Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Potential Autoimmunity or Antibody Dependent COVID-19 Enhancement of SARS CoV-2 Vaccination or Convalescent Plasma: A Potential Man-Made Hades. -
  Nucleic acid based - mRNA based and adenovirus vectored - vaccines, were first ever or first commercially ever approved for the public, respectively. However, these newly emergency approved types possess a potential risk to induce auto-immune diseases e.g., thrombocytopenia, myocarditis and immune induced thrombosis and thromboembolism that might be fatal and could reason for some of the post vaccination sudden death reports. Moreover, all SARS CoV-2 types of vaccines, depending on the spike protein immunogenicity, especially the conventional inactivated ones might increase the likelihood of COVID-19 severity upon re-infection through antibody dependent enhancement which might reason for the recently described abundance of hospital admissions within seven days of vaccination and might also reason for some of the serious adverse effects encountered with administration of convalescent plasma to COVID-19 patients as well as they might share in development of some lethal SARS CoV-2 variants. Importantly, we suggest that SARS CoV-2 mass vaccination campaigns were the worst ever decision made and that making these COVID-19 vaccines compulsory or administering them to children or pregnant participants might be considered as a crime against humanity to the extent that no prior companies- governmental agreements would ever secure impunity. Finally, a full informed personalized risk benefit ratio especially for some described high-risk groups must be secured while suggesting that the subunit vaccines are the least hazardous ones.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Potential Autoimmunity or Antibody Dependent COVID-19 Enhancement of SARS CoV-2 Vaccination or Convalescent Plasma: A Potential Man-Made Hades.
• A Path from Collective Threat to Eudaimonia: Mediating Role of Awe -
  How do people react to collective threats such as natural disasters or the COVID-19 pandemic? One consequence of such catastrophic events is the impact on emotions of those who feel threat without actual harm as well as those who experienced direct harm. The current study demonstrated that such threat enhances self-transcendent values that further leads to general well-being, mediated by the emotion of awe. Two surveys were conducted immediately after a severe typhoon hit Japan (Study 1) and during the early phases of the COVID-19 spread in Japan (Study 2). Predisposition to feel negative awe predicted participants’ attention to both collective threat events, which led to an affirmation of self-transcendent values and general well-being. Furthermore, when participants were asked to recall a collective threat (vs. control event), they felt more awe which led to more engaged meaning making during the event, in turn predicting their affirmation of self-transcendent values.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A Path from Collective Threat to Eudaimonia: Mediating Role of Awe
• Clinical echocardiography does not indicate cardiac dysfunction in critically ill Covid-19 patients -

  Objective: We aimed to investigate the acute effects of severe SARS-CoV-2 on myocardial function. Methods: This is an observational study generated from the first 79 patients admitted to intensive care in Uppsala due to respiratory failure with SARS-CoV-2 infection, during the first wave in 2020, included in the PRONMED study. From this group 34 underwent echocardiographic examination of which 25 were included in the study, and compared to 44 non-echo patients. Demographic analysis compared standard parameters and previous morbidities between the echo and non-echo group. Results: Standard echocardiographic parameters were analysed indicating a reduced left ventricular function as assessed by global longitudinal strain and very discrete increases in wall thickness in the group as a whole. A group comparison between the outcomes survival and death was carried out. Right sided dimensions and functional parameters did not indicate major strain. An increased maximum tricuspid valve regurgitation velocity indicating increased pulmonary arterial pressure was significantly associated with death, but failed to maintain significance when corrected for multiple comparison. Biochemical cardiac markers and D-dimer correlated to initiation of echocardiography and mortality. Tricuspid regurgitation maximum velocity was positively correlated with maximum troponin I. Conclusions: These results suggests that there is no clear negative effect on cardiac function in critical SARS-CoV-2 infection. There are indications that pulmonary pressure elevation carries a negative predictive outcome suggesting pulmonary disease as the major driver of mortality. Cardiac biomarkers as well as D-dimer carry a predictive outcome value.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Clinical echocardiography does not indicate cardiac dysfunction in critically ill Covid-19 patients
• Impact of Covid-19 social distancing measures on future incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in England and Wales - a mathematical modelling study -

