Background: Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine booster effectiveness is essential as new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge. Data support the effectiveness of boosters in preventing severe disease and hospitalization; however, the real- world impact on reducing incident SARS-CoV-2 infections across specific variants is not yet clear. Objectives: Assess the impact of COVID-19 boosters on protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in a real-world setting from a highly vaccinated (99%) population curated from a linked database with test results, vaccination history, patient demographics, and genomic sequencing information from the National Basketball Association (NBA). Methods: In this population, 1,613 fully vaccinated staff and players (median age 34.5 years, 88% male) who tested at least once between 1 December 2021 and 5 January 2022, were analyzed. Individuals were tested at the time of reporting any symptom, regardless of severity, after known exposure per self-report or contact tracing and/or during enhanced surveillance. Boosted individuals (n=1260) were compared to fully vaccinated and booster eligible individuals (n=162), defined as 2 months post- JNJ-78436735 or 5-months post-second dose of mRNA vaccine. Individuals not yet eligible for a booster and those who recovered from COVID-19 between 1 November and 30 November, 2021 (n=25) were examined in secondary analyses but excluded from the primary comparison. Individuals who were not fully vaccinated (n=27) or who received a booster within 14 days during or prior to the observation period (n=916) were excluded. Results: In this closely monitored population, fully vaccinated booster-eligible individuals were 2.6 times more likely (RR = 2.6, 95% CI: 2.2 to 3.0, p<0.0001) to have a confirmed COVID-19 infection than boosted individuals. Secondary analysis including non-boosted individuals with recent vaccination or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection found that non-boosted individuals were at greater risk of infection compared with boosted individuals (RR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.8 to 2.4, p<0.001). Results were similar when stratified by primary vaccination type with overlapping confidence intervals. No hospitalizations or deaths were observed in this cohort. Genetic sequencing confirmed 93% of infections to be Omicron (among n=330 sequenced). Conclusions: These results highlight the protective benefit of boosters against incident SARS-CoV-19 infection, not only for severe symptoms and death. Assessment of booster effectiveness remains vital for COVID-19 vaccines as new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge, as there is still uncertainty around performance in real-world settings. These data are needed to convince the general public that boosters remain effective at preventing in the spread of COVID-19.
The SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron is now under investigation. We evaluated cross-neutralizing activity against Omicron in COVID-19 convalescent patients who had received two doses of an mRNA vaccination. Surprisingly and interestingly, after the second vaccination, the subject neutralizing antibody titers including that against Omicron all became seropositive, and significant fold-increases were seen regardless of the subject disease severity. Our findings thus demonstrate that at least two doses of mRNA vaccination to SARS-CoV-2 convalescent patients can induce cross- neutralizing activity against Omicron.
Loneliness and social isolation have become increasing concerns during COVID-19 lockdown through neuroendocrine stress-reactions, physical and mental health problems. We investigated living situation, relationship status and quality as potential moderators for trait and state loneliness and salivary cortisol levels (hormonal stress-responses) in healthy adults during the first lockdown in Germany. N=1242 participants (mean age = 36.32, 78% female) filled out an online questionnaire on demographics, trait loneliness and relationship quality. Next, N=247 (mean age = 32.6, 70% female) completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA), collecting twelve saliva samples on two days and simultaneously reporting their momentary loneliness levels. Divorced/widowed showed highest trait loneliness, followed by singles and partnerships. The latter displayed lower momentary loneliness and cortisol levels compared to singles. Relationship satisfaction significantly reduced loneliness levels in participants with a partner and those who were living apart from their partner reported loneliness levels similar to singles living alone. Living alone was associated with lower loneliness levels. Hierarchical linear models revealed a significant cross-level interaction between relationship status and momentary loneliness in predicting cortisol. The results imply that widowhood, being single, living alone and low relationship quality represent risk factors for loneliness and having a partner buffers neuroendocrine stress responses during lockdown.
