Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Partisan Selectivity in Blame Attribution: Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic -
  Crises and disasters give voters an opportunity to observe the incumbent’s response and reward or punish them for successes and failures. Yet even when voters perceive events similarly, they tend to attribute responsibility selectively, disproportionately crediting their party for positive developments and blaming opponents for negative developments. We examine selective attribution during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, reporting three key findings. First, selective attribution rapidly emerged during the first weeks of the pandemic, a time in which Democrats and Republicans were otherwise updating their perceptions and behavior in parallel. Second, selective attribution is caused by individual-level changes in perceptions of the pandemic. Third, existing research has been too quick to explain selective attribution in terms of partisan-motivated reasoning. We find stronger evidence for an explanation rooted in beliefs about presidential competence. This recasts selective attribution’s implications for democratic accountability.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Partisan Selectivity in Blame Attribution: Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Interfering with nucleotide excision by the coronavirus 3’-to-5’ exoribonuclease -
  Some of the most efficacious antiviral therapeutics are ribonucleos(t)ide analogs. The presence of a 3’-to-5’ proofreading exoribonuclease (ExoN) in coronaviruses diminishes the potency of many ribonucleotide analogs. The ability to interfere with ExoN activity will create new possibilities for control of SARS-CoV-2 infection. ExoN is formed by a 1:1 complex of nsp14 and nsp10 proteins. We have purified and characterized ExoN using a robust, quantitative system that reveals determinants of specificity and efficiency of hydrolysis. Double-stranded RNA is preferred over single-stranded RNA. Nucleotide excision is distributive, with only one or two nucleotides hydrolyzed in a single binding event. The composition of the terminal basepair modulates excision. A stalled SARS-CoV-2 replicase in complex with either correctly or incorrectly terminated products prevents excision, suggesting that a mispaired end is insufficient to displace the replicase. Finally, we have discovered several modifications to the 3’-RNA terminus that interfere with or block ExoN-catalyzed excision. While a 3’-OH facilitates hydrolysis of a nucleotide with a normal ribose configuration, this substituent is not required for a nucleotide with a planar ribose configuration such as that present in the antiviral nucleotide produced by viperin. Design of ExoN-resistant, antiviral ribonucleotides should be feasible.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Interfering with nucleotide excision by the coronavirus 3’-to-5’ exoribonuclease
• Common Statistical and Methodological Errors in Scientific Investigations: A Simple Guide to Avoid Invalid Conclusions and Unfounded Decisions -
  During my experience as an author, peer reviewer, and editor in the course of COVID-19, I have encountered – and committed – various types of errors related to the interpretation and use of statistical measures and tests. Primarily concerning sciences such as epidemiology, infodemiology, and public health, the evidence used to inform a conclusion carries an extremely high weight since it translates into decisions made to preserve the population’s well-being. Ergo, the above evidence must be reliable. In this regard, this short guide discusses the most common and dangerous mistakes I have experienced during my scientific journey. In particular, this framework makes it clear that a statistical test alone cannot answer any scientific questions. Indeed, interpretation of results and the verification of assumptions and test eligibility – subject to the author’s evaluation – are crucial components of the integrity of the scientific investigation. Therefore, before using a test or adopting a measure, we must ask ourselves the following fundamental questions: i) are there valid reasons to explore my research question? ii) am I sure that my approach can fully and properly answers my research question? iii) am I sure that all the assumptions of my model – basic and hidden – are sufficiently satisfied? iv) how could violating those assumptions affect the validity of the results and the stakeholders? v) is the effect size relevant regardless of statistical significance?
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Common Statistical and Methodological Errors in Scientific Investigations: A Simple Guide to Avoid Invalid Conclusions and Unfounded Decisions
• Development of highly potent non-covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro -
  The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the causal agent of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is an urgent need for potent, specific antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2. The 3C-like protease (3CLpro) is an essential enzyme for the replication of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, and thus is a target for coronavirus drug discovery. Nearly all inhibitors of coronavirus 3CLpro reported so far are covalent inhibitors. Here, we report the development of specific, non-covalent inhibitors of 3CLpro. The most potent one, WU-04, effectively blocks SARS-CoV-2 replications in human cells with EC50 values in the 10-nM range. WU-04 also inhibits the 3CLpro of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV with high potency, indicating that it is a pan-inhibitor of coronavirus 3CLpro. WU-04 showed anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity similar to that of PF-07321332 (Nirmatrelvir) in K18-hACE2 mice when the same dose was administered orally. Thus, WU-04 is a promising drug candidate for coronavirus treatment.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Development of highly potent non-covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro
• A single-administration therapeutic interfering particle reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding and pathogenesis in hamsters -
  The high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 is a primary driver of the COVID-19 pandemic. While existing interventions prevent severe disease, they exhibit mixed efficacy in preventing transmission, presumably due to their limited antiviral effects in the respiratory mucosa, whereas interventions targeting the sites of viral replication might more effectively limit respiratory virus transmission. Recently, intranasally administered RNA-based therapeutic interfering particles (TIPs) were reported to suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication, exhibit a high barrier to resistance, and prevent serious disease in hamsters. Since TIPs intrinsically target the tissues with the highest viral replication burden (i.e., respiratory tissues for SARS-CoV-2), we tested the potential of TIP intervention to reduce SARS-CoV-2 shedding. Here, we report that a single, post-exposure TIP dose lowers SARS-CoV-2 nasal shedding and at 5 days post-infection infectious virus shed is below detection limits in 4 out of 5 infected animals. Furthermore, TIPs reduce shedding of Delta variant or WA-1 from infected to uninfected hamsters. Co-housed contact animals exposed to infected, TIP-treated, animals exhibited significantly lower viral loads, reduced inflammatory cytokines, no severe lung pathology, and shortened shedding duration compared to animals co-housed with untreated infected animals. TIPs may represent an effective countermeasure to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A single-administration therapeutic interfering particle reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding and pathogenesis in hamsters
• Nanomolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection by an unmodified peptide targeting the pre-hairpin intermediate of the spike protein -
  Variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) challenge currently available COVID-19 vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies through epitope change on the receptor binding domain of the viral spike glycoprotein. Hence, there is a specific urgent need for alternative antivirals that target processes less likely to be affected by mutation, such as the membrane fusion step of viral entry into the host cell. One such antiviral class includes peptide inhibitors which block formation of the so-called HR1HR2 six-helix bundle of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and thus interfere with viral membrane fusion. Here we performed structural studies of the HR1HR2 bundle, revealing an extended, well-folded N-terminal region of HR2 that interacts with the HR1 triple helix. Based on this structure, we designed an extended HR2 peptide that achieves single-digit nanomolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in cell-based fusion, VSV-SARS-CoV-2 chimera, and authentic SARS-CoV-2 infection assays without the need for modifications such as lipidation or chemical stapling. The peptide also strongly inhibits all major SARS-CoV-2 variants to date. This extended peptide is ~100-fold more potent than all previously published short, unmodified HR2 peptides, and it has a very long inhibition lifetime after washout in virus infection assays, suggesting that it targets a pre-hairpin intermediate of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. Together, these results suggest that regions outside the HR2 helical region may offer new opportunities for potent peptide-derived therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, and even more distantly related viruses, and provide further support for the pre-hairpin intermediate of the S protein.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Nanomolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection by an unmodified peptide targeting the pre-hairpin intermediate of the spike protein
• Characterization of occupational accidents in workers of a highly complex hospital in Bogotá D.C. Colombia in the period between January 2020 – June 2022 -
  Introduction: Occupational accident according to the International Labor Organization is defined as an event during working hours or in connection with work that causes fatal or non-fatal injury (1). These are classified as biological and non-biological. Prior to the pandemic, the health sector was the most at risk for occupational accidents. By 2021, occupational risk factors caused a loss of 90 million disability-adjusted life years. The objective of this study is to characterize the occupational accident rate of workers in a fourth level hospital in Bogotá D.C. during the period 2020 - 2022. Methodology: A secondary analysis of the databases reporting occupational accidents between January 2020 - June 2022, retrospective descriptive cohort analysis was performed. A total of 652 records were obtained, of which 21 were excluded due to lack of information. The analysis was performed in EPI INFO 7® and Excel®. Results: The female sex presented more accidents (78.92%). The highest reporting is between 20-39 years of age (mean 32.7 years). The year 2020 was the year with the most accidents. The most frequent accident was non-biological (53.41 %), followed by skin injuries (28.84 %) and biological (17.75 %). The emergency department had the highest accident rate (19.97 %). The most affected position was nursing assistant (49.13 %). The most frequent type of injury was wound (25.67%), followed by contusion, blow or crushing (21.7%). The main agent was the use of materials and substances (27.26 %) and the most reported body part was the hand (37.58 %). Conclusions: Most studies in the area identify biological type accidents, however, in this case non-biological risk was the most frequent. Likewise, skin injuries were reported as a new classification, due to the use of personal protection elements during the COVID-19 pandemic. This confirms the need to establish policies to ensure the health and safety of healthcare personnel at work.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Characterization of occupational accidents in workers of a highly complex hospital in Bogotá D.C. Colombia in the period between January 2020 – June 2022
• COVID-19 Stress Moderates the Mediational Pathway of Fandom Identification on Well-Being through Problem-Focused Coping -
  Ongoing research about the pandemic has shown how stress about COVID-19 and its resulting lockdowns have been detrimental to our collective well-being. Studies on how people cope with stressful situations suggests that problem-focused coping strategies are especially effective, while other studies suggest that people often turn to their social support networks—from families to fan groups—for social support. In the present study we synthesize this research to develop and test a model of moderated mediation, one where fans’ identification with their fandom is associated with greater well-being as mediated by greater use of problem-focused coping strategies. This mediational pathway is predicted to be especially strong for those experiencing the greatest amount of COVID-19-related stress. We test this model in a cross-sectional study of two different samples of fans (N = 374) recruited through online fan websites. Results suggest support for the pathway in the more stigmatized, decentralized of the two fan groups. We discuss the results in the context of research on the COVID-19 pandemic, problem-focused coping, and the association between fandom and well-being, as well as limitations of the present findings and fruitful directions for future research.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: COVID-19 Stress Moderates the Mediational Pathway of Fandom Identification on Well-Being through Problem-Focused Coping
• Assessment of COVID-19 Effect on the Health of Families in South-West, Nigeria -

