Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Trends in depression & anxiety symptom severity among mental health service attendees during the COVID-19 pandemic -
  Background General population surveys have shown that some groups, particularly young women experienced increased distress during nationally mandated restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. However, there has been limited research on such trends among people with pre-existing mental health conditions, leaving mental health services ill equipped to plan for currents and future lockdowns. Methods Mean weekly scores on the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 between 01/01/2020-22/06/2020 (n=9,538 individuals) for all patients of two psychological treatment services in London, were compared to mean weekly scores from the same time periods in 2017-2019 (n=37,849). The proportion of scores which were above the clinical thresholds for ‘caseness’ each week were compared, and scores between groups based on gender, age group, and ethnicity, were also compared. Results Confirmed community transmission in the UK (26/02/2020-03/03/2020) and the announcement of the national ‘lockdown’ (23/03/2020) were associated with significant increases in anxiety symptom scores. ‘Lockdown’ was associated with a decrease in depression scores. These changes were not maintained during lockdown. Significant increases in depression and anxiety were observed at week 23, as restrictions were eased. Limitations This was an exploratory analysis in two services only. Residual confounding and selection biases cannot be ruled out. Conclusions Differences in the weekly average symptom scores were short-term; they did not continue throughout ‘lockdown’ as might have been expected, except among older people. Replication of this study in other settings and investigating the potential benefits of more regular reviews or more intensive treatments for older adults seeking support, are warranted.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Trends in depression & anxiety symptom severity among mental health service attendees during the COVID-19 pandemic
• AYUSH-64 as add-on to standard care in asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial -
  Background: The evidence on the efficacy and safety of Ayurveda interventions as add-on to the standard conventional care for COVID-19 is limited. This study was planned to explore the potential of AYUSH-64 as add-on to conventional care in improving the clinical recovery and negative RT-PCR conversion in asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases. Materials and Methods: An open-label randomized controlled study was conducted at Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India with a sample size of 60 participants. In this study, asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 patients were randomized and allocated into intervention and control group in 1:1 ratio. AYUSH-64 two capsules (500 mg each) were administered thrice daily, after food with water for 30 days along with standard care in the intervention group, while the control group received only standard care. The effect of the interventions was assessed in terms of negative RT-PCR for COVID-19, clinical cure rate and inflammatory cytokines. Outcome measures: Primary outcome was the time to attain negative RT-PCR for COVID-19 and proportion of participants turned RT-PCR negative for COVID-19 at 7th, 15th, 22nd and 30th day respectively in the intervention group compared to the control group. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of participants who attained clinical recovery at 7th, 15th, 22nd, and 30thday; improvement in laboratory parameters on the 30th day (as compared to baseline) and incidence of Adverse Drug Reactions/Adverse Events (ADRs/AEs). The data was compared within group using paired sample t-test/ Wilcoxon signed rank test and between group using independent sample t-test/Mann-Whitney test. Results: Statistically significant difference was not observed in the proportion of participants who turned RT-PCR negative during each of the follow-ups (p=0.134) and both groups demonstrated comparable efficacy. The clinical recovery rate in terms of time taken for complete cure of symptoms in the symptomatic participants was 60% and 37% on day 15 (p=0.098) and 100% and 85.2% on day 30 (p=0.112), in the intervention and control group respectively which is numerically a better clinical outcome in the intervention group. The improvement in the inflammatory markers such as IL-6, TNF-α and D-dimer was statistically significant in the intervention group (p<0.05). None of the participants developed any complications nor were any significant ADR/AE observed in both the groups. Conclusion: In patients with asymptomatic and mild COVID-19, AYUSH-64 as add-on to standard conventional care, contributed to improving the duration for attaining complete clinical cure and demonstrated potential in reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the body.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: AYUSH-64 as add-on to standard care in asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial
• Statistical Analysis Plan for the HydrOxychloroquine Prophylaxis Evaluation (HOPE) trial -
  HOPE is a prospective, multi-centre, parallel group, concealed, unblinded, randomized, controlled trial to determine whether combination of hydroxychloroquine and standard practice, that is, use of recommended personal protective equipment reduces the proportion of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infections among frontline healthcare workers in hospitals in India as compared to standard practice. This detailed statistical analysis plan was prepared by trial statisticians and approved by the HOPE management committee prior to completion of data collection.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Statistical Analysis Plan for the HydrOxychloroquine Prophylaxis Evaluation (HOPE) trial
• The mental health impact of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at impeding viral transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic in a general adult population and the factors associated with adherence to these mitigation strategies -
  This epidemiological investigation assesses the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 10,061 adults participated in the study. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were two to three times higher compared to pre-pandemic samples. Those who predominantly socially distanced themselves revealed substantially higher symptoms than their counterparts. Females, ethnic and sexual orientation minorities, younger adults, unemployed individuals, and those with a psychiatric diagnosis reported higher prevalence of psychological symptoms. Worry about prolonged duration of physical distancing protocols and frustration of autonomy was associated with elevation in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Increased competence to deal with the crisis was associated with less adverse symptoms. Physical exercise, experiencing nature, and distraction with activities were associated with less depressive symptoms, but not anxiety. The extent of information access about the pandemic was associated with reduced anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, adherence to mitigation protocols was investigated. Younger adults and males reported lowest adherence. Altruistic attitudes, in addition to mandatory as opposed to voluntary adherence was associated with higher adherence. Worrying about significant others’ health was associated with higher, while worry about duration of pandemic protocols was associated with lower adherence rates.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The mental health impact of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at impeding viral transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic in a general adult population and the factors associated with adherence to these mitigation strategies
• Impacts of California Proposition 47 on Crime in Santa Monica, California -
  We examine patterns of reported crime in Santa Monica, California before and after the passage of Proposition 47, a 2014 initiative that reclassified some non-violent felonies as misdemeanors. We also investigate impacts of the opening of four new light rail stations in 2016 and of increased community-based policing starting in late 2018. Our statistical analyses of reclassified crimes — larceny, fraud, possession of narcotics, forgery, receiving/possessing stolen property — and non-reclassified ones are based on publicly available reported crime data from 2006 to 2019. These analyses examine reported crime at various levels: city-wide, within eight neighborhoods, and within a 450-meter radius of the new transit stations. Monthly reported reclassified crimes increased city-wide by approximately 15% after enactment of Proposition 47, with a significant drop observed in late 2018. Downtown exhibited the largest overall surge. Reported non-reclassified crimes fell overall by approximately 9%. Areas surrounding two new train stations, including Downtown, saw significant increases in reported crime after train service began. While reported reclassified crimes increased after passage of Proposition 47, non-reclassified crimes, for the most part, decreased or stayed constant, suggesting that Proposition 47 may have impacted reported crime in Santa Monica. Reported crimes decreased in late 2018 concurrent with the adoption of new community-based policing measures. Follow-up studies needed to confirm long-term trends may be challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic that drastically changed societal conditions. While our research detects changes in reported crime, it does not provide causative explanations. Our work, along with other considerations relevant to public utility, respect for human rights, and existence of socioeconomic disparities, may be useful to law enforcement and policymakers to assess the overall effect of Proposition 47.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Impacts of California Proposition 47 on Crime in Santa Monica, California
• Epidemiological Philosophy of Pandemics -