Objectives: This prospective study aimed to examine the association of job demands, job control, and the lack of supervisor and coworker support with side effects after receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of employees in Japan. Methods: The data were retrieved from an online panel of full-time employees (E- COCO- J). The analysis included participants who were employed and were not vaccinated at baseline (June 2021) but received vaccination at a four-month follow-up (October 2021). An 11-item scale measured the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. Four types of psychosocial working conditions (i.e., job demands, job control, and supervisor and coworker support) were measured using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the psychosocial working conditions and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, adjusting for gender, age, educational attainment, marital status, occupation, chronic disease, dose of vaccination, anxiety from potential side effects of vaccines, fear and worry about COVID-19, and psychological distress at baseline. Results: Overall, 747 employees were included in the analysis. The average number of side effects was 3.78 (SD=2.19): Arm pain (81.1%), fatigues (64.1%), muscle pains (63.3%), and fever (37.5 degrees Celsius +) (53.5%) were reported more frequently. Coworker support score was significantly and negatively associated with the numbers of side effects (standardized β=-0.122, p=0.017). Women, young age, second time vaccination, and high psychological distress were significantly associated with several side effects. Conclusions: Employees with low coworker support may be more likely to have side effects after COVID-19 vaccinations. The findings of this study could inform employees with low coworker support that increasing workplace support may reduce the side effects.
In this paper we report on genome sequencing of 154 SARS-CoV-2 samples between June and July 2021 (Summer outbreak) in the Bailiwick of Jersey, a UK channel island. We have analysed extensive data collected on 598,155 RT-qPCR tests that identified 8,950 positive cases as part of public health surveillance from September 2020 to August 2021. Our study implemented an amplicon-based sequencing approach using the Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) portable device. This revealed the emergence of twelve AY sublineages and were clustered into the Delta sub-clades 21I and 21J. This was integrated alongside an existing RT-qPCR diagnostic laboratory to provide a sample-to-sequence turnaround time of approximately 30 hours with significant scope for optimisation. Owing to the geographic remoteness of the island from large scale sequencing infrastructure, this presents an opportunity to provide policy makers with near real-time sequencing findings. Our analysis suggests that age and sex remained a substantial risk factor for mortality. We observe viral loads are higher in advanced ages and unvaccinated individuals. The median age of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals was higher during winter than the summer outbreak, and the contact tracing program showed that younger individuals stayed positive for longer.
Background: As the body of evidence on COVID-19 and post-vaccination outcomes continues to expand, this analysis sought to evaluate the public health impact of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, BNT162b2, during the first year of its rollout in the US. Methods: A combined Markov decision tree model compared clinical and economic outcomes of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (BNT162b2) versus no vaccination in individuals aged ≥12 years. Age-stratified epidemiological, clinical, economic, and humanistic parameters were derived from existing data and published literature. Scenario analysis explored the impact of using lower and upper bounds of parameters on the results. The health benefits were estimated as the number of COVID-19 symptomatic cases, hospitalizations and deaths averted, and Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) saved. The economic benefits were estimated as the amount of healthcare and societal cost savings associated with the vaccine-preventable health outcomes. Results: It was estimated that, in 2021, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (BNT162b2) contributed to averting almost 9 million symptomatic cases, close to 700,000 hospitalizations, and over 110,000 deaths, resulting in an estimated $30.4 billion direct healthcare cost savings, $43.7 billion indirect cost savings related to productivity loss, as well as discounted gains of 1.1 million QALYs. Scenario analyses showed that these results were robust; the use of alternative plausible ranges of parameters did not change the interpretation of the findings. Conclusions: The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (BNT162b2) contributed to generate substantial public health impact and vaccine-preventable cost savings in the first year of its rollout in the US. The vaccine was estimated to prevent millions of COVID-19 symptomatic cases and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths, and these averted outcomes translated into cost-savings in the billions of US dollars and thousands of QALYs saved. As only direct impacts of vaccination were considered, these estimates may be conservative.
