Covid-19 Sentry

Contents

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

From Preprints

• Efficacy and Safety of Polyherbal formulation as an add-on to the standard of care in mild to moderate COVID-19: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial -

  ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of polyherbal formulation (designated as IP) in comparison to placebo as add on to the standard of care (SoC) among patients with mild to moderate novel corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Methods: Laboratory proved patients of mild to moderate COVID-19 disease were randomized to either placebo or IP as an add-on to SoC. Using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR), we assessed the effect on viral load (VL). Change in immunological parameters such as blood lymphocyte subset, serum immunoglobulin was determined. The clinical improvement was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS) and WHO ordinal scale. Patients were followed for 30 days after randomization. Results:In total, 72 patients were randomized to either placebo (n=33) and IP (n=39). Fifty-two patients (n=21 in placebo and n=31 in IP arm) had qRT-PCR on day 0 and day 4. There was significant reduction in VL in IP arm (from 662081 copies/mL on day 0 to 48963 copies/mL on day 4; p=0.002)) but not in the placebo arm (from 385670 copies/mL on day 0 to 66845 copies/mL on day 4, p=0.106). Change in the NRS score and WHO ordinal scale score was significant in both treatment arms. However, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant in favour of drug group, . The increase in Th1 response was significant in the IP arm (p=0.023) but not in the placebo arm (p=0.098), thus implying immunomodulatory activity in the drug. No safety concerns were observed in any of the trial participants. Conclusion: This study finds that polyherbal formulation reduces viral load and contributes to immunomodulation and improvement in clinical conditions when used as add-on to the standard care in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 without any side effects. These findings need to be further confirmed in a large, prospective, randomized study. Keywords: COVID-19, herbal medication, viral load, immuno modulation.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Efficacy and Safety of Polyherbal formulation as an add-on to the standard of care in mild to moderate COVID-19: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
• SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Substitutions Alter Spike Glycoprotein Receptor Binding Domain Structure and Stability -
  The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the world not just with disease and death but also economic turmoil. The rapid development and deployment of extremely effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has made the end of the pandemic a reality within reach. However, as the virus spreads it has acquired mutations; and thus, variants of concern have emerged that are more infectious and reduce the efficacy of existing vaccines. While promising efforts are underway to combat these variants, the evolutionary pressures leading to these variants are poorly understood. To that end, here we have studied the effects of three amino-acid substitutions on the structure and function of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein receptor-binding domain found in several variants of concern such as B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1 that are now circulating. We found that these substitutions alter the RBD structure and stability, as well as its ability to bind to ACE2, which may have opposing and compensatory effects. These findings provide new insights into how these Variants of Concern (VOC) may have been selected to optimize infectivity while maintaining the structure and stability of the receptor binding domain.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Substitutions Alter Spike Glycoprotein Receptor Binding Domain Structure and Stability
• Siglec-1 on dendritic cells mediates SARS-CoV-2 trans-infection of target cells while on macrophages triggers proinflammatory responses -
  COVID-19 pandemic is not yet under control by vaccination, and effective antivirals are critical for preparedness. Here we report that macrophages and dendritic cells, key antigen presenting myeloid cells (APCs), are largely resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection. APCs effectively captured viruses within cellular compartments that lead to antigen degradation. Macrophages sense SARS-CoV-2 and released higher levels of cytokines, including those related to cytokine storm in severe COVID-19. The sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 1 (Siglec-1/CD169) present on APCs, which interacts with sialylated gangliosides on membranes of retroviruses or filoviruses, also binds SARS-CoV-2 via GM1. Blockage of Siglec-1 receptors by monoclonal antibodies reduces SARS-CoV-2 uptake and transfer to susceptible target cells. APCs expressing Siglec-1 and carrying SARS-CoV-2 are found in pulmonary tissues of non-human primates. Single cell analysis reveals the in vivo induction of cytokines in those macrophages. Targeting Siglec-1 could offer cross-protection against SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses that exploit APCs for viral dissemination, including those yet to come in future outbreaks.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Siglec-1 on dendritic cells mediates SARS-CoV-2 trans-infection of target cells while on macrophages triggers proinflammatory responses
• Common Mechanism of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis across Species -
  Sarbecovirus (CoV) infections, including Severe Acute Respiratory CoV (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2, are considerable human threats. Human GWAS studies have recently identified loci associated with variation in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. However, genetically tractable models that reproduce human CoV disease outcomes are needed to mechanistically evaluate genetic determinants of CoV susceptibility. We used the Collaborative Cross (CC) and human GWAS datasets to elucidate host susceptibility loci that regulate CoV infections and to identify host quantitative trait loci that modulate severe CoV and pan-CoV disease outcomes including a major disease regulating loci including CCR9. CCR9 ablation resulted in enhanced titer, weight loss, respiratory dysfunction, mortality, and inflammation, providing mechanistic support in mitigating protection from severe SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis across species. This study represents a comprehensive analysis of susceptibility loci for an entire genus of human pathogens conducted, identifies a large collection of susceptibility loci and candidate genes that regulate multiple aspects type-specific and cross-CoV pathogenesis, and also validates the paradigm of using the CC platform to identify common cross-species susceptibility loci and genes for newly emerging and pre-epidemic viruses.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Common Mechanism of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis across Species
• Adapting Direct Services for Telehealth: A Practical Tutorial -
  Due to the pandemic brought on by novel Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19), consumers of applied behavior analytic interventions may be experiencing disrupted access to services. In response to the need for services, behavior analysts and therapists may find themselves treading unchartered waters as they use telehealth to provide direct intervention to consumers. Direct service provision via telehealth extends beyond the bounds of existing telehealth research, which primarily focuses on caregiver training and consultation. In the transition to telehealth, behavior analysts can consider how to adapt an existing evidence base of behavior analytic strategies from a face-to-face format to intervention via a teleconferencing platform (i.e., Zoom). In this tutorial, we provide practice recommendations, task analyses, and a curated list of Zoom walk-throughs to help behavior analysts construct conceptually systematic learning opportunities in their direct telehealth services. Leveraging teleconferencing features to provide behavior analytic intervention directly to consumers could spur future research to support these need-inspired practices and guide telehealth applications during and beyond the current pandemic.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Adapting Direct Services for Telehealth: A Practical Tutorial
• Introductions and evolutions of SARS-CoV-2 strains in Japan -

  COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 was first identified in Japan on January 15th, 2020, soon after the pandemic originated in Wuhan, China. Subsequently, Japan experienced three distinct waves of the outbreak in the span of a year and has been attributed to new exogenous strains and evolving existing strains. Japan engaged very early on in tracking different COVID-19 strains and have sequenced approximately 5% of all confirmed cases. While Japan has enforced stringent airport surveillance on cross-border travelers and returnees, some carriers appear to have advanced through the quarantine stations undetected. In this study 30493 genomes sampled in Japan were analyzed to understand the strains, heterogeneity and temporal evolution of different SARS-CoV-2 strains. We identified 12 discrete strains with a substantial number of cases with most strains possessing the spike (S) D614G and nucleocapsid (N) 203_204delinsKR mutations. 155 distinct strains have been introduced into Japan and 39 of them were introduced after strict quarantine policy was implemented. In particular, the B.1.1.7 strain, that emerged in the United Kingdom (UK) in September 2020, has been circulating in Japan since late 2020 after eluding cross-border quarantine stations. Similarly, the B.1.351 strain dubbed the South African variant, P.1 Brazilian strain and R.1 strain with the spike E484K mutation have been detected in Japan. At least 14 exogenous B.1.1.7 sub-strains have been independently introduced in Japan as of late March 2021, and these strains carry mutations that give selective advantage including N501Y, H69_V70del, and E484K that confer increased transmissibility, reduced efficacy to vaccines and possible increased virulence. Furthermore, various strains, which harbor multiple variants in the PCR primers and the probe developed by National Institute of Infectious Disease (NIID), are emerging. It is imperative that the quarantine policy be revised, cross-border surveillance reinforced, and new public health measures implemented to mitigate further transmission of this deadly disease and to identify strains that may engender resistance to vaccines.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Introductions and evolutions of SARS-CoV-2 strains in Japan
• Efficacy of the NVX-CoV2373 Covid-19 Vaccine Against the B.1.1.7 Variant -

