Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Quality of life, resources, and coping during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic by people seeking psychological counselling before the pandemic -
  Objectives. This study aimed to understand the relationship between resource gains and losses, coping, and quality of life during the growth phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods. The Internet-based survey covered 353 individuals who had participated in a psychological support project operated by one of the non-governmental organisations in Lublin, Poland, in the 12 months prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. The questionnaire used in the study contained questions to collect sociodemographic data and psychometric scales to measure resource gains and losses (Conservation of Resources – Evaluation), quality of life (World Health Organization [WHO] Quality of Life-BREF), and strategies of coping with the pandemic situation (modified Brief Cope). Results. Higher global quality of life occurred with higher gains and minor losses, as well as with coping through planning, positive reframing, emotional support seeking, reduced substance use tendency, low self-blame, avoidance, and disengagement. Moreover, helplessness-based coping strategies were found to mediate both the relationship between resource gains and quality of life and between resource loss and quality of life. Conclusions. Factors that may reduce people’s quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic are an increase in losses and limited gains, experienced over the six months preceding the pandemic, as well as not using active, meaning-oriented, and support-seeking coping strategies, but using avoidance behaviours instead. Coping strategies specific to people experiencing helplessness are a mediating mechanism between losses and limited gains of resources and quality of life.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Quality of life, resources, and coping during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic by people seeking psychological counselling before the pandemic
• Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron EG.5.1 variant -
  In middle-late 2023, a sublineage of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB, EG.5.1 (a progeny of XBB.1.9.2), is spreading rapidly around the world. Here, we performed multiscale investigations to reveal virological features of newly emerging EG.5.1 variant. Our phylogenetic-epidemic dynamics modeling suggested that two hallmark substitutions of EG.5.1, S:F456L and ORF9b:I5T, are critical to the increased viral fitness. Experimental investigations addressing the growth kinetics, sensitivity to clinically available antivirals, fusogenicity and pathogenicity of EG.5.1 suggested that the virological features of EG.5.1 is comparable to that of XBB.1.5. However, the cryo-electron microscopy reveals the structural difference between the spike proteins of EG.5.1 and XBB.1.5. We further assessed the impact of ORF9b:I5T on viral features, but it was almost negligible at least in our experimental setup. Our multiscale investigations provide the knowledge for understanding of the evolution trait of newly emerging pathogenic viruses in the human population.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron EG.5.1 variant
• Scope+: An open source generalizable architecture for single-cell atlases at sample and cell levels -
  With the recent advancement in single-cell technologies and the increased availability of integrative tools, challenges arise in easy and fast access to large collections of cell atlas. Existing cell atlas portals rarely are open sourced and adaptable, and do not support meta-analysis at cell level. Here, we present an open source, highly optimised and scalable architecture, named Scope+, to allow quick access, meta-analysis and cell-level selection of the atlas data. We applied this architecture to our well-curated 5 million Covid-19 blood and immune cells, as a portal, Covidscope (https://covidsc.d24h.hk/). We achieved efficient access to atlas-scale data via three strategies, such as server-side rendering, novel database optimization strategies and an innovative architectural design. Scope+ serves as an open source architecture for researchers to build on with their own atlas, and demonstrated its capability in the Covidscope portal for an effective meta-analysis to atlas data at cellular resolution for reproducible research.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Scope+: An open source generalizable architecture for single-cell atlases at sample and cell levels
• Perceptions and responses to COVID-19 through wastewater surveillance information and online search behavior: A randomized controlled trial -

