Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• PSACR: The Psychological Science Accelerator’s COVID-19 Rapid-Response Project -
  The Psychological Science Accelerator’s Rapid-Response COVID-19 Project (PSACR) is a project to rapidly select and conduct rigorous, multi-site, and multinational research to understand the psychological and behavioral aspects of the COVID-19 crisis. Here we describe the process we used to select our projects and our general methods for implementing them. We will update this document periodically throughout the project’s lifecycle.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: PSACR: The Psychological Science Accelerator’s COVID-19 Rapid-Response Project
• The Mental Health Effects of Living with Close Others Before, During, and After the Onset of COVID-19 -
  The COVID-19 pandemic not only threatens physical health, but is also a multi-faceted stressor that threatens mental health. Given the public health focus on staying home to stem the tide of COVID-19, it is crucial to determine how the close others we live with (i.e., romantic partners or children) affect our mental health, for better or worse. We examined the month-to-month mental health (i.e., well-being and ill-being) of parents living with child(ren) and people living with romantic partners (versus people not living with these close others) from February through September 2020 in two diverse samples of U.S. adults (N=656; N=544). This longitudinal approach distinguishes three unique effects: differences existing before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, differences due to the onset of the pandemic, and differences that persisted across the first six months of the pandemic. In both samples, living with child(ren) or living with a romantic partner were both protective for mental health, before and during the first six months of the pandemic. Some evidence suggests these groups experienced unique increases in ill-being during the onset of the pandemic, but their ill-being also recovered more quickly. These findings highlight the crucial protective function of close relationships for mental health both in general and amidst a pandemic, suggesting that people living without these close others may need additional support.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The Mental Health Effects of Living with Close Others Before, During, and After the Onset of COVID-19
• Identity leadership in a crisis: A 5R framework for learning from responses to COVID-19 -
  The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest global crisis of our lifetimes and leadership has been critical to societies’ capacity to deal with it. Here effective leadership has brought people together, provided a clear perspective on what is happening and what response is needed, and mobilised the population to act in the most effective ways to bring the pandemic under control. Informed by a model of identity leadership (Haslam, Reicher & Platow, 2020), this review argues that leaders’ ability to do these things is grounded in their ability to represent and advance the shared interests of group members and to create and embed a sense of shared social identity among them (a sense of “us-ness”). For leaders, then, this sense of us-ness is the key resource that they need to marshal in order to harness the support and energy of citizens. The review discusses examples of the successes and failures of different leaders during the pandemic and organises these around five policy priorities related to the 5Rs of identity leadership: Readying, Reflecting, Representing, Realising and Reinforcing. These priorities and associated lessons are relevant not only to the management of COVID-19 but to crisis management and leadership more generally.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Identity leadership in a crisis: A 5R framework for learning from responses to COVID-19
• A Neutralizing Antibody-Conjugated Photothermal Nanoparticle Captures and Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 -
  The outbreak of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in a global pandemic. Despite intensive research including several clinical trials, currently there are no completely safe or effective therapeutics to cure the disease. Here we report a strategy incorporating neutralizing antibodies conjugated on the surface of a photothermal nanoparticle to actively capture and inactivate SARS-CoV-2. The photothermal nanoparticle is comprised of a semiconducting polymer core and a biocompatible polyethylene glycol surface decorated with neutralizing antibodies. Such nanoparticles displayed efficient capture of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses, excellent photothermal effect, and complete inhibition of viral entry into ACE2-expressing host cells via simultaneous blocking and inactivating of the virus. This photothermal nanoparticle is a flexible platform that can be readily adapted to other SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and extended to novel therapeutic proteins, thus providing a broad range of protection against multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A Neutralizing Antibody-Conjugated Photothermal Nanoparticle Captures and Inactivates SARS-CoV-2
• Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 N protein reveals multiple functional consequences of the C-terminal domain -
  Nucleocapsid protein (N) is the most abundant viral protein encoded by SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. N plays key roles at different steps in the replication cycle and is used as a serological marker of infection. Here we characterize the biochemical properties of SARS-CoV-2 N. We define the N domains important for oligomerization and RNA binding that are associated with spherical droplet formation and suggest that N accessibility and assembly may be regulated by phosphorylation. We also map the RNA binding interface using hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Finally, we find that the N protein C-terminal domain is the most immunogenic by sensitivity, based upon antibody binding to COVID-19 patient samples from the US and Hong Kong. Together, these findings uncover domain-specific insights into the significance of SARS-CoV-2 N and highlight the diagnostic value of using N domains as highly specific and sensitive markers of COVID-19.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 N protein reveals multiple functional consequences of the C-terminal domain
• pH Effect on the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) -
  The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is a crucial enzyme responsible for the maturation of novel coronavirus, thus it serves as an excellent target for drug discovery. SARS-CoV-2 is found to have similarity with SARS-CoV, which showed conformational changes upon varying pH. There is no study till date on how pH change affect the conformational flexibilty of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, therefore, we attempt to find the effect of pH variation through constant pH molecular dynamics simulation studies. Protein is found to be most stable at neutral pH and as pH turns basic, protein structure becomes most destabilized. Acidic pH also tends to change the structural properties of Mpro. Our study provides evidence that the flexibility of Mpro is pH dependent like SARS-CoV Mpro.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: pH Effect on the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro)
• Emetine as an antiviral agent suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication by inhibiting interaction of viral mRNA with eIF4E: An in vitro study -
  Emetine is a FDA-approved drug for the treatment of amebiasis. In the recent times we had also demonstrated the antiviral efficacy of emetine against some RNA and DNA viruses. Following emergence of the COVID-19, we further evaluated the in vitro antiviral activity of emetine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The therapeutic index of emetine was determined to be 10910.4, at a cytotoxic concentration 50 (CC50) of 1603.8 nM and effective concentration 50 (EC50) of 0.147 nM. Besides, we also demonstrated the protective efficacy of emetine against lethal challenge with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV; a chicken coronavirus) in the embryonated chicken egg infection model. Emetine treatment was shown to decrease viral RNA and protein synthesis without affecting other steps of viral life cycle such as attachment, entry and budding. In a chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assay, emetine was shown to disrupt the binding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA with eIF4E (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E, a cellular cap-binding protein required for initiation of protein translation). Further, SARS-CoV-2 was shown to exploit ERK/MNK1/eIF4E signalling pathway for its effective replication in the target cells. To conclude, emetine targets SARS-CoV-2 protein synthesis which is mediated via inhibiting the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 RNA with eIF4E. This is a novel mechanistic insight on the antiviral efficacy of emetine. In vitro antiviral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and its ability to protect chicken embryos against IBV suggests that emetine could be repurposed to treat COVID-19.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Emetine as an antiviral agent suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication by inhibiting interaction of viral mRNA with eIF4E: An in vitro study
• A Novel SARS-CoV-2 Multitope Protein/Peptide Vaccine Candidate is Highly Immunogenic and Prevents Lung Infection in an Adeno Associated Virus Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (AAV hACE2) Mouse Model -
  In this report, we describe the initial development and proof-of-concept studies for UB-612, the first multitope protein-peptide vaccine against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pathogen responsible for the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19). UB-612 consists of eight components rationally designed for induction of high neutralizing antibodies and broad T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2: the S1-RBD-sFc fusion protein, six synthetic peptides (one universal peptide and five SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides), a proprietary CpG TLR-9 agonist, and aluminum phosphate adjuvant. Through immunogenicity studies in guinea pigs and rats, we optimized the design of protein/peptide immunogens and selected an adjuvant system, yielding a vaccine that provided excellent S1-RBD binding and high neutralizing antibody responses, robust cellular responses, and a Th1-oriented response at low doses of the vaccine. Our candidate vaccine was then advanced into challenge studies, in which it reduced viral load and prevented development of disease in a mouse challenge model and in nonhuman primates (NHP, immunogenicity part is completed, challenge is ongoing). A GLP-compliant toxicity study has shown a favorable safety profile for the vaccine. With the Phase 1 trial ongoing in Taiwan and additional trials planned worldwide, UB-612 is a highly promising and differentiated vaccine candidate for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 disease.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A Novel SARS-CoV-2 Multitope Protein/Peptide Vaccine Candidate is Highly Immunogenic and Prevents Lung Infection in an Adeno Associated Virus Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (AAV hACE2) Mouse Model
• Optimal COVID-19 quarantine and testing strategies -

