Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Detection of SARS CoV-2 Coronavirus and Differentiation of Omicron Variant with Multiplex Real-time RT-PCR Assay -
  Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 has been dominantly distributed worldwide since December 2021. Sequence analysis has revealed a 9 base pair (bp) nucleotide deletion located in N gene was found in Omicron strains but not in other prevalent variants. Based on this feature, we have developed a highly specific and sensitive real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for differentiating Omicron lineages from other SARS-CoV-2. With this unique design of primers and probes, we consider this approach could be applied to identify particular genome feature for future SARS-CoV-2 variant characterization.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Detection of SARS CoV-2 Coronavirus and Differentiation of Omicron Variant with Multiplex Real-time RT-PCR Assay
• The butterfly effect: mutational bias of SARS-CoV-2 affects its pattern of molecular evolution on synonymous and nonsynonymous levels -
  Evolution is a function of mutagenesis and selection. To analyse the role of mutagenesis on the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, we reconstructed the mutational spectrum, which was highly C>U and G>U biased. This bias suggests that, in weakly constrained regions, the SARS-CoV-2 genome becomes increasingly U-rich. We analysed the consequences of this bias on the composition of the most neutral (four-fold degenerate synonymous substitutions) and the least neutral positions (nonsynonymous substitutions). The neutral nucleotide sites of the genome are already saturated by U, suggesting that in the past, an ancestral virus was exposed to similar mutational pressure, and in the future, we don’t expect any significant changes since the system is at equilibrium. However, nonsynonymous changes continue slowly evolve towards equilibrium substituting CG-rich amino-acids (“losers”) with U-rich ones (“gainers”). Comparing Coronaviridae with all other positive-stranded RNA viruses, we observed an excess of gainers and a deficit of losers in the former, suggesting that the coronavirus-specific mutational bias affected the amino-acid content of the entire family on the long-term evolutionary scale. We propose the butterfly effect - a tuning of a protein space through permissive amino-acid trajectories by mutational bias, which can be common in species with biased mutagenesis.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The butterfly effect: mutational bias of SARS-CoV-2 affects its pattern of molecular evolution on synonymous and nonsynonymous levels
• A pilot study of 0.4% povidone-iodine nasal spray to eradicate SARS-CoV-2 in the nasopharynx -

  We studied the virucidal efficacy of 0.4% povidone-iodine (PVP-I) nasal spray against SARS-CoV-2 in the patients’ nasopharynx at 3 minutes and 4 hours after PVP-I exposure. We used an open-label single-arm pilot study of adult patients with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19. All patients received three puffs of 0.4% PVP-I spray in each nostril. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs were collected before the PVP-I spray (baseline, left NP samples), and at 3 minutes (left and right NP samples) and 4 hours post-PVP-I spray (right NP samples). All swabs were tested by RT-PCR and cultured to measure the viable SARS-CoV-2 within 24 hours after collection. Fourteen patients were enrolled but viable SARS-CoV-2 was cultured from 12 patients (85.7%). The median viral titer at baseline was 3.5 log TCID 50 /mL (IQR 2.8-4.0 log TCID 50 /mL). At 3 minutes post-PVP-I spray via the left nostril, viral titers were reduced in 8 patients (66.7%). At 3 minutes post-PVP-I, the median viral titer was 3.4 log TCID 50 /mL (IQR 1.8-4.4 log TCID 50 /mL) ( P =0.162). At 4 hours post-PVP-I spray via the right nostril, 6 of 11 patients (54.5%) had either the same or minimal change in viral titers. The median viral titer 3 minutes post-PVP-I spray was 2.7 log TCID 50 /mL (IQR 2.0-3.9 log TCID 50 /mL). Four hours post-PVP-I spray the median titer was 2.8 log TCID 50 /mL (IQR 2.2-3.9 log TCID 50 /mL) ( P =0.704). No adverse effects of PVP-I nasal spray were detected. We concluded that 0.4% PVP-I nasal spray demonstrated minimal virucidal efficacy at 3 minutes post-exposure. At 4 hours post-exposure, the viral titer was unchanged from baseline. The poor virucidal activity of 0.4% PVP-I nasal spray is unlikely to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 if used for prophylaxis.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: A pilot study of 0.4% povidone-iodine nasal spray to eradicate SARS-CoV-2 in the nasopharynx
• UNDERSTANDING ACTIONS TAKEN BY FEMALE FAMILY CAREGIVERS AND CHALLENGES THEY FACED IN CARING FOR OLDER PEOPLE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN BELU DISTRICT, INDONESIA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY -

  COVID-19 has rapidly impacted societies on a global scale, with older people among the most affected. To care for older people living in their own homes, female family caregivers play a pivotal role. The current study aimed to explore the actions of female family caregivers and the challenges they faced in taking care of older people living at homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belu district, Indonesia. This qualitative study involved twenty female family caregivers, who were recruited using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Findings were grouped into two main categories: (i) actions of female family caregivers in taking care of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. These included limiting both visitations of extended family members and older adults’ activities outside homes; explaining the virus to older adults and controlling their access to news, social media and smartphones; providing nutrition, supplement and maintaining daily diets; and (ii) challenges they faced in taking care of older adults included excessive fear of contracting COVID-19 and possibility of transmitting it to older people; feeling stressed; tired and overburdened. The study highlights the significant role family caregivers played to protect older people living at home. The findings can inform government to develop intervention programs that address and support the needs of both family caregivers and older people living at home.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: UNDERSTANDING ACTIONS TAKEN BY FEMALE FAMILY CAREGIVERS AND CHALLENGES THEY FACED IN CARING FOR OLDER PEOPLE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN BELU DISTRICT, INDONESIA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
• Neutrophil proteomics identifies temporal changes and hallmarks of delayed recovery in COVID19 -

  Rationale: Neutrophils are important in the pathophysiology of COVID19 but the molecular changes contributing to altered neutrophil phenotypes following SARS-CoV-2 infection are not fully understood. Objectives: To use quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to explore neutrophil phenotypes following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and during recovery. Methods: Prospective observational study of hospitalised patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (May 2020-December 2020). Patients were enrolled within 96 hours of admission, with longitudinal sampling up to 29 days. Control groups comprised non-COVID19 acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and age-matched non-infected controls. Neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood were processed for mass spectrometry. COVID19 severity and recovery were defined using the WHO ordinal scale. Measurements and Main Results: 84 COVID19 patients were included and compared to 91 LRTI patients and 42 controls. 5,800 neutrophil proteins were identified and 1,748 proteins were significantly different (q-value<0.05) in neutrophils from COVID19 patients compared to those of non-infected controls, including a robust interferon response at baseline, which was lost in severe patients one week after enrolment. Neutrophil changes associated with COVID19 disease severity and prolonged illness were characterized and candidate targets for modulation of neutrophil function were identified. Delayed recovery from COVID19 was associated with changes in metabolic and signalling proteins, complement, chemokine and leukotriene receptors, integrins and inhibitory receptors. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection results in the sustained presence of recirculating neutrophils with distinct metabolic profiles and altered capacities to respond to migratory signals and cues from other immune cells, pathogens or cytokines.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Neutrophil proteomics identifies temporal changes and hallmarks of delayed recovery in COVID19
• Development of Metal-organic Framework Based Biosensor to Detect the Coronavirus (Covid-19) -
  The recent outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) caused around 7 million deaths people worldwide and still afflicting the global health, economy, and social setup. Timely detection and diagnosis are crucial steps to reduce the spread and prevention of any pandemic. Different types of diagnostic methods have been used. In the last decade nanomaterials and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), based biosensors have been developed to detect other viruses. We have designed the Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) based biosensor to detect COVID-19. ZIF-8 work as a fluorescence quenching and re-emergence platform to detect the COVID-19 RNA sequences. ZIF-8 platform is highly sensitive which can distinguish the highly conserved single strand RNA with 200 pM concentrations. It can distinguish down to the single mismatch nucleotide in RNA sequences.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Development of Metal-organic Framework Based Biosensor to Detect the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
• Overview of the SARS-CoV-2 genotypes circulating in Latin America during 2021 -
  Latin America is one of the regions in which the COVID-19 pandemic has had a stronger impact, with more than 72 million reported infections and 1.6 million deaths until June 2022. Since this region is ecologically diverse and is affected by enormous social inequalities, efforts to identify genomic patterns of the circulating SARS-CoV-2 genotypes are necessary for the suitable management of the pandemic. To contribute to the genomic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 in Latin America, we extended the number of SARS-CoV-2 genomes available from the region by sequencing and analyzing the viral genome from COVID-19 patients from seven countries (Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia and Peru). Subsequently, we analyzed the genomes circulating mainly during 2021 including records from GISAID database from Latin America. A total of 1534 genome sequences were generated from seven countries, demonstrating the laboratory and bioinformatics capabilities for genomic surveillance of pathogens that have been developed locally. For Latin America, patterns regarding several variants associated with multiple re-introductions, a relatively low percentage of sequenced samples, as well as an increment in the mutation frequency since the beginning of the pandemic, are in line with worldwide data. Besides, some variants of concern (VOC) and variants of interest (VOI) such as Gamma, Mu and Lambda, and at least 83 other lineages have predominated locally with a country-specific enrichments. This work has contributed to the understanding of the dynamics of the pandemic in Latin America as part of the local and international efforts to achieve timely genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Overview of the SARS-CoV-2 genotypes circulating in Latin America during 2021
