Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• From Collection to Analysis: A Comparison of GISAID and the Covid-19 Data Portal -
  We analyse ongoing efforts to share genomic data about SARS-COV-2 through a comparison of the characteristics of the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data and the Covid-19 Data Portal with respect to the representativeness and governance of the research data therein. We focus on data and metadata on genetic sequences posted on the two infrastructures in the period between January 2020 and January 2023, thus capturing a period of acute response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a variety of data science methods, we compare the extent to which the two portals succeeded in attracting data submissions from different countries around the globe and look at the ways in which submission rates varied over time. We go on to analyse the structure and underlying architecture of the infrastructures, reviewing how they organise data access and use, the types of metadata and version tracking they provide. Finally, we explore usage patterns of each infrastructure based on publications that mention the data to understand how data reuse can facilitate forms of diversity between institutions, cities, countries, and funding groups. Our findings reveal disparities in representation between the two infrastructures and differing practices in data governance and architecture. We conclude that both infrastructures offer useful lessons, with GISAID demonstrating the importance of expanding data submissions and representation, while the COVID-19 data portal offers insights into how to enhance data usability.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: From Collection to Analysis: A Comparison of GISAID and the Covid-19 Data Portal
• Large-scale template-based structural modeling of T-cell receptors with known antigen specificity reveals complementarity features. -
  T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition of foreign peptides presented by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) initiates the adaptive immune response against pathogens. A large number of TCR sequences specific to different antigens are known to date, however, the structural data describing the conformation and contacting residues for TCR:antigen:MHC complexes is relatively limited. In the present study we aim to extend and analyze the set of available structures by performing highly accurate template-based modeling of TCR:antigen:MHC complexes using TCR sequences with known specificity. Using the set of 29 complex templates (including a template with SARS-CoV-2 antigen) and 732 specificity records, we built a database of 1585 model structures carrying substitutions in either TCR or TCR{beta} chains with some models representing the result of different mutation pathways for the same final structure. This database allowed us to analyze features of amino acid contacts in TCR:antigen interfaces that govern antigen recognition preferences and interpret these interactions in terms of physicochemical properties of interacting residues. Our results provide a methodology for creating high-quality TCR:antigen:MHC models for antigens of interest that can be utilized to predict TCR specificity.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Large-scale template-based structural modeling of T-cell receptors with known antigen specificity reveals complementarity features.
• Moving online: Experiences and potential benefits of digital dance for older adults and individuals with Parkinson’s disease -
  Background. Dance is found to provide a range of beneficial effects for older adults including individuals with age-related neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of at-home dance programs delivered digitally through live and pre-recorded media, but little is known about how participants may engage with and benefit from these resources. Objective. This study explored experiences and potential benefits of digital dance resources among healthy older adults and individuals with neurological conditions. Methods. An online survey consisting of fixed-choice and open questions was designed in collaboration with dance program providers and distributed between June and November 2020. Results. High levels of engagement in at-home dance programs were found among healthy older adults (N = 149) and individuals with PD (N = 178). Sensorimotor outcomes (e.g., balance, posture) were more widely reported among individuals with PD, while older adults reported similar numbers of sensorimotor and non-motor (e.g., mood, confidence) outcomes. The use of strategies (imagery and vocalising) during participation were differentially associated with outcomes in older adults and PD groups. At-home dance was found to offer convenience and flexibility, but participants missed the interaction, support and routine of in-person classes. The majority expressed a preference to continue with both digital and in-person participation in the future. Qualitative analysis of participants’ comments reinforced the quantitative findings, while also revealing that online dance could help to maintain connection and well-being, and identifying further considerations for improving accessibility and facilitating digital engagement. Conclusions. At-home dance programs appear to be accessible and engaging for older adults, including individuals with PD, although potential barriers to participation need to be addressed. Digital resources for home-based activities will be increasingly important to enable cost-effective, large-scale provision of therapeutic activities for older adults.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Moving online: Experiences and potential benefits of digital dance for older adults and individuals with Parkinson’s disease
• Dance at home for people with Parkinson’s during COVID-19 and beyond: Participation, perceptions and prospects -
  Emerging evidence shows that dance can provide both physical and non-physical benefits for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The suspension of in-person dance classes during the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a transition to remote provision via live and recorded digital media. An online survey explored accessibility of and engagement with these home-based dance programs, as well as perceived benefits. The survey was co-developed by researchers and dance program providers, with input from people with PD and physiotherapists. Responses were collected from 276 individuals, including 178 current users of home-based programs, the majority of whom were participating at least once per week. Among respondents not currently using digital resources, lack of knowledge and motivation were the primary barriers. Most participants (94.9%) reported that home based practice provided some benefits, including physical (e.g., balance, posture) and non-physical (e.g., mood, confidence) improvements. Participants valued the convenience and flexibility of digital participation, but noted limitations including reductions in social interaction, support from instructors and peers, and routine. There was a strong preference (70.8%) for continuing with home-based practice alongside in-person classes in the future. The results indicate that at-home dance is accessible and usable for people with PD, and that some of the previously-reported benefits of dance may be replicated in this context. While COVID-19 expedited the development of digital programs, these will likely remain a key element of future provision for people with PD. The findings will inform the further development of resources and research into outcomes of home-based dance participation.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Dance at home for people with Parkinson’s during COVID-19 and beyond: Participation, perceptions and prospects
• Regulation of coronavirus nsp15 cleavage specificity by RNA structure -
  SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has had an enduring impact on global public health. However, SARS-CoV-2 is only one of multiple pathogenic human coronaviruses (CoVs) to have emerged since the turn of the century. CoVs encode for several nonstructural proteins (NSPS) that are essential for viral replication and pathogenesis. Among them is nsp15, a uridine-specific viral endonuclease that is important in evading the host immune response and promoting viral replication. Despite the established function of nsp15 as a uridine-specific endonuclease, little is known about other determinants of its cleavage specificity. In this study we investigate the role of RNA secondary structure in SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 endonuclease activity. Using a series of in vitro endonuclease assays, we observed that thermodynamically stable RNA structures were protected from nsp15 cleavage relative to RNAs lacking stable structure. We leveraged the s2m RNA from the SARS 3'UTR as a model for our structural studies as it adopts a well-defined structure with several uridines, two of which are unpaired and thus high probably targets for nsp15 cleavage. We found that SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 specifically cleaves s2m at the unpaired uridine within the GNRNA pentaloop of the RNA. Further investigation revealed that the position of uridine within the pentaloop also impacted nsp15 cleavage efficiency, suggesting that positioning within the pentaloop is necessary for optimal presentation of the scissile uridine and alignment within the nsp15 catalytic pocket. Our findings indicate that RNA secondary structure is an important determinant of nsp15 cleavage and provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of recognition of RNA by nsp15.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Regulation of coronavirus nsp15 cleavage specificity by RNA structure
• Rapid cloning-free mutagenesis of new SARS-CoV-2 variants using a novel reverse genetics platform -
  Reverse genetic systems enable engineering of RNA virus genomes and are instrumental to study RNA virus biology. With the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, already established methods were challenged by the large genome of SARS-CoV-2. Herein we present an elaborated strategy for the rapid and straightforward rescue of recombinant plus-stranded RNA-viruses with high sequence fidelity, using the example of SARS-CoV-2. The strategy called CLEVER (CLoning-free and Exchangeable system for Virus Engineering and Rescue) is based on the intracellular recombination of transfected overlapping DNA fragments allowing the direct mutagenesis within the initial PCR-amplification step. Furthermore, by introducing a linker fragment (harboring all heterologous sequences) viral RNA can directly serve as template for manipulation and rescue of recombinant mutant virus, without any cloning-step needed. Overall, this strategy will facilitate recombinant SARS-CoV-2 rescue and accelerate its manipulation. Using our protocol, newly emerging variants can quickly be engineered to further elucidate its biology.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Rapid cloning-free mutagenesis of new SARS-CoV-2 variants using a novel reverse genetics platform
• Researching COVID to enhance recovery (RECOVER) pediatric study protocol: Rationale, objectives and design -