  Objectives: Current estimates of the total number of cases of COVID-19 are largely based on previously-determined case fatality rates (CFRs). The background theory in this study is based on two factors: (1) There is no evidence that the CFR is fixed throughout time or place during an epidemic and (2) there is evidence that an increased viral load (density of infection) leads to more fatalities. Study Design: This study was done to look for relationships of the mortality rate (MR) presented as deaths/ million (M) population with both the total number of cases /(M) population (density of infection) and the CFR. We chose 31 countries with testing coverage levels of > 400,0000 tests /M and populations greater than 1 million inhabitants. Methods: We used ANOVA regression analyses to test the associations. Results: The CRF is not a fixed ratio as it changes with a change in the MR. The COVID-19 deaths/million data were able to be used to calculate the total number of cases through the equation total deaths/M =0.006593 X (total cases^1.016959) with a too high significant correlation between total deaths/1M and the total number of cases (P-value 0.0000). A very high positive influence of the COVID-19 MR on the CFR (P-value = 0.0002) was also found by non-linear regression (power model) using the equation CFR = (0.093200) X (total deaths/ M.)^0.366580 Conclusions: There is new evidence that increased attack rate generates a cascade which leads to increased CFR through increasing MR. This finding can explain the high mortalities that happened during this pandemic and possibly previous pandemics. This evidence will give us an idea of the behavior of epidemics in general.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Epidemiological Philosophy of Pandemics
• When efficacy and adherence conflict: preferences and patterns of response to mask-wearing and social distancing public health advice during the COVID-19 pandemic -