• Contributions of adaptation and purifying selection to SARS-CoV-2 evolution -
  Continued evolution and adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 has lead to more transmissible and immune-evasive variants with profound impact on the course of the pandemic. Here I analyze the evolution of the virus over 2.5 years since its emergence and estimate rates of evolution for synonymous and non-synonymous changes separately for evolution within clades – well defined mono-phyletic groups with gradual evolution – and for the pandemic overall. The rate of synonymous mutations is found to be around 6 changes per year. Synonymous rates within variants vary little from variant to variant and are compatible with the overall rate. In contrast, the rate at which variants accumulate amino acid changes (non-synonymous mutation) was initially around 12-16 changes per year, but in 2021 and 2022 dropped to 6-9 changes per year. The overall rate of non-synonymous evolution, that is across variants, is estimated to be about 25 amino acid changes per year. This 2-fold higher rate indicates that the evolutionary process that gave rise to the different variants is qualitatively different from that in typical transmission chains and likely dominated by adaptive evolution. I further quantify the spectrum of mutations and purifying selection in different SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Many accessory proteins evolve under limited evolutionary constraint with little short term purifying selection. About half of the mutations in other proteins are strongly deleterious and rarely observed, not even at low frequency.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Contributions of adaptation and purifying selection to SARS-CoV-2 evolution
• Airway epithelial cells and macrophages trigger IL-6-CD95/CD95L axis and mediate initial immunopathology of COVID-19 -
  Airway epithelial cells (AEC) are the first in contact with SARS-CoV-2 and drive the interface with macrophage to generate inflammation. To elucidate how those initial events contribute to the immunopathology or to dysregulate the immune response observed in severe and critical COVID-19, we determined the direct and indirect interactions of these cells. AEC lineage (Calu-3) infected with SARS-CoV-2 and epithelial cells (CD45-EpCAM+) from intubated COVID-19 patients showed high expression of CD95L. Infected-Calu-3 cells secreted IL-6, and expressed annexin V and caspase-3, apoptosis markers. The direct interaction of macrophages with sorted apoptotic Calu-3 cells, driven by SARS-CoV-2 infection, resulted in macrophage death and increased expression of CD95, CD95L and CD163. Macrophages exposed to tracheal aspirate supernatants from intubated COVID-19 patients or to recombinant human IL-6 exhibited decreased HLA-DR and increased CD95 and CD163 expression. IL-6 effects on macrophages were prevented by tocilizumab (anti-IL-6 receptor mAb) and Kp7-6 (CD95/CD95L antagonist). Similarly, lung inflammation and death of AEC were decreased in CD95 and IL-6 knockout mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. Our results show that the AEC-macrophage interaction via CD95/CD95L signaling is an initial key step of immunopathology of severe COVID-19 and should be considered as a therapeutic target.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Airway epithelial cells and macrophages trigger IL-6-CD95/CD95L axis and mediate initial immunopathology of COVID-19
• Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection by earthing -
  Background: Earthig is a contact with earth by several means that could cause influx of electron into the body with subsequent anti-inflammatory effect, immunity enhancement, anticoagulation, rising blood oxygenation, and possible antipyretic effect. All these effects of earthing might have a substantial role in the management of patients with COVID-19 infection without deleterious side effects of ordinary medications. Objective: to investigate the role of earthing in treatment and prevention of COVID-19 infection. Design: Observational study Setting: University of Basrah, College of Medicine, Iraq. Patients: The study included 59 cases with COVID-19 infection. Interventions: All patients conducted earthing through direct contact with earth or connecting apparatus for about 15 min-3 hours/day. Measurements and Main Results: The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR test with or without chest CT-scan. There was spectacular response in a severely ill patient who was unable to speak due to dyspnea with blood oxygen level 38% on continuous oxygen supply. On the second day of three hours daily earthing, his oxygen level raised to 95% with oxygen supply and 77% without oxygen supply. After 1-3 days of earthing, most patients revealed improvement of the following symptoms: fever, dyspnea, cough, weakness, headache, chest pain, taste and smell sense loss, anorexia, and body pain. Six people were in contact with COVID-19 patients that had performed preventive earthing. They contracted mild or short-lived illness although their household were severely affected. Conclusions: The outcome of patients with COVID-19 who had performed regular and sufficient earthing showing significant curing or preventive effects that more studies on larger sample size are advocated.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection by earthing
• Health System Resilience-enhancing Strategies for Managing Public Health Emergencies of International Concerns (PHEIC): Success and Challenges A Systematic Review Protocol -