  In January 2020, the United Kingdom moved to a 1+1 schedule for the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) with a single priming dose at 3 months and a 12month booster. We modelled the impact on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) out to 2030/31 of reductions in PCV13 coverage and population mixing associated with restrictions on non- essential health care visits and social distancing measures introduced in 2020/21 to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Using an existing model of pneumococcal transmission in England and Wales we simulated the impact of a 40% reduction in coverage and a 40% reduction in mixing between and within age-groups during two lockdowns in spring 2020 and autumn/winter 2020/21. More and less extreme reductions in coverage and mixing were explored in a sensitivity analysis. Predicted annual numbers of IPD cases under different coverage and mixing reduction scenarios with uncertainty intervals (UI) generated from minimum and maximum values of the model predictions using 500 parameter sets. The model predicted that any increase in IPD cases resulting from a reduction in PCV13 coverage would be more than offset by a reduction in pneumococcal transmission due to social distancing measures and that overall reductions in IPD cases will persist for a few years after resumption of normal mixing. The net reduction in cumulative IPD cases over the five epidemiological years from July 2019 was predicted to be 13,494 (UI 12,211, 14,676) all ages. Similar results were obtained in the sensitivity analysis. COVID-19 lockdowns are predicted to have had a profound effect on pneumococcal transmission resulting in a reduction in pneumococcal carriage prevalence and IPD incidence for up to five years after the end of the lockdown period. Carriage studies will be informative in confirming the predicted impact of the lockdown measures after they have been lifted.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Impact of Covid-19 social distancing measures on future incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in England and Wales - a mathematical modelling study
• Impaired activation of Transposable Elements in SARS-CoV-2 infection -
  Transposable element (TE) transcription is induced in response to viral infections. TE induction triggers a robust and durable interferon (IFN) response, providing a host defense mechanism. Still, the connection between SARS-CoV-2 IFN response and TEs remained unexplored. Here, we analyzed TE expression changes in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in different human cellular models. We find that compared to other viruses, which cause global upregulation of TEs, SARS- CoV-2 infection results in a significantly milder TE response in both primary lung epithelial cells and in iPSC-derived lung alveolar type 2 cells. TE activation precedes, and correlates with, the induction of IFN-related genes, suggesting that the limited activation of TEs following SARS-CoV-2 infection may be the reason for the weak IFN response. Diminished TE activation was not observed in lung cancer cell lines with very high viral load. Moreover, we identify two variables which explain most of the observed diverseness in immune responses: basal expression levels of TEs in the pre-infected cell, and the viral load. Since basal TE levels increase with age, we propose that “TE desensitization” leads to age-related death from COVID19. Finally, analyzing the SARS-CoV-2 interactome, as well as the epigenetic landscape around the TEs that are activated following infection, we identify SARS-CoV-2 interacting proteins, which may regulate chromatin structure and TE transcription in response to a high viral load. This work provides a mechanistic explanation for SARS-CoV-2s success in its fight against the host immune system, and suggests that TEs could be used as sensors or serve as potential drug targets for COVID-19.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Impaired activation of Transposable Elements in SARS-CoV-2 infection
• Facilitators and Barriers to Social Distancing for Young People living in Northern Ireland during the COVID-19 Pandemic -
  This qualitative study explores the facilitators of and barriers to social distancing for young people living in Northern Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative data was collected as part of a larger Qualtrics survey between July 28th 2020 and August 24th 2020. Eligible participants were young people living on the Island of Ireland, aged 16-25 years. The survey design was underpinned by the COM-B model of behaviour change. Semi-inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse comments collected via three free-text survey items. The COM-B model provided a thematic framework to organize subthemes extracted. A total of N=477 young people completed the survey, of which N=352 provided comments for at least one of three free-text survey items. The majority of respondents lived in Northern Ireland (96%), the average age was 21 years, and most respondents were female (73%) and were students (81%). Key barriers identified included Social Opportunity (other people not social distancing), Physical Opportunity (lack of environmental support for social distancing), and Automatic motivation (missing physical interaction from others). Key facilitators included Physical Opportunity (environmental cues and space to support social distancing), Reflective Motivation (awareness and understanding of risk of transmission), and Social Opportunity (observing others’ adhering to guidelines). These findings suggest that the actions of others, environmental supports, and perception of risk have an important role in influencing social distancing behaviour among young people. The COM-B factors identified in this study can inform the development of tailored interventions using models such as the Behaviour Change Wheel.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Facilitators and Barriers to Social Distancing for Young People living in Northern Ireland during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Using MTurk to Capture Change: Tracking Perceptions of COVID-19 in a U.S. sample through the UO-EPIDeMIC Study -
  The University of Oregon’s “Emotions and Polarization in Decisions & Media in COVID-19” (UO-EPIDeMIC) study tracked perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic from February 17th of 2020 through December 17th of 2020 in a single cohort of 1,284 American Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers. Affect, attitudes, risk perceptions, intentions for protective behaviors, trust in various actors, media usage, and attitudes towards potential solutions were measured throughout the pandemic’s progression. Through six longitudinal waves of surveys, we demonstrate Mturk’s potential as a tool for recruiting high-quality longitudinal cohorts of participants. The data collected through these surveys have been used in various lines of research to learn about how individuals react and adapt to a global catastrophe.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Using MTurk to Capture Change: Tracking Perceptions of COVID-19 in a U.S. sample through the UO-EPIDeMIC Study
• mRNA vaccine-induced T cells respond identically to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern but differ in longevity and homing properties depending on prior infection status -
  While mRNA vaccines are proving highly efficacious against SARS-CoV-2, it is important to determine how booster doses and prior infection influence the immune defense they elicit, and whether they protect against variants. Focusing on the T cell response, we conducted a longitudinal study of infection-naive and COVID-19 convalescent donors before vaccination and after their first and second vaccine doses, using a high-parameter CyTOF analysis to phenotype their SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells. Vaccine-elicited spike-specific T cells responded similarly to stimulation by spike epitopes from the ancestral, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variant strains, both in terms of cell numbers and phenotypes. In infection-naive individuals, the second dose boosted the quantity and altered the phenotypic properties of SARS- CoV-2-specific T cells, while in convalescents the second dose changed neither. Spike-specific T cells from convalescent vaccinees differed strikingly from those of infection-naive vaccinees, with phenotypic features suggesting superior long-term persistence and ability to home to the respiratory tract including the nasopharynx. These results provide reassurance that vaccine-elicited T cells respond robustly to emerging viral variants, confirm that convalescents may not need a second vaccine dose, and suggest that vaccinated convalescents may have more persistent nasopharynx-homing SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells compared to their infection-naive counterparts.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: mRNA vaccine-induced T cells respond identically to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern but differ in longevity and homing properties depending on prior infection status
• Heavy Crisis, New Perspectives? Investigating the role of Consumption, Time Wealth and Meaning Construction during countrywide Covid-19 lockdown in Germany -
  The Covid-19 pandemic profoundly changed the way we live and consume. One open ques-tion is whether the crisis provides an opportunity to increase alternatives to materialistic con-sumption. We characterize these alternatives as sustainable leisure behaviour. In this context, Time Wealth and Meaning Construction in the form of Life Reflection might be important variables. In our study we aimed: (i) To investigate changes in behaviour frequency of con-sumption and sustainable leisure before and during lockdown. (ii) Analyse how potential changes in behaviours are appraised and if there are intentions to keep changed behaviour fre-quencies. (iii) Analyse whether Time Wealth and Life Reflection can be related to reduced consumption behaviours and increased sustainable leisure behaviours during lockdown. We collected data from 947 participants in a Germany-wide online survey using questionnaires. Participants reported behaviour frequency of consumption and sustainable leisure before and during lockdown. In cases where behaviour frequencies changed participants evaluated this change and indicated future intentions. Main findings: (i) Pairwise t-tests revealed reduced consumption behaviour in Electronics and Clothes. All sustainable leisure behaviours increased during lockdown. (ii) The increase of sustainable behaviour was positively correlated with evaluation and future intentions and we found mixed results concerning consumption behaviour. (iii) In multiple regression analysis, Time Wealth was positively related to sustainable leisure behaviours as well as Life Reflection except for Outdoor Activities. Explorative analysis revealed small but significant positive correlations of sustainable leisure behaviours with Life Satisfaction and Presence of Meaning. In section 4.3 we discuss how findings can inform future actions towards sustainability.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Heavy Crisis, New Perspectives? Investigating the role of Consumption, Time Wealth and Meaning Construction during countrywide Covid-19 lockdown in Germany
• Eight Hypotheses on Technology Use and Mental Wellbeing: A Multicultural Phenomenological Study of Gaming during the COVID-19 Pandemic -
  In this nonconfirmatory qualitative study, we pursued a range of possible answers regarding gaming’s role in coping with, managing, and surviving the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With the help of an explorative survey (n=793), a gaming-based interview frame for interpretive phenomenological analysis on Chinese (n=10) and Finnish (n=10) interviews was developed and applied. The interpreted range of experiences yielded an experiential typology consisting of eight macro types, with a specific statically testable psychological hypothesis drawn from each. As a side product, we found a wide spectrum of social experience related to videogame play, which we present as a 27-component taxonomy of social gaming. The study supports including personally meaningful solitary gaming to the existing policies that promote social videogame play during lockdown situations.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Eight Hypotheses on Technology Use and Mental Wellbeing: A Multicultural Phenomenological Study of Gaming during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• The IDentif.AI 2.0 Pandemic Readiness Platform: Rapid Prioritization of Optimized COVID-19 Combination Therapy Regimens -

