Over four thousand portable air cleaners (PACs) with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters were distributed by Public Health - Seattle & King County to homeless shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of these HEPA PACs in reducing indoor particles and understand the factors that affect their use in homeless shelters. Four rooms across three homeless shelters with varying geographic locations and operating conditions were enrolled in this study. At each shelter, multiple PACs were deployed based on the room volume and PAC′s clean air delivery rate rating. The energy consumption of these PACs was measured using energy data loggers at 1-min intervals to allow tracking of their use and fan speed for three two-week sampling rounds, separated by single-week gaps, between February and April 2022. Total optical particle number concentration (OPNC) was measured at 2-min intervals at multiple indoor locations and an outdoor ambient location. The empirical indoor and outdoor total OPNC were compared for each site. Additionally, linear mixed-effects regression models (LMERs) were used to assess the relationship between PAC use time and indoor/outdoor ratios of total OPNC (I/OOPNC). Based on the LMER models, one percent increase in the hourly, daily and total time PACs were used significantly reduced I/OOPNC by 0.34 [95% CI: 0.28, 0.40], 0.51 [95% CI: 0.20, 0.78], 2.52 [95% CI: 1.50, 3.28], respectively, indicating that keeping PACs on resulted in significantly lower I/OOPNC or relatively lower indoor total OPNC than outdoors. The post-hoc survey suggested that keeping PACs on and running was the main challenge when operating them in shelters. These findings suggested that HEPA PACs were an effective short-term strategy to reduce indoor particle levels in community congregate living settings during non-wildfire seasons and the need for formulating practical guidance for using them in such an environment.
Background: Molecular multiplex assays (MPAs) for simultaneous detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a single RT-PCR reaction reduce time and increase efficiency to identify multiple pathogens with overlapping clinical presentation but different treatments or public health implications. Methods: Clinical performance of XpertXpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV (Cepheid, GX), TaqPathTM COVID-19, FluA/B, RSV Combo kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, TP), and PowerChekTM SARS-CoV-2/Influenza A&B/RSV Multiplex RT-PCR kit II (KogeneBiotech, PC) was compared to individual Standards of Care (SoC). Thirteen isolates of SARS-CoV-2, human seasonal influenza, and avian influenza served to assess limit of detection (LoD). Then, positive and negative residual nasopharyngeal specimens, collected under public health surveillance and pandemic response served for evaluation. Subsequently, comparison of effectiveness was assessed. Results: The three MPAs confidently detect all lineages of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses. MPA-LoDs vary from 1-2 Log10 differences from SoC depending on assay and strain. Clinical evaluation resulted in overall agreement between 97% and 100%, demonstrating a high accuracy to detect all targets. Existing differences in costs, testing burden and implementation constraints influence the choice in primary or community settings. Conclusion: TP, PC and GX, reliably detect SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV simultaneously, with reduced time-to-results and simplified workflows. MPAs have the potential to enhancediagnostics, surveillance system, and epidemic response to drive policy on prevention and control of viral respiratory infections.
Background Our near-real-time safety monitoring of 16 adverse events (AEs) following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination identified potential elevations in risk for six AEs following primary series and monovalent booster dose administration. The crude association with AEs does not imply causality. Accordingly, we conducted robust evaluations of the potential associations. Methods We conducted self-controlled case series studies of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) in U.S. Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. Adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated following primary series doses for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), pulmonary embolism (PE), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC); and following booster doses for AMI, PE, ITP, Bells Palsy (BP) and Myocarditis/Pericarditis (Myo/Peri). Results Among 3,360,981 individuals who received 6,388,542 primary series doses and 6,156,100 individuals with monovalent booster doses of either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, AE counts were: AMI (3,653 primary series, 16,042 booster), inpatient PE (2,470 primary, 5,085 booster), ITP (1,085 primary, 88 booster), DIC (254 primary), BP (3,268 booster), and Myo/Peri (1,295 booster). The IRR for inpatient PE cases following BNT162b2 primary series and booster was 1.19 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.38) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78 to 0.95), respectively; and for mRNA-1273 primary series and booster, 1.15 (95% CI: 0.94 to 1.41) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.79 to 0.96), respectively. The IRR for BP following BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 booster was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.06 to 1.29) and 1.16 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.29), respectively. Conclusion In these two studies of the U.S. elderly we did not find an increased risk for AMI, ITP, DIC, and Myo/Peri; the results were not consistent for PE; and there was a small elevated risk of BP after exposure to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. These results support the favorable safety profile of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines administered in the elderly.