  Wastewater surveillance is anticipated to be a representative and timely method to assess infectious disease status; however, its influence on public perception and behavior remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we used a randomized controlled trial to analyze the influence of wastewater surveillance-based information on understanding of, interest in, relief regarding, preventive behavioral intention against, and subsequent online search behavior related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Valid responses were obtained from 1,000 individuals in both control and intervention groups from Yahoo crowdsourcing users aged ≥18 years in Japan. This survey was conducted from August 4 to August 7, 2023, just before the common Japanese tradition of returning to hometowns. The questionnaire not only collected personal attributes but also gauged responses to COVID-19 information. This information highlighted the early detection capabilities and representativeness of wastewater surveillance compared with sentinel surveillance at medical institutions. At one-week post-survey, we obtained the survey participants9 online search history for key words such as “bullet train,” “highway,” “airplane,” and “wastewater.” The findings showed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of COVID-19 interest or preventive behavior before information provision, verifying the effectiveness of participant randomization. Wastewater surveillance-based information did not notably elevate understanding or specific intentions regarding COVID-19, such as wearing masks and receiving vaccination. However, it significantly increased interest in, relief concerning the infection status, and general preventive behavioral intentions. Heightened interest and general preventive intentions did not depend on prior interest or behavior. However, those who previously engaged in preventive behavior or who were less interested in COVID-19 exhibited more relief after exposure to wastewater surveillance-based information. Furthermore, this information could slightly influence online searches related to return travel modes, such as highways. In conclusion, information from wastewater surveillance effectively shapes individual perceptions of and responses to infections.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Perceptions and responses to COVID-19 through wastewater surveillance information and online search behavior: A randomized controlled trial
• Reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among household contacts with recent vaccination and past COVID-19 infection: results from two multi-site case-ascertained household transmission studies -

  Background COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe disease, but it is less clear what effect vaccines have on reducing the risk of infection in high contact settings like households, alone or in combination with prior infection. Methods Households with an individual who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during Sep 2021-May 2023 were screened nationwide and at 7 sentinel sites and enrolled if the index cases illness onset was ≤6 days prior. Household members had daily self-collected nasal swabs tested by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 vaccination status was assessed by plausible self-report (with date) or vaccination records. Prior infection was assessed by self-reported prior testing and by anti-nucleocapsid antibodies presence at enrollment. The effects of prior immunity, including vaccination, prior infection, or hybrid immunity (both vaccination and prior infection) on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk among household contacts were assessed by robust, clustered multivariable Poisson regression. Findings There were 1,532 contacts from 905 households included in this analysis. Of these, 67% were enrolled May-November 2022, when Omicron BA.4/5 predominated. Most contacts (89%) had some immunity to SARS-CoV-2 at the time of household exposure: 8% had immunity from prior infection alone, 51% from vaccination alone, and 29% had hybrid immunity. Sixty percent of contacts tested SARS-CoV-2-positive during follow-up. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was not significantly reduced by vaccination but was reduced among those with prior infection considering such immunity separately (adjusted relative risk 0.83; 95% confidence interval: 0.77, 0.90); however, when accounting for both sources of immunity, only contacts with vaccination and prior infection had significantly reduced risk of infection (aRR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.93). The risk of infection was lower when the last immunizing event (vaccination or infection) occurred ≤6 months before COVID-19 affected the household (aRR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.83). Interpretation Immunity from COVID-19 vaccination and prior infection was synergistic in protecting household contacts from SARS-CoV-2 infection. These data support COVID-19 vaccination, even for those who have been previously infected.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among household contacts with recent vaccination and past COVID-19 infection: results from two multi-site case-ascertained household transmission studies
• Postacute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Vaccination Status: A Six-Month Latent Class Analysis -

  Symptoms post- SARS-CoV-2 infection may persist for months and cause significant impairment and impact to quality of life. Acute symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are well studied, yet data on clusters of symptoms over time, or postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), are limited. We aim to characterize PASC phenotypes by identifying symptom clusters over a six-month period following infection in individuals vaccinated (boosted and not) and those unvaccinated. Subjects with ≥1 self-reported symptom and positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 at CVS Health US test sites were recruited between January and April 2022. Patient-reported outcomes symptoms, heath-related quality of life (QoL), work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) were captured at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-acute infection. Logistic regression and latent class analysis (LCA) were performed on 20 symptoms using baseline socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, and vaccination status as well as EQ-5and WPAI results as covariables. Subjects with more symptoms were associated with lower health-related quality of life, and worse WPAI scores. LCA identified three phenotypes that are primarily differentiated by number of symptoms. These three phenotypes remained consistent across time periods. Vaccinated individuals were more likely to be in the low symptom burden latent classes at all time points compared to unvaccinated individuals.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Postacute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Vaccination Status: A Six-Month Latent Class Analysis
• Is Recovery Just the Beginning? Persistent Symptoms and Health and Performance Deterioration in Post-COVID-19, non-hospitalised University Students - A Cross-Sectional Study -