Serological assays used to estimate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rely on manufacturer cut-offs established based on more severe early cases who tended to be older. We conducted a household-based serosurvey of 4,677 individuals from 2,619 households in Chennai, India from January to May, 2021. Samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies to the spike (S) and nucelocapsid (N) proteins. We calculated seroprevalence using manufacturer cut-offs and using a mixture model in which individuals were assigned a probability of being seropositive based on their measured IgG, accounting for heterogeneous antibody response across individuals. The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence to anti-S and anti-N IgG was 62.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.6 to 63.4) and 13.5% (95% CI, 12.6 to 14.5), respectively applying the manufacturer9s cut-offs, with low inter-assay agreement (Cohen9s kappa 0.15). With the mixture model, estimated anti-S IgG and anti-N IgG seroprevalence was 64.9% (95% Credible Interval [CrI], 63.8 to 66.0) and 51.5% (95% CrI, 50.2 to 52.9) respectively, with high inter-assay agreement (Cohen9s kappa 0.66). Age and socioeconomic factors showed inconsistent relationships with anti-S IgG and anti-N IgG seropositivity using manufacturer9s cut-offs, but the mixture model reconciled these differences. In the mixture model, age was not associated with seropositivity, and improved household ventilation was associated with lower seropositivity odds. With global vaccine scale-up, the utility of the more stable anti-S IgG assay may be limited due to the inclusion of the S protein in several vaccines. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence estimates using alternative targets must consider heterogeneity in seroresponse to ensure seroprevalence is not underestimated and correlates not misinterpreted.
BACKGROUND: Excess all-cause mortality rates in Mexico in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic were among the highest globally. Recent reports suggest that diabetes-related deaths were also higher, but the contribution of diabetes as a cause of excess mortality in Mexico during 2020 compared to prior years has not yet been characterized. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, state-level study using national death registries from Mexican adults ≥20 years for the 2017-2020 period. Diabetes-related deaths were classified using ICD-10 codes that listed diabetes as the primary cause of death, excluding certificates which listed COVID-19 as a cause of death. Excess mortality was estimated as the increase in diabetes-related mortality in 2020 compared to average rates in 2017-2019. Analyses were stratified by diabetes type, diabetes-related complication, and in-hospital vs. out-of-hospital death. We evaluated the geographic distribution of diabetes-related excess mortality and its socio-demographic and epidemiologic correlates using spatial analyses and negative binomial regression models. RESULTS: We identified 148,437 diabetes-related deaths in 2020 (177/100,000 inhabitants), 41.6% higher than the average for 2017-2019, with the excess occurring after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In-hospital diabetes-related deaths decreased by 17.8% in 2020 compared to 2017-2019, whereas out- of-hospital deaths increased by 89.4%. Most deaths were attributable to type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes (129.7 and 4.0/100,000 population). Diabetes-related emergencies as contributing causes of death also increased in 2020 compared to 2017-2019 for hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (128%), and ketoacidosis (116%). Diabetes-related excess mortality clustered in southern Mexico and was highest in states with higher social lag, higher rates of COVID-19 hospitalization, and higher prevalence of HbA1c ≥7.5%. INTERPRETATION: Diabetes-related mortality increased among Mexican adults by 41.6% in 2020 after the onset of the pandemic compared to 2017-2019, largely attributable to type 2 diabetes. Excess diabetes-related deaths occurred disproportionately out-of-hospital, clustered in southern Mexico, and were associated with higher state-level marginalization, rates of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and higher prevalence of suboptimal glycemic control. Urgent policies to mitigate mortality due to diabetes in Mexico are needed, particularly given the ongoing challenges in caring for people with diabetes posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objective: To assess the risk of death involving COVID-19 following infection from Omicron (B.1.1.539/BA.1) relative to Delta (B.1.617.2). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: England, UK, 1 December 2021 to 25 January
BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has two main sub-lineages, BA.1 and BA.2 with significant genetic distance between them. This study investigated protection of infection with one sub-lineage against reinfection with the other sub-lineage in Qatar during a large BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron wave, from December 19, 2021 to February 21,
Background: A region-wide analysis of COVID-19 outcomes in New England has not been done. We aimed to characterize clinical, demographic, and vaccination status affecting COVID-19 clinical outcomes and describe viral epidemiology. Methods: Clinical variables of Veterans with COVID-19 in Veterans Administration healthcare systems in six New England states from April 8, 2020, to September 2, 2021 were correlated with outcomes of 30-day mortality, non- psychiatric hospitalization, intensive care unit admission (ICU-care), and post-vaccination infection. We sequenced 754 whole viral genomes and 197 partial genomes. Results: Of 4,170 Veterans with COVID-19, 81% were White, 8% women, mean age was 60.1+17.7 years, and 2,399 became fully vaccinated. Overall, 19% Veterans needed hospitalization, 2.8% required ICU-care, and 3.7% died. Veterans with post-vaccination COVID-19 were older, with higher rates of tobacco/drug use, CKD, and malignancy, and 0.38% died. Among the unvaccinated, ICU-care and mortality correlated with age, while hospitalization correlated with age, male sex, black race, drug use, chronic heart disease, COPD, CKD, and chronic liver disease. Age, CKD, and alcohol use correlated with hospitalization in vaccinated patients. Most New England Veterans (>97%) were infected with B.1 sub-lineages with the D614G mutation in 2020 and early 2021. B.1.617.2 lineage (71%) predominated after July 2021, including the post-vaccination infections. Conclusion: In New England Veterans with mean age of 60 years, age and CKD significantly correlated with hospitalization regardless of vaccination-status. Age correlated with mortality and ICU-care among the unvaccinated. The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) dominated post-vaccination infections.