  Importance: The prevalence, pathophysiology, and long-term outcomes of COVID-19 (post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 [PASC] or “Long COVID”) in children and young adults remain unknown. Studies must address the urgent need to define PASC, its mechanisms, and potential treatment targets in children and young adults. Observations: We describe the protocol for the Pediatric Observational Cohort Study of the NIH’s REsearching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative. RECOVER-Pediatrics is an observational meta-cohort study of caregiver-child pairs (birth through 17 years) and young adults (18 through 25 years), recruited from more than 100 sites across the US. This report focuses on two of five cohorts that comprise RECOVER-Pediatrics: 1) a de novo RECOVER prospective cohort of children and young adults with and without previous or current infection; and 2) an extant cohort derived from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study (n=10,000). The de novo cohort incorporates three tiers of data collection: 1) remote baseline assessments (Tier 1, n=6000); 2) longitudinal follow-up for up to 4 years (Tier 2, n=6000); and 3) a subset of participants, primarily the most severely affected by PASC, who will undergo deep phenotyping to explore PASC pathophysiology (Tier 3, n=600). Youth enrolled in the ABCD study participate in Tier 1. The pediatric protocol was developed as a collaborative partnership of investigators, patients, researchers, clinicians, community partners, and federal partners, intentionally promoting inclusivity and diversity. The protocol is adaptive to facilitate responses to emerging science. Conclusions and Relevance: RECOVER-Pediatrics seeks to characterize the clinical course, underlying mechanisms, and long-term effects of PASC from birth through 25 years old. RECOVER-Pediatrics is designed to elucidate the epidemiology, four-year clinical course, and sociodemographic correlates of pediatric PASC. The data and biosamples will allow examination of mechanistic hypotheses and biomarkers, thus providing insights into potential therapeutic interventions.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Researching COVID to enhance recovery (RECOVER) pediatric study protocol: Rationale, objectives and design
• Post-16 students’ experience of practical science during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on students’ self-efficacy in practical work -
  This paper presents the findings from a detailed study investigating UK undergraduate students’ experience of practical science in their post-16 studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also examines the perceived confidence and preparedness of the students in relation to areas of practical science skills at the start of their degree courses. The study employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, with the findings from focus groups with students at the end of their post-16 studies used to support the development of a comprehensive quantitative survey for incoming undergraduate students. Survey data were collected in September and October 2021 from 275 students commencing Biological Science/Life Science, Chemistry, Physics and Natural Science degrees at two universities in England. The research is significant for its finding that although almost all students had the opportunity to undertake practical work as part of their post-16 studies during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was significant variation in students’ experiences. The data indicate that students’ self-efficacy in relation to practical science was impacted by the closures of post-16 education establishments, ongoing social distancing and the removal of the assessment criteria for students to have ‘routinely and consistently’ undertaken each of the practical assessment requirements. The research presents important considerations which are relevant for educators supporting students’ transition from post-16 to Higher Education.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Post-16 students’ experience of practical science during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on students’ self-efficacy in practical work
• Healthcare resource utilisation and costs of hospitalisation and primary care among adults with COVID-19 in England: a population-based cohort study -

