Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• The use of digital technologies by people with mild to moderate dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A positive technology perspective -
  A growing body of research has shown that people with dementia are using digital technologies to enhance lived experience. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new digital opportunities and challenges and so provides a unique opportunity to understand how people with dementia have adapted to this new digital landscape. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 people with dementia and analysed thematically. We generated five themes, showing how participants used digital means to combat the stresses of the pandemic by facilitating social connection, self- actualisation, enhanced well-being and by assisting with activities of daily life. These technologies helped to reduce isolation, provide access to support groups, create opportunities for cognitive stimulation and self-development, and engendered a sense of identity at a time of perceived loss. Despite these benefits, participants also reported challenges regarding cognitive fatigue and usability issues. We recommend that training on how to use digital technologies is co-produced with people with dementia and designers engage with the voices of people with dementia throughout the design process. In turn, this could promote the social connectedness, well-being and self-worth of people with dementia.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The use of digital technologies by people with mild to moderate dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A positive technology perspective
• The widening of inequalities in COVID-19 years of life lost from 2020 to 2021: a Scottish Burden of Disease study -
  Background: Previous studies have highlighted the large extent of inequality in adverse COVID-19 health outcomes. Our aim was to monitor changes in the overall, and inequalities in COVID-19 years of life lost to premature mortality (YLL) in Scotland from 2020 and 2021. Methods: Cause-specific COVID-19 mortality counts were derived at age-group and area-deprivation level using Scottish death registrations for 2020 and 2021. YLL was estimated by multiplying mortality counts by age-conditional life expectancy from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 reference life table. Various measures of absolute and relative inequality were estimated for triangulation purposes. Results: There were marked inequalities in COVID-19 YLL by area deprivation in 2020, which were further exacerbated in 2021; confirmed across all measures of absolute and relative inequality. Half (51%) of COVID-19 YLL was attributable to inequalities in area deprivation in 2021, an increase from 41% in 2020. Conclusion: Despite a highly impactful vaccination programme in preventing mortality, COVID-19 continues to represent a substantial area of fatal population health loss for which inequalities have widened. Tackling systemic inequalities with effective interventions are required to mitigate further unjust health loss in the Scottish population from COVID-19 and other causes of ill-health and mortality.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The widening of inequalities in COVID-19 years of life lost from 2020 to 2021: a Scottish Burden of Disease study
• A SARS-CoV-2 Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle Vaccine is Protective and Promotes a Strong Immunological Response in the Cynomolgus Macaque Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Model -
  The COVID-19 pandemic has had a staggering impact on social, economic, and public health systems worldwide. Vaccine development and mobilization against SARS-CoV-2 (the etiologic agent of COVID-19) has been rapid. However, novel strategies are still necessary to slow the pandemic, and this includes new approaches to vaccine development and/or delivery, which improve vaccination compliance and demonstrate efficacy against emerging variants. Here we report on the immunogenicity and efficacy of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine comprised of stabilized, pre-fusion Spike protein trimers displayed on a ferritin nanoparticle (SpFN) adjuvanted with either conventional aluminum hydroxide or the Army Liposomal Formulation QS-21 (ALFQ) in a cynomolgus macaque COVID-19 model. Vaccination resulted in robust cell-mediated and humoral responses and a significant reduction of lung lesions following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The strength of the immune response suggests that dose sparing through reduced or single dosing in primates may be possible with this vaccine. Overall, the data support further evaluation of SpFN as a SARS-CoV-2 protein-based vaccine candidate with attention to fractional dosing and schedule optimization.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A SARS-CoV-2 Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle Vaccine is Protective and Promotes a Strong Immunological Response in the Cynomolgus Macaque Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Model
• An engineered ACE2 decoy receptor can be administered by inhalation and potently targets the BA.1 and BA.2 omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 -
  Monoclonal antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein neutralize infection and are efficacious for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. However, SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged that partially or fully escape monoclonal antibodies in clinical use. Notably, the BA.2 sublineage of B.1.1.529/omicron escapes nearly all monoclonal antibodies currently authorized for therapeutic treatment of COVID-19. Decoy receptors, which are based on soluble forms of the host entry receptor ACE2, are an alternative strategy that broadly bind and block S from SARS-CoV-2 variants and related betacoronaviruses. The high-affinity and catalytically active decoy sACE22.v2.4-IgG1 was previously shown to be effective in vivo against SARS-CoV-2 variants when administered intravenously. Here, the inhalation of sACE22.v2.4-IgG1 is found to increase survival and ameliorate lung injury in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice inoculated with a lethal dose of the virulent P.1/gamma virus. Loss of catalytic activity reduced the decoy’s therapeutic efficacy supporting dual mechanisms of action: direct blocking of viral S and turnover of ACE2 substrates associated with lung injury and inflammation. Binding of sACE22.v2.4-IgG1 remained tight to S of BA.1 omicron, despite BA.1 omicron having extensive mutations, and binding exceeded that of four monoclonal antibodies approved for clinical use. BA.1 pseudovirus and authentic virus were neutralized at picomolar concentrations. Finally, tight binding was maintained against S from the BA.2 omicron sublineage, which differs from S of BA.1 by 26 mutations. Overall, the therapeutic potential of sACE22.v2.4-IgG1 is further confirmed by inhalation route and broad neutralization potency persists against increasingly divergent SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: An engineered ACE2 decoy receptor can be administered by inhalation and potently targets the BA.1 and BA.2 omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2
• The interplay between lncRNAs, RNA-binding proteins and viral genome during SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals strong connections with regulatory events involved in RNA metabolism and immune response. -
  Viral infections are complex processes based on an intricate network of molecular interactions. The infectious agent hijacks components of the cellular machinery for its profit, circumventing the natural defense mechanisms triggered by the infected cell. The successful completion of the replicative viral cycle within a cell depends on the function of viral components versus the cellular defenses. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are important cellular modulators, either promoting or preventing the progression of viral infections. Among these ncRNAs, the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) family is especially relevant due to their intrinsic functional properties and ubiquitous biological roles. Specific lncRNAs have been recently characterized as modulators of the cellular response during infection of human host cells by single stranded RNA viruses. However, the role of host lncRNAs in the infection by human RNA coronaviruses such as SARS- CoV-2 remains uncharacterized. In the present work, we have performed a transcriptomic study of a cohort of patients with different SARS-CoV-2 viral load. Our results revealed the existence of a SARS-CoV-2 infection-dependent pattern of transcriptional up-regulation in which specific lncRNAs are an integral component. To determine the role of these lncRNAs, we performed a functional correlation analysis complemented with the study of the validated interactions between lncRNAs and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). This combination of in silico functional association studies and experimental evidence allowed us to identify a lncRNA signature composed of six elements - NRIR, BISPR, MIR155HG, FMR1-IT1, USP30-AS1, and U62317.2 - associated with the regulation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We propose a competition mechanism between the viral RNA genome and the regulatory lncRNAs in the sequestering of specific RBPs that modulates the interferon response and the regulation of RNA surveillance by nonsense-mediated decay (NMD).
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The interplay between lncRNAs, RNA- binding proteins and viral genome during SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals strong connections with regulatory events involved in RNA metabolism and immune response.
• Genetically engineered MRI-trackable extracellular vesicles as SARS-CoV-2 mimetics for mapping ACE2 binding in vivo -
  The elucidation of viral-receptor interactions and an understanding of virus-spreading mechanisms are of great importance, particularly in the era of pandemic. Indeed, advances in computational chemistry, synthetic biology, and protein engineering have allowed precise prediction and characterization of such interactions. Nevertheless, the hazards of the infectiousness of viruses, their rapid mutagenesis, and the need to study viral-receptor interactions in a complex in vivo setup, call for further developments. Here, we show the development of biocompatible genetically engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) that display the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 on their surface as coronavirus mimetics (EVsRBD). Loading EVsRBD with iron oxide nanoparticles makes them MRI-visible, and thus, allows mapping of the binding of RBD to ACE2 receptors non-invasively in live subjects. Importantly, the proposed mimetics can be easily modified to display the RBD of SARS-CoV-2mutants, namely Delta and Omicron, allowing rapid screening of newly raised variants of the virus. The proposed platform thus shows relevance and cruciality in the examination of quickly evolving pathogenic viruses in an adjustable, fast, and safe manner.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Genetically engineered MRI-trackable extracellular vesicles as SARS-CoV-2 mimetics for mapping ACE2 binding in vivo
• Multiplexed measurement of binding- and neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants in 12.000 post-vaccine sera -
  Diagnostic assays currently used to monitor the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines measure levels of antibodies to the receptor-binding domain of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 (RBDwt). However, the predictive value for protection against new variants of concern (VOCs) has not been firmly established. Here, we used bead-based arrays and flow cytometry to measure binding of antibodies to spike proteins and receptor-binding domains (RBDs) from VOCs in 12,000 sera. Effects of sera on RBD-ACE2 interactions were measured as a proxy for neutralizing antibodies. The samples were obtained from healthy individuals or patients on immunosuppressive therapy who had received two to four doses of COVID-19 vaccines and from COVID-19 convalescents. The results show that anti-RBDwt titers correlate with the levels of binding- and neutralizing antibodies against the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon and Omicron variants. The benefit of multiplexed analysis lies in the ability to measure a wide range of anti-RBD titers using a single dilution of serum for each assay. The reactivity patterns also yield an internal reference for neutralizing activity and binding antibody units per milliliter (BAU/ml). Results obtained with sera from vaccinated healthy individuals and patients confirmed and extended results from previous studies on time-dependent waning of antibody levels and effects of immunosuppressive agents. We conclude that anti-RBDwt titers correlate with levels of neutralizing antibodies against VOCs and propose that our method may be implemented to enhance the precision and throughput of immunomonitoring.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Multiplexed measurement of binding- and neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants in 12.000 post- vaccine sera
• Neutralization of Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3 SARS-CoV-2 by 3 doses of BNT162b2 vaccine -
  The newly emerged Omicron SARS-CoV-2 has 3 distinct sublineages: BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3. BA.1 accounts for the initial surge and is being replaced by BA.2, whereas BA.3 is at a low prevalence at this time. Here we report the neutralization of BNT162b2-vaccinated sera (collected at 1 month after dose 3) against the three Omicron sublineages. To facilitate the neutralization testing, we engineered the complete BA.1, BA.2, or BA.3 spike into an mNeonGreen USA- WA1/2020 SRAS-CoV-2. All BNT162b2-vaccinated sera neutralized USA-WA1/2020, BA.1-, BA.2-, and BA.3-spike SARS-CoV-2s with titers of >20; the neutralization geometric mean titers (GMTs) against the four viruses were 1211, 336, 300, and 190, respectively. Thus, the BA.1-, BA.2-, and BA.3-spike SARS-CoV-2s were 3.6-, 4.0-, and 6.4-fold less efficiently neutralized than the USA-WA1/2020, respectively. Our data have implications in vaccine strategy and understanding the biology of Omicron sublineages.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Neutralization of Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3 SARS-CoV-2 by 3 doses of BNT162b2 vaccine
• Conducting regression-based causal mediation analysis: a tutorial using the R package regmedint -
  This is an R package “regmedint” tutorial on conducting regression-based causal mediation analysis, proposed by Valeri and VanderWeele (2013, 2015). We walk readers through a running example, using a publicly available dataset that was originally analyzed in a published longitudinal study to assess the extent to which children’s externalizing behavior mediates changes in parental negative feelings during the COVID-19 lockdown.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Conducting regression-based causal mediation analysis: a tutorial using the R package regmedint
• Genomic epidemiology reveals the impact of national and international restrictions measures on the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Brazil -

