To assist in the COVID-19 public health guidance on a college campus, daily composite wastewater samples were withdrawn at 20 manhole locations across the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Low-cost autosamplers were fabricated in-house to enable an economical approach to this distributed study. These sample stations operated from August 25th until November 23rd during the fall 2020 semester, with 1,512 samples collected. The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in each sample was quantified through two comparative reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reactions (RT-qPCRs). These methods were distinct in the utilization of technical replicates and normalization to an endogenous control. (1) Higher temporal resolution compensates for supply chain or other constraints that prevent technical or biological replicates. (2) The endogenous control normalized data agreed with the raw concentration data, minimizing the utility of normalization. The raw wastewater concentration values reflected SARS-CoV-2 prevalence on campus as detected by clinical services. Overall, combining the low-cost composite sampler with a method that quantifies the SARS-CoV-2 signal within six hours enabled actionable and time-responsive data delivered to key stakeholders. With daily reporting of the findings, wastewater surveillance assisted in decision making during critical phases of the pandemic on campus, from detecting individual cases within populations ranging from 109 to 2,048 individuals to monitoring the success of on-campus interventions.
Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented circumstances and changes in behaviour. This research sought to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and lockdown, on smoking behaviour in the UK from the perspectives of consumers (current and former smokers) and some of their smoking-related behaviour-influencers. Design/methodology/approach This research project encompassed two surveys, one for current and former smokers (Consumers) and one for those individuals in professions with the potential to influence smoking behaviours (Influencers). Both surveys were conducted online and were infield for approximately two weeks during UKs first COVID-19 lockdown. Because of the unprecedented times the society was experiencing, several questions relating directly to COVID-19 were added to the survey and this paper is based only on findings only from those questions and not the whole project. The results were analysed descriptively. Findings A total of 954 consumers and 1027 influencers participated in the surveys. Increased smoking was reported by 67% of the consumers mainly due to stress and boredom arising out of COVID-19 lockdown. Consumers under 45 years of age, those in professional and managerial occupations, and among dual users reported increased smoking in lockdown. The COVID-19 situation changed the plans to quit smoking in 36% of consumers, with only 6% deciding to quit. Only 40% of healthcare professionals (HCPs) documented patient smoking status in over half their interactions. Originality/ value This research among current and former smokers and their influencers highlights important changes in behaviour during the COVID-19 times and underscores urgent measures to be taken by HCPs and policymakers for staying on course of achieving smokefree goals despite challenges posed by COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are an excellent indicator of past COVID-19 infection. As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, retained sensitivity over time is an important quality in an antibody assay that is to be used for the purpose of population seroprevalence studies. We compared 5788 healthcare worker (HCW) serum samples on two serological assays (Abbott SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid IgG and Roche Anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid Total Antibody) and a subset of samples (all Abbott assay positive or grayzone, n=485) on Wantai SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike Antibody ELISA. For 367 samples from HCW with previous PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection we correlated the timing of infection with assay results. Overall seroprevalence was 4.2% on Abbott, 9.5% on Roche. Of those with previously confirmed infection, 41% (150/367) and 95% (348/367) tested positive on Abbott and Roche respectively. At 21 weeks (150 days) after confirmed infection, positivity on Abbott started to decline. Roche positivity was retained for the entire study period (33 weeks). Factors associated (P≤ 0.050) with Abbott seronegativity in those with previous PCR-confirmed infection included sex (male OR0.30;95%CI0.15-0.60), symptom severity (OR0.19 severe symptoms;95%CI0.05-0.61), ethnicity (OR0.28 Asian ethnicity;95%CI0.12-0.60) and time since PCR diagnosis (OR2.06 for infection 6 months previously;95%CI1.01-4.30. Wantai detected all previously confirmed infections. In our population, Roche detected antibodies up to at least seven months after natural infection with SARS-CoV-2. This may indicate that Roche is better suited than Abbott to population-based studies. Wantai demonstrated high sensitivity but sample selection was biased. The relationship between serological response and functional immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection needs to be delineated.