  Objectives To quantify healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and costs to the National Health Service (NHS) associated with acute COVID-19 in adults in England. Design Population-based retrospective cohort study, using Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum primary care electronic medical records linked when available to Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) secondary care administrative data. Setting Patients registered to primary care practices in England. Population 1,706,368 adults with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR or antigen test from August 2020 to January 2022 were included; 13,105 within the hospitalised cohort indexed between August 2020 and March 2021, and 1,693,263 within the primary care cohort indexed between August 2020 and January 2022. Main outcome measures Primary and secondary care HCRU and associated costs during the acute phase of COVID-19 (≤4 weeks following positive test), stratified by age group, risk of severe COVID-19 and immunocompromised status. Results Among the hospitalised cohort, average total length of stay, as well as in critical care wards, was longer in older adults. Median healthcare cost per hospitalisation was higher in those aged 75 - 84 (£8,942) and ≥85 years (£8,835) than in those aged <50 years (£7,703). Whilst few (6.0%) patients in critical care required mechanical ventilation, its use was higher in older adults (50 - 74 years: 8.3%; <50 years: 4.3%). HCRU and associated costs were often greater in those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 when compared to the overall cohort, although minimal differences in HCRU were found across the three different high-risk definitions implemented. Among the primary care cohort, GP or nurse consultations were more frequent among older adults and the immunocompromised. Conclusions COVID-19 related hospitalisations in older adults, particularly critical care admissions, were the primary drivers of high resource use of COVID-19 in England. These findings may inform health policy decisions and resource allocation in the prevention and management of COVID-19.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Healthcare resource utilisation and costs of hospitalisation and primary care among adults with COVID-19 in England: a population-based cohort study
• Broad and Durable Humoral Responses Following Single Hydrogel Immunization of SARS-CoV-2 Subunit Vaccine -
  Most vaccines require several immunizations to induce robust immunity, and indeed, most SARS-CoV-2 vaccines require an initial two-shot regimen followed by several boosters to maintain efficacy. Such a complex series of immunizations unfortunately increases the cost and complexity of populations-scale vaccination and reduces overall compliance and vaccination rate. In a rapidly evolving pandemic affected by the spread of immune-escaping variants, there is an urgent need to develop vaccines capable of providing robust and durable immunity. In this work, we developed a single immunization SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine that could rapidly generate potent, broad, and durable humoral immunity. We leveraged injectable polymer-nanoparticle (PNP) hydrogels as a depot technology for the sustained delivery of a nanoparticle COVID antigen displaying multiple copies of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding-domain (RBD NP), and potent adjuvants including CpG and 3M052. Compared to a clinically relevant prime-boost regimen with soluble vaccines formulated with CpG/Alum or 3M052/Alum adjuvants, PNP hydrogel vaccines more rapidly generated higher, broader, and more durable antibody responses. Additionally, these single-immunization hydrogel-based vaccines elicited potent and consistent neutralizing responses. Overall, we show that PNP hydrogels elicit improved anti-COVID immune responses with only a single administration, demonstrating their potential as critical technologies to enhance our overall pandemic readiness.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Broad and Durable Humoral Responses Following Single Hydrogel Immunization of SARS-CoV-2 Subunit Vaccine
• Impacts of vaccination and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 variants Alpha and Delta on Coronavirus Disease 2019 transmission dynamics in four metropolitan areas of the United States -