  Background: Covid-19 vaccines are urgently needed, especially against emerging variants. NVX-CoV2373 is a recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 rS) nanoparticle vaccine containing trimeric full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and Matrix-M adjuvant. Methods: A phase 3, randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in adults 18-84 years old who received two intramuscular 5-mcg doses, 21 days apart, of NVX-CoV2373 or placebo (1:1) across 33 sites in the United Kingdom. The primary efficacy endpoint was virologically confirmed symptomatic Covid-19 with onset 7 days after second vaccination in serologically negative participants. Results: A total of 15,187 participants were randomized, of whom 7569 received NVX-CoV2373 and 7570 received placebo; 27.2% were 65 years or older, 44.7% had comorbidities and 4.2% had baseline serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2. There were 10 cases of Covid-19 among NVX-CoV2373 recipients and 96 cases among placebo recipients, with symptom onset at least 7 days after second vaccination; NVX-CoV2373 was 89.7% (95% confidence interval, 80.2 to 94.6) effective in preventing Covid-19, with no hospitalizations or deaths reported. There were five cases of severe Covid-19, all in the placebo group. Post hoc analysis revealed efficacies of 96.4% (73.8 to 99.5) and 86.3% (71.3 to 93.5) against the prototype strain and B.1.1.7 variant, respectively. Vaccine efficacy was similar across subgroups, including participants with comorbidities and those ≥65 years old. Reactogenicity was generally mild and transient. The incidence of serious adverse events was low and similar in the two groups. Conclusion: A two-dose regimen of NVX-CoV2373 conferred 89.7% protection against a blend of prototype and variant Covid-19, demonstrated high efficacy against the B.1.1.7 variant, and had a reassuring safety profile.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Efficacy of the NVX-CoV2373 Covid-19 Vaccine Against the B.1.1.7 Variant
• Alt. Health Influencers: how wellness culture and web culture have been weaponised to promote COVID-19 conspiracy theories and far-right extremism. -
  This article examines the proliferation of alt. health influencers during the COVID-19 pandemic. I analyse the presentation strategies used by four alt. health influencers to achieve visibility and status on Instagram over a 12-month period from the date the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a pandemic on 11 March 2020. My analysis reveals the ways in which these influencers appeal to the utopian discourses of early web culture and the underlying principles of wellness culture to build and sustain an online following. While early accounts of micro-celebrity treat participatory culture as democratising and progressive, this article demonstrates how the participatory affordances of social media have been exploited to spread conspiratorial thinking and far-right extremism. These findings develop previous work on ‘micro-celebrity’ and ‘conspirituality’ by demonstrating how wellness culture and web culture can coalesce for authoritarian ends.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Alt. Health Influencers: how wellness culture and web culture have been weaponised to promote COVID-19 conspiracy theories and far-right extremism.
• Coping with Health Threats: The costs and benefits of managing emotions. -
  How people respond to health threats can influence their own health and, when facing communal risks, even their community’s health. We propose that people commonly respond to health threats by managing their emotions with cognitive strategies like reappraisal, which can reduce fear and protect mental health. However, because fear can also motivate health behaviors, reducing fear may also jeopardize health behaviors. In two diverse U.S. samples (N=1,241) tracked across three months, sequential and cross-lag panel mediation models indicated that reappraisal predicted lower fear about an ongoing health threat (COVID-19), and in turn, better mental health, but fewer recommended physical health behaviors. This trade-off was not inevitable, however: using reappraisal to increase socially-oriented positive emotions predicted better mental health without jeopardizing physical health behaviors. Examining the costs and benefits of how people cope with health threats is essential for promoting better health outcomes for individuals and communities.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Coping with Health Threats: The costs and benefits of managing emotions.
• Homeworking Project Management & Agility as the New Normal in a Covid-19 World -
  The Covid-19 global pandemic crisis has had a deep and profound impact on fundamental elements of society, the economy, and the environment as a whole. Key organisations, businesses, sectors and industries vital for delivering crucial projects have been affected by the relatively fast onset of Covid-19 on a global scale. As a result, organisational routines and project management processes that would have focused on established methods and practices have incurred dramatic changes leading to a greater emphasis on agility as part of a more exhaustive strategic Covid-19 world, where new routines and processes become embedded as the new normal. This research focuses on the increased demand in Homeworking Project Management (HPM) and more significant agility requirements across dispersed virtual project management teams. Initial insights from semi-structured interviews with a cross-section of 12 high-level project professionals suggest that; (i) Transitional homeworking project management processes have a direct impact on collaborative and operational routines; (ii) There is a greater level of demand on agility with HPM teams which do not necessarily have the organisational infrastructure to support these, (iii) Technological resources are becoming a primary concern with inequality of information across HPM teams, and (iv) Increasing critical bottlenecks across dispersed HPM teams is adversely affecting tenable project outcomes.
  🖺 Full Text HTML: Homeworking Project Management & Agility as the New Normal in a Covid-19 World
• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of routine childhood immunizations in Ontario, Canada -

  Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has a worldwide impact on all health services, including childhood immunizations. In Canada, there is limited data to quantify and characterize this issue. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study by distributing online surveys to physicians across Ontario. The survey included three sections: provider characteristics, impact of COVID-19 on professional practice, and impact of COVID-19 on routine childhood immunization services. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with modification of immunization services. Results: A total of 475 respondents answered the survey from May 27th to July 3rd 2020, including 189 family physicians and 286 pediatricians. The median proportion of in-person visits reported by physicians before the pandemic was 99% and dropped to 18% during the first wave of the pandemic in Ontario. In total, 175 (44.6%) of the 392 respondents who usually provide vaccination to children acknowledged a negative impact caused by the pandemic on their immunization services, ranging from temporary closure of their practice (n=18; 4.6%) to postponement of vaccines in certain age groups (n=103; 26.3%). Pediatricians were more likely to experience a negative impact on their immunization services compared to family physicians (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.64, 95% CI: 1.48-4.68), as well as early career physicians compared to their more senior colleagues (aOR=2.69, 95% CI: 1.30-5.56), whereas physicians from suburban settings were less impacted than physicians from urban settings (aOR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.39-0.99). The most frequently identified barriers to immunizations during the pandemic were parental concerns around COVID-19 (n=305; 77.8%), lack of personal protective equipment (PPE; n=123; 31.3%) and healthcare workers9 concerns of contracting COVID-19 (n=105; 26.8%). Conclusions: COVID-19 has caused substantial modifications to pediatric immunization services across Ontario. Strategies to mitigate barriers to immunizations during the pandemic need to be implemented in order to avoid immunity gaps that could lead to an increase in vaccine preventable diseases.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of routine childhood immunizations in Ontario, Canada
• Transmission roles of symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases: a modeling study -

  Objective Age-dependent asymptomatic and symptomatic transmission dynamics of COVID-19 have not been well quantified due to limited data. Methods Through a population-based surveillance network, we collected data on 1342 confirmed cases with a 90-days follow-up for all asymptomatic cases. Results The difference in transmissibility of a symptomatic and asymptomatic case depended on age and was most distinct for the middle-age groups. The asymptomatic cases had a 66.72% lower transmissibility rate than symptomatic cases, and 74.10% (95%CI: 65.85% - 80.72%) of all asymptomatic cases were missed in detection. The average proportion of asymptomatic cases was 28.22% (95%CI: 22.97% - 34.56%). Simulation showed that the burden of asymptomatic transmission increased as the epidemic continued and could potentially dominate the spreading. Conclusion Asymptomatic COVID-19 cases play a significant role in transmission. Vaccine Strategies prioritizing the population between 30-60 years old are likely to have the most population-level benefits.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Transmission roles of symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases: a modeling study
• Seroconversion rates following COVID-19 vaccination amongst patients with malignant disease- the impact of diagnosis and cancer-directed therapies -

  As COVID-19 has been shown to adversely affect patients with cancer, prophylactic strategies are critically needed. We determined the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccination in a cohort of cancer patients that had received full dosing with one of the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. 201 oncology patients underwent anti-spike protein SARS-CoV-2 IgG testing post-vaccination and demonstrated a high rate of seroconversion (94%) overall. When compared to solid tumors (98%), a significantly lower rate of seroconversion was observed in patients with hematological malignancies (85%), particularly recipients of anti-CD20 therapies (70%) and stem cell transplantation (74%). Patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (97%) or hormonal therapies (100%) demonstrated high seroconversion post-vaccination. Patients with prior COVID-19 infection demonstrated higher anti-spike IgG titers post-vaccination. Relatively lower IgG titers were noted following vaccination with the adenoviral when compared to the mRNA-based vaccines. These data demonstrate generally high immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccination in oncology patients and identify vulnerable cohorts that need novel vaccination or passive immunization strategies.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Seroconversion rates following COVID-19 vaccination amongst patients with malignant disease- the impact of diagnosis and cancer-directed therapies
• SARS-CoV-2 lineage dynamics in England from January to March 2021 inferred from representative community samples -

  Genomic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 lineages informs our understanding of possible future changes in transmissibility and vaccine efficacy. However, small changes in the frequency of one lineage over another are often difficult to interpret because surveillance samples are obtained from a variety of sources. Here, we describe lineage dynamics and phylogenetic relationships using sequences obtained from a random community sample who provided a throat and nose swab for rt-PCR during the first three months of 2021 as part of the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission-1 (REACT-1) study. Overall, diversity decreased during the first quarter of 2021, with the B.1.1.7 lineage (first identified in Kent) predominant, driven by a 0.3 unit higher reproduction number over the prior wild type. During January, positive samples were more likely B.1.1.7 in younger and middle-aged adults (aged 18 to 54) than in other age groups. Although individuals infected with the B.1.1.7 lineage were no more likely to report one or more classic COVID-19 symptoms compared to those infected with wild type, they were more likely to be antibody positive 6 weeks after infection. Viral load was higher in B.1.1.7 infection as measured by cycle threshold (Ct) values, but did not account for the increased rate of testing positive for antibodies. The presence of infections with non-imported B.1.351 lineage (first identified in South Africa) during January, but not during February or March, suggests initial establishment in the community followed by fade-out. However, this occurred during a period of stringent social distancing and targeted public health interventions and does not immediately imply similar lineages could not become established in the future. Sequence data from representative community surveys such as REACT-1 can augment routine genomic surveillance.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: SARS-CoV-2 lineage dynamics in England from January to March 2021 inferred from representative community samples
• Systematic Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Essential Workers in Montréal, Canada: A Prospective Observational and Cost Assessment Study -