Importance: Understanding feasibility of rapid testing in congregate living setting provides critical data to reduce the risk of outbreaks in these settings. Objective: Use rapid antigen screening to detect SARS-CoV-2 in an asymptomatic group of university students and staff. Design: Cross-sectional Setting: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Participants: Students and staff living or working in congregate housing. Intervention: Health care professional administered rapid antigen test Main Outcomes and measures: Use of BD Veritor rapid antigen testing and asymptomatic participants experiences with rapid testing Results: A total of 3536 BD Veritor tests were completed in 1141 unique individuals. One third of participants completed between two to four tests and 21% were screened five or more times. The mean number of tests completed per person was three. The mean length of time between those who had more than one test was seven days. There were eight false positives and 25 PCR confirmed COVID-19 positive individuals identified through this work. All individuals reported having no symptoms that they attributed to COVID-19. Almost all (n=22, 88%) COVID-19 positive cases were found in male participants. A total of 86 additional students from multiple different student residences (n=9) were asked to self-isolate while they waited for their COVID-19 diagnostic test results. An average of seven additional students positive for COVID-19 living in congregate housing were identified through contact tracing by finding one positive case. Conclusions and relevance: Rapid testing is a relatively inexpensive and operationally easy method of identifying asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19.
The SARS-CoV2 mediated Covid-19 pandemic has impacted humankind at an unprecedented scale. While substantial research efforts have focused towards understand the mechanisms of viral infection and developing vaccines/ therapeutics, factors affecting the susceptibility to SARS-CoV2 infection and manifestation of Covid-19 remain less explored. Given that the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system is known to vary among ethnic populations, it is likely to affect the recognition of the virus, and in turn, the susceptibility to Covid-19. To understand this, we used bioinformatic tools to probe all SARS-CoV2 peptides which could elicit T-cell response in humans. We also tried to answer the intriguing question of whether these potential epitopes were equally immunogenic across ethnicities, by studying the distribution of HLA alleles among different populations and their share of cognate epitopes. We provide evidence that the newer mutations in SARS-CoV2 are unlikely to alter the T-cell mediated immunogenic responses among the studied ethnic populations. The work presented herein is expected to bolster our understanding of the pandemic, by providing insights into differential immunological response of ethnic populations to the virus as well as by gauging the possible effects of mutations in SARS-CoV2 on efficacy of potential epitope-based vaccines through evaluating ~40000 viral genomes.
Despite regional successes in controlling the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, global cases have reached an all time high in April 2021 in part due to the evolution of more transmissible variants. Here we use the dense genomic surveillance generated by the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium to reconstruct the dynamics of 62 different lineages in each of 315 English local authorities between September 2020 and April 2021. This analysis reveals a series of sub-epidemics that peaked in the early autumn of 2020, followed by a singular jump in transmissibility of the B.1.1.7 lineage. B.1.1.7 grew when other lineages declined during the second national lockdown and regionally tiered restrictions between November and December 2020. A third more stringent national lockdown eventually suppressed B.1.1.7 and eliminated nearly all other lineages in early 2021. However, a series of variants (mostly containing the spike E484K mutation) defied these trends and persisted at moderately increasing proportions. Accounting for sustained introductions, however, indicates that their transmissibility is unlikely to exceed that of B.1.1.7. Finally, B.1.617.2 was repeatedly introduced to England and grew rapidly in April 2021, constituting approximately 40% of sampled COVID-19 genomes on May 15.
Background: Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have provided an invaluable resource in the fight against this infection. Given the current vaccine shortage, vaccination programs must prioritize their distribution to the most appropriate segments of the population. Methods: We carried out a prospective cohort study with 63 health care workers (HCWs) from a public General Hospital. We compared antibody responses to two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine between HCWs with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection before vaccination (experienced HCWs) and HCWs who were not previously infected (naive HCWs). Results: Seven days after the first vaccine dose HCWs with previous infection experienced a 126 fold increase in antibody levels (GMC 26955 AU; 95% CI 18785-35125). However, in the HCW naive group the response was much lower and only 5 of them showed positive antibody levels (>50 AU). The HCWs with previous infection did not significantly increased their antibody levels after the second dose while there was a significant increase in the naive HCW group (16 fold; GMC 20227 AU; 95% CI: 15179-25275). Approximately two months after completing vaccination, the level of antibodies was much lower in naive HCWs (GMC 6595 AU vs. 25003 AU; p<0.001) Conclusion: The study shows that 10 months after the disease has passed, the immune system is capable of producing a rapid and powerful secondary antibody response after one single dose of the vaccine. This response reflects the persistence of immunological memory and it is independent of whether or not anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are detected in blood. Besides, we found that the second dose does not improve the antibody response in individuals with previous Covid-19 infection. Nonetheless, two months later, the persistence of antibody levels is still higher in the experienced HCWs. These data suggest that immune memory remains for a long time in recovered individuals, and therefore, vaccination in this group could be postponed until immunization of the rest of the population is complete.
