Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Debt, health and HIV spending after the COVID-19 crisis: Assessing alternatives for relief mechanisms and additional financing through a cross-country macroeconomic study -

  This study addresses the following policy questions: What forms of debt relief and additional financing are most effective in mitigating the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in countries that are at risk of or facing debt distress? What would the subsequent impact be on government health and HIV financing up until 2030? To answer these questions, five debt relief and additional financing options are hypothetically applied to seven Sub-Saharan African countries using a macro-fiscal programming framework and debt scenario modelling. Aggregate impacts demonstrate that, on average, the COVID-19 period has had a significant impact on government health and HIV-related expenditure. Each of the five presented options studied are shown to have an iteratively greater impact in mitigating the effects of the pandemic on government health and HIV-related expenditure. However, none of the debt relief and additional financing options succeed in offsetting the loss of health and HIV fiscal space that has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adequate solutions to make up for this shortfall require the consideration of options beyond the current policy dialogue.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Debt, health and HIV spending after the COVID-19 crisis: Assessing alternatives for relief mechanisms and additional financing through a cross-country macroeconomic study
• Association of upper respiratory Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization with SARS-CoV-2 infection among adults -

  Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae interacts with numerous viral respiratory pathogens in the upper airway. It is unclear whether similar interactions occur with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We collected saliva specimens from working-age adults receiving SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing at outpatient clinics and via mobile community-outreach testing between July and November 2020 in Monterey County, California. Following bacterial culture enrichment, we tested for pneumococci by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting the lytA and piaB genes, and measured associations with SARS-CoV-2 infection via conditional logistic regression. Results: Analyses included 1,278 participants, with 564 enrolled in clinics and 714 enrolled through outreach-based testing. Prevalence of pneumococcal carriage was 9.2% (117/1,278) among all participants (11.2% [63/564] clinic-based testing; 7.6% [54/714] outreach testing). Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 27.4% (32/117) among pneumococcal carriers and 9.6% (112/1,161) among non-carriers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.73; 95% confidence interval: 1.58-4.69). Associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and pneumococcal carriage were enhanced in the clinic-based sample (aOR=4.01 [2.08-7.75]) and among symptomatic participants (aOR=3.38 [1.35-8.40]), when compared to findings within the outreach-based sample and among asymptomatic participants. Adjusted odds of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection increased 1.24 (1.00-1.55)-fold for each 1-unit decrease in piaB qPCR CT value among pneumococcal carriers. Last, pneumococcal carriage modified the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with recent exposure to a suspected COVID-19 case (aOR=7.64 [1.91-30.7] and 3.29 [1.94-5.59]) among pneumococcal carriers and non-carriers, respectively). Conclusions: Associations of pneumococcal carriage detection and density with SARS-CoV-2 suggest a synergistic relationship in the upper airway. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine interaction mechanisms between pneumococci and SARS-CoV-2.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Association of upper respiratory Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization with SARS-CoV-2 infection among adults
• Kinetics of naturally induced binding and neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and potencies among Kenyan patients with diverse grades of COVID-19 severity -