  To characterize Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission dynamics in each of the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) surrounding Dallas, Houston, New York City, and Phoenix in 2020 and 2021, we extended a previously reported compartmental model accounting for effects of multiple distinct periods of non-pharmaceutical interventions by adding consideration of vaccination and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants Alpha (lineage B.1.1.7) and Delta (lineage B.1.617.2). For each MSA, we found region-specific parameterizations of the model using daily reports of new COVID-19 cases available from January 21, 2020 to October 31, 2021. In the process, we obtained estimates of the relative infectiousness of Alpha and Delta as well as their takeoff times in each MSA (the times at which sustained transmission began). The estimated infectiousness of Alpha ranged from 1.1x to 1.4x that of viral strains circulating in 2020 and early 2021. The estimated relative infectiousness of Delta was higher in all cases, ranging from 1.5x to 2.4x. The estimated Alpha takeoff times ranged from February 10 (for New York City, which was evidently impacted much earlier than the other regions) to March 23, 2021. The estimated Delta takeoff times were more tightly clustered, ranging from June 8 to June 24, 2021. Estimated takeoff times are consistent with genomic surveillance data.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Impacts of vaccination and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 variants Alpha and Delta on Coronavirus Disease 2019 transmission dynamics in four metropolitan areas of the United States
• SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND COVID-19 TESTING RATES: SPATIO-TEMPORAL PATTERNS AND IMPACT OF TEST ACCESSIBILITY IN SWEDEN -