  Brazil has experienced some of the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths globally and from May 2021 made Latin America a pandemic epicenter. Although SARS-CoV-2 established sustained transmission in Brazil early in the pandemic, important gaps remain in our understanding of virus transmission dynamics at the national scale. Here, we describe the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 using near-full genomes sampled from 27 Brazilian states and a bordering country - Paraguay. We show that the early stage of the pandemic in Brazil was characterised by the co-circulation of multiple viral lineages, linked to multiple importations predominantly from Europe, and subsequently characterized by large local transmission clusters. As the epidemic progressed under an absence of effective restriction measures, there was a local emergence and onward international spread of Variants of Concern (VOC) and Variants Under Monitoring (VUM), including Gamma (P.1) and Zeta (P.2). In addition, we provide a preliminary genomic overview of the epidemic in Paraguay, showing evidence of importation from Brazil. These data reinforce the usefulness and need for the implementation of widespread genomic surveillance in South America as a toolkit for pandemic monitoring that provides a means to follow the real-time spread of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants with possible implications for public health and immunization strategies.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Genomic epidemiology reveals the impact of national and international restrictions measures on the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Brazil
• Quality of sleep during the corona virus (COVID-19) outbreak -
  The aim of the study was to study the “Quality of sleep during the Corona virus (COVID-19) outbreak”. The study was conducted during lockdown in India, and a sample of 136 was collected through snowball sampling with the help of social platforms. The Sleep Condition Indicator (Espie, 2014) was used to collect the data along with demographic details. It was concluded that there existed no significant difference in the sleep quality of males and females during the lockdown (t=1.83; p= 0.069; p>0.05), however significant difference existed in the sleep quality of people aged between 18-24 years and 25- 32 years (t=-2.19; p=0.038; p<0.05) , unmarried and married (t=-2.15; p= 0.03; p<0.05), and employed and unemployed (t= 3.03; p= 0.003; p<0.01) .People with poor sleep quality were suggested to practice progressive muscle relaxation, sleep hygiene, give and take emotional support from partner and listen to soothing music at bedtime.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Quality of sleep during the corona virus (COVID-19) outbreak
• Mobility was a Significant Determinant of Reported COVID-19 Incidence During the Omicron Surge in the Most Populous U.S. Counties -

