Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Crowdsourcing interventions to promote uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccines -
  We apply a novel crowdsourcing approach to provide rapid insights on the most promising interventions to promote uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccines. In the first stage, international experts proposed 46 unique interventions. To reduce noise and potential bias, in the second stage, experts and representative general population samples from the UK and the US rated the proposed interventions on several criteria, including expected effectiveness and acceptability. Sanctions were evaluated as potentially most effective but least accepted. Interventions that received the most positive evaluations regarding both effectiveness and acceptability across evaluation groups were a day off after getting vaccinated, financial incentives, tax benefits, benefit campaigns, and mobile vaccination teams. The results provide useful insights to help governments in their decision which interventions to implement.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Crowdsourcing interventions to promote uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccines
• Spillover Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Attitudes to Influenza and Childhood Vaccines -
  The aim of the current study was to explore whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected people’s perceptions of other vaccines and diseases than COVID-19. In two samples of Finnish adults (N = 205 in Study 1 and N = 197 in Study 2), we longitudinally investigated whether there has been a change from before the COVID-19 pandemic to during the pandemic in: 1) influenza vaccination behavior and intentions, 2) the perceived benefit of childhood vaccines and influenza vaccines, 3) the perceived safety of childhood vaccines and influenza vaccines, 4) the perceived severity of measles and influenza, and 5) trust in health care professionals and health authorities in vaccine-related matters. The results indicated that more people had taken or had wanted to take the influenza vaccine during the pandemic than before. The respondents also considered influenza as more severe, and influenza vaccines as more beneficial and safe during the pandemic. For childhood vaccines, by contrast, there was only an increase in the perceived safety of the vaccines. Finally, in one of the studies, trust in health care professionals was higher during the pandemic than before. Taken together, these results suggest a spillover of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s perceptions of other vaccines and diseases.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Spillover Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Attitudes to Influenza and Childhood Vaccines
• Openness to Experience Relates to COVID-19 Vaccination Rates across 48 United States -
  Does geographic variation in personality across the United States relate to COVID-19 vaccination rates? To answer this question, we combined three state-level datasets: (a) Big Five personality averages (Rentfrow et al., 2008), (b) COVID-19 vaccination rates for those receiving at least one does and fully vaccinated people (CDC, 2021a), and (c) health-relevant covariates (population density, per capita GDP, and racial/ethnic data; Webster et al., 2021). Correlations showed openness as the strongest predictor of both one-dose (r = .50) and fully-vaccinated (r = .51) rates. Controlling for other traits, covariates, and spatial dependence, openness remained a significant predictor of both one-dose (rp = .33) and fully-vaccinated (rp = .55) rates. We suspect that states with higher average openness scores are more conducive to novel thinking and behavior—dispositions that may be crucial in motivating people to take new vaccines based on new technologies to confront a novel coronavirus.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Openness to Experience Relates to COVID-19 Vaccination Rates across 48 United States
• Understanding the trouble spot: Does vaccination status identification fuel societal polarization? -
  As vaccination campaigns for COVID-19 fail to achieve sufficient immunization rates, public discord between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated has intensified globally. To explore the idea that identifying with one’s vaccination status plays a key role in this societal polarization, the study draws on unique survey data from large samples of vaccinated (n = 3,275) and unvaccinated (n = 2,042) respondents in Germany and Austria. The findings confirm that vaccination status identification (VSI) explains substantial variance in a range of polarizing attitudes and behaviors, indicating its importance for increasing conflicts between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. VSI was also found to relate to higher psychological reactance toward mandatory vaccination policies among the unvaccinated and to their intention to resist and evade such regulations. The results highlight a need to de-escalate this polarized situation as a prerequisite for discussion and implementation of more widely accepted and effective vaccination strategies to mitigate the pandemic.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Understanding the trouble spot: Does vaccination status identification fuel societal polarization?
• A qualitative exploration of the psychological impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on Irish university students -
  The outbreak of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has caused significant mental health challenges across various populations but the psychological impact on university students, who represent a population particularly vulnerable to psychological distress, are yet to be understood. Using a socio-ecological lens, this qualitative research used online interviews to explore university students’ experience of COVID-19 lockdown and the psychological impact of these measures. Coping strategies used by students to deal with these circumstances were also identified. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 Irish students during the third wave of COVID-19 (January 2021) and the strictest lockdown measures. Thematic analysis identified three themes which highlighted how students were ‘negotiating change’ (theme 1), both in terms of lifestyle, academic life and social interactions. As a result of these major shifts in lifestyle, many experienced ‘feelings of loss’ (theme 2) at an intrapersonal, interpersonal and organisational level. Despite these challenging experiences of change and loss, participants also reflected on the positive aspects of lockdown, such as personal growth and improved social and family relationships (theme 3). Close relationships, goal setting, and self-care were identified as key coping strategies. These findings expands existing research on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted the important role of third level institutions in promoting students’ self-efficacy and personal development along with academic achievement.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A qualitative exploration of the psychological impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on Irish university students