  With recurring waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, a dilemma facing public health leadership is whether to provide public advice that is medically optimal (e.g., most protective against infection if followed), but unlikely to be adhered to, or advice that is less protective but is more likely to be followed. To provide insight about this dilemma, we examined and quantified public perceptions about the tradeoff between (a) the stand-alone value of health behavior advice, and (b) the advice9s adherence likelihood. In a series of studies about preference for public health leadership advice, we asked 1,061 participants to choose between (1) strict advice that is medically optimal if adhered to but which is less likely to be broadly followed, and (2) relaxed advice, which is less medically effective but more likely to gain adherence - given varying infection expectancies. Participants9 preference was consistent with risk aversion. Offering an informed choice alternative that shifts volition to advice recipients only strengthened risk aversion, but also demonstrated that informed choice was preferred as much or more than the risk-averse strict advice.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: When efficacy and adherence conflict: preferences and patterns of response to mask-wearing and social distancing public health advice during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Optimal design for phase 2 studies of SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drugs -

  There is no agreed methodology for pharmacometric assessment of candidate SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drugs. The most widely used measure of virological response in clinical trials to date is the time to viral clearance assessed by serial qPCR. We posited that rate of viral clearance would have better discriminatory value. Using a pharmacodynamic model fit to individual SARS-CoV-2 qPCR data from 46 prospectively followed uncomplicated COVID-19 infections, we simulated viral load data and showed that rate of viral clearance is a uniformly superior endpoint as compared to time to clearance with respect to type 2 error. Rate of clearance is not dependent on initial viral load or assay sensitivity. We apply our approach to data from a randomised controlled trial of ivermectin. Pharmacometric antiviral assessments should be conducted in early illness with serial qPCR samples taken over one week. Response-adaptive trials using rate of clearance can identify promising antiviral interventions rapidly.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Optimal design for phase 2 studies of SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drugs
• Are vaccines safe in patients with Long COVID? A prospective observational study. -

  Introduction: Although the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 is well established, there are no published studies on the impact on symptoms in patients with Long Covid. Anecdotal reports have suggested both a potential benefit and worsening of symptoms post vaccination with the uncertainty leading to some vaccine hesitancy amongst affected individuals. Methods: Patients initially hospitalised with COVID-19 were prospectively recruited to an observational study with clinical follow-up at 3 months (June-July 2020) and 8 months (Dec 2020-Jan 2021) post-admission. Participants who received the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) or Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccine between January to February 2021 were identified and matched 2:1 (in terms of 8-month symptoms) with participants from the same cohort who were unvaccinated. All were re-assessed at 1 month post vaccination (or matched timepoint for unvaccinated cohort). Validated quality of life (SF-36), mental wellbeing (WEMWBS) and ongoing symptoms were assessed at all timepoints. Formal statistical analysis compared the effect of vaccination on recent quality of life using baseline symptoms, age, and gender in linear regression. Results: Forty-four vaccinated participants were assessed at a median of 32 days (IQR 20-41) post vaccination with 22 matched unvaccinated participants. Most were highly symptomatic of Long Covid at 8 months (82% in both groups had at least 1 persistent symptom), with fatigue (61%), breathlessness (50%) and insomnia (38%) predominating. There was no significant worsening in quality-of-life or mental wellbeing metrics pre versus post vaccination. Nearly two-thirds (n=27) reported transient (<72hr duration) systemic effects (including fever, myalgia and headache). When compared to matched unvaccinated participants from the same cohort, those who had receive a vaccine had a small overall improvement in Long Covid symptoms, with a decrease in worsening symptoms (5.6% vaccinated vs 14.2% unvaccinated) and increase in symptom resolution (23.2% vaccinated vs 15.4% unvaccinated) (p=0.035). No difference in response was identified between Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. Conclusions: Receipt of vaccination with either an mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccine was not associated with a worsening of Long Covid symptoms, quality of life, or mental wellbeing. Individuals with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms should receive vaccinations as suggested by national guidance.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Are vaccines safe in patients with Long COVID? A prospective observational study.
• Long-term neurological manifestations of COVID-19: prevalence and predictive factors -

