Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• The Effects of Coronavirus Victimization Distress and Coronavirus Racial Bias on Mental Health Among AIAN, Asian, Black, and Latinx Young Adults -

  Objectives. Racial/ethnic minorities have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic in rates of infection and morbidity. The effect of Coronavirus specific forms of discrimination have not been examined. This study assessed the effect of economic, pre-existing health factors, and COVID 19 specific victimization and racial bias beliefs on depression and anxiety among young adults of color in the U.S. Methods. A national online survey of 399 AIAN, Asian, Black, and Latinx adults (18 to 25 years) included demographic variables, and measures of depression, anxiety, Coronavirus victimization distress (CVDS) and related racial bias beliefs (CRBS). Results. Employment, financial and prescription insecurity, COVID 19 health risks, CVDS and CRBS were positively correlated with depression and anxiety. CRBS was higher among Asian and Black respondents. SEM controlling for race/ethnicity and demographics indicated CRBS mediated the effect of CVDS on both mental health indices. Conclusion. COVID 19 has created new pathways to mental health disparities among young adults of color by reversing formerly protective factors such as employment, and by exacerbating structural and societal inequities linked to race. Findings highlight the necessity of creating mental health services tailored to the specific needs of racial/ethnic minorities during the current and future health crises. Public Significance Statement. COVID 19 has created new pathways to mental health disparities among young adults of color by reversing formerly protective factors such as employment, and by increasing Coronavirus stigma and racial bias. Mental health services need to be tailored to reducing such disparities during the current and future health crises.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: The Effects of Coronavirus Victimization Distress and Coronavirus Racial Bias on Mental Health Among AIAN, Asian, Black, and Latinx Young Adults
• Prediction of residue-specific contributions to binding and thermal stability using yeast surface display -
  Quantitative prediction of residue-specific contributions to protein stability and activity is challenging, especially in the absence of experimental structural information. This is important for prediction and understanding of disease causing mutations, and for protein stabilization and design. Using yeast surface display of a saturation mutagenesis library of the bacterial toxin CcdB, we probe the relationship between ligand binding and expression level of displayed protein, with in vivo solubility in E.coli and in vitro thermal stability. We find that both the stability and solubility correlate well with the total amount of active protein on the yeast cell surface but not with total amount of expressed protein. We coupled FACS and deep sequencing to reconstruct the binding and expression mean fluorescent intensity of each mutant. The reconstructed mean fluorescence intensity (MFIseq) was used to differentiate between buried site, exposed non active-site and exposed active-site positions with high accuracy. The MFIseq was also used as a criterion to identify destabilized as well as stabilized mutants in the library, and to predict the melting temperatures of destabilized mutants. These predictions were experimentally validated and were more accurate than those of various computational predictors. The approach was extended to successfully identify buried and active-site residues in the receptor binding domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting it has general applicability.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Prediction of residue-specific contributions to binding and thermal stability using yeast surface display
• The Covid-19 Crisis and People’s Right to Food -
  India’s national lockdown in 2020, in response to the Covid-19 crisis, was one of the harshest in the world. Multiple household surveys indicate that the lockdown and the economic recession that followed led to a severe nutrition crisis. Food deprivation was most intense during the national lockdown but continued throughout the year. Relief measures helped, but they compensated for just a fraction of people’s income losses, even among poor households. It is doubtful that employment, income and nutrition among informal-sector workers and their families ever regained their pre-lockdown levels before a second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic hit the country in early 2021. The Indian government’s failure to put in place more effective relief measures is a serious denial of people’s right to food. With relief measures off the table in 2021, at the time of writing, there is a serious danger of another wave of intense food deprivation.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The Covid-19 Crisis and People’s Right to Food
• COVID-19 Sex-Age Mortality Modeling - A Use Case of Risk-Based Vaccine Prioritization -
  This research builds upon the previous publications claiming that the male sex population and both sex individuals of advanced age are more susceptible to COVID-19’s risks. Relations between sex and age gradients are explored analytically based upon the proposed log-polynomial regression model of COVID-19 mortality. This model enables predicting mortality risk at any arbitrary age, as well as the derivation of several useful secondary metrics: • Sex differential: a ratio of male-to-female death risks for a given age group. • Age parity: age at which both sexes have an equal vulnerability. • Age lag: the number of years to subtract from a male’s age to match a female’s death risk. • Male equal risk age: male’s age at which male’s odds of dying from COVID-19 will equate female’s given the cutoff age. These metrics allow solving such practical problems as, e.g., prioritizing vaccine based on COVID-19 mortality risk associated with sex and age. Modeling techniques, refined in the paper, are by no means unique to COVID-19 and would apply to analyses of other diseases.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: COVID-19 Sex-Age Mortality Modeling - A Use Case of Risk-Based Vaccine Prioritization
• COVID-19 European regional tracker -