  Background: Given the low levels of COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite high levels of natural SARS-CoV-2 exposures, strategies for extending the breadth and longevity of naturally acquired immunity are warranted. Designing such strategies will require a good understanding of natural immunity. Methods: We used ELISA to measure whole-spike IgG and spike-receptor binding domain (RBD) total immunoglobulins (Igs) on 585 plasma samples collected longitudinally over five successive time points within six months of COVID-19 diagnosis in 309 COVID-19 patients. We measured antibody neutralizing potency against the wild-type (Wuhan) SARS-CoV-2 pseudo-virus in a subset of 51 patients over three successive time points. Binding and neutralizing antibody levels and potencies were then tested for correlations with COVID-19 severities, graded according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), USA criteria. Results: Rates of sero-conversion increased from Day 0 (day of PCR testing) to Day 180 (six months) (63.6% to 100 %) and (69.3 % to 97%) for anti-spike IgG and anti-spike-RBD binding Igs, respectively. Levels of these binding antibodies peaked at Day 28 (P<0.0001) and were subsequently maintained for six months without significant decay (p>0.99). Similarly, antibody neutralizing potencies peaked at Day 28 (p<0.0001) but had decreased by three-folds, six months after COVID-19 diagnosis (p<0.0001). Binding antibodies levels were highly correlated with neutralizing antibody potencies at all the time points analyzed (r>0.6, P<0.0001). Levels and potencies of binding and neutralizing antibodies increased with disease severity. Conclusion: Most COVID-19 patients from Sub-Saharan Africa generate SARS-CoV-2 specific binding antibodies that remain stable during the first six months of infection. Although antibody binding levels and neutralizing potencies were directly correlated, the respective neutralizing antibodies decayed three-fold by the sixth month of COVID-19 diagnosis suggesting that they are short-lived, consistent with what has been observed elsewhere. Thus, just like for other populations, regular vaccination boosters will be required to broaden and sustain the high levels of predominantly naturally acquired anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Kinetics of naturally induced binding and neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and potencies among Kenyan patients with diverse grades of COVID-19 severity
• Estimating the potential need and impact of SARS-CoV-2 test-and-treat programs with oral antivirals in low-and-middle-income countries -

  Oral antivirals can potentially reduce the burden of COVID-19. However, low SARS-CoV-2 clinical testing rates in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (mean <10 tests/100,000 people/day, July 2022) makes the development of effective test-and-treat programs challenging. Here, we used an agent-based model to investigate how testing rates and strategies could affect development of test-and-treat programs in three representative LMICs. We find that at <10 tests/100,000 people/day, test-and-treat programs are unlikely to have any impact on the public health burden of COVID-19. At low effective transmission rates (R_t≤1.2), increasing to 100 tests/100,000 people/day and allowing uncapped distribution of antivirals to LMICs (estimate = 26,000,000-90,000,000 courses/year for all LMICs), could avert up to 65% of severe cases, particularly in countries with older populations. For higher R_t, significant reductions in severe cases are only possible by substantially increasing testing rates or restricting clinical testing to those with higher risk of severe disease.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Estimating the potential need and impact of SARS-CoV-2 test-and-treat programs with oral antivirals in low-and-middle-income countries
• Association between COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and COVID-19 illness and severity during Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sublineage periods -

  ABSTRACT Importance: Recent sublineages of the SARS–CoV–2 Omicron variant, including BA.4 and BA.5, may be associated with greater immune evasion and less protection against COVID–19 following vaccination. Objective: To evaluate the association between COVID–19 mRNA vaccination with 2, 3, or 4 doses among immunocompetent adults and the risk of medically attended COVID–19 illness during a period of BA.4/BA.5 predominant circulation; to evaluate the relative severity of COVID–19 in hospitalized cases across Omicron BA.1, BA.2/BA.2.12.1, and BA.4/BA.5 sublineage periods. Setting, Design and Participants: Test-negative study of adults with COVID–19–like illness (CLI) and molecular testing for SARS–CoV–2 conducted in 10 states from December 16, 2021, to August 20, 2022. Exposure: mRNA COVID–19 vaccination. Main Outcomes and Measures: Emergency department/urgent care encounters, hospitalizations, and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) or in-hospital death. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the association between prior vaccination and medically attended COVID-19 was used to estimate VE, stratified by care setting and vaccine doses (2, 3, or 4 doses vs 0 doses as reference group). Among hospitalized case-patients, demographic and clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes including ICU admission and death were compared across sublineage periods. Results: Between June 19 – August 20, 2022, 82,229 ED/UC and 21,007 hospital encounters were included for the BA.4/BA.5 vaccine effectiveness analysis. Among adults hospitalized with CLI, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68-0.83) for receipt of 2 vaccine doses at ≥150 days after receipt, 0.32 (95% CI: 0.20–0.50) for a third dose 7–119 days after receipt, and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.58–0.71) for a third dose ≥120 days (median 235 days) after receipt for cases vs controls. For COVID-19-associated hospitalization, among patients ages ≥65 years 7-59 and ≥60 days (median 88 days) after a fourth dose, ORs were 0.34 (95% CI: 0.25–0.47) and 0.43 (95% CI: 0.34–0.56), respectively. Among hospitalized cases, ICU admission and/or in-hospital death occurred in 21.4% during the BA.1 vs 14.7% during the BA.4/BA.5 period (standardized mean difference: 0.17). Conclusion: VE against medically attended COVID-19 illness decreased over time since last dose; receipt of one or two booster doses increased effectiveness over a primary series alone.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Association between COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and COVID-19 illness and severity during Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sublineage periods
• Plasma cytokine levels reveal deficiencies in IL-8 and gamma interferon in Long-COVID -

