Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• National Narcissism and the Belief and the Dissemination of Conspiracy Theories During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From 56 Countries -
  Conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 have propagated around the globe, leading the World Health Organization to declare the spread of misinformation an ‘Infodemic’. We tested the hypothesis that national narcissism —a belief in the greatness of one’s nation that requires external recognition— is associated with the spread of conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic. In two large-scale national surveys (NTotal = 950) conducted in the US and the UK, and secondary analysis of data from 56 countries (N = 50,757), we found a robust, positive relationship between national narcissism and proneness to believe and disseminate conspiracy theories related to COVID-19. Further, belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories was related to less engagement in health behaviors and less support for public-health policies to combat COVID-19. Our findings illustrate the importance of social identity factors in the spread of conspiracy theories and provide insights into the psychological processes underlying the COVID-19 pandemic.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: National Narcissism and the Belief and the Dissemination of Conspiracy Theories During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From 56 Countries
• Standardized incidence ratio of the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study in a Midwestern state -

  The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) has made a dramatic impact around the world with some communities facing harsher outcomes than others. We sought to understand how each county fared compared to what would be expected and what factors contributed to negative outcomes from the pandemic in South Dakotas counties. The Standardized incidence ratios of all counties using age adjusted hospitalization and death rates are computed. In addition, a penalized generalized linear regression model is used to identify factors that have an association with COVID19 hospitalization and death rates. The results identified counties that had more severe outcomes than what would be expected. In addition, race, education, and testing rate were some of the significant factors associated with the outcome.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Standardized incidence ratio of the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study in a Midwestern state
• COVID-19 Hand Hygiene Intervention - PREPRINT -
  Objective: We aimed to test the efficacy of a theory-based intervention to promote the avoidance of touching one’s face with unwashed hands to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Methods: We tested effects of an intervention employing imagery, persuasive communication, and planning techniques in two pre-registered studies adopting randomized controlled designs in samples of Australian (N=254; Study 1) and US (N=245; Study 2) residents. Participants were randomly assigned to theory-based intervention or education-only conditions (Study 1), or to theory-based intervention, education-only, and no-intervention control conditions (Study 2). The intervention was delivered online and participants completed measures of behavior and theory-based social cognition constructs pre-intervention and one-week post- intervention. Results: Mixed-model ANOVAs revealed a significant increase in avoidance of touching the face with unwashed hands from pre-intervention to follow-up irrespective of intervention condition in both studies, but no significant condition effects. Exploratory analyses revealed significant effects of the theory-based intervention on behavior at follow-up in individuals with low pre-intervention risk perceptions in Study 2. Conclusions: Results indicate high adoption of avoiding touching one’s face with unwashed hands, with behavior increasing over time independent of the intervention. Future research should confirm risk perceptions as a moderator of the effect theory- based interventions on infection-prevention behaviors.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: COVID-19 Hand Hygiene Intervention - PREPRINT
• Evaluation of Different Types of Face Masks to Limit the Spread of SARS CoV 2, A Modeling Study -

  We updated a published mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission with laboratory-derived source and wearer protection efficacy estimates for a variety of face masks to estimate their impact on COVID-19 incidence and related mortality in the United States. When used at already-observed population rates of 80% for those >65 years and 60% for those <65 years, face masks are associated with 69% (cloth) to 78% (medical procedure mask) reductions in cumulative COVID-19 infections and 82% (cloth) to 87% (medical procedure mask) reductions in related deaths over a 6-month timeline in the model, assuming a basic reproductive number of 2.5. If cloth or medical procedure masks source control and wearer protection efficacies are boosted about 30% each to 84% and 60% by cloth over medical procedure masking, fitters, or braces, the COVID-19 basic reproductive number of 2.5 could be reduced to an effective reproductive number < 1.0, and from 6.0 to 2.3 for a variant of concern similar to delta (B.1.617.2).