  Many individuals experience persistent symptoms such as deteriorated physical and mental health, increased fatigue, and reduced cognitive performance months after recovering from COVID-19. Current data are limited on the long-term trajectory of these symptoms and their prevalence in milder cases. Our study aimed to assess the persistent effects of COVID-19 on physical and mental health, fatigue, and cognitive performance in a cohort of 214 students, averaging 21.8 years of age. Of these, 148 had contracted COVID-19 but were not hospitalized, with the time since infection ranging from 1 to 39 months. We utilized a comprehensive panel of cognitive tests to measure intelligence, memory, and psychomotor skills, and a detailed anamnestic questionnaire to evaluate physical and mental health. While contracting COVID-19 did not significantly impact overall health and performance, it was associated with increased reports of fatigue. However, the reported severity of the disease had a pronounced negative influence on physical health, mental well-being, fatigue, and reaction time. Trends of improvement in physical and mental health, as well as error rate, were observed within the first two years post-infection. However, fatigue and reaction time showed a trend of deterioration. Beyond the two-year mark, physical health and error rate continued to improve, while mental health began to deteriorate. Fatigue and reaction time continued to decline. Overall, our findings suggest that some effects of contracting COVID-19 can persist or even deteriorate over time, even in younger individuals who had mild cases that did not require hospitalization.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Is Recovery Just the Beginning? Persistent Symptoms and Health and Performance Deterioration in Post-COVID-19, non-hospitalised University Students - A Cross-Sectional Study
• Factors Influencing the Trajectory of COVID-19 Evolution: A Longitudinal Study of 12 Asian Countries -

  Summary Background The effectiveness of different strategies in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic has been assessed, but there is still not enough evidence in Asian countries. This study aims to examine the factors influencing the trajectory of COVID-19 evolution in Asia, to provide insights for optimizing public health policies. Methods In this longitudinal analysis, we combined COVID-19 cases and vaccination percentages from Our Word in Data with the policy stringency index from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker for 12 Asian countries between January 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022. An agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was conducted to identify countries with similar COVID-19 evolution trajectories. We also investigated the potential impact of seasonal variations on the virus9 trajectory. The relationship between the level of policy response, vaccination coverage, and COVID-19 cases was explored using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). Findings There were noticeable differences in the evolution trajectory of COVID-19 among the countries. The 12 Asian countries were grouped into two clusters based on evolutionary similarities. Cluster 1 consisted of West Asian countries (Azerbaijan, Turkey, Bahrain, Israel and Lebanon); while Cluster 2 included Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. The analysis revealed that the stringency index and vaccination coverage were associated with a statistically significant impact (both P values < 0.0001) on the evolution trajectory of COVID-19 (adjR2=0.54). The dose-response relationships demonstrated that the continuous high levels of stringency index (≥87.6) or vaccination coverage (≥ 42.0%) have led to a decrease in COVID-19 infection rates. In early 2021, the adjR2 increased to 0.93 for all countries. Furthermore, the adjR2 for Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 were 0.86 and 0.90 respectively. All GAMs models have significantly improved compared to null model (P values <0.0001). Interpretation By strengthening vaccination ahead of susceptible seasons and enhancing personal self-protection measures, the transmission of COVID-19 among the population can be reduced even during the highly infectious Omicron era.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Factors Influencing the Trajectory of COVID-19 Evolution: A Longitudinal Study of 12 Asian Countries
• Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in a Large US population Over a Period of 12 Months -