• Attachment, loneliness, and social connection as prospective predictors of suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a relational diathesis-stress experience sampling study -
  Introduction. Concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health have led to efforts to understand how pandemic-specific factors, such as decreased social contact during periods of social distancing, may relate to suicide risk. The present study evaluated personality-based risk factors and frequency of social contact as prospective predictors of suicidal ideation (SI) during the pandemic. Methods. We tested a relational diathesis-stress model of suicide focusing on insecure attachment, trait loneliness, and social contact as predictors of SI, using twice-weekly survey data collected via smartphone from a community sample (n=184) over eight weeks. Results. Multilevel modeling showed that both trait loneliness and anxious attachment predicted the prospective development of SI during the study period. Reduced in-person contact, but not remote contact, was proximally associated with increased SI. Participants with low attachment anxiety, high attachment avoidance, and high trait loneliness were more likely to develop SI in the context of reduced daily in-person contact compared to participants without these traits. Conclusion. Findings support a relational diathesis-stress model of suicide risk during the pandemic, showing that dispositional traits related to emotional connection with others predicted the relative salience of reduced social contact as a proximal risk factor for SI.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Attachment, loneliness, and social connection as prospective predictors of suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a relational diathesis-stress experience sampling study
• Short-sighted decision-making by those not vaccinated against COVID-19 -
  Widespread vaccination is necessary to minimize or halt the effects of many infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Stagnating vaccine uptake can prolong pandemics, raising the question of how we might predict, prevent, and correct vaccine hesitancy and unwillingness. In a multinational sample (N=4,452) recruited from 13 countries that varied in pandemic severity and vaccine uptake (July 2021), we examined whether short-sighted decision-making as exemplified by steep delay discounting—choosing smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards—predicts COVID-19 vaccination status. Delay discounting was steeper in unvaccinated individuals and predicted vaccination status over and above demographics or mental health. The results suggest that delay discounting, a personal characteristic known to be modifiable through cognitive interventions, is a contributing cause of differences in vaccine compliance.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Short- sighted decision-making by those not vaccinated against COVID-19
• Reduced social contact and attachment insecurity as predictors of loneliness during COVID-19: a two-month experience sampling study -
  The impact of reduced social contact on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has been identified as a major public health concern. While personality factors such as attachment style have been associated with psychological distress during the pandemic, the longitudinal relevance of these factors and the role of daily social contact in mitigating distress remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of social contact and attachment style on changes in loneliness over an 8-week experience sampling period during the COVID-19 pandemic. A general adult sample (n=184) recruited online completed measures of psychological distress, attachment, and loneliness via smartphone. Loneliness and daily social contact were assessed twice per week for eight weeks, yielding 1,124 unique observations. During the experience sampling period, proximal increases in loneliness were associated with decreased daily in-person contact. In contrast, participants who described themselves as having fewer interactions via text, phone, or videoconferencing, as well as those with higher anxious and avoidant attachment traits, reported greater experiences of loneliness over time. These findings suggest the relevance of both enduring personality characteristics and daily social behaviors as risk factors for loneliness during the pandemic, pointing to potential targets for clinical intervention and future empirical study.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Reduced social contact and attachment insecurity as predictors of loneliness during COVID-19: a two-month experience sampling study
• Generalized and behavioral trust: Correlation with nominating close friends in a social network -
  A social environment, such as relational mobility which represents availability of opportunities to develop new relationships in society, cultivates an individual’s psychology or behavior in interpersonal situations and their social network. Generalized trust, which represents trust among people in general, is a psychological tendency to expand individuals’ social ties in a fluid society. Using the data of 158 students, we analyzed whether an individual’s belief of generalized trust measured by a psychological scale, behavioral trust in a Trust Game, and perception of relational mobility affected the social network in which they were embedded. We conducted a survey to assess psychological measures and social networks under the COVID-19 pandemic for first-year university students. After approximately six months, we subsequently conducted the Trust Game for the same students. We found that generalized trust correlated with the number of outdegrees (i.e., the nomination of close friends). In contrast, behavioral trust and the perception of relational mobility were not associated with generalized trust and any social network measures. The results support the argument that the belief of generalized trust functions as an adaptive psychological mechanism to expand individuals’ relationships in their social networks.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Generalized and behavioral trust: Correlation with nominating close friends in a social network
