19, more than one third of individuals recovered from COVID-19 demonstrated a clinical reduction in their sense of smell. Critically, nearly half of COVID-19-recovered individuals complaint about parosmia. Prevalence of gustatory dysfunction was, however, low (3%). In summary, a full 65% of individuals recovered from COVID-19 experience olfactory dysfunction of some form 18 months later. Given the amount of time since initial insult to the olfactory system, it is likely that these olfactory problems are permanent.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: High prevalence of olfactory disorders 18 months after contracting COVID-19
• Alveolar cell fate selection and lifelong maintenance of AT2 cells by FGF signaling -
  The lung’s gas exchange surface comprises thin alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells and cuboidal surfactant-secreting AT2 cells that are corrupted in some of the most common and deadly diseases including adenocarcinoma, emphysema, and SARS/Covid-19. These cells arise from an embryonic progenitor whose development into an AT1 or AT2 cell is thought to be dictated by differential mechanical forces. Here we show the critical determinant is FGF signaling. FGF Receptor 2 (Fgfr2) is expressed in mouse progenitors then restricts to nascent AT2 cells and remains on throughout life. Its ligands are expressed in surrounding mesenchyme and can, in the absence of differential mechanical cues, induce purified, uncommitted E16.5 progenitors to form alveolus-like structures with intermingled AT2 and AT1 cells. FGF signaling directly and cell autonomously specifies AT2 fate; progenitors lacking Fgfr2 in vitro and in vivo exclusively acquire AT1 fate. Fgfr2 loss in AT2 cells perinatally results in reprogramming to AT1 fate, whereas loss or inhibition later in life immediately triggers AT2 apoptosis followed by a compensatory regenerative response. We propose Fgfr2 signaling directly selects AT2 fate during development, induces a cell non-autonomous secondary signal for AT1 fate, and stays on throughout life to continuously maintain healthy AT2 cells.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Alveolar cell fate selection and lifelong maintenance of AT2 cells by FGF signaling
• Protected 911: Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Pre-hospital COVID-19 High-Risk Response Team -
  Patients with COVID-19 who require aerosol-generating medical procedures (such as endotracheal intubation) are challenging for paramedic services. Although potentially lifesaving for patients, aerosolizing procedures carry an increased risk of infection for paramedics, owing to the resource limitations and complexities of the pre-hospital setting. In this paper, we describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a novel pre-hospital COVID-19 High-Risk Response Team (HRRT) in Peel Region, in Ontario, Canada. The mandate of the HRRT was to attend calls for patients likely to require aerosolizing procedures, with the twofold goal of mitigating against COVID-19 infections in the service while continuing to provide skilled resuscitative care to patients. Modelled after in-hospital ‘protected code blue’ teams, operationalizing the HRRT required several significant changes to standard paramedic practice, including the use of a 3-person crew configuration, dedicated safety officer, call-response checklists, multiple redundant safety procedures, and enhanced personal protective equipment. Less than three weeks after the mandate was given, the HRRT was operational for a 12-week period during the first wave of COVID-19 in Ontario. HRRT members attended ~70% of calls requiring high risk procedures and was associated with improved quality of care indicators. No paramedics in the service contracted COVID-19 during the program.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Protected 911: Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Pre-hospital COVID-19 High-Risk Response Team
• Non-Markovian modelling highlights the importance of age structure on Covid-19 epidemiological dynamics -

  The Covid-19 pandemic outbreak was followed by a huge amount of modelling studies in order to rapidly gain insights to implement the best public health policies. Most of these compartmental models involved ordinary differential equations (ODEs) systems. Such a formalism implicitly assumes that the time spent in each compartment does not depend on the time already spent in it, which is at odds with the clinical data. To overcome this `memoryless99 issue, a widely used solution is to increase and chain the number of compartments of a unique reality (e.g. have infected individual move between several compartments). This allows for greater heterogeneity and thus be closer to the observed situation, but also tends to make the whole model more difficult to apprehend and parameterize. We develop a non- Markovian alternative formalism based on partial differential equations (PDEs) instead of ODEs, which, by construction, provides a memory structure for each compartment thereby allowing us to limit the number of compartments. We apply our model to the French 2021 SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and, while accounting for vaccine-induced and natural immunity, we analyse and determine the major components that contributed to the Covid-19 hospital admissions. The results indicate that the observed vaccination rate alone is not enough to control the epidemic, and a global sensitivity analysis highlights a huge uncertainty attributable to the age-structured contact matrix. Our study shows the flexibility and robustness of PDE formalism to capture national COVID-19 dynamics and opens perspectives to study medium or long-term scenarios involving immune waning or virus evolution.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Non-Markovian modelling highlights the importance of age structure on Covid-19 epidemiological dynamics
• Excess Mortality by Suicide associated with COVID-19 in Japan through August, 2021 -