  Objectives: We aimed to harness IDentif.AI 2.0, a clinically actionable AI platform to rapidly pinpoint and prioritize optimal combination therapy regimens against COVID-19. Methods: A pool of starting candidate therapies was developed in collaboration with a community of infectious disease clinicians and included EIDD-1931 (metabolite of EIDD-2801), baricitinib, ebselen, selinexor, masitinib, nafamostat mesylate, telaprevir (VX-950), SN-38 (metabolite of irinotecan), imatinib mesylate, remdesivir, lopinavir, and ritonavir. Following the initial drug pool assessment, a focused, 6-drug pool was interrogated at 3 dosing levels per drug representing nearly 10,000 possible combination regimens. IDentif.AI 2.0 paired prospective, experimental validation of multi-drug efficacy on a SARS-CoV-2 live virus (propagated, original strain, B.1.351 and B.1.617.2 variants) and Vero E6 assay with a quadratic optimization workflow. Results: Within 3 weeks, IDentif.AI 2.0 realized a list of combination regimens, ranked by efficacy, for clinical go/no- go regimen recommendations. IDentif.AI 2.0 revealed EIDD-1931 to be a strong candidate upon which multiple drug combinations can be derived. Conclusions: IDentif.AI 2.0 rapidly revealed promising drug combinations for clinical translation. It pinpointed dose-dependent drug synergy behavior to play a role in trial design and realizing positive treatment outcomes. IDentif.AI 2.0 represents an actionable path towards rapidly optimizing combination therapy following pandemic emergence.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: The IDentif.AI 2.0 Pandemic Readiness Platform: Rapid Prioritization of Optimized COVID-19 Combination Therapy Regimens
• SARS-CoV-2 exposure in wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) -
  Widespread human SARS-CoV-2 infections combined with human-wildlife interactions create the potential for reverse zoonosis from humans to wildlife. We targeted whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for serosurveillance based on evidence these deer have ACE2 receptors with high affinity for SARS-CoV-2, are permissive to infection, exhibit sustained viral shedding, can transmit to conspecifics, and can be abundant near urban centers. We evaluated 624 pre- and post-pandemic serum samples from wild deer from four U.S. states for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Antibodies were detected in 152 samples (40%) from 2021 using a surrogate virus neutralization test. A subset of samples was tested using a SARS- CoV-2 virus neutralization test with high concordance between tests. These data suggest white-tailed deer in the populations assessed have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: SARS-CoV-2 exposure in wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
• Structural basis for recognition of two HLA-A2-restricted SARS-CoV-2 spike epitopes by public and private T cell receptors -
  T cells play a vital role in combatting SARS-CoV-2 and in forming long-term memory responses. Whereas extensive structural information is available on neutralizing antibodies against SARS- CoV-2, such information on SARS- CoV-2-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) bound to their peptide-MHC targets is lacking. We determined structures of a public and a private TCR from COVID-19 convalescent patients in complex with HLA-A2 and two SARS-CoV-2 spike protein epitopes (YLQ and RLQ). The structures revealed the basis for selection of particular TRAV and TRBV germline genes by the public but not the private TCR, and for the ability of both TCRs to recognize natural variants of YLQ and RLQ but not homologous epitopes from human seasonal coronaviruses. By elucidating the mechanism for TCR recognition of an immunodominant yet variable epitope (YLQ) and a conserved but less commonly targeted epitope (RLQ), this study can inform prospective efforts to design vaccines to elicit pan-coronavirus immunity.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Structural basis for recognition of two HLA-A2-restricted SARS-CoV-2 spike epitopes by public and private T cell receptors
• Antibody Evolution after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination -
  Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection produces B-cell responses that continue to evolve for at least one year. During that time, memory B cells express increasingly broad and potent antibodies that are resistant to mutations found in variants of concern. As a result, vaccination of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent individuals with currently available mRNA vaccines produces high levels of plasma neutralizing activity against all variants tested. Here, we examine memory B cell evolution 5 months after vaccination with either Moderna (mRNA-1273) or Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA vaccines in a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 naive individuals. Between prime and boost, memory B cells produce antibodies that evolve increased neutralizing activity, but there is no further increase in potency or breadth thereafter. Instead, memory B cells that emerge 5 months after vaccination of naive individuals express antibodies that are equivalent to those that dominate the initial response. We conclude that memory antibodies selected over time by natural infection have greater potency and breadth than antibodies elicited by vaccination. These results suggest that boosting vaccinated individuals with currently available mRNA vaccines would produce a quantitative increase in plasma neutralizing activity but not the qualitative advantage against variants obtained by vaccinating convalescent individuals.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Antibody Evolution after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination
• Benefits and Challenges of Using Virtual Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Key Lessons to a Framework for Implementation -

