Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Pregnancies and contraceptive use in four African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic -
  The COVID-19 pandemic and the public health measures adopted in response to it have triggered plenty of speculation about the potential impact on fertility in different regions of the globe. This study provides evidence on the fertility response in four sub-Saharan African countries during the first year of the pandemic. Using harmonized data on women of childbearing age from the Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) data series, this study compares pregnancy rates by the turn of the year 2020/21 to a pre-pandemic baseline. There is no indication of a general increase in pregnancy rates since the beginning of the pandemic. In some of the sample countries, pregnancy rates during COVID-19 have instead fallen significantly among the youngest and the least educated women of childbearing age, respectively. In parallel, rates of modern contraceptive usage have risen significantly among the surveyed female populations in several sample countries.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Pregnancies and contraceptive use in four African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Activates the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mediated Signaling -
  Objectives: The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). At the molecular and cellular levels, the SARS-Cov-2 uses its envelope glycoprotein, the spike S protein, to infect the target cells in the lungs via binding with their transmembrane receptor, the angiotensin- converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here, we wanted to invesitgate if other molecular targets and pathways may be used by SARS- Cov-2. Methods: We investigated the possibility for the spike 1 S protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) to target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream signaling pathway in vitro using the lung cancer cell line (A549 cells). Protein expression and phosphorylation was examined upon cell treatment with the recombinant full spike 1 S protein or RBD. Results: We demonstrate for the first time the activation of EGFR by the Spike 1 protein associated with the phosphorylation of the canonical ERK1/2 and AKT kinases and an increase of survivin expression controlling the survival pathway. Conclusions: Our study suggests the putative implication of EGFR and its related signaling pathways in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and Covid-19 pathology. This may open new perspectives in the treatment of Covid-19 patients by targeting EGFR.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Activates the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mediated Signaling
• Biochemical Characterization of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 Endoribonuclease Variants -
  Global sequencing efforts from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, continue to provide insight into the evolution of the viral genome. Coronaviruses encode 16 nonstructural proteins, within the first two-thirds of their genome, that facilitate viral replication and transcription as well as evasion of the host immune response. However, many of these viral proteins remain understudied. Nsp15 is a uridine-specific endoribonuclease conserved across all coronaviruses. The nuclease activity of Nsp15 helps the virus evade triggering an innate immune response. Understanding how Nsp15 has changed over the course of the pandemic, and how mutations affect its RNA processing function, will provide insight into the evolution of an oligomerization-dependent endoribonuclease and inform drug design. In combination with previous structural data, bioinformatics analyses of 1.9+ million SARS-CoV-2 sequences revealed mutations across Nsp15’s three structured domains (N-terminal, Middle, EndoU). Selected Nsp15 variants were characterized biochemically and compared to wild type Nsp15. We found that mutations to important catalytic residues decreased cleavage activity but increased the hexamer/monomer ratio of the recombinant protein. Many of the highly prevalent variants we analyzed led to decreased nuclease activity as well as an increase in the inactive, monomeric form. Overall, our work establishes how Nsp15 variants seen in patient samples affect nuclease activity and oligomerization, providing insight into the effect of these variants in vivo.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Biochemical Characterization of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 Endoribonuclease Variants
• Low immune response after 1.5 years of primary SARS-CoV-2 infection and Covishield vaccination lead to SARS-CoV-2 reinfection -