  Background: Countermeasures against COVID-19 outbreaks such as lockdowns and voluntary restrictions against going out adversely affect human stress and economic activity. Particularly, this stress might lead to suicide. Object: We examined excess mortality attributable to suicide associated with COVID-19. Method: We applied the NIID model to suicide deaths by gender from October 2009 through August 2021 for the entirety of Japan. Effects of the great earthquake that struck eastern Japan on March 11, 2011 were incorporated into the estimation model. Results: Significant excess mortality by suicide was found during July 2020 and July 2021 for both genders. However, in August 2021, no excess mortality by suicide was observed among men; it was greater among women than among men. In all, 2950 excess cases of mortality were identified. Discussion and Conclusion: Excess mortality during the four months was more than double the number of COVID-19 deaths confirmed by PCR testing. Countermeasures against COVID-19 should be chosen carefully in light of such measures apparent exacerbation of suicide occurrence.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Excess Mortality by Suicide associated with COVID-19 in Japan through August, 2021
• Long dsRNA mediated RNA interference (dsRNAi) is antiviral in interferon competent mammalian cells -
  In invertebrate cells, RNA interference (RNAi) acts as a powerful defense against virus infection by cleaving virally produced long dsRNA into siRNA by Dicer and loaded into RISC which can then destroy/disrupt complementary viral mRNA sequences. Comparatively in mammalian cells, the type I interferon (IFN) pathway is the cornerstone of the innate antiviral response. Although the cellular machinery for RNAi functions in mammalian cells, its role in the antiviral response remains controversial. Here we show that IFN competent mammalian cells engage in dsRNA-mediated RNAi. We found that pre-soaking mammalian cells with concentrations of sequence-specific dsRNA too low to induce IFN production could significantly inhibit viral replication, including SARS-CoV-2. This phenomenon was dependent on dsRNA length, was comparable in effect to transfected siRNAs, and could knockdown multiple sequences at once. Additionally, Dicer-knockout cell lines were incapable of this inhibition, confirming use of RNAi. This represents the first evidence that soaking with gene-specific dsRNA can generate viral knockdown in mammalian cells. Furthermore, demonstrating RNAi below the threshold of IFN induction has uses as a novel therapeutic platform.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Long dsRNA mediated RNA interference (dsRNAi) is antiviral in interferon competent mammalian cells
• Canadian perspectives of digital mental health supports: Findings from a national survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic -
  Objectives: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on population mental health has highlighted the potential for digital mental health to support the needs of those requiring care. This study sought to understand the digital mental health experiences and priorities of Canadians affected by mental health conditions (i.e., seekers, patients, and care partners). Methods: A national cross-sectional electronic survey of Canadians was administered through a market research firm’s survey panel. Seekers, patients, and care partners were asked about their digital mental health experiences (e.g., uptake, barriers to access) and priorities. Survey responses were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: Overall, 1003 participants completed the survey. 70.2% of participants routinely use digital mental health supports to support themselves or their care partners; however, only 28.6% of participants are satisfied with the available digital mental health supports. Most participants (73.3%) have encountered some barriers when accessing digital mental health supports. Awareness of digital mental health supports was a top barrier identified by participants. The top digital mental health priorities consisted of digital mental health curation, navigation, and a digital mental health passport. Conclusions: Most participants use digital mental health supports for themselves or others. However, many are unaware of digital mental health supports available. Efforts to improve navigating access to digital and in-person services are seen as top priority, highlighting the need to enable seekers, patients, and care partners to find the appropriate supports and make decisions on how to best improve their mental health.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Canadian perspectives of digital mental health supports: Findings from a national survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Structuring of Time is Key for Job Performance and Well-being: The Case of Croatians Working from Home During COVID-19 Pandemic -
  In this research, we aimed to explore determinants of job performance and well-being while working from home (WFH) in a specific context of mandatory WFH during COVID-19 lockdown in Croatia, a country where WFH is a highly unusual arrangement. In Study 1, on a nationally representative sample of 166 Croatian employees WFH during lockdown, we tested if aspects of work-life balance (WLB) – work-to-family and family-to-work conflict, time structure of the work day and psychological detachment from work – would predict job performance and well-being. We showed that of the four WLB aspects, only time structure was important both for job performance and well-being. In Study 2, we used a convenient sample of 575 Croatian employees who were WFH during lockdown to investigate conscientiousness, emotional stability and autonomy at work as drivers of the WLB during WFH, and to constructively replicate Study 1 findings using different and more advanced measures. Findings showed that autonomy, conscientiousness and, especially, emotional stability contributed to the WLB and were important for job performance and well-being. WLB, especially time structure, predicted both job performance and well-being, and enhanced time structure mediated the effects of personality traits and autonomy on both outcomes.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Structuring of Time is Key for Job Performance and Well-being: The Case of Croatians Working from Home During COVID-19 Pandemic