  Up to half of individuals who contract SARS-CoV-2 develop symptoms of long-COVID approximately three months after initial infection. These symptoms are highly variable, and the mechanisms inducing them are yet to be understood. We compared plasma cytokine levels from individuals with long-COVID to healthy individuals and found that those with long-COVID had 100% reductions in circulating levels of interferon gamma and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Additionally, we found significant reductions in levels of IL-6, IL-2, IL-17, IL-13, and IL-4 in individuals with long-COVID. We propose immune exhaustion as the driver of long-COVID, with the complete absence of interferon gamma; and IL-8 preventing the lungs and other organs from healing after acute infection, and reducing the ability to fight off subsequent infections, both contributing to the myriad of symptoms suffered by those with long-COVID.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Plasma cytokine levels reveal deficiencies in IL-8 and gamma interferon in Long-COVID
• GRAPHENE FIELD EFFECT BIOSENSOR FOR CONCURRENT AND SPECIFIC DETECTION OF SARS-COV-2 AND INFLUENZA -

  The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted the need for devices capable of carrying out rapid differential detection of viruses that may manifest similar physiological symptoms yet demand tailored treatment plans. Seasonal influenza may be exacerbated by COVID-19 infections, increasing the burden on healthcare systems. In this work, we demonstrate a technology, based on liquid-gated graphene field-effect transistors, for rapid and ultraprecise detection and differentiation of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 surface protein. The device consists of 4 onboard graphene field-effect electrolyte-gated transistors arranged in a quadruple architecture, where each quarter is functionalized with either antigen-specific antibody or chemically passivated control. The antigen-antibody interaction is dependent on uniform diffusion of virus delivered in low ionic strength phosphate buffer solution, entailing a facile operating procedure, where the user adds a drop of the viral surface protein solution onto the device. Our sensor platform was tested against a range of concentrations of viral surface proteins from both viruses with the lowest tested and detected concentration at ~50 ag/mL, or 88 zM for COVID-19 and 227 zM for Flu, 5-fold lower than the values reported previously on a similar platform. Unlike the contemporary standard, RT-PCR test, which have a turnaround time of a few hours, the reported graphene biosensor technology has a fast response time of ~10 seconds enabling rapid diagnosis. Furthermore, the antibodies tested were confirmed to be antigen-specific through cross-reactivity tests. Thus, we have developed a multi-virus, highly sensitive and specific detection tool for rapid diagnostic applications for contemporary, emerging, and future viruses.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: GRAPHENE FIELD EFFECT BIOSENSOR FOR CONCURRENT AND SPECIFIC DETECTION OF SARS-COV-2 AND INFLUENZA
• A novel antiviral formulation inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelium -
  A novel proprietary formulation, ViruSAL, has previously been demonstrated to inhibit diverse enveloped viral infections in vitro and in vivo. We evaluated the ability of ViruSAL to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, using physiologically relevant models of the human bronchial epithelium, to model early infection of the upper respiratory tract. ViruSAL potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells cultured as an air-liquid interface (ALI) model, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Viral infection was completely inhibited when ViruSAL was added to bronchial airway models prior to infection. Importantly, ViruSAL also inhibited viral infection when added to ALI models post-infection. No evidence of in vitro cellular toxicity was detected in ViruSAL treated cells at concentrations that completely abrogated viral infectivity. Moreover, intranasal instillation of ViruSAL to a rat model did not result in any toxicity or pathological changes. Together these findings highlight the potential for ViruSAL as a novel and potent antiviral for use within clinical and prophylactic settings.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: A novel antiviral formulation inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelium
• Real-time inactivation of airborne SARS-CoV-2 using ultraviolet-C -
  COVID-19 is a life-threatening respiratory infection that has had a profound impact on indoor air quality awareness. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) is a physical disinfection process that triggers microbial inactivation through creating irreversible genetic material damage. An upper room device equipped with germicidal UV-C (UR GUV) was evaluated against airborne SARS-CoV-2 for antimicrobial efficacy using a robust aerosol testing protocol. In 30 minutes, it led to a virucidal efficacy of 99.994 % in a large, room-sized chamber. UR GUV is a promising mitigation strategy for airborne pathogens.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Real-time inactivation of airborne SARS-CoV-2 using ultraviolet-C