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Evaluation of Different Types of Face Masks to Limit the Spread of SARS CoV 2, A Modeling Study
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Families’ Home Literacy Practices with Young Children -
  The practice of shared book reading is a nurturing support for early language, literacy and socio-emotional development within young children’s typical care. However, the closures of childcare and centers for family activities in the Spring of 2020 due to COVID-19 brought many sudden changes to care and the everyday lives of families with young children. In order to explore the impact of COVID-19 on shared reading, we surveyed parents of children between ages 2 and 5 (n = 85) about their children’s frequency of shared reading engagement in February and October, 2020 as well as the frequency of screen-mediated reading, the number of readers their children read with, and book preferences at both time points. Parents were also asked about changes in their children’s regular care and whether and how they had tried new kinds of (virtual) literacy activities during their increased time at home. Preliminary findings showed that there were no significant changes in frequency of shared reading from February to October, but there was a significant increase in frequency of screen-mediated reading, especially among families who lost outside-the-home childcare. There was also a significant decrease in the number of adults regularly reading with the children. Caregivers described adapting to virtual options for storytime. Ultimately, while families were still able to provide consistent amounts of shared reading with their children throughout COVID-19, the nature of that shared reading was changed. Future research will investigate whether these changes may have an impact on children’s typical learning from shared reading.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The Impact of COVID-19 on Families’ Home Literacy Practices with Young Children
• Full genome Nobecovirus sequences from Malagasy fruit bats define a unique evolutionary history for this coronavirus clade -
  Bats are natural reservoirs for both Alpha- and Betacoronaviruses and the hypothesized original hosts of five of seven known zoonotic coronaviruses. To date, the vast majority of bat coronavirus research has been concentrated in Asia, though coronaviruses are globally distributed; indeed, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2-related Betacoronaviruses in the subgenus Sarbecovirus have been identified circulating in Rhinolophid bats in both Africa and Europe, despite the relative dearth of surveillance in these regions. As part of a long-term study examining the dynamics of potentially zoonotic viruses in three species of endemic Madagascar fruit bat (Pteropus rufus, Eidolon dupreanum, Rousettus madagascariensis), we carried out metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing (mNGS) on urine, throat, and fecal samples obtained from wild-caught individuals. We report detection of RNA derived from Betacoronavirus subgenus Nobecovirus in fecal samples from all three species and describe full genome sequences of novel Nobecoviruses in P. rufus and R. madagascariensis. Phylogenetic analysis indicates the existence of five distinct Nobecovirus clades, one of which is defined by the highly divergent sequence reported here from P. rufus bats. Madagascar Nobecoviruses derived from P. rufus and R. madagascariensis demonstrate, respectively, Asian and African phylogeographic origins, mirroring those of their fruit bat hosts. Bootscan recombination analysis indicates significant selection has taken place in the spike, nucleocapsid, and NS7 accessory protein regions of the genome for viruses derived from both bat hosts. Madagascar offers a unique phylogeographic nexus of bats and viruses with both Asian and African phylogeographic origins, providing opportunities for unprecedented mixing of viral groups and, potentially, recombination. As fruit bats are handled and consumed widely across Madagascar for subsistence, understanding the landscape of potentially zoonotic coronavirus circulation is essential for mitigation of future zoonotic threats.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Full genome Nobecovirus sequences from Malagasy fruit bats define a unique evolutionary history for this coronavirus clade
• SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern infect the respiratory tract and induce inflammatory response in wild-type laboratory mice -
  The emergence of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern poses a major threat to the public health due to possible enhanced virulence, transmissibility and immune escape. These variants may also adapt to new hosts in part through mutations in the spike protein. In this study, we evaluated the infectivity and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Six-week-old mice were inoculated intranasally with a representative virus from the original B.1 lineage or emerging B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 lineages. We also infected a group of mice with a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 (MA10). Viral load and mRNA levels of multiple cytokines and chemokines were analyzed in the lung tissues on day 3 after infection. Our data show that unlike the B.1 virus, the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 viruses are capable of infecting C57BL/6 mice and replicating at high concentrations in the lungs. The B.1.351 virus replicated to higher titers in the lungs compared to the B.1.1.7 and MA10 viruses. The levels of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-, IL-1{beta}) and chemokine (CCL2) were upregulated in response to the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 infection in the lungs. Overall, these data indicate a greater potential for infectivity and adaptation to new hosts by emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern infect the respiratory tract and induce inflammatory response in wild-type laboratory mice
• Protection of Hamsters Challenged with SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern by Two Doses of MVC-COV1901 Vaccine Followed by a Single Dose of Beta Variant Version of MVC-COV1901 -
  The current fight against COVID-19 is compounded by the Variants of Concern (VoCs), which can diminish the effectiveness of vaccines, increase viral transmission and severity of disease. MVC-COV1901 is a protein subunit vaccine based on the prefusion SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S-2P) adjuvanted with CpG 1018 and aluminum hydroxide. Here we used the Delta variant to challenge hamsters innoculated with S-2P based on the ancestral strain or the Beta variant in two- dose or three-dose regimens. Two doses of ancestral S-2P followed by the third dose of Beta variant S-2P was shown to induce the highest neutralizing antibody titer against live SARS-CoV-2 of the ancestral strain as well as all VoCs. All regimens of vaccination were able to protect hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant challenge and reduce lung live virus titer. Three doses of vaccination significantly reduced lung viral RNA titer, regardless of using the ancestral or Beta variant S-2P as the third dose. Based on the immunogenicity and viral challenge data, two doses of ancestral S-2P followed by the third dose of Beta variant S-2P could induce broad and potent immune response against the variants.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Protection of Hamsters Challenged with SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern by Two Doses of MVC-COV1901 Vaccine Followed by a Single Dose of Beta Variant Version of MVC-COV1901
• Data-driven approaches for genetic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 lineages -
  The genome of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pathogen that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been sequenced at an unprecedented scale, leading to a tremendous amount of viral genome sequencing data. To understand the evolution of this virus in humans, and to assist in tracing infection pathways and designing preventive strategies, we present a set of computational tools that span phylogenomics, population genetics and machine learning approaches. To illustrate the utility of this toolbox, we detail an in depth analysis of the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, using 329,854 high-quality consensus sequences published in the GISAID database during the pre-vaccination phase. We demonstrate that, compared to standard phylogenetic approaches, haplotype networks can be computed efficiently on much larger datasets, enabling real- time analyses. Furthermore, time series change of Tajima’s D provides a powerful metric of population expansion. Unsupervised learning techniques further highlight key steps in variant detection and facilitate the study of the role of this genomic variation in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with Multiscale PHATE methodology identifying fine- scale structure in the SARS-CoV-2 genetic data that underlies the emergence of key lineages. The computational framework presented here is useful for real-time genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and could be applied to any pathogen that threatens the health of worldwide populations of humans and other organisms.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Data- driven approaches for genetic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 lineages
• Metabolic snapshot of plasma samples reveals new pathways implicated in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis -
  Despite of the scientific and human efforts to understand COVID-19, there are questions still unanswered. Variations in the metabolic reaction to SARS-CoV-2 infection could explain the striking differences in the susceptibility to infection and the risk of severe disease. Here, we used untargeted metabolomics to examine novel metabolic pathways related to SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 clinical severity using capillary electrophoresis coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (CE-TOF-MS) in plasma samples. We included 27 patients with confirmed COVID-19 early after symptom onset who were prospectively followed and 29 healthcare workers heavily exposed to SARS- CoV-2 but with low susceptibility to infection ( nonsusceptible). We found that the metabolite profile was predictive of the study group. We identified a total of 55 metabolites as biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility or COVID-19 clinical severity. We report the discovery of new plasma biomarkers for COVID-19 that provide mechanistic explanations for the clinical consequences of SARS-CoV-2, including mitochondrial and liver dysfunction as a consequence of hypoxemia (citrulline, citrate, and BAIBA), energy production and amino acid catabolism (L-glycine, L-alanine, L-serine, L-proline, L-aspartic acid and L-histidine), endothelial dysfunction and thrombosis (citrulline, L-ADMA, 2-AB, and Neu5Ac), and we found interconnections between these pathways. In summary, in this first report of the metabolomic profile of individuals with severe COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility by CE-MS, we define several metabolic pathways implicated in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 clinical progression that could be developed as biomarkers of COVID-19.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Metabolic snapshot of plasma samples reveals new pathways implicated in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis
• CD19+IgD+CD27- naive B Cells as predictors of humoral response to COVID 19 mRNA vaccination in immunocompromised patients -