Motivation: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (coronavirus disease, 2019; COVID-19) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients. It has been observed that lethality seems to be related to the age of patients. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that ageing causes some modifications at a molecular level. Objective: The study aims to shed out light on a possible link between the increased COVID-19 lethality and the molecular changes that occur in elderly people. Methods: We considered public datasets on ageing-related genes and their expression at tissue level. We selected interactors that are known to be related to ageing process. Then, we performed a networkbased analysis to identify interactors significantly related to both SARS-CoV-2 and ageing. Finally, we investigated changes on the expression level of coding genes at tissue, gender and age level. Results We observed a significant intersection between some SARS-CoV-2 interactors and ageing-related genes suggesting that those genes are particularly affected by COVID-19 infection. Our analysis evidenced that virus infection particularly affects ageing molecular mechanisms centred around proteins EEF2, NPM1, HMGA1, HMGA2, APEX1, CHEK1, PRKDC, and GPX4. We found that HMGA1, and NPM1 have a different expression in lung of males, while HMGA1, APEX1, CHEK1, EEF2, and NPM1 present changes in expression in males due to aging effects. Conclusion Our study generated a mechanistic framework to explaining the correlation between COVID-19 incidence in elderly patients and molecular mechanisms of ageing. This will provide testable hypotheses for future investigation and pharmacological solutions tailored on specific age ranges.
Plitidepsin is a marine-derived cyclic-peptide that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication at low nanomolar concentrations by the targeting of host protein eEF1A (eukaryotic translation-elongation-factor-1A). We evaluated a model of intervention with plitidepsin in hospitalized COVID-19 adult patients where three doses were assessed (1.5, 2 and 2.5 mg/day for 3 days, as a 90-minute intravenous infusion) in 45 patients (15 per dose-cohort). Treatment was well tolerated, with only two Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events observed (hypersensitivity and diarrhea). The discharge rates by Days 8 and 15 were 56.8% and 81.8%, respectively, with data sustaining dose-effect. A mean 4.2 log10 viral load reduction was attained by Day 15. Improvement in inflammation markers was also noted in a seemingly dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that plitidepsin impacts the outcome of patients with COVID-19.
Objective: To determine whether antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein following BNT162B2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 mRNA vaccination cross-react with human syncytin-1 protein, and if BNT162B2 mRNA enters breast milk. Methods: In this observational cohort study of female front-line workers with no history of COVID-19 infection, we amplified BNT162B2 mRNA in plasma and breast milk and assayed anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies and anti-human syncytin-1 binding antibodies in plasma, at early (1-4 days) and late (4-7 weeks) time points following first-dose vaccination. Results: Fifteen consented participants (mean age 40.4 years, various ethnicities) who received at least one dose of BNT162B2, including five breast-feeding women and two women who were inadvertently vaccinated in early pregnancy, were recruited. BNT162B2 mRNA, detected by amplifying part of the spike-encoding region, was detected in plasma 1-4 days following the first dose (n=13), but not 4-5 weeks later (n=2), nor was the mRNA isolated from aqueous or lipid breast milk fractions collected 0-7 days post-vaccination (n=5). Vaccine recipients demonstrated strong SARS-CoV-2 neutralising activity by at least four weeks after the first dose (n=15), including the two pregnant women. None had placental anti-syncytin-1 binding antibodies at either time-point following vaccination. Conclusions: BNT162B2-vaccinated women did not transmit vaccine mRNA to breast milk, and did not produce a concurrent humoral response to syncytin-1, suggesting that cross-reactivity to syncytin-1 on the developing trophoblast, or other adverse effects in the breast-fed infant from vaccine mRNA ingestion, are unlikely.