  Abstract Introduction Health system resilience is the ability to prepare, manage, and learn from a sudden and unpredictable extreme change which impacts health systems. Health systems globally have recently been affected by a number of catastrophic events, including natural disasters, and infectious disease epidemics. Understanding health system resilience has never been more essential until emerging global pandemics. Therefore, the application of resilience-enhancing strategies with existing frameworks needs to be assessed to identify the management gaps and give valuable recommendations from the lessons learnt from the global pandemic. Methodology The systematic review will be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SCR). Reporting data on health system building blocks and systematic searches on resilience enhancing strategies for the management of Public Health Emergencies of International Concerns (PHEIC) after the establishment of International Health Regulations (IHR) since managing PHEIC after the establishment of IHR in 2007 will be included. The search will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and grey literature. A narrative synthesis will be performed to present the review findings. Discussion Health system resilience is key to coping with catastrophic events, such as the economic crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. The mapping of available literature towards the application of resilience-enhancing strategies with existing frameworks needs to be assessed to identify the management gaps and give valuable recommendations from the lessons learnt from the global pandemic to improve the level of preparedness and response to similar public health emergencies in the future. Conclusion A protocol for a global scoping review of health system resilience for pandemic management is described. This review will add to the body of knowledge about health systems enhancing research and policy formulation. Keywords: Health system resilience; Pandemi; Public health; Emergencies

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Health System Resilience-enhancing Strategies for Managing Public Health Emergencies of International Concerns (PHEIC): Success and Challenges A Systematic Review Protocol
• Pharmacokinetics of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir in COVID-19 patients with end stage renal disease on intermittent haemodialysis -