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Paxlovid vs. sotrovimab and molnupiravir in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes in non-hospitalised high-risk COVID-19 adult patients. Design: With the approval of NHS England, we conducted a real-world cohort study using the OpenSAFELY-TPP platform. Setting: Patient-level electronic health record data were obtained from 24 million people registered with a general practice in England that uses TPP software. The primary care data were securely linked with data on COVID-19 infection and therapeutics, hospital admission, and death within the OpenSAFELY-TPP platform, covering a period where both Paxlovid and sotrovimab were first-line treatment options in community settings. Participants: Non-hospitalised adult COVID-19 patients at high risk of severe outcomes treated with Paxlovid, sotrovimab or molnupiravir between February 11, 2022 and October 1, 2022. Interventions: Paxlovid, sotrovimab or molnupiravir administered in the community by COVID-19 Medicine Delivery Units. Main outcome measure: COVID-19 related hospitalisation or COVID-19 related death within 28 days after treatment initiation. Results: A total of 7683 eligible patients treated with Paxlovid (n=4836) and sotrovimab (n=2847) were included in the main analysis. The mean age was 54.3 (SD=14.9) years; 64% were female, 93% White and 93% had three or more COVID-19 vaccinations. Within 28 days after treatment initiation, 52 (0.68%) COVID-19 related hospitalisations/deaths were observed (33 (0.68%) treated with Paxlovid and 19 (0.67%) with sotrovimab). Cox proportional hazards model stratified by region showed that after adjusting for demographics, high-risk cohort categories, vaccination status, calendar time, body mass index and other comorbidities, treatment with Paxlovid was associated with a similar risk of outcome event as treatment with sotrovimab (HR=1.14, 95% CI: 0.62 to 2.08; P=0.673). Results from propensity score weighted Cox model also showed comparable risks in these two treatment groups (HR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.71; P=0.700). An exploratory analysis comparing Paxlovid users with 802 molnupiravir users (11 (1.37%) COVID-19 related hospitalisations/deaths) showed some evidence in favour of Paxlovid but with variation in the effect estimates between models (HR ranging from 0.26 to 0.61). Conclusion: In routine care of non-hospitalised high-risk adult patients with COVID-19 in England, no substantial difference in the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes was observed between those who received Paxlovid and sotrovimab between February and October 2022, when different subvariants of Omicron were dominant.
Refugee communities are vulnerable to housing insecurity, which drives numerous health disparity outcomes in a historically marginalized population. The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the ongoing affordable housing crisis in the United States while continuing to highlight disparities in health outcomes across populations. We conducted interviewer-administered surveys with refugee and asylum seekers in San Diego County at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to understand the social effects and drivers of COVID-19 in one of the largest refugee communities in the United States. Staff from a community-based refugee advocacy and research organization administered the surveys from September - November 2020. 544 respondents participated in the survey, which captured the diversity of the San Diego refugee community including East African (38%), Middle Eastern (35%), Afghan (17%), and Southeast Asian (11%) participants. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) reported living in overcrowded conditions (> 1 individual per room) and 30% in severely crowded conditions (> 1.5 individuals per room). Respondents living in affordable housing units or receiving section 8 housing vouchers had a 66% lower probability of living in severely crowded settings (aOR:0.34, 95% CI:0.19 - 0.61). Refugees living in overcrowded and severely overcrowded housing had more than twice the odds to have not accessed COVID-19 testing since the pandemic began (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.38 - 3.78) and had nearly 4 times the odds to report lower emotional health (OR: 3.90, 95% CI: 2.62 - 5.82). Longer United States residency was associated with a 7% reduction in the odds of living in crowded housing per additional year (aOR:0.93, 95% CI:0.90 - 0.97). Overcrowding housing is a structural burden that reduces COVID-19 risk mitigation behaviors. Improved access to affordable housing units or receiving vouchers could reduce overcrowded housing in vulnerable refugee communities.