• Covid-19 Protective Behaviour Depends on an Interplay of National Policies and Individual Vulnerability: A Cross- Sectional Study of Older Adults in 27 European Countries -
  Objectives To date, little is known on how policies and individual vulnerability affected the prevalence of protective behaviour. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of policies and individual vulnerability on the prevalence of protective behaviours. Design Data on the individual behaviour in 27 countries come from the “Corona Survey” module of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, collected in summer 2020. We considered: (a) never leaving home, (b) never going for a walk, (c) always wearing a face mask in a public space, and (d) never participating in social meetings. Data on policies from the “Our World in Data” database included: (1) stay-at-home restrictions, (2) face coverings policies, and (3) gatherings’ restrictions. We used the statistical method of multilevel regression. Participants Nationally representative sample of older adults (50 years and over); N=52,061 respondents (58% of women). Results The prevalence of protective behaviours and strictness of policies differed across countries, showing heterogeneity of responses to Covid-19. Stricter policies correlated with a higher prevalence of protective behaviour, but only for two out of four behaviours: stay-at-home policies correlated with avoiding walks, and stricter face-covering policy correlated with always wearing a mask. Vulnerable groups (older people and those in worse health) were more likely to use the protective measures. For social meetings and walks, stricter policies distributed the burden of protective behaviours more equally between more and less vulnerable groups. Conclusions Stricter policies not only increased the propensity of protective behaviour but also reduced social differences in protective behaviours. Our results suggest that visible and not-limiting behaviours responded to policies, whereas less visible and more limiting behaviours reflected individual vulnerability.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Covid-19 Protective Behaviour Depends on an Interplay of National Policies and Individual Vulnerability: A Cross-Sectional Study of Older Adults in 27 European Countries
• Offline–but not online–autonomy and competence are associated with lower internalizing symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents in Perú -
  Adolescent developmental tasks, including autonomy and competence, have been disrupted by COVID-19-related lockdowns around the world. In this observational study, we investigate how a sense of subjective autonomy and competence, both online and offline, relate to anxiety and depression during COVID-19 among 2,390 low and middle-income adolescents (11-17 years) in Perú. As we hypothesize, our data indicated that higher offline–and not online–autonomy and competence were robustly associated with lower internalizing symptoms. While the online sphere might offer opportunities for adolescents to fulfill developmental tasks, we found that virtual experiences—even those that facilitate a sense of autonomy and competence—are insufficient means to cope with the negative effects of physical restrictions in the context of a global pandemic.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Offline–but not online–autonomy and competence are associated with lower internalizing symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents in Perú
• The upside: How people make sense of difficulty matters in a crisis -
  We tested the prediction that how people respond to all-encompassing life difficulties that may require taking on novel difficult tasks or goals is a function of what they infer about their identities from these experiences of difficulty. We focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and identity-based motivation theory to test our predictions (N=698 U.S. adults, three datasets). People were more likely to see silver linings if they endorsed difficulty-as-importance (experienced difficulties with a task/goal as implying its importance) and difficulty-as-improvement (experienced life difficulties as possibly making them better people). Our structural equation models revealed that people who endorsed difficulty-as-importance were more likely to mask, distance, and wash hands in large part because they saw a silver lining for themselves in the pandemic; for difficulty-as-improvement, effects on action were fully mediated by seeing silver linings. Taken together, our results suggest that people apply their difficulty-as-importance and difficulty-as- improvement mindsets to cope with novel life difficulties.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The upside: How people make sense of difficulty matters in a crisis
• Why COVID-19 vaccination intention is so hard to change: a longitudinal study -
  While vaccinations are vital to managing pandemics, attitudes toward vaccines are not uniformly positive. During the COVID-19 vaccines development and enrollment phase, we studied the temporal dynamics of COVID-19 vaccination intention in relation to attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines and the pandemic, vaccination in general, and social norms and trust. The data are derived from a longitudinal survey study with Dutch participants (N = 744; six measurements between December 2020 – May 2021) and analyzed with vector-autoregression network analyses. While cross-sectional results indicated that vaccination intention was relatively strongly related to attitudes toward the vaccines, results from temporal analyses showed that vaccination intention mainly predicted and was not predicted by other vaccination- related variables. Vaccination intention thus influences other variables but barely vice versa. This underlines the challenge of stimulating uptake of new vaccines developed during pandemics, and the importance of examining directions of effects in research into vaccination intention.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Why COVID-19 vaccination intention is so hard to change: a longitudinal study
• ENACT Study: What has helped health and social care workers maintain their mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic? Adaptive coping, team resilience, help-seeking behaviour and work based supports -
  Rapid studies have highlighted the adverse mental health impact of COVID-19 on health and social care workers (HSCWs). Complementing this work, we report on the psychosocial factors that have helped HSCWs adapt to the adversities associated with COVID-19 and protect staff wellbeing in Scotland. The ENACT study collected data from HSCWs (n=

