Novel Coronavirus Outbreak Oct 24 - Oct 30 2022

Most recent articles (newest articles listed first)

Open access

Characteristics of animal models for COVID‐19

Graphical Abstract

Characteristics of animal models for COVID-19 Issue 5, 2022

Animal models play crucial roles in the pathogenic mechanisms and potential interventions. In the current review, we summarized the development and characteristics of the animal models around transnasal infection, localized infection and simulated-transmission route infection.

Open access

Molecular insights into onset of autoimmunity in SARS‐CoV‐2 infected patients

Graphical Abstract

Molecular insights into onset of autoimmunity in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients Issue 4, 2022

Molecular mechanisms involved in the induction of transient or sustained autoimmunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Highlights

  • Host immune-mediated upregulation of RNA editing APOBEC3G/F and ADAR1 genes leads to the viral genome and host transcriptome editing during SARS-CoV-2 infections and paves the way for the generation of autoantigens.

  • Such autoantigens will be presented as foreign by the host immune system to generate autoantibodies followed by induction of auto immunogenicity and the onset of transient or sustained autoimmune diseases as an aftermath of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

  • The preventive measures and strategies are postulated to combat future SARS-CoV-2 infections and their aftermaths and to minimize and/or preclude SARS-CoV-2 mediated ill effects like autoimmune diseases.

An Engineered IgG–VHH Bispecific Antibody against SARS‐CoV‐2 and Its Variants

Graphical Abstract

An Engineered IgG–VHH Bispecific Antibody against SARS-CoV-2 and Its Variants Issue 12, 2022

A novel immunoglobulin G–variable domains of heavy-chain-only antibody (IgG–VHH) format bispecific antibody (bsAb) that confers protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants are rationally developed. This universal platform combines the strengths of IgG and nanobody, provides a promising tool for the development of bsAbs, strongly complements and strengthens the existing SARS-CoV-2 antibody therapeutics.

Open access

COVID‐19 restrictions and the incidence and prevalence of prescription opioid use in Australia – a nationwide study

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COVID-19 restrictions and the incidence and prevalence of prescription opioid use in Australia – a nationwide study Issue 2, 2023

Following nationwide COVID-19 restrictions, incidence of opioid use dropped by −0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.50, −0.31), −0.33 (95% CI: −0.46, −0.21) and −0.21 (95% CI: −0.37, −0.04) per 1000 people per week and the prevalence dropped by −0.85 (95% CI: −1.39, −0.31), −0.54 (95% CI: −1.01, −0.07) and −0.62 (95% CI: −0.99, −0.25) per 1000 people per week in Victoria (VIC), New South Wales (NSW) and other Australian jurisdictions (OTH), respectively.

Open access

Residual persistence of cytotoxicity lymphocytes and regulatory T cells in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 over a 1-year recovery process

Graphical Abstract

Residual persistence of cytotoxicity lymphocytes and regulatory T cells in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 over a 1-year recovery process Issue 1, 2022

Immune response in the peripheral blood did not recover normally even 1 year after recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients showed residual lymphocyte and natural killer cell cytotoxicity and persistence of regulatory T cells. These findings may help to elucidate the long-term changes in the immune response after COVID-19.

Open access

Exploratory analysis of interleukin‐38 in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients

Graphical Abstract

Exploratory analysis of interleukin-38 in hospitalized COVID-19 patients Issue 11, 2022

A major contributor to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) progression and severity is a dysregulated innate and adaptive immune response. Interleukin (IL-38) is an IL-1 family member with broad anti-inflammatory properties, but thus far little is known about its role in viral infections. Here, we demonstrate that IL 38 concentrations are not indicative of COVID-19 severity in hospitalized patients

Determination of thermal comfort among nurses working with personal protective equipment in COVID‐19 clinics

Summary statement

What is already known about this topic?

  • Thermal comfort is one of the important factors affecting nurses' working performance.
  • The working conditions of the nurses affected their thermal comfort.
  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health-care professionals had to work with personal protective equipment.

What this paper adds?

  • The thermal comfort of nurses working in patients' rooms with personal protective equipment was negatively affected in COVID-19 clinics.
  • The temperature and stress levels of the nurses increased, and their performance decreased when working in the patients' rooms with personal protective equipment
  • The thermal comfort of nurses working in intensive care units was affected more negatively than nurses working in other services.

The implications of this paper:

  • The ventilation systems should be improved to provide thermal comfort for those working with personal protective equipment.
  • Working time and breaks should be organized accordingly considering the negative effects of working with personal protective equipment on nurses.

Open access

Nsp16 shields SARS–CoV-2 from efficient MDA5 sensing and IFIT1-mediated restriction

Graphical Abstract

Generation of recombinant SARS–CoV-2 harboring inactivating mutations in Nsp16 Attenuated replication of recombinant SARS–CoV-2 Nsp16mut on human lung epithelial cell lines Quantification of SARS–CoV-2 wt and Nsp16mut infectivity using a focus forming assay Quantification of GAPDH and SARS–CoV-2 Nsp16 (+) strand transcripts upon infection of Calu-3 cells with SARS–CoV-2 WT and Nsp16mut by ddPCR Mutations in the active center render Nsp16 catalytically inactive Purification of recombinant Nsp10, Nsp16, and Nsp16mut Replication of Nsp16mut is highly sensitive to type I interferon SARS–CoV-2 infection triggers an enhanced MDA5-dependent immune response in the absence of active Nsp16 Confirmation of RIG-I and MDA5 KO in Calu-3 cells by immunoblot The high sensitivity of SARS–CoV-2 Nsp16mut to type I IFN is mediated by IFIT1 Confirmation of MTR1 KO in A549 cells by immunoblot Nsp16 shields SARS–CoV-2 from efficient MDA5 sensing and IFIT1-mediated restriction Issue 12, 2022

Replication of SARS-CoV-2 harboring inactive Nsp16 is attenuated and very sensitive to type I IFN treatment. Nsp16 counteracts intrinsic restriction and sensing mechanisms, rendering Nsp16-deficient viruses good candidates for live attenuated vaccine development.