• Novel ACE2 nanoparticles universally block SARS-CoV-2 variants in the human respiratory tract -
  The continual evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has challenged the efficacy of many COVID19 vaccines and treatment options. One strategy that evades viral escape is using the entry receptor, human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (hACE2). Soluble hACE2 receptor domains show potential as decoys but genetic modifications are necessary to provide sufficient efficacy. However, these engineered constructs are potentially susceptible to viral escape. We combined native hACE2 with viral vectors to form nanoparticles presenting hACE2 analogous to human cells. Cell-based viral infection assays and cryogenic in-situ tomography show that hACE2 nanoparticles sequester viruses through aggregation, efficiently blocking entry of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in model cell systems and human respiratory tract explants using native hACE2. Thus, we show that hACE2 nanoparticles have high potential as pan-variant COVID19 therapeutics.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Novel ACE2 nanoparticles universally block SARS-CoV-2 variants in the human respiratory tract
• Is there a post-COVID-19 increase in violence and aggressive behavior in Egypt or globally? -
  Emerging data and reports from those on the front lines show that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, have increased since the outbreak of COVID-19. This is the COVID-19 Shadow Pandemic, and we need a global collaborative effort to stop it. Essential services, such as domestic violence shelters and helplines, have reached capacity as COVID-19 cases continue to strain health services. More needs to be done in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts to prioritize addressing violence against women. Everyone has a role to play, and UN Women is providing up-to-date information and funding vital programs to combat the Shadow Pandemic of violence against women during COVID-19. (1) a Villalpando JMG investigation following results was obtained from a comparison of the population with previous mental health disorders and COVID-19 to those without background disorders or COVID-19: Severe depression affected 27.58 percent versus 16.82 percent, severe anxiety affected 48.27 percent versus 17.75 percent, In and severe stress affected 27.58 percent versus 20.56 percent. Patients without COVID-19 had a high prevalence of mental health effects, which was increased in the population with long-term COVID syndrome and prior mental health disorders. (2) Na Zeng et al. conducted a meta-analysis for the study of long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms among recovered survivors.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Is there a post-COVID-19 increase in violence and aggressive behavior in Egypt or globally?
• Applying Socio-Emotional Information Processing Theory to Explain Child Abuse Risk: Emerging Patterns from the COVID-19 Pandemic -
  The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted profound effects on parents, which may translate into elevated child abuse risk. Prior literature demonstrates that Social Information Processing theory is a useful framework for understanding the cognitive processes that can contribute to parental abuse risk, but the model has not adequately integrated affective processes that may coincide with such cognitions. Given that parents are experiencing intense emotions during the pandemic, the current study sought to examine how socio-emotional processes might account for abuse risk during the pandemic (perceived pandemic-related increases in harsh parenting, reported physical and psychological aggression, and child abuse potential). A sample of 304 mothers participated in an online study, reporting on their abuse risk as well as a number of socio-emotional processes. Greater approval of physical discipline and weaker anger regulation abilities were directly or indirectly related to measures of abuse risk during the pandemic, with maternal justification to use parent-child aggression to ensure obedience consistently relating to all indicators of abuse risk during the pandemic. Socio-emotional processes that include anger appear particularly relevant during the heightened period of strain induced by the pandemic. By studying multiple factors simultaneously, the current findings can inform child abuse prevention efforts.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Applying Socio-Emotional Information Processing Theory to Explain Child Abuse Risk: Emerging Patterns from the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Adapting to Crisis: A Binational Study on the Impact of Flexibility on Latent Profiles of Coping with COVID-19 -