  Background: Clinical investigations have argued for long-term neurological manifestations in both hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. It is unclear whether long-term neurological symptoms and features depend on COVID-19 severity. Methods: from a sample of 208 consecutive non-neurological patients hospitalized for COVID-19 disease, 165 survivors were re-assessed at 6 months according to a structured standardized clinical protocol. Prevalence and predictors of long-term neurological manifestations were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results At 6-month follow-up after hospitalisation due to COVID-19 disease, patients displayed a wide array of symptoms; fatigue (34%), memory/attention (31%), and sleep disorders (30%) were the most frequent. At neurological examination, 40% of patients exhibited neurological abnormalities, such as hyposmia (18.0%), cognitive deficits (17.5%), postural tremor (13.8%) and subtle motor/sensory deficits (7.6%). Older age, premorbid comorbidities and severity of COVID-19 were independent predictors of neurological manifestations in logistic regression analyses. Conclusions: premorbid vulnerability and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection impact on prevalence and severity of long-term neurological manifestations.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Long-term neurological manifestations of COVID-19: prevalence and predictive factors
• Mothering and Stress During COVID-19: Exploring the Moderating Effects of Employment -
  Using primary data from the Assessing the Social Consequences of COVID-19 study (N=1,647), we examined how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the stress levels (i.e., pre-pandemic vs. during-pandemic stress) of women with and without coresiding minor children, paying special attention to the moderating role of women’s employment status. Results from OLS regression models show that following the pandemic outbreak, among women who worked full-time, mothers reported smaller stress increases than non-mothers. Among part-time and non-employed women, mothers and non-mothers experienced similar levels of stress increase. Changes in women’s work hours and employment status, following the pandemic onset, had limited impacts on the patterns of stress level changes. This study contributes to research on parenting and health by showing that during times of crisis, full-time employment may play a protective role for mother’s mental health, but may not buffer the mental health deterioration of women not raising children.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Mothering and Stress During COVID-19: Exploring the Moderating Effects of Employment
• Clomipramine suppresses ACE2-mediated SARS-CoV-2 entry -
  Myocardial damage caused by the newly emerged coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection is one of key determinants of COVID-19 severity and mortality. SARS-CoV-2 entry to host cells are initiated by binding with its receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 2, and the ACE2 abundance is thought to reflect the susceptibility to infection. Here, we found that clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection and metabolic disorder in human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes. Among 13 approved drugs that we have previously identified as potential inhibitor of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, clomipramine showed the best potency to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein pseudovirus-stimulated ACE2 internalization. Indeed, SARS-CoV-2 infection to human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes (iPS-CMs) and TMPRSS2-expressing VeroE6 cells were dramatically suppressed even after treatment with clomipramine. Furthermore, the combined use of clomipramine and remdesivir was revealed to synergistically suppress SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results will provide the potentiality of clomipramine for the breakthrough treatment of severe COVID-19.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Clomipramine suppresses ACE2-mediated SARS-CoV-2 entry
• Structural basis for backtracking by the SARS-CoV-2 replication-transcription complex -
  Backtracking, the reverse motion of the transcriptase enzyme on the nucleic acid template, is a universal regulatory feature of transcription in cellular organisms but its role in viruses is not established. Here we present evidence that backtracking extends into the viral realm, where backtracking by the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) may aid viral transcription and replication. Structures of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp bound to the essential nsp13 helicase and RNA suggested the helicase facilitates backtracking. We use cryo-electron microscopy, RNA-protein crosslinking, and unbiased molecular dynamics simulations to characterize SARS-CoV-2 RdRp backtracking. The results establish that the single-stranded 3’-segment of the product-RNA generated by backtracking extrudes through the RdRp NTP-entry tunnel, that a mismatched nucleotide at the product-RNA 3’-end frays and enters the NTP-entry tunnel to initiate backtracking, and that nsp13 stimulates RdRp backtracking. Backtracking may aid proofreading, a crucial process for SARS-CoV-2 resistance against antivirals.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Structural basis for backtracking by the SARS-CoV-2 replication-transcription complex
• Serum Vitamin D levels are associated with increased COVID-19 severity markers and mortality independent of visceral adiposity -

  INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Vitamin D (25-OHD) deficiency has been associated with susceptibility to infectious disease. In this study, the association between COVID-19 outcomes and 25-OHD levels in patients attending a COVID-19 reference center in Mexico City are examined. METHODS: Consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 were evaluated. All patients underwent clinical evaluation (including outcomes), laboratory measurements (including 25-OHD) and a thoracic computerized tomography (including the measurement of epicardial fat thickness). Low vitamin D was defined as levels <20ng/mL (<50nmol/L) and severely low (or deficient) 25-OHD as a level ≤12ng/mL (<30nmol/L) RESULTS: Of the 551 patients included, low 25-OHD levels were present in 45.6% and severely low levels in 10.9%. Severely low 25-OHD levels were associated with mortality (HR 2.11, 95%CI 1.24-3.58, p=0.006) but not with critical COVID-19 (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.94-0.99, p=0.042), adjusted for age, sex, body-mass index and epicardial fat. Using model-based causal mediation analyses the increased risk of COVID-19 mortality conferred by 25-OHD levels was partly mediated by its effect on D-dimer and cardiac ultrasensitive troponins. Notably, increased risk of COVID-19 mortality conferred by low vitamin D levels was independent of BMI and epicardial fat. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency (≤12ng/mL or <30nmol/L), is independently associated with COVID-19 mortality after adjustment for visceral fat (epicardial fat thickness). Low 25-OHD may contribute to a pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic state, increasing the risk for adverse COVID-19 outcomes.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Serum Vitamin D levels are associated with increased COVID-19 severity markers and mortality independent of visceral adiposity
• Prevalence of COVID-19 in Iran: Results of the first survey of the Iranian COVID-19 Serological Surveillance program -

  Abstract Background: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 in the general population of Iran. Methods: The target population was all Iranian people aged six years and older in the country. A stratified random sampling design was used to select 28,314 subjects from among the individuals registered in the electronic health record systems used in primary health care in Iran. Venous blood was taken from each participant and tested for the IgG antibody against COVID-19. The prevalence of COVID-19 was estimated at provincial and national levels after adjusting for the measurement error of the laboratory test, non-response bias, and sampling design. Results: Of the 28,314 Iranians selected, 11,256 (39.75%) participated in the study. Of these, 5406 (48.0%) were male, and 6851 (60.9%) lived in urban areas. The mean (standard deviation) participant age was 35.89 (18.61) years. The adjusted prevalence of COVID-19 until August 20, 2020 was estimated as 14.2% (95% uncertainty interval: 13.3%, 15.2%), which was equal to 11,958,346 (95% confidence interval: 11,211,011-12,746,776) individuals. The prevalence of infection was 14.6%, 13.8%, 16.6%, 11.7%, and 19.4% among men, women, urban population, rural population, and individuals 60 years of age and older, respectively. Ardabil, Golestan, and Khuzestan provinces had the highest prevalence, and Alborz, Hormozgan, and Kerman provinces had the lowest. Conclusions: Based on the study results, a large proportion of the Iranian population had not yet been infected by COVID-19. The observance of hygienic principles and social restrictions should therefore continue until the majority of the population has been vaccinated. Keywords: COVID-19, Seroprevalence, Survey, Nationwide, Population-based, Iran, IgG test

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Prevalence of COVID-19 in Iran: Results of the first survey of the Iranian COVID-19 Serological Surveillance program

From Clinical Trials

• Clinical Study in the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Molixan;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Pharma VAM
  Not yet recruiting

• Diagnostic Performance of the ID Now™ COVID-19 Screening Test Versus Simplexa™ COVID-19 Direct Assay - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: ID Now™ COVID-19 Screening Test
  Sponsor:   Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint Joseph
  Active, not recruiting

• Dose-Ranging Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Melatonin in Outpatients Infected With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Melatonin;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:   State University of New York at Buffalo;   National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS)
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Brilacidin in Hospitalized Participants With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Brilacidin;   Drug: Placebo;   Drug: Standard of Care (SoC)
  Sponsor:   Innovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  Recruiting

• DCI COVID-19 Surveillance Project - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay for Detection of COVID-19 Infection
  Sponsors:   Temple University;   Dialysis Clinic, Inc.
  Recruiting

• Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Second Generation VIR-7831 Material in Non-hospitalized Participants With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: VIR-7831 (Gen1);   Biological: VIR-7831 (Gen2)
  Sponsors:   Vir Biotechnology, Inc.;   GlaxoSmithKline
  Recruiting

• Corticosteroids for COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Prednisone;   Device: Point of Care testing device for C-reactive protein
  Sponsor:   University of Alberta
  Not yet recruiting