  Due to a combination of asymptomatic or undiagnosed infections, the proportion of the United States population infected with SARS-CoV-2 was unclear from the beginning of the pandemic. We previously established a platform to screen for SARS-CoV-2 positivity across a representative proportion of the US population, from which we reported that almost 17 million Americans were estimated to have had undocumented infections in the Spring of 2020. Since then, vaccine rollout and prevalence of different SARS-CoV-2 variants have further altered seropositivity trends within the United States population. To explore the longitudinal impacts of the pandemic and vaccine responses on seropositivity, we re-enrolled participants from our baseline study in a 6- and 12- month follow-up study to develop a longitudinal antibody profile capable of representing seropositivity within the United States during a critical period just prior to and during the initiation of vaccine rollout. Initial measurements showed that, since July 2020, seropositivity elevated within this population from 4.8% at baseline to 36.2% and 89.3% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. We also evaluated nucleocapsid seropositivity and compared to spike seropositivity to identify trends in infection versus vaccination relative to baseline. These data serve as a window into a critical timeframe within the COVID-19 pandemic response and serve as a resource that could be used in subsequent respiratory illness outbreaks.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in a Large US population Over a Period of 12 Months
• FAKHRAVAC and BBIBP-CorV vaccine seeds’ binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2: A comparative molecular dynamics study -
  Background: Safety and efficacy of the SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccines have been question since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Using residue fluctuations and statistically comparing RMSF values, have escalated the understanding of the binding dynamics of the viral proteins to their receptors and here in this study, we compared the interaction between inactivated spike proteins (representing FAKHRAVAC and BBIBP-CorV vaccines seed) and the human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. Methodology: Through 100 set of accelerated 1 ns comparative molecular dynamics simulations, we analyze the binding dynamics and energy components of these interactions and compared residue backbone fluctuations using entropy and statistics including KL-Divergence and KS-test. Principal Findings: Our results reveal that FAKHRAVAC and Sinopharm exhibit similar binding dynamics and affinity to hACE2. Further examination of residue-wise fluctuations highlights the common behavior of binding key residues and mutation sites between the two vaccines. However, subtle differences in residue fluctuations, especially at critical sites like Q24, Y435, L455, S477, Y505, and F486, raise the possibility of distinct efficacy profiles. Conclusion: These variations may influence vaccine immunogenicity and safety in response to evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. The study underscores the importance of considering residue-wise fluctuations for understanding vaccine-pathogen interactions and their implications for vaccine design.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: FAKHRAVAC and BBIBP-CorV vaccine seeds’ binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2: A comparative molecular dynamics study
• Divergent spike mutations impact the activation of the fusion core in Delta and Omicronvariants of SARS-CoV-2 -
  SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells by binding the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of its spike protein to the receptor, ACE2. A subset of highly effective spike mutations plays critical roles in altering the conformational dynamics of spike protein. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how spike mutations affect the conformational dynamics of spike/ACE2 complex in the D614G, Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 variants. We observe that the increased positive-charged mutations in the Omicron spike amplify its structural rigidity and reduce its structural flexibility. The mutations (P681R in Delta and P681H in Omicron) at the S1/S2 junction facilitate S1/S2 cleavage and aid the activation of the fusion core. We report that high structural flexibility in Delta lowers the barrier for the activation of the S2 core; however, high structural rigidity in Omicron enhances the barrier for the same. Our results also explain why Omicron requires the presence of a higher number of ACE2 to activate its fusion core than Delta.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Divergent spike mutations impact the activation of the fusion core in Delta and Omicronvariants of SARS-CoV-2
• Neuroinflammation in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) as assessed by PBR28 PET correlates with vascular disease measures -
  The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has triggered a consequential public health crisis of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), sometimes referred to as long COVID. The mechanisms of the heterogeneous persistent symptoms and signs that comprise PASC are under investigation, and several studies have pointed to the central nervous and vascular systems as being potential sites of dysfunction. In the current study, we recruited individuals with PASC with diverse symptoms, and examined the relationship between neuroinflammation and circulating markers of vascular dysfunction. We used [11C]PBR28 PET neuroimaging, a marker of neuroinflammation, to compare 12 PASC individuals versus 43 normative healthy controls. We found significantly increased neuroinflammation in PASC versus controls across a wide swath of brain regions including midcingulate and anterior cingulate cortex, corpus callosum, thalamus, basal ganglia, and at the boundaries of ventricles. We also collected and analyzed peripheral blood plasma from the PASC individuals and found significant positive correlations between neuroinflammation and several circulating analytes related to vascular dysfunction. These results suggest that an interaction between neuroinflammation and vascular health may contribute to common symptoms of PASC.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Neuroinflammation in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) as assessed by PBR28 PET correlates with vascular disease measures
• Analysis of uptake, effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccinations in pregnancy using the QResearch database: research protocol and statistical analysis plan -

  Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people globally with major health, social and economic consequences, prompting development of vaccines for use in the general population. However, vaccination uptake is lower in some groups, including in pregnant women, because of concerns regarding vaccine safety. There is evidence of increased risk of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but fear of vaccine-associated adverse events on the baby both in short and longer term is one of the main drivers of low uptake for this group. Other vaccines commonly used in pregnancy include influenza and pertussis. These both have reportedly higher uptake compared with COVID-19 vaccination, which may be because they are perceived to be safer. In this study, we will undertake an independent evaluation of the uptake, effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccinations in pregnant women using the QResearch primary care database in England. Objectives A. To determine COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnant women compared to uptake of influenza and pertussis vaccinations. B. To estimate COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in pregnant women by evaluating the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes following vaccination. C. To assess the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy by evaluating the risks of adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes and adverse events of special interest for vaccine safety after COVID-19 vaccination compared with influenza and pertussis vaccinations. Methods This population-based study uses the QResearch database of primary health care records, linked to individual-level data on hospital admissions, mortality, COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 testing data and congenital anomalies. We will include women aged 16 to 49 years with at least one pregnancy during the study period of 30th December 2020 to the latest date available. Babies born during the study period will be identified and linked to the mothers record, where possible. We will describe vaccine uptake in pregnant women by trimester and population subgroups defined by demographics and other characteristics. Cox proportional hazards multivariable regression will be used to identify factors associated with vaccine uptake. The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women will be assessed using time varying Royston-Palmar regression analyses to determine unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios for the occurrence of severe COVID-19 outcomes after each vaccine dose compared with unvaccinated individuals. For the safety analysis, we will we use logistic regression analyses to determine unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for the occurrence of maternal (e.g. miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and gestational diabetes) and perinatal outcomes (e.g. stillbirth, small for gestational age and congenital anomalies) by vaccination status compared to unvaccinated individuals. For the adverse events of special interest for vaccine safety (e.g. venous thromboembolism, myocarditis and Guillain Barre syndrome), we will use time varying Royston-Palmar regression analyses to determine unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios for the occurrence of each outcome by vaccination status to unvaccinated individuals. Ethics and dissemination QResearch is a Research Ethics Approved Research Database with ongoing approval from the East Midlands Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 18/EM/0400). This study was approved by the QResearch Scientific Committee on 9th June 2022. This research protocol has been developed with support from a patient and public involvement panel, who will continue to provide input throughout the duration of the study. Research findings will be submitted to pre-print servers such as MedRxIv, academic publication and disseminated more broadly through media releases and community groups and conference presentations.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Analysis of uptake, effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccinations in pregnancy using the QResearch database: research protocol and statistical analysis plan
• Influence of age, sex, body habitus, vaccine type and anti-S serostatus on cellular and humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination -

  Vaccine development targeting SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 was of critical importance in reducing COVID-19 severity and mortality. In the U.K. during the initial roll-out most individuals either received two doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) or the adenovirus-based vaccine from Oxford/AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-nCoV-19). There are conflicting data as to the impact of age, sex and body habitus on cellular and humoral responses to vaccination, and most studies in this area have focused on determinants of mRNA vaccine immunogenicity. Here we studied a cohort of participants in a population-based longitudinal study (COVIDENCE UK) to determine the influence of age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and pre-vaccination anti-Spike (anti-S) antibody status on vaccine-induced humoral and cellular immune responses to two doses of BNT162b2 or ChAdOx-n-CoV-19 vaccination. Younger age and pre-vaccination anti-S seropositivity were both associated with stronger antibody responses to vaccination. BNT162b2 generated higher neutralising and anti-S antibody titres to vaccination than ChAdOx1-nCoV-19, but cellular responses to the two vaccines were no different. Irrespective of vaccine type, increasing age was also associated with decreased frequency of cytokine double-positive CD4+ T cells. Increasing BMI was associated with reduced frequency of SARS-CoV-2-specific TNF+ CD8% T cells for both vaccines. Together, our findings demonstrate that increasing age and BMI associate with attenuated cellular and humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Whilst both vaccines induced T cell responses, BNT162b2 induced significantly elevated humoral immune response as compared to ChAdOx-n-CoV-19.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Influence of age, sex, body habitus, vaccine type and anti-S serostatus on cellular and humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
• The gravity of the status quo: the response of research governance to system-level shocks -
  Using semi-structured interviews with n=69 global research stakeholders, , this research explores the ways in which stakeholders within system-level research governance organisations conceptualised, responded to, and reasoned the realities of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they positioned procedural changes to their governance mechanisms. Given that shocks to systems present critical challenges to established practices and embedded institutional norms, we use neo-institutional theory as a heuristic device to examine the relationship between the exogenous shock of COVID-19, trajectories of institutional norms and cultures, and the role institutional stakeholders play in managing responses. Across all the research systems studied (with particular focus on the UK, Australia, Norway, New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR and Italy), participants were concerned about how the shock provided by COVID-19 had both revealed and entrenched deep inequalities (between individuals and between organisations) inherent in their research systems and globally. There were tensions in how participants centralised the concept of the ‘normal’ as part of a process of recovery permeating all system-level responses, often with a sense of nostalgia for past structures (a pre-pandemic ‘golden age’ of research), modes of operation, and embedded norms. Aspirations for short-, medium- and long-term plans for research change echoed a dependency on returning to ‘normal’ and reflected an inevitable pull of the norms of the pre-pandemic status quo. Despite the desire of individuals involved in research governance to ‘build back better’, the pull of institutional norms and the gravitational force of the status quo appears too strong for meaningful change to happen in recovering research systems.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The gravity of the status quo: the response of research governance to system-level shocks