  Background: Significant immune escape by the Omicron variant, along with the emergence of widespread worry fatigue, have called into question the robustness of the previously observed relation between population mobility and COVID-19 incidence. Methods: We employed principal component analysis to construct a one-dimensional summary indicator of six Google mobility categories. We related this mobility indicator to case incidence among 111 of the most populous U.S. counties during the Omicron surge from December 2021 through February 2022. Results: Reported COVID-19 incidence peaked earlier and declined more rapidly among those counties exhibiting more extensive decline in mobility between December 20 and January 3. Based upon a fixed-effects, longitudinal cohort model, we estimated that every 1-percent decline in mobility between December 20 and January 3 was associated with a 0.63 percent decline in peak incidence during the week ending January 17 (95% confidence interval, 0.40- 0.86 percent). Based upon a cross-sectional analysis including mean household size and vaccination participation as covariates, we estimated that the same 1-percent decline in mobility was associated with a 0.36 percent decline in cumulative reported COVID-19 incidence from January 10 through February 28 (95% CI, 0.18-0.54 percent). Conclusion: Omicron did not simply sweep through the U.S. population until it ran out of susceptible individuals to infect. To the contrary, a significant fraction managed to avoid infection by engaging in risk-mitigating behaviors. More broadly, the behavioral response to perceived risk should be viewed as an intrinsic component of the natural course of epidemics in humans.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Mobility was a Significant Determinant of Reported COVID-19 Incidence During the Omicron Surge in the Most Populous U.S. Counties
• Safety and efficacy of two immunization schedules with an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in adults. A randomized non-inferiority clinical trial. -