  Aim: This study was to assess the effect of the coronavirus disease and its associated lockdown on the physical, spiritual, emotional, and socio-economic health of families living in South-West, Nigeria. Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic create a universal health crisis that has a major effect on our day to day activities and these global concerns have shifted from the diseases to the physical, emotional, spiritual, and socioeconomic effects of the situation on the people. Method: This is a descriptive study with five hundred and thirty six (536) respondents a convenient sampling technique was used to select samples through online Google form. Result: The majority of the respondents ages ranged between 20 and 30years (53.0%). COVID 19 pandemic affected 17.2% of the respondents physical health. The lockdown improved bonding among family members (74.6%), also the lockdown favourable affected 56.0% of the respondents emotional health. The spirituality of the respondents was negatively affected (79.9%) by the lockdown, family expenses were increased (82.6%), there was an increased in the prices of goods (92.9%), and in general COVID 19 pandemic unfavorably affected (77.2%) the socio-economic health of the respondents. Conclusion: This study reveals that COVID-19 and the lockdown produced an adverse effect on the physical, emotional, spiritual, and socio-economic wellbeing of the families in southwest Nigeria. Implications for nursing and health policy: nurses working in COVID- 19 unit need to give total care to the affected patient; therefore, they have obligation to include physical, emotional, spiritual and mental intervention in their care. The government needs to plan and strategize properly in the method for distribution of the palliatives, and if possible identify the vulnerable and less privileged in each state for easy distribution.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Assessment of COVID-19 Effect on the Health of Families in South-West, Nigeria
• Humoral immune responses remain quantitatively impaired but improve qualitatively in anti-CD20 treated patients with multiple sclerosis after three or four COVID-19 vaccinations -