  Introduction. The high level of uncertainty brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the general population’s well-being and ability to cope with daily challenges. Studies indicate that flexibility, defined as the ability to employ and adapt a variety of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral strategies in accordance with changing contextual demands, may significantly contribute to coping with long-term stressors such as COVID-19. Objectives. We aimed to investigate which facets of flexibility predict different latent coping profiles in Israel and Germany. Methods. 2330 Israelis and 743 Germans completed online questionnaires measuring cognitive, emotional and trauma-related regulatory flexibility, and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral coping with COVID-19. Results. Analyses revealed three distinct coping profiles in each country (high, medium and low). These profiles differed in both anxiety and depression symptoms with the low coping group experiencing clinically relevant symptoms both in Israel and in Germany. Additionally, cognitive flexibility and trauma-related regulatory flexibility, but not emotion regulatory flexibility, emerged as significant predictors of coping in both countries. Conclusions. Training cognitive and trauma-related regulatory flexibility may help individuals to better cope with psychosocial stressors such as COVID-19. Such trainings could be selectively administered to less flexible subpopulations, as well as adapted to the specific population characteristics.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Adapting to Crisis: A Binational Study on the Impact of Flexibility on Latent Profiles of Coping with COVID-19
• The Long-Term Buffering Effect of Sense of Coherence on Psychopathological Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Prospective Observational Study -
  Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a multidimensional long-term stressor. Consequently, research demonstrated a negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health in parts of the general population. However, not all people are affected equally making the identification of resilience factors modulating the pandemic’s impact on mental health an important research agenda. One of these factors is sense of coherence (SOC), the key component of the salutogenesis framework. Objective: The current study aimed at investigating the long-term relationship between SOC and psychopathology, and the impact of COVID-19-related rumination as its moderator. Methods: The prospective observational study assessed psychopathology and SOC before the COVID-19 outbreak in Germany (February 2020) and at six critical time points during the pandemic (n = 1,479). Bivariate latent change score models and latent growth mixture modeling were used to analyze changes in psychopathology and SOC along with their interaction and to differentiate trajectories of COVID-19-related rumination. Results: A model allowing for unidirectional coupling from SOC to psychopathology demonstrated best fit. In the total sample, psychopathological symptoms increased significantly over time. Previous SOC predicted later changes in psychopathology, whereby a stronger SOC was associated with a decrease in symptoms over time, while a weaker SOC with an increase in symptoms. The same pattern of results was evident in the high-rumination (17.2%) but not in the low-rumination group (82.8%). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that SOC is an important predictor and modulator of psychopathology during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for those respondents that ruminate about the pandemic.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: The Long-Term Buffering Effect of Sense of Coherence on Psychopathological Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Prospective Observational Study
• Impact of COVID-19 on public mental health and the buffering effect of sense of coherence -
  Abstract Introduction. It is claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on mental health. However, to date, prospective studies are lacking. Moreover, it is important to identify which factors modulate the stress response to the pandemic. Previously, sense of coherence (SOC) has emerged as a particularly important resistance factor. Objective. This prospective study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health and to investigate the ability of pre-outbreak SOC levels to predict changes in psychopathological symptoms. Methods. The study assessed psychopathological symptoms and SOC before and after the COVID-19 outbreak as well as post-outbreak COVID-19-related traumatic distress in a German-speaking sample (N=1,591). Bivariate latent change score (BLCS) modelling was used to analyse pre-to-post outbreak changes in psychopathological symptoms and the ability of SOC to predict symptom changes. Results. Overall, there was no change in psychopathological symptoms. However, on individual-respondent level 10% experienced a clinically significant increase in psychopathological symptoms, and 15% met cut-off criteria for COVID-19-related traumatic distress. Using BLCS modelling, we identified a high-stress group experiencing an increase in psychopathological symptoms and a decrease in SOC and a low-stress group showing the reversed pattern. Changes in SOC and psychopathological symptoms were predicted by pre-outbreak SOC and psychopathological symptom levels. Conclusions. Although mental health was stable in most respondents, a relevant proportion of the sample experienced increased psychopathological symptoms due to COVID-19. Since higher SOC was predictive of smaller changes in symptom levels, SOC training might be a promising approach to enhance resistance to stressors.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Impact of COVID-19 on public mental health and the buffering effect of sense of coherence