From Clinical Trials

• Immunogenicity of Concomitant Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines With Influenza Vaccines - Conditions: COVID-19; Influenza; Vaccine Reaction; Contaminant Injected
  Interventions: Biological: Omicron-containing COVID-19 vaccine; Biological: influenza vaccine
  Sponsors: Catholic Kwandong University; Korea University Guro Hospital
  Recruiting

• Narrative Intervention for Long COVID-19 (NICO) - Conditions: Long COVID; Long Covid19
  Interventions: Behavioral: Narrative Intervention for Long COVID-19 (NICO)
  Sponsors: University of Colorado, Denver
  Active, not recruiting

• Inspiratory Muscle Training in People With Long COVID- A Pilot Investigation. - Conditions: Long COVID
  Interventions: Device: PrO2
  Sponsors: University of Bath; Swansea University
  Not yet recruiting

• Home-Based Respiratory Muscle Strength Training Program for Individuals With Post-COVID-19 Persistent Dyspnea - Conditions: Post-COVID-19 Syndrome; Dyspnea
  Interventions: Device: Respiratory Muscle Strength Trainers
  Sponsors: University of South Florida
  Not yet recruiting

• Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training in Post-Covid Syndrome - Conditions: Cardiovascular Abnormalities; Post-COVID-19 Syndrome; Physical Exercise
  Interventions: Other: Inspiratory muscle strength training
  Sponsors: D’Or Institute for Research and Education
  Recruiting

• Rural Tailored Communication to Promote SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Testing in Saliva - Conditions: SARS-CoV2 Infection
  Interventions: Behavioral: General SARS-CoV-2 Communication; Behavioral: Rural-Targeted SARS-CoV-2 Communication
  Sponsors: Michigan State University; National Cancer Institute (NCI); Johns Hopkins University
  Recruiting

• Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy for COVID-19 - Conditions: Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
  Interventions: Behavioral: Compensatory Cognitive Training for COVID-19; Behavioral: Holistic Cognitive Education
  Sponsors: VA Office of Research and Development
  Not yet recruiting

• COVID Rehabilitation - Conditions: Rehabilitation; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Post-Infectious Disorders
  Interventions: Behavioral: One day course; Behavioral: Individual follow-ups
  Sponsors: University Hospital of North Norway; University of Bergen; Oslo University Hospital; Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  Not yet recruiting

• Phase 3 Open-Label Controlled Trial of Convalescent Plasma in Early COVID-19 Infection - Conditions: Covid19
  Interventions: Drug: Convalescent Plasma; Other: Standard of Care
  Sponsors: Larkin Community Hospital
  Withdrawn

• Food Effects of GST-HG171 Tablets Combined With Ritonavir in Healthy Chinese Participants - Conditions: COVID-19 Respiratory Infection
  Interventions: Drug: GST-HG171/ritonavir; Drug: ritonavir
  Sponsors: Fujian Akeylink Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
  Active, not recruiting

