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The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) infections that were first detected in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019 led to the state of the global COVID-19 pandemic declared by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Thus, the world faces a new challenge to control the spread of the virus. The pandemic highlighted the need for rapid detection of infections that would be able to accurately screen the population much more rapidly and economically than the gold standard molecular biology-based tools such as quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Such screening measures would be able to isolate infected individuals, including those showing no symptoms, and provide early treatments before more serious complications develop, thus allowing for the spread of infections to be better controlled without the implementation of socioeconomically crippling lockdowns. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the major advances in the use of electrolyte-gated field effect transistor-based biosensors for the detection of viruses, including their use for SARS-CoV-2 detection. We describe the main types of bioreceptors used for the detection of viruses in general and those used for COVID-19 in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants alters the efficacy of existing immunity towards the viral spike protein, whether acquired from infection or vaccination. Mutations that impact N -glycosylation of spike may be particularly important in influencing antigenicity, but their consequences are difficult to predict. Here, we compare the glycosylation profiles and antigenicity of recombinant viral spike of ancestral Wu-1 and the Gamma strain, which has two additional N -glycosylation sites due to amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal domain (NTD). We found that a mutation at residue 20 from threonine to asparagine within the NTD caused the loss of NTD-specific antibody COVA2-17 binding. Glycan site-occupancy analyses revealed that the mutation resulted in N -glycosylation switching to the new sequon at N20 from the native N17 site. Site-specific glycosylation profiles demonstrated distinct glycoform differences between Wu-1, Gamma, and selected NTD variant spike proteins, but these did not affect antibody binding. Finally, we evaluated the specificity of spike proteins against convalescent COVID-19 sera and found reduced cross-reactivity against some mutants, but not Gamma spike compared to Wuhan spike. Our results illustrate the impact of viral divergence on spike glycosylation and SARS-CoV-2 antibody binding profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its discovery in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly around the world with being declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Comorbidities are one of the most concerning clinical considerations for mortality. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna, Bihar, from June 2020 to December 2020. It included adult patients who succumbed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during this period, and their relevant information, such as demographic information hospital stay duration, haematological parameters and comorbidities, was gathered. Results: The mean age of the study group was 63.5 (11.8) years. Of 150 cases, 126 men (about 84 per cent) and 24 women were involved (16 per cent). In our study, hypertension (HTN) was shown to be the most frequent comorbidity at 68.7% (103/150), followed by diabetes mellitus (DM) at 61.3% (92/150). The most prevalent haematological disorder identified in our investigation was anaemia and leucocytosis. Conclusion: The categorisation of patients who would need extra measures including early hospitalisation, heightened monitoring and intense therapy would be made easier by identifying patient traits and conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Advax-CpG55.2 adjuvanted spike protein vaccine protected hamsters against challenges with Beta or Delta viruses with the trivalent formulation performing best. • In naïve animals, the Beta variant caused higher virus loads in the upper respiratory tract whereas Delta variant caused greater transmission and more severe disease. • Hamsters immunized with Gamma spike vaccine had higher virus loads than unvaccinated infected animals suggesting the possibility of VAERD and/or ADE. • The spike protein vaccines reduced the risk of transmission to naïve co-housed animals. • Virus transmission to naïve animals correlated best with nasal turbinate virus load. The ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants emphasizes the need for vaccines providing broad cross-protective immunity. This study was undertaken to assess the ability of Advax-CpG55.2 adjuvanted monovalent recombinant spike protein (Wuhan, Beta, Gamma) vaccines or a trivalent formulation to protect hamsters against Beta or Delta virus infection. The ability of vaccines to block virus transmission to naïve co-housed animals was also assessed. In naïve hosts, the Beta variant induced higher virus loads than the Delta variant, and conversely the Delta variant caused more severe disease and was more likely to be associated with virus transmission. The trivalent vaccine formulation provided the best protection against both Beta and Delta infection and also completely prevented virus transmission. The next best performing vaccine was the original monovalent Wuhan-based vaccine. Notably, hamsters that received the monovalent Gamma spike vaccine had the highest viral loads and clinical disease of all the vaccine groups, a potential signal of antibody dependent-enhancement (ADE). These hamsters