  Immunocompromised patients are considered high-risk and prioritized for vaccination against COVID 19. We aimed to analyze B cell subsets in these patients to identify potential predictors of humoral vaccination response. Patients (n=120) suffering from hematologic malignancies or other causes of immunodeficiency and healthy controls (n=79) received a full vaccination series with an mRNA vaccine. B cell subsets were analyzed prior to vaccination. Two independent anti SARS CoV 2 immunoassays targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) or trimeric S protein (TSP) were performed three to four weeks after the second vaccination. Seroconversion occurred in 100% of healthy controls, in contrast to 67% (RBD) and 82% (TSP) of immunocompromised patients, while only 32% (RBD) and 22% (TSP) achieved antibody levels comparable to those of healthy controls. The number of circulating naive B cells was strongly associated with antibody levels (P<0.001) and the only independent predictor for achieving antibody levels comparable to healthy controls (OR 1.07 per 10 cell increase, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.12, P=0.009). Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified a cut-off at 61 naive B cells per microliter to discriminate between patients with and without an optimal antibody response. Consequently, measuring naive B cells in immunocompromised hematologic patients could be useful in predicting their humoral vaccination response.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: CD19+IgD+CD27- naive B Cells as predictors of humoral response to COVID 19 mRNA vaccination in immunocompromised patients
• Prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 boosts and broadens Ad26.COV2.S immunogenicity in a variant dependent manner -