  Background Humoral immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination are diminished in anti-CD20 treated patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). In healthy individuals, neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant are only detected after three COVID-19 vaccinations. It was hitherto unknown whether a third or fourth COVID-19 vaccination of anti-CD20 treated pwMS improves SARS-CoV-2 specific humoral immune responses, including neutralizing antibodies against Omicron. Methods Anti-CD20 treated pwMS vaccinated two (n=61), three (n=57) or four (n=15) times and healthy controls (n=10) vaccinated thrice were included in a prospective cohort study. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 IgG and IgA levels, maturation of SARS-CoV-2 IgG avidity, neutralizing capacity against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 variant and SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell responses were analyzed. Results The proportion of anti-CD20 treated pwMS with detectable SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG was similar after the second (31/61, 50.8%), third (31/57, 54.4%) and fourth (8/15, 53.3%) vaccination. In pwMS with detectable SARS-CoV-2 IgG, the proportion with high affinity antibodies increased from the second (6/31, 19.4%) to the third (17/31, 54.8%) and fourth (6/8, 75%) vaccination. While none (0/10) of the anti-CD20 treated pwMS vaccinated twice had Omicron specific neutralizing antibodies, 3/10 (30%) pwMS vaccinated thrice and 3/5 (60%) pwMS vaccinated four times generated Omicron specific neutralizing antibodies. Conclusion Although SARS-CoV-2 specific humoral immune responses remain quantitatively impaired, in those anti-CD20 treated pwMS who do develop SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, the functionality of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, including neutralizing antibodies against Omicron, improves after three and four SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations, supporting current recommendations for one or two booster vaccination in anti-CD20 treated pwMS.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Humoral immune responses remain quantitatively impaired but improve qualitatively in anti-CD20 treated patients with multiple sclerosis after three or four COVID-19 vaccinations
• Synthetic modified vaccinia Ankara vaccines confer potent monkeypox immunity in non-human primates and healthy adults -