Reverse vaccinology is an evolving approach for improving vaccine effectiveness and minimizing adverse responses by limiting immunizations to critical epitopes. Towards this goal, we sought to identify immunogenic amino acid motifs and linear epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that elicit IgG in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine recipients. Paired pre/post vaccination samples from N=20 healthy adults, and post-vaccine samples from an additional N=13 individuals were used to immunoprecipitate IgG targets expressed by a bacterial display random peptide library, and preferentially recognized peptides were mapped to the spike primary sequence. The data identify several distinct amino acid motifs recognized by vaccine-induced IgG, a subset of those targeted by IgG from natural infection, which may mimic 3-dimensional conformation (mimotopes). Dominant linear epitopes were identified in the C-terminal domains of the S1 and S2 subunits (aa 558-569, 627-638, and 1148-1159) which have been previously associated with SARS-CoV-2 neutralization in vitro and demonstrate identity to bat coronavirus and SARS-CoV, but limited homology to non-pathogenic human coronavirus. The identified COVID-19 mRNA vaccine epitopes should be considered in the context of variants, immune escape and vaccine and therapy design moving forward.
Study to Evaluate a Single Intranasal Dose of STI-2099 (COVI-DROPS™) in Outpatient Adults With COVID-19 - Condition: Covid19
Interventions: Drug: COVI-DROPS; Drug: Placebo
Sponsor: Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.
Not yet recruiting
Recombinant Hyperimmune Polyclonal Antibody (GIGA-2050) in COVID-19 Patients - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Drug: GIGA-2050
Sponsor: GigaGen, Inc.
Not yet recruiting
Study to Evaluate the Effects of RO7496998 (AT-527) in Non-Hospitalized Adult and Adolescent Participants With Mild or Moderate COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: RO7496998; Drug: Placebo
Sponsors: Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Hoffmann-La Roche
Recruiting
The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on COVID-19 Recovery - Condition: Covid19
Interventions: Drug: Vit-D 0.2 MG/ML Oral Solution [Calcidol]; Drug: Physiological Irrigating Solution
Sponsors: University of Monastir; Loussaief Chawki; Nissaf Ben Alaya; Cyrine Ben Nasrallah; Manel Ben Belgacem; Hela Abroug; Imen Zemni; Manel Ben fredj; Wafa Dhouib
Completed
Using Text Messages to Improve COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake - Condition: Covid19
Intervention: Behavioral: Text message content
Sponsors: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust; Central London CCG; Imperial College Health Partners; Institute for Global Health Innovations; The Behavioural Insights Team
Not yet recruiting
Prophylaxis for COVID-19: Ivermectin in Close Contacts of COVID-19 Cases (IVERNEX-TUC) - Condition: Covid19
Interventions: Drug: Ivermectin; Other: Placebo
Sponsor: Ministry of Public Health, Argentina
Recruiting
Mix and Match of the Second COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for Safety and Immunogenicity - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine; Biological: BNT162b2; Biological: ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]; Other: 0, 28 day schedule; Other: 0, 112 day schedule
Sponsors: Canadian Immunization Research Network; Canadian Center for Vaccinology; BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute; Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba; CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; Northern Alberta Clinical Trials + Research Centre; Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion; University of Toronto; Massachusetts General Hospital
Not yet recruiting
CISCO-21 Prevent and Treat Long COVID-19. - Condition: Covid19
Intervention: Other: Resistance Exercise
Sponsors: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; University of Glasgow; Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government
Not yet recruiting
Amantadine for COVID-19 - Condition: Covid19
Interventions: Drug: Amantadine; Drug: Lactose monohydrate
Sponsors: Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre; University of Copenhagen
Not yet recruiting
Leronlimab in Moderatelly Ill Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia - Condition: COVID-19 Pneumonia
Interventions: Drug: Leronlimab; Drug: Placebo
Sponsors: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein; CytoDyn, Inc.