  Background: Several vaccines have been developed to control the COVID-19 pandemic. CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences), an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, has demonstrated safety and immunogenicity in previous studies, preventing severe COVID-19 cases. We further investigated the safety and efficacy of two immunization schedules of CoronaVac in a non-inferiority trial in healthy adults. Methods: This is a multi-center and randomized clinical trial. Healthy adults were enrolled at eight centers in Chile. Participants were randomly assigned to two vaccination schedules, receiving two doses with either 14 (0-14) or 28 (0-28) days between each. 2302 participants were vaccinated. The primary safety and efficacy endpoints were solicited adverse events (AE) within 7 days after each dose and compared the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection 14 days after the second dose between schedules, respectively. Findings: The most frequent local AE was pain at the injection site, which was less frequent in participants aged over 60 years. Other local AEs were reported in less than 5% of participants. The most frequent systemic AEs were headache, fatigue, and myalgia. The remaining AEs were minor allergic reactions and fever. Most AEs were mild and transient. There were no significant differences for local and systemic AE between schedules. No anaphylactic reactions or vaccine-related severe AEs were observed. 58 COVID-19 cases were confirmed, and all but two of them were mild. No differences were observed in protection between schedules. Interpretation: CoronaVac is safe, especially in over 60 years-old participants. Both schedules protected against COVID-19 hospitalizations. Funding: MINSAL, Chile, CPC & IMII, Chile.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Safety and efficacy of two immunization schedules with an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in adults. A randomized non-inferiority clinical trial.
• Nucleocapsid mutations in SARS-CoV-2 augment replication and pathogenesis. -
  While SARS-CoV-2 continues to adapt for human infection and transmission, genetic variation outside of the spike gene remains largely unexplored. This study investigates a highly variable region at residues 203-205 in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Recreating a mutation found in the alpha and omicron variants in an early pandemic (WA-1) background, we find that the R203K+G204R mutation is sufficient to enhance replication, fitness, and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. The R203K+G204R mutant corresponds with increased viral RNA and protein both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, the R203K+G204R mutation increases nucleocapsid phosphorylation and confers resistance to inhibition of the GSK-3 kinase, providing a molecular basis for increased virus replication. Notably, analogous alanine substitutions at positions 203+204 also increase SARS-CoV-2 replication and augment phosphorylation, suggesting that infection is enhanced through ablation of the ancestral RG motif. Overall, these results demonstrate that variant mutations outside spike are key components in SARS-CoV-2 continued adaptation to human infection.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Nucleocapsid mutations in SARS-CoV-2 augment replication and pathogenesis.
• Spike protein cleavage-activation mediated by the SARS-CoV-2 P681R mutation: a case-study from its first appearance in variant of interest (VOI) A.23.1 identified in Uganda -
  The African continent like all other parts of the world with high infection/low vaccination rates can, and will, be a source of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. The A.23 viral lineage, characterized by three spike mutations F157L, V367F and Q613H, was first identified in COVID-19 cases from a Ugandan prison in July 2020, and then was identified in the general population with additional spike mutations (R102I, L141F, E484K and P681R) to comprise lineage A.23.1 by September 2020, with this virus being designated a variant of interest (VOI) in Africa and with subsequent spread to 26 other countries. The P681R spike substitution of the A.23.1 VOI is of note as it increases the number of basic residues in the sub-optimal SARS-CoV-2 spike protein furin cleavage site; as such, this substitution may affect viral replication, transmissibility or pathogenic properties. The same P681R substitution has also appeared in B.1.617 variants, including B.1.617.2 (Delta). Here, we performed assays using fluorogenic peptides mimicking the S1/S2 sequence from A.23.1 and B.1.617.2 and observed significantly increased cleavability with furin, compared to sequences derived from the original Wuhan-Hu1 S1/S2. We performed functional infectivity assays using pseudotyped MLV particles harboring SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and observed an increase in transduction for A.23.1-pseudotyped particles compared to Wuhan-Hu-1 in Vero- TMPRSS2 and Calu-3 cells (with a presumed early entry pathway), although lowered infection in Vero E6 cells (with a presumed late entry pathway). However, these changes in infectivity were not reproduced in the original Wuhan-Hu-1 spike bearing only the P681R substitution. Our findings suggest that while A.23.1 has increased furin-mediated cleavage linked to the P681R substitution, which may affect viral infection and transmissibility, this substitution alone is not sufficient and needs to occur on the background of other spike protein changes to enable its full functional consequences.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Spike protein cleavage-activation mediated by the SARS-CoV-2 P681R mutation: a case-study from its first appearance in variant of interest (VOI) A.23.1 identified in Uganda