New COVID-19 variants, either of higher viral load such as delta or higher contagiousness like omicron, can lead to higher airborne transmission than historical strains. This paper highlights their implications for health policies, based on a clear analytical understanding and modeling of the airborne contamination paths, of the dose following exposure, and the importance of the counting unit for pathogens, itself linked to the dose-response law. Using the counting unit of Wells, i.e. the quantum of contagium, we develop the conservation equation of quanta which allows deriving the value of the quantum concentration at steady state for a well-mixed room. The link with the monitoring concentration of carbon dioxide is made and used for a risk analysis of a variety of situations for which we collected CO2 time-series observations. The main conclusions of these observations are that 1) the present norms of ventilation, are both insufficient and not respected, especially in a variety of public premises, leading to high risk of contamination and that 2) air can often be considered well-mixed. Finally, we insist that public health policy in the field of airborne transmission should be based on a multi parameter analysis such as the time of exposure, the quantum production rate, mask wearing and the infector proportion in the population in order to evaluate the risk, considering the whole complexity of dose evaluation. Recognizing airborne transmission requires thinking in terms of time of exposure rather than in terms of proximal distance.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Implemented With Virtual Reality for Post-COVID-19 Patients - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Procedure: Pulmonary rehabilitation
Sponsor:
The Opole University of Technology
Not yet recruiting
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Implemented With VR for Post-COVID-19 Patients - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Procedure: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
Sponsor: The Opole University of Technology
Recruiting
COVID19 Oral Vaccine Consisting of Bacillus Subtilis Spores - Condition: COVID-19 Pneumonia
Intervention: Biological: Bacillus subtilis
Sponsors: DreamTec Research Limited; Middle East Cell and Gene Therapy; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Completed
Anti-inflammatory Drug Algorithm for COVID-19 Home Treatment - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: Recommended treatment schedule; Drug: Usual care
Sponsors: Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Family physicians
Not yet recruiting
Transcranial Direct Stimulation for Persistent Fatigue Treatment Post-COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Device: Active tDCS; Device: Sham tDCS
Sponsor: Hospital San Carlos, Madrid
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Combined Use of Ivermectin and Colchicine in COVID-19 Patients - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: Ivermectin + colchicine; Drug: Colchicine
Sponsor: Ain Shams University
Recruiting
Vale+ Tu Salud: Corner-Based Randomized Trial to Test a Latino Day Laborer Program Adapted to Prevent COVID 19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Behavioral: COVID-19 Group Problem Solving; Behavioral: Control Group-standard of care
Sponsors: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Not yet recruiting
BetaShield: A Phase II, Randomized Trial to Test the Effect of Povidone-iodine 0.5% as Mouthwash/Gargle on SARS- CoV-2 Load (COVID 19) as an Adjuvant Infection Control Measure in Dental Practice - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Drug: Mouth rinse
Sponsors:
University of Pennsylvania; Purdue Pharma LP
Recruiting
A Phase III, Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of TD0069 Capsule as a Combination Regimen With Standard Treatment for Patients With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: TD0069 hard capsule; Drug: TD0069 Placebo
Sponsors: Sao Thai Duong Joint Stock Company; Clinical Training Company
Recruiting
A Phase II Study of the Immunogenicity and Safety of SCTV01C in Population Aged ≥12 Years and Previously Vaccinated With Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine - Conditions: COVID-19; SARS-CoV2 Infection
Interventions: Biological: SCTV01C; Biological: Comirnaty
Sponsor: Sinocelltech Ltd.