  This Tracker presents data on daily COVID-19 cases at the sub-national level for 26 European countries from January 2020 till present. Country-level data sources are identified and processed to form a homogenized panel at the NUTS3 or NUTS2 level, the two lowest standardized administrative units of Europe. The strengths and weaknesses of each country dataset are discussed in detail. The raw data, spatial layers, the code, and the final homogenized files are provided in an online repository for replication. The data highlights the spatial distribution of cases both within and across countries that can be utilized for a disaggregated analysis on the impacts of the pandemic. The Tracker is updated monthly to expand its coverage.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: COVID-19 European regional tracker
• Implementing Essential Coaching for Every Mother during COVID-19: A Pilot Pre-Post Intervention Study -

  OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to evaluate the preliminary impact of Essential Coaching for Every Mother on self-efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. The second objective was to explore the acceptability of the Essential Coaching for Every Mother program provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A prospective pre-post study was conducted with first time mothers in Nova Scotia, Canada between July 15th and September 19th, 2020. Participants completed a self-report survey at enrolment (after birth) and six-weeks postpartum. Various standardized measures were used and qualitative feedback on the program was also collected. Paired t-tests were carried out to determine changes from baseline to follow-up on psychosocial outcomes and qualitative feedback was analysed through thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 88 women enrolled. Self-efficacy increased between baseline (B) and follow-up (F) (B:33.33; F:37.11, p=0.000) while anxiety (STAI) declined (B:38.49; F:34.79; p=0.004). In terms of acceptability, 89% of participants felt that the number of messages were just right, 84.5% felt the messages contained all the information they needed relative to caring for a newborn and 98.8% indicated they would recommend this program to other new mothers. CONCLUSION: Essential Coaching for Every Mother may play a role in increasing maternal self-efficacy and decreasing anxiety, although future work with a control group is needed to delineate the true effects of the program. Overall, mothers were satisfied with the Essential Coaching for Every Mother program and would recommend it for other mothers, during COVID-19 and beyond.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Implementing Essential Coaching for Every Mother during COVID-19: A Pilot Pre-Post Intervention Study
• Correlation of vaccine-elicited antibody levels and neutralizing activities against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants -
  Both Pfizer-BNT162b2 and Moderna-mRNA-1273 vaccines can elicit an effective immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the elicited serum antibody levels vary substantially and longitudinally decrease after vaccination. We examined the correlation of vaccination-induced IgG levels and neutralization titers against newly emerged variants remains and demonstrate a significant reduction of neutralization activities against the variants (B.1.1.7, B.1.525, and B.1.351) in Pfizer or Moderna vaccined sera. There was a significant and positive correlation between serum IgG levels and ID50 titers for not only SARS-CoV-2 WT but also the variants. These findings indicate that a high level of anti-spike IgG may offer better protection against infection from SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Therefore, it is necessary to longitudinally monitor specific serum IgG level for evaluating the protective efficacy of the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and its new variants.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Correlation of vaccine-elicited antibody levels and neutralizing activities against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants
• Spike mutation T403R allows bat coronavirus RaTG13 to use human ACE2 -
  Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, most likely emerged from bats. A prerequisite for this devastating zoonosis was the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) glycoprotein to use human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for viral entry. Although the S protein of the closest related bat virus, RaTG13, shows high similarity to the SARS-CoV-2 S protein it does not efficiently interact with the human ACE2 receptor. Here, we show that a single T403R mutation allows the RaTG13 S to utilize the human ACE2 receptor for infection of human cells and intestinal organoids. Conversely, mutation of R403T in the SARS-CoV-2 S significantly reduced ACE2-mediated virus infection. The S protein of SARS-CoV-1 that also uses human ACE2 also contains a positive residue (K) at this position, while the S proteins of CoVs utilizing other receptors vary at this location. Our results indicate that the presence of a positively charged amino acid at position 403 in the S protein is critical for efficient utilization of human ACE2. This finding could help to predict the zoonotic potential of animal coronaviruses.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Spike mutation T403R allows bat coronavirus RaTG13 to use human ACE2
• Accelerated Antibody Discovery Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein for COVID-19 Therapeutic Potential -
  Rapid deployment of technologies capable of high-throughput and high-resolution screening is imperative for timely response to viral outbreaks. Risk mitigation in the form of leveraging multiple advanced technologies further increases the likelihood of identifying efficacious treatments in an aggressive timeline. In this study, we describe two parallel, yet distinct, in vivo approaches for accelerated discovery of antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Working with human transgenic Alloy-GK mice, we detail a single B-cell discovery workflow to directly interrogate antibodies secreted from plasma cells for binding specificity and ACE2 receptor blocking activity. Additionally, we describe a concurrent accelerated hybridoma-based workflow utilizing a DiversimAb mouse model for increased diversity. The panel of antibodies isolated from both workflows revealed binding to distinct epitopes with both blocking and non-blocking profiles. Sequence analysis of the resulting lead candidates uncovered additional diversity with the opportunity for straightforward engineering and affinity maturation. By combining in vivo models with advanced integration of screening and selection platforms, lead antibody candidates can be sequenced and fully characterized within one to three months.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Accelerated Antibody Discovery Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein for COVID-19 Therapeutic Potential
• COVID-19 Mortality is Associated with Impaired Innate Immunity in Pre-existing Health Conditions -
  Background: COVID-19 poses a life-threatening endangerment to individuals with chronic diseases. However, not all comorbidities affect COVID-19 prognosis equally. Some increase the risk of COVID-19 related death by more than six folds while others show little to no impact. To prevent severe outcomes, it is critical that we comprehend pre-existing molecular abnormalities in common health conditions that predispose patients to poor prognoses. In this study, we aim to discover some of these molecular risk factors by associating gene expression dysregulations in common health conditions with COVID-19 mortality rates in different cohorts. Methods: We focused on fourteen pre-existing health conditions, for which age-and-sex-adjusted hazard ratios of COVID-19 mortality have been documented. For each health condition, we analyzed existing transcriptomics data to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between affected individuals and unaffected individuals. We then tested if fold changes of any DEG in these pre-existing conditions were correlated with hazard ratios of COVID-19 mortality to discover molecular risk factors. We performed gene set enrichment analysis to identify functional groups overrepresented in these risk factor genes and examined their relationships with the COVID-19 disease pathway. Results: We found that upregulated expression of 70 genes and downregulated expression of 181 genes in pre-existing health conditions were correlated with increased risk of COVID-19 related death. These genes were significantly enriched with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function, proinflammatory reaction, and interferon production that participate in viral transcription and immune responses to viral infections. Conclusions: Impaired innate immunity in pre-existing health conditions are associated with increased hazard of COVID-19 mortality. The discovered molecular risk factors are potential prognostic biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: COVID-19 Mortality is Associated with Impaired Innate Immunity in Pre-existing Health Conditions
• Favorable outcome on viral load and culture viability using Ivermectin in early treatment of non-hospitalized patients with mild COVID-19, A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. -