  The recent outbreak of monkeypox (MPXV) outside its endemic boundaries has attracted global attention and prompted world leaders to reserve millions of doses of the only approved third-generation smallpox/MPXV vaccine, Jynneos, which is based on the highly attenuated modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector. We previously developed COH04S1, a multiantigen SARS-CoV-2 vaccine built on a synthetic MVA (sMVA) platform. COH04S1 was extensively tested for efficacy and immunogenicity in animal models, including non-human primates (NHP), and was found to be safe and to induce SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity in a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy adults. Here we demonstrate that one or two vaccinations of NHP with either COH04S1 or sMVA elicit robust othopoxvirus-specific binding and neutralizing antibody responses. Furthermore, healthy adults vaccinated with COH04S1 at different dose levels develop robust othopoxvirus-specific humoral and cellular immune responses that are durable for over six months post-vaccination. Importantly, both COH04S1 and sMVA vaccinations induce elevated and sustained antibody responses to MPXV-proteins that are major targets of protective neutralizing antibodies. These results demonstrate that COH04S1 and sMVA are valuable vaccine candidates to stimulate robust orthopox/MPXV-specific humoral and cellular immunity.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Synthetic modified vaccinia Ankara vaccines confer potent monkeypox immunity in non-human primates and healthy adults
• Analysis of anti-Omicron neutralizing antibody titers in different convalescent plasma sources. -