Not yet recruiting
Efficacy of the Infusion of Donor Plasma in SARS CoV 2 Infection - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Biological: convalescent plasma infusion covid 19
Sponsor: Hospital Galdakao-Usansolo
Terminated
A Phase II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of SCTV01E in Population Aged ≥18 Years Previously Fully Vaccinated With mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine - Conditions: COVID-19; Sars-CoV-2 Infection
Interventions: Biological: SCTV01E; Biological: Comirnaty
Sponsor: Sinocelltech Ltd.
Not yet recruiting
A Phase II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of SCTV01C and SCTV01E in Population Aged ≥12 Years Previously Fully Vaccinated With Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine - Conditions: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Interventions: Biological: SCTV01C; Biological: SCTV01E; Biological: Sinopharm inactivated COVID-19 vaccine
Sponsor: Sinocelltech Ltd.
Not yet recruiting
A Phase II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of SCTV01C in Population Aged ≥18 Years and Previously Fully Vaccinated With Either Inactivated or mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine or Previously Diagnosed With COVID-19 - Conditions: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Interventions: Biological: SCTV01C; Biological: Sinopharm inactivated COVID-19 vaccine; Biological: Comirnaty
Sponsor: Sinocelltech Ltd.
Not yet recruiting
Nebulised Heparin in Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia - Condition: COVID-19 Pneumonia
Intervention: Drug: Unfractionated heparin
Sponsor: Lady Reading Hospital, Pakistan
Not yet recruiting
Subcutaneous sarilumab for the treatment of hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID19 disease: A pragmatic, embedded randomized clinical trial - CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This randomized trial of patients hospitalized due to respiratory compromise from COVID-19 but not mechanical ventilation found no benefit from subcutaneous sarilumab when added to an evolving SOC. The numbers of patients and events were too low to allow definitive conclusions to be drawn, but this study contributes valuable information about the role of subcutaneous IL-6R inhibition in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods developed and piloted…
2-Deoxy-d-glucose induces deglycosylation of proinflammatory cytokine receptors and strongly reduces immunological responses in mouse models of inflammation - Anti-proinflammatory cytokine therapies against interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1 are major advancements in treating inflammatory diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Such therapies are mainly performed by injection of antibodies against cytokines or cytokine receptors. We initially found that the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG), a simple monosaccharide, attenuated cellular responses to IL-6 by inhibiting N-linked glycosylation of the IL-6 receptor…
Characterization of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in a mildly affected pediatric population - CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic and mildly affected pediatric patients develop a SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody response, which is comparable regarding antigen, epitope recognition, and the ability to inhibit the RBD-ACE2 interaction to that observed in adult patients after mild COVID-19.
TET2 is Required for Type I IFN-mediated Inhibition of Bat-Origin Swine Acute Diarrhea Syndrome Coronavirus - Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) is a newly discovered bat-origin coronavirus with fatal pathogenicity for neonatal piglets. There is no vaccine to prevent SADS-CoV infection or clinically approved drugs targeting SADS-CoV. Therefore, unraveling cellular factors that regulate SADS-CoV for cell entry is critical to understanding the viral transmission mechanism and provides a potential therapeutic target for SADS-CoV cure. Here, we showed that type I interferon (IFN-I)…
29 m6A-RNA Methylation (Epitranscriptomic) Regulators Are Regulated in 41 Diseases including Atherosclerosis and Tumors Potentially via ROS Regulation - 102 Transcriptomic Dataset Analyses - We performed a database mining on 102 transcriptomic datasets for the expressions of 29 m⁶A-RNA methylation (epitranscriptomic) regulators (m⁶A-RMRs) in 41 diseases and cancers and made significant findings: (1) a few m⁶A-RMRs were upregulated; and most m⁶A-RMRs were downregulated in sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock, and trauma; (2) half of 29 m⁶A-RMRs were downregulated in atherosclerosis; (3) inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis modulated m⁶A-RMRs more than…
Inteins as Drug Targets and Therapeutic Tools - Multidrug-resistant pathogens are of significant concern in recent years. Hence new antifungal and anti-bacterial drug targets are urgently needed before the situation goes beyond control. Inteins are polypeptides that self-splice from exteins without the need for cofactors or external energy, resulting in joining of extein fragments. Inteins are present in many organisms, including human pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Cryptococcus neoformans, C. gattii, and Aspergillus fumigatus….