Not yet recruiting
Anti COVID 19 Intravenous Immunoglobulin (C-IVIG) Therapy for Severe COVID-19 Patients - Condition: Covid19
Intervention: Biological: Anti COVID 19 Intravenous Immunoglobulin (C-IVIG)
Sponsors: Dow University of Health Sciences; Higher Education Commission (Pakistan)
Recruiting
Leronlimab in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) With Need for Mechanical Ventilation or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation - Condition: COVID-19 Pneumonia
Interventions: Drug: Leronlimab; Drug: Placebo
Sponsors: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein; CytoDyn, Inc.
Not yet recruiting
A Proof of Concept Study for the DNA Repair Driven by the Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Critical COVID-19 Patients - Condition: COVID-19 Pneumonia
Intervention: Biological: Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation
Sponsors: SBÜ Dr. Sadi Konuk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi; Istinye University; Liv Hospital (Ulus)
Completed
A Global Phase III Clinical Trial of Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (Sf9 Cells) - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells); Other: Placebo control
Sponsors: Jiangsu Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; WestVac Biopharma Co., Ltd.; West China Hospital
Not yet recruiting
ACTIV-6: COVID-19 Study of Repurposed Medications - Condition: Covid19
Intervention: Drug: Ivermectin Tablets
Sponsors: Susanna Naggie, MD; National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS); Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Not yet recruiting
Long non-coding RNAs in Epstein-Barr virus-related cancer - Epstein Barr-virus (EBV) is related to several cancers. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act by regulating target genes and are involved in tumourigenesis. However, the role of lncRNAs in EBV-associated cancers is rarely reported. Understanding the role and mechanism of lncRNAs in EBV-associated cancers may contribute to diagnosis, prognosis and clinical therapy in the future. EBV encodes not only miRNAs, but also BART lncRNAs during latency and the BHLF1 lncRNA during both the latent and lytic…
A ‘deep dive’ into the SARS-Cov-2 polymerase assembly: identifying novel allosteric sites and analyzing the hydrogen bond networks and correlated dynamics - Replication of the SARS-CoV-2 genome is a fundamental step in the virus life cycle and inhibiting the SARS-CoV2 replicase machinery has been proven recently as a promising approach in combating the virus. Despite this recent success, there are still several aspects related to the structure, function and dynamics of the CoV-2 polymerase that still need to be addressed. This includes understanding the dynamicity of the various polymerase subdomains, analyzing the hydrogen bond networks at the…
Time-dependent viral interference between influenza virus and coronavirus in the infection of differentiated porcine airway epithelial cells - Coronaviruses and influenza viruses are circulating in humans and animals all over the world. Co-infection with these two viruses may aggravate clinical signs. However, the molecular mechanisms of co-infections by these two viruses are incompletely understood. In this study, we applied air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of well-differentiated porcine tracheal epithelial cells (PTECs) to analyze the co-infection by a swine influenza virus (SIV, H3N2 subtype) and porcine respiratory coronavirus…
Sulforaphane inhibits the expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 induced in bronchial epithelial IB3-1 cells by exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein - CONCLUSION: The control of the cytokine storm is one of the major issues in the management of COVID-19 patients. Our study suggests that SFN can be employed in protocols useful to control hyperinflammatory state associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Phytochemicals present in Indian ginseng possess potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 virulence: A molecular docking and MD simulation study - Coronaviruses are deadly and contagious pathogens that affects people in different ways. Researchers have increased their efforts in the development of antiviral agents against coronavirus targeting M^(pro) protein (main protease) as an effective drug target. The present study explores the inhibitory potential of characteristic and non-characteristic Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) phytochemicals (n ≈ 100) against SARS-Cov-2 M^(pro) protein. Molecular docking studies revealed that certain W….
Penetrating the Blood-Brain Barrier with New Peptide-Porphyrin Conjugates Having anti-HIV Activity - Passing through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to treat neurological conditions is one of the main hurdles in modern medicine. Many drugs with promising in vitro profiles become ineffective in vivo due to BBB restrictive permeability. In particular, this includes drugs such as antiviral porphyrins, with the ability to fight brain-resident viruses causing diseases such as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). In the last two decades, BBB shuttles, particularly peptide-based ones, have…
Antibodies: what makes us stronger - Neutralizing antibodies are the basis of almost all approved prophylactic vaccines and the foundation of effective protection from pathogens, including the recently emerging SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the contribution of antibodies to protection and to the course of the disease during first-time exposure to a pathogen is unknown. We analyzed the antibodies and B cell responses in severe and mild COVID-19 patients. Despite our primary assumption that high antibody titers contribute…
Virtual screening of quinoline derived library for SARS-COV-2 targeting viral entry and replication - The COVID-19 pandemic infection has claimed many lives and added to the social, economic, and psychological distress. The contagious disease has quickly spread to almost 218 countries and territories following the regional outbreak in China. As the number of infected populations increases exponentially, there is a pressing demand for anti-COVID drugs and vaccines. Virtual screening provides possible leads while extensively cutting down the time and resources required for ab-initio drug design….