were also the most likely to transmit Delta virus to naïve recipients. In murine studies, the Gamma spike vaccine induced the highest total spike protein to RBD IgG ratio and the lowest levels of neutralizing antibody, a context that could predispose to ADE. Overall, the study results confirmed that the current SpikoGen® vaccine based on Wuhan spike protein was still able to protect against clinical disease caused by either the Beta or Delta virus variants but suggested additional protection may be obtained by combining it with extra variant spike proteins to make a multivalent formulation. This study highlights the complexity of optimizing vaccine protection against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and stresses the need to continue to pursue new and improved COVID-19 vaccines able to provide robust, long-lasting, and broadly cross-protective immunity against constantly evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. As of September 2023, there have been over 770 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including over 6.9 million deaths. Epidemiologic studies have indicated that comorbidities of obesity and diabetes mellitus are associated with increased morbidity and mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We determined how the comorbidities of obesity and diabetes affect morbidity and mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated and adjuvanted spike nanoparticle (NVXCoV2373) vaccinated mice. We find that obese/diabetic mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 have increased morbidity and mortality compared to age-matched normal mice. Mice that were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and then vaccinated with NVX-CoV2373 produce equivalent neutralizing antibody titers compared to those fed a normal diet (ND). However, the HFD mice have reduced viral clearance early in infection. Analysis of the inflammatory immune response in HFD mice demonstrates a recruitment of neutrophils that was correlated with increased mortality and reduced clearance of the virus. Depletion of neutrophils in diabetic/obese vaccinated mice reduced disease severity and protected mice from lethality. This model recapitulates the increased disease severity associated with obesity and diabetes in humans with COVID-19 and is an important comorbidity to study with increasing obesity and diabetes across the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious respiratory illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease, first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in November 2019, has since spread worldwide, is the latest human pandemic and has officially infected over 800 million people and has caused nearly seven million deaths to date. Although SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the large family of coronaviruses, it has some unique biological characteristics in its interplay with the human host. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the structure of the virus, incubation and shedding in the human host, infectivity and biological evolution over time, as well as the main mechanisms for invading human host cells and replicating within. We also proffer that ongoing epidemiological surveillance of newly emerged variants must always be accompanied by biological studies aimed at deciphering new advantageous traits that may contribute to increasing virulence and pathogenicity, such that the most appropriate strategies for establishing a (relatively) safe coexistence with the human host can be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, first identified in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, caused a global pandemic resulting in significant morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide. Disease presentations in humans range from asymptomatic virus carriers to fatal systemic disease. A historic effort is underway to develop therapeutics and vaccines to slow or stop virus spread and treat those infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Animal models play vital roles in understanding the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and evaluating therapeutics and vaccines. We compare the pathologic findings, including macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular findings, in three nonhuman primate species (cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, and African green monkeys), ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, and mice following experimental exposure to SARS-CoV-2 by the intranasal, intratracheal or small particle aerosol routes to the disease as it occurs in humans who died during the current pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucormycosis (Zygomycosis) is an invasive fungal infection, often acute and extremely severe caused by opportunist and ubiquitous fungi belonging to the class Phygomycetes, subclass Zygomycetes, order Mucorales, family Mucoraceae. COVID-19 is an infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the first case was detected, in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 has been found to have many systemic manifestations. Of these, ocular presentations associated with COVID-19 have been identified. It is acquired by the implantation of the fungal spores in the oral, nasal, and conjunctival mucosa (rhino-orbito-cerebral), by inhalation (pulmonary), or by the ingestion of contaminated food (digestive). The field of neuro-ophthalmology has been affected, due to both neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19, as well as adaptations in the delivery of health care and treatment of pre-existing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Advax-CpG55.2™ adjuvanted spike protein