1364. in Scotland during the third national lockdown. Using a cross-sectional design, participants completed an online survey providing quantitative data and free responses. A multi-method approach to analysis was used. The majority of HSCWs were found to have low wellbeing scores, high levels of COVID-19 stress, worry, burnout and risk perception scores and almost half of HSCWs met the clinical cut off for acute stress. Adaptive coping strategies and increased perceived team resilience helped mitigate against the adverse impact that COVID-19 stressors have on HSCWs’ mental wellbeing. HSCWs were significantly more likely to seek informal support for dealing with personal or emotional problems. Barriers to formal help-seeking were identified including stigma and fears of consequence of disclosure. HSCWs most valued peer support, workplace supports, visible leadership and teamwork. Our findings illuminate the complexity of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HSCWs’ wellbeing and will inform future intervention development to increase positive adaptation amongst staff. Addressing barriers to mental health help-seeking among HSCWs is essential. The implications emphasise the importance of lessons learned across health and social care contexts, planning and preparedness for future pandemics.
      🖺 Full Text HTML: ENACT Study: What has helped health and social care workers maintain their mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic? Adaptive coping, team resilience, help-seeking behaviour and work based supports

• Companionship and worries in uncertain times: Australian parents’ experiences of children and pets during COVID-19 -
  Companion animals (pets), especially cats and dogs, have featured regularly in the media and public discourse during the global COVID-19 pandemic, including increased demand for pet adoption and more time spent with existing pets. This qualitative study aimed to describe the experiences of Australian parents with a child under 18 years and a cat or dog. Within a broader survey, parents were asked open-ended questions about the benefits and challenges for their family of living with a cat or dog during COVID-19, and where relevant, about reasons for adopting a new pet. Data were collected between July and October 2020, during Australia’s ‘second wave’ of COVID-19, when some Australians were subject to strict physical distancing or ‘stay at home’ orders. A total of 611 parents provided at least one free-text response. Inductive template analysis was conducted on all responses; 33 unique codes were identified and mapped onto a biopsychosocial model under three themes: (i) “Trying to Stay Healthy and Well” (biological), (ii) “Comfort, Coping and Worries” (psychological), and “Spending More Time Together” (social). Findings highlight the therapeutic role of pets for families during times of change and uncertainty, as well as the significant social impact of pandemic-related restrictions on family units. Benefits included support for the family’s physical and mental health, maintenance of family routines, distraction, comfort, and pets as an opportunity to connect with others. Challenges were numerous and diverse, such as cost and access to pet care, behavioural concerns, worries about pet and child wellbeing, and reflections about the pet’s mortality. These findings demonstrate the complex and varied impacts of the pandemic on families with children and pets; some families are likely to require ongoing psychological, financial, and veterinary supports.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Companionship and worries in uncertain times: Australian parents’ experiences of children and pets during COVID-19