  The latest SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern Omicron, with its immune escape from therapeutic anti-Spike monoclonal antibodies and vaccine-elicited sera, demonstrates the continued relevance of COVID19 convalescent plasma (CCP) therapies. Lessons learnt from previous usage of CCP suggests focusing on outpatients and immunocompromised recipients, with high neutralizing antibody (nAb) titer units. In this analysis we systematically reviewed Omicron neutralizing plasma activity data, and found that approximately 50% (426/911) of CCP from unvaccinated donors neutralizes Omicron with a very low geometric mean of geometric mean titers for 50% neutralization (GM(GMT50)) of about 17, representing a more than 24-fold reduction from paired WA-1 neutralization. Two doses of mRNA vaccines in nonconvalescent subjects had a similar 50% percent neutralization with Omicron neutralization GM(GMT(50)) about 24. However, CCP from vaccinees recovered from previous variants of concern or third-dose uninfected vaccinees was nearly 100% neutralizing with Omicron GM(GMT(50)) over 200, a 12-fold Omicron neutralizing antibody increase compared to unvaccinated convalescents from former VOCs. These findings have implications for both CCP stocks collected in prior pandemic periods and plans to restart CCP collections. Thus, CCP from vaccinated donors provides an effective tool to combat variants that defeat therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Analysis of anti-Omicron neutralizing antibody titers in different convalescent plasma sources.
• Cohort Study Protocol of the Brazilian Collaborative Research Network on COVID-19: strengthening WHO global data -

  Introduction: With the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in low-income countries were faced with a triple challenge. First, a large number of patients required hospitalization because of the infection9s more severe symptoms. Second, there was a lack of systematic and broad testing policies for early identification of cases. Third, there were weaknesses in the integration of information systems, which led to the need to search for available information from the hospital information systems. Accordingly, it is also important to state that relevant aspects of COVID-199s natural history had not yet been fully clarified. The aim of this research protocol is to present the strategies of a Brazilian network of hospitals to perform systematized data collection on COVID-19 through the World Health Organization (WHO) Platform. Methods and Analysis: This is a multicenter project among Brazilian hospitals to provide data on COVID-19 through the WHO global platform, which integrates patient care information from different countries. From October 2020 to March 2021, a committee worked on defining a flowchart for this platform, specifying the variables of interest, data extraction standardization and analysis. Ethics and Dissemination: This protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) of the Research Coordinating Center of Brazil (CEP of the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceicao), on January 29, 2021, under approval No. 4.515.519 and by the National Research Ethics Commission (CONEP), on February 5, 2021, under approval No. 4.526.456. The project results will be explained in WHO reports and published in international peer-reviewed journals, and summaries will be provided to the funders of the study.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Cohort Study Protocol of the Brazilian Collaborative Research Network on COVID-19: strengthening WHO global data
• Excess mortality in Cyprus during the COVID-19 pandemic and its lack of association with vaccination rates -

  Background: It has been claimed that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, a claim that contributes to vaccine hesitancy. We examined whether all-cause mortality has actually increased in Cyprus during the first two pandemic years, and whether any increases are associated with vaccination rates. Methods: We calculated weekly excess mortality for Cyprus between January 2020 and June 2022, overall and by age group, using both a Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model (DLNM) adjusted for mean daily temperature, and the EuroMOMO algorithm. Excess deaths were regressed on the weekly number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths and on weekly first-dose vaccinations, also using a DLNM to explore the lag-response dimension. Results: 552 excess deaths were observed in Cyprus during the study period (95%CI: 508-597) as opposed to 1306 confirmed COVID-19 deaths. No association between excess deaths and vaccination rates was found overall and for any age group except 18-49 years, among whom 1.09 excess deaths (95%CI: 0.27-1.91) per 10,000 vaccinations were estimated during the first 8 weeks post-vaccination. However, detailed cause-of-death examination identified just two such deaths potentially linked to vaccination, therefore this association is spurious and attributable to random error. Conclusions: Excess mortality was moderately increased in Cyprus during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily as a result of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 deaths. No relationship was found between vaccination rates and all-cause mortality, demonstrating the excellent safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Excess mortality in Cyprus during the COVID-19 pandemic and its lack of association with vaccination rates
• What level of air filtration (ACH) is equivalent to an N95 respirator? -