Tie2 activation protects against prothrombotic endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 - Profound endothelial dysfunction accompanies the microvascular thrombosis commonly observed in severe COVID-19. In the quiescent state, the endothelial surface is anticoagulant, a property maintained at least in part via constitutive signaling through the Tie2 receptor. During inflammation, the Tie2 antagonist angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) is released from activated endothelial cells and inhibits Tie2, promoting a prothrombotic phenotypic shift. We sought to assess whether severe COVID-19 is…
4’-Fluorouridine is a broad-spectrum orally efficacious antiviral blocking respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2 replication - The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for broad-spectrum therapeutics against respiratory viruses. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major threat to pediatric patients and the elderly. We describe 4’-fluorouridine (4’-FlU, EIDD-2749), a ribonucleoside analog that inhibits RSV, related RNA viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 with high selectivity index in cells and well-differentiated human airway epithelia. Polymerase inhibition in in vitro RdRP assays established for RSV and…
Inhibition mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 main protease by ebselen and its derivatives - The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has triggered global efforts to develop therapeutics. The main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (M^(pro)), critical for viral replication, is a key target for therapeutic development. An organoselenium drug called ebselen has been demonstrated to have potent M^(pro) inhibition and antiviral activity. We have examined the binding modes of ebselen and its derivative in M^(pro) via high resolution co-crystallography and investigated their chemical reactivity via mass spectrometry….
Targeting novel LSD1-dependent ACE2 demethylation domains inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication - Treatment options for COVID-19 remain limited, especially during the early or asymptomatic phase. Here, we report a novel SARS-CoV-2 viral replication mechanism mediated by interactions between ACE2 and the epigenetic eraser enzyme LSD1, and its interplay with the nuclear shuttling importin pathway. Recent studies have shown a critical role for the importin pathway in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and many RNA viruses hijack this axis to re-direct host cell transcription. LSD1 colocalized with ACE2 at…
Electroencephalography-detected neurophysiology of internet addiction disorder and internet gaming disorder in adolescents - A review - CONCLUSION: EEG can identify distinct neurophysiological changes among Internet Addiction Disorder and Internet Gaming Disorder that are akin to substance abuse disorders.
Early Humoral Responses of Hemodialysis Patients after COVID-19 Vaccination with BNT162b2 - Background and objectives Patients receiving hemodialysis are at high risk for both SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 disease. A life-saving vaccine is available, but sensitivity to vaccines is generally lower in dialysis patients. Little is yet known about antibody responses after COVID-19 vaccination in this vulnerable group. Design, setting, participants, and measurements In this prospective single-center study, we included 22 dialysis patients and 46 healthy controls from Heidelberg…
Arginine Methylation of SARS-Cov-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Regulates RNA Binding, its Ability to Suppress Stress Granule Formation and Viral Replication - Viral proteins are known to be methylated by host protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) necessary for the viral life cycle, but it remains unknown whether SARS-CoV-2 proteins are methylated. Herein, we show that PRMT1 methylates SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein at residues R95 and R177 within RGG/RG motifs, preferred PRMT target sequences. We confirmed arginine methylation of N protein by immunoblotting viral proteins extracted from SARS-CoV-2 virions isolated from cell culture. Type I…