  Background: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is an effective therapy against SARS-CoV-2. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are at high risk for severe COVID-19 and show impaired vaccine responses underlining the importance of antiviral therapy. However, use of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is not recommended in these patients due to lack of clinical and pharmacokinetic data. Objective: To investigate pharmacokinetics and hepatic tolerance of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in patients with ESRD and haemodialysis (HD). Patients and methods: Four patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection received nirmatrelvir/ritonavir 150/100mg twice daily as recommended for renal impairment; HD ran in two- to three-day intervals. Plasma and serum samples were drawn before and after each HD during the 5-day treatment and for ensuing 3-5 days. Results: Median peak levels of nirmatrelvir obtained two hours after medication pre-HD in three patients were 7745ng/mL on day 3 and 6653ng/mL on day 5; median post-HD levels (C6h) declined to 5765ng/mL (74%) and 5521ng/mL (83%), on days 3 and 5 of treatment, respectively. Three days after end of treatment, median levels were 365ng/mL pre-HD and 30ng/mL post-HD. Measurements of the fourth patient, six hours after drug intake pre-HD showed nirmatrelvir-levels of 3704ng/mL on treatment day 3 which fell to 2308ng/mL post-HD, at one hour before intake of the next dose (Cmin). Conclusion: Use of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in patients with ESRD results in high nirmatrelvir blood concentrations, which are still within the range known from patients without renal failure. No accumulation of nirmatrelvir took place and levels declined to zero within few days after end of treatment.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Pharmacokinetics of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir in COVID-19 patients with end stage renal disease on intermittent haemodialysis
• What level of air filtration (ACH) is equivalent to an N95 respirator? -

  N95 respirators reduce risk of catching COVID-19 from an infected person both at near-field (e.g. < 6 feet) and far-field (e.g. > 6 feet). Air filtration is usually not effective at near-field, but emulating the far-field equivalent of N95 requires 95% reduction of particles (20x) from airborne particulate sources. A wide range of air change per hour (ACH) recommendations for air filtration exist ranging from 2 to 12 ACH (CDC, CDPH, etc.). Instead of inert airborne contaminant (e.g. salt water) which can be disruptive in occupied rooms, we describe a simpler procedure using an optical particle counter to track the decay of ambient aerosols (0.3 μm diameter) and measure ACH from exponential decay coefficients in a room and a whole house. Surface deposition in an unventilated room without ventilation or filtration was measured to be 0.6 ACH using ambient aerosols. ACH was also measured to be 3 to 17 using low-noise generating HEPA purifiers ($299-$999, reported CADR 114 to 1360 cfm) and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) air purifiers ($55-$160, 1“-5”, MERV 13-16, 1-filter box-fans and 4-filter Corsi-Rosenthal boxes). Using ACH and volume of room/house, estimated CADR per dollar varied 4x from below 80 cfm / $100 for tested HEPA purifiers at their highest speed (for maximum CADR) up to above 350 cfm / $100 run with tested DIY air purifiers running on their lowest speed (for reduced noise generation). Differences in CADR were observed in room versus house, and purifiers with higher airspeed had higher than expected CADR, possibly reflecting better mixing. Using 0.6 ACH as baseline for unventilated rooms, at least 12 ACH if not more is required for far-field protection equivalent to N95 respirators (95%), and this ACH can be achieved using either HEPA or DIY air filtration in a room or building and verified with ambient aerosols. This offers an independent, experimentally-derived interpretation of the 12 ACH recommended for airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIR) by CDC and WHO.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: What level of air filtration (ACH) is equivalent to an N95 respirator?
• Swiss public health measures associated with reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission using genome data -

  Genome sequences from evolving infectious pathogens allow quantification of case introductions and local transmission dynamics. We sequenced 11,357 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Switzerland in 2020 - the 6th largest effort globally. Using a representative subset of these data, we estimated viral introductions to Switzerland and their persistence over the course of 2020. We contrast these estimates with simple null models representing the absence of certain public health measures. We show that Switzerland9s border closures de-coupled case introductions from incidence in neighboring countries. Under a simple model, we estimate an 86 - 98% reduction in introductions during Switzerland9s strictest border closures. Furthermore, the Swiss 2020 partial lockdown roughly halved the time for sampled introductions to die out. Finally, we quantified local transmission dynamics once introductions into Switzerland occurred, using a novel phylodynamic model. We find that transmission slowed 35 - 63% upon outbreak detection in summer 2020, but not in fall. This finding may indicate successful contact tracing over summer before overburdening in fall. The study highlights the added value of genome sequencing data for understanding transmission dynamics.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Swiss public health measures associated with reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission using genome data
• Impact of vaccination with SCB-2019 COVID-19 vaccine on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a household contact study in the Philippines -

