Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Quantifying the real-life impacts of vaccination on critical COVID-19 -
  The effectiveness of individual prophylaxis of symptomatic or severe COVID-19 by anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is now well established. However, real-life quantification of the vaccine impact on critical COVID-19 forms – which require critical care and may lead to death – is still lacking, especially because simultaneous reduction in community spread has to be accounted for. In this study, we use an epidemiological model tailored to capture hospital dynamics in France to investigate counterfactual scenarios, including purely collective and purely individual vaccines. The model estimates the transmissibility reduction from breakthrough infections to 43% ([32 – 55]% 95%-likelihood interval) and that 39,100 critical care stays ([26,100 – 57,100] 95% confidence interval) and 47,400 ([36,200-62,800]) hospital deaths have been prevented by the French vaccination campaign by August 20 2021 – respectively corresponding to 46% and 57% relative preventions of these outcomes. Furthermore, we show that most of the critical COVID-19 forms have been prevented by the collective component of the vaccine rather than individual prophylaxis, despite its greater effectiveness. These results are in line with the accelerating decrease in fatality ratio with vaccine coverage we highlight in worldwide data.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Quantifying the real-life impacts of vaccination on critical COVID-19
• A vimentin-targeting oral compound with host-directed antiviral and anti-inflammatory actions addresses multiple features of COVID-19 and related diseases -
  Damage in COVID-19 results from both the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its triggered overreactive host immune responses. Therapeutic agents that focus solely on reducing viral load or hyperinflammation fail to provide satisfying outcomes in all cases. Although viral and cellular factors have been extensively profiled to identify potential anti-COVID targets, new drugs with significant efficacy remain to be developed. Here, we report the potent preclinical efficacy of ALD-R491, a vimentin-targeting small molecule compound, in treating COVID-19 through its host-directed antiviral and anti- inflammatory actions. We found that by altering the physical properties of vimentin filaments, ALD-491 affected general cellular processes as well as specific cellular functions relevant to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Specifically, ALD-R491 reduced endocytosis, endosomal trafficking, and exosomal release, thus impeding the entry and egress of the virus; increased the microcidal capacity of macrophages, thus facilitating the pathogen clearance; and enhanced the activity of regulatory T cells, therefore suppressing the overreactive immune responses. In cultured cells, ALD-R491 potently inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and human ACE2-mediated pseudoviral infection. In aged mice with ongoing, productive SARS-CoV-2 infection, ALD-R491 reduced disease symptoms as well as lung damage. In rats, ALD-R491 also reduced bleomycin-induced lung injury and fibrosis. Our results indicate a unique mechanism and significant therapeutic potential for ALD-R491 against COVID-19. We anticipate that ALD-R491, an oral, fast-acting, and non-toxic agent targeting the cellular protein with multipart actions, will be convenient, safe, and broadly effective, regardless of viral mutations, for patients with early- or late-stage disease, post-COVID complications and other related diseases.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A vimentin-targeting oral compound with host-directed antiviral and anti-inflammatory actions addresses multiple features of COVID-19 and related diseases
• Influence of age on the effectiveness and duration of protection in Vaxzevria and CoronaVac vaccines -