  Background: With the onset of COVID-19, general practitioners (GPs) and patients worldwide swiftly transitioned from face-to-face to digital remote consultations. There is a need to evaluate how this global shift has impacted patient care, healthcare providers, patient and carer experience, and health systems. Objective: We explored GPs9 perspectives on the main benefits and challenges of using digital remote care. Methods: GPs across 20 countries completed an online questionnaire between June - September 2020. GPs9 perceptions on main barriers and challenges were explored using free-text questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: 1,605 respondents participated in our survey. The benefits identified included reducing COVID-19 transmission risks, guaranteeing access and continuity of care, improved efficiency, faster access to care, improved convenience and communication with patients, greater work flexibility for providers, and hastening the digital transformation of primary care and the accompanying legal frameworks. Main challenges included patient9s preference for face-to-face consultations, digital exclusion, lack of physical examinations, clinical uncertainty, delays in diagnosis and treatment, overuse and misuse of digital remote care, and unsuitability for certain types of consultations. Other challenges include the lack of formal guidance, higher workloads, remuneration issues, organisational culture, technical difficulties, implementation and financial issues, and regulatory weaknesses. Conclusion: At the frontline of care delivery, GPs can provide important insights on what worked well, why, and how. Lessons learned during the emergency phase can be used to inform the stable adoption of virtual care solutions, and co-design processes and platforms that are technologically robust, secure, and supported by a strategic long-term plan.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Benefits and Challenges of Using Virtual Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Key Lessons to a Framework for Implementation