Montelukast Inhibits Platelet Activation Induced by Plasma From COVID-19 Patients - Leukotrienes are important pro-inflammatory lipid mediators derived from the arachidonic acid metabolism. In particular, cysteinyl leukotrienes, namely LTC(4), LTD(4), and LTE(4) are involved in many of the principal features of asthma, while more recently they have also been implicated in cardiovascular diseases. COVID-19 is characterized by an overwhelming state of inflammation, sometimes resulting in an acute respiratory distress syndrome. Furthermore, severe COVID-19 patients present an…
Isolation and In Silico Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like Protease Potentialities of Two Rare 2-Phenoxychromone Derivatives from Artemisia spp - Two rare 2-phenoxychromone derivatives, 6-demethoxy-4`-O-capillarsine (1) and tenuflorin C (2), were isolated from the areal parts of Artemisia commutata and A. glauca, respectively, for the first time. Being rare in nature, the inhibition potentialities of 1 and 2 against SARS-CoV-2 was investigated using multistage in silico techniques. At first, molecular similarity and fingerprint studies were conducted for 1 and 2 against co-crystallized ligands of eight different COVID-19 enzymes. The…
The nsp15 Nuclease as a Good Target to Combat SARS-CoV-2: Mechanism of Action and Its Inactivation with FDA-Approved Drugs - The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is not over yet, despite all the efforts from the scientific community. Vaccination is a crucial weapon to fight this virus; however, we still urge the development of antivirals to reduce the severity and progression of the COVID-19 disease. For that, a deep understanding of the mechanisms involved in viral replication is necessary. nsp15 is an endoribonuclease critical for the degradation of viral polyuridine sequences that activate host immune sensors. This…
Echinacea as a Potential Force against Coronavirus Infections? A Mini-Review of Randomized Controlled Trials in Adults and Children - Echinacea purpurea has been shown to broadly inhibit coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. This review discusses the available clinical evidence from randomized, blinded and controlled human studies. Two RCTs capturing incidence of viral respiratory tract infections during Echinacea preventative treatment were identified including coronavirus infections. Incidence and/or viral loads were measured by RT-PCR and symptom severity was recorded. In a first study, Jawad et al. collected…
Classical and Next-Generation Vaccine Platforms to SARS-CoV-2: Biotechnological Strategies and Genomic Variants - Several coronaviruses (CoVs) have been identified as human pathogens, including the α-CoVs strains HCoV-229E and HCoV- NL63 and the β-CoVs strains HCoV-HKU1 and HCoV-OC43. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 are also classified as β-coronavirus. New SARS-CoV-2 spike genomic variants are responsible for human-to-human and interspecies transmissibility, consequences of adaptations of strains from animals to humans. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 binds to receptor ACE2 in humans and…
Tea Polyphenols Prevent and Intervene in COVID-19 through Intestinal Microbiota - Although all countries have taken corresponding measures, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still ravaging the world. To consolidate the existing anti-epidemic results and further strengthen the prevention and control measures against the new coronavirus, we are now actively pioneering a novel research idea of regulating the intestinal microbiota through tea polyphenols for reference. Although studies have long revealed the regulatory effect of tea polyphenols on the intestinal…