  Background: Diagnostic testing is essential for disease surveillance and test-trace-isolate efforts. Here, we aimed to investigate if residential area sociodemographic characteristics and test accessibility were associated with COVID-19 testing rates. Methods: We included information on 421 542 patient-initiated COVID-19 PCR tests from Uppsala County in Sweden from 24 June, 2020 to 9 February, 2022. Using Poisson regression analyses, we investigated whether the Care Need Index (CNI; median 1.0, IQR 0.8, 1.4), a composite measure of sociodemographic factors used in Sweden to allocate primary healthcare resources, was associated with aggregated COVID-19 daily testing rates after adjustments for community transmission. We further assessed if distance to the nearest testing station influenced testing. Lastly, we performed a difference-in-difference analysis of the opening of a testing station targeting a disadvantaged neighbourhood. Results: We observed that CNI, i.e. primary healthcare need, was negatively associated with COVID-19 testing rates in inhabitants aged 5-69 years. More pronounced differences were noted across younger age groups and in Uppsala City, with test rate ratios in children (5-14 years) ranging from 0.56 (95% CI 0.47-0.66) to 0.88 (95% CI 0.81-0.95) across the three pandemic waves. Longer distance to testing station was linked to lower testing rates, foremost in less densely populated areas. Furthermore, the opening of the targeted testing station was associated with increased testing, including twice as high testing rates in individuals aged 70-105, supporting an intervention effect. Conclusions: Ensuring accessible testing across all residential areas constitutes a promising tool to decrease differences and inequalities in testing.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND COVID-19 TESTING RATES: SPATIO-TEMPORAL PATTERNS AND IMPACT OF TEST ACCESSIBILITY IN SWEDEN
• Biorefinery Innovation in Increasing the Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccine Production -
  The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of innovation in the fight against infectious diseases. Biorefinery offers a promising platform for the production of vaccines that is more cost-effective, efficient, and scalable than traditional methods. By using advanced fermentation and purification techniques and genetic engineering, biorefinery can improve the efficacy of vaccines and enable their production on a large scale. While there are challenges that need to be addressed, biorefinery has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce vaccines and other bioproducts, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Biorefinery Innovation in Increasing the Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccine Production
• Metabolic alterations unravel the materno fetal immune responses with disease severity in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 -
  Background: Pregnancy being immune compromised state, COVID-19 disease poses a high risk of premature delivery and threat to fetus. Plasma metabolome regulates immune cellular responses and we aimed to analyze the plasma secretome, metabolome, and immune cells in COVID-19-positive pregnant mothers and cord blood. Methods: COVID-19 RT-PCR positive pregnant females (n=112) asymptomatic (n=82), or with mild (n=21) or moderate (n=9) disease and control healthy pregnant (n=10) females were included. Mothers blood and cord blood (n=80) was analyzed for untargeted metabolome profiling and plasma cytokines by high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) and multiplex cytokine bead array. Immune scan in mothers was done using flow cytometry. Results: In asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, the amino acid metabolic pathways such as glycine, serine, L-lactate, and threonine metabolism was upregulated, riboflavin and tyrosine metabolism, downregulated. In mild to moderate disease, the pyruvate and NAD+ metabolism (energy metabolic pathways) were mostly altered. In addition to raised TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6 cytokine storm, IL-9 was increased in both mothers and neonates. Pyruvate and NAD+ metabolic pathways along with IL-9 and IFN-gamma had an impact on non-classical monocytes, increased CD4 T cells and B cells but depleted CD8+ T cells. Cord blood mimicked the mothers metabolomic profiles by showing altered valine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine, serine, threonine in asymptomatic and NAD+ and riboflavin metabolism in mild and moderate disease subjects. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a graduated immune-metabolomic interplay in mother and fetus in pregnant females with different degrees of severity of COVID-19 disease. IL-9 and IFN- gamma regulated pyruvate, lactate TCA metabolism, and riboflavin metabolism with context to disease severity are hallmarks of this materno-fetal metabolome.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Metabolic alterations unravel the materno fetal immune responses with disease severity in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2
• D614G and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant spike proteins differ in the effects of N-glycan modifications on spike expression, virus infectivity, and neutralization by some therapeutic antibodies -
  The SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein has 22 potential N-linked glycosylation sites per monomer that are highly conserved among diverse variants, but how individual glycans affect virus entry and neutralization of Omicron variants has not been extensively characterized. Here we compared the effects of specific glycan deletions or modifications in the Omicron BA.1 and D614G spikes on spike expression, processing, and incorporation into pseudoviruses, as well as on virus infectivity and neutralization by therapeutic antibodies. We found that loss of potential glycans at spike residues N717 and N801 each conferred a loss of pseudovirus infectivity for Omicron but not for D614G or Delta variants. This decrease in infectivity correlated with decreased spike processing and incorporation into Omicron pseudoviruses. Oligomannose-enriched Omicron pseudoviruses generated in GnTI- cells or in the presence of kifunensine were non-infectious, whereas D614G or Delta pseudoviruses generated under similar conditions remained infectious. Similarly, authentic SARS-CoV-2 grown in the presence of kifunensine decreased titers more for the BA.1.1 variant than Delta or D614G variants relative to their respective, untreated controls. Finally, we found that loss of some N-glycans, including N343 and N234, increased the maximum percent neutralization by the class 3 S309 monoclonal antibody against D614G but not BA.1 variants, while these glycan deletions altered the neutralization potency of the class 1 COV2-2196 and Etesevimab monoclonal antibodies without affecting maximum percent neutralization. The maximum neutralization by some antibodies also varied with the glycan composition, with oligomannose-enriched pseudoviruses conferring the highest percent neutralization. These results highlight differences in the interactions between spike glycans and residues among SARS-CoV-2 variants that can affect spike expression, virus infectivity, and susceptibility of variants to antibody neutralization.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: D614G and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant spike proteins differ in the effects of N-glycan modifications on spike expression, virus infectivity, and neutralization by some therapeutic antibodies