From Clinical Trials

• Echinacea Drug for Covid-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: ECHINACEA ARKOPHARMA
  Sponsors:  
  Jesús R. Requena;   IDIS;   SALUD;   Laboratoires Arkopharma
  Recruiting

• Phase II/III Study of AZD2816, for the Prevention of COVID-19 in Adults - Conditions:   COVID-19;   SARS-CoV-2
  Interventions:   Biological: AZD1222;   Biological: AZD2816
  Sponsor:   AstraZeneca
  Recruiting

• Clinical Trial For Early SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Treatment - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Hydroxychloroquine;   Drug: Favipiravir;   Drug: Favipiravir + Hydroxychloroquine;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Health Institutes of Turkey
  Completed

• Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training in Patients With Post COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Other: Exercise training group;   Other: Control training group
  Sponsor:   Gazi University
  Completed

• SOLIDARITY Finland Long COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: Remdesivir
  Sponsors:  
  Clinical Urology and Epidemiology Working Group;   University of Helsinki;   World Health Organization;   Helsinki University Central Hospital;   Hyvinkää Hospital;   Kanta-Häme Central Hospital;   Kuopio University Hospital;   Oulu University Hospital;   Porvoo Hospital;   Seinajoki Central Hospital;   Mikkeli Central Hospital;   Tampere University Hospital
  Recruiting

• Vaccination for Recovered Inpatients With COVID-19 (VATICO) - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Biological: Moderna mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine;   Biological: Pfizer BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine
  Sponsors:   International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials (INSIGHT);   University of Minnesota;   National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID);   University of Copenhagen;   Kirby Institute;   Washington D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center;   AIDS Clinical Trials Group;   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI);   US Department of Veterans Affairs;   Prevention and Early Treatment of Acute Lung Injury (PETAL);   Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN);   Medical Research Council
  Not yet recruiting