  Background High rates of virus transmission and the presence of variants of concern can affect vaccine effectiveness (VE). Both conditions occur in low-income countries, which primarily use viral vector or inactivated virus vaccine technologies. Such countries conducted few VE analyses, and most lack the power to evaluate effectiveness in subgroups. Methods The present retrospective cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of Vaxzevria and CoronaVac vaccines for COVID-19-related infection in 75,919,840 Brazilian vaccinees from January 18 to July 24, 2021. Study outcomes included documented infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), COVID-19-related hospitalization, ICU admission, and death. We estimated VE using Cox regression adjusted for individual demographic characteristics. Results Vaccination with Vaxzevria or CoronaVac was effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection and highly effective against hospitalization, ICU admission, and death in individuals up to 79 years. From 80-89 years of age, Vaxzevria led to 89.9%(95CI:87.7-91.7) VE against death versus 67.2%(95CI:63.6-70.5) for CoronaVac. Above 90 years, 65.4%(95CI:46.1-77.8) protection was conferred to Vaxzevria-vaccinated individuals versus 33.6%(95CI:21.9-43.5) in CoronaVac-vaccinated individuals. Furthermore, the post-vaccination daily incidence rate shows a stepwise increase from younger to elder decades of life. Conclusions Vaxzevria demonstrated overall effectiveness against severe COVID-19 up to 89 years and CoronaVac up to 79 years of age. There is a stepwise effectiveness reduction for both vaccines for each decade of life. Our results suggest that individuals aged 80 years or older may benefit from an expedited booster dose. Ongoing evaluations, including any additional vaccines authorized, are crucial to monitoring long-term vaccine effectiveness.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Influence of age on the effectiveness and duration of protection in Vaxzevria and CoronaVac vaccines
• Epitopedia: identifying molecular mimicry of known immune epitopes -
  Motivation: Upon infection, pathogen epitopes stimulate the host immune system to produce antibodies targeting the pathogen. Molecular mimicry (structural similarity) between an infecting pathogen and host proteins or pathogenic proteins the host has previously encountered can impact the immune response of the host. The ability to identify potential molecular mimicry for a pathogen can illuminate immune effects with importance to pathogen treatment and vaccine design. Summary: Epitopedia allows for identification of regions with three-dimensional molecular mimicry between a protein in a pathogen with known epitopes in the host. Results: SARS-CoV-2 Spike returns molecular mimicry with 14 different epitopes including integrin beta-1 from Homo sapiens, lethal factor precursor from Bacillus anthracis, and pollen allergen Phl p 2 from Timothy grass. Availability: Epitopedia is primarily written in Python and relies on established software and databases. Epitopedia is available at https://github.com/cbalbin-FIU/Epitopedia under the opensource MIT license and is also packaged as a docker container at https://hub.docker.com/r/cbalbin/epitopedia.

• From Alpha to Zeta: Identifying variants and subtypes of SARS-CoV-2 via clustering -
  The availability of millions of SARS-CoV-2 sequences in public databases such as GISAID and EMBL-EBI (UK) allows a detailed study of the evolution, genomic diversity and dynamics of a virus like never before. Here we identify novel variants and subtypes of SARS-CoV-2 by clustering sequences in adapting methods originally designed for haplotyping intra-host viral populations. We asses our results using clustering entropy — the first time it has been used in this context. Our clustering approach reaches lower entropies compared to other methods, and we are able to boost this even further through gap filling and Monte Carlo based entropy minimization. Moreover, our method clearly identifies the well-known Alpha variant in the UK and GISAID datasets, but is also able to detect the much less represented (<1% of the sequences) Beta (South Africa), Epsilon (California), Gamma and Zeta (Brazil) variants in the GISAID dataset. Finally, we show that each variant identified has high selective fitness, based on the growth rate of its cluster over time. This demonstrates that our clustering approach is a viable alternative for detecting even rare subtypes in very large datasets.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: From Alpha to Zeta: Identifying variants and subtypes of SARS-CoV-2 via clustering
• Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Might be Preferred Over Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in COVID-19 Management -
  A recent meta-analysis has suggested that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors might possess more benefit over angiotensin receptor blockers regarding the likelihood of COVID-19 infection and non-COVID pneumonia induced mortality. We present a clinical and pharmacological COVID-19 contradictory point of view, and we also recommend extreme caution when clinical recommendations are considered.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Might be Preferred Over Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in COVID-19 Management
• Waning of BNT162b2 vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in Qatar -