  The Johnson and Johnson Ad26.COV2.S single dose vaccine represents an attractive option for COVID-19 vaccination in resource limited countries. We examined the effect of prior infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants on Ad26.COV2.S immunogenicity. We compared participants who were SARS-CoV-2 naive with those either infected with the ancestral D614G virus, or infected in the second wave when Beta predominated. Prior infection significantly boosted spike binding antibodies, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and neutralizing antibodies against D614G, Beta and Delta, however neutralization cross-reactivity varied by wave. Robust CD4 and CD8 T cell responses were induced after vaccination, regardless of prior infection. T cell recognition of variants was largely preserved, apart from some reduction in CD8 recognition of Delta. Thus, Ad26.COV2.S vaccination following infection may result in enhanced protection against COVID-19. The impact of the infecting variant on neutralization breadth after vaccination has implications for the design of second-generation vaccines based on variants of concern.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 boosts and broadens Ad26.COV2.S immunogenicity in a variant dependent manner
• State of Emergency and Human Mobility during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan -

  Background To help control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Japanese government declared a state of emergency (SoE) four times. However, these were less stringent than other nations. It has not been assessed whether soft containment policies were sufficiently effective in promoting social distancing or reducing human contact. Methods Utilising the Google mobility index to assess social distancing behaviour in all Japanese prefectures between 15 February 2020 and 21 September 2021, mobility changes were assessed by an interrupted time-series analysis after adjusting for seasonality and various prefecture-specific fixed-effects and distinguishing potential heterogeneity across multiple SoEs and time passed after the declaration. Results The mobility index for retail and recreation showed an immediate decline after the declaration of the SoE by 7.94 percent-points (95%CI: -8.77 to -7.12) and a further decline after the initial period (beta: -1.27 95%CI: -1.43 to -1.11), but gradually increased by 0.03 percent-points (95%CI: 0.02 - 0.03). This trend was similar for mobilities in other places. Among the four SoEs, the overall declines in human mobility outside the home in the third and fourth SoE were the least significant, suggesting that people were less compliant with social distancing measures during these periods. Conclusion Although less stringent government responses to the pandemic may help promote social distancing by controlling human mobilities outside the home, their effectiveness may decrease if these interventions are repeated and enforced for extended periods, distorting one9s health belief by heuristics biases. By combining these with other measures (i.e. risk-communication strategies), even mild containment and closure policies can be effective in curbing the spread of the virus.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: State of Emergency and Human Mobility during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan
• A combination of two human neutralizing antibodies prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques -
  Human monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments are promising for COVID-19 prevention, post-exposure prophylaxis, or therapy. However, the titer of neutralizing antibodies required for protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection remains poorly characterized. We previously described two potently neutralizing mAbs COV2-2130 and COV2-2381 targeting non- overlapping epitopes on the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Here, we engineered the Fc-region of these mAbs with mutations to extend their persistence in humans and reduce interactions with Fc gamma receptors. Passive transfer of individual or combinations of the two antibodies (designated ADM03820) given prophylactically by intravenous or intramuscular route conferred virological protection in a non-human primate (NHP) model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and ADM03820 potently neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in vitro. We defined 6,000 as a protective serum neutralizing antibody titer in NHPs against infection for passively transferred human mAbs that acted by direct viral neutralization, which corresponded to a concentration of 20 microgram/mL of circulating mAb.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A combination of two human neutralizing antibodies prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques
• Use of eVLP-based vaccine candidates to broaden immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants -
  Rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants is a constant threat and a major hurdle to reach heard immunity. We produced VBI-2905a, an enveloped virus-like particules (eVLP)-based vaccine candidate expressing prefusion spike protein from the Beta variant that contains several escape mutation. VBI-2905a protected hamsters against infection with a Beta variant virus and induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies against Beta RBD. In a heterologous vaccination regimen, a single injection of VBI-2905a in animals previously immunized with VBI-2902, a vaccine candidate expressing S from ancestral SARS-CoV-2, hamsters were equally protected against Beta variant infection. As an alternate strategy to broaden immunity, we produced a trivalent vaccine expressing the prefusion spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 together with unmodifed S from SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. Relative to immunity induced against the ancestral strain, the trivalent vaccine VBI-2901a induced higher and more consistent antibody binding and neutralizing responses against a panel of variants including Beta, Delta, Kappa, and Lambda, with evidence for broadening of immunity rather than just boosting cross-reactivity antibodies.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Use of eVLP-based vaccine candidates to broaden immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants

From Clinical Trials

• Prophylaxis of COVID-19 Disease With Ivermectin in COVID-19 Contact Persons [German: Prophylaxe Der COVID-19-Erkrankung Mit Ivermectin Bei COVID-19 Kontaktpersonen] - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Ivermectin;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:  
  Infectopharm Arzneimittel GmbH;   GKM Gesellschaft für Therapieforschung mbH
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of COVID-19 Vaccine, CT-COV-21 Extension Study - Condition:   Covid19 Vaccine
  Intervention:   Biological: MVC-COV1901(S protein with adjuvant)
  Sponsor:   Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp.
  Enrolling by invitation

• Safety and Immunogenicity Study of AdCLD-CoV19-1: A COVID-19 Preventive Vaccine in Healthy Volunteers - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Biological: AdCLD-CoV19-1
  Sponsor:  
  Cellid Co., Ltd.
  Recruiting

• A Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Study of PF-07321332/Ritonavir in Adult Household Contacts of an Individual With Symptomatic COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: PF-07321332;   Drug: Placebo for PF-07321332;   Drug: Placebo for Ritonavir;   Drug: Ritonavir
  Sponsor:   Pfizer
  Recruiting

• “Efesovir” (FS-1) for COVID-19, Phase 2 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: Efesovir
  Sponsor:   Scientific Center for Anti-infectious Drugs, Kazakhstan
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study of AZD1222, a Vaccine for the Prevention of COVID-19 in Immunocompromised Adults - Condition:   COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
  Intervention:   Biological: AZD1222
  Sponsor:  
  AstraZeneca
  Not yet recruiting

• SARS-CoV-2 Infection in COVID-19 Vaccinated Patients - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: COVID-19 vaccinated people
  Sponsor:   Hospices Civils de Lyon
  Recruiting

• Factors Influencing the COVID-19 Vaccine Immune Response According to Age and Presence or Not of a Past History of COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer (2 doses);   Biological: COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer (1 dose);   Biological: COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Moderna (2 doses);   Biological: COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Moderna (1 dose)
  Sponsors:   Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne;   Sanofi Pasteur, a Sanofi Company;   Bioaster
  Not yet recruiting

• Relate to the Virus That Causes COVID-19, Known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Other: Rapid antigen testing kit
  Sponsors:  
  Mahidol University;   Yuvabadhana foundation;   Zero COVID Thailand
  Not yet recruiting

• Test to Stay in School: COVID-19 Testing Following Exposure in School Communities - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Other: COVID-19 Testing
  Sponsor:  
  Duke University
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy and Safety of Baricitinib in Patients With Moderate and Severe COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Baricitinib;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:  
  Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy of KOVIR Hard Capsule in the Combination Regimen With Background Treatment in COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: KOVIR hard capsule combined with background treatment
  Sponsors:   Sunstar Joint Stock Company;   Big Leap Clinical Research Joint Stock Company
  Not yet recruiting

• The Development of a COVID19 Oral Vaccine Consisting of Bacillus Subtilis Spores - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Intervention:   Biological: Bacillus subtilis
  Sponsor:   DreamTec Research Limited
  Recruiting