From Clinical Trials

• The Efficacy and Safety of TADIOS as an Adjuvant Therapy in Patients Diagnosed With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: TADIOS;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Helixmith Co., Ltd.
  Completed

• A Study to Learn About a Repeat 5-Day Treatment With the Study Medicines (Called Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir) in People 12 Years Old or Older With Return of COVID-19 Symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 Positivity After Finishing Treatment With Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: nirmatrelvir;   Drug: ritonavir;   Drug: placebo for nirmatrelvir
  Sponsor:   Pfizer
  Not yet recruiting

• COVID-19 iCura SARS-CoV-2 Ag OTC: Clinical Evaluation - Conditions:   SARS-CoV-2 Infection;   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Device: iCura COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Home Test;   Diagnostic Test: RT-PCR Test
  Sponsors:   EDP Biotech;   Paragon Rx Clinical, Inc.;   iCura Diagnostics, LLC
  Recruiting

• FMT for Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome - Conditions:   Post-Acute COVID19 Syndrome;   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Procedure: Faecal Microbiota Transplantation
  Sponsor:   Chinese University of Hong Kong
  Recruiting

• Study Evaluating Diltiazem in Combination With Standard Treatment in the Management of Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 Pneumonia - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: DILTIAZEM TEVA 60 mg or placebo
  Sponsors:   Hospices Civils de Lyon;   Signia Therapeutics
  Not yet recruiting

• VAX-MOM COVID-19: Increasing Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination - Conditions:   Immunization; Infection;   Pregnancy Related;   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Behavioral: VAX-MOM COVID-19 Intervention;   Other: Standard of Care
  Sponsors:   University of Rochester;   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;   University of California, Los Angeles
  Not yet recruiting

• Research on Community Based ATK Test Study to Control Spread of COVID-19 in Migrant Community - Condition:   COVID-19 Pandemic
  Intervention:   Device: STANDARD Q COVID-19 Ag Test
  Sponsor:   University of Oxford
  Active, not recruiting

• Safety and Immunogenicity of COVID-19 Vaccine in Population Aged 18 Years and Above - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: low-dose LYB001;   Biological: Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (CHO Cell);   Biological: high-dose LYB001
  Sponsors:   Guangzhou Patronus Biotech Co., Ltd.;   Yantai Patronus Biotech Co., Ltd.
  Recruiting

• The Efficacy and Safety of BioBlock® Intranasally Administered Virus-Neutralizing Bovine Colostrum Nasal Spray in Preventing of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease-19) Infection in Healthy Volunteer Individuals - Condition:   SARS CoV 2 Infection
  Intervention:   Biological: BioBlock® antiviral nasal spray
  Sponsor:   Chemi-Pharm AS
  Recruiting