Open access

The multifactorial aquaculture‐related COVID‐19 shock in Benin, West Africa: A socio‐economic perspective of mitigating the disruptive impacts on the small‐scale and subsistence producers

Graphical Abstract

The multifactorial aquaculture-related COVID-19 shock in Benin, West Africa: A socio-economic perspective of mitigating the disruptive impacts on the small-scale and subsistence producers Issue 6, 2022 Graphical Abstract

This study deals with a timely topic, COVID-19, whose impacts on aquaculture have never been quantified in Benin. Direct discussions were held with aquaculture producers to understand how they are feeling the impact of the pandemic on their business. The study focused on small-scale aquaculture producers who are the ones helping to spread the Blue Revolution throughout the country. The proposed solutions are innovative and will help build the resilience of the various stakeholders in the face of COVID-19 in Benin.

Open access

Heterologous SARS-CoV-2 IgA neutralising antibody responses in convalescent plasma

Graphical Abstract

Heterologous SARS-CoV-2 IgA neutralising antibody responses in convalescent plasma Issue 10, 2022

Following infection with SARS-CoV-2, virus-specific antibodies are generated, which can both neutralise virions and clear infection via Fc effector functions. Here, we demonstrate that convalescent plasma IgA was largely incapable of mediating antibody-dependent phagocytosis in comparison with plasma IgG. However, IgA from > 60% of the cohort had the capacity to neutralise SARS-CoV2 wild-type and numerous RBD variants, although this response was heterogeneous and less potent than IgG.

Open access

Transcriptional dynamics of granulocytes in direct response to incubation with SARS-CoV-2

Graphical Abstract

Transcriptional dynamics of granulocytes in direct response to incubation with SARS-CoV-2 Issue 1, 2023

In coronavirus disease 2019, excessive neutrophil activation leads to tissue damage. In this study, we observed morphological and transcriptional changes of low-density granulocytes (LDGs) induced by incubation with SARS-CoV-2 ex vivo. In particular, the AGO2 gene, which is involved in the biogenesis and function of miRNAs, was detected as a key regulator. AGO2 possibly plays a role in LDG regulation in response to SARS-CoV-2.

Open access

IL‐13 determines specific IgE responses and SARS‐CoV‐2 immunity after mild COVID‐19 and novel mRNA vaccination

Graphical Abstract

IL-13 determines specific IgE responses and SARS-CoV-2 immunity after mild COVID-19 and novel mRNA vaccination Issue 12, 2022

To investigate atopic immune reactions in response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations or mild infections serum IgE and cytokines were analyzed. An atopic environment prone to reactions against aeroallergens was revealed in convalescents but not vaccinated. IL-13 turned out to be critical to confer SARS-CoV-2 immunity and protection to these reactions.

Open access

Targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection through CAR-T-like bispecific T cell engagers incorporating ACE2

Graphical Abstract

Targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection through CAR-T-like bispecific T cell engagers incorporating ACE2 Issue 10, 2022

In this study, we utilised ACE2 to develop both a CAR molecule that was engineered to be expressed by T cells and as part of a bispecific (Bite) molecule (ACE2 and anti-CD3), which in turn activated T cells to target and kill infected cells expressing the Spike protein. Further, ACE2-Bite protein neutralied entry of viruses mediated by variants of Spike protein, including Omicron. Using a bispecific ACE2 molecule provides the basis for future development of a variant-resistant treatment approach.

Open access

Patient factors associated with COVID-19 loss of taste or smell patient factors in smell/taste loss COVID-19

Graphical Abstract

Patient factors associated with COVID-19 loss of taste or smell patient factors in smell/taste loss COVID-19 Issue 6, 2022

Of 2250 patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at Mayo Clinic, 667 reported loss of taste and smell. Patients who reported loss of smell or taste were younger, female and more likely to report cough, chest pain, headache, or history of COPD, but overall had fewer high-risk comorbidities. Those who were older, male, and a reported history of CAD were less likely to report chemosensory dysfunction.

Introduction to the special issue: How COVID-19 has affected students' health, achievement, and mental health

Practitioner points

  • 1.

    This Special issue contributions will assist in dealing with future pandemic crisis.

  • 2.

    School professionals address the physical and psychological issues that arose during the pandemic.

  • 3.

    This issue addresses how college-age students were impacted by the pandemic.

Open access

Implementing wastewater surveillance for SARS‐CoV‐2 on a university campus: Lessons learned

Graphical Abstract

Implementing wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 on a university campus: Lessons learned Issue 11, 2022

A two-phase study was conducted during the 2020–2021 academic year to test the feasibility of a WBE system on campus and to supplement the clinical COVID-19 testing performed for the student, staff, and faculty body.