• Efficacy of Canrenone as add-on Treatment in Moderate to Severe ARDS in COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
  Intervention:  
  Drug: Potassium Canrenoate
  Sponsors:   Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico;   University of Milan;   IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna
  Not yet recruiting

• COVID-19 and Lung Ultrasound Utility - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Device: Device: Butterfly iQ
  Sponsor:  
  Rocket Doctor Inc.
  Recruiting

• Booster Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Biological: CoronaVac
  Sponsor:  
  Health Institutes of Turkey
  Recruiting

• Saliva-based COVID-19 DNA Aptamer Test - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Device: AptameX
  Sponsors:   Achiko AG;   Udayana University
  Recruiting

• Baricitinib in Hospitalized Covid-19 Patients With Diabetes Mellitus - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Interventions:   Drug: Baricitinib;   Drug: Dexamethasone;   Drug: Remdesivir
  Sponsor:   Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
  Recruiting

• Evaluation of the RD-X19 Treatment Device in Individuals With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID19
  Interventions:   Device: RD-X19;   Device: Sham
  Sponsor:  
  EmitBio Inc.
  Recruiting

• Evaluation of The Efficacy of Triazavirin Versus Oseltamivir in Egyptian Patients Infected With COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: standard treatment COVID-19 + Triazavirin
  Sponsor:   Ain Shams University
  Recruiting

• The Efficacy of Nigella Sativa Versus VitaminD3 as Supplement Therapy in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: Nigella Sativa capsule twice daily
  Sponsor:   Ain Shams University
  Recruiting

• Hidroxicloroquina With Azitromicina Versus Hidroxicloroquina and Placebo Int Patients With Mild COVID-19 - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: Hydroxychloroquine with Azithromycin
  Sponsors:   Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, Mexico;   Ultra Laboratorios SA. de CV.
  Recruiting

From PubMed

• Rilpivirine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 protein targets: A potential multi-target drug - CONCLUSION: As a result of our in silico molecular docking study, we suggest that rilpivirine is a compound that could act as a powerful inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 targets. Although in vitro and in vivo experiments are needed to verify this prediction we believe that this antiviral drug may be used in preclinical trials to fight against SARS coronavirus.

• In Silico Mutagenesis-Based Remodelling of SARS-CoV-1 Peptide (ATLQAIAS) to Inhibit SARS-CoV-2: Structural-Dynamics and Free Energy Calculations - The prolific spread of COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) from its epicenter in Wuhan, China, to every nook and cranny of the world after December 2019, jeopardize the prevailing health system in the world and has raised serious concerns about human safety. Multi-directional efforts are made to design small molecule inhibitors, and vaccines and many other therapeutic options are practiced, but their final therapeutic potential is still to be tested. Using the old drug or vaccine…

• Supporting scale-up of COVID-19 RT-PCR testing processes with discrete event simulation - Testing is critical to mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic, but testing capacity has fallen short of the need in the United States and elsewhere, and long wait times have impeded rapid isolation of cases. Operational challenges such as supply problems and personnel shortages have led to these bottlenecks and inhibited the scale-up of testing to needed levels. This paper uses operational simulations to facilitate rapid scale-up of testing capacity during this public health emergency. Specifically,…

• A Meta-Analysis of Safety of Different Regimens of Remdesivir in COVID-19 Patients - Remdesivir is an adenosine analogue drug that targets RNA dependent RNA polymerase enzyme and inhibits the viral replication. As on 22nd of October 2020, US FDA fully approved drug Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 patients who requires hospitalisation. Many clinical studies reported the derangement in hepatic and renal function tests which is alarming considering the health conditions of the COVID-19 patients. In view of these results, the present study was envisaged to review the safety…

• Building Resilience During COVID-19: Recommendations for Adapting the DREAM Program - Live Edition to an Online-Live Hybrid Model for In-Person and Virtual Classrooms - In standard times, approximately 20% of children and youth experience significant emotional, behavioral, or social challenges. During COVID-19, however, over half of parents have reported mental health symptoms in their children. Specifically, depressive symptoms, anxiety, contamination obsessions, family well-being challenges, and behavioral concerns have emerged globally for children during the pandemic. Without treatment or prevention, such concerns may hinder positive development, personal…

• A surrogate virus neutralization test to quantify antibody-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in finger stick dried blood spot samples - The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 engages the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to enter host cells, and neutralizing antibodies are effective at blocking this interaction to prevent infection. Widespread application of this important marker of protective immunity is limited by logistical and technical challenges associated with live virus methods and venous blood collection. To address this gap, we validated an immunoassay-based method for quantifying neutralization of the…

• IFITM proteins promote SARS-CoV-2 infection and are targets for virus inhibition in vitro - Interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs 1, 2 and 3) can restrict viral pathogens, but pro- and anti-viral activities have been reported for coronaviruses. Here, we show that artificial overexpression of IFITMs blocks SARS- CoV-2 infection. However, endogenous IFITM expression supports efficient infection of SARS-CoV-2 in human lung cells. Our results indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein interacts with IFITMs and hijacks them for efficient viral infection. IFITM proteins were…

• One microsecond MD simulations of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease and hydroxychloroquine complex reveal the intricate nature of binding - Currently, several vaccines and antivirals across the globe are in clinical trials. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was reported to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus in antiviral assays. Here, it raises the curiosity about the molecular target of HCQ inside the cell. It may inhibit some of the viral targets, or some other complex mechanisms must be at disposal towards action mechanisms. In some of the viruses, proteases are experimentally reported to be a potential target of HCQ. However, no in-depth…

• Losartan Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication in Vitro - CONCLUSION: Losartan was not an effective inhibitor of deubiquitinase or deISGylase activity of the PLpro but affected the SARS-CoV-2 replication of Vero E6 cells in vitro. As losartan has a favorable safety profile and is currently available it has features necessary for efficacious drug repurposing and treatment of COVID-19.

• Combined computational and cellular screening identifies synergistic inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by lenvatinib and remdesivir - Rapid repurposing of existing drugs as new therapeutics for COVID-19 has been an important strategy in the management of disease severity during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Here, we used high-throughput docking to screen 6000 compounds within the DrugBank library for their potential to bind and inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 3 CL main protease, a chymotrypsin- like enzyme that is essential for viral replication. For 19 candidate hits, parallel in vitro fluorescence-based protease-inhibition assays…

• The potential role of neopterin in Covid-19: a new perspective - Neopterin (NPT) is a member of pteridines group, synthesized by macrophages when stimulated by interferon gamma (INF-γ). NPT is regarded as a macrophage stimulation indicator, marker of cellular immune activation and T helper 1 (Th1) type 1 immune response. Here, we aimed to provide a view point on the NPT features and role in Covid-19. Serum NPT level is regarded as an independent prognostic factor for Covid-19 severity, with levels starting to increase from the 3rd day of SARS-CoV-2 infection,…

• A Novel Small Molecule Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus Propagation in Cell Culture - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause acute and chronic infection that is associated with considerable liver-related morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there has been a shift in the treatment paradigm with the discovery and approval of agents that target specific proteins vital for viral replication. We employed a cell culture-adapted strain of HCV and human hepatoma-derived cells lines to test the effects of our novel small-molecule compound (AO13) on HCV. Virus inhibition was tested by…

• SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral Therapy - The development of effective antiviral therapy for COVID-19 is critical for those awaiting vaccination, as well as for those who do not respond robustly to vaccination. This review summarizes 1 year of progress in the race to develop antiviral therapies for COVID-19, including research spanning preclinical and clinical drug development efforts, with an emphasis on antiviral compounds that are in clinical development or that are high priorities for clinical development. The review is divided into…

• Ivermectin for preventing and treating COVID-19 - BACKGROUND: Ivermectin, an antiparasitic agent used to treat parasitic infestations, inhibits the replication of viruses in vitro. The molecular hypothesis of ivermectin’s antiviral mode of action suggests an inhibitory effect on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication in the early stages of infection. Currently, evidence on efficacy and safety of ivermectin for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 treatment is conflicting.

• The iron(III) and nickel(II) complexes with tetradentate thiosemicarbazones. Synthesis, experimental, theoretical characterization, and antiviral effect against SARS-Cov2 - The discovery of new inhibitors that can be used in the treatment of viral diseases, including Covid-19, is an area open to research, and there is a need for innovative compounds with increased efficiency that provide inhibition by suppressing enzyme, and receptor mechanisms. The iron(III) and nickel(II) complexes were synthesized by template condensation of 4-methoxy-salicylaldehyde with S-methylthiosemicarbazone derivatives of 1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetone (for Fe1) and methylacetoacetate (for…

From Patent Search

• A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COVID- 19 DIAGNOSIS USING DETECTION RESULTS FROM CHEST X- RAY IMAGES - - link

• Advanced Machine Learning System combating COVID-19 virus Detection, Spread, Prevention and Medical Assistance. - - link

• 一种包装重组流感病毒的重组载体和重组流感病毒及其构建方法和应用 - 本发明提供了一种包装重组流感病毒的重组载体和重组流感病毒及其构建方法和应用，涉及生物医药技术领域。本发明利用A型流感病毒八个基因片段为骨架包装出带有新型冠状病毒SARS‑CoV‑2表面刺突蛋白受体结合域（SARS‑CoV‑2_RBD）片段的重组流感病毒，此重组流感病毒可在复制过程中表达具有生物学活性和免疫原性的刺突蛋白受体结合区域RBD。本发明所述重组流感病毒rgH1N1（PR8）‑PA‑RBD可作为重组病毒类药物，用于2019新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID‑19）的预防；也可作为体外SARS‑COV‑2 RBD等相关抗原表达和体内递呈系统。 - link

• Differential detection kit for common SARS-CoV-2 variants in COVID-19 patients - - link

• 一种新型冠状病毒的mRNA疫苗 - 本发明公开了一种新型冠状病毒的mRNA疫苗。本发明提供的疫苗，其活性成分为mRNA，如序列表的序列6所示。本发明还保护TF‑RBD蛋白，如序列表的序列2所示。本发明的发明人通过一系列序列设计和序列优化得到了特异DNA分子，进一步构建了特异重组质粒，将特异重组质粒进行体外转录，可以得到多聚化TF‑RBD mRNA。进一步的，发明人制备了负载TF‑RBD mRNA的脂质纳米粒。本发明对于新型冠状病毒的防控具有重大的应用推广价值。 - link

• 新型冠状病毒B．1．1．7英国突变株RBD的基因及其应用 - 本发明属于生物技术领域，具体涉及新型冠状病毒B．1．1．7英国突变株RBD的基因及其应用。本发明的新型冠状病毒B．1．1．7英国突变株RBD的基因，其核苷酸序列如SEQ ID NO.1或SEQ ID NO.6所示。本发明通过优化野生型新型冠状病毒B．1．1．7英国突变株RBD的基因序列，并结合筛选确定了相对最佳序列，优化后序列产生的克隆表达效率比野生型新型冠状病毒B．1．1．7英国突变株RBD序列表达效率大幅提高，从而，本发明的新型冠状病毒B．1．1．7英国突变株RBD的基因更有利于用于制备新型冠状病毒疫苗。 - link

• SARS-CoV-2 anti-viral therapeutic - - link

• 一种基于联邦学习的多用户协同训练人流统计方法及系统 - 本发明提供一种基于联邦学习的多用户协同训练人流统计方法，旨在利用联邦学习框架搭建一个新颖的人群计数模型，达到让多用户多设备同时训练的目的。各个客户端利用图像数据集对图像分类网络进行本地训练以获取本地模型；在各经过至少一次本地训练后，中心服务器从客户端获取本地模型的权值及附加层参数并进行聚合处理；中心服务器利用聚合处理后的权值及附加层参数更新全局模型，并将聚合处理后的权值参数及附加层参数返回给各个客户端；各个客户端利用中心服务器返回的权值以及ground truth值进行贝叶斯估计，计算loss值，并利用返回的权值参数及附加层参数更新本地模型；重复执行直至所有客户端的loss值均收敛，则完成人流统计全局模型和本地模型的训练。 - link

• A POLYHERBAL ALCOHOL FREE FORMULATION FOR ORAL CAVITY - The present invention generally relates to a herbal composition. Specifically, the present invention relates to a polyherbal alcohol free composition comprising of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Elettaria cardamomum fruit extract, Mentha spicata (Spearmint) oil and Tween 80 and method of preparation thereof. The polyherbal alcohol free composition of the present invention possesses excellent antimicrobial properties and useful for oral cavity. - link

• 新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因及其应用 - 本发明属于生物技术领域，具体涉及新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因及其应用。本发明的新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因，其核苷酸序列如SEQIDNO.1或SEQIDNO.6所示。本发明通过优化野生型新型冠状病毒南非B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因序列，并结合筛选确定了相对最佳序列，优化后序列产生的克隆表达效率比野生型新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD序列表达效率大幅提高，从而，本发明的新型冠状病毒B.1.351南非突变株RBD的基因可以用于制备新型冠状病毒疫苗。 - link