  We have investigated six COVID recovered cases with two doses of Covishield vaccination followed by reinfection. The primary SARS-CoV-2 infection found to occur with B.1 and reinfection with Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants. The genomic characterization and duration between two infections confirms these cases as SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. The mutation analysis of the reinfection cases correlated with immune evasion potential of BA.1 and BA.2 sub lineages. The immune response determined at different time intervals demonstrated boost post two dose vaccination, decline in pre- reinfection sera post 7 months and rise post reinfection. Apparently, these cases suffered from SARS-CoV-2 reinfection with the declined hybrid immunity acquired from primary infection and two dose covishield vaccination. This suggests the need for booster dose of vaccination. Besides this, multiple non-pharmaceutical interventions should be used to cope up with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Low immune response after 1.5 years of primary SARS-CoV-2 infection and Covishield vaccination lead to SARS-CoV-2 reinfection
• A Mathematical Model of the Within-Host Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies Following COVID-19 Vaccination -
  Compelling evidence continues to build to support the idea that SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody (NAb) levels in an individual can serve as an important indicator of the strength of protective immunity against infection. It is not well understood why NAb levels in some individuals remain high over time, while in others levels decline rapidly. In this work, we present a two-population mathematical model of within-host NAb dynamics in response to vaccination. By fitting only four host-specific parameters, the model is able to capture individual-specific NAb levels over time as measured by the AditxtScore for NAbs. The model can serve as a foundation for predicting NAb levels in the long term, understanding connections between NAb levels, protective immunity, and breakthrough infections, and potentially guiding decisions about whether and when a booster vaccination may be warranted.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A Mathematical Model of the Within-Host Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies Following COVID-19 Vaccination
• A Bispecific Antibody Targeting RBD and S2 Potently Neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Other Variants of Concern -
  Emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, especially the Omicron variant, have impaired the efficacy of existing vaccines and most therapeutic antibodies, highlighting the need for additional antibody-based tools that can efficiently neutralize emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. The use of a “single” agent to simultaneously target multiple distinct epitopes on the spike is desirable to overcome the neutralizing escape of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Herein, we generated a human-derived IgG-like bispecific antibody (bsAb), Bi-Nab35B5-47D10, which successfully retained the specificity and simultaneously bound to the two distinct epitopes on RBD and S2. Bi- Nab35B5-47D10 showed improved spike binding breadth among wild-type (WT) SARS-CoV-2, variants of concern (VOCs) and variants being monitored (VBMs) compared with its parental mAbs. Furthermore, pseudotyped virus neutralization demonstrated that Bi-Nab35B5-47D10 can efficiently neutralize VBMs including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351) and Kappa (B.1.617.1) and VOCs including Delta (B.1.617.2), Omicron BA.1 and Omicron BA.2. Crucially, Bi-Nab35B5-47D10 substantially improved neutralizing activity against Omicron BA.1 (IC50= 27.3 ng/mL) and Omicron BA.2 (IC50= 121.1 ng/mL) compared with their parental mAbs. Therefore, Bi-Nab35B5-47D10 represents a potential effective countermeasure against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and other variants of concern.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A Bispecific Antibody Targeting RBD and S2 Potently Neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Other Variants of Concern
• Effect on the conformations of spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 due to mutation -
  The spike protein of SARS CoV-2 mediates receptor binding and cell entry and is the key immunogenic target for virus neutralization and the present attention of many vaccine layouts. It exhibits significant conformational flexibility. We study the structural fluctuations of spike protein among the most common mutations appeared in variant of concerns (VOC). We report the thermodynamics of conformational changes in mutant spike protein with respect to the wildtype from the distributions of the dihedral angles obtained from the equilibrium configurations generated via all- atom molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the mutation causes the increase in distance between N-terminal domain and receptor binding domain leading to an obtuse angle cosine distribution in the trimeric structure in spike protein. Thus, increase in open-state is conferred to the more infectious variants of SARS-CoV-2. The thermodynamically destabilized and disordered residues of receptor binding motif among the mutant variants of spike protein are proposed to serve as better binding sites for host factor. We identify a short stretch of region connecting the N-terminal domain and receptor binding domain forming linker loop where many residues undergo stabilization in the open state compared to the closed one.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Effect on the conformations of spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 due to mutation
• Tracing the trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern between December 2020 and September 2021 in the Canary Islands (Spain) -