From Clinical Trials

• Evaluation of Full Versus Fractional Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines Given as a Booster in Adults in Australia - Mongolia, Indonesia, Australia Coronavirus (MIACoV). - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: Tozinameran - Standard dose;   Biological: Tozinameran - fractional dose;   Biological: Elasomeran - standard dose;   Biological: Elasomeran - fractional dose
  Sponsors:   Murdoch Childrens Research Institute;   Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations;   PATH;   The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
  Not yet recruiting

• Zofin to Treat COVID-19 Long Haulers - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Zofin;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsors:  
  Organicell Regenerative Medicine;   Proxima Clinical Research, Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Implemented With Virtual Reality for Post-COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Procedure: Pulmonary rehabilitation
  Sponsor:  
  The Opole University of Technology
  Not yet recruiting

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Implemented With VR for Post-COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Procedure: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
  Sponsor:   The Opole University of Technology
  Recruiting

• COVID19 Oral Vaccine Consisting of Bacillus Subtilis Spores - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Intervention:   Biological: Bacillus subtilis
  Sponsors:   DreamTec Research Limited;   Middle East Cell and Gene Therapy;   National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
  Completed

• Effect of Daily Oral Administration of Food Supplement NLC-V in Patients Diagnosed With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: NLC-V
  Sponsor:  
  Todos Medical, Ltd.
  Completed

• Fourth COVID-19 Vaccine Dose- mRNA1273 - Condition:   COVID-19 Pandemic
  Intervention:   Biological: mRNA1273 vaccine
  Sponsor:   Sheba Medical Center
  Active, not recruiting

• Study Design of the Diacerein in Patients With Covid-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Diacerein;   Drug: placebo capsules
  Sponsors:   University of Campinas, Brazil;   Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
  Not yet recruiting

• HEART Rate Variability Biofeedback in LOng COVID-19 (HEARTLOC) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV-B)
  Sponsors:   University of Leeds;   University of Manchester;   Leeds Comunity Healthcare NHS Trust
  Recruiting

• Fourth BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine Dose - Condition:   COVID-19 Pandemic
  Intervention:   Biological: BNT162b2 vaccine
  Sponsor:   Sheba Medical Center
  Active, not recruiting

• A Phase II Study of the Immunogenicity and Safety of SCTV01C in Population Aged ≥12 Years and Previously Vaccinated With Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine - Conditions:   COVID-19;   SARS-CoV2 Infection
  Interventions:   Biological: SCTV01C;   Biological: Comirnaty
  Sponsor:   Sinocelltech Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• Effects of Aerobic Exercise in Patients With Post COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Other: High-intensity interval aerobic exercise training;   Other: Control Group
  Sponsor:   Gazi University
  Not yet recruiting

• A Phase II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of SCTV01E in Population Aged ≥18 Years Previously Fully Vaccinated With mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine - Conditions:   COVID-19;   Sars-CoV-2 Infection
  Interventions:   Biological: SCTV01E;   Biological: Comirnaty
  Sponsor:   Sinocelltech Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• A Phase II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of SCTV01C and SCTV01E in Population Aged ≥12 Years Previously Fully Vaccinated With Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine - Conditions:   COVID-19;   SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  Interventions:   Biological: SCTV01C;   Biological: SCTV01E;   Biological: Sinopharm inactivated COVID-19 vaccine
  Sponsor:   Sinocelltech Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• A Phase II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of SCTV01C in Population Aged ≥18 Years and Previously Fully Vaccinated With Either Inactivated or mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine or Previously Diagnosed With COVID-19 - Conditions:   COVID-19;   SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  Interventions:   Biological: SCTV01C;   Biological: Sinopharm inactivated COVID-19 vaccine;   Biological: Comirnaty
  Sponsor:   Sinocelltech Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• SARS-CoV-2 Infects Red Blood Cell Progenitors and Dysregulates Hemoglobin and Iron Metabolism - CONCLUSIONS: Our data identify RBC precursors as a direct target of SARS-CoV-2 and suggest that SARS-CoV-2 induced dysregulation in hemoglobin- and iron-metabolism contributes to the severe systemic course of COVID-19. This opens the door for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

• Glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose attenuates SARS-CoV-2 multiplication in host cells and weakens the infective potential of progeny virions - AIMS: Virus-infected host cells switch their metabolism to a more glycolytic phenotype, required for new virion synthesis and packaging. Therefore, we investigated the effect and mechanistic action of glycolytic inhibitor 2-Deoxy-d- glucose (2-DG) on virus multiplication in host cells following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

• A human pluripotent stem cell-based model of SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals an ACE2-independent inflammatory activation of vascular endothelial cells through TLR4 - To date, the direct causative mechanism of SARS-CoV-2-induced endotheliitis remains unclear. Here, we report that human ECs barely express surface ACE2, and ECs express less intracellular ACE2 than non-ECs of the lungs. We ectopically expressed ACE2 in hESC-ECs to model SARS-CoV-2 infection. ACE2-deficient ECs are resistant to the infection but are more activated than ACE2-expressing ones. The virus directly induces endothelial activation by increasing monocyte adhesion, NO production, and…