  Background: An exploratory household transmission study was nested in SPECTRA, the phase 2/3 efficacy study of the adjuvanted recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine SCB-2019. We compared occurrence of confirmed COVID-19 infections between households and household contacts of infected SPECTRA participants who were either placebo or SCB-2019 recipients. Methods: SPECTRA trial participants at eight study sites in the Philippines who developed rRT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were contacted by a study team blinded to assignment of index cases to vaccine or placebo groups to enroll in this household transmission study. Enrolled households and household contacts were monitored for three weeks using rRT-PCR and rapid antigen testing to detect new COVID-19 infections. Results: Observation of the households of 154 eligible COVID-19 index cases, 130 symptomatic and 24 asymptomatic at diagnosis, revealed household secondary attack rates for any COVID-19 infection of SCB-2019 index cases of 0.76% (90% CI: 0.15-3.90) compared with 5.88% (90% CI: 3.20-10.8) in placebo index case households, a relative risk reduction of 79% (90% CI: -28-97). The relative risk reduction of symptomatic COVID-19 was 84% (90% CI: 28-97) for household contacts of all COVID-19 infected index cases, and 80% (90% CI: 7-96) for household contacts of index cases with symptomatic COVID-19. Conclusions: In this prospective household contact study vaccination with SCB-2019 reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission in households, so decreasing infections of household contacts, compared with placebo.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Impact of vaccination with SCB-2019 COVID-19 vaccine on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a household contact study in the Philippines

From Clinical Trials

• A Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of SIM0417 Orally Co-Administered With Ritonavir in Symptomatic Adult Participants With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: SIM0417;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• Self-management of Post COVID-19 Syndrome Using Wearable Biometric Technology - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Other: Self-management of post COVID-19 respiratory outcomes
  Sponsor:   University of Manitoba
  Not yet recruiting

• Clinical Study to Compare Efficacy and Safety of Casirivimab and Imdevimab Combination, Remdesivir and Favipravir in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Casirivimab and Imdevimab Drug Combination;   Drug: Remdesivir;   Drug: Favipiravir
  Sponsor:   Mansoura University Hospital
  Completed

• The Role of BCG Vaccine in the Clinical Evolution of COVID-19 and in the Efficacy of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsors:   Oswaldo Cruz Foundation;   University of Sao Paulo;   Federal University of Juiz de Fora
  Recruiting

• Cognitive Rehabilitation in Post-COVID-19 Condition - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Goal Management Training (GMT)
  Sponsors:   Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital;   University of Oslo;   Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai;   University of Toronto;   UiT The Arctic University of Norway;   Oslo University Hospital
  Not yet recruiting

• Performance Evaluation of LumiraDx COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Ag ULTRA Test (ASPIRE-2) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Diagnostic Test: Nasal Swab;   Diagnostic Test: Nasopharyngeal swab
  Sponsor:   LumiraDx UK Limited
  Recruiting

• Social Network Diffusion of COVID-19 Prevention for Diverse Criminal Legal Involved Communities - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Other: Education;   Other: Motivational
  Sponsor:   University of Chicago
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study of Booster Immunization With COVID-19 Vaccine,Inactivated Co -Administration With Influenza Vaccine and Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: Adult group in immunogenicity and safety study of combined immunization;   Biological: Elderly group in immunogenicity and safety study of combined immunization;   Biological: Adult group in safety observation study of combined immunization;   Biological: Elderly group in safety observation study of combined immunization
  Sponsor:   Sinovac Biotech Co., Ltd
  Completed

• EFFECTS OF INSPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING IN POST-COVID-19 PATIENTS - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Other: TREATMENT GROUP (TG);   Other: CONTROL GROUP (CG)
  Sponsor:   University Vila Velha
  Completed

• Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19 Infection
  Interventions:   Biological: Allogeneic umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells;   Biological: Controlled normal saline
  Sponsor:   Ever Supreme Bio Technology Co., Ltd.
  Active, not recruiting

• Temelimab as a Disease Modifying Therapy in Patients With Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Post-COVID 19 or PASC Syndrome - Condition:   Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
  Interventions:   Drug: Temelimab 54mg/kg;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   GeNeuro SA
  Not yet recruiting