  Several variants of concern (VOCs) explain most of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) epidemic waves in Europe. We aimed to dissect the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in the Canary Islands (Spain) between December 2020 and September 2021 at a micro-geographical level. We sequenced the viral genome of 8,224 respiratory samples collected in the archipelago. We observed that Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Delta (B.1.617.2 and sub- lineages) were ubiquitously present in the islands, while Beta (B.1.351) and Gamma (P.1/P.1.1) had a heterogeneous distribution and were responsible for fewer and more controlled outbreaks. This work represents the largest effort for viral genomic surveillance in the Canary Islands so far, helping the public health bodies in decision-making throughout the pandemic.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Tracing the trajectories of SARS- CoV-2 variants of concern between December 2020 and September 2021 in the Canary Islands (Spain)
• Protection of COVID-19 vaccination and previous infection against Omicron BA.1, BA.2 and Delta SARS-CoV-2 infections -

  Given the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants and the roll-out of booster COVID-19 vaccination, evidence is needed on protection conferred by primary vaccination, booster vaccination and previous SARS- CoV-2 infection by variant. We employed a test-negative design and used multinomial logistic regression on data from community PCR testing in the Netherlands. S-gene target failure (SGTF) was used as proxy to discern Delta, Omicron BA.1 and Omicron BA.2 infections. Two cohorts were defined to assess protection from vaccination and previous infection by variant: Delta-Omicron BA.1 cohort including data from 22 November 2021 to 7 January 2022 (n = 354,653) and Omicron BA.1-BA.2 cohort including data from 26 January to 31 March 2022 (n = 317,110). In the Delta-Omicron BA.1 cohort, including 39,889 Delta and 13,915 Omicron BA.1 infections, previous infection, primary vaccination or both protected well against Delta infection (76%, 71%, 92%, respectively, at 7+ months after infection or vaccination). Protection against Omicron BA.1 was much lower compared to Delta infections, but BA.1 estimates were imprecise. In the Omicron BA.1- BA.2 cohort, including 67,887 BA.1 and 41,670 BA.2 infections, protection was similar against Omicron BA.1 compared to BA.2 infection for previous infection (34 and 38% at 7+ months post-infection), primary (39 and 32% at 7+ months post-vaccination) and booster vaccination (68 and 63% at 1 month post-vaccination). Higher protection was observed against all variants in individuals with both vaccination and previous infection compared with either one. Protection against all variants by either vaccination or infection decreased over time since last vaccination or infection. Primary vaccination with current COVID-19 vaccines and previous SARS-CoV-2 infections offer low protection against Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 infection. Booster vaccination considerably increases protection against Omicron infection, but decreases rapidly after vaccination.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Protection of COVID-19 vaccination and previous infection against Omicron BA.1, BA.2 and Delta SARS-CoV-2 infections
• Detection Of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Of Concern In Wastewater Of Leuven, Belgium -