  Background: Ivermectin, an antiparasitic agent, also has antiviral properties. Our aim was to assess whether ivermectin can shorten the viral shedding in patients at an early stage of COVID19 infection. Methods: The double blinded trial compared patients receiving ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg for 3 days vs. placebo in non-hospitalized COVID19 patients. RT-PCR from a nasopharyngeal swab was obtained at recruitment and then every two days. Primary endpoint was reduction of viral-load on the 6th day (third day after termination of treatment) as reflected by Ct level>30 (non-infectious level). The primary outcome was supported by determination of viral culture viability. Results: Eighty nine patients were eligible (47 in ivermectin and 42 in placebo arm). Their median age was 35 years. Females accounted for 21.6%, and 16.8% were asymptomatic at recruitment. Median time from symptom onset was 4 days. There were no statistical differences in these parameters between the two groups. On day 6, 34 out of 47 (72%) patients in the ivermectin arm reached the endpoint, compared to 21/ 42 (50%) in the placebo arm (OR 2.62; 95% CI: 1.09 to 6.31). In a multivariable logistic regression model, the odds of a negative test at day 6 was 2.62 time higher in the ivermectin group (95% CI: 1.06 to 6.45). Cultures at days 2 to 6 were positive in 3/23 (13.0%) of ivermectin samples vs. 14/29 (48.2%) in the placebo group (p=0.008). Conclusions: There were significantly lower viral loads and viable cultures in the ivermectin group, which could lead to shortening isolation time in these patients.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Favorable outcome on viral load and culture viability using Ivermectin in early treatment of non-hospitalized patients with mild COVID-19, A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.
• Antigenic minimalism of SARS-CoV-2 is linked to surges in COVID-19 community transmission and vaccine breakthrough infections -

  The raging COVID-19 pandemic in India and reports of vaccine breakthrough infections globally have raised alarm mandating the characterization of the immuno-evasive features of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we systematically analyzed over 1.3 million SARS-CoV-2 genomes from 178 countries and performed whole-genome viral sequencing from 53 COVID-19 patients, including 20 vaccine breakthrough infections. We identified 116 Spike protein mutations that increased in prevalence during at least one surge in SARS-CoV-2 test positivity in any country over a three-month window. Deletions in the Spike protein N-terminal domain (NTD) are highly enriched for these surge-associated mutations (Odds Ratio = 18.2, 95% CI: 7.53-48.7; p=1.465x10-18). In the recent COVID-19 surge in India, an NTD deletion (ΔF157/R158) increased over 10-fold in prevalence from February 2021 (1.1%) to April 2021 (15%). During the recent surge in Chile, an NTD deletion (Δ246-253) increased rapidly over 30-fold in prevalence from January 2021 (0.86%) to April 2021 (33%). Strikingly, these simultaneously emerging deletions associated with surges in different parts of the world both occur at an antigenic supersite that is targeted by neutralizing antibodies. Finally, we generated clinically annotated SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences and identified deletions within this NTD antigenic supersite in a patient with vaccine breakthrough infection (Δ156-164) and other deletions from unvaccinated severe COVID-19 patients that could represent emerging deletion-prone regions. Overall, the expanding repertoire of NTD deletions throughout the pandemic and their association with case surges and vaccine breakthrough infections point to antigenic minimalism as an emerging evolutionary strategy for SARS-CoV-2 to evade immune responses. This study highlights the urgent need to sequence viral genomes at a larger scale globally and to mandate that sequences are deposited with more granular and transparent clinical annotations to ensure that therapeutic development keeps pace with the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Antigenic minimalism of SARS-CoV-2 is linked to surges in COVID-19 community transmission and vaccine breakthrough infections
• A molecular toolbox for ADP-ribosyl binding proteins -
  Proteins interacting with ADP-ribosyl groups are often involved in disease-related pathways or in viral infections, which makes them attractive targets for the development of inhibitors. Our goal was to develop a robust and accessible assay technology that is suitable for high-throughput screening and applicable to a wide range of proteins acting as either hydrolysing or non-hydrolysing binders of mono- and poly-ADP-ribosyl groups. As a foundation of our work, we developed a C-terminal protein fusion tag based on a Gi protein alpha subunit peptide (GAP), which allows for site-specific introduction of cysteine-linked mono- and poly-ADP-ribosyl groups as well as chemical ADP-ribosyl analogs. By fusion of the GAP-tag and ADP-ribosyl binders to fluorescent proteins, we were able to generate robust FRET signals and the interaction with 22 previously described ADP-ribosyl-binders was confirmed. To demonstrate the applicability of this binding assay for high-throughput screening, we utilized it to screen for inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp3 macrodomain and identified the drug suramin as a moderate yet unspecific inhibitor of this protein. To complement the binding technology, we prepared high-affinity ADP-ribosyl binders fused to a nanoluciferase, which enabled simple blot-based detection of mono- and poly-ADP-ribosylated proteins. These tools can be expressed recombinantly in E. coli using commonly available agents and will help to investigate ADP-ribosylation systems and aid in drug discovery.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A molecular toolbox for ADP-ribosyl binding proteins
• Characterising long term Covid-19: a living systematic review -