• Understanding the Impact of Death Conditions Linked to the COVID-19 Crisis on the Grieving Process in Bereaved Families - Condition:   Psychological Disorder
  Intervention:   Other: Qualitative research interview
  Sponsor:   Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
  Not yet recruiting

• 3EO Health SARS-CoV-2 OTC At Home Test - Condition:   COVID-19 Pandemic
  Intervention:   Diagnostic Test: In Vitro
  Sponsor:   3EO Health
  Not yet recruiting

• Bringing Optimised COVID-19 Vaccine Schedules To ImmunoCompromised Populations (BOOST-IC): an Adaptive Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial - Conditions:   HIV;   Organ Transplantation;   Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin;   Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia;   Multiple Myeloma;   COVID-19 Vaccines
  Interventions:   Biological: BNT162b2;   Biological: mRNA-1273;   Biological: NVX-COV2373
  Sponsors:   Bayside Health;   Monash University
  Not yet recruiting

• Sequential Enhanced Safety Study of a Novel Coronavirus Messenger RNA (mRNA) Vaccine in Adults Aged 18 Years and Older. - Condition:   Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)
  Intervention:   Biological: 0.3ml of mRNA vaccine
  Sponsor:   Yu Qin
  Enrolling by invitation

• PAPR: PAP + MBSR for Front-line Healthcare Provider COVID-19 Related Burnout - Conditions:   Depression;   Burnout, Professional
  Interventions:   Drug: Psilocybin;   Behavioral: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
  Sponsors:   University of Utah;   Heffter Research Institute;   Usona Institute
  Not yet recruiting

• Physiology of Long COVID and the Impact of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation on Quality-of-Life and Functional Capacity - Condition:   Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Exercise
  Sponsor:   University of Colorado, Denver
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• Two Cases of Acute Myocarditis in Young Male Adults After mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19: Similarities and Differences - CONCLUSION: The benefits of vaccination against Covid-19 outweigh possible untoward effects and especially myocarditis. Health workers must close monitor the vaccinated patients for possible future cardiovascular complications.

• Therapeutic Approaches in COVID-19 Patients: The Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System - Two and a half years after COVID-19 was first reported in China, thousands of people are still dying from the disease every day around the world. The condition is forcing physicians to adopt new treatment strategies while emphasizing continuation of vaccination programs. The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in the development and progression of COVID-19 patients. Nonetheless, administration of recombinant angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 has been proposed for the treatment of the…

• The Integral Membrane Protein ZMPSTE24 Protects Cells from SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Mediated Pseudovirus Infection and Syncytia Formation - COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has had a devastating impact on global public health, emphasizing the importance of understanding innate immune mechanisms and cellular restriction factors that cells can harness to fight viral infections. The multimembrane-spanning zinc metalloprotease ZMPSTE24 is one such restriction factor. ZMPSTE24 has a well-characterized proteolytic role in the maturation of prelamin A, precursor of the nuclear…

• Booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 induces potent immune responses in people with HIV - CONCLUSIONS: In PWH receiving a third vaccine dose, there were significant increases in B and T cell immunity, including to known VOCs.

• Body Weight is Inversely Associated with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Levels after BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination in Young and Middle Aged Adults - CONCLUSION: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody was inversely correlated with weight and BMI, which may be used as a marker to predict immune response of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination in young and middle aged adults.

• A molecularly engineered, broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus lectin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV infection in vivo - “Pan-coronavirus” antivirals targeting conserved viral components can be designed. Here, we show that the rationally engineered H84T-banana lectin (H84T-BanLec), which specifically recognizes high mannose found on viral proteins but seldom on healthy human cells, potently inhibits Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (including Omicron), and other human-pathogenic coronaviruses at nanomolar concentrations….