From Clinical Trials

• Quantifying Viral Load in Respiratory Particles That Are Generated by Children and Adults With COVID-19 Infection - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Device: COVID-19 Aerosol Collection
  Sponsor:  
  Massachusetts General Hospital
  Recruiting

• 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

• Evaluation of Safety & Efficacy of MIR 19 ® Inhalation Solution in Patients With Moderate COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: MIR 19 ®;   Combination Product: Standard COVID-19 therapy
  Sponsors:   National Research Center - Institute of Immunology Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia;   St. Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
  Completed

• 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

• Plasma Exchange in Covid-19 Patients With Anti-interferon Autoantibodies - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: Therapeutic plasma exchange
  Sponsor:  
  Centre Hospitalier St Anne
  Recruiting

• Randomized Multicenter Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Favipiravir for Parenteral Administration Compared to Standard of Care in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Favipiravir;   Drug: Remdesivir
  Sponsors:   Promomed, LLC;   Solyur Pharmaceuticals Group
  Completed

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

• Inhaled Heparin for Hospitalised Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: unfractionated Heparin
  Sponsors:  
  Australian National University;   The George Institute;   St George Hospital, Australia;   St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne;   John Hunter Hospital;   Royal North Shore Hospital
  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

• Immunogenicity and Safety Study of a SCB-2019 Vaccine Booster Dose to Adults Who Previously Received Primary Series of Selected COVID-19 Vaccines - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Biological: Candidate vaccine, SCB-2019
  Sponsor:   Clover Biopharmaceuticals AUS Pty Ltd
  Not yet recruiting

• Increasing COVID-19 Testing in Chicago’s African American Testing Desserts - Condition:   COVID-19 Pandemic
  Intervention:   Behavioral: COVID-19 Testing
  Sponsor:   Rush University Medical Center
  Recruiting

• COVID-19 Messaging for Vaccination - Conditions:   Vaccination Refusal;   COVID-19 Pandemic
  Interventions:   Behavioral: Doctor Videos;   Behavioral: Sharing Videos;   Behavioral: Sharing Videos (Influencers);   Behavioral: Vaccine Ambassador;   Behavioral: Video framing;   Behavioral: Video order
  Sponsors:   Massachusetts Institute of Technology;   Facebook, Inc.;   Code3;   Stanford University;   Harvard University;   Yale University;   Johns Hopkins University;   Massachusetts General Hospital;   Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich;   National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  Recruiting

• Respiratory Physiotherapy and Neurorehabilitation in Patients With Post-covid19 Sequelae. - Condition:   COVID-19 Pandemic
  Intervention:   Other: respiratory treatment
  Sponsor:   Universidad Católica de Ávila
  Not yet recruiting

• The Effect of Telemonitoring on Anxiety and Quality of Life in Patients in COVID 19 Quarantine - Condition:   COVID-19 Pandemic
  Intervention:   Other: tele-monitoring
  Sponsor:  
  Yuksek Ihtisas University
  Completed

From PubMed

• Insect protease inhibitors; promising inhibitory compounds against SARS-CoV-2 main protease - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has adversely affected global health since its emergence in 2019. The lack of effective treatments prompted worldwide efforts to immediately develop therapeutic strategies against COVID-19. The main protease (M^(pro)) of SARS- CoV-2 plays a crucial role in viral replication, and therefore it serves as an attractive target for COVID-19-specific drug development. Due to the…

• Deoxynivalenol aggravates the immunosuppression in piglets and PAMs under the condition of PEDV infection through inhibiting TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway - Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by fungi, which are ubiquitous in cereals and feed worldwide and threaten human and animal health. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins and causes a series of toxicities, especially enterotoxicity and immunotoxicity. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a destructive enteropathogenic animal coronavirus, is often accompanied with DON contamination in the swine herd. Previous studies have shown that PEDV infection leads severe…

• Respiratory Safety Evaluation in Mice and Inhibition of Adenoviral Amplification in Human Bronchial Endothelial Cells Using a Novel Type of Chlorine Dioxide Gas Reactor - Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing demand for effective and safe disinfectants. A novel use of chlorine dioxide (ClO(2)) gas, which can satisfy such demand, has been reported. However, its efficacy and safety remain unclear. For the safe use of this gas, the stable release of specific concentrations is a must. A new type of ClO(2) generator called Dr.CLO^(TM) has recently been introduced. This study aimed to investigate: (1) the effects of Dr.CLO^(TM) on…

• Cannabidiol inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication through induction of the host ER stress and innate immune responses - [Figure: see text].