• Effects of Telerehabilitation After Discharge in COVID-19 Survivors - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Other: Telerehabilitation
  Sponsor:   Hacettepe University
  Recruiting

• A Study to Assess if a Medicine Called Bamlanivimab is Safe and Effective in Reducing Hospitalization Due to COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: Bamlanivimab;   Other: Standard of Care
  Sponsors:   Fraser Health;   Fraser Health Authrority Department of Evaluation and Research Services;   Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation;   University of British Columbia;   Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences;   BC Support Unit;   Abcellera;   Surrey Memorial Hospital Clinical Research Unit
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy of Adaptogens in Patients With Long COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Dietary Supplement: ADAPT-232 oral solution;   Other: Placebo oral solution
  Sponsors:   Swedish Herbal Institute AB;   National Family Medicine Training Centre, Georgia;   Tbilisi State Medical University;   Phytomed AB
  Not yet recruiting

• Effectiveness of the Adsorbed Vaccine COVID-19 (Coronavac) Among Education and Law Enforcement Professionals With Risk Factors for Severity - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Biological: Adsorbed SARS-CoV-2 (inactivated) vaccine
  Sponsors:   Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado;   Butantan Institute
  Not yet recruiting

• COVID-19 Vaccination of Immunodeficient Persons (COVAXID) - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Biological: Comirnaty (COVID-19, mRNA vaccine)
  Sponsors:   Karolinska University Hospital;   Karolinska Institutet
  Recruiting

• Vitamin D3 Levels in COVID-19 Outpatients From Western Mexico - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3
  Sponsor:   University of Guadalajara
  Completed

• Dietary Supplements for COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Vitamin D3 50,000 IU;   Dietary Supplement: Vitamin C/Zinc;   Dietary Supplement: Vitamin K2/D;   Other: Microcrystalline Cellulose Capsule;   Other: Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil
  Sponsors:   The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine;   Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Inhaleen Inhalation in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Device: Carragelose;   Device: NaCl
  Sponsors:   Marinomed Biotech AG;   Austian Research Promotion Agency
  Recruiting

From PubMed

• Artemisia annua L. extracts inhibit the in vitro replication of SARS-CoV-2 and two of its variants - CONCLUSIONS: A. annua extracts inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the active component(s) in the extracts is likely something besides artemisinin or a combination of components that block virus infection at a step downstream of virus entry. Further studies will determine in vivo efficacy to assess whether A. annua might provide a cost-effective therapeutic to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.

• The SARS-CoV-2 Y453F mink variant displays a pronounced increase in ACE-2 affinity but does not challenge antibody neutralization - SARS-CoV-2 transmission from humans to animals has been reported for many domesticated species, including farmed minks. The identification of novel spike gene mutations appearing in minks has raised major concerns about potential immune evasion and challenges for the global vaccine strategy. One genetic variant, known as “cluster-five”, arose among farmed minks in Denmark and resulted in a complete shutdown of the world’s largest mink production. However, the functional properties of this new…

• Research Progress of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Severe COVID-19 - Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) refers to a type of pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. 60 million confirmed cases have been reported worldwide until November 29, 2020. Unfortunately, the novel coronavirus is so extremely contagious that the mortality rate of severe and critically ill patients was high. Thus, there is no definite and effective treatment in clinic except for antiviral therapy and supportive therapy. Mesenchymal stem…

• Predicting and Preventing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicity: Targeting Cytokines - Cancer immunotherapies can successfully activate immune responses towards certain tumors. However, this can also result in the development of treatment-induced immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in multiple tissues. Growing evidence suggests that cytokine production in response to these therapeutics potentiates the development of irAEs and may have predictive value as biomarkers for irAE occurrence. In addition, therapeutic agents that inhibit cytokine activity can limit the severity of…

• Ivermectin also inhibits the replication of bovine respiratory viruses (BRSV, BPIV-3, BoHV-1, BCoV and BVDV) in vitro - Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex is an important viral infection that causes huge economic losses in cattle herds worldwide. However, there is no directly effective antiviral drug application against respiratory viral pathogens; generally, the metaphylactic antibacterial drug applications are used for BRD. Ivermectin (IVM) is currently used as a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent both for veterinary and human medicine on some occasions. Moreover, since it is identified as an inhibitor…