  Background While it is now apparent clinical sequelae (often called Long Covid) may persist after acute Covid-19, their nature, frequency, and aetiology are poorly characterised. This study aims to regularly synthesise evidence on Long Covid characteristics, to inform clinical management, rehabilitation, and interventional studies to improve long term outcomes. Methods A living systematic review. Medline, CINAHL (EBSCO), Global Health (Ovid), WHO Global Research Database on Covid-19, LitCOVID, and Google Scholar were searched up to 17th March 2021. Published studies including at least 100 people with confirmed or clinically suspected Covid-19 at 12 weeks or more post-onset were included. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and meta-analyses to estimate prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Thirty-nine studies were included: 32 cohort, six cross-sectional, and one case-control. Most showed high or moderate risk of bias. None were set in low-income countries, limited studies included children. Studies reported on 10,951 people (48% female) in 12 countries. Most followed-up post hospital discharge (78%, 8520/10951). The longest mean follow-up was 221.7 (SD: 10.9) days post Covid-19 onset. An extensive range of symptoms with wide prevalence was reported, most commonly weakness (41%; 95% CI 25% to 59%), malaise (33%; 95% CI 15% to 57%), fatigue (31%; 95% CI 24% to 39%), concentration impairment (26%; 95% CI 21% to 32%), and breathlessness (25%; 95% CI 18% to 34%). Other frequent symptoms included musculoskeletal, neurological, and psychological. 37% (95% CI 18% to 60%) of people reported reduced quality of life. Conclusion: Long Covid is a complex condition with heterogeneous symptoms. The nature of the studies precludes a precise case definition or evaluation of risk factors. There is an urgent need for prospective, robust, standardised controlled studies into aetiology, risk factors, and biomarkers to characterise Long Covid in different at-risk populations and settings. Systematic review registration The protocol was prospectively registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42020211131).

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Characterising long term Covid-19: a living systematic review
• Kite-shaped molecules block SARS-CoV-2 cell entry at a post-attachment step -
  Anti-viral small molecules are currently lacking for treating coronavirus infection. The long development timescales for such drugs are a major problem, but could be shortened by repurposing existing drugs. We therefore screened a small library of FDA-approved compounds for potential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antivirals using a pseudovirus system that allows a sensitive read-out of infectivity. A group of structurally-related compounds, showing moderate inhibitory activity with IC50 values in the 1-5M range, were identified. Further studies demonstrated that these kite-shaped molecules were surprisingly specific for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 and that they acted early in the entry steps of the viral infectious cycle, but did not affect virus attachment to the cells. Moreover the compounds were able to prevent infection in both kidney- and lung-derived human cell lines. The structural homology of the hits allowed the production of a well-defined pharmacophore that was found to be highly accurate in predicting the anti-viral activity of the compounds in the screen. We discuss the prospects of repurposing these existing drugs for treating current and future coronavirus outbreaks.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Kite-shaped molecules block SARS-CoV-2 cell entry at a post-attachment step

From Clinical Trials

• Study of Allogeneic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: COVI-MSC;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Study to Evaluate a Single Intranasal Dose of STI-2099 (COVI-DROPS™) in Outpatient Adults With COVID-19 (US) - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: COVI-DROPS;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Study to Evaluate a Single Intranasal Dose of STI-2099 (COVI-DROPS™) in Outpatient Adults With COVID-19 (UK) - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: COVI-DROPS;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Low-Dose Radiation Therapy to Lungs in Moderate COVID-19 Pneumonitis: A Case-Control Pilot Study - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Intervention:   Radiation: Low dose radiotherapy
  Sponsor:   Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences
  Not yet recruiting