• Vitamin D Inhibits IL-6 Pro-Atherothrombotic Effects in Human Endothelial Cells: A Potential Mechanism for Protection against COVID-19 Infection? - CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 induces endothelial dysfunction with TF and CAMs expression via upregulation of ACE2r. VitD prevented these IL-6 deleterious effects. Thus, it might be speculated that this is one of the hypothetical mechanism(s) by which VitD exerts its beneficial effects in COVID-19 infection.

• Apigenin analogues as SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors: In-silico screening approach - The COVID-19 new variants spread rapidly all over the world, and until now scientists strive to find virus-specific antivirals for its treatment. The main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (M^(pro)) exhibits high structural and sequence homology to main protease of SARS-CoV (93.23% sequence identity), and their sequence alignment indicated 12 mutated/variant residues. The sequence alignment of SARS-CoV-2 main protease led to identification of only one mutated/variant residue with no significant role in its…

• Interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and Host Innate Immunity - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a global pandemic since its outbreak in 2019, presenting serious threats to public health and the health of the people. As one of the main components of the host innate immune system, type-Ⅰ interferon (IFN) plays a critical role in the defense against viral infections. The battle between the virus and the host innate immune system determines the disease…

• Therapeutic potential of colchicine in cardiovascular medicine: a pharmacological review - Colchicine is an ancient herbal drug derived from Colchicum autumnale. It was first used to treat familial Mediterranean fever and gout. Based on its unique efficacy as an anti-inflammatory agent, colchicine has been used in the therapy of cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, recurrent pericarditis, vascular restenosis, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. More recently, colchicine has also shown therapeutic efficacy in alleviating cardiovascular…

• Tissue-level alveolar epithelium model for recapitulating SARS-CoV-2 infection and cellular plasticity - Pulmonary sequelae following COVID-19 pneumonia have been emerging as a challenge; however, suitable cell sources for studying COVID-19 mechanisms and therapeutics are currently lacking. In this paper, we present a standardized primary alveolar cell culture method for establishing a human alveolar epithelium model that can recapitulate viral infection and cellular plasticity. The alveolar model is infected with a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, and the clinically relevant features of the viral entry…

• S100A8 and S100A9, biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2-infection and other diseases, suppress HIV replication in primary macrophages - S100A8 and S100A9 are members of the Alarmin family; these proteins are abundantly expressed in neutrophils and form a heterodimer complex and secreted in plasma upon pathogen infection or acute inflammatory diseases. Recently, both proteins were identified as novel biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 infection and were shown to play key roles in inducing an aggressive inflammatory response by mediating the release of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, called the “cytokine storm.” Although…

• The cGAS-STING pathway drives type I IFN immunopathology in COVID-19 - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2), is characterized by significant lung pathology and extrapulmonary complications^(1,2). Type I interferons (IFNs) play an essential role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19^(3-5). While rapid induction of type I IFNs limits virus propagation, sustained elevation of type I IFNs in the late phase of the infection is associated with aberrant inflammation and poor clinical…

• Biosynthesis of Calipyridone A Represents a Fungal 2-Pyridone Formation without Ring Expansion in Aspergillus californicus - A chemical investigation of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus californicus led to the isolation of a polyketide- nonribosomal peptide hybrid, calipyridone A (1). A putative biosynthetic gene cluster cpd for production of 1 was next identified by genome mining. The role of the cpd cluster in the production of 1 was confirmed by multiple gene deletion experiments in the host strain as well as by heterologous expression of the hybrid gene cpdA inAspergillus oryzae. Moreover, chemical analyses of…

• The intrinsically disordered SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein in dynamic complex with its viral partner nsp3a - The processes of genome replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2 represent important targets for viral inhibition. Betacoronaviral nucleoprotein (N) is a highly dynamic cofactor of the replication-transcription complex (RTC), whose function depends on an essential interaction with the amino-terminal ubiquitin-like domain of nsp3 (Ubl1). Here, we describe this complex (dissociation constant - 30 to 200 nM) at atomic resolution. The interaction implicates two linear motifs in the intrinsically…

• Phytoconstituents from Moringa oleifera fruits target ACE2 and open spike glycoprotein to combat SARS-CoV-2: An integrative phytochemical and computational approach - Therapeutic drugs based on natural products for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 are currently unavailable. This study was conducted to develop an anti-SARS-CoV-2 herbal medicine to face the urgent need for COVID-19 treatment. The bioactive components from ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera fruits (MOFs) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Molecular-docking analyses elucidated the binding effects of identified phytocomponents against SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (PDB…

• Ivermectin in COVID-19 Management: What is the current evidence? - Ivermectin (IVM), an approved anthelminthic drug, has been reported to have antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Antiviral activity is due to the inhibition of nuclear cargo importin (IMP) protein. The anti-SARS CoV-2 activity through in vitro study was first reported by an Australian team. Later, many studies were conducted, and most of the study results were available as non-peer reviewed preprints. In this narrative review, literature on the clinical studies conducted with…

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