• Anti-inflammatory effects of amantadine and memantine in SARS-CoV-2 infection - Amantadine and memantine, apart from their action on cholinergic receptors and dopamine secretion, have a significant influence on the inflammatory process, including the so-called “cytokine storm” and reduction of apoptosis and oxidative stress. Amantadine also inhibits the induction of inflammatory factors such as RANTES, activates kinase p38 of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) and c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinases (JNK), which inhibit viral replication. It also significantly inhibits the entry of…

• The influence of IFITM3 polymorphisms on susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of COVID-19 - CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we could not confirm the recently reported influence of polymorphisms in the gene IFITM3 on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk or severity of COVID-19 in a German cohort. Additional studies are needed to clarify the influence of the rs12252 CC genotype on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and the rs34481144 A-allele on course of COVID-19.

• Emetine suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication by inhibiting interaction of viral mRNA with eIF4E - Emetine is a FDA-approved drug for the treatment of amebiasis. Previously we demonstrated the antiviral efficacy of emetine against some RNA and DNA viruses. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro antiviral efficacy of emetine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and found it to be a low nanomolar (nM) inhibitor. Interestingly, emetine exhibited protective efficacy against lethal challenge with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV; a chicken coronavirus) in the…

• ARB-Based Combination Therapy for the Clinical Management of Hypertension and Hypertension-Related Comorbidities: A Spotlight on Their Use in COVID-19 Patients - Essential hypertension is the most common cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, being primarily involved in the pathogenesis of CV disease and mortality worldwide. Given the high prevalence and growing incidence of this clinical condition in the general population in both high and low-income countries, antihypertensive drug therapies are frequently prescribed in different hypertension-related CV diseases and comorbidities. Among these conditions, evidence are available demonstrating the clinical…

• COVID-19 vaccination and antirheumatic therapy - The COVID-19 vaccination will be the largest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS. Patients on immunosuppressive therapy will be amongst the earliest to be vaccinated. Some evidence indicates immunosuppressive therapy inhibits humoral response to the influenza, pneumococcal and hepatitis B vaccines. The degree to which this will translate to impaired COVID-19 vaccine responses is unclear. Other evidence suggests withholding methotrexate for two weeks post vaccination may improve…

• COVID-19 pneumonia: do not leave the corticosteroids behind! - The host inflammatory response is critical in the progression of lung injuries in patients with SARS-CoV-2. Corticosteroids (CS) have been widely used as immunomodulating agents, but the right timing, dosage and type of molecule are unknown. In fact, the early use of CS could facilitate the viral replication but late administration may not prevent the alveolar damage. Nevertheless, a short administration of high doses of CS in the early stage of the inflammatory phase resulted in favorable…

• Targeting mesenchymal stem cell therapy for severe pneumonia patients - Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs and it is the world’s leading cause of death for children under 5 years of age. The latest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus is a prominent culprit to severe pneumonia. With the pandemic running rampant for the past year, more than 1590000 deaths has occurred worldwide up to December 2020 and are substantially attributable to severe pneumonia and induced cytokine storm. Effective therapeutic approaches in addition to the vaccines and drugs under…

• Drug Repurposing Screen for Compounds Inhibiting the Cytopathic Effect of SARS-CoV-2 - Drug repurposing is a rapid approach to identify therapeutics for the treatment of emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19. To address the urgent need for treatment options, we carried out a quantitative high-throughput screen using a SARS-CoV-2 cytopathic assay with a compound collection of 8,810 approved and investigational drugs, mechanism-based bioactive compounds, and natural products. Three hundred and nineteen compounds with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities were identified and confirmed,…

• Calming the Storm: Natural Immunosuppressants as Adjuvants to Target the Cytokine Storm in COVID-19 - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global health crisis, with no specific antiviral to treat the infection and the absence of a suitable vaccine to prevent it. While some individuals contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibit a well coordinated immune response and recover, others display a dysfunctional immune response leading to serious complications including ARDS, sepsis, MOF; associated with morbidity and mortality. Studies revealed that in patients with a dysfunctional immune response,…

• SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing human recombinant antibodies selected from pre-pandemic healthy donors binding at RBD-ACE2 interface - COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new recently emerged sarbecovirus. This virus uses the human ACE2 enzyme as receptor for cell entry, recognizing it with the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the S1 subunit of the viral spike protein. We present the use of phage display to select anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies from the human naïve antibody gene libraries HAL9/10 and subsequent identification of 309 unique fully human antibodies against S1. 17 antibodies are…