  As economic woes of the COVID-19 pandemic deepen, strategies are being formulated to avoid the need for prolonged stay-at-home orders, while implementing risk-based quarantine, testing, contact tracing and surveillance protocols. Given limited resources and the significant economic, public health, and operational challenges of the current 14-day quarantine recommendation, it is vital to understand if shorter but equally effective quarantine and testing strategies can be deployed. To quantify the probability of post-quarantine transmission upon isolation of a positive test, we developed a mathematical model in which we varied quarantine duration and the timing of molecular tests for three scenarios of entry into quarantine. Specifically, we consider travel quarantine, quarantine of traced contacts with an unknown time if infection, and quarantine of cases with a known time of exposure. With a one-day delay between test and result, we found that testing on exit (or entry and exit) can reduce the duration of a 14-day quarantine by 50%, while testing on entry shortened quarantine by at most one day. Testing on exit more effectively reduces post-quarantine transmission than testing upon entry. Furthermore, we identified the optimal testing date within quarantines of varying duration, finding that testing on exit was most effective for quarantines lasting up to seven days. As a real-world validation of these principles, we analyzed the results of 4,040 SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR tests administered to offshore oil rig employees. Among the 47 positives obtained with a testing on entry and exit strategy, 16 cases that previously tested negative at entry were identified, with no further cases detected among employees following quarantine exit. Moreover, this strategy successfully prevented an expected nine offshore transmission events stemming from cases who had tested negative on the entry test, each one a serious concern for initiating rapid spread and a disabling outbreak in the close quarters of an offshore rig. This successful outcome highlights that appropriately timed testing can make shorter quarantines more effective, thereby minimizing economic impacts, disruptions to operational integrity, and COVID-related public health risks.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Optimal COVID-19 quarantine and testing strategies
• The performance of national COVID-19 Symptom Checkers: A comparative case simulation study -