• Assessment of Practices Affecting Racial and Ethnic COVID-19 Vaccination Equity in 10 Large US Cities - CONCLUSIONS: Lack of consistent public reporting and transparency of COVID-19 vaccination data has likely hindered public health responses by impeding the ability to track the effectiveness of strategies that target vaccine equity.

• SARS-CoV-2 3CL^pro mutations selected in a VSV-based system confer resistance to nirmatrelvir, ensitrelvir, and GC376 - Protease inhibitors are among the most powerful antiviral drugs. Nirmatrelvir is the first protease inhibitor against the SARS-CoV-2 protease 3CL^(pro) that has been licensed for clinical use. To identify mutations that confer resistance to this protease inhibitor, we engineered a chimeric vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that expressed a polyprotein composed of the VSV glycoprotein G, the SARS-CoV-2 3CL^(pro), and the VSV polymerase L. Viral replication was thus dependent on the autocatalytic…

• Reducing delayed transfer of care in older people: A qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to shorter hospital stays - CONCLUSION: Poor quality and availability of information, and poor communication, inhibit effective transfer of care. Communication is fundamental to patient-centred care and even more important in discharge models characterized by limited assessments and quicker discharge. Interventions at the service level and targeted patient information about what to expect in discharge assessments and after discharge could help to address poor communication and support for improving discharge of older…

• RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) natural antiviral inhibitors: a review - Viral diseases are the cause of many global epidemics, leading to deaths, affecting the quality of life of populations, and impairing public health. The limitations in the treatment of viral diseases and the constant resistance to conventional antiviral treatments encourage researchers to discover new compounds. In this perspective, this literature review presents isolated molecules and extracts of natural products capable of inhibiting the activity of the nonstructural protein that acts as the…

• Novel α-aminophosphonate derivates synthesis, theoretical calculation, Molecular docking, and in silico prediction of potential inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 - Using the Density Functional Theory approach and in silico docking, the current study analyzes the inhibitory role of a novel α-aminophosphonate derivative against SARS-CoV-2 major protease (Mpro) and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2. FT-IR, UV-Vis, and NMR (1H, 13C, 31P) approaches were used to produce and confirm the novel α-aminophosphonate derivative. The quantum chemical parameters were detremined, and the reactivity of the synthesized molecule was discussed using DFT at…

• Immunogenicity decay and case incidence six months post Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine in autoimmune rheumatic diseases patients - The determination of durability and vaccine-associated protection is essential for booster doses strategies, however data on the stability of SARS-CoV-2 immunity are scarce. Here we assess anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity decay and incident cases six months after the 2^(nd) dose of Sinovac-CoronaVac inactivated vaccine (D210) in 828 autoimmune rheumatic diseases patients compared with 207 age/sex-balanced control individuals. The primary outcome is the presence of anti-S1/S2 SARS-CoV-2 IgG at 6…

• Combinations of Host- and Virus-Targeting Antiviral Drugs Confer Synergistic Suppression of SARS-CoV-2 - Three directly acting antivirals (DAAs) demonstrated substantial reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in clinical trials. However, these agents did not completely prevent severe illness and are associated with cases of rebound illness and viral shedding. Combination regimens can enhance antiviral potency, reduce the emergence of drug-resistant variants, and lower the dose of each component in the combination. Concurrently targeting virus entry and virus replication offers…

• Correction for Zhao et al., “Gasdermin D Inhibits Coronavirus Infection by Promoting the Noncanonical Secretion of Beta Interferon” - No abstract

• Crystal structure of the Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 inhibitor belumosudil bound to CK2α - The small molecule belumosudil was initially identified as a selective inhibitor of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 (ROCK2) and has recently been approved for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease. However, recent studies have shown that many of the phenotypes displayed upon treatment with belumosudil were due to CK2α inhibition. CK2α is in itself a very promising therapeutic target for a range of conditions and has recently been put forward as a potential treatment for COVID-19….

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