Targeting the RBD of Omicron Variant (B.1.1.529) with Medicinal Phytocompounds to Abrogate the Binding of Spike Glycoprotein with the hACE2 Using Computational Molecular Search and Simulation Approach - The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus continues to inflict chaos globally. The emergence of a novel Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) in South Africa harbors 30 mutations in the spike protein. The variant is distinguished from other variants of concern (VOCs) with an increased (15) number of mutations in the receptor- binding domain (RBD) and suggests higher chances of causing reinfections. Initial reports also claimed that this variant escapes all the neutralizing…
Robust Recombinant Expression of Human Placental Ribonuclease Inhibitor in Insect Cells - Ribonuclease inhibitors (RIs) are an indispensable biotechnological tool for the detection and manipulation of RNA. Nowadays, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, highly sensitive detection of RNA has become more important than ever. Although the recombinant expression of RNase inhibitors is possible in E. coli, the robust expression is complicated by maintaining the redox potential and solubility by various expression tags. In the present paper we describe the expression of RI in…
Fast and Accurate Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test Based on Antibody-Mediated Blocking of the Interaction of ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein RBD - The humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 S protein determines the development of protective immunity against this infection. The standard neutralizing antibodies detection method is a live virus neutralization test. It can be replaced with an ELISA-based surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT), measuring the ability of serum antibodies to inhibit complex formation between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S protein and the cellular ACE2 receptor. There are conflicting research data on…
A METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS WITH PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE - - link
SOCIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR MOBILE ROBOTS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TECHNOLOGY - The emergency department (ED) is a safety-critical environment in which healthcare workers (HCWs) are overburdened, overworked, and have limited resources, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. One way to address this problem is to explore the use of robots that can support clinical teams, e.g., to deliver materials or restock supplies. However, due to EDs being overcrowded, and the cognitive overload HCWs experience, robots need to understand various levels of patient acuity so they avoid disrupting care delivery. In this invention, we introduce the Safety-Critical Deep Q-Network (SafeDQN) system, a new acuity-aware navigation system for mobile robots. SafeDQN is based on two insights about care in EDs: high-acuity patients tend to have more HCWs in attendance and those HCWs tend to move more quickly. We compared SafeDQN to three classic navigation methods, and show that it generates the safest, quickest path for mobile robots when navigating in a simulated ED environment. We hope this work encourages future exploration of social robots that work in safety-critical, human-centered environments, and ultimately help to improve patient outcomes and save lives. Figure 1. - link