  Introduction: The response to COVID-19 differs from nation to nation. There are likely a number of factors one can attribute to such disparity, not least of which is differing healthcare models and approaches. Here, we examine the COVID-19 community triage pathways employed by four nations, specifically comparing the safety and efficacy of national online symptom checkers utilised within the triage pathway. Methods: A simulation study was conducted on current, nationwide, patient-led symptom checkers from four countries (Singapore, Japan, USA and UK). 52 cases were simulated to approximate typical COVID-19 presentations (mild, moderate, severe and critical), and COVID-19 mimickers (e.g. sepsis and bacterial pneumonia). The same simulations were applied to each of the four countrys symptom checkers, and the recommendations to refer on for medical care or to stay home were recorded and compared. Results: The symptom checkers from Singapore and Japan advised onward healthcare contact for the majority of simulations (88% and 77% respectively). The USA and UK symptom checkers triaged 38% and 44% of cases to healthcare contact, respectively. Both the US and UK symptom checkers consistently failed to identify severe COVID-19, bacterial pneumonia and sepsis, triaging such cases to stay home. Conclusion: Our results suggest that whilst symptom checkers may be of use to the healthcare COVID-19 response, there is the potential for such patient-led assessment tools to worsen outcomes by delaying appropriate clinical assessment. The key features of the well performing symptom checkers are discussed.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: The performance of national COVID-19 Symptom Checkers: A comparative case simulation study
• Use of the first National Early Warning Score recorded within 24 hours of admission to estimate the risk of in-hospital mortality in unplanned COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study -

  Objectives:Although the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and its latest version NEWS2 are recommended for monitoring for deterioration in patients admitted to hospital, little is known about their performance in COVID-19 patients. We aimed to compare the performance of the NEWS and NEWS2 in patients with COVID-19 versus those without during the first phase of the pandemic. Design:a retrospective cross-sectional study Setting:Two acute hospitals (Scarborough and York) are combined into a single dataset and analysed collectively. Participants:Adult (>=18 years) non-elective admissions discharged between 11-March-2020 to 13-June-2020 with an index or on-admission NEWS2 electronically recorded within within 24 hours of admission are used to predict mortality at four-time points (in-hospital, 24hours, 48hours, and 72hours) in COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 admissions. Results:Out of 6480 non-elective admissions, 620 (9.6%) had a diagnosis of COVID-19. They were older (73.3 vs 67.7yrs), more often male (54.7% vs 50.1%), had higher index NEWS (4 vs 2.5) and NEWS2 (4.6 vs 2.8) scores and higher in-hospital mortality (32.1% vs 5.8%). The c-statistics for predicting in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 admissions was significantly lower using NEWS (0.64 vs 0.74) or NEWS2 (0.64 vs 0.74), however these differences reduced at 72hours (NEWS: 0.75 vs 0.81; NEWS2: 0.71 vs 0.81), 48 hours (NEWS: 0.78 vs 0.81; NEWS2: 0.76 vs 0.82) and 24hours (NEWS: 0.84 vs 0.84; NEWS2: 0.86 vs 0.84). Increasing NEWS2 values reflected increased mortality, but for any given value the absolute risk was on average 24% higher (e.g., NEWS2=5: 36% vs 9%). Conclusions:The index or on-admission NEWS and NEWS2 offer lower discrimination for COVID-19 admissions versus non-COVID-19 admissions. The index NEWS2 is not better than the index NEWS. For each value of the index NEWS or index NEWS2, COVID-19 admissions had a substantially higher risk of mortality than non-COVID-19 admissions which reflects the increased baseline mortality risk of COVID-19.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Use of the first National Early Warning Score recorded within 24 hours of admission to estimate the risk of in-hospital mortality in unplanned COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study
• Multi-parameter formulation development for an HIV-vaccine protein with direct validation of epitope binding integrity and stoichiometry -
  Vaccines are on the front line-of-defense against infectious diseases, ranging from threats we are familiar with, including polio, tuberculosis, or HIV, to novel and emerging threats such as SARS-CoV-2. Successful development of new protein-based vaccines requires sophisticated and efficient development of storage and formulation conditions. Here we demonstrate the combined power of 2bind’s sophisticated buffer matrix FORMOscreen(R) and NanoTemper Technologies’ novel Prometheus Panta high-throughput Dynamic Light Scattering/Nano Differential Scanning Fluorimetry instrument. We show that this combination can comprehensively improve critical biophysical parameters for the HIV-1 vaccine BG505-SOSIP and find the optimal formulation condition with unmatched efficiency.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Multi-parameter formulation development for an HIV-vaccine protein with direct validation of epitope binding integrity and stoichiometry
• First computational design of Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine using lambda superstrings -
  In this work we have developed, by employing lambda superstrings, a map of candidate vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 with lengths between 9 and 200, based on estimations of the immunogenicity of the epitopes and the binding affinity of epitopes to MHC class I molecules using tools from the IEDB Analysis Resource, as well as the overall predictions obtained using the VaxiJen tool. We have synthesized one of the peptides, specifically the one of length 22, and we have carried out an immunogenicity assay and a cytokine assay, which has given positive results in both cases.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: First computational design of Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine using lambda superstrings
• Age-dependence of healthcare interventions for COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada -

  Background: Patient age is the most salient clinical indicator of risk from COVID-19. Age-specific distributions of known SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19-related deaths are available for many regions. Less attention has been given to the age distributions of serious medical interventions administered to COVID-19 patients, which could reveal sources of potential pressure on the healthcare system should SARS-CoV-2 prevalence increase. Methods: We analysed 97,957 known SARS-CoV-2 infection records for Ontario, Canada, from 23 January 2020 to 26 November 2020 and estimated the age distributions of hospitalizations, Intensive Care Unit admissions, intubations, and ventilations. We quantified the probability of hospitalization given known SARS-CoV-2 infection, and of survival given COVID-19-related hospitalization. Results: The distribution of hospitalizations peaks with a wide plateau covering ages 54-90, whereas deaths are concentrated in very old ages. The estimated probability of hospitalization given known infection reaches a maximum of 30.9% at age 80 (95% CI 28.0%-33.9%). The probability of survival given hospitalization is near 100% for adults younger than 40, but declines substantially after this age; for example, a hospitalized 54-year-old patient has a 91.5% chance of surviving COVID-19 (95% CI 87.0%-94.9%). Conclusions: Ontario9s healthcare system has not been overstretched by COVID-19 thanks to wide- spread infection control efforts, yet the probability of survival given hospitalization for COVID-19 is lower than is generally perceived for patients over 40. As prevalence continues to increase during this most recent wave of infection, healthcare capacities are at risk of being exceeded. Survival of individuals in the broad age range requiring acute care could decrease, potentially expanding the distribution of COVID-19-related deaths toward younger ages.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Age-dependence of healthcare interventions for COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada
• Comparative Genomic Study for Revealing the Complete Scenario of COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh -

  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage across the globe and take millions of lives, worldwide efforts to understand its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2 at the genomic level are also running in full swing. Such studies are providing precious insights about the pathogenesis, evolution, strengths and weaknesses of the virus. As of October 1st, 2020, 323 SARS-CoV-2 genomes have been sequenced across Bangladesh. The current study is aimed at answering some vital questions about these sequences. From our analyses, it was discovered that the majority of the SARS-CoV-2 found in Bangladesh belonged to the lineage B 1.1.25 of GR clade. Dhaka and Chittagong division were the most diverse in terms of SARS-CoV-2 clades while Mymensing was the least. There are more variety of clades in southern parts of Bangladesh than the northern parts. The most commonly found SARS-CoV-2 mutations found in the country were Spike_D614G, NSP12_P323L, N_G204R and N_R203K. Even though no significant pattern of distribution could be drawn between mutations found in Bangladesh and the countries with similar mortality rates and the countries with large Bangladeshi diaspora, to a certain degree they match with those in the UK, Oman, Italy, Greece, South Africa and Russia. Therefore, careful eye should be kept on the performance of vaccines in those countries in the near future as they are likely to work well in Bangladesh if they work well there. Mutational events in Bangladesh were found to increase between April and July, 2020 and decrease since August, 2020. The number of mutations per SARS-CoV-2 virus sample in Bangladesh was calculated to be 6.88 which is lower than the global average of 7.23. The decrease and the lower rate of mutation raise the possibility of a vaccine or drug working sustainably to protect the people. Based on these insights, a clear picture about the ongoing pandemic can be drawn in the context of Bangladesh which will help the country take appropriate measures to combat the virus.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Comparative Genomic Study for Revealing the Complete Scenario of COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh

From Clinical Trials

• Fase I Clinical Trial on NK Cells for COVID-19 - Conditions:   Covid19;   Sars-cov 2
  Intervention:   Biological: Natural Killer Cells infusion
  Sponsor:   Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre
  Not yet recruiting

• IFN-beta 1b and Remdesivir for COVID19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Interferon beta-1b;   Drug: Remdesivir
  Sponsor:   The University of Hong Kong
  Recruiting

• Ivermectin for Severe COVID-19 Management - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: Ivermectin
  Sponsors:   Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University;   NeuTec Pharma
  Completed

• A Phase Ⅱ Clinical Trial of Recombinant Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) Vaccine (Sf9 Cells) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: Low-dose Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) (18-59 years) & Two dose regimen;   Biological: Low-dose Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) (18-59 years) & Three dose regimen;   Biological: High-dose Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) (18-59 years) & Two dose regimen;   Biological: High-dose Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) (18-59 years) & Three dose regimen;   Biological: Low-dose Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) (60-85 years) & Two dose regimen;   Biological: Low-dose Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) (60-85 years) & Three dose regimen;   Biological: High-dose Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) (60-85 years) & Two dose regimen;   Biological: High-dose Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) (60-85 years) & Three dose regimen;   Biological: Low-dose placebo (18-59 years) & Two dose regimen;   Biological: Low-dose placebo (18-59 years) & Three dose regimen;   Biological: High-dose placebo (18-59 years) & Two dose regimen;   Biological: High-dose placebo (18-59 years) & Three dose regimen;   Biological: Low-dose placebo (60-85 years) & Two dose regimen;   Biological: Low-dose placebo (60-85 years) & Three dose regimen;   Biological: High-dose placebo (60-85 years) & Two dose regimen;   Biological: High-dose placebo (60-85 years) & Three dose regimen
  Sponsors:   Jiangsu Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;   West China Hospital
  Recruiting

• Resolving Inflammatory Storm in COVID-19 Patients by Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids - - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Omegaven®;   Drug: Sodium chloride
  Sponsor:   Karolinska University Hospital
  Recruiting

• Early Versus Delayed Intubation of Patients With COVID-19 - Conditions:   COVID-19;   Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure
  Intervention:   Other: Endotracheal intubation
  Sponsor:   Evangelismos Hospital
  Not yet recruiting

• Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial 4 (ACTT-4) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Baricitinib;   Drug: Dexamethasone;   Other: Placebo;   Drug: Remdesivir
  Sponsor:   National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
  Recruiting

• Phase I Trial of a Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (CHO Cell) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: Two doses of middle-dose recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CHO Cell) at the schedule of day 0, 14;   Biological: Three doses of middle-dose recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CHO Cell) at the schedule of day 0, 14, 28;   Biological: Two doses of high-dose recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CHO Cell) at the schedule of day 0, 14;   Biological: Three doses of high-dose recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CHO Cell) at the schedule of day 0, 14, 28;   Biological: Two doses of placebo at the schedule of day 0, 14 #middle-dose group#;   Biological: Three doses of placebo at the schedule of day 0, 14, 28 #middle-dose group#;   Biological: Two doses of placebo at the schedule of day 0, 14 #High-dose group#;   Biological: Three doses of placebo at the schedule of day 0, 14, 28 #High-dose group#
  Sponsors:   Jiangsu Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;   Academy of Military Medical Sciences，Academy of Military Sciences，PLA;   ZHONGYIANKE Biotech Co, Ltd.;   LIAONINGMAOKANGYUAN Biotech Co, Ltd
  Recruiting

• Vitamin D and Zinc Supplementation for Improving Treatment Outcomes Among COVID-19 Patients in India - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol);   Dietary Supplement: Zinc (zinc gluconate);   Dietary Supplement: Zinc (zinc gluconate) & Vitamin D (cholecalciferol);   Other: Placebo
  Sponsors:   Harvard School of Public Health;   Foundation for Medical Research;   University Health Network, Toronto
  Not yet recruiting

• WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Trial for COVID-19 Treatments - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Remdesivir;   Drug: Acalabrutinib;   Drug: Interferon beta-1a;   Other: Standard of Care
  Sponsor:   The University of The West Indies
  Not yet recruiting