vaccine protected NHP against SARS-CoV-2. • Immunized NHP had broadly neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants. • Protection was not dependent on presence of neutralizing antibody. • Antibody-dependent disease enhancement was not seen. Traditional protein-based vaccine approaches to COVID-19 were overshadowed by the new mRNA and adenoviral vector vaccine approaches which were first to receive marketing authorization. The current study tested for the first time in repurposed aged (median 15.4 years) cynomolgus macaques, a novel Advax-CpG55.2™ adjuvanted recombinant extracellular domain spike protein trimer antigen for immunogenicity, protection and safety. Nine animals received two intramuscular injections 10 days apart of recombinant spike protein (25 μg) with Advax-CpG55.2™ (10 mg/200 μg) and 5 controls received saline injections. Serum antibody levels were followed for 3 months and then the animals were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Clinical signs, local reactions, body weight, food consumption and antibody levels were monitored till termination on either day 3 or 7 post-infection. Two weeks after the second dose, 8/9 immunized macaques had high serum spike and receptor binding domain binding antibodies that were able to cross-neutralize Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and, to a lesser extent, Omicron variants (B.1.1.529). Antibody levels decayed over the subsequent 3 months, and minimal neutralizing antibody was detectable immediately prior to the challenge which used a vaccine-homologous Wuhan-like ancestral virus. Of the nine vaccinated animals, only one 18-year-old female sacrificed at d3 had low levels of lung virus, versus 100 % of the control animals. Four of 5 (80 %) control animals had positive lung staining for SARS-CoV-2 virus versus just 1 of 9 (11 %) in the immunized group. The immunized animals exhibited better maintenance of appetite post-challenge. Neutralizing antibody levels rebounded rapidly in immunized animals, post-challenge. This data supports the benefits of Advax-CpG adjuvanted recombinant spike protein vaccine in protecting against a homologous SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is an egressing infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV- 2), recently erupted from the Wuhan city of China.Then this contagious pneumonia like virally driven disease started to spread in almost all continent. After declaration from WHO that coronavirus disease is pandemic in nature, many researchers in different branches such as medical sciences as well as mathematical sciences have show their immense concern to develop the strategies to control this disease transmission. For this purpose I have used basic reproduction number as a controlling parameterto check this disease. I have employed different type of methods such as next generation matrix (NGM) to calculatethe basic reproduction number from some epidemic scenarios using SIR, SEIR models. We have consider the quarantine as well as isolation mechanism for coronavirus disease transmission. We have studied the basic reproduction numbers and concluded that quarantine and isolation is the fundamental criterion to control this disease transmission. It is also concluded that respective administration has to enforce strictly the lockdown & restrictive stratigies of human movement from one place to another along with they have to ensure other supportive masures to establish the socio-economic balance during this pandemic circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Coronavirus (2019) (Covid-19) was recognized as a global epidemic. In late 2019, a new type of the coronavirus family, known as Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan, China, called Covid-19. The Covid-19 epidemic has plunged the world into an unprecedented crisis, causing massive human and economic losses. As of July 6, 2020, this global outbreak has caused more than 167 million confirmed cases and more than 3.4 million deaths worldwide. The high rate of lung infection, long latency period, mild to moderate symptoms, cases that many people experience, or even cases of asymptomatic patients, has made Covid-19 a worrying disease. Challenges in addressing the illness involve the creation of vaccines, efficient large-scale manufacturing, and equitable global distribution. Nanotechnology can be regarded as a potential approach for both diagnosing and treating this hazardous virus. Nanoparticles, with their physicochemical properties, can be a promising treatment method to win the battle against coronaviruses. This review article aims to explore the disease of Covid-19 and the potential of nanotechnology as a bright and promising pathway for the diagnosis, drug delivery, and treatment of Covid-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was initially identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The virus affects almost all countries of the world. It has infected humans of all age groups, ethnicities. COVID-19, in patients with underlying health conditions or comorbidities, has an increasingly rapid and severe progression, often leading to death. This study is designed to evaluate the impact of comorbidities on the severity and outcome of COVID- 19 infection in children. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Pediatric Department, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi from March 2020 to September 2021. Every confirmed COVID-19 admitted case according to inclusion criteria was enrolled for the study. Data were retrieved from hospital records and was recorded on a predesigned study questionnaire, entered and analyzed in SPSS version 24 for descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Results: 109 children were enrolled with confirmed COVID-19, of these 64(58.7%) were males and 45(41.2%) were females. The age of the patients ranged from infants to 12 years with a mean age of 27.25 months. Comorbidities were present in 70 patients (64.2%).CHD was the most common comorbid condition (n=18, 16.5%). Most of the patients experienced mild to moderate symptoms (n=64.2%) while severe symptoms were found in (n=35.8%) patients. 