  BACKGROUND: Waning of vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 disease is a concern. This study investigated persistence of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine effectiveness against infection and disease in Qatar, where the Beta and Delta variants have dominated incidence and PCR testing is done at a mass scale. METHODS: A matched test-negative, case-control study design was used to estimate vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection and against any severe, critical, or fatal COVID-19 disease, between January 1, 2021 to August 15, 2021. RESULTS: Estimated BNT162b2 effectiveness against any infection, asymptomatic or symptomatic, was negligible for the first two weeks after the first dose, increased to 36.5% (95% CI: 33.1-39.8) in the third week after the first dose, and reached its peak at 72.1% (95% CI: 70.9-73.2) in the first five weeks after the second dose. Effectiveness declined gradually thereafter, with the decline accelerating ≥15 weeks after the second dose, reaching diminished levels of protection by the 20th week. Effectiveness against symptomatic infection was higher than against asymptomatic infection, but still waned in the same fashion. Effectiveness against any severe, critical, or fatal disease increased rapidly to 67.7% (95% CI: 59.1-74.7) by the third week after the first dose, and reached 95.4% (95% CI: 93.4-96.9) in the first five weeks after the second dose, where it persisted at about this level for six months. CONCLUSIONS: BNT162b2-induced protection against infection appears to wane rapidly after its peak right after the second dose, but it persists at a robust level against hospitalization and death for at least six months following the second dose.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Waning of BNT162b2 vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in Qatar
• Theoretical causes of the Brazilian P.1 and P.2 lineages of the SARS-CoV-2 virus through molecular dynamics -
  The novel coronavirus has been causing sad losses around the world and the emergence of new variants has caused great concern. This pandemic is of a proportion not seen since the Spanish Flu in 1918. Thus, throughout this research, the B.1.1.28 lineage of the P.1 clade (K417T, N501Y, E484K) that emerged in Brazil was studied, as well as the latest Delta variant. This is because the molecular mechanisms by which phenotypic changes in transmissibility or mortality remain unknown. Through molecular dynamics simulations with the NAMD 3 algorithm in the 50ns interval, it was possible to understand the impact on structural stabilization on the interaction of the ACE2-RBD complex, as well as simulations in 30ns for the neutralizing antibody P2B-2F6, with this antibody was derived from immune cells from patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Although not all molecular dynamics analyzes support the hypothesis of greater stability in the face of mutations, there was a predominance of low fluctuations. Thus, 3 (three) analyzes corroborate the hypothesis of greater ACE2-RBD stability as a result of P.1, among them: Low mean RMSF values, greater formation of hydrogen bonds and low solvent exposure measured by the SASA value. An inverse behavior occurs in the interaction with neutralizing antibodies, since the mutations induce greater instability and thus hinder the recognition of antibodies in neutralizing the Spike protein, where we noticed a smaller number of hydrogen bonds as a result of P.1. Through MM-PBSA energy decomposition, we found that Van der Waals interactions predominated and were more favorable when the structure has P.1 strain mutations. Therefore, we believe that greater stabilization of the ACE2-RBD complex may be a plausible explanation for why some mutations are converging in different strains, such as E484K and N501Y. The P.1 concern variant still makes the Spike protein recognizable by antibodies, and therefore, even if the vaccines’ efficacy can be diminished, there are no results in the literature that nullify them.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Theoretical causes of the Brazilian P.1 and P.2 lineages of the SARS-CoV-2 virus through molecular dynamics
• Neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants in vaccinated Ontario long-term care home residents and workers -

  Prioritizing Ontario9s long-term care home (LTCH) residents for vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has drastically reduced their disease burden; however, recent LTCH outbreaks of variants of concern (VOCs) have raised questions regarding their immune responses. In 199 residents, mRNA vaccine dose 1 elicited partial spike and receptor binding domain antibody responses, while the second elicited a response at least equivalent to convalescent individuals in most residents. Residents administered mRNA-1273 (Moderna) mounted stronger total and neutralizing antibody responses than those administered BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech). Two to four weeks after dose 2, residents (n = 119, median age 88) produced 4.92-6.5-fold fewer neutralizing antibodies than staff (n = 78; median age 45) against wild-type (with D614G) pseudotyped lentivirus, and residents administered BNT162b2 produced 2.95-fold fewer neutralizing antibodies than those who received mRNA-1273. These effects were exacerbated upon serum challenge with pseudotyped VOC spike, with up to 6.64-fold reductions in B.1.351 (Beta) neutralization. Cumulatively, weaker vaccine stimulation, age/comorbidities, and the VOC produced an ~130-fold reduction in apparent neutralization titers in LTCH residents and 37.9% of BNT162b2-vaccinated residents had undetectable neutralizing antibodies to B.1.351. Continued immune response surveillance and additional vaccine doses may be required in this population with known vulnerabilities.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants in vaccinated Ontario long-term care home residents and workers
• NUTRITIONAL IMMUNITY, ZINC SUFFICIENCY AND COVID-19 MORTALITY IN SOCIALLY SIMILAR EUROPEAN POPULATIONS -

  The impact of Zinc (Zn) sufficiency/supplementation on COVID-19 associated mortality and incidence (SARS-CoV-2 infections) remains unknown. During an infection, the levels of free Zn are reduced as part of 9nutritional immunity9 to limit the growth and replication of pathogen and the ensuing inflammatory damage. Considering its key role in immune competency and frequently recorded deficiency in large sections of different populations, Zn has been prescribed for both prophylactic and therapeutic purposes in COVID-19 without any corroborating evidence for its protective role. Multiple trials are underway evaluating the effect of Zn supplementation on COVID-19 outcome in patients getting standard of care treatment. However, the trial designs presumably lack the power to identify negative effects of Zn supplementation, especially in the vulnerable groups of elderly and patients with comorbidities (contributing 9 out of 10 deaths; up to >8000-fold higher mortality). In this study, we have analyzed COVID-19 mortality and incidence (case) data from 23 socially similar European populations with comparable confounders (population: 522.47 million; experiencing up to >150 fold difference in death rates) and at the matching stage of the pandemic (12 March - 26 June 2020; 1st wave of COVID-19 incidence and mortality). Our results suggest a positive correlation between populations′ Zn-sufficiency status and COVID-19 mortality (r(23): 0.7893-0.6849, p-value<0.0003) as well as incidence [r(23):0.8084-0.5658; p-value<0.005]. The observed association is contrary to what would be expected if Zn sufficiency was protective in COVID-19. Thus, controlled trials or retrospective analyses of the adverse event patients9 data should be undertaken to correctly guide the practice of Zn supplementation in COVID-19.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: NUTRITIONAL IMMUNITY, ZINC SUFFICIENCY AND COVID-19 MORTALITY IN SOCIALLY SIMILAR EUROPEAN POPULATIONS
• Predicting COVID-19 Incidences from Patients Viral Load using Deep-Learning -

  The transmission of the contagious COVID-19 is known to be highly dependent on individual viral dynamics. Since the cycle threshold (Ct) isthe only semi-quantitative viral measurement that could reflect infectivity, we utilized Ct values to forecast COVID-19 incidences. Our COVID-19 cohort (n=9531), retrieved from a single representative cross- sectional virology test center in Lebanon, revealed that low daily mean Ct values are followed by an increase in the number of national positive COVID-19 cases. A subset of the data was used to develop a deep neural network model, tune its hyperparameters, and optimize the weights for minimal mean square error of prediction. The final model s accuracy is reported by comparing its predictions with an unseen dataset. Our model was the first to capture the interaction of the previously reported Ct values with the upcoming number of COVID-19 cases and any temporal effects that arise from population dynamics. Our model was deployed as a publicly available and easy-to-use estimator to facilitate prospective validation. Our model has potential application in predicting COVID-19 incidences in other countries and in assessing post-vaccination policies. Aside from emphasizing patient responsibility in adopting early testing practices, this study proposed and validated viral load measurement as a rigid input that can enhance outcomes and precision of viral disease predicting models.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Predicting COVID-19 Incidences from Patients Viral Load using Deep-Learning
• An in-depth statistical analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic’s initial spread in the WHO African region -

  Objective: To quantify the initial spread of COVID-19 in the WHO African region, and to investigate the possible drivers responsible for variation in the epidemic among member states. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: COVID-19 daily case and death data from the initial case through 29 November 2020. Participants: 46 countries comprising the WHO African region. Main outcome measures: We used five pandemic response indicators for each country: speed at which the pandemic reached the country, speed at which the first 50 cases accumulated, maximum monthly attack rate, cumulative attack rate, and crude case fatality ratio (CFR). We studied the effect of 13 predictor variables on the country-level variation in them using a principal component analysis, followed by regression. Results: Countries with higher tourism activities, GDP per capita, and proportion of older people had higher monthly (p < 0.001) and cumulative attack rates (p < 0.001) and lower CFRs (p = 0.052). Countries having more stringent early COVID-19 response policies experienced greater delay in arrival of the first case (p < 0.001). The speed at which the first 50 cases occurred was slower in countries whose neighbors had higher cumulative attack rates (p = 0.06). Conclusions: While global connectivity and tourism could facilitate the spread of airborne infectious agents, the observed differences in attack rates between African countries might also be due to differences in testing capacities or age distribution. Wealthy countries managed to minimize adverse outcomes. Further, careful and early implementation of strict government policies, such as restricting tourism, could be pivotal to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidently, good quality data and sufficient testing capacities are essential to unravel the epidemiology of an outbreak. We thus urge decision-makers to reduce these barriers to ensure rapid responses to future threats to public health and economic stability.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: An in-depth statistical analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic’s initial spread in the WHO African region
• Structural remodeling of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein glycans reveals the regulatory roles in receptor binding affinity -
  Glycans of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein are speculated to play functional roles in the infection processes as they extensively cover the protein surface and are highly conserved across the variants. To date, the spike protein has become the principal target for vaccine and therapeutic development while the exact effects of its glycosylation remain elusive. Experimental reports have described the heterogeneity of the spike protein glycosylation profile. Subsequent molecular simulation studies provided a knowledge basis of the glycan functions. However, there are no studies to date on the role of discrete glycoforms on the spike protein pathobiology. Building an understanding of its role in SARS- CoV-2 is important as we continue to develop effective medicines and vaccines to combat the disease. Herein, we used designed combinations of glycoengineering enzymes to simplify and control the glycosylation profile of the spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD). Measurements of the receptor binding affinity revealed the regulatory effects of the RBD glycans. Remarkably, opposite effects were observed from differently remodeled glycans, which presents a potential strategy for modulating the spike protein behaviors through glycoengineering. Moreover, we found that the reported anti- SARS-CoV-(2) antibody, S309, neutralizes the impact of different RBD glycoforms on the receptor binding affinity. Overall, this work reports the regulatory roles that glycosylation plays in the interaction between the viral spike protein and host receptor, providing new insights into the nature of SARS-CoV-2. Beyond this study, enzymatic remodeling of glycosylation offers the opportunity to understand the fundamental role of specific glycoforms on glycoconjugates across molecular biology.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Structural remodeling of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein glycans reveals the regulatory roles in receptor binding affinity
• Using telehealth consultations for healthcare provision to patients from racial/ethnic minorities: A systematic review -

  Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rapid adoption of telehealth consultations, potentially creating new barriers to healthcare access for racial/ethnic minorities. This systematic review explored the use of telehealth consultations for people from racial/ethnic minority populations in relation to health outcomes, access to care, implementation facilitators and barriers, and satisfaction with care. Materials and Methods: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Five major databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Screening, full-text review, quality appraisal and data extraction were all completed independently and in duplicate. A convergent integrated approach to data synthesis was applied with findings reported narratively. Results: A total of 28 studies met the inclusion criteria. Telehealth- delivered interventions were mostly effective for the treatment/management of physical and mental health conditions including depression, diabetes and hypertension. In several studies, telehealth improved access to care by providing financial and time benefits to patients. Technological difficulties were the main barriers to effective telehealth consultation, although overall satisfaction with telehealth-delivered care was high. Discussion Telehealth-delivered care for racial/ethnic minorities offers promise across a range of conditions and outcomes, particularly when delivered in the patient preferred language. However, telehealth may be problematic for some due to cost and limited digital and health literacy. Conclusion: The development and implementation of guidelines, policies and practices in relation to telehealth consultations for racial/ethnic minorities should consider the barriers and facilitators identified in this review to ensure existing health disparities are not exacerbated.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Using telehealth consultations for healthcare provision to patients from racial/ethnic minorities: A systematic review
• The relationship between COVID-19-specific health risk beliefs and the motivation to quit smoking: a UK-based survey -
  Background: In some individuals who smoke the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an increase in the motivation to quit smoking, due to the higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection. However, this change is not universal, and the motivation to quit appears dependent upon factors such as fear of COVID-19 and perceived risk from COVID-19. In the current investigation, both COVID-19 severity and infection probability beliefs were measured to isolate which beliefs correlated with the motivation to quit smoking. Methods: UK-based smokers (N = 243) completed an online survey between September and October 2020, in which they reported their current motivation to quit smoking, fear of COVID-19, and their beliefs about how severe COVID-19 infection would be and how probable COVID-19 infection was. Results: The only significant predictor of the motivation to quit smoking was the perceived probability of COVID-19 infection, β = .22, p < .001, 95CI[.10, .34]. This relationship remained when controlling for the general perceived probability and severity of other smoking-related health conditions, β = .20, p = .002, 95CI[.08,.32], suggesting a COVID-19-specific effect. Further, perceived probability of COVID-19 infection mediated the positive impact of fear of COVID-19 on motivation, β = .07, p = .006, 95CI[.03,.13]. Conclusions: The result places the perceived probability of COVID-19 infection as a central predictor of motivation to quit during the pandemic. Based on this evidence, messaging aiming to facilitate smoking cessation during the pandemic should focus on the highly contagious nature of the virus to increase the motivation to quit.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The relationship between COVID-19-specific health risk beliefs and the motivation to quit smoking: a UK-based survey

From Clinical Trials

• A Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Proxalutamide (GT0918) in Hospitalized Subjects With COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: GT0918;   Drug: Standard of care;   Drug: Matching placebo
  Sponsor:   Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceutical Inc,
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study of PF-07321332/Ritonavir in Non-hospitalized Low-Risk Adult Participants With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: PF-07321332;   Drug: Ritonavir;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Pfizer
  Not yet recruiting