Background: Safety data to support bivalent omicron-containing mRNA-booster vaccination are lacking. Methods: In a Danish nationwide cohort study from 1 January 2021 to 10 December 2022, we examined the association between bivalent omicron-containing mRNA-booster vaccination as a fourth Covid-19 vaccine dose and risk of adverse events in individuals aged ≥50 years. Using incidence rate ratios estimated with Poisson regression, we compared the rates of hospital visits for 27 different adverse events in a 28-day main risk period following vaccination with a bivalent omicron-containing mRNA-booster vaccine as a fourth dose to reference period rates from day 29 after the third or fourth vaccine dose and onward. Secondary analyses included stratifying by sex, age, and vaccine type and assessing the associations using self-controlled case series and observed vs. expected cohort analyses. Results: 1,740,417 individuals (mean age 67.8 years, standard deviation 10.7) received a bivalent omicron-containing mRNA-booster vaccine as a fourth dose. Fourth dose vaccination with a bivalent omicron-containing booster did not statistically significantly increase the rate of any of the 27 adverse outcomes within 28 days, nor when analyzed according to age, sex, vaccine type, or using alternative analytical approaches. However, post-hoc analysis detected signals for myocarditis (statistically significantly so in females), although the outcome was very rare and findings were based on few cases. No risk of cerebrovascular infarction was found. Conclusions: Bivalent omicron-containing mRNA-booster vaccination as a fourth dose was not associated with an increased risk of 27 different adverse events in 50+-year-olds.
Digital Tools to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Exposed Individuals in Cameroon - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Other: Digital based contact tracing
Sponsors: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; Find
Recruiting
Evaluation of the Outcome of COVID-19 Patients Discharged Home on Oxygen Therapy - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Other: Phone satisfaction questionnaire
Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier René Dubos
Not yet recruiting
Postural Changes and Severe COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Behavioral: Postural interventions based on pulmonary imaging
Sponsor: Wuhan Union Hospital, China
Recruiting
A Chatbot to Enhance COVID-19 Knowledge - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Device: chatbot; Other: Printed educational booklet
Sponsor: Sun Yat-sen University
Not yet recruiting
Awaken Prone Positioning Ventinlation in COVID-19 Patients - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Procedure: Awaken prone positioning ventilation
Sponsor: Southeast University, China
Enrolling by invitation
Study of SHEN26 Capsule in Patients With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: SHEN26 dose 1; Drug: SHEN26 dose 2; Drug: SHEN26 placebo
Sponsor: Shenzhen Kexing Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Recruiting
Bright Light Therapy for Post-COVID-19 Fatigue - Condition: Post COVID-19 Condition
Interventions: Device: Bright light therapy; Device: Dim red light therapy
Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Not yet recruiting
Study on the Safety and Efficacy of Meplazumab for Injection Patients COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: Meplazumab foe injection; Other: Normal saline
Sponsor: Jiangsu Pacific Meinuoke Bio Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
Not yet recruiting
Study on the Safety and Efficacy of Meplazumab for Injection in Severe Patients With COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: Meplazumab for injection; Other: Normal saline
Sponsor: Jiangsu Pacific Meinuoke Bio Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
Not yet recruiting
A Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of QLS1128 Orally in Symptomatic Participants With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: QLS1128; Drug: Placebo
Sponsor: Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Recruiting
Oropharyngeal Immunoprophylaxis With High Polyphenolic Olive Oil as Clinical Spectrum Mitigating Factor in COVID-19. - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Dietary Supplement: High polyphenolic olive oil. (Early harvest olive oil).