27 patients (24.8%) required Ventilatory support, and of these 20 patients (18.3%) had underlying comorbidity. The total number of patients who expired was 27(24.7%), and 30.3% of patients who expired had comorbid conditions. The patients with comorbid conditions had a longer stay in the hospital. 35 patients (32.1%)with underlying comorbidity remained admitted more than a week and 13 patients(9%) more than two weeks. Conclusion: Pediatric patients with comorbidities have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and associated mortality than children without underlying disease. Children with underlying conditions need to be carefully assessed and closely monitored. Further data is required to define these associations and to develop adequate guidelines to manage high-risk children with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At the end of December 2019, a new infectious disease was reported in Wuhan, China. It was a new type of coronavirus named COVID-19. The spread of COVID-19 created an emergency in the global health system and the elderly was identified as a vulnerable group to the disease. Materials and Methods: This is a systematic review conducted to manage the vulnerability of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, all articles published in this field from the beginning of March 2019 to the end of June 2021 have been extracted from the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Irandoc, Magiran, MedLib, and SID. Results: High incidences of COVID-19 are exacerbated in the elderly with cognitive disorders, immunodeficiency, malnutrition, use of various medicines and social problems, anxiety, distance from the family, lack of healthcare, history of falls, multidrug use due to old age during the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the elderly with underlying diseases, such as kidney failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, heart, and respiratory diseases. Conclusion: The prevalence of vulnerability in the elderly was high during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be a significant risk factor for health. Suffering from several simultaneous diseases, the number of medicines used, the history of falls, underlying diseases, and living alone were some of the vital determinants of vulnerability and considering the adverse consequences of vulnerability, difficulty in designing and implementing appropriate interventions and self-care education for the elderly and their families to manage drug use, treating chronic diseases, and preventing falls, it seems necessary to observe health protocols and stay at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic, which has spread worldwide, emerged at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province of China. It has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization as of March 12, 2020. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which caused millions of people to be infected and killed many people worldwide, is a severe public health problem. The average incubation period is 4-5 days (0-14 days). The most common symptoms are fever, dry cough, joint pains, headache, and shortness of breath. The disease can show severe and mortal effects in people with advanced age and different treatments. The disease diagnosis is made by molecular analysis of respiratory samples of suspected cases using special primers. In addition to supportive vitamin and protein support in treatment, specific vaccines are produced, the number of which increases day by day. The absence of close contact, such as handshaking and hugging, and the isolation of possible patients are among the most effective methods to prevent the disease's spread. In addition to personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves, continuous cleaning is essential in the fight against the epidemic. This study looks at the COVID-19 pandemic from a general perspective, especially with the current advances in vaccines, and evaluates the past pandemic processes worldwide. It is to make inferences by considering the impact of COVID-19 on the world and Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID 19 pandemic is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case was identified in December 2019, in Wuhan, China. It is an infectious disease and has led to the ongoing global pandemic. This pandemic has also started in Assam, with its first case reported on 31 March, 2020. A prospective study was conducted on 2000 laboratory confirmed coronavirus cases. Proper history were taken and clinical examinations were performed. They were also advised to do the necessary blood investigations, electrocardiogram and chest X- rays. Olfactory functions were assessed using substances like scented soap, mint toothpaste, vicks vaporub, etc. Gustatory functions were also assessed. In our study, we found that 83% (1650) patients presented with otorhinolaryngological or ENT (Ear, nose, throat) manifestations and 17% (350) did not have any otorhinolaryngological manifestations. The most common ENT symptoms with which the patients presented were sore throat (80%) and headache (76%). The other ENT symptoms were hyposmia (44%), dysgeusia (32%) and nasal congestion (28%). The most common non-ENT symptoms were fever (92%) and cough (85%). The other non-ENT