• Targeting de Novo Pyrimidine Biosynthesis by Leflunomide for the Treatment of COVID-19 Virus Disease - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: leflunomide
  Sponsor:  
  Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust
  Active, not recruiting

• Andrographis Paniculata vs Boesenbergia Rotunda vs Control in Asymptomatic COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Andrographis Paniculata;   Drug: Boesenbergia;   Other: Standard supportive treatment
  Sponsors:   Mahidol University;   Ministry of Health, Thailand
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy of PJS-539 for Adult Patients With COVID-19. - Conditions:   Covid19;   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Interventions:   Drug: PJS-539 Dose 1;   Drug: PJS-539 Dose 2;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:   Hospital do Coracao;   Covicept
  Not yet recruiting

• Enhancing COVID Rehabilitation With Technology - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Behavioral: NexJ Connected Wellness;   Other: Usual Care
  Sponsors:   University of Ottawa;   Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR);   Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
  Not yet recruiting

• Phase I/II Clinical Trial of Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (Sf9 Cells) in Children and Adolescents - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells);   Other: Placebo control
  Sponsors:   WestVac Biopharma Co., Ltd.;   West China Hospital
  Not yet recruiting

• Treatment of Covid-19 With a Herbal Compound, Xagrotin - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Combination Product: Xagrotin
  Sponsors:  
  Biomad AS;   Directorate of health of Sulaimani, Iraq -KRG
  Completed

• Philippine Trial to Determine Efficacy and Safety of Favipiravir for COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Combination Product: Favipiravir + Standard of Care;   Procedure: Standard of Care
  Sponsors:   University of the Philippines;   Department of Health, Philippines
  Recruiting

• Evaluation of the Effects of Bradykinin Antagonists on Pulmonary Manifestations of COVID-19 Infections (AntagoBrad- Cov Study). - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: C1 Inhibitor Human;   Drug: Icatibant Injection;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsor:   GCS Ramsay Santé pour l’Enseignement et la Recherche
  Completed

• Combination of Dietary Supplements Curcumin, Quercetin and Vitamin D for Early Symptoms of COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Standard of care;   Dietary Supplement: combination of curcumin, quercetin and Vitamin D
  Sponsor:   Ayub Teaching Hospital
  Not yet recruiting

• Evaluation of Safety and Immunogenicity of a Novel Vaccine for Prevention of Covid-19 in Adults Previously Immunized - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Biological: A vaccine composed of a recombinant S1 antigen
  Sponsors:   Hospital do Coracao;   Farmacore Biotecnologia Ltda
  Withdrawn

• Preventive Dendritic Cell Vaccine, AV-COVID-19, in Subjects Not Actively Infected With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Biological: AV-COVID-19
  Sponsors:  
  Aivita Biomedical, Inc.;   PT AIVITA Biomedika Indonesia;   Kariadi Hospital;   Central Army Hospital RSPAD Gatot Soebroto
  Completed

• Phase 3 Clinical Study Evaluating Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) Efficacy To Treat and Prevent the Exacerbation of Infection in Individuals With Documented Asymptomatic or Mild COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: to be given as a treatment
  Sponsor:  
  Salmaniya Medical Complex
  Recruiting

• A Phase I Study to Determine Safety and Immunogenicity of the Candidate COVID-19 Vaccine AZD1222 Delivered by Aerosol in Healthy Adult Volunteers - Conditions:   Covid19;   SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  Interventions:   Biological: 1x10^9 vp AZD1222;   Biological: 5x10^9 vp AZD1222;   Biological: 1x10^10 vp AZD1222
  Sponsors:   Imperial College London;   University of Oxford;   AstraZeneca
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• Algal polysaccharide’s potential to combat respiratory infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens biofilms - The growth of respiratory diseases, as witnessed through the SARS and COVID-19 outbreaks, and antimicrobial-resistance together pose a serious threat to humanity. One reason for antimicrobial resistance is formation of bacterial biofilms. In this study the sulphated polysaccharides from green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Cr-SPs) is tested for its antibacterial and antibiofilm potential against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens. Agar cup assay clearly indicated the antibacterial…