• Randomized Trial of COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations (Cobovax Study) - Condition:   COVID-19 Vaccination
  Interventions:   Biological: BNT162b2;   Biological: CoronaVac
  Sponsor:   The University of Hong Kong
  Not yet recruiting

• Third Dose Vaccination With AstraZeneca or Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Among Adults Received Sinovac COVID-19 Vaccine - Conditions:   COVID-19 Infection;   COVID-19 VACCINE
  Interventions:   Biological: AstraZeneca ChAdOx1 AZD1222 vaccine (AZ) full dose;   Biological: Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine (PF) full dose;   Biological: AstraZeneca ChAdOx1 AZD1222 vaccine (AZ) half dose;   Biological: Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine (PF) half dose
  Sponsors:   Mahidol University;   Clinixir Co., Ltd.;   Program Management Unit-C (PMU-C), governed by Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI)
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• Inhibitors of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins exhibit potent and broad-spectrum anti-mammarenavirus activity via cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase - Targeting host factors is a promising strategy to develop broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. Drugs targeting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins that were originally developed as tumor suppressors have been reported to inhibit multiplication of different types of viruses. However, the mechanisms whereby Bcl-2 inhibitors exert their antiviral activity remain poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the mechanisms by which obatoclax (OLX) and ABT-737 Bcl-2 inhibitors exhibited a potent…

• Porcine deltacoronavirus enters porcine IPI-2I intestinal epithelial cells via macropinocytosis and clathrin- mediated endocytosis dependent on pH and dynamin - Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), an emerging enteropathogenic coronavirus, causes serious diarrhoea in suckling piglets and has the potential for cross-species transmission. Although extensive studies have been reported on the biology and pathogenesis of PDCoV, the mechanisms by which PDCoV enters cells are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated how PDCoV enters IPI-2I cells, a line of porcine intestinal epithelial cells derived from pig ileum. Immunofluorescence assays, siRNA…

• Inhibitory Effects and Surface Plasmon Resonance-Based Binding Affinities of Dietary Hydrolyzable Tannins and Their Gut Microbial Metabolites on SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (Mpro) inhibitors are considered as potential treatments for coronavirus disease 2019, and dietary polyphenols show promise in SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibition based on in silico studies. In the present study, we utilize a combination of biochemical-, surface plasmon resonance-, and docking- based assays to evaluate the inhibition and binding affinities of a series of tannins and their gut microbial metabolites on SARS-CoV-2 Mpro….

• Roadmap for the Management of Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illness: An Expert Discussion and Review of Available Guidelines - Acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses (AUFIs) are associated with specific characterizations like fever of less than two weeks’ duration with no organ-specific symptoms at onset. These range from mild and self-limiting disease to progressive, life-threatening illness. Acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses are classified into malaria and non- malarial illnesses on the basis of microscopy or malariadiagnostic tests. Various challenges, such as comorbidities, geriatrics, pregnancy, and…

• Instant determination of the artemisinin from various Artemisia annua L. extracts by LC-ESI-MS/MS and their in- silico modelling and in vitro antiviral activity studies against SARS-CoV-2 - CONCLUSION: Further studies of these extracts for COVID-19 treatment will shed light to seek alternative treatment options. Moreover, these natural extracts can be used as an additional treatment option with medicines, as well as prophylactic use can be very beneficial for patients.

• Drug repurposing for COVID-19 based on an integrative meta-analysis of SARS-CoV-2 induced gene signature in human airway epithelium - Drug repurposing has the potential to bring existing de-risked drugs for effective intervention in an ongoing pandemic- COVID-19 that has infected over 131 million, with 2.8 million people succumbing to the illness globally (as of April 04, 2021). We have used a novel `gene signature’-based drug repositioning strategy by applying widely accepted gene ranking algorithms to prioritize the FDA approved or under trial drugs. We mined publically available RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data using CLC…

• Inhibition Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease with Ketone-Based Inhibitors Unveiled by Multiscale Simulations. Insights for Improved Designs - We present the results of classical and QM/MM simulations for the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease by a hydroxymethylketone inhibitor, PF-00835231. In the noncovalent complex the carbonyl oxygen atom of the warhead is placed in the oxyanion hole formed by residues 143 to 145, while P1-P3 groups are accommodated in the active site with similar interactions to those observed for the peptide substrate. According to alchemical free energy calculations, the P1’ hydroxymethyl group also…