  To investigate whether wastewater surveillance can be used as an early warning system to detect a rise in SARS- CoV-2 positive cases, and to follow the circulation of specific variants of concern (VOC) in particular geographical areas, wastewater samples were collected from local neighborhood sewers and from a large regional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the area of Leuven, Belgium. In two residential sampling sites, a rise in viral SARS-CoV-2 copies in wastewater preceded the peaks in positive cases. In the WWTP, peaks in the wastewater viral load were seen simultaneous with the waves op positive cases caused by the original Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 strain, the Alpha variant and the Delta variant. For the Omicron BA.1 variant associated wave, the viral load in wastewater increased to a lesser degree, and much later than the increase in positive cases, which could be attributed to a lower level of fecal excretion, as measured in hospitalized patients. Circulation of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (Alpha, Delta and Omicron) could be detected based on the presence of specific key mutations. The shift in variants was noticeable in the wastewater, with key mutations of two different variants being present simultaneously during the transition period. We found that wastewater-based surveillance is a sensitive tool to monitor SARS-CoV-2 circulation levels and VOCs in larger regions. This can prove to be highly valuable in times of reducing testing capacity. Differences in excretion levels of various SARS-CoV-2 variants should however be taken into account when using wastewater surveillance to monitor SARS-CoV-2 circulation levels in the population.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Detection Of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Of Concern In Wastewater Of Leuven, Belgium
• Harry Potter and the Medium of TikTok: Shifting and POV Videos During Quarantine -
  In this study, a new media phenomena that has developed on TikTok throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine period will be explored. This phenomenon is where fans actively insert themselves into movies or TV shows by using editing softwares and post them via TikTok. This emergent category of POV (Point of View) TikTok edits in relation to fandom can give us great insight into the presentation of self online, as well as fanfiction itself. In these videos, creators often insert themselves into these metafictional spaces as original character versions of themselves, which simultaneously invites us to join them in that reality, yet excludes us due to the specificity of each individual “storyline.” TikTok has been created in such a way that invites these sorts of “mashups” and “crossover” edits to happen on the platform. Due to the algorithm driven mechanism that runs the app, one’s For You Page (FYP) is filled with content TikTok “thinks” you will like or interact with. This has combined each medium of the app (popular audio and visual), to run in parallel with one another in relation to these POV videos. This study will explore the Harry Potter fandom specifically on TikTok, and how fans create desired worlds on the app through their POV videos. The study’s hypothesis is that the videos represent a novel blend of self-performance and fan-fiction, facilitated by an app organized around multi-media mashups and siloed subcultures. Based on an analysis of such TikTok videos, the hypothesis proposes that the blend of self-performance and fan fiction represents an “imaginary idealization.” This relates directly to the idea of the performance or appearance of one’s own self in online spaces. These TikTok creators project a desired reality onto their characters—an idealized self as imagined in a fictional world. The blend of self- performance and fan fiction aligns with the idea of “shifting,”which has become explosively popular on post-pandemic TikTok. Shifting supposedly entails transporting one’s subconscious to a “desired reality” or state, typically in a fictional world. This study will focus on the intersection of shifting and POV videos via TikTok, and how imagining fictional worlds through media was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Harry Potter and the Medium of TikTok: Shifting and POV Videos During Quarantine
• Niche diversity effects on personality measurement – evidence from representative samples during the COVID-19 pandemic -
  We report systematic variability in the psychometric properties of a brief personality inventory during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing upon recent discussions about the universality vs cultural relativism of personality measures, we review and comparatively test theories predicting systematic variability in personality measurement across cultures using an established brief personality measure applied to population samples in 16 nations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (N=35,052). We found systematic variation in factor replicability. In line with previous theorizing, factors replicated better in contexts with greater niche diversity and national wealth. Credibility intervals favoured the niche construction hypothesis. Objective indicators of threat due to COVID-19 did not show credible effects. These patterns suggest that a) investigation of personality structure in population samples can provide useful insights into personality dynamics and b) systematic socioecological factors have an impact on survey responses.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Niche diversity effects on personality measurement – evidence from representative samples during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Smart Distance Lab Art Fair - An experimental data set on social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic -
  In the absence of a vaccine, social distancing behaviour is pivotal to mitigate COVID-19 virus spread. In this large-scale behavioural experiment, we gathered data during Smart Distance Lab: The Art Fair (n = 787) between August 28 and 30, 2020 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We varied walking directions (bidirectional, unidirectional, and no directions) and supplementary interventions (face mask and buzzer to alert visitors of 1.5 metres distance). We captured visitors’ movements using cameras, registered their contacts (defined as within 1.5 metres) using wearable sensors, and assessed their attitudes toward COVID-19 as well as their experience during the event using questionnaires. We also registered environmental measures (e.g., humidity). In this paper, we describe this unprecedented, multi-modal experimental data set on social distancing, including psychological, behavioural, and environmental measures. The data set is available on Figshare and in a MySQL database. It can be used to gain insight into (attitudes toward) behavioural interventions promoting social distancing, to calibrate pedestrian models, and to inform new studies on behavioural interventions.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Smart Distance Lab Art Fair - An experimental data set on social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Emotional Support Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Couples During the COVID-19 Pandemic -
  Emotional support, particularly support from family and close friends, is essential to mental health outcomes especially for members of the LGBTQ+ community. The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the important role of emotional support especially for marginalized communities. Although emotional support is recognized as a critical resource, to date no research has examined access to support during the pandemic for gender and sexual diverse populations. I draw on a new population-based data source of 3,642 respondents, the National Couples’ Health and Time Use Study (NCHAT), which oversampled sexual and gender diverse populations during the pandemic (September 2020-April 2021). I focus on two sources of emotional support: family members and friends. Respondents who identified as exclusively heterosexual relied more on emotional support from family than respondents who identified as exclusively gay/lesbian, bisexual including pan, omni, and queer, and those reporting another sexual identity or multiple sexual identities. However, respondents who did not identify as heterosexual relied more on emotional support from friends compared to exclusively heterosexual respondents. There were no significant differences among respondents who identity as sexual minorities in regard to family or friend support. This work contributes to understanding of the social climate and resources available to sexual and diverse populations during a major public health crisis.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Emotional Support Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Couples During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• COVID-19 Vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection and hospitalization in Belgium, July 2021-April 2022 -