From Patent Search

• Peptides and their use in diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection - - link

• A PROCESS FOR SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF COVID 19 POSITIVE PATIENTS - - link

• Sars-CoV-2 vaccine antigens - - link

• SARS-COV-2 BINDING PROTEINS - - link

• Gerät zur Unterstützung und Verstärkung natürlicher Lüftung -

  Lüftungssystem für einen mit öffnbaren Fenstern (16) ausgestatteten Gebäuderaum, gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass es ein Gehäuse (18) und einen Ventilator (20) aufweist, wobei durch das Gehäuse eine vom Ventilator erzeugte Luftströmung strömen kann, wobei das Gehäuse dafür eine Einströmöffnung (24) für Luft und eine Ausströmöffnung (22) für Luft enthält, wobei eine der beiden Öffnungen der Form eines Öffnungsspalts (26) zwischen einem Fensterflügel (12) und einem Blendrahmen (14) des Fensters (16) angepasst ist.

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• Compositions and methods for detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein - - link

• 靶向SARS-CoV-2的抗体及其制备方法和应用 - 本发明提供了靶向SARS‑CoV‑2的抗体及其制备方法和应用，该抗体包含VH和VL，所述VH包含以下CDR：氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO:1、2、3所示的VH CDR1、VH CDR2、VH CDR3；所述VL包含以下的CDR：氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO:4、5、6所示的VL CDR1、VL CDR2、VL CDR3。该抗体能够高亲和且特异地结合SARS‑CoV‑2的S蛋白的RBD，抑制RBD蛋白与受体ACE2蛋白的结合，高效地抑制SARS‑CoV‑2感染细胞，同时对潜在的免疫逃逸突变的假病毒具有很好的中和活性，从而可有效应用于SARS‑CoV‑2病毒及相关疾病的诊断、预防和治疗中。 - link

• UV-Desinfektion von interaktiven Oberflächen -

  Desinfektionsvorrichtung (100, 200A, 200B, 300) zum Desinfizieren einer berührungsintensiven Oberfläche, umfassend: eine EWE-Vorrichtung (110) zum Emittieren von elektromagnetischen Wellen, die dafür konfiguriert ist, elektromagnetische Strahlung innerhalb des ultravioletten Spektrums (UV-Strahlung, 115) zu emittieren; und einer als Lichtleiter dienenden, mindestens teilweise für sichtbares Licht zwischen der vorderen Oberfläche (121) und der hinteren Oberfläche (122, 222) durchlässigen Scheibe (120, 220A, 220B) mit einer vorderen Oberfläche (121) und einer hinteren Oberfläche (122, 222), wobei die EWE-Vorrichtung (110) positioniert ist, um UV-Strahlung (115) in die Scheibe (120, 220A, 220B) zu emittieren, wobei die Scheibe dafür konfiguriert ist, einen Teil der von der EWE-Vorrichtung (110) empfangenen UV-Strahlung (115) in einer verteilten Art und Weise über die vordere Oberfläche (121) zu reflektieren und zu zerstreuen; und die UV-Strahlung, die von der Scheibe (120, 220A, 220B) empfangen und über die vordere Oberfläche (121) verteilt wird, zur Desinfektion der vorderen Oberfläche dient.

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• 一种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。本发明公开的SARS‑CoV‑2中和抗体的检测方法是基于hACE2‑RBD放大的胶乳增强免疫比浊检测法，检测试剂盒包括SARS‑CoV‑2的S蛋白受体结合域RBD标记的第一胶乳微球和人hACE2标记的第二胶乳微球。本发明通过在胶乳微球上标记抗原，放大了检测信号，增加了检测的灵敏度，拓宽了检测范围。本发明不仅能够确定被检测者是否为感染者，还能获知被检测者感染风险。本发明对中和抗体的检测还可用于评价接种SARS‑CoV‑2疫苗后临床效果，对SARS‑CoV‑2疫苗的研发与接种，具有重大意义。 - link

• Aronia-Mundspray -

  Anordnung zum Versprühen einer Substanz in die menschliche Mundhöhle und/oder in den Rachen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anordnung eine Sprühflasche mit einer Substanz aufweist, die wenigstens Aroniasaft und eine Alkoholkomponente aufweist.

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