• Organization of Pulmonary Rehabilitation of Post-COVID-19 Patient With Sequelae (REHABCOVID) - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Other: Respiratory rehabilitation program (RR).;   Other: Respiratory tele-rehabilitation program (TRR).
  Sponsor:   Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Toulon La Seyne sur Mer
  Not yet recruiting

• Inhaled Heparin for Hospitalised COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: Unfractionated heparin
  Sponsors:   Australian National University;   Helwan University;   Clinica San Camilo, Argentina
  Recruiting

• Efficacy and Safety of Ovotransferrin in COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: Ovotransferrin
  Sponsor:   Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Paolo Giaccone Palermo
  Not yet recruiting

• Study To antagOnize Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 in Severe COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: TM5614;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Northwestern University
  Recruiting

• Using Travelan to Boost Immune Response in Vitro to COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Other: Travelan OTC
  Sponsor:   Hadassah Medical Organization
  Active, not recruiting

From PubMed

• Conserved interactions required for inhibition of the main protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 requires a fast development of antiviral drugs. SARS-CoV-2 viral main protease (Mpro, also called 3C-like protease, 3CLpro) is a potential target for drug design. Crystal and co-crystal structures of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro have been solved, enabling the rational design of inhibitory compounds. In this study we analyzed the available SARS-CoV-2 and the highly similar SARS-CoV-1 crystal structures. We identified within the active site of the Mpro, in…

• LMWF5A suppresses cytokine release by modulating select inflammatory transcription factor activity in stimulated PBMC - CONCLUSION: In this report, we provide evidence that LMWF5A reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine release by activating the immunoregulatory transcription factors PPARγ and AhR. In addition, our data indicate that LMWF5A suppresses NF-κB and STAT1α pro-inflammatory pathways. This suggests that LMWF5A acts through these mechanisms to decrease pro-inflammatory transcription factor activity and subsequent inflammatory cytokine production.

• Complement C5 inhibition in patients with COVID-19 - a promising target? - No abstract

• Identification of an Antiviral Compound from the Pandemic Response Box that Efficiently Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro - With over 50 million currently confirmed cases worldwide, including more than 1.3 million deaths, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has a major impact on the economy and health care system. Currently, limited prophylactic or therapeutic intervention options are available against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, 400 compounds from the antimicrobial “pandemic response box” library were screened for inhibiting properties against SARS-CoV-2. An initial screen on…

• Decay of SARS-CoV-2 RNA along the wastewater treatment outfitted with Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) system evaluated through two sample concentration techniques - For the first time, we present, i) an account of decay in the genetic material loading of SARS-CoV-2 during Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) treatment of wastewater, and ii) comparative evaluation of polyethylene glycol (PEG), and ultrafiltration as virus concentration methods from wastewater for the quantification of SARS-CoV-2 genes. The objectives were achieved through tracking of SARS-CoV-2 genetic loadings i.e. ORF1ab, N and S protein genes on 8th and 27th May 2020 along the…

• Smart polymeric eye gear: A possible preventive measure against ocular transmission of COVID-19 - The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE-2) receptors with approx. 0.8% congestion in conjunctival surface, leads to increase susceptibility of Covid-19 transmission through ocular surface. It has been observed that prophylactic measures such as goggle or face shield are unable to offer complete protection against ocular transmission of SRS-CoV-2. Hence, it is hypothesized that topical ocular prophylaxis using biocompatible polymers with reported in-vitro and in-vivo evidence of ACE inhibition…

• Phosphatidylglycerol and surfactant: A potential treatment for COVID-19? - A hypothesis concerning the potential utility of surfactant supplementation for the treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19 is proposed, along with a brief summary of the data in the literature supporting this idea. It is thought that surfactant, which is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration for intratracheal administration to treat neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in pre-term infants, could benefit COVID-19-infected individuals by: (1) restoring surfactant…

• The viral protein fragment theory of COVID-19 pathogenesis - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has killed nearly one million people so far. While this is a respiratory virus, surprisingly, it has been recognized that patients with cardiovascular disease are likely to be affected severely and die of COVID-19. This phenomenon cannot be explained by the generally accepted logic that the SARS-CoV-2 infection/replication is the sole determinant of the actions…

• Role of inositol to improve surfactant functions and reduce IL-6 levels: A potential adjuvant strategy for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia? - To date, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection is increasing worldwide and represents a primary healthcare emergency. Although the infection can be asymptomatic, several cases develop severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) characterized by high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, primarily interleukin (IL)-6. Based on available data, the severity of ARDS and serum levels of IL-6 are key determinants for the prognosis. In this scenario, available in vitro and in vivo data…