  The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Belgium aimed to reduce disease spread and severity. We quantified the observed vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic infection (VEi) and hospitalization (VEh). Exhaustive data on testing and vaccination was combined with a clinical hospital survey. We estimated VEi using a test negative design and VEh using a proportional hazard analysis. We controlled for prior infection, age, sex, province of residence and calendar week of sampling. Variant of concern specific VE-estimates were obtained by time since vaccination from July 2021 to April 2022. We included 1,433,135 persons. VEi against Delta waned from an initial estimate of 81% (95%CI 80-82) to 56% (95%CI 56-57) 100-150 days after primary-vaccination. Booster-vaccination increased initial VEi to 84% (95%CI 83-85). Against Omicron, an initial VEi of 37% (95%CI 34-40) waned to 18% (95%CI 17-20) 100-150 days after primary- vaccination. Booster-vaccination increased VEi to 52% (95%CI 51-53) and waned to 25% (95%CI 24-27) 100-150 days after vaccination. Hybrid immunity conferred by prior infection and booster-vaccination outperformed booster-vaccination only even if the infection was over one year ago, 67% (95%CI 66-68). Initial VEh for booster-vaccination decreased from 93% (95%CI 93-94) against Delta to 87% (95%CI 85-89) against Omicron. VEh for Omicron waned to 66% (95%CI 63-70) 100-150 days after booster-vaccination. In conclusion, we report significant immune-escape by Omicron. VEh was less affected than VEi and immune-escape was attenuated by booster-vaccination. Waning further reduced VEi- and VEh-estimates. Infection-acquired immunity offered additional protection against symptomatic infection in vaccinated persons which lasted at least one year.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: COVID-19 Vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection and hospitalization in Belgium, July 2021-April 2022

From Clinical Trials

• The Role of Glutathione Deficiency and MSIDS Variables in Long COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Dietary Supplement: NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) , Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), liposomal glutathione (GSH)
  Sponsors:   University of California, Irvine;   Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center
  Not yet recruiting

• Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of IN STI-9199 in Treating Symptomatic COVID-19 in Outpatient Adults and Adolescents - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: STI-9199;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:  
  Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of Omicron COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated in Population 18 Years Old of Age and Above - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Biological: Omicron COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated
  Sponsors:   China National Biotec Group Company Limited;   Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd.;   Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital
  Recruiting

• Neuro-inflammation and Post-infectious Fatigue in Individuals With and Without COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Radiation: [18F]DPA-714 positron emission tomography (PET) scan
  Sponsors:   Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc;   ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
  Enrolling by invitation

• Phase II Safety Single-arm Study of CDK4/6 Inhibition With Palbociclib in Hospitalized, Moderate COVID-19 Cases to Prevent Thromboinflammation - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: Palbociclib
  Sponsor:   biotx.ai GmbH
  Active, not recruiting

• Phase I Clinical Trial of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in Adults Aged 18 Years and Older - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: COVID-19 mRNA vaccine;   Biological: Placebo
  Sponsor:   CanSino Biologics Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• Phase II Clinical Trial of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in Adults Aged 18 Years and Older - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: COVID-19 mRNA vaccine;   Biological: Placebo
  Sponsor:   CanSino Biologics Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• To Evaluate SSD8432/Ritonavir in Adults With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: SSD8432 dose;   Drug: SSD8432 placebo
  Sponsor:   Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• THEMBA II T-Cell Vaccine: A Phase 1/2 Study of Vaccination With saRNA COVID-19 Vaccines - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: AAHI-SC2 Vaccine;   Biological: AAHI- SC3 Vaccine;   Biological: EUA or approved vaccine
  Sponsor:   ImmunityBio, Inc.
  Recruiting