From Clinical Trials

• The Standard of Care Combined With Glucocorticoid in Elderly People With Mild or Moderate COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: Glucocorticoid
  Sponsor:   Huashan Hospital
  Not yet recruiting

• Arginine Replacement Therapy in COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: Arginine Hydrochloride
  Sponsor:   Emory University
  Not yet recruiting

• Effectiveness of a Second COVID-19 Vaccine Booster in Chinese Adults - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: Intramuscularly administered Ad5-nCoV vaccine;   Biological: Aerosolized Ad5-nCoV;   Biological: DelNS1-2019-nCoV-RBD-OPT1;   Biological: SYS6006
  Sponsor:   Jiangsu Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Not yet recruiting

• Long COVID-19 Syndrome Lifestyle Intervention Study - Condition:   Long COVID-19 Syndrome
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: Low carbohydrate diet intervention
  Sponsor:   University of Southern California
  Not yet recruiting

• A Pilot Study Evaluating the Efficacy of the Vielight Neuro RX Gamma in the Treatment of Post COVID-19 Cognitive Impairment - Condition:   Post COVID-19 Cognitive Impairment
  Interventions:   Device: Vielight Neuro RX Gamma active device;   Device: Vielight Neuro RX Gamma sham device
  Sponsor:   Vielight Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• PAxlovid loNg cOvid-19 pRevention triAl With recruitMent In the Community in Norway - Conditions:   Post COVID-19 Condition, Unspecified;   SARS-CoV2 Infection;   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:   Haukeland University Hospital;   University of Bergen
  Not yet recruiting

• Working Towards Empowered Community-driven Approaches to Increase Vaccination and Preventive Care Engagement - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Other: mHealth Outreach;   Other: Care Coordination
  Sponsors:   University of California, San Diego;   San Ysidro Health Center
  Not yet recruiting

• Role of Vit-D Supplementation on BioNTech, Pfizer Vaccine Side Effect and Immunoglobulin G Response - Condition:   COVID-19 Respiratory Infection
  Intervention:   Combination Product: Vitamin-D
  Sponsor:   Sulaimany Polytechnic university
  Completed

• Safety, Tolerability and Immunogenicity of Alveavax-v1.2, a BA.2/Omicron-optimized, DNA Vaccine for COVID-19 Prevention - Condition:   Sars-CoV-2 Infection
  Interventions:   Drug: Alveavax-v1.2;   Drug: Janssen Ad26.COV2.S
  Sponsor:   Alvea Holdings, LLC
  Completed

• Post Covid-19 Dysautonomia Rehabilitation Randomized Controlled Trial - Conditions:   Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome;   Dysautonomia
  Interventions:   Procedure: Rehabilitation;   Procedure: Standard of Care
  Sponsors:   Evangelismos Hospital;   National and Kapodistrian University of Athens;   LONG COVID GREECE;   414 Military Hospital of Special Diseases
  Recruiting

• COVID-19 Vaccination Detoxification in LDL-C - Conditions:   COVID-19 Stress Syndrome;   COVID-19 Vaccine Adverse Reaction;   COVID-19-Associated Thromboembolism;   COVID-19 Post-Intensive Care Syndrome;   COVID-19-Associated Stroke;   COVID-19 Respiratory Infection
  Intervention:   Combination Product: Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets
  Sponsor:   Yang I. Pachankis
  Active, not recruiting

• Exercise for Health in Patients With Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19 - Condition:   Long COVID
  Intervention:   Other: Rehabilitation program
  Sponsors:   Campus docent Sant Joan de Déu-Universitat de Barcelona;   Hospital de Mataró;   University of Barcelona
  Active, not recruiting