• Potential of electric stimulation for the management of COVID-19 - The COVID-19 pandemic is the most devastating health emergency that humans have seen over the past century. The war against the disease has been handicapped by unavailability of effective therapeutic options. Till date, there is no clinically approved vaccine or drug for the treatment of COVID-19, and the ongoing search to find a novel therapy is progressing at pandemic pace. Herein, we propose a novel hypothesis based on sound research evidence that electric stimulation can be a potential…

• COVID-19: Endogenous Retinoic Acid Theory and Retinoic Acid Depletion Syndrome - This study presents two new concepts and definitions to the medical literature. One of those is “endogenous retinoic acid theory” and the other “retinoic acid depletion syndrome”. A new classification will be provided for the immune system: “retinoic acid-dependent component” and “retinoic acid non-dependent component”. If this theory is verified, all the diseases where the retinoic acid metabolism is defective and retinoic acid levels are low will be identified and new approaches will be…

• SARS-CoV-2 and miRNA-like inhibition power - (1) Background: RNA viruses and especially coronaviruses could act inside host cells not only by building their own proteins, but also by perturbing the cell metabolism. We show the possibility of miRNA-like inhibitions by the SARS-CoV-2 concerning for example the hemoglobin and type I interferons syntheses, hence highly perturbing oxygen distribution in vital organs and immune response as described by clinicians; (2) Hypothesis: We hypothesize that short RNA sequences (about 20 nucleotides in…

• Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) cytoprotective pathway: A potential treatment strategy against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced cytokine storm syndrome - The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requires urgent need for effective treatment. Severe COVID-19 is characterized by a cytokine storm syndrome with subsequent multiple organ failure (MOF) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which may lead to intensive care unit and increased risk of death. While awaiting a vaccine, targeting COVID-19-induced cytokine storm syndrome appears currently as the efficient strategy to reduce the mortality of severe acute respiratory…

• Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) gene polymorphism as determinant of differences in Covid-19-related disease severity - Covid-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has major world-wide health-related and socio-economic consequences. There are large disparities in the burden of Covid-19 with an apparent lower risk of poor outcomes in East Asians compared to populations in the West. A recent study suggested that Covid-19 leads to a severe extrahepatic vitamin K insufficiency, which could lead to impaired activation of extrahepatic proteins like endothelial anticoagulant protein S in the presence of normal hepatic procoagulant…

• A potential therapeutic combination for treatment of COVID-19: Synergistic effect of DPP4 and RAAS suppression - COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is an abbreviated name for coronavirus disease 2019. COVID-19 became a global pandemic in early 2020. It predominantly affects not only the upper and lower respiratory tract, but also multiple organs, including the kidney, heart, and brain. The mortality of COVID-19 patients is high in men and in elderly patients with age-related diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. The angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), a component in the…

From Patent Search

• AN EFFICIENT METHODOLOGY TO MANAGE THE ADMISSIONS IN HOSPITALS DURING THE PANDEMICS SUCH AS COVID 19 -

• SARS-CoV-2 예방을 위한 mRNA기반 항원보강제 혼합물 합성 방법 - 본 발명은 SARS-CoV-2(코로나 바이러스) 예방을 위한 mRNA 항원보강제에 관한 것으로 코로나 바이러스에 대한 백신으로서 상기의 항원에 대한 예방을 목적으로 하고 있다. 아이디어에는 보강제에 해당하는 완전프로인트항원보강제(CFA)와 불완전프로인트항원보강제(IFA), 번역과 안정성의 최적화가 된 mRNA, mRNA 운반체, 양이온성 지질 나노입자(lipid nanoparticles)로 구성되며 기존의 백신에 비해 효율성과 안정성의 측면에서 더 향상된 효과를 가지고 있다.

• Vorrichtung zum Reinigen und/oder Desinfizieren von Objekten -

  Vorrichtung (1) zum Desinfizieren von Objekten mit einer Basiseinheit (2), mit einem Aufnahmebehälter (4) für Wasser, welcher an der Basiseinheit (2) montierbar und von der Basiseinheit demontierbar ist, mit einer Objekthalterung (6) zum Halten und/oder Stützen der Objekte (10), wobei diese Objekthalterung (6) in dem Aufnahmebehälter montierbar ist und mit einer elektrisch betriebenen Reinigungseinrichtung (8), welche in dem Wasser befindliche Objekte zumindest mittelbar reinigt oder desinfiziert, wobei diese Reinigungseinrichtung in der Basiseinheit befindliche Erzeugungsmittel zum Erzeugen einer elektrischen Spannung aufweist sowie einen Plasmagenerator und/oder eine Ultraschallerzeugungseinheit.