• A Study of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine (SYS6006) in Chinese Healthy Older Adults. - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: 20 μg dose of SYS6006;   Biological: 30 μg dose of SYS6006;   Biological: 50 μg dose of SYS6006;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:  
  CSPC ZhongQi Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd.
  Recruiting

• A Study of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine (SYS6006) in Chinese Healthy Adults Aged 18 -59 Years. - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: 20 μg dose of SYS6006;   Biological: 30 μg dose of SYS6006;   Biological: 50 μg dose of SYS6006;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:  
  CSPC ZhongQi Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd.
  Recruiting

• The Use of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Vitamin C by Hospital Care Workers in HK to Prevent COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: Chinese herbal medicine
  Sponsor:  
  Hong Kong Baptist University
  Not yet recruiting

• Evaluation of SSD8432 and Ritonavir in Adult Subjects With COVID-19 Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Clinical Study - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: SSD8432 dose1;   Drug: SSD8432 dose2;   Drug: SSD8432Placebo
  Sponsor:   Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• To Evaluate SSD8432/ Ritonavir in Adults With COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19 Patients
  Interventions:   Drug: SSD8432 dose 1/Ritonavir;   Drug: SSD8432 dose 2
  Sponsor:   Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

• Safety, Reactogenicity, and Immunogenicity Study of a Lyophilized COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine - Condition:   COVID-19 Pandemic
  Interventions:   Biological: A Lyophilized COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine;   Biological: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Wuhan Recogen Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• IL-1 Mediates Tissue-Specific Inflammation and Severe Respiratory Failure in COVID-19 - Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 has been associated with catastrophic inflammation. We present measurements in humans and a new animal model implicating a role in danger-associated molecular patterns. Calprotectin (S100A8/A9) and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were measured in patients without/with ARDS, and admission calprotectin was associated with soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). An animal model was developed by intravenous injection of…

• Factors Associated With Serological Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Rituximab - CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cohort study found that for an optimal vaccine response from tozinameran, rituximab- treated patients with multiple sclerosis may be vaccinated as soon as possible, with rituximab treatment delayed until B-cell counts have reached at least 40/μL. An additional vaccination with tozinameran should be considered at that point.

• SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Hijack IFITM2 for Efficient Replication in Human Lung Cells - It has recently been shown that an early SARS-CoV-2 isolate (NL-02-2020) hijacks interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) for efficient replication in human lung cells, cardiomyocytes, and gut organoids. To date, several “variants of concern” (VOCs) showing increased infectivity and resistance to neutralization have emerged and globally replaced the early viral strains. Here, we determined whether the five current SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron) maintained the…

• Low molecular weight chitooligosaccharide inhibits infection of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro - CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the chitooligosaccharide, a candidate for natural treatment, has antiviral effects against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro.

• Known data on CoVid-19 infection linked to type-2 diabetes - It is of interest to document the known data on CoVid-19 infection linked to type-2 diabetes. Hyperglycemia, inhibition of neutrophil chemotaxis, altered cytokine synthesis, phagocytic cell dysfunction, impaired T cell-mediated immune responses, and inadequate microbia were all seen in people with Diabetes. Individuals with diabetes have also been shown to elevate levels of the proinflammatory cytokine, especially IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and different markers…

• A review of the characteristic properties of selected tobacco chemicals and their associated etiological risks - OBJECTIVES: Despite the quantum of research findings on tobacco epidemic, a review on the formation characteristics of nicotine, aldehydes and phenols, and their associated etiological risks is still limited in literature. Accordingly, knowledge on the chemical properties and free radical formation during tobacco burning is an important subject towards unravelling the relationship between smoking behaviour and disease. This review investigates how scientific efforts have been advanced towards…

• Molecular dynamic simulations reveal anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of mitocurcumin by potentially blocking innate immune evasion proteins NSP3 and NSP16 - The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is affecting human life in an unprecedented manner and has become a global public health emergency. Identification of novel inhibitors of viral infection/replication is the utmost priority to curtail COVID-19 progression. A pre-requisite for such inhibitors is good bioavailability, non-toxicity and serum stability. Computational studies have shown that curcumin can be a candidate…

• Multivalent 9-O-Acetylated-sialic acid glycoclusters as potent inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 infection - The recent emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants illustrates the urgent need to better understand the molecular details of the virus binding to its host cell and to develop anti-viral strategies. While many studies focused on the role of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor in the infection, others suggest the important role of cell attachment factors such as glycans. Here, we use atomic force microscopy to study these early binding events with the focus on the role of…

• VMP1 and TMEM41B are essential for DMV formation during β-coronavirus infection - β-coronaviruses reshape host cell endomembranes to form double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) for genome replication and transcription. Ectopically expressed viral nonstructural proteins nsp3 and nsp4 interact to zipper and bend the ER for DMV biogenesis. Genome-wide screens revealed the autophagy proteins VMP1 and TMEM41B as important host factors for SARS- CoV-2 infection. Here, we demonstrated that DMV biogenesis, induced by virus infection or expression of nsp3/4, is impaired in the VMP1 KO or…

• A glucose-like metabolite deficient in diabetes inhibits cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 - The severity and mortality of COVID-19 are associated with pre-existing medical comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus. However, the underlying causes for increased susceptibility to viral infection in patients with diabetes is not fully understood. Here we identify several small-molecule metabolites from human blood with effective antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, one of which, 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5-AG), is associated with diabetes mellitus. The serum 1,5-AG level is significantly…

• Immunobiology of tubercle bacilli and prospects of immunomodulatory drugs to tackle tuberculosis (TB) and other non- tubercular mycobacterial infections - The COVID-19 pandemic has set back progress made on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Without urgent re-focus, we risk slowing down drug discovery and providing treatment for drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Unique in its immune evasion, dormancy and resuscitation, the causal pathogens of tuberculosis (TB) have demonstrated resistance to antibiotics with efflux pumps and the ability to form biofilms. Repurposing drugs is a prospective avenue for finding new anti-TB drugs. There are many…

• SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Decreases Nanobody Binding and ACE2 Blocking Effectivity - The Delta variant spreads more rapidly than previous variants of SARS-CoV-2. This variant comprises several mutations on the receptor-binding domain (RBD(Delta)) of its spike glycoprotein, which binds to the peptidase domain (PD) of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in host cells. The RBD-PD interaction has been targeted by antibodies and nanobodies to prevent viral infection, but their effectiveness against the Delta variant remains unclear. Here, we investigated RBD(Delta)-PD…

• Serine Protease Inhibitors Restrict Host Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infections - The coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, is a complex disease with a wide range of symptoms from asymptomatic infections to severe acute respiratory syndrome with lethal outcome. Individual factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities increase the risk for severe infections, but other aspects, such as genetic variations, are also likely to affect the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity. Here, we used a human 3D lung cell model based on primary cells derived from multiple…

• Plant-derived active compounds as a potential nucleocapsid protein inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2: an in-silico study - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2. This virus has a high mismatch repair proofreading ability due to its unique exonuclease activity, making it knotty to treat. The nucleocapsid protein can serve as a potential antiviral drug target, as this protein is responsible for multiple captious functions during the viral life cycle. Herein, we have investigated the potential to repurpose active antiviral compounds of plant origins for treating the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In…

• Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Anoectochilus elatus, and their biomedical applications - Zinc and its derivatives requirement increased to enhance human immunity against the different pandemics, including covid-19. Green synthesis is an emerging field of research. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have been prepared from Anoectochilus elatus and characterized using absorption, vibrational and electron microscope analysis. They were carried for antibacterial, inflammatory control tendency, and potential antioxidant activities. The brine shrimp lethal assay tested the biologically…

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