Sponsor: Hospital General Nuestra Señora del Prado
Completed
A Randomized, Phase I Study of DNA Vaccine OC-007 as a Booster Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine - Conditions: COVID-19 Respiratory Infection; COVID-19 Vaccine Adverse Reaction
Interventions: Biological: DNA vaccine OC-007; Other: Placebo
Sponsor: Matti Sällberg
Not yet recruiting
Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of FB2001 for Inhalation in Patients With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition: Mild to Moderate COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: FB2001; Drug: FB2001 placebo
Sponsor: Frontier Biotechnologies Inc.
Recruiting
UC-MSCs in the Treatment of Severe and Critical COVID-19 Patients - Conditions: Mesenchymal Stem Cell; COVID-19 Pneumonia
Interventions: Biological: umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells; Drug: paxlovid
Sponsor: Shanghai East Hospital
Recruiting
A Study of Positive Emotions With Long COVID-19 - Condition: Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Intervention: Behavioral: Microdosing of mindfulness
Sponsor: University of California, Davis
Not yet recruiting
Valproate Coenzyme-A Conjugate Blocks Opening of Receptor Binding Domains in the Spike Trimer of SARS-CoV-2 through an Allosteric Mechanism - The receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer exhibit “up” and “down” conformations often targeted by neutralizing antibodies. Only in the “up” configuration can RBDs bind to the ACE2 receptor of the host cell and initiate the process of viral multiplication. Here, we identify a lead compound (3-oxo-valproate-coenzyme A conjugate or Val-CoA) that stabilizes the spike trimer with RBDs in the down conformation. Val-CoA interacts with three R408 residues, one from each RBD,…
Causal associations of tea intake with COVID-19 infection and severity - Tea ingredients can effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection at adequate concentrations. It is not known whether tea intake could impact the susceptibility to COVID-19 or its severity. We aimed to evaluate the causal effects of tea intake on COVID-19 outcomes. We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to assess the causal associations between tea intake (N = 441,279) and three COVID-19 outcomes, including SARS-CoV-2 infection (122,616 cases and 2,475,240 controls), hospitalized COVID-19…
SARS-CoV-2 N protein mediates intercellular nucleic acid dispersion, a feature reduced in Omicron - The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is known to bind to nucleic acids and facilitate viral genome encapsulation. Here we report that N protein can mediate RNA or DNA entering neighboring cells through ACE2-independent, receptor (STEAP2)-mediated endocytosis, and achieve gene expression. The effect is more pronounced for the N protein of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 than that of Omicron variant and other human coronaviruses. This effect is enhanced by RANTES (CCL5), a chemokine induced by N protein,…
6-Shogaol Exhibits Anti-viral and Anti-inflammatory Activity in COVID-19-Associated Inflammation by Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasomes - Recent global health concern motivated the exploration of natural medicinal plant resources as an alternative target for treating COVID-19 infection and associated inflammation. In the current study, a phytochemical, 6-shogaol [1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)dec-4-en-3-one; 6-SHO] was investigated as a potential anti-inflammatory and anti-COVID-19 agent. In virus release assay, 6-SHO efficiently (94.5%) inhibited SARS-CoV2 replication. When tested in the inflammasome activation model, 6-SHO…
Is the information on infection prevention measures against COVID-19 reaching the target audience? A cross-sectional survey among eating and drinking services in Tokyo, Japan - CONCLUSION: Current information dissemination methods for information on COVID-19 infection control may not successfully convey information or reach their target populations. This study indicates the need for specific expressions and layouts to effectively share information on COVID-19. Also, special means of communication must be established to cater to individuals aged 60 and above.