• CRP-Apheresis for Attenuation of Pulmonary, MYocardial and/or Kidney Injury in COvid-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Device: CRP-apheresis
  Sponsor:   University Hospital, Essen
  Recruiting

• Using Text Messages to Improve COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Text message content
  Sponsors:   Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust;   Central London CCG;   Imperial College Health Partners;   Institute for Global Health Innovations;   The Behavioural Insights Team
  Not yet recruiting

• Prophylaxis for COVID-19: Ivermectin in Close Contacts of COVID-19 Cases (IVERNEX-TUC) - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Ivermectin;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Ministry of Public Health, Argentina
  Recruiting

• Mix and Match of the Second COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for Safety and Immunogenicity - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine;   Biological: BNT162b2;   Biological: ChAdOx1-S [recombinant];   Other: 0, 28 day schedule;   Other: 0, 112 day schedule
  Sponsors:   Canadian Immunization Research Network;   Canadian Center for Vaccinology;   BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute;   Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba;   CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval;   Ottawa Hospital Research Institute;   Northern Alberta Clinical Trials + Research Centre;   Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion;   University of Toronto;   Massachusetts General Hospital
  Not yet recruiting

• CISCO-21 Prevent and Treat Long COVID-19. - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Other: Resistance Exercise
  Sponsors:   NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde;   University of Glasgow;   Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government
  Not yet recruiting

• Leronlimab in Moderatelly Ill Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Interventions:   Drug: Leronlimab;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:   Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein;   CytoDyn, Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Anti COVID 19 Intravenous Immunoglobulin (C-IVIG) Therapy for Severe COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Biological: Anti COVID 19 Intravenous Immunoglobulin (C-IVIG)
  Sponsors:   Dow University of Health Sciences;   Higher Education Commission (Pakistan)
  Recruiting

• Leronlimab in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) With Need for Mechanical Ventilation or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Interventions:   Drug: Leronlimab;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:   Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein;   CytoDyn, Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Amantadine for COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Amantadine;   Drug: Lactose monohydrate
  Sponsors:   Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre;   University of Copenhagen
  Not yet recruiting

• A Proof of Concept Study for the DNA Repair Driven by the Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Critical COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Intervention:   Biological: Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation
  Sponsors:   SBÜ Dr. Sadi Konuk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi;   Istinye University;   Liv Hospital (Ulus)
  Completed

• Antigen Rapid Test Screening to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Transmission (COVID-19) at Mass Gathering Events. - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid test
  Sponsors:   Norwegian Institute of Public Health;   University of Oslo
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• Quercetin for COVID-19 and DENGUE co-infection: a potential therapeutic strategy of targeting critical host signal pathways triggered by SARS-CoV-2 and DENV - CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to reveal quercetin as a pharmacological drug for COVID-19 and DENGUE co-infection. COVID-19 and DENGUE co-infection remain a potential threat to the world’s public health system. Therefore, we need innovative thinking to provide admissible evidence for quercetin as a potential molecule drug for the treatment of COVID-19 and DENGUE, but the findings have not been verified in actual patients, so further clinical drug trials are needed.

• TLR7 Ligation Inhibits TLR8 Responsiveness in IL-27-Primed Human THP-1 Monocytes and Macrophages - Regulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression is critical in the face of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) virus infections. Many viruses, including coronavirus and influenza virus, wreak havoc on the control of cytokine expression, leading to the formation of detrimental cytokine storms. Understanding the regulation and interplay between inflammatory cytokines is critical to the identification of targets involved in controlling the induction of cytokine expression. In this study, we focused on…

• Computational and experimental studies on the inhibitory mechanism of hydroxychloroquine on hERG - Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was noted to produce severe cardiac arrhythmia, an adverse effect as its use against severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 (SAES-CoV-2). HCQ is an antimalarial drug with quinoline structure. Some other quinoline compounds, such as fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs), also lead to arrhythmias characterized by QT prolongation. QT prolongation is usually related to the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel inhibitory activity of most…

• Structure-based design and characterization of novel fusion-inhibitory lipopeptides against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants - The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has severely impacted the global public health and socio-economic stability, calling for effective vaccines and therapeutics. In this study, we continued our efforts to develop more efficient SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors and achieved significant findings. First, we found that the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) sequence of SARS-CoV-2 spike fusion protein plays a critical role in viral infectivity and can serve as an ideal template…