  N95 respirators are useful for reducing risk from a person infected with COVID-19 at both near-field (e.g. < 6 feet) and far-field exposures (e.g. > 6 feet). Although air filtration is not usually effective at near-field, emulating at least the far-field equivalent of N95 requires 95% relative reduction of particles (20x) from an airborne particulate source in each room. To mitigate COVID infection risk with air filtration, there is a wide range of air change per hour (ACH) recommendations from public health agencies (CDC, CDPH, etc.) ranging from 2 to 12 ACH. Tracking the removal of an inert airborne contaminant (e.g. salt water) as a function of time is often used to measure ACH but is cumbersome and generally not desirable in occupied rooms such as a classroom or home. Instead, we describe a procedure using an optical particle counter to track the decay of ambient aerosols (0.3 μm diameter) and fit it to an exponentially decaying curve to measure ACH from the exponential coefficient. Experiments were conducted both in a room (from surface deposition alone and with air filtration) and in a whole, multi-room house (with air filtration). First, the rate of surface deposition in an unventilated room without HVAC ventilation or air filtration enabled was measured to be 0.6 ACH. Second, ACH was measured (verified) with low-noise generating HEPA purifiers ($299-$999) and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) air purifiers ($55-$160, 1“-5”, MERV 13-16) in each room. The ACH measured with these air purifiers ranged from 4 to 20. Using the measured ACH and volume of the room/house to estimate the clean air delivery rate (CADR) per $100, it varied by a factor of 3x from below 100 cfm for tested HEPA purifiers to above 300 cfm with tested DIY air purifiers. Using 0.6 ACH as a baseline for an unventilated room, at least 12 ACH is required to reduce exposures equivalent to protection of N95 respirators (95%) at far-field, which is verifiable in a room or building with ambient aerosols using either HEPA or DIY air filtration.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: What level of air filtration (ACH) is equivalent to an N95 respirator?

From Clinical Trials

• A Study to Measure the Amount of Study Medicine in Blood in Adult Participants With COVID-19 and Severe Kidney Disease - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: PF-07321332 (nirmatrelvir)/ritonavir
  Sponsor:   Pfizer
  Not yet recruiting

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

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

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

• Long-term Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the Central Nervous System and One-year Follow-up of “Long COVID-19” Patients - Condition:   Long Covid19
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: Perfusion brain scintigraphy imaging
  Sponsor:   Brugmann University Hospital
  Recruiting

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

• Active Cycle Of Breathing Technique Verses Breathing Exercises In Post ICU COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   Post Covid-19 Patients
  Interventions:   Other: Chest physiotherapy with breathing exercises and ACBT;   Other: Chest physiotherapy with breathing exercises
  Sponsor:   Riphah International University
  Recruiting

• Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy and Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among African American Young Adults in the South - Conditions:   COVID-19;   Vaccine Uptake
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Tough Talks COVID
  Sponsors:   University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill;   University of Alabama at Birmingham;   National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
  Not yet recruiting

• rSIFN-co Among Healthy Subjects and Subjects With Mild or Asymptomatic COVID-19 - Conditions:   COVID-19;   SARS-CoV-2
  Interventions:   Drug: rSIFN-co Nasal Spray;   Drug: Placebo Nasal Spray
  Sponsor:   Sichuan Huiyang Life Science and Technology Corporation
  Recruiting

• Evaluation of Safety and Immunogenicity of the Recombinant ZR202-CoV and ZR202a-CoV Vaccines in Adults. - Conditions:   SARS-CoV-2 Infection;   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: ZR202-CoV;   Biological: ZR202a-CoV;   Biological: Comirnaty®
  Sponsor:   Shanghai Zerun Biotechnology Co.,Ltd
  Recruiting

• The Effect of Pilates on Biopsychosocial Characteristics in the Covid-19 Pandemic - Conditions:   COVID-19;   Healthy;   Sedentary;   Exercise;   Pilates
  Interventions:   Behavioral: Sedantary;   Behavioral: Exercise therapy
  Sponsor:   Medipol University
  Recruiting

• Immunogenicity and Safety of BBIBP-Corv Coadministered With PPV23 and IIV4 in Hemodialysis Population - Conditions:   Hemolysis;   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: coadministration;   Biological: COVID-19 vaccine;   Biological: IIV4+PPV23
  Sponsors:   China National Biotec Group Company Limited;   Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention;   Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention;   Guizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention;   Xiangya Hospital of Central South University;   Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd.;   Chengdu Institute of Biological Products Co.,Ltd.;   Shanghai Institute Of Biological Products
  Not yet recruiting