  BACKGROUND: Essential workers are at increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We did a prospective study to estimate the yield, acceptability, and costs of workplace-based systematic SARS-CoV-2 testing of asymptomatic essential workers. METHODS: We recruited non-healthcare essential businesses, in Montreal, Canada. Mobile teams, composed of two non-healthcare professionals each, visited businesses. Consenting, asymptomatic employees provided saline gargle specimens under supervision. Mobile team members self-sampled weekly. Specimens were analyzed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). If an outbreak was detected (≥2 positives), we retested all initially negative participants. We did logistic regression for factors associated with a positive test. We estimated costs ($CAD) of this strategy. RESULTS: From 27 January to 12 March 2021, 69 essential businesses were visited. Of an estimated 2348 employees onsite, 2128 (90.6%) participated. Across 2626 tests, 53 (2.0%) were positive. Self-reported non-Caucasian ethnicity (aOR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.4-9.9) and a negative SARS-CoV-2 test before the study (0.4, 0.2-0.8) were positively and negatively associated with a positive test, respectively. Five businesses–3 manufacturing/supplier and 2 meat processing–were experiencing an outbreak. At these businesses, 40 (4.4%) of 917 participants were positive on the initial test. We repeated testing at three of these businesses over 2-3 weeks: 8/350 (2.3%) were positive on the second test, and zero were positive on the third and fourth test (148 tests); no employer reported new positives to 26 March 2021. In all other businesses, 1211 participants were tested once–5 (0.4%) were positive at three childcare enterprises, one grocery store, and one manufacturing/supplier. Per person, RT-PCR costs were $34.00 and all other costs $8.67. No mobile team member tested positive. INTERPRETATION: Onsite sampling of essential workers with saline gargle is safe, acceptable, and inexpensive. Repeat testing appeared to eliminate outbreaks. Systematic testing should be considered part of SARS-CoV-2 preventive efforts.

  🖺 Full Text HTML: Systematic Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Essential Workers in Montréal, Canada: A Prospective Observational and Cost Assessment Study

From Clinical Trials

• Recombinant Hyperimmune Polyclonal Antibody (GIGA-2050) in COVID-19 Patients - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: GIGA-2050
  Sponsor:   GigaGen, Inc.
  Not yet recruiting

• A Phase 3 Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo Controlled, Multi-regional Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of GT0918 for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Male Patients - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Drug: GT0918 tablets or placebo
  Sponsor:   Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceutical Inc,
  Not yet recruiting

• The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on COVID-19 Recovery - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Vit-D 0.2 MG/ML Oral Solution [Calcidol];   Drug: Physiological Irrigating Solution
  Sponsors:   University of Monastir;   Loussaief Chawki;   Nissaf Ben Alaya;   Cyrine Ben Nasrallah;   Manel Ben Belgacem;   Hela Abroug;   Imen Zemni;   Manel Ben fredj;   Wafa Dhouib
  Completed

• A Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (CHO Cell) for COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: low-dose Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (CHO cell);   Biological: high-dose Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (CHO cell);   Biological: placebo
  Sponsors:   National Vaccine and Serum Institute, China;   Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd;   Beijing Zhong Sheng Heng Yi Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd.;   Zhengzhou University
  Recruiting

• tDCS for Post COVID-19 Fatigue - Condition:   Post Covid-19 Patients
  Intervention:   Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
  Sponsor:   Thorsten Rudroff
  Recruiting

• A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effect of STC3141 Continuous Infusion in Subjects With Severe Corona Virus Disease 2019（COVID-19）Pneumonia - Condition:   Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Intervention:   Drug: STC3141
  Sponsors:   Grand Medical Pty Ltd.;   Trium Clinical Consulting
  Not yet recruiting

• A Phase 2 Study of APX-115 in Hospitalized Patients With Confirmed Mild to Moderate COVID-19. - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: APX-115;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsors:   Aptabio Therapeutics, Inc.;   Covance
  Not yet recruiting

• Leveraging CHWs to Improve COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation Among CJIs Accessing a Corrections-focused CBO - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Behavioral: Onsite Point-of-care
  Sponsors:   Montefiore Medical Center;   The Fortune Society;   University of Bristol
  Not yet recruiting

• Convalescent Plasma as Adjunct Therapy for COVID-19 - Condition:   COVID-19
  Intervention:   Biological: Convalescent plasma treatment
  Sponsors:   National Institute of Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia;   Indonesian Red Cross;   Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology
  Recruiting