• Improving Post COVID-19 Syndrome With Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments - Conditions: Post COVID-19 Condition; Post-COVID-19 Syndrome; Post-COVID Syndrome; COVID-19; Fatigue; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic
  Interventions: Device: Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber (Class III medical device).
  Sponsors: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
  Not yet recruiting

• Education of Medical Staff to Post Acute Covid susTained sYmptoms - Conditions: Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome
  Interventions: Other: Training in the management of functional disorders; Other: Reimbursement of 3 long consultations
  Sponsors: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris; ANRS, Emerging Infectious Diseases
  Not yet recruiting

• Pharmacist Management of Paxlovid eVisits - Conditions: COVID-19; Quality of Care
  Interventions: Other: Pharmacist Care; Other: AFM Pool Care
  Sponsors: Kaiser Permanente
  Not yet recruiting

• tDCS in the Management of Post-COVID Disorders - Conditions: Long COVID
  Interventions: Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS); Behavioral: Motor Training; Behavioral: Cognitive Training
  Sponsors: Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; São Paulo State University
  Recruiting

• Equity Evaluation of Fact Boxes on Informed COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination Decisions - Study Protocol - Conditions: COVID-19; Influenza
  Interventions: Other: Fact box
  Sponsors: Harding Center for Risk Literacy
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• Evaluation of Potential Peptide-Based Inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 and Variants of Concern - The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has greatly affected all aspect of life. Although several vaccines and pharmaceuticals have been developed against SARS-CoV-2, the emergence of mutated variants has raised several concerns. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) receptor cell entry mechanism of this virus has not changed despite the vast mutation in emerging variants. Inhibiting the spike protein by which the virus identifies the host ACE2 receptor is a…

• Some novel bioactivities of Virgibacillus halodenitrificans carotenoids, isolated from Wadi El-Natrun lakes - Carotenoids come in second among the most frequent natural pigments and are utilized in medications, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, food pigments, and feed supplements. Based on recent complementary work, Virgibacillus was announced for the first time as a member of Wadi El-Natrun salt and soda lakes microbiota, identified as Virgibacillus halodenitrificans, and named V. halodenitrificans DASH; hence, this work aimed to investigate several in vitro medicinal bioactivities of V. halodenitrificans…

• Clinical and pulmonary function analysis in long-COVID revealed that long-term pulmonary dysfunction is associated with vascular inflammation pathways and metabolic syndrome - INTRODUCTION: Long-term pulmonary dysfunction (L-TPD) is one of the most critical manifestations of long-COVID. This lung affection has been associated with disease severity during the acute phase and the presence of previous comorbidities, however, the clinical manifestations, the concomitant consequences and the molecular pathways supporting this clinical condition remain unknown. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize L-TPD in patients with long-COVID and elucidate the main…

• A Naïve Phage Display Library-Derived Nanobody Neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and Three Variants of Concern - CONCLUSION: Our study highlights a novel nanobody, Nb-H6, that may be useful therapeutically in SARS-CoV-2 and VOC outbreaks and pandemics. These findings also provide a molecular foundation for further studies into how nanobodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and variants and imply potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of COVID-19.

• Macromolecules: Synthesis, antimicrobial, POM analysis and computational approaches of some glucoside derivatives bearing acyl moieties - Macromolecules i.e., carbohydrate derivatives are crucial to biochemical and medical research. Herein, we designed and synthesized eight methyl α-D-glucopyranoside (MGP) derivatives (2-8) in good yields following the regioselective direct acylation method. The structural configurations of the synthesized MGP derivatives were analyzed and verified using multiple physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Antimicrobial experiments revealed that almost all derivatives demonstrated noticeable…

• Synthesis, structural characterization, antioxidant, cytotoxic activities and docking studies of schiff base Cu(II) complexes - By combining hydrazide with 2-Acetylpyridine, a hydrazone ligand (HL) was successfully created. Several copper (II) salts have been used to create three copper (II) hydrazone complexes (acetate, sulphate, and chloride). The hydrazide ligand and its copper (II) complexes (1-3) were studied via variety of analytical techniques, including elemental analysis, electronic, infrared, UV-vis Spectrum, XRD study, thermal analysis, also molar conductivity amounts. The spectrum results indicate that in all…