• Extraction and characterization of metabolites from Olea europaea pulp and their molecular docking against SARS- CoV-2 main-protease (M(pro)) - The present study is the first to extract the bioactive metabolites from Olea europaea fruit using the Soxhlet- maceration extraction method. The preliminary phytochemical; Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR); gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses, and their potential against SARS-CoV-2 M^(pro) through molecular docking were studied. The preliminary qualitative phytochemical analyses showed coumarin glycosides, tannins, terpenoids, cholesterol, carbohydrates, and…

• Pharmacological inhibition of fatty acid synthesis blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication - Caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), COVID-19 is a virus-induced inflammatory disease of the airways and lungs that leads to severe multi-organ damage and death. Here we show that cellular lipid synthesis is required for SARS-CoV-2 replication and offers an opportunity for pharmacological intervention. Screening a short- hairpin RNA sublibrary that targets metabolic genes, we identified genes that either inhibit or promote SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, including…

• Mechanism of Microbial Metabolite Leupeptin in the Treatment of COVID-19 by Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused huge deaths and economic losses worldwide in the current pandemic. The main protease (M^(pro)) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is thought to be an ideal drug target for treating COVID-19. Leupeptin, a broad-spectrum covalent inhibitor of serine, cysteine, and threonine proteases, showed inhibitory activity against M^(pro), with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) value of 127.2 μM in vitro in our study here. In…

• Increased Risk of Urticaria/Angioedema after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Health Care Workers Taking ACE Inhibitors - Urticarial eruptions and angioedema are the most common cutaneous reactions in patients undergoing mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations. The vasoactive peptide bradykinin has long been known to be involved in angioedema and recently also in urticaria. Bradykinin is mainly catabolized by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which is inhibited by ACE inhibitors, a commonly employed class of antihypertensive drugs. We evaluated the risk of developing urticaria/angioedema after inoculation with the BNT162b2…

• Myocardial Damage by SARS-CoV-2: Emerging Mechanisms and Therapies - Evidence is emerging that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect various organs of the body, including cardiomyocytes and cardiac endothelial cells in the heart. This review focuses on the effects of SARS- CoV-2 in the heart after direct infection that can lead to myocarditis and an outline of potential treatment options. The main points are: (1) Viral entry: SARS-CoV-2 uses specific receptors and proteases for docking and priming in cardiac cells. Thus, different…

• Hypericin Inhibit Alpha-Coronavirus Replication by Targeting 3CL Protease - The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an Alphacoronavirus (α-CoV) that causes high mortality in infected piglets, resulting in serious economic losses in the farming industry. Hypericin is a dianthrone compound that has been shown as an antiviral activity on several viruses. Here, we first evaluated the antiviral effect of hypericin in PEDV and found the viral replication and egression were significantly reduced with hypericin post-treatment. As hypericin has been shown in SARS-CoV-2…

• Doxycycline Inhibition of a Pseudotyped Virus Transduction Does Not Translate to Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity - The rapid spread of the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has created an unusual situation, with rapid searches for compounds to interfere with the biological processes exploited by the virus. Doxycycline, with its pleiotropic effects, including anti-viral activity, has been proposed as a therapeutic candidate for COVID-19 and about twenty clinical trials have started since the beginning of the pandemic. To gain information on the activity of doxycycline against SARS-CoV-2 infection and…

• Evaluation of Inhibitory Activity In Silico of In-House Thiomorpholine Compounds between the ACE2 Receptor and S1 Subunit of SARS-CoV-2 Spike - At the end of 2019, the world was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in dire repercussions of unimaginable proportions. From the beginning, the international scientific community employed several strategies to tackle the spread of this disease. Most notably, these consisted of the development of a COVID-19 vaccine and the discovery of antiviral agents through the repositioning of already known drugs with methods such as de novo design. Previously, methylthiomorphic compounds,…

From Patent Search

• MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUE TO ANALYSE THE CONDITION OF COVID-19 PATIENTS BASED ON THEIR SATURATION LEVELS - - link