• Digital Multimodal Rehabilitation for People With Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome. - Condition:   Post-COVID Syndrome
  Interventions:   Behavioral: RehabCovid_Telematic;   Behavioral: RehabCovid_ImmersiveVR;   Behavioral: Control_Condition
  Sponsors:   Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa;   University of Barcelona;   Universitat de Girona;   Unitat Assistencial i Preventiva de l’Esport- Centre d’Alt rendiment;   Politecnic University of Catalonia;   Corporación Fisiogestión
  Recruiting

• A Study in Healthy Volunteers to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Drug-Drug Interaction Potential of Single and Multiple Doses of ALG-097558 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: ALG-097558;   Drug: Placebo;   Drug: Midazolam;   Drug: Itraconazole;   Drug: Carbamazepine;   Drug: ALG-097558 in solution formulation;   Drug: ALG-097558 in tablet formulation
  Sponsor:   Aligos Therapeutics
  Not yet recruiting

• Immunoadsorption Study Mainz in Adults With Post-COVID Syndrome - Conditions:   Post-COVID-19 Syndrome;   Post-COVID Syndrome;   Post COVID-19 Condition
  Interventions:   Device: Immunoadsorption;   Device: Sham-apheresis
  Sponsor:   University Medical Center Mainz
  Recruiting

From PubMed

• Glycolytic stress deteriorates 229E virulence to improve host defense response - Viral infection treatment is a difficult task due to its complex structure and metabolism. Additionally, viruses can alter the metabolism of host cells, mutate, and readily adjust to harsh environments. Coronavirus stimulates glycolysis, weakens mitochondrial activity, and impairs infected cells. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of 2-DG in inhibiting coronavirus-induced metabolic processes and antiviral host defense systems, which have not been explored so far. 2-Deoxy-d-glucose…

• SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant spike N405 unlikely to rapidly deamidate - The RGD motif on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been suggested to interact with RGD-binding integrins αVβ3 and α5β1 to enhance viral cell entry and alter downstream signaling cascades. The D405N mutation on the Omicron subvariant spike proteins, resulting in an RGN motif, has recently been shown to inhibit binding to integrin αVβ3. Deamidation of asparagines in protein ligand RGN motifs has been demonstrated to generate RGD and RGisoD motifs that permit binding to RGD-binding integrins. Two…

• Impact of anesthetic management on catheter ablation for premature ventricular complexes: insights during the COVID-19 outbreak - CONCLUSION: Ablation of PVC under LA presented significantly higher AAS rate compared to GA. The procedure under GA might be complicated by PVC inhibition (after catheter insertion/during mapping) and PVC disinhibition post-extubation.

• Viricidal Activity of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Materials with Silver Nanoparticles - The use of diverse Ag-based nanoparticulated forms has shown promising results in controlling viral propagation. In this study, a commercial nanomaterial consisting of ceramic-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was incorporated into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) plates using an industrial protocol, and the surface composition, ion-release dynamics and viricidal properties were studied. The surface characterization by FESEM-EDX revealed that the molar composition of the ceramic material was…

• Computational and Enzymatic Studies of Sartans in SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD-ACE2 Binding: The Role of Tetrazole and Perspectives as Antihypertensive and COVID-19 Therapeutics - This study is an extension of current research into a novel class of synthetic antihypertensive drugs referred to as “bisartans”, which are bis-alkylated imidazole derivatives bearing two symmetric anionic biphenyltetrazoles. Research to date indicates that bisartans are superior to commercially available hypertension drugs, since the former undergo stronger docking to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is the key receptor involved in SARS-CoV-2 entry, thus initiating COVID-19…

• In Vitro and In Vivo Therapeutic Potential of 6,6’-Dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) from Nuphar lutea on Cells and K18-hACE2 Mice Infected with SARS-CoV-2 - We have previously published research on the anti-viral properties of an alkaloid mixture extracted from Nuphar lutea, the major components of the partially purified mixture found by NMR analysis. These are mostly dimeric sesquiterpene thioalkaloids called thiobinupharidines and thiobinuphlutidines against the negative strand RNA measles virus (MV). We have previously reported that this extract inhibits the MV as well as its ability to downregulate several MV proteins in persistently MV-infected…