• Phytomolecules Repurposed as Covid-19 Inhibitors: Opportunity and Challenges - The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread worldwide to cause a full blown pandemic since 2020. To date, several promising synthetic therapeutics are repurposed and vaccines through different stages of clinical trials were approved and being administered, but still the efficacy of the drugs and vaccines are yet to be decoded. This article highlights the importance of traditional medicinal plants and the phytomolecules derived from them, which possess in vitro antiviral and anti-CoV properties and further…

• AHR signaling is induced by infection with coronaviruses - Coronavirus infection in humans is usually associated to respiratory tract illnesses, ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening respiratory failure. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was recently identified as a host factor for Zika and dengue viruses; AHR antagonists boost antiviral immunity, decrease viral titers and ameliorate Zika-induced pathology in vivo. Here we report that AHR is activated by infection with different coronaviruses, potentially impacting antiviral immunity and…

• Emotional states and coping methods in nursing and non-nursing students responding to COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in China - CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 affected the emotional status of nursing and non-nursing students. The emotional status was correlated with the emotional regulation and coping methods. Staff involved in the nursing professionals should pay attention to the psychological status of the nursing and non-nursing students, and give moderate psychological interference in the presence of COVID-19.

• Low-Dose Colchicine for the Management of Coronary Artery Disease - No abstract

• Iterated Virtual Screening-Assisted Antiviral and Enzyme Inhibition Assays Reveal the Discovery of Novel Promising Anti-SARS-CoV-2 with Dual Activity - Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still a threat to humankind and has a dramatic impact on human health, social life, the world economy, and food security. With the limited number of suggested therapies under clinical trials, the discovery of novel therapeutic agents is essential. Here, a previously identified anti-SARS-CoV-2 compound named Compound 13 (1,2,5-Oxadiazole-3-carboximidic acid, 4,4’-(methylenediimino) bis,bis[[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene]hydrazide) was subjected to an iterated virtual…

• Putative Role of Vitamin D for COVID-19 Vaccination - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a new, highly pathogenic virus that has recently elicited a global pandemic called the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 is characterized by significant immune dysfunction, which is caused by strong but unregulated innate immunity with depressed adaptive immunity. Reduced and delayed responses to interferons (IFN-I/IFN-III) can increase the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and extensive immune cell infiltration into the…

• “Molecular Masks” for ACE2 to Effectively and Safely Block SARS-CoV-2 Virus Entry - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global health crisis, despite the development and success of vaccines in certain countries. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, uses its spike protein to bind to the human cell surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which allows the virus to enter the human body. Using our unique cell screening technology, we identified two ACE2-binding peptoid compounds and developed dimeric…

• SARS-CoV-2: Understanding the Transcriptional Regulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and the Role of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) at Codon 72 of p53 in the Innate Immune Response against Virus Infection - Human ACE2 and the serine protease TMPRSS2 of novel SARS-CoV-2 are primary entry receptors in host cells. Expression of these genes at the transcriptional level has not been much discussed in detail. The ISRE elements of the ACE2 promoter are a binding site for the ISGF3 complex of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. TMPRSS2, including IFNβ, STAT1, and STAT2, has the PARP1 binding site near to TSS either up or downstream promoter region. It is well documented that PARP1 regulates gene expression at…

• Melatonin as a Potential Adjuvant Treatment for COVID-19 beyond Sleep Disorders - Melatonin is registered to treat circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders and insomnia in patients aged 55 years and over. The essential role of the circadian sleep rhythm in the deterioration of sleep quality during COVID-19 confinement and the lack of an adverse effect of melatonin on respiratory drive indicate that melatonin has the potential to be a recommended treatment for sleep disturbances related to COVID-19. This review article describes the effects of melatonin additional to its…

• Geraniin Inhibits the Entry of SARS-CoV-2 by Blocking the Interaction between Spike Protein RBD and Human ACE2 Receptor - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2). Despite the development of vaccines, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the absence of effective therapeutics demand the continual investigation of COVID-19. Natural products containing active ingredients may be good therapeutic candidates. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of geraniin, the main ingredient in medical plants Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus…

• Non-Toxic Dimeric Peptides Derived from the Bothropstoxin-I Are Potent SARS-CoV-2 and Papain-like Protease Inhibitors - The COVID-19 outbreak has rapidly spread on a global scale, affecting the economy and public health systems throughout the world. In recent years, peptide-based therapeutics have been widely studied and developed to treat infectious diseases, including viral infections. Herein, the antiviral effects of the lysine linked dimer des-Cys^(11), Lys^(12),Lys(13)-(pBthTX-I)(2)K ((pBthTX-I)(2)K)) and derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 are reported. The lead peptide (pBthTX-I)(2)K and derivatives showed…