• Selenium as a Potential Treatment for Moderately-ill, Severely-ill, and Critically-ill COVID-19 Patients. - Condition:   Covid19
  Interventions:   Drug: Selenium (as Selenious Acid);   Other: Placebo
  Sponsors:   CHRISTUS Health;   Pharco Pharmaceuticals
  Not yet recruiting

• The Role of High Dose Co-trimoxazole in Severe Covid-19 Patients - Condition:   COVID-19 Pneumonia
  Interventions:   Drug: Co-trimoxazole;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  Not yet recruiting

• Safety, Tolerability and PK of Ensovibep (MP0420 - a New Candidate With Potential for Treatment of COVID-19) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Drug: Ensovibep;   Drug: Placebo
  Sponsor:   Molecular Partners AG
  Recruiting

• A Global Phase III Clinical Trial of Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (Sf9 Cells) - Condition:   COVID-19
  Interventions:   Biological: Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells);   Other: Placebo control
  Sponsors:   Jiangsu Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;   WestVac Biopharma Co., Ltd.;   West China Hospital
  Not yet recruiting

• #SafeHandsSafeHearts: An eHealth Intervention for COVID-19 Prevention and Support - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Behavioral: eHealth for Covid-19 prevention and support
  Sponsor:   University of Toronto
  Recruiting

• ACTIV-6: COVID-19 Study of Repurposed Medications - Condition:   Covid19
  Intervention:   Drug: Ivermectin Tablets
  Sponsors:   Susanna Naggie, MD;   National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS);   Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  Not yet recruiting

From PubMed

• Graphene Oxide Nanosheets Interact and Interfere with SARS-CoV-2 Surface Proteins and Cell Receptors to Inhibit Infectivity - Nanotechnology can offer a number of options against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acting both extracellularly and intracellularly to the host cells. Here, the aim is to explore graphene oxide (GO), the most studied 2D nanomaterial in biomedical applications, as a nanoscale platform for interaction with SARS-CoV-2. Molecular docking analyses of GO sheets on interaction with three different structures: SARS-CoV-2 viral spike (open state - 6VYB or closed state - 6VXX), ACE2 (1R42), and the…

• Treatment of COVID-19 by stage: any space left for mesenchymal stem cell therapy? - In many countries, COVID-19 now accounts for more deaths per year than car accidents and even the deadliest wars. Combating the viral pandemics requires a coordinated effort to develop therapeutic protocols adaptable to the disease severity. In this review article, we summarize a graded approach aiming to shield cells from SARS-CoV-2 entry and infection, inhibit excess inflammation and evasion of the immune response, and ultimately prevent systemic organ failure. Moreover, we focus on…

• Potential Mechanism Prediction of Herbal Medicine for Pulmonary Fibrosis Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Based on Network Analysis and Molecular Docking - Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still a relevant global problem. Although some patients have recovered from COVID-19, the sequalae to the SARS-CoV-2 infection may include pulmonary fibrosis, which may contribute to considerable economic burden and health-care challenges. Convalescent Chinese Prescription (CCP) has been widely used during the COVID-19 recovery period for patients who were at high risk of pulmonary fibrosis and is recommended by the Diagnosis and Treatment…

• Repurposing potential of posaconazole and grazoprevir as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 helicase - As the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic engulfs millions worldwide, the quest for vaccines or drugs against the virus continues. The helicase protein of SARS-CoV-2 represents an attractive target for drug discovery since inhibition of helicase activity can suppress viral replication. Using in silico approaches, we have identified drugs that interact with SARS-CoV-2 helicase based on the presence of amino acid arrangements matching binding sites of drugs in…

• Shared inflammatory pathways and therapeutic strategies in COVID-19 and cancer immunotherapy - COVID-19, the syndrome caused by the infection with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, is characterized, in its severe form, by interstitial diffuse pneumonitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS and systemic manifestations of COVID-19 are mainly due to an exaggerated immune response triggered by the viral infection. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), an inflammatory syndrome characterized by elevated levels of circulating cytokines, and endothelial dysfunction are systemic manifestations…

• Plant-derived Exosomal MicroRNAs Inhibit Lung Inflammation Induced by Exosomes SARS-CoV-2 Nsp12 - Lung inflammation is a hallmark of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we show that mice develop inflamed lung tissue after being administered exosomes released from the lung epithelial cells exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Nsp12 and Nsp13 (exosomes^(Nsp12Nsp13)). Mechanistically, we show that exosomes^(Nsp12Nsp13) are taken up by lung macrophages, leading to activation of NF-κB and the subsequent induction of an array of inflammatory cytokines….

• Promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs by effective dual targeting against the viral and host proteases - SARS-CoV-2 caused dramatic health, social and economic threats to the globe. With this threat, the expectation of future outbreak, and the shortage of anti-viral drugs, scientists were challenged to develop novel antivirals. The objective of this study is to develop novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 compounds with dual activity by targeting valuable less-mutated enzymes. Here, we have mapped the binding affinity of >500,000 compounds for potential activity against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^(pro)), papain…

• Molecular scaffolds from mother nature as possible lead compounds in drug design and discovery against coronaviruses: A landscape analysis of published literature and molecular docking studies - The recent outbreak of viral infection and its transmission has highlighted the importance of its slowdown for the safeguard of public health, globally. The identification of novel drugs and efficient therapies against these infectious viruses is need of the hour. The eruption of COVID-19 is caused by a novel acute respiratory syndrome virus SARS-CoV-2 which has taken the whole world by storm as it has transformed into a global pandemic. This lethal syndrome is a global health threat to general…

• Computational optimization of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding-motif affinity for human ACE2 - The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, that is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, and the closely related SARS-CoV coronavirus enter cells by binding at the human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). The stronger hACE2 affinity of SARS-CoV-2 has been connected with its higher infectivity. In this work, we study hACE2 complexes with the receptor binding domains (RBDs) of the human SARS-CoV-2 and human SARS-CoV viruses, using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and Computational Protein…

• Hepatitis C virus drugs that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease synergize with remdesivir to suppress viral replication in cell culture - Effective control of COVID-19 requires antivirals directed against SARS-CoV-2. We assessed 10 hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease-inhibitor drugs as potential SARS-CoV-2 antivirals. There is a striking structural similarity of the substrate binding clefts of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^(pro)) and HCV NS3/4A protease. Virtual docking experiments show that these HCV drugs can potentially bind into the M^(pro) substrate-binding cleft. We show that seven HCV drugs inhibit both SARS-CoV-2 M^(pro)…

• Natural plant products as potential inhibitors of RNA dependent RNA polymerase of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 - Drug repurposing studies targeting inhibition of RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have exhibited the potential effect of small molecules. In the present work a detailed interaction study between the phytochemicals from Indian medicinal plants and the RdRP of SARS-CoV-2 has been performed. The top four phytochemicals obtained through molecular docking were, swertiapuniside, cordifolide A, sitoindoside IX, and amarogentin belonging…

• Targeting Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Signaling in Immune-Mediated Diseases: Beyond Multiple Sclerosis - Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid metabolite that exerts its actions by engaging 5 G-protein-coupled receptors (S1PR1-S1PR5). S1P receptors are involved in several cellular and physiological events, including lymphocyte/hematopoietic cell trafficking. An S1P gradient (low in tissues, high in blood), maintained by synthetic and degradative enzymes, regulates lymphocyte trafficking. Because lymphocytes live long (which is critical for adaptive immunity) and recirculate thousands…

• Glycyrrhizin for topical use and prophylaxis of COVID-19: an interesting pharmacological perspective - COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS - CoV - 2 pathogen, is currently a pandemic. At the moment there is not an available vaccine, so, scientific community is looking for strategies and drugs to implement prevention and prophylaxis. Several compounds are examined for this purpose. Glycyrrhizin, an alkaloid extracted from licorice plant (glycyrriza glabra), is one of the most studied molecules, both for its peculiar biological functions and for its pharmacological effects. This brief review…

• A phase I study of high dose camostat mesylate in healthy adults provides a rationale to repurpose the TMPRSS2 inhibitor for the treatment of COVID-19 - Camostat mesylate, an oral serine protease inhibitor, is used to treat chronic pancreatitis and reflux esophagitis. Recently, camostat mesylate and its active metabolite 4-(4-guanidinobenzoyloxy)phenylacetic acid (GBPA) were reported to inhibit the infection of cells by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by inhibiting type II transmembrane serine protease. We conducted a phase I study to investigate high-dose camostat mesylate as a treatment for coronavirus disease 2019. Camostat…

• Phytochemicals as Potential Therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2-Induced Cardiovascular Complications: Thrombosis and Platelet Perspective - After gaining entry through ACE2 aided by TMPRSS2, the SARS-CoV-2 causes serious complications of the cardiovascular system leading to myocarditis and other myocardial injuries apart from causing lung, kidney and brain dysfunctions. Here in this review, we are going to divulge the cellular and immunological mechanisms behind the cardiovascular, thrombotic and platelet impairments that are caused in COVID-19. In addition, we also propose the significance of various anti-platelet and…

From Patent Search

• IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO PARTICLE, INCLUDING SARS-CoV-2, DETECTION AND METHODS THEREFOR - - link