From Clinical Trials

• A Clinical Trial on Sequential Immunization of Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (CHO Cell, NVSI-06-09) and Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (CHO cell，NVSI-06-09);   Biological: Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (Vero cells)
  Sponsors:  
  National Vaccine and Serum Institute, China;   China National Biotec Group Company Limited;   Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd;   Beijing Insitute of Biological Products Co., Ltd
  Not yet recruiting

• Compass Course: COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Compass Course
  Sponsor:  
  Allina Health System
  Recruiting

• Phase 1/2 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled IBIO123 in Participants With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Illness - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: IBIO123;   Other: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Immune Biosolutions Inc
  Recruiting

• COVID-19 Volumetric Quantification on Computer Tomography Using Computer Aided Diagnostics - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: CAD analysis
  Sponsors:  
  Bogdan Bercean;   Pius Brinzeu Timisoara County Emergency Hospital
  Not yet recruiting

• Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Black and Latino Youth - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Behavioral: Culturally-Tailored COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Intervention;   Behavioral: Standard Care
  Sponsors:   Nemours Children’s Health System;   National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS);   University of Delaware;   ChristianaCare
  Active, not recruiting

• ApTOLL for the Treatment of COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: ApTOLL;   Other: Saline
  Sponsors:  
  Macarena Hernández Jiménez;   Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial
  Recruiting

• Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Impacts of COVID-19 on Young Adults - Condition:   Post COVID-19
  Intervention:   Other: Evaluation of Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Impacts of COVID-19 on Young Adults
  Sponsor:   Istanbul Arel University
  Not yet recruiting

• Platform Trial to Compare Homologous Boost of Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines and Heterologous Boost With UB-612 Vaccine - Condition:   COVID-19 Vaccines
  Interventions:   Biological: UB-612;   Biological: BNT162b2 vaccine;   Biological: ChAdOx1-S vaccine;   Biological: Sinopharm BIBP
  Sponsors:   Vaxxinity, Inc.;   Syneos Health
  Recruiting

• COVID-19 Variant Immunologic Landscape Trial (COVAIL Trial) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: mRNA-1273;   Biological: mRNA-1273.351;   Other: Sodium Chloride, 0.9%
  Sponsor:   National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
  Not yet recruiting

• Safety and Pharmacokinetics of FBR-002 for the Treatment of Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 in Need of Supplemental Oxygen and at Risk of Severe Outcome - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: FBR-002;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:  
  Fab’entech
  Not yet recruiting

• A Community-based Study of Spikogen®, a Protein-subunit Covid-19 Vaccine - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Biological: Advax-CpG55.2 adjuvanted recombinant spike protein
  Sponsors:   Professor Nikolai Petrovsky;   Australian Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Institute;   Tasmanian Eye Institute
  Not yet recruiting

• Clinical Evaluation of Rapid Antibody Test for Covid-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: Livzon Rapid Antibody Test for COVID-19
  Sponsors:   University of Southampton;   West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust
  Completed