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Inactivation Activity of the Polyphenol-Rich Tea Leaf Extract with Concentrated Theaflavins and Other Virucidal Catechins - Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is producing a large number of infections and deaths globally, the development of supportive and auxiliary treatments is attracting increasing attention. Here, we evaluated SARS-CoV-2-inactivation activity of the polyphenol-rich tea leaf extract TY-1 containing concentrated theaflavins and other virucidal catechins. The TY-1 was mixed with SARS-CoV-2 solution, and its virucidal activity was evaluated. To evaluate the inhibition…

• Inhibition of Cysteine Proteases by 6,6’-Dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) from Nuphar lutea - The specificity of inhibition by 6,6’-dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) on cysteine proteases was demonstrated in this work. There were differences in the extent of inhibition, reflecting active site structural-steric and biochemical differences. Cathepsin S (IC(50) = 3.2 μM) was most sensitive to inhibition by DTBN compared to Cathepsin B, L and papain (IC(50) = 1359.4, 13.2 and 70.4 μM respectively). DTBN is inactive for the inhibition of M^(pro) of SARS-CoV-2. Docking simulations suggested a…

• The New Generation hDHODH Inhibitor MEDS433 Hinders the In Vitro Replication of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Human Coronaviruses - Although coronaviruses (CoVs) have long been predicted to cause zoonotic diseases and pandemics with high probability, the lack of effective anti-pan-CoVs drugs rapidly usable against the emerging SARS-CoV-2 actually prevented a promptly therapeutic intervention for COVID-19. Development of host-targeting antivirals could be an alternative strategy for the control of emerging CoVs infections, as they could be quickly repositioned from one pandemic event to another. To contribute to these…

From Patent Search

• Anti-Sars-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibodies - - link

• Expression Vector for Anti-Sars-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibodies - - link

• DEVELOPMENT OF CNN SCHEME FOR COVID-19 DISEASE DETECTION USING CHEST RADIOGRAPH - - link

• SARS-COV-2 BINDING PROTEINS - - link

• A PROCESS FOR PREPARING MONTELUKAST SODIUM FOR TREATING COVID 19 PATIENTS - - link

• IDENTIFICATION OF ANTI-COVID 19 AGENT SOMNIFERINE AS INHIBITOR OF MPRO & ACE2-RBD INTERACTION - - link

• Deep Learning Based System For Detection of Covid-19 Disease of Patient At Infection Risk. - - link

• 자외선살균등 - 본 발명은 사람의 의복이나 사용한 마스크 등에 부착하여 있다 호흡기로 유입되어 감염을 유발할 수 있는 COVID-19와 같은 유해균류를 간편하게 살균하기 위한 휴대용 자와선살균등에 관한 것이다. 반감기가 길고 인체에 유해한 오존을 발생하지 않으면서 탁월한 살균능력이 있는 250~265nm(최적은 253.7nm) 파장의 자외선을 발광하는 자외선램프를 본 발명의 막대형의 자외선살균등 광원으로 사용하고 비광원부를 손으로 잡고 의복이나 사용한 마스크 등 유해균류가 부착되었을 것으로 의심되는 곳에 자외선을 조사하여 간편하게 유해균류를 살균하므로써 감염을 예방하기 위한 휴대용 자외선살균등에 관함 것이다. - link

• Protein chip and kit for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 S antigen - - link

• 一种新冠病毒疫苗的表达载体及其构建方法、应用和疫苗 - 本发明适用于生物技术领域，提供了一种新冠病毒疫苗的表达载体及其构建方法、应用和疫苗，该表达载体的构建方法包括以下步骤：将表达新冠病毒S蛋白与NP蛋白的核苷酸序列使用2A肽进行连接，合成融合基因；在融合基因的两端分别包含两个酶切位点，并装载到质粒，得到重组质粒；对重组质粒进行双酶切，切胶回收目的基因片段；对原始的质粒进行双酶切，切胶回收载体片段；将目的基因片段和载体片段进行连接，得到所述表达载体。本发明实施例通过同时表达冠状病毒S蛋白受体结合区与NP蛋白，使该表达载体感染的细胞不但可以诱导抗体反应还能诱导T细胞反应，从而有效诱导体液免疫和细胞免疫，为受试者提供更强的免疫保护。 - link