• The Effects of a Sublingual Sprayable Microemulsion of Vitamin D on Inflammatory Markers in COVID-19 Patients - Conditions:   COVID-19;   Vitamin D Deficiency
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D 25 (OH) 12000 IU in the form of a sublingual sprayable microemulsion
  Sponsor:   Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital
  Completed

• UNAIR Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 3 - Conditions:   COVID-19 Pandemic;   COVID-19 Vaccines
  Interventions:   Biological: Vaksin Merah Putih - UA SARS-CoV-2 (Vero Cell Inactivated) 5 µg;   Biological: CoronaVac Biofarma COVID-19 Vaccine
  Sponsors:   Dr. Soetomo General Hospital;   Indonesia-MoH;   Universitas Airlangga;   Biotis Pharmaceuticals, Indonesia
  Recruiting

• Hydrogen-Oxygen Generator With Nebulizer for Rehabilitation Treatment of COVID-19 - Conditions:   COVID-19;   AMS-H-03;   Hydrogen-oxygen Gas
  Interventions:   Device: Hydrogen-Oxygen Generator with Nebulizer, AMS-H-03;   Other: basic treatment
  Sponsor:   Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital
  Recruiting

• Huashi Baidu Granule in the Treatment of Pediatric Patients With Mild Coronavirus Disease 2019 - Condition:   Coronavirus Disease 2019
  Interventions:   Drug: Huashi Baidu granule;   Drug: compound pholcodine oral solution
  Sponsor:   Shanghai Children’s Medical Center
  Completed

From PubMed

• SARS-CoV-2 causes secretory diarrhea with an enterotoxin-like mechanism, which is reduced by diosmectite - CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 induces calcium-dependent chloride secretion and oxidative stress without damaging intestinal epithelial structure. The effects are largely induced by the spike protein and are significantly reduced by diosmectite. SARS-CoV-2 should be added to the list of human enteric pathogens.

• Quercetin against Emerging RNA Viral Diseases: Potential and Challenges for Translation - Because of higher adaptability and mutability, there is always a possibility for RNA viral disease outbreaks. There are no approved antivirals for the majority of RNA viruses including SARS-CoV-2, CHIKV, DENV, JEV, ZIKV, and EBOV. To treat these infections and to prepare for future epidemics there is a necessity to identify effective therapeutic strategies with broad-spectrum actions against RNA viruses. Unregulated inflammation is the major cause of the severity associated with these viral…

• A nanomaterial targeting the spike protein captures SARS-CoV-2 variants and promotes viral elimination - The global emergency caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic can only be solved with effective and widespread preventive and therapeutic strategies, and both are still insufficient. Here, we describe an ultrathin two-dimensional CuInP(2)S(6) (CIPS) nanosheet as a new agent against SARS-CoV-2 infection. CIPS exhibits an extremely high and selective binding capacity (dissociation constant (K(D)) < 1 pM) for the receptor binding domain of the spike…

• Honghua extract mediated potent inhibition of COVID-19 host cell pathways - Honghua (Carthami flos) and Xihonghua (Croci stigma) have been used in anti-COVID-19 as Traditional Chinese Medicine, but the mechanism is unclear. In this study, we applied network pharmacology by analysis of active compounds and compound-targets networks, enzyme kinetics assay, signaling pathway analysis and investigated the potential mechanisms of anti-COVID-19. We found that both herbs act on signaling including kinases, response to inflammation and virus. Moreover, crocin likely has an…

• Association between antidepressant use and ED or hospital visits in outpatients with SARS-CoV-2 - Antidepressants have previously been associated with better outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, but their effect on clinical deterioration among ambulatory patients has not been fully explored. The objective of this study was to assess whether antidepressant exposure was associated with reduced emergency department (ED) or hospital visits among ambulatory patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. This retrospective cohort study included adult patients (N = 25 034) with a positive…

• Aptamers targeting SARS-COV-2: a promising tool to fight against COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, remains among the main causes of global mortality. Although antigen/antibody-based immunoassays and neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 have been successfully developed over the past 2 years, they are often inefficient and unreliable for emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Novel approaches against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants are therefore urgently needed. Aptamers have been developed for the detection and inhibition of several different viruses…