METHOD OF IDENTIFYING SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONA VIRUS 2 (SARS-COV-2) RIBONUCLEIC ACID (RNA) - - link
IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO PARTICLE, INCLUDING SARS-CoV-2, DETECTION AND METHODS THEREFOR - - link
DEEP LEARNING BASED SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF COVID-19 DISEASE OF PATIENT AT INFECTION RISK - The present invention relates to Deep learning based system for detection of covid-19 disease of patient at infection risk. The objective of the present invention is to solve the problems in the prior art related to technologies of detection of covid-19 disease using CT scan image processing. - link
A COMPREHENSIVE DISINFECTION SYSTEM DURING PANDEMIC FOR PERSONAL ITEMS AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) TO SAFEGUARD PEOPLE - The current Covid-19 pandemic has led to an enormous demand for gadgets / objects for personal protection. To prevent the spread of virus, it is important to disinfect commonly touched objects. One of the ways suggested is to use a personal UV-C disinfecting box that is “efficient and effective in deactivating the COVID-19 virus. The present model has implemented the use of a UV transparent material (fused silica quartz glass tubes) as the medium of support for the objects to be disinfected to increase the effectiveness of disinfection without compromising the load bearing capacity. Aluminum foil, a UV reflecting material, was used as the inner lining of the box for effective utilization of the UVC light emitted by the UVC lamps. Care has been taken to prevent leakage of UVC radiation out of the system. COVID-19 virus can be inactivated in 5 minutes by UVC irradiation in this disinfection box - link
UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING SYSTEM FOR MENTAL HEALTH MONITORING OF PERSON DURING THE PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 - - link
USE OF IMINOSUGAR COMPOUND IN PREPARATION OF ANTI-SARS-COV-2 VIRUS DRUG - - link
一种高灵敏SARS-CoV-2中和抗体的检测方法、检测试剂盒 - 本发明公开了一种高灵敏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，本发明试剂盒包括层析试纸、卡壳和样本稀释液，所述层析试纸包括底板、样品垫、结合垫、NC膜和吸水垫，所述NC膜上依次设置有捕获线、检测线和质控线，所述捕获线包被有ACE2蛋白，所述检测线包被有RBD蛋白，所述结合垫设置有RBD蛋白标记物；本发明采用阻断法加夹心法原理提高检测中和抗体的灵敏度，通过添加捕获线的方式，将靶向RBD的非中和抗体提前捕获，保证后续通过夹心法检测中和抗体的特异性。 - link
逆转录酶突变体及其应用 - 本发明提供一种MMLV逆转录酶突变体，在野生型MMLV逆转录酶氨基酸序列（如SEQ ID No.1序列所示）中进行七个氨基酸位点的突变，氨基酸突变位点为：R205H；V288T；L304K；G525D；S526D；E531G；E574G。该突变体可以降低MMLV逆转录酶对Taq DNA聚合酶的抑制作用，大大提高了一步法RT‑qPCR的灵敏度。 - link
Konstruktion einer elektrochemischen medizinischen Atemmaske (1) für den aktiven Schutz gegen Infektion mit Coronaviren dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein elektrochemischer Effekt durch eine allgemein positives Magnetfeld der Maske erzeugbar ist, das die positiv geladenen Coronavirus-Mikroorganismen von der Person vertreibt, indem eine aktive elektrochemische Atemmaske (1) aus einem zweischichtigen Material verwendet wird, umfassend eine äußeren Schicht (2) aus einer hochmolekularen Verbindung aus Bambus in Mischung mit Kupfer-, Silber- oder Goldmetallfasern und einer inneren Schicht (3) aus einem Vliesstoff auf Basis von Polypropylenfasern SMS oder SNS, wobei der Maskenkörper aus zwei in der Mitte der Gesichtssymmetrie genähten Elementen gebildet ist, um die Kontur der Gesichtskurven so weit wie möglich zu wiederholen, ausgestattet mit einem Atemfilter (9) mit einem Einsatz aus zwei Schichten ferromagnetischen Metallgewebes, wobei das Filter (9) hat eine herausnehmbare SMS- oder SNS-Vlieskartusche in einem Kunststoffrand (14) und eine Öse zur Fixierung im Filtergehäuse umfasst, wobei die Maske (1) jeweils einen Nasen- und Kinnbügel aus einem flexiblen Einschubstreifen zwischen den beiden Lagen des Maskengewebes aufweist, die eine Fixierung auf Basis von doppelseitig klebendem Silikonklebeband in den Maskenseitenkanten sowie Nacken- und Kopfbefestigungsschlaufen ermöglichen.