A SYSTEM BASED ON DEEP LEARNING FOR ANALYZING DELAYED ENHANCEMENT MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING TO IDENTIFY COVID 19 AND METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses a system based on deep learning for analyzing delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging to identify COVID 19 and method thereof. The method and system include, but not limited to, a processing unit adapted to process the data based on deep learning data modelling in the magnetic resonance imaging associated with the digital image scanning system for diagnosis COVID 19 with the spatial resolution that each frame is deposited is 256 * 256, and being creating that level and vertical resolution respectively are 256 pixels (pixel), the read/write address that the read/write address of each image element, which is controlled by processing unit and forms circuit and finishes; And the data that will be stored in memory are input to a real-time microcontroller, it is characterized in that: analyze and compare by the Multi-source Information Fusion analytical system by using the real-time microcontroller to deliver the D/A changer then, digital signal is become analogue signal output. - link
用于体外诊断的新型冠状病毒核衣壳蛋白抗体 - 本发明提供了一种用于体外诊断的新型冠状病毒核衣壳蛋白抗体或抗原结合片段。所提供的抗体包括重链可变区和轻链可变区，重链可变区包括SEQ ID NO:11、12和13所示的CDR序列，轻链可变区包括SEQ ID NO:14、15和16所示的CDR序列。所提供的抗体用于新型冠状病毒的体外检测，具有极高的灵敏度和特异性。 - link
用于体外诊断的新型冠状病毒核衣壳蛋白抗体 - 本发明提供了一种用于体外诊断的新型冠状病毒核衣壳蛋白抗体或抗原结合片段。所提供的抗体包括重链可变区和轻链可变区，重链可变区包括SEQ ID NO:1、2和3所示的CDR序列，轻链可变区包括SEQ ID NO:4、5和6所示的CDR序列。所提供的抗体用于新型冠状病毒的体外检测，具有极高的灵敏度和特异性。 - link
新型冠状病毒抗原检测的方法和试剂盒 - 本发明提供了一种新型冠状病毒抗原检测的方法和试剂盒。试剂盒包括试剂条，试剂条包括底板，以及位于底板上的沿样品层析的方向依次相连的样品垫、胶体金垫、硝酸纤维素膜和吸水纸；胶体金垫上附着有胶体金标记的质控标记物和第二新型冠状病毒核衣壳蛋白抗体；硝酸纤维素膜上设有T线和C线，T线含有第一新型冠状病毒核衣壳蛋白抗体，C线包含与胶体金标记的质控标记物特异结合的配体；第一新型冠状病毒核衣壳蛋白抗体具有包含SEQ ID NO:1、2和3所示CDR序列的第一重链可变区和SEQ ID NO:4、5和6所示CDR序列的第一轻链可变区。所提供的试剂盒用于新型冠状病毒的体外检测，具有极高的灵敏度和特异性。 - link
一种特异性结合新型冠状病毒S蛋白的抗体及其应用 - 本发明涉及一种特异性结合新型冠状病毒S蛋白的抗体及其应用，属于生物技术领域。本发明提供了一种抗原，所述抗原包括氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO.1所示的多肽，氨基酸序列如SEQ ID NO.2所示的多肽，与SEQ ID NO.1所示氨基酸序列具有80%以上同源性，且具有诱发针对SARS‑CoV‑2 S蛋白免疫反应功能的衍生多肽，和/或，与SEQ ID NO.2所示氨基酸序列具有80%以上同源性，且具有诱发针对SARS‑CoV‑2 S蛋白免疫反应功能的衍生多肽；使用所述抗原对动物进行免疫可获得能够与SARS‑CoV‑2 S蛋白特异性结合的多克隆抗体。 - link
检测SARS-CoV-2变异株的组合物、试剂盒、方法及其用途 - 本发明属于分子生物学检测领域；涉及SARS‑CoV‑2奥密克戎（Omicron）变异株的检测。本发明提供了包含所述组合物的试剂盒，所述组合物的用途，以及用于检测SARS‑CoV‑2变异株并分型的方法。通过检测SARS‑CoV‑2变异株S基因上的4个不同的特征功能变异位点，对奥密克戎变异株进行分型，从而在单管反应体系中同时实现SARS‑CoV‑2病毒及奥密克戎变异株分型的检测。本发明的组合物，结合荧光探针熔解曲线法，其成本低，通量高。并且操作简便，结果读取过程通过熔解峰Tm值即可以判定。检测全过程均在单管封闭条件下进行，避免了由于样本间交叉引起的假阳性和环境污染。 - link
一种用于检测病毒的试剂盒 - 本发明提供了一种用于检测病毒的试剂盒，包括裂解病毒的试剂和病毒的免疫层析检测装置，通过在试纸条上设置连接标记区域和检测区域的缓冲过渡区域，以及在卡壳盖上设置三条压住试纸条的压条，减缓样本的流速，提高样本在试纸条上的层析和过滤效果，并搭配裂解病毒的试剂，暴露出更多的抗原或者抗原位点，从而大幅提高待测物的检测灵敏度，特别是针对新型冠状病毒的裂解，可以明显提高样本中的病毒抗原浓度，从而采用特定结构的免疫荧光测试条，提高检测的最低阀值，防止漏检。 - link
一种用于检测病毒的试剂和试剂盒 - 本发明提供了一种用于检测病毒的试剂和试剂盒，包括裂解病毒的试剂和试纸条，通过在试纸条上设置连接标记区域和检测区域的缓冲过渡区域，减缓样本的流速，提高样本在试纸条上的层析和过滤效果，并搭配裂解病毒的试剂裂解病毒，暴露出更多的抗原或者抗原位点，从而提高检测的灵敏度。在样本中病毒量特别低的时候，希望能够获得阳性结果，就希望获得更多的抗原片段或者病毒片段，采用本发明提供的裂解液对样本进行裂解，可以明显提高样本中的病毒抗原浓度，从而采用免疫荧光测试条，提高检测的最低阀值，防止漏检，特别适用于针对新型冠状病毒的裂解。 - link