• Evaluation of the active constituents of Nilavembu Kudineer for viral replication inhibition against SARS-CoV-2: An approach to targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) - The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic and emerging threat to people in the 21st century. SARS-CoV-2 constitutes RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRp) viral proteins, a critical target in the viral replication process. No FDA-approved drug is currently available, and there is a high demand for therapeutic strategies against COVID-19. In search of the anti-COVID-19 compound from traditional medicine, we evaluated the active moieties…

• Hesperetin as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent can inhibit COVID-19-associated cancer progression by suppressing intracellular signaling pathways - Hesperetin, an aglycone metabolite of hesperidin with high bioavailability, recently gained attention due to its anti-COVID-19 and anti-cancer properties. Multiple studies revealed that cancer patients are prone to experience a severe form of COVID-19 and higher mortality risk. In addition, studies suggested that COVID-19 can potentially lead to cancer progression through multiple mechanisms. This study proposes that hesperetin not only can be used as an anti-COVID-19 agent but also can reduce…

• SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like Protease: Structure, Function and Inhibition - Emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 and potential novel epidemic coronaviruses underline the importance of investigating various viral proteins as potential drug targets. The papain-like protease of coronaviruses has been less explored than other viral proteins; however, its substantive role in viral replication and impact on the host immune response make it a suitable target to study. This review article focuses on the structure and function of the papain-like protease (PLpro) of SARS-CoV-2,…

• Phytochemical drug discovery for COVID-19 using high-resolution computational docking and machine learning assisted binder prediction - The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths around the world. Multiple vaccines are in use, but there are many underserved locations that do not have adequate access to them. Variants may emerge that are highly resistant to existing vaccines, and therefore cheap and readily obtainable therapeutics are needed. Phytochemicals, or plant chemicals, can possibly be such therapeutics. Phytochemicals can be used in a polypharmacological approach, where multiple viral proteins are inhibited…

• CADD Studies in the Discovery of Potential ARI (Aldose Reductase Inhibitors) Agents for the Treatment of Diabetic Complications - The lack of currently available drugs for the treatment of diabetes complications has stimulated our interest in finding new Aldose Reductase inhibitors (ARIs) with more beneficial biological properties. One metabolic method by the use of aldose reductase inhibitors in the first step of the polyol pathway. to control excess glucose flux in diabetic tissues. Computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) plays a key role in finding and optimizing potential lead substances. AR inhibitors (ARI) have been…

• Wearing the face mask affects our social attention over space - Recent studies suggest that covering the face inhibits the recognition of identity and emotional expressions. However, it might also make the eyes more salient, since they are a reliable index to orient our social and spatial attention. This study investigates (1) whether the pervasive interaction with people with face masks fostered by the COVID-19 pandemic modulates the processing of spatial information essential to shift attention according to other’s eye-gaze direction (i.e., gaze-cueing…

• Anti-human ACE2 antibody neutralizes and inhibits virus production of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern - The global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is a major public health problem. Virus entry occurs via binding to ACE2. Five SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) were reported so far, all having immune escape characteristics. Infection with the current VOC Omicron were noticed in immunized and recovered individuals, therefore development of new treatments against VOC infections are urgently needed. Most approved mAbs treatments against SARS-CoV-2 are directed against the spike protein of the…

• Identification of potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 infection by combined pharmacological evaluation and cellular network prioritization - Pharmacologically active compounds with known biological targets were evaluated for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell and tissue models to help identify potent classes of active small molecules and to better understand host-virus interactions. We evaluated 6710 clinical and preclinical compounds targeting 2183 host proteins by immunocytofluorescence-based screening to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibitors. Computationally integrating relationships between small molecule structure,…

• NOTCH signaling in COVID-19: a central hub controlling genes, proteins, and cells that mediate SARS-CoV-2 entry, the inflammatory response, and lung regeneration - In the lungs of infected individuals, the downstream molecular signaling pathways induced by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are incompletely understood. Here, we describe and examine predictions of a model in which NOTCH may represent a central signaling axis in lung infection in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). A pathway involving NOTCH signaling, furin, ADAM17, and ACE2 may be capable of increasing SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and infection. NOTCH signaling can also…

From Patent Search