• A HERB BASED COMPOSITION ANTI VIRAL MEDICINE FOR TREATMENT OF SARS COV 2 AND A METHOD FOR TREATING A PERSON INFECTED BY THE SARS COV 2 VIRUS - A Herbal composition, viz., PONNU MARUNTHU essentially comprising of ALLUIUM CEPA extract. [concentrated to 30%] 75%, SAPINDUS MUKOROSSI - extract [Optimised] 10%, CITRUS X LIMON - extract in its natural form 05 TRACYSPERMUM AMMI (L) – extract 07%,ROSA HYBRIDA - extract 03%, PONNU MARUNTHU solution 50 ml, or as a capsulated PONNU MARUNTHU can be given to SARS cov2 positive Patients, three times a day that is ½ an hour before food; continued for 3 days to 5 days and further taking it for 2 days if need be there; It will completely cure a person. When the SARS cov2 test shows negative this medicine can be discontinued. This indigenous medicine and method for treating a person inflicted with SARS COV 2 viral infection is quite effective in achieving of much needed remedy for the patients and saving precious lives from the pangs of death and ensuring better health of people. - link

• 治疗或预防新冠病毒的靶点 - 本发明提供一种蛋白片段，是如下至少一种：A1)氨基酸酸序列如SEQ ID NO.1所示；A2）氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO.1第12位‑34位所示；A3）将A1)的蛋白片段的第18、19、28和29位中的任意一个或几个氨基酸残基经过一个或几个氨基酸残基的取代、缺失、添加得到的与A1)所示的蛋白片段具有90％以上的同一性的蛋白片段；A4）氨基酸酸序列如SEQ ID NO.2所示；A5）氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO.2第32‑41位所示；A6）将A4)的蛋白片段的第35和36位中的任意1个或2个氨基酸残基经过一个或几个氨基酸残基的取代、缺失、添加得到的与A4)所示的蛋白片段具有90％以上的同一性的蛋白片段。 - link

• Anti-Sars-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibodies - - link

• Expression Vector for Anti-Sars-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibodies - - link

• DEVELOPMENT OF CNN SCHEME FOR COVID-19 DISEASE DETECTION USING CHEST RADIOGRAPH - - link

• 一种S1F-AXL复合物、试剂盒和检测该复合物的方法及应用 - 本发明公开了一种S1F‑AXL复合物、试剂盒和检测该复合物的方法及应用。所述试剂盒包含S1F多肽和AXL多肽，以S1F多肽、AXL多肽中的一种作为包被底物；所述S1F多肽和所述AXL多肽中至少一种为具有缀合标签的糖基化多肽，还包括具有微孔的微量滴定板、标记底物标记的抗标签特异性抗体、HRP偶联的二抗、洗涤缓冲液、标记底物反应液、反应终止液。所述检测S1F‑AXL复合物的试剂盒，通过测量标记的信号特征，检测S1F‑AXL复合物的结合亲和力，还可以用于检测来自怀疑感染了SARS‑CoV‑2(Covid‑19)的受试者的生物样品中的病毒。 - link

• 一种检测新型冠状病毒的引物探针组合及其应用 - 本发明提供了一种检测新型冠状病毒的引物探针组合及其应用，所述检测新型冠状病毒的引物探针组合包括特异性扩增并检测2019‑nCoV的ORF1ab基因、核壳蛋白N基因和刺突蛋白S基因N501Y突变位点的特异性引物对和探针。本发明还提供了一种检测新型冠状病毒的试剂盒及其以非疾病诊断和/或治疗为目的的使用方法。本发明所述检测新型冠状病毒的引物探针组合具有良好的特异性与灵敏度，配合优化后的检测体系，可以对待测样本进行快速准确的检测，并可以对整个实验流程进行监控，降低假阳性以及假阴性检测结果的出现概率，具有重要的意义。 - link

• SARS-COV-2 BINDING PROTEINS - - link

• COVID-19胸部CT图像识别方法、装置及电子设备 - 本申请涉及一种COVID‑19胸部CT图像识别方法、装置及电子设备。所述方法获取COVID‑19的胸部CT图像，并针对胸部CT图像的特点，构建新冠肺炎CT识别网络，对该网络进行训练得到COVID‑19胸部CT图像识别模型，并利用该模型对待测CT图像进行分类。采用空洞卷积、深度卷积以及点卷积算子，减少冗余参数；采用并行结构连接方式，实现多尺度特征融合、降低模型复杂度；采用下采样方式，使用最大模糊池化以减少锯齿效应，保持信号的平移不变性；采用通道混洗操作，减少参数量与计算量，提高分类准确率，引入坐标注意力机制，使空间坐标信息与通道信息被关注，抑制不重要的信息，以解决资源匹配问题。 - link