• SARS-CoV-2 Binding and Neutralization Properties of Peptides Derived from N-Terminus of Human ACE2 - The binding properties of synthetic and recombinant peptides derived from N-terminal part of ACE2, the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2, were evaluated. Additionally, the ability of these peptides to prevent virus entry in vitro was addressed using both pseudovirus particles decorated with the S protein, as well as through infection of Vero cells with live SARS-CoV-2 virus. Surprisingly, in spite of effective binding to S protein, all linear peptides of various lengths failed to neutralize the viral…

• AI-Driven De Novo Design and Molecular Modeling for Discovery of Small-Molecule Compounds as Potential Drug Candidates Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease - Over the past three years, significant progress has been made in the development of novel promising drug candidates against COVID-19. However, SARS-CoV-2 mutations resulting in the emergence of new viral strains that can be resistant to the drugs used currently in the clinic necessitate the development of novel potent and broad therapeutic agents targeting different vulnerable spots of the viral proteins. In this study, two deep learning generative models were developed and used in combination…

• In Vivo Efficacy and Toxicity of an Antimicrobial Peptide in a Model of Endotoxin-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation - SET-M33 is a synthetic peptide that is being developed as a new antibiotic against major Gram-negative bacteria. Here we report two in vivo studies to assess the toxicity and efficacy of the peptide in a murine model of pulmonary inflammation. First, we present the toxicity study in which SET-M33 was administered to CD-1 mice by snout inhalation exposure for 1 h/day for 7 days at doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg/day. The results showed adverse clinical signs and effects on body weight at the higher dose,…

• Deciphering the Relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and Cancer - Some viruses are known to be associated with the onset of specific cancers. These microorganisms, oncogenic viruses or oncoviruses, can convert normal cells into cancer cells by modulating the central metabolic pathways or hampering genomic integrity mechanisms, consequently inhibiting the apoptotic machinery and/or enhancing cell proliferation. Seven oncogenic viruses are known to promote tumorigenesis in humans: human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV), Epstein-Barr…

• Different In Silico Approaches Using Heterocyclic Derivatives against the Binding between Different Lineages of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 - Over the last few years, the study of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its mutations has become essential in understanding how it interacts with human host receptors. Since the crystallized structure of the spike protein bound to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor was released (PDB code 6M0J), in silico studies have been performed to understand the interactions between these two proteins. Specifically, in this study, heterocyclic compounds with different chemical characteristics…

• Anti-COVID-19 Potential of Ellagic Acid and Polyphenols of Punica granatum L - Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a rich source of polyphenols, including ellagitannins and ellagic acid. The plant is used in traditional medicine, and its purified components can provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and support of host defenses during viral infection and recovery from disease. Current data show that pomegranate polyphenol extract and its ellagitannin components and metabolites exert their beneficial effects by controlling immune cell infiltration, regulating…

• Computer Analysis of the Inhibition of ACE2 by Flavonoids and Identification of Their Potential Antiviral Pharmacophore Site - In the present study, we investigated the antiviral activities of 17 flavonoids as natural products. These derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro antiviral activities against HIV and SARS-CoV-2. Their antiviral activity was evaluated for the first time based on POM (Petra/Osiris/Molispiration) theory and docking analysis. POM calculation was used to analyze the atomic charge and geometric characteristics. The side effects, drug similarities, and drug scores were also assumed for the…

• Anxiolytic-like Effects and Quantitative EEG Profile of Palmitone Induces Responses Like Buspirone Rather Than Diazepam as Clinical Drugs - Anxiety is a mental disorder with a growing worldwide incidence due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic. Pharmacological therapy includes drugs such as benzodiazepines (BDZs) or azapirones like buspirone (BUSP) or analogs, which unfortunately produce severe adverse effects or no immediate response, respectively. Medicinal plants or their bioactive metabolites are a shared global alternative to treat anxiety. Palmitone is one active compound isolated from Annona species due to its tranquilizing…

• Novel Therapeutic Target Critical for SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity and Induction of the Cytokine Release Syndrome - We discovered a novel therapeutic target critical for SARS-CoV-2, cellular infectivity and the induction of the cytokine release syndrome. Here, we show that the mammalian enzyme neuraminidase-1 (Neu-1) is part of a highly conserved signaling platform that regulates the dimerization and activation of the ACE2 receptors and the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) implicated in the cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Activated Neu-1 cleaves glycosylated residues that provide a steric hindrance to both ACE2…

From Patent Search