• A COMPREHENSIVE DISINFECTION SYSTEM DURING PANDEMIC FOR PERSONAL ITEMS AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) TO SAFEGUARD PEOPLE - The current Covid-19 pandemic has led to an enormous demand for gadgets / objects for personal protection. To prevent the spread of virus, it is important to disinfect commonly touched objects. One of the ways suggested is to use a personal UV-C disinfecting box that is “efficient and effective in deactivating the COVID-19 virus. The present model has implemented the use of a UV transparent material (fused silica quartz glass tubes) as the medium of support for the objects to be disinfected to increase the effectiveness of disinfection without compromising the load bearing capacity. Aluminum foil, a UV reflecting material, was used as the inner lining of the box for effective utilization of the UVC light emitted by the UVC lamps. Care has been taken to prevent leakage of UVC radiation out of the system. COVID-19 virus can be inactivated in 5 minutes by UVC irradiation in this disinfection box - link

• UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING SYSTEM FOR MENTAL HEALTH MONITORING OF PERSON DURING THE PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 - - link

• USE OF IMINOSUGAR COMPOUND IN PREPARATION OF ANTI-SARS-COV-2 VIRUS DRUG - - link

• 逆转录酶突变体及其应用 - 本发明提供一种MMLV逆转录酶突变体，在野生型MMLV逆转录酶氨基酸序列（如SEQ ID No.1序列所示）中进行七个氨基酸位点的突变，氨基酸突变位点为：R205H；V288T；L304K；G525D；S526D；E531G；E574G。该突变体可以降低MMLV逆转录酶对Taq DNA聚合酶的抑制作用，大大提高了一步法RT‑qPCR的灵敏度。 - link

• Compositions and methods for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection - - link

• 用于检测新型冠状病毒的试纸和试剂盒 - 本发明涉及生物技术和免疫检测技术领域，具体涉及一种用于检测新型冠状病毒的试纸和试剂盒。所述试纸或试剂盒含有抗体1和/或抗体2，所述抗体1的重、轻链可变区的氨基酸序列分别如SEQ ID NO:1‑2所示，所述抗体2的重、轻链可变区的氨基酸序列分别如SEQ ID NO:3‑4所示。本发明对于大批量的新型冠状病毒样本，包括新型冠状病毒突变（英国、南非）与非突变株的人血清、鼻咽拭子等样本的检测有普遍检测意义，避免突变株的漏检。 - link

• Fahrgastleitsystem und Verfahren zum Leiten von Fahrgästen -

  Die Erfindung betrifft ein Fahrgastleitsystem zum Leiten von mit einem Fahrzeug (1) mit wenigstens zwei Türen (2.L, 2.R) transportieren Fahrgästen (3), mit wenigstens einem Sensor (4) zur Überwachung der Fahrgäste (3), wenigstens einem Anzeigemittel (5) zur Ausgabe von Leitinformationen, wenigstens einem Aktor zum Öffnen oder Verriegeln einer Tür (2.L, 2.R) und wenigstens einer Recheneinheit (7). Das erfindungsgemäße Fahrgastleitsystem ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Recheneinheit (7) dazu eingerichtet ist durch Auswertung vom wenigstens einen Sensor (4) erzeugter Sensordaten zu erkennen an welcher Tür (2.L, 2.R) des Fahrzeugs (1) Fahrgäste (3) ein- und/oder aussteigen möchten und wenigstens eine Tür (2.L, 2.R) für einen Ausstieg festzulegen und/oder wenigstens eine Tür (2.L, 2.R) für einen Einstieg festzulegen, sodass eine Anzahl an Begegnungen von sich durch das Fahrzeug (1) bewegender Fahrgäste (3) und/oder aus dem Fahrzeug (1) aussteigenden und/oder in das Fahrzeug (1) einsteigenden Fahrgästen (3) minimiert wird.

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• Vorrichtung zum Desinfizieren, der Körperpflege oder dergleichen -

  Vorrichtung zum Desinfizieren, der Körperpflege oder dergleichen mittels einer flüssigen oder cremigen Substanz (20), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung mit einem elektrisch betriebenen Erinnerungs-Modul und einem Vorratsbehälter (10) für die Substanz (20) versehen ist, die Substanz (20) in dosierter Menge zur Ausgabeöffnung (9) gefördert wird und die Vorrichtung dazu geeignet ist, am Körper oder der Kleidung einer Person getragen zu werden.

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• Gebrauchter Schnellteststreifen als Probenmaterial für eine Nachtestung -

  Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur laborbasierten Überprüfung und/oder weiteren Ausdifferenzierung einer im Schnelltestverfahren erhaltenen Diagnose einer Infektionskrankheit, wobei im Rahmen des Schnelltestverfahrens eine flüssige Patientenprobe auf ein Objekt aus einem porösen Material aufgetragen wird und wobei dieses Objekt nach Trocknung der flüssigen Patientenprobe an das diagnostische Labor übermittelt wird. Im Labor werden dann die eingetrockneten Probenreste aus dem porösen Material ausgelöst und analysiert.

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