• Methods for treating Arenaviridae and Coronaviridae virus infections - Provided are methods for treating Arenaviridae and Coronaviridae virus infections by administering nucleosides and prodrugs thereof, of Formula I:

wherein the ’ position of the nucleoside sugar is substituted. The compounds, compositions, and methods provided are particularly useful for the treatment of Lassa virus and Junin virus infections.

• Atemschutz-Baukastensystem -

  Atemschutz-Baukastensystem, das aufweist:

• eine auf zumindest Mund und Nase einer Person aufsetzbare Maske (1), die einen Eingang (11) und einen Ausgang (12) aufweist, und
• mindestens einen Schlauch (3, 31, 32),
• wobei sämtliche Komponenten des Atemschutz-Baukastensystems modular ausgebildet und über Steckverbindungen oder Schraubverbindungen (115, 125, 155, 165, 175, 215, 315, 75, 915) miteinander verbindbar sind, um der Maske (1) Luft über deren Eingang (11) zuzuführen und/oder ausgeatmete Luft vom Ausgang (12) der Maske (1) wegzuführen.

• Vorrichtung zur Übergabe und Dekontamination von mit Krankheitserregern kontaminierten Gegenständen oder Erzeugnissen -

  Vorrichtung zur Übergabe von mit Krankheitserregern kontaminierten Gegenständen oder Erzeugnissen nach einer Dekontamination, umfassend eine Einrichtung zur Dekontamination der mit Krankheitserregern kontaminierten Gegenstände oder Erzeugnisse mit mindestens einer UV-Strahlungsquelle (24), eine Durchzugseinrichtung mit Ein- und/oder Ausgabebereichen für die kontaminierten bzw. dekontaminierten Gegenstände oder Erzeugnisse, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Durchzugseinrichtung im Eingang bzw. im Ausgang zum Ein- und/oder Ausgabebereich angeordnete sich paarweise gegenüberliegende Walzen (17) und Räder (4) umfasst, die zum Einzug bzw. zur Ausgabe der kontaminierten bzw. dekontaminierten Gegenstände oder Erzeugnisse vorgesehen sind, wobei die Walzen (17) und die Räder (4) durch im Ein- und/oder Ausgabebereich angeordnete Sensoren (23) und einer elektronische Kontrolleinheit (27) in Bewegung bringbar sind, wobei die Gegenstände oder Erzeugnisse in den Bereich der Einrichtung zur Dekontamination förderbar sind, der zwischen den paarweise angeordneten Walzen (17) und Rädern (4) vorgesehen ist, welcher sich gegenüberliegende Platten (25) aus Quarzglas oder einem UV-transparenten Polymermaterial, wie Graphen oder Kunstglas umfasst, über bzw. unter welchen die UV-Strahlungsquelle (24) angeordnet ist, welche als UVC-LED-Leiste und/oder Modul mit mindestens einer LED-Lampe ausgebildet ist.

• 제2형 중증급성호흡기증후군 코로나바이러스 감염 질환의 예방 또는 치료용 조성물 - 본 발명은 화학식 1로 표시되는 화합물, 또는 이의 약학적으로 허용가능한 염을 유효성분으로 포함하는 제2형 중증급성호흡기증후군 코로나바이러스 감염 질환 예방 또는 치료용 약학적 조성물을 제공한다. [화학식 1] .

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• 新型冠状病毒中和性抗体滴度检测ELISA试剂盒 - 本发明提供一种新型冠状病毒中和性抗体滴度检测ELISA试剂盒，其中包括：包被有生物素‑链霉亲和素标记的人ACE2蛋白的酶标板、辣根过氧化酶标记的新型冠状病毒RBD蛋白、新型冠状病毒中和性抗体阳性对照、包被液、洗涤液、稀释液、封闭液、显色液和终止液等。该试剂盒具有成本低，操作简单，高灵敏度、高特异性、高准确度的特点，可用于新型冠状病毒中和抗体的批量、快速检测。

• Reagenzien und Verwendungen zur Diagnose einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion -

  Diagnostisch nützlicher Träger umfassend ein Polypeptid umfassend SEQ ID NO1 oder eine Variante davon, die an einen Antikörper gegen SEQ ID NO1 aus einer Probe von einem Patienten binden kann, der an einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion leidet, wobei das Polypeptid bevorzugt auf der Festphase des Trägers immobilisiert ist.

• Reagenzien und Verwendungen zur Diagnose einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion -

  Verwendung eines Polypeptides umfassend SEQ ID NO1 oder eine Variante davon, die an einen Antikörper gegen SED ID NO1 aus einer Probe von einem Patienten binden kann, zur Herstellung eines diagnostischen Kits.