• PROSPECTIVE OPEN LABEL CLINICAL TRIAL TO ADMINISTER A BOOSTER DOSE OF PFIZER/BIONTECH OR MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINE IN HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS - Conditions:   SARS CoV 2 Infection;   COVID-19
  Interventions:  
  Biological: Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2);   Biological: Moderna
  Sponsor:  
  DHR Health Institute for Research and Development
  Recruiting

• Nitrate-based Nutritional Formula for Oxygen Saturation and Patient-reported Outcomes in Covid-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Dietary Supplement: NITRATE;   Dietary Supplement: PLACEBO
  Sponsor:   University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education
  Completed

• Combination of Inhaled DNase, Baricitinib and Tocilizumab in Severe COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19 Severe Respiratory Failure
  Interventions:   Drug: Dexamethasone;   Drug: Low molecular weight heparin;   Drug: Anakinra 100Mg/0.67Ml Inj Syringe;   Drug: Tocilizumab;   Drug: Baricitinib;   Drug: Dornase Alfa Inhalant Product
  Sponsor:   Democritus University of Thrace
  Recruiting

From PubMed

• Ivabradine in the management of COVID-19-related cardiovascular complications: A perspective - Besides acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute cardiac injury is a major complication in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and associates with a poor clinical outcome. Acute cardiac injury with COVID-19 can be of various etiologies, including myocardial ischemia or infarction and myocarditis, and may compromise cardiac function, resulting in acute heart failure or cardiogenic shock. Systemic inflammatory response increases heart rate (HR), which disrupts the myocardial oxygen…

• Identification of phytochemical inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 protease 3CL(pro) from selected medicinal plants as per molecular docking, bond energies and amino acid binding energies - Recent worldwide outbreak of SARS-COV-2 pandemic has increased the thirst to discover and introduce antiviral drugs to combat it. The bioactive compounds from plant sources, especially terpenoid have protease inhibition activities so these may be much effective for the control of viral epidemics and may reduce the burden on health care system worldwide. Present study aims the use of terpenoid from selected plant source through bioinformatics tools for the inhibition of SARS-COV-2. This study…

• New bis hydrazone: Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, DFT computations, conformational study and in silico study of the inhibition activity of SARS-CoV-2 - The aim of this work was to synthesize new bis hydrazone derived from benzil in good yield, namely: (1Z,2Z)-1,2-bis (3-Chlorophenyl Hydrazino) Benzil, encoded by 3-Cl BHB. The benzil (or 1,2-diphenyl ethanedione) reacts with 3-Cl phenyl hydrazine by reflux method using ethanol as solvent to obtain the target compound. The obtained product is depicted by UV-Vis, IR spectroscopy and XRD-crystals analysis. All various contacts intra and intermolecular found in 3-Cl BHB were determined by the X-ray…

• Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization of novel phthalimides derivatives bearing a 1,2,3-triazole unit and examination as potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors via in silico studies - In the present study, novel phthalimide derivatives 8(a-f) and 9(a-f) bearing a 1,2,3-triazole subunit were synthesized via CuAAC reactions and characterized by ¹H, ^(13)C-NMR, HR-MS, and FT-IR analyses. To support the fight against SARS- CoV-2, in silico molecular docking studies were carried out to examine their interactions with the proteins of SARS- CoV-2 (Mpro and PLpro) and the protein-protein interactions (PPI) between the ACE2-spike (S1) in comparison with various inhibitors reported to be…

• Mucins Inhibit Coronavirus Infection in a Glycan-Dependent Manner - Mucins are a diverse and heterogeneous family of glycoproteins that comprise the bulk of mucus and the epithelial glycocalyx. Mucins are intimately involved in viral transmission. Mucin and virus laden particles can be expelled from the mouth and nose to later infect others. Viruses must also penetrate the mucus layer before cell entry and replication. The role of mucins and their molecular structure have not been well-characterized in coronavirus transmission studies. Laboratory studies…

• A Yeast-Based Screening System for Differential Identification of Poisons and Suppressors of Human Topoisomerase I - CONCLUSIONS: This yeast-based screening system can distinguish between TOP1 suppressors and TOP1 poisons. The assay can also identify compounds that are likely to be cytotoxic based on their effect on yeast cell growth that is independent of recombinant human TOP1 overexpression.

• A TMPRSS2 inhibitor acts as a pan-SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic and therapeutic - The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains a global public health crisis. Although widespread vaccination campaigns are underway, their efficacy is reduced due to emerging variants of concern (VOCs)^(1,2). Development of host-directed therapeutics and prophylactics could limit such resistance and offer urgently needed protection against VOCs^(3,4). Attractive pharmacological targets to impede viral entry include type-II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs), such as TMPRSS2,…

• Design, synthesis and biological evaluations of niclosamide analogues against SARS-CoV-2 - Niclosamide, a widely-used anthelmintic drug, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 virus entry through TMEM16F inhibition and replication through autophagy induction, but the relatively high cytotoxicity and poor oral bioavailability limited its application. We synthesized 22 niclosamide analogues of which compound 5 was found to exhibit the best anti-SARS-CoV-2 efficacy (IC(50) = 0.057 μ M) and compounds 6, 10, and 11 (IC(50) = 0.39, 0.38, and 0.49 μ M, respectively) showed comparable efficacy to niclosamide….