• Pulmonary stromal expansion and intra-alveolar coagulation are primary causes of COVID-19 death - Most COVID-19 victims are old and die from unrelated causes. Here we present twelve complete autopsies, including two rapid autopsies of young patients where the cause of death was COVID-19 ARDS. The main virus induced pathology was in the lung parenchyma and not in the airways. Most coagulation events occurred in the intra-alveolar and not in the intra-vascular space and the few thrombi were mainly composed of aggregated thrombocytes. The dominant inflammatory response was the massive…

• Accommodating receptor flexibility and free energy calculation to reduce false positive binders in the discovery of natural products blockers of SARS-COV-2 spike RBD-ACE2 interface - The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), which causes coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has caused more than 2 million deaths around the globe. The high transmissibility rate of the disease is related to the strong interaction between the virus spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as documented in several reports. In this study, using state-of-the-art computational methods, natural products were screened…

• Synthetic Siglec-9 Agonists Inhibit Neutrophil Activation Associated with COVID-19 - Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2, are characterized by a hyperinflammatory immune response that leads to numerous complications. Production of proinflammatory neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) has been suggested to be a key factor in inducing a hyperinflammatory signaling cascade, allegedly causing both pulmonary tissue damage and peripheral inflammation. Accordingly, therapeutic blockage of neutrophil activation and NETosis, the cell…

• The First Insight Into the Supramolecular System of D,L-α-Difluoromethylornithine: A New Antiviral Perspective - Targeting the polyamine biosynthetic pathway by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is a powerful approach in the fight against diverse viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, eflornithine) is the best-known inhibitor of ODC and a broad-spectrum, unique therapeutical agent. Nevertheless, its pharmacokinetic profile is not perfect, especially when large doses are required in antiviral treatment. This article presents a holistic study focusing on the molecular and…

• Prediction of repurposed drugs for Coronaviruses using artificial intelligence and machine learning - The world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Likewise, other viruses of the Coronaviridae family were responsible for causing epidemics earlier. To tackle these viruses, there is a lack of approved antiviral drugs. Therefore, we have developed robust computational methods to predict the repurposed drugs using machine learning techniques namely Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, k-Nearest Neighbour, Artificial Neural…

• Intestinal Microbiota-A Promising Target for Antiviral Therapy? - The intestinal microbiota is thought to be an important biological barrier against enteric pathogens. Its depletion, however, also has curative effects against some viral infections, suggesting that different components of the intestinal microbiota can play both promoting and inhibitory roles depending on the type of viral infection. The two primary mechanisms by which the microbiota facilitates or inhibits viral invasion involve participation in the innate and adaptive immune responses and…

• Human Surfactant Protein D Binds Spike Protein and Acts as an Entry Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Pseudotyped Viral Particles - Human SP-D is a potent innate immune molecule whose presence at pulmonary mucosal surfaces allows its role in immune surveillance against pathogens. Higher levels of serum SP-D have been reported in the patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Studies have suggested the ability of human SP-D to recognise spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV; its interaction with HCoV-229E strain leads to viral inhibition in human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells. Previous studies have…

• beta-Caryophyllene, A Natural Dietary CB2 Receptor Selective Cannabinoid can be a Candidate to Target the Trinity of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation in COVID-19 - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an ongoing pandemic and presents a public health emergency. It has affected millions of people and continues to affect more, despite tremendous social preventive measures. Identifying candidate drugs for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 is crucial. The pathogenesis and the complications with advanced infection mainly involve an immune-inflammatory cascade. Therefore,…

• Flavonoids are promising safe therapy against COVID-19 - Flavonoids are a class of phenolic natural products, well-identified in traditional and modern medicines in the treatment of several diseases including viral infection. Flavonoids showed potential inhibitory activity against coronaviruses including the current pandemic outbreak caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and designated as COVID-19. Here, we have collected all data related to the potential inhibitory mechanisms of flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2…

• Potential protective mechanisms of green tea polyphenol EGCG against COVID-19 - BACKGROUND: The world is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the potential protective effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major constituent of green tea, against COVID-19.