Bionics design of affinity peptide inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 RBD to block SARS-CoV-2 RBD-ACE2 interactions - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has already posed serious threats and impacts on the health of the population and the country’s economy. Therefore, it is of great theoretical significance and practical application value to better understand the process of COVID-19 infection and develop effective therapeutic drugs. It is known that the receptor-binding structural domain (SARS-CoV-2 RBD) on the spike protein of the novel coronavirus directly mediates its interaction with the host receptor…
Potential inhibitory properties of structurally modified quercetin/isohamnetin glucosides against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro; molecular docking and dynamics simulation strategies - Concerned organizations and individuals are fully engaged in seeking appropriate measures towards managing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SAR-CoV-2) infection because of the unprecedented economic and health impact. SAR-CoV-2 Main protease (SARS-CoV-2 Mpro) is unique to the survival and viability of the virus. Therefore, inhibition of Mpro can block the viral propagation. Thirty (30) derivatives were built by changing the glucosides in the Meta and para position of quercetin…
COVID-19 inhibits spermatogenesis in the testes by inducing cellular senescence - Introduction: COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has been linked to organ damage in humans since its worldwide outbreak. It can also induce severe sperm damage, according to research conducted at numerous clinical institutions. However, the exact mechanism of damage is still unknown. Methods: In this study, testicular bulk-RNA-seq Data were downloaded from three COVID-19 patients and three uninfected controls from GEO to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 infection on spermatogenesis. Relative expression of…
Evaluation of the relationship between acute kidney injury and renin angiotensin system inhibition in COVID-19 patients - CONCLUSION: COVID-19 may cause renal injury represents a risk factor for mortality. Therefore, detection of renal injury has a particular prognostic importance.
Functional changes in cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell cross-reactivity against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after mRNA vaccination - Understanding the T-cell responses involved in inhibiting COVID-19 severity is crucial for developing new therapeutic and vaccine strategies. Here, we characterized SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific CD8^(+) T cells in vaccinees longitudinally. The BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine can induce spike-specific CD8^(+) T cells cross-reacting to BA.1, whereas the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire usages decreased with time. Furthermore the mRNA vaccine induced spike-specific CD8^(+) T cells subpopulation expressing…
From disgusting and complicated to simple and brilliant: Implementation perspectives and lessons learned from users and rejectors of mail-in SARS-CoV-2 gargle tests - CONCLUSION: User-driven insights on how to streamline testing include: consider communication, first impressions of tests and information as key for successful mail-in testing; pay attention to the role of mutual trust between those taking and administering tests; implement gargle self-sampling as a pleasant alternative to swab testing; offer multiple test methods to increase test up-take.
SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) spike protein adjuvanted with Alum-3M-052 enhances antibody production and neutralization ability - CONCLUSION: Alum-3M-052 rapidly increased the titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) spike protein neutralizing antibodies and enhanced the neutralization ability against pseudoviruses and variants. This study provided evidence for the application of Alum-3M-052 as an adjuvant in COVID-19 vaccines production.
SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein activates TMEM16F-mediated platelet procoagulant activity - Thrombosis of the lung microvasculature is a characteristic of COVID-19 disease, which is observed in large excess compared to other forms of acute respiratory distress syndrome and thus suggests a trigger for thrombosis that is endogenous to the lung. Our recent work has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein activates the cellular TMEM16F chloride channel and scramblase. Through a screening on >3,000 FDA/EMA approved drugs, we identified Niclosamide and Clofazimine as the most effective…
Caudatin attenuates inflammatory reaction by suppressing JNK/AP-1/NF-κB/caspase-1 pathways in activated HMC-1 cells - One of the interfering factors in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the cytokine storm, which contributes to hyperinflammation. Mast cells cause COVID-19 hyperinflammation by increasing inflammatory cytokine levels. We investigated whether caudatin, an active compound of Cynanchum auriculatum, could suppress inflammatory response signaling in human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells. Caudatin suppressed activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in HMC-1 cells….
Efficient Targeted Delivery of Bifunctional Circular Aptamer-ASO Chimera to Suppress the SARS-CoV-2 Proliferation and Inflammation - Inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and excessive inflammation is the current task in the prevention and treatment of corona vireus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, a dual-function circular aptamer-ASO chimera (circSApt-NASO) is designed to suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication and inflammation. The chemically unmodified circSApt-NASO exhibits high serum stability by artificial cyclization. It is also demonstrated that the SApt binding to spike protein…