symptoms with which the patient presented were malaise, generalized bodyache and abdominal symptoms (like diarrhea). This prospective study gives a view of the incidence of otorhinolaryngological manifestations in COVID 19 patients. But, no significant co-relation was seen between presence of ENT symptoms and the severity of the disease. However, further studies are required to know the pathogenesis of causing ENT symptoms properly and also for definitive treatment of these symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological attack or bioterrorism is one of the sides to cause disease or death in all living things by using biological causative agents of disease due to reasons such as political, ideological and economic. There were many biological attacks from the primitive ages when poisoned arrows were used to the use of anthrax spores in 2001 against USA. Although chemical attacks are not as deep-rooted as biological attacks, they have been used for a long time, but the period when they came to the stage of history was the 19th century with the development of the modern chemical industry. Chemical attacks caused injuries, permanent damage and death to many people especially during the period of World wars. The pandemic that can be caused by natural epidemic diseases is the spread of a factor or disease in a very wide area. With the spread of disease; panic, unrest and chaos environment occurs in the spreading area. Coronavirus (Covid-19), which causes the current pandemic, is the most recent example. Coronavirus out broke in Wuhan, China, and started to spread in China first, and then Iran, and had an impact on Italy as well as European continent and around the world with the American continent. It infected millions of people, hundreds of thousands of people died, and caused environmental, social, psychological and economic problems on a global scale. Recently, different pandemic processes related to influenza have been experienced, but states have not been able to demonstrate an effective and efficient defense against the new type of coronavirus since the necessary preparations were not made despite the death of millions of people. Since biological attack and natural epidemics have the same effects and characteristics, it is not possible to predict how the states will respond in a possible biological attack. As in the current pandemic process, the possible consequences that will arise when caught unprepared are doubtful. In this study, it is evaluated how biological agents and natural epidemics are similar to each other and how to take measures against a possible attack or a new disaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In December 2019, in Wuhan, China, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was emerged due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It seems that children and neonates, similar to adult and elderly individuals, are at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, adequate data are not available about neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2.Methods: This study evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates born to mothers or relatives with COVID-19. This cross-sectional study was performed on 25,044 consecutive Iranian participants in Tehran, Iran, from January 2020 to August 2020. Viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from 500 µl of the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal specimens of the participants. The genomic RNA of SARS-CoV-2 was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.Results: Out of all participants, 98 (0.40%) cases were neonates born to mothers or relatives with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, the current study was performed on these neonates. Out of 98 studied neonates, 6 (6.1%) cases had positive PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, among 98 studied neonates' mothers, 25 (25.5%) cases had positive PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 infection.Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrated that the rate of COVID-19 in neonates born to mothers or relatives with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Iranian population is about 6.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wuhan City, China has reported the identification of the first occurrence of the respiratory disease brought on by a new coronavirus since December 2019. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) shows variation symptoms such as fever (100%), cough (73%), headache (23%), sore throat (23%), sputum production (47%), chest pain (15%), Dyspnea (82%), diarrhea (33%), anorexia (65%), Fatigue (100%). The percentage of males from the total samples was (62.7%) while the females were (37.3%). The laboratory tests to confirm SARS-CoV-2 infection were positive RT-PCR, D-Diamer with rang 636.9-10000g/ml, and CRP rang 37-110 mg/L. Coronavirus causes damage to hepatocytes that elevated liver enzymes, ALT, AST, ALP and TSB with a range of 25%, 34.4%, 15% and 25% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 brought a scientific revolution since its emergence in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Initially, the SARS-CoV-2 virus came to attention through its effects on the respiratory system. However, its actions in many other organs also have been discovered almost daily. As enzymes are indispensable to uncountable biochemical reactions in the human body, it is not surprising that some enzymes are of relevance to COVID-19 pathophysiology. Past evidence from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV outbreaks provided hints about the role of enzymes in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this setting, ACE-2 