• This Trial is a Clinical Performance Validation Study That Will Evaluate the Clinical Agreement of the Sky Medical™ Rapid Antigen Test Comparing the Antigen Rapid Test to RT-PCR - Conditions:   COVID-19;   Sars-CoV-2 Infection
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: Sky Medical™ Rapid Antigen Test
  Sponsor:   Sky Medical Supplies & Equipments, LLC
  Recruiting

• The Effect Of Distraction Methods On Fear And Anxiety In Children Before The Covid 19 Test - Conditions:   Anxiety;   Fear
  Interventions:   Behavioral: The Kaleidescope;   Behavioral: The visual illusion cards
  Sponsor:   Ondokuz Mayıs University
  Completed

• Cardiovascular Function and Physical Activity in COVID-19 - Condition:   Coronavirus 2019
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Active-at-home-HF
  Sponsor:   Coventry University
  Recruiting

From PubMed

• SARS-CoV-2 infection and C1-esterase inhibitor: Camouflage pattern and new perspective - In Covid-19, the pathological effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection is arbitrated through direct viral toxicity, unusual immune response, endothelial dysfunction, deregulated renin-angiotensin system [RAS], and thrombo-inflammation leading to acute lung injury [ALI], with a succession of acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS] in critical conditions. C1 esterase inhibitor [C1INH] is a protease inhibitor that inhibits the spontaneous activation of complement and contact systems and kinin pathway,…

• The effect of reparixin on survival in patients at high risk for in-hospital mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized trials - CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis of randomized trials suggests that short-term inhibition of CXCL8 activity improved survival in patients at high risk for in-hospital mortality without increasing the risk of infection.

• Phytochemical Discrimination, Biological Activity and Molecular Docking of Water-Soluble Inhibitors from Saussurea costus Herb against Main Protease of SARS-CoV-2 - Siddha medicine is one of the oldest medical systems in the world and is believed to have originated more than 10,000 years ago and is prevalent across ancient Tamil land. It is undeniable that inhibitor preferences rise with increasing solubility in water due to the considerations pertaining to the bioavailability and the ease of which unabsorbed residues can be disposed of. In this study, we showed the phytochemical discrimination of Saussurea costus extracted with water at room temperature as…

• Antiviral and Antibacterial Effect of Honey Enriched with Rubus spp. as a Functional Food with Enhanced Antioxidant Properties - The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of blackberry and raspberry fruits (1 and 4%) and leaves (0.5 and 1%) on the biological activities of rape honey. Honey and plant material extracts were analyzed regarding total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin contents, HPTLC and HPLC polyphenol profiles, as well as antioxidant activity. The antiviral potential was analyzed against bacteriophage phi 6-a coronavirus surrogate-whereas antimicrobial was tested against S. aureus and E. coli….

• Actions of Novel Angiotensin Receptor Blocking Drugs, Bisartans, Relevant for COVID-19 Therapy: Biased Agonism at Angiotensin Receptors and the Beneficial Effects of Neprilysin in the Renin Angiotensin System - Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) used in the treatment of hypertension and potentially in SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibit inverse agonist effects at angiotensin AR1 receptors, suggesting the receptor may have evolved to accommodate naturally occurring angiotensin ‘antipeptides’. Screening of the human genome has identified a peptide (EGVYVHPV) encoded by mRNA, complementary to that encoding ANG II itself, which is an inverse agonist. Thus, opposite strands of DNA encode peptides with opposite…

• Textiles Functionalized with Copper Oxides: A Sustainable Option for Prevention of COVID-19 - COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent severe problems in health centers and public areas. Polyester/cotton (PES/CO) blend fabrics have been functionalized with copper oxides on an industrial scale. For functionalization, the impregnation dyeing technique was applied. The functionalized samples were tested virologically against SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus (229E) according to ISO 18184-2019 and…