• Immunothrombosis and the molecular control of tissue factor by pyroptosis: prospects for new anticoagulants - The interplay between innate immunity and coagulation after infection or injury, termed immunothrombosis, is the primary cause of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a condition that occurs in sepsis. Thrombosis associated with DIC is the leading cause of death worldwide. Interest in immunothrombosis has grown because of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, which has been termed a syndrome of dysregulated immunothrombosis. As the relatively new field of…

• SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus enters the host cells through spike protein-CD147 in Arf6-dependent manner - The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants is threatening the public health around the world. Endocytosis functions as an important way for viral infection, and SARS-CoV-2 bears no exception. However, the specific endocytic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 remains unknown. In this study, we used endocytic inhibitors to evaluate the role of different endocytic routes in SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection and found that the viral infection was associated with…

• Transcriptomic analysis of the innate immune signatures of SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit vaccine ZF2001 and a mRNA vaccine RRV - AbstractAnalysis of large-scale gene expression post vaccination can provide an overview of immune responses. We used transcriptional approaches to comprehensively analyze the innate immune response signatures elicited by protein subunit (PS) vaccine ZF2001 and a mRNA vaccine named RRV. A fine-grained time-dependent dissection of large-scale gene expression post immunization revealed that ZF001 induced MHC class II-related genes, including cd74 and H2-Aa, more expeditiously than RRV. Notably,…

• Aprotinin treatment against SARS-CoV-2: a randomized phase III study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a pan- protease inhibitor for moderate COVID-19 - CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled aprotinin may improve standard treatment and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, resulting in a shorter treatment time and hospitalization compared to the placebo group. Administration of aprotinin was safe.

• Identified human breastmilk compositions effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and variants infection and replication - The global pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection confers great threat to the public health. Human breastmilk is a complex with nutritional composition to nourish infants and protect them from different kinds of infectious diseases including COVID-19. Here, we identified lactoferrin (LF), mucin1 (MUC1) and α-lactalbumin (α-LA) from human breastmilk inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection using a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus system and…

• A comparison of Remdesivir versus gold cluster in COVID-19 animal model: A better therapeutic outcome of gold cluster - While gold compound have been approved for Rheumatoid arthritis treatment as it well suppresses inflammatory cytokines of patients, no such treatment is currently available for COVID-19 treatment in vivo . We firstly disclose gold cluster yields better therapeutic outcome than Remdesivir in COVID-19 hamster treatments as it is armed with direct inhibition viral replication and intrinsic suppression inflammatory cytokines expression. Crystal data reveals that Au (I), released from gold cluster…

• A randomized clinical trial of a booster dose with low versus standard dose of AZD1222 in adult after 2 doses of inactivated vaccines - CONCLUSION: Half-dose AZD1222 booster after 2-dose inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination had non-inferior immunogenicity, yet lower systemic reactogenicity. Fractional low-dose AZD1222 booster should be considered especially in resource- constrained settings.

From Patent Search

• MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUE TO ANALYZE THE WORK PRESSURE OF PARAMEDICAL STAFF DURING COVID 19 - Machine learning technique to analyse the work pressure of paramedical staff during covid 19 is the proposed invention that focuses on identifying the stress levels of paramedical staff. The invention focuses on analysing the level of stress that is induced on the paramedical staff especially during pandemic. - link

• CBD Covid 19 Protection - - link

• METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING IMPROVED GENERALIZED FUZZY PEER GROUP WITH MODIFIED TRILATERAL FILTER TO REMOVE MIXED IMPULSE AND ADAPTIVE WHITE GAUSSIAN NOISE FROM COLOR IMAGES - ABSTRACTMETHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING IMPROVED GENERALIZED FUZZY PEER GROUP WITH MODIFIED TRILATERAL FILTER TO REMOVE MIXED IMPULSE AND ADAPTIVE WHITE GAUSSIAN NOISE FROM COLOR IMAGESThe present invention provides a new approach is proposed that includes fuzzy-based approach and similarity function for filtering the mixed noise. In a peer group, the similarity function was adaptive to edge information and local noise level, which was utilized for detecting the similarity among pixels. In addition, a new filtering method Modified Trilateral Filter (MTF) with Improved Generalized Fuzzy Peer Group (IGFPG) is proposed to remove mixed impulse and Adaptive White Gaussian Noise from Color Images. The modified trilateral filter includes Kikuchi algorithm and loopy belief propagation to solve the inference issues on the basis of passing local message. In this research work, the images were collected from KODAK dataset and a few real time multimedia images like Lena were also used for testing the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. - link

• 用于预防SARS-CoV-2奥密克戎株的腺病毒载体疫苗 - 本发明涉及用于预防SARS‑CoV‑2奥密克戎株的腺病毒载体疫苗。本发明采用密码子偏好性进行优化得到新的S基因序列，其能高效在人源细胞内高效表达，免疫机体后可高效表达S抗原，产生针对奥密克戎株SARS‑CoV‑2的中和抗体，可以有效保护机体免受奥密克戎株的侵染。 - link

• 表达SARS-CoV-2奥密克戎突变株病毒抗原肽的核酸序列及其应用 - 本发明提供表达SARS‑CoV‑2奥密克戎突变株病毒抗原肽的核酸序列及其应用。奥密克戎株原始的S基因序列蛋白不能有效在细胞内高效表达；本发明采用密码子偏好性进行优化得到新的S基因序，使其能高效在人源细胞内高效表达，产生相应的多肽，诱导产生相应的免疫保护反应，为SARS‑CoV‑2奥密克戎株的疫苗的研发提供基础。 - link

• A STUDY ON MENTAL HEALTH, STRESS AND ANXIETY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 - SARS-Cov-2 virus causes an infectious disease coronavirus(COVID-19).The Students life is made harder by COVID-19.The human reaction that happens normally to everyone through physical or emotional tension is stress. Feeling of angry, nervous and frustration caused through any thought or events leads to stress. As college closures and cancelled events, students are missing out on some of the biggest moments of their young lives as well as everyday moments like chatting with friend, participating in class and cultural programme. For students facing life changes due to the outbreak are feeling anxious, isolated and disappointed which lead them to feel all alone. We like to take the help of expert adolescent psychologist to find out the techniques to practice self-care and look after their mental health. We would like to find out whether techniques used reduce the anxiety and stress among Engineering Students. - link

• A METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS WITH PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE - - link

• CONNECTING A TUTOR WITH A STUDENT - A system and a method for connecting a tutor with a student in real time. Initially, the system receives a student profile. Further, the system receives a question from the student. Furthermore, the system synthesizes the question based on a set of predefined machine learning model. Subsequently, the system determines a cohort of the students from the set of the cohort of the students. The cohort of the students is determined based on the one or more parameters related to the question. Further, the system identifies a tutor assigned to the cohort of the students. Subsequently, the system notifies the tutor in real time. Further, the system receives an acknowledgement from the tutor within a predefined time. Finally, the system connects the tutor with the student in real time when the acknowledgement is the positive acknowledgement. - link

• ADVANCED SELF-ASSESSMENT OF GLOBAL PANDEMICS LIKE SARS-COV-2 FOR HEALTHY RACE USING MACHINE LEARNING - An Enormous quantum of fallacious gratified regarding this dangerous contagion is participated online. In this patent we exercise machine literacy to measure SARS-COV-2 content, which is deceptively evident, online, which leads to establishment of health guidance, particularly about vaccinations. We plant that the anti-vax community is developing a less focused debate around SARS-COV-2 than its counterpart, the pro-vaccination community. Yet, the opposing-vax collaborative displays a wider range of motifs related to SARS-COV-2, and hence the information can appeal to a broader sampling of individualities seeking SARS-COV-2 guidance online, for illustration individualities cautious of a obligatory fast-tracked SARS-COV-2 vaccine or those seeking volition remedies. Hence, the opposing-vax community aspects more deposited to attract fresh support going forward when compared to pro-vax community. The fashion ability of opposing-vax community leads wide lack of relinquishment of a SARS-COV-2 vaccine, which means the world falls short of furnishing herd impunity, leaving countries open to unborn SARS-COV-2 reanimations. We give a mechanistic model that infers these results and could help in assessing the likely efficacity of intervention strategies. Our system is scalable and hence encounters the critical problem facing social media platforms of having to assay huge volumes of online health misinformationFigure related to the abstract is Figure. 1.1 - link

• 一种用于核酸递送的新型可电离脂质及其LNP组合物 - 本发明属于生物医药领域，提供了一种用于核酸递送的新型可电离脂质及其LNP组合物，可以高效稳定的将生物活性物质递送至靶细胞或器官。以本发明脂质化合物作为阳离子脂质制得的mRNA LNP具有较佳的稳定性和转染效率，在实验动物体内可引起较高的特异性抗体应答。 - link