• DFT, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies on Some Newly Introduced Natural Products for Their Potential Use Against SARS-CoV-2 - Throughout the history, natural products always give new paths to develop new drugs. As with many other diseases, natural compounds can be helpful in the treatment of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 main protease enzyme has an important role in viral replication and transcription. Therefore, inhibiting this enzyme may be helpful in the treatment of COVID-19. In this study, it is aimed to investigate eight natural compounds which have recently entered the literature, computationally for their potential use…

From Patent Search

• COST EFFECTIVE PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR FOR COVID-19 - - link

• METHOD OF IDENTIFYING SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONA VIRUS 2 (SARS-COV-2) RIBONUCLEIC ACID (RNA) - - link

• IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO PARTICLE, INCLUDING SARS-CoV-2, DETECTION AND METHODS THEREFOR - - link

• DEEP LEARNING BASED SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF COVID-19 DISEASE OF PATIENT AT INFECTION RISK - The present invention relates to Deep learning based system for detection of covid-19 disease of patient at infection risk. The objective of the present invention is to solve the problems in the prior art related to technologies of detection of covid-19 disease using CT scan image processing. - link

• A COMPREHENSIVE DISINFECTION SYSTEM DURING PANDEMIC FOR PERSONAL ITEMS AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) TO SAFEGUARD PEOPLE - The current Covid-19 pandemic has led to an enormous demand for gadgets / objects for personal protection. To prevent the spread of virus, it is important to disinfect commonly touched objects. One of the ways suggested is to use a personal UV-C disinfecting box that is “efficient and effective in deactivating the COVID-19 virus. The present model has implemented the use of a UV transparent material (fused silica quartz glass tubes) as the medium of support for the objects to be disinfected to increase the effectiveness of disinfection without compromising the load bearing capacity. Aluminum foil, a UV reflecting material, was used as the inner lining of the box for effective utilization of the UVC light emitted by the UVC lamps. Care has been taken to prevent leakage of UVC radiation out of the system. COVID-19 virus can be inactivated in 5 minutes by UVC irradiation in this disinfection box - link

• UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING SYSTEM FOR MENTAL HEALTH MONITORING OF PERSON DURING THE PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 - - link

• 一种预判重症新冠肺炎（COVID-19）的标志物及其产品和用途 - 本发明提供了一种预判重症疾病的标志物，所述的预判重症疾病的标志物为S100A12，序列为SEQ ID NO.1，所述的重症疾病为重症新冠肺炎、重症感染中的一种。S100A12基因作为标志物，在预判重症疾病时对全血中的S100A12基因的表达水平进行检测即可，无需对白细胞进行分离，简化检测流程。S100A12的表达水平可以指导感染类疾病包括新冠肺炎重症的预判，从而及早施治，降低病死率，具有很好的临床应用前景。 - link

• INDICATING SYSTEM - A visual indicating system for use with a hospital bed, the hospital bed comprising a bed frame extending between a head end and a foot end of the bed frame, the visual indicating system comprising: an indicating member adapted to be coupled with the bed frame wherein the indicating member comprises an indicia for indicating one of a plurality of pre-determined health conditions.

  FIGURE 1 - link

• USE OF IMINOSUGAR COMPOUND IN PREPARATION OF ANTI-SARS-COV-2 VIRUS DRUG - - link

• 一种高灵敏SARS-CoV-2中和抗体的检测方法、检测试剂盒 - 本发明公开了一种高灵敏SARS‑CoV‑2中和抗体的检测方法、检测试剂盒，属于生物医学检测技术领域，本发明试剂盒包括层析试纸、卡壳和样本稀释液，所述层析试纸包括底板、样品垫、结合垫、NC膜和吸水垫，所述NC膜上依次设置有捕获线、检测线和质控线，所述捕获线包被有ACE2蛋白，所述检测线包被有RBD蛋白，所述结合垫设置有RBD蛋白标记物；本发明采用阻断法加夹心法原理提高检测中和抗体的灵敏度，通过添加捕获线的方式，将靶向RBD的非中和抗体提前捕获，保证后续通过夹心法检测中和抗体的特异性。 - link