• Isolation and In Silico Inhibitory Potential against SARS-CoV-2 RNA Polymerase of the Rare Kaempferol 3-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-Glucoside from Calligonum tetrapterum - The phytochemical constituents of Calligonum tetrapterum Jaub. & Spach (Family Polygonaceae) were studied for the first time. The study resulted in the isolation of the rare flavonol glycoside, kaempferol 3-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-glucoside,(K3G-A). The potential inhibitive activity of K3G-A toward SARS-CoV-2 was investigated utilizing several in silico approaches. First, molecular fingerprints and structural similarity experiments were carried out for K3G-A against nine co-crystallized ligands of nine…

• A Systematic Study on the Optimal Nucleotide Analogue Concentration and Rate Limiting Nucleotide of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase - The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity of more efficient antiviral compounds. The antiviral efficacy of adenosine-based analogs, the main repurposed drugs for SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibition, is mainly assessed through in vitro or cell-free polymerization assays, under arbitrary conditions that do not reflect the physiological environment. We show that SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibition efficiency of remdesivir and cordycepin, two common adenosine analogs,…

• Serum of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Patients with or without ME/CFS Differentially Affects Endothelial Cell Function In Vitro - A proportion of COVID-19 reconvalescent patients develop post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) including a subgroup fulfilling diagnostic criteria of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (PCS/CFS). Recently, endothelial dysfunction (ED) has been demonstrated in these patients, but the mechanisms remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated the effects of patients’ sera on endothelia cells (ECs) in vitro. PCS (n = 17), PCS/CFS (n = 13), and healthy controls (HC, n = 14) were screened for serum…

• Innate Immune Response and Inflammasome Activation During SARS-CoV-2 Infection - The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak, has become a pandemic threatening millions of lives worldwide. Recently, several vaccine candidates and drugs have shown promising effects in preventing or treating COVID-19, but due to the development of mutant strains through rapid viral evolution, urgent investigations are warranted in order to develop preventive measures and further improve current vaccine candidates. Positive-sense-single-stranded RNA viruses comprise…

• Antiviral activity of natural phenolic compounds in complex at an allosteric site of SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease - SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) covers multiple functions. Beside the cysteine-protease activity, facilitating cleavage of the viral polypeptide chain, PLpro has the additional and vital function of removing ubiquitin and ISG15 (Interferon-stimulated gene 15) from host-cell proteins to support coronaviruses in evading the host’s innate immune responses. We identified three phenolic compounds bound to PLpro, preventing essential molecular interactions to ISG15 by screening a natural…

• Consensus statement on blocking interleukin-6 receptor and interleukin-6 in inflammatory conditions: an update - CONCLUSIONS: The document provides a comprehensive consensus on the use of IL-6 inhibition to treat inflammatory disorders to inform healthcare professionals (including researchers), patients, administrators and payers.

• An engineered SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain produced in Pichia pastoris as a candidate vaccine antigen - Developing affordable and easily manufactured SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will be essential to achieve worldwide vaccine coverage and long-term control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here the development is reported of a vaccine based on the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD), produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The RBD was modified by adding flexible N- and C-terminal amino acid extensions that modulate protein/protein interactions and facilitate protein purification. A fed-batch methanol…

• Protective antibodies and T cell responses to Omicron variant after the booster dose of BNT162b2 vaccine - The high number of mutations in the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes its immune escape. We report a longitudinal analysis of 111 vaccinated individuals for their antibody levels up to 6 months after the third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine. After the third dose, the antibody levels decline but less than after the second dose. The booster dose remarkably increases the serum ability to block wild-type or Omicron variant spike protein’s…

• An Antibody from Single Human V_H-rearranging Mouse Neutralizes All SARS-CoV-2 Variants Through BA.5 by Inhibiting Membrane Fusion - SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-variants have generated a world-wide health crisis due to resistance to most approved SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and evasion of vaccination-induced antibodies. To manage Omicron sub-variants and prepare for potential new variants, additional means of isolating broad and potent humanized SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies are desirable. Here, we describe a mouse model in which the primary B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire is generated solely through V(D)J…

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