is an enzyme of great importance since it is the cell entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Clinical data elucidate patterns of enzymatic alterations in COVID-19, which could be associated with organ damage, prognosis, and clinical complications. Further, viral mutations can create new disease behaviors, and these effects are related to the activity of enzymes. This review will discuss the main enzymes related to COVID-19, summarizing the findings on their role in viral entry mechanism, the consequences of their dysregulation, and the effects of SARS-CoV-2 mutations on them. • The enzymes behavior are one of the main points for studies of COVID-19. • ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 contribute to the SARS-CoV-2 entry in the host cell. • As CK-MB, many enzymes can be used as molecular markers for COVID-19 evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2019, a viral and respiratory pathology called COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread to other continents. Its main symptoms include fever, cough, dyspnea, myalgia, anorexia and respiratory distress in the most severe cases, which can lead to death. Furthermore, manifestations in the oral cavity such as ageusia and dysgeusia, as well as lesions in other regions of the oral cavity, can be observed. Main body: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to critically assess the clinical evidence on the use of photobiomodulation (PBMT) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for the treatment of oral lesions in patients infected with Sars-Cov-2. The literature extracted from electronic databases such as PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and Google Scholar was screened for eligibility, and relevant articles were included. The review is limited to manuscripts published in English, Spanish and Portuguese language between December 2019 and October 2021. A total of 5 articles with 11 cases retracting PBMT and aPDT as therapeutic strategies for the regression of oral lesions and painful symptoms. The results show favoring the associated use of PBMT with aPDT (P = 0.004), and the isolated use of PBMT with the result of significant "P = 0.005" and good confidence interval (7.18, 39.20) in ulcerative lesions, herpetic, aphthous, erythematous, petechiae and necrotic areas. Conclusions: PBMT and aPDT could be effective in the treatment of oral lesions of patients infected with Sars-Cov-2 in a short period of time; however, more long-term randomized clinical trials studies are needed to define the therapeutic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has highlighted the need for the rapid generation of efficient vaccines for emerging disease. Virus-like particles, VLPs, are an established vaccine technology that produces virus-like mimics, based on expression of the structural proteins of a target virus. SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus where the basis of VLP formation has been shown to be the co-expression of the spike, membrane and envelope structural proteins. Here we describe the generation of SARS-CoV-2 VLPs by the co-expression of the salient structural proteins in insect cells using the established baculovirus expression system. VLPs were heterologous ~100 nm diameter enveloped particles with a distinct fringe that reacted strongly with SARS-CoV-2 convalescent sera. In a Syrian hamster challenge model, non-adjuvanted VLPs induced neutralizing antibodies to the VLP-associated Wuhan S protein and reduced virus shedding and protected against disease associated weight loss following a virulent challenge with SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7 variant). Immunized animals showed reduced lung pathology and lower challenge virus replication than the non-immunized controls. Our data suggest SARS-CoV-2 VLPs offer an efficient vaccine that mitigates against virus load and prevents severe disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pulmonary involvement which was reported for the first time in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The aim of the study was to describe the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of 204 definitive laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. Patients and Methods: This study was performed on 204 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients. A set of laboratory tests combined with various patient information and results from lung high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were gathered in a checklist and analyzed to give us a better view of patients who are hospitalized due to the complications caused by this disease. Results: The average age of our patients was 58.83 ± 15.93 years. There were 122 (59.8%) male and 82 (40.2%) female patients, and almost all of our patients had at least one underlying disease. Nine (4.4%) of our patients reported having gone for a trip to COVID-19-epidemic areas in the last 2 weeks. The most common signs shared among all our patients were cough, fever, and decreased O2 saturation; the average respiratory rate was 25.50 ± 6.74/min, average axillary body temperature was 37.69°C ± 0.69°C, and average O2 saturation was 88.34% ± 7.34%. Conclusion: Based on our results, the most common signs of this disease are fever, cough, and shortness of breath, similar to seasonal influenza. Our data on disease severity showed that 33 (16.2%) patients had moderate disease, 139 (68.1%) had severe disease, and 28 (13.7%) were critical; 22 (10.8%) of our hospitalized patients died due to the complications of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory coronavirus syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan, China and spread to other countries and