• Validation and Invalidation of SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease Inhibitors - SARS-CoV-2 encodes two viral cysteine proteases, the main protease (M^(pro)) and the papain-like protease (PL^(pro)), both of which are validated antiviral drug targets. PL^(pro) is involved in the cleavage of viral polyproteins as well as immune modulation by removing ubiquitin and interferon-stimulated gene product 15 (ISG15) from host proteins. Therefore, targeting PL^(pro) might be a two-pronged approach. Several compounds including YM155, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I, dihydrotanshinone I,…

• Mechanism for the attenuation of neutrophil and complement hyperactivity by MSC exosomes - Complements and neutrophils are two key players of the innate immune system that are widely implicated as drivers of severe COVID-19 pathogenesis, as evident by the direct correlation of respiratory failure and mortality with elevated levels of terminal complement complex C5b-9 and neutrophils. In this study, we identified a feed-forward loop between complements and neutrophils that could amplify and perpetuate the cytokine storm seen in severe SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. We observed for the…

• Diltiazem inhibits SARS-CoV-2 cell attachment and internalization and decreases the viral infection in mouse lung - The continuous emergence of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and the increasing number of breakthrough infection cases among vaccinated people support the urgent need for research and development of antiviral drugs. Viral entry is an intriguing target for antiviral drug development. We found that diltiazem, a blocker of the L-type calcium channel Cav1.2 pore-forming subunit (Cav1.2 α1c) and an FDA-approved drug, inhibits the binding and internalization of SARS-CoV-2,…

• Healthcare Workers in South Korea Maintain a SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response Six Months After Receiving a Second Dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine - CONCLUSIONS: The BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was effective in protecting healthcare personnel working in COVID-19-related departments. While the level of S-IgG antibodies was maintained for 6 months after the second vaccination, nAb levels waned over this 6-month period, indicating the need for a booster vaccination in some healthcare workers 6 months after full vaccination. Herein, we suggest that further studies are needed to evaluate the need for an interval of booster vaccination after full…

• Conserved topology of virus glycoepitopes presents novel targets for repurposing HIV antibody 2G12 - Complex glycans decorate viral surface proteins and play a critical role in virus-host interactions. Viral surface glycans shield vulnerable protein epitopes from host immunity yet can also present distinct “glycoepitopes” that can be targeted by host antibodies such as the potent anti-HIV antibody 2G12 that binds high-mannose glycans on gp120. Two recent publications demonstrate 2G12 binding to high mannose glycans on SARS-CoV-2 and select Influenza A (Flu) H3N2 viruses. Previously, our lab…

• The INVENT COVID trial: a structured protocol for a randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of intravenous imatinib mesylate (Impentri) in subjects with acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by COVID-19 - BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a disruptive increase in the number of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is a severe, life-threatening medical condition characterized by widespread inflammation and vascular leak in the lungs. Although there is no proven therapy to reduce pulmonary vascular leak in ARDS, recent studies demonstrated that the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib reinforces the endothelial…

• Microsecond molecular dynamics simulations revealed the inhibitory potency of amiloride analogs against SARS-CoV-2 E viroporin - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) encodes small envelope protein (E) that plays a major role in viral assembly, release, pathogenesis, and host inflammation. Previous studies demonstrated that pyrazine ring containing amiloride analogs inhibit this protein in different types of coronavirus including SARS-CoV-1 small envelope protein E (SARS-CoV-1 E). SARS-CoV-1 E has 93.42% sequence identity with SARS-CoV-2 E and shared a conserved domain NS3/small envelope protein…

• Bat coronaviruses related to SARS-CoV-2 and infectious for human cells - The animal reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 is unknown despite reports of various SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in Asian Rhinolophus bats^(1-4), including the closest virus from R. affinis, RaTG13^(5,6) and in pangolins^(7-9). SARS-CoV-2 presents a mosaic genome, to which different progenitors contribute. The spike sequence determines the binding affinity and accessibility of its receptor-binding domain (RBD) to the cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and is responsible for host…

• Differing pan-coronavirus antiviral potency of boceprevir and GC376 in vitro despite discordant molecular docking predictions - Given the structural similarities of the viral enzymes of different coronaviruses (CoVs), we investigated the potency of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents boceprevir and GC376 for counteracting seasonal coronavirus infections. In contrast to previous findings that both boceprevir and GC376 are potent inhibitors of the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2, we found that GC376 is much more effective than boceprevir in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 and three seasonal CoVs (NL63, 229E, and OC43) in cell culture…

• A Suite of TMPRSS2 Assays for Screening Drug Repurposing Candidates as Potential Treatments of COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2 is the causative viral pathogen driving the COVID-19 pandemic that prompted an immediate global response to the development of vaccines and antiviral therapeutics. For antiviral therapeutics, drug repurposing allowed for rapid movement of existing clinical candidates and therapies into human clinical trials to be tested as COVID-19 therapies. One effective antiviral treatment strategy used early in symptom onset is to prevent viral entry. SARS-CoV-2 enters ACE2-expressing cells when…

• The oral drug nitazoxanide restricts SARS-CoV-2 infection and attenuates disease pathogenesis in Syrian hamsters - A well-tolerated and cost-effective oral drug that blocks SARS-CoV-2 growth and dissemination would be a major advance in the global effort to reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Here, we show that the oral FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and infection in different primate and human cell models including stem cell-derived human alveolar epithelial type 2 cells. Furthermore, NTZ synergizes with remdesivir, and it broadly inhibits…

• Boosting with Omicron-matched or historical mRNA vaccines increases neutralizing antibody responses and protection against B.1.1.529 infection in mice - The B.1.1.529 Omicron variant jeopardizes vaccines designed with early pandemic spike antigens. Here, we evaluated in mice the protective activity of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against B.1.1.529 before or after boosting with preclinical mRNA-1273 or mRNA-1273.529, an Omicron-matched vaccine. Whereas two doses of mRNA-1273 vaccine induced high levels of serum neutralizing antibodies against historical WA1/2020 strains, levels were lower against B.1.1.529 and associated with infection and…

From Patent Search

• SOCIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR MOBILE ROBOTS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TECHNOLOGY - The emergency department (ED) is a safety-critical environment in which healthcare workers (HCWs) are overburdened, overworked, and have limited resources, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. One way to address this problem is to explore the use of robots that can support clinical teams, e.g., to deliver materials or restock supplies. However, due to EDs being overcrowded, and the cognitive overload HCWs experience, robots need to understand various levels of patient acuity so they avoid disrupting care delivery. In this invention, we introduce the Safety-Critical Deep Q-Network (SafeDQN) system, a new acuity-aware navigation system for mobile robots. SafeDQN is based on two insights about care in EDs: high-acuity patients tend to have more HCWs in attendance and those HCWs tend to move more quickly. We compared SafeDQN to three classic navigation methods, and show that it generates the safest, quickest path for mobile robots when navigating in a simulated ED environment. We hope this work encourages future exploration of social robots that work in safety-critical, human-centered environments, and ultimately help to improve patient outcomes and save lives. Figure 1. - link

• A SYSTEM BASED ON DEEP LEARNING FOR ANALYZING DELAYED ENHANCEMENT MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING TO IDENTIFY COVID 19 AND METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses a system based on deep learning for analyzing delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging to identify COVID 19 and method thereof. The method and system include, but not limited to, a processing unit adapted to process the data based on deep learning data modelling in the magnetic resonance imaging associated with the digital image scanning system for diagnosis COVID 19 with the spatial resolution that each frame is deposited is 256 * 256, and being creating that level and vertical resolution respectively are 256 pixels (pixel), the read/write address that the read/write address of each image element, which is controlled by processing unit and forms circuit and finishes; And the data that will be stored in memory are input to a real-time microcontroller, it is characterized in that: analyze and compare by the Multi-source Information Fusion analytical system by using the real-time microcontroller to deliver the D/A changer then, digital signal is become analogue signal output. - link

• FOLDABLE KIDS NEST - The objective of the present invention is to provide a bird’s nest bag which allows a kid to sleep or sit inside. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the bird nest bag is used to isolate kids below 2 years, who are affected by COVID-19. The netted portion of the bag allows a clear visibility to check on the user by the medical assistants, during emergency situations. The children below two years of age can be isolated in the bags for a shorter duration. (Refer Fig. 1) - link

• IDENTIFICATION AND ALARM SYSTEM FOR FACIAL CORONA MASK USING CNN BASED IMAGE PROCESSING - tThe covid-19 epidemic is the world’s largest wake-up call for people to pay attention to their own and society’s health. One thing to keep in mind is that there is a segment of the population that has been exposed to the covid-19 virus and has generated antibodies without developing any significant illnesses and is continuing to be healthy. This indicates that a significant section of the population, even excluding the elderly, lacks the necessary bodily immunity to combat a Viral infection. As terrible as covid-19 is on a global scale, developing personal health standards and preventative measures for any pathogenic virus as a community would have spared many lives. In’this work, a camera is combined with an image processing system to recognise facial masks, which may be improved in a variety of ways. First and foremost, this method is meant to identify masks on a single person’s face. While this method is efficient in identifying someone has a mask, it does not ensure that they will wear it all of the time. The most effective update for this task is to install a camera with a wide field of view so that many individuals can be seen in the frame, and the faces of those who aren’t wearing markings can be identified, as well as the number of people and the timing. - link

• ANTIMICROBIAL SANITIZING FORMULATION - An antimicrobial sanitizing formulation, comprising, i) isopropyl alcohol in the range of 0.1%- 80% w/w, ii) an emollient in the range of 0.1%-15% w/w, iii) hydrogen peroxide in the range of 0.1 0.13% w/w, iv) citric acid in the range of 0.1% to 2.0% w/w, v) silver nitrate in the range of 0.1% to 0.5% w/w, and vi) a fragrance imparting agent in the range of 0.1% to 2.0% w/w. - link

• A HEALTH BAND WITH A BIOMETRIC MODULE AND WORKING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses a health band with a biometric module and method thereof. The assembly includes, but not limited to, a plurality of sensors configured to gather health data associated with a predefined symptom of a medical condition of a user; a memory unit configured to store the data and an interface, which is configured to determine the medical condition using the data;a processing unit configured to execute the application; and a notification facility configured to provide a notification upon receiving from the interface an instruction associated with the notification, wherein the notification is associated with a drug reminder and the like. - link

• RNA 검출 방법 - 본 발명은 RNA의 분석 및 검출 방법에 관한 것이다. 특히, 본 발명은 특히, 본 발명은 짧은 염기서열의 RNA까지 분석이 가능하면서도 높은 민감도 및 정확도로 정량적 검출까지 가능하여 감염증, 암 등 여러 질환의 진단 용도로도 널리 활용될 수 있다. - link

• 黄芩黄酮活性成分及其制剂在制备预防和/或治疗炎症风暴药物中的应用 - 本发明公开了黄芩黄酮活性成分及其制剂在制备预防和/或治疗炎症风暴药物中的应用。所述黄芩黄酮活性成分选自下述至少一种：黄芩素、汉黄芩素和千层纸素A。炎症风暴是一种机体对外界刺激的过度免疫反应和炎症反应，以炎症细胞因子的快速大量释放为特征。炎症风暴可由许多感染或非感染性疾病引起，并与疾病的严重程度和多器官功能障碍综合征的发生密切相关。减少炎症风暴的发生有助于降低器官损伤和减缓疾病进程，尤其对危重症患者的治疗至关重要。本发明发现，黄芩素、汉黄芩素、千层纸素A均具有不同程度抑制小鼠细胞因子风暴的作用。黄芩素能改善炎症风暴引发的肺损伤和炎性细胞浸润。因此黄芩黄酮活性成分可用于制备防治炎症风暴的药物。 - link

• 一种预防和/或治疗炎症风暴的药物组合物及其制剂与应用 - 本发明公开了一种预防和/或治疗炎症风暴的药物组合物、制剂及其应用。该药物组合物，由黄芩素、汉黄芩素和千层纸素A组成，其中，黄芩素、汉黄芩素、千层纸素A的质量比为0.25_1.5：0.57：1。本发明提供的自微乳包括下述组分：药物磷脂复合物、油相、乳化剂和助乳化剂；其中，所述药物磷脂复合物由上述药物组合物和磷脂材料复合而成。本发明的实验结果表明在LPS诱导的系统性炎症风暴小鼠模型中，黄芩素、汉黄芩素和千层纸素A的组合物及其自微乳制剂均具有不同程度抑制小鼠细胞因子风暴的作用。本发明为炎症风暴的临床治疗提供了一种安全、有效、经济的解决方案。 - link

• 胸部CT图像识别方法、装置、计算机设备和存储介质 - 本申请涉及一种胸部CT图像识别方法、装置、计算机设备和存储介质。所述方法针对CT图像特点，设计轻量级的胸部CT图像识别网络更快速准确地识别出胸部CT图像。引入X‑DMFF模块，提升模型性能且降低计算成本。在DMS模块中引入Swin‑Transformer与残差学习，提取更多尺度的空间特征信息并对特征信息不断重用，提升模型分类效果。 - link