• Pyrazolidinone-Based Peptidomimetic SARS-CoV-2 M^pro inhibitors - The main protease (M^(pro)) of SARS-CoV-2 is an attractive drug target for COVID-19 treatment as it plays an integral role in the proliferation of coronavirus. Herein, we describe the investigation of β- and γ-lactams as electrophilic “warheads” for covalent binding to Cys145 of the M^(pro) active site. The highest inhibitory activity (IC(50) = 45 ± 3 μM) was achieved using a pyrazolidinone warhead attached to the targeting dipeptide. Importantly, the synergy of the warhead and the targeting…

• In vitro testing of host-targeting small molecule antiviral matriptase/TMPRSS2 inhibitors in 2D and 3D cell-based assays - The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic strongly stimulated the development of small molecule antivirals selectively targeting type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSP), required for the host-cell entry of numerous viruses. A set of 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives (MI-21, MI-472, MI-477, MI-485, MI-1903 and MI-1904), which inhibit the cleavage of certain viral glycoproteins was characterized in 2D and 3D primary human hepatocyte models on collagen- and…

• Humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and endemic coronaviruses in urban and indigenous children in Colombia - CONCLUSIONS: Overall, antibody titers, but in particular ACE2 binding inhibition are low within Colombian samples, requiring further investigation to determine any potential clinical significance.

• ASK1 inhibitors are potential pan-antiviral drugs, which dampen replication of diverse viruses including SARS-CoV2 - Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/MAP3K5 is a stress response kinase that is activated by various stimuli. It is known as an upstream activator of p38- Mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) that are reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced kinases. Accumulating evidence show that ROS accumulate in virus-infected cells. Here, we investigated the relationship between viruses and ASK1/p38MAPK or ASK1/JNK pathways. Our findings suggest that virus…

• Analysis of blood and nasal epithelial transcriptomes to identify mechanisms associated with control of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the upper respiratory tract - CONCLUSIONS: Correlations between the transcriptional host response and inter-individual variations in SARS-CoV-2 URT viral load, revealed many molecular mechanisms plausibly favouring or constraining viral replication. Existing evidence corroborates many of these mechanisms, including likely roles for NK cells, granulysin, prostanoids and interferon alpha-14. Inhibition of prostanoid production, and administration of interferon alpha-14 may be attractive transmission-blocking interventions.

• Assembly of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleosomes by truncated N* variant of the nucleocapsid protein - The Nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 compacts the RNA genome into viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes within virions. Assembly of vRNPs is inhibited by phosphorylation of the N protein SR region. Several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern carry N protein mutations that reduce phosphorylation and enhance the efficiency of viral packaging. Variants of the dominant B.1.1 viral lineage also encode a truncated N protein, termed N* or Δ(1-209), that mediates genome packaging despite lacking the…

• Update on fungal lipid biosynthesis inhibitors as antifungal agents - Fungal diseases today represent a world-wide problem. Poor hygiene and decreased immunity are the main reasons behind the manifestation of this disease. After COVID-19, an increase in the rate of fungal infection has been observed in different countries. Different classes of antifungal agents, such as polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, and anti-metabolites, as well as their combinations, are currently employed to treat fungal diseases; these drugs are effective but can cause some side effects and…

• Assessment of virus and Leptospira carriage in bats in France - With over 1,400 species worldwide, bats represent the second largest order of mammals after rodents, and are known to host major zoonotic pathogens. Here, we estimate the presence of pathogens in autochthonous bat populations. First, we set out to check our samples for PCR amplification efficiency by assessing the occurrence of inhibited PCR reactions from different types of bat samples with amplifying the housekeeping gene β-actin. Second, we investigated the presence of five targeted pathogens…

• Blocking of doublecortin-like kinase 1-regulated SARS-CoV-2 replication cycle restores cell signaling network - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can lead to fatal outcomes for subgroups of patients with pre-existing co-morbidities. We previously reported a significant association between high expression levels of a cancer stem cell protein, doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), in the lungs and macrophages of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herein, we demonstrate a pivotal role of DCLK1 in the viral replication cycle…

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