continents causing a variety of respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms which led to death in severe cases. In this review, we discuss and analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal production systems and food production of meat, dairy, eggs, and processed food, in addition to assessing the impact of the pandemic on animal healthcare systems, animal healthcare quality, animal welfare, food chain sustainability, and the global economy. We also provide effective recommendations to animal producers, veterinary healthcare professionals, workers in animal products industries, and governments to alleviate the effects of the pandemic on livestock farming and production systems. Port restrictions, border restrictions, curfews, and social distancing limitations led to reduced quality, productivity, and competitiveness of key productive sectors. The restrictions have hit the livestock sector hard by disrupting the animal feed supply chain, reducing animal farming services, limiting animal health services including delays in diagnosis and treatment of diseases, limiting access to markets and consumers, and reducing labor-force participation. The inhumane culling of animals jeopardized animal welfare. Egg smashing, milk dumping, and other animal product disruptions negatively impacted food production, consumption, and access to food originating from animals. In summary, COVID-19 triggered lockdowns and limitations on local and international trade have taken their toll on food production, animal production, and animal health and welfare. COVID-19 reverberations could exacerbate food insecurity, hunger, and global poverty. The effects could be massive on the most vulnerable populations and the poorest nations. • COVID-19-imposed restrictions jeopardized food production, animal health, and human health. • The impacted food products included meat, dairy, eggs, and processed food. • Preventive and therapeutic services for animal diseases and zoonotic diseases have been restricted. • COVID-19-driven disruptions led to labor shortage and limitations in access to markets. • COVID-19 reverberations could exacerbate global hunger and poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2019, in Wuhan, China, the first cases of infection with SARS-CoV 2 responsible for COVID-19 disease were identified. SARS-CoV 2 was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and since then has attracted the medical world's attention. The threat to humans' health that this emerging pandemic could leave raises awareness on the importance of understanding the mechanisms that underlie the developing conditions. The epidemiology, clinical picture, and pathogenesis of COVID-19 show that this virus presents new strategies to overcome the past defensive medicine. While all the current data has focused on the pulmonary and cardiovascular manifestations, little has been written about the neurological implications of the disease. This review updates new clinical aspects that SARS-CoV 2 expresses in humans by focusing primarily on neurological manifestations. The damage to the nervous system became more apparent - anosmia, ageusia, polyneuritis, meningitis, meningoencephalitis, stroke, acute necrotizing encephalopathy. Oxygen therapy is vital for those in critical health situations. Finally, prevention is the most important element in breaking the epidemiological chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) appeared as outbreak in 2019 in Wuhan, China. It has been classified as pandemic disease and more severe than predicted; with infections already recorded in a variety of countries. This study aims to confirm the COVID-19 infection through the following tests: hematological, C-reactive protein (CRP). Samples were collected from the infected patients and sent to the National Flu Center (Central Public Health Laboratory) for COVID-19 (positive or negative) diagnosis by the RT-PCR technique. In this study, sixty five of COVID-19 patients and twenty five of healthy control samples male and female were collected in Iraq. There are significant differences in the parameters of the hematological markers for patients in comparing with the control group and no significant differences were observed in Hb when RBC and GRAN percent rise in patients relative to the control group with P=0.0395 and P=0.0354 respectively comparing with the control group. White blood cells (WBC), Lymphocyte (LYM%), Platelets (PIT), monocyte (Mid%), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT) was drop dramatically in patients compared to control group. Fifty-one of patients for whom the test was given exhibited a positive (CRP) result. Likewise, the results showed that few patients were negative to CRP test. The Hematological parameters levels (HCT, MCV, MCH, Pelt, WBC, LYM, Mid, MPV, PCT) decreased, but Hb, RBC, GRAN% increased. C-reactive protein test showed a positive result in 85% of patients which can be considered an indicator for predicting severity infection with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human race has survived several outbreak of pandemics in the past and their impact was long lasting. Some of the recent pandemics have been caused by a viruses known as Coronaviruses (CoVs) which are diverse, complex, adaptable viruses that have a significant impact on human health and animal productivity. The novel coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan, China (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 has quickly spread throughout the world. Human coronaviruses (HCoVs), including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, also known as SARS-CoV-2), have led to a global epidemic with high morbidity and mortality. Human pathogenic coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, bind to their target cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is expressed by epithelial cells of the lung, intestine, kidneys, and blood vessels. The efforts to contain the virus are undergoing throughout the world, given the many uncertainties regarding pathogen transmissibility and virulence. Thus, the ongoing studies to promote the understanding of HCoVs will help to avoid or/and minimize the impact of anticipated pandemics in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 a global pandemic that has brought all the greater global countries to a hook. The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak was first reported in Wuhan, China which then started spreading to different countries around the world. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors are present in various organs but the overexpression of ACE2 at lung epithelia makes them more vulnerable to respiratory symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 receptors for entry into host cells which may serve as potential target for future therapy .Repurposing of drugs are the present strategy undertaken as the SARS-CoV-2 shows similar respiratory distress symptoms as in the case of SARS and MERS. At present the antiviral medications and vaccines are at the early stages and may take few months to years, to achieve their complete efficacy to solve the public crisis. The technological advancements have brought passive immunisation, which is an anecdotal success, but the ideal approach to future outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 is done by vaccines that are under clinical trials. There are a large percentage of population under psychological crisis either due to the fear of infection or stress from the quarantine lives. High levels of viral loads at the initial stages cause higher chances of transmission hence immediate isolations and screening methods must be undertaken. This review mainly focuses on the treatment strategies followed with no definitive approval from authorities. This is an attempt to gather all the materialistic evidences available for now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19, a pandemic caused by a betacoronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) has recorded 18 354 342 number of cases and 696 147 deaths globally as of August 5, 2020. It was first recorded in Wuhan, China in 2019. The virus bears close resemblance to SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV that have emerged and caused outbreaks of deadly human diseases. The main component of the virus responsible for the host range specific tropism and pathogenicity is the S-glycoprotein. The primary route of transmission of infection is through human to human via close contact, usually through spraying of droplets from sneeze or cough of an infected person. The incubation period for COVID-19 following viral infection is between 2 to 14 days. The target cells of SARS-CoV-2 are those cells that highly expressed ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2). Viral receptor binds to the ACE2, to allow the virus entry into the cell via endosomal pathway. The host innate immune system detects the viral infection by using pattern recognition receptors which result in activation of downstream signalling cascade. Understanding the virulence factors contributing to pathology, host immune responses and strategies employed by the virus in bypassing host immune response is paramount in developing therapeutic options that can help to tackle the COVID-19 pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a tiny self-replicated agent that is peculiarly found in humans and animals. A total of seven human Coronavirus types have been well-known to cause infectious disease in humans. They are known to infect the neurological and respiratory systems mostly. The first human Coronavirus identified in mid-1960's and then have seen widespread outbreaks in the form of Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome related Coronavirus (SARS-CoV). However, we see the emergence of another outbreak due to a new virus called the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This COVID-19 novel disease infected people first time in Wuhan, China. As the number of infected cases rises, it is clear that these pandemics pose a threatening impact on social and economic sectors. The general overview of Coronavirus will be explained in this article and also enlightened some of significant social and economic factors influenced by the novel COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El inicio del nuevo coronavirus humano del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave (SARS-CoV-2) en Wuhan, China, ha desencadenado un brote respiratorio mundial (COVID-19). El síndrome de insuficiencia respiratoria agua, el fallo multiorgánico y los eventos trombóticos están entre las causas que llevan a la muerte en pacientes críticamente enfermos con COVID-19. Las citocinas inflamatorias elevadas sugieren que una «tormenta de citocinas», también conocida como síndrome de liberación de citocinas, puede desempeñar un papel principal en la patología de la COVID-19. Adicionalmente al tratamiento antiviral y la terapia de apoyo respiratorio en pacientes críticamente enfermos, están en investigación medicamentos únicos para esta condición. En esta revisión sintetizamos la evidencia más actual de opciones terapéuticas, incluyendo anticuerpos anticitocinas como una estrategia intermedia para la terapia de SARS-CoV-2. The novel SARS-CoV-2 human coronavirus in Wuhan, China, has triggered a worldwide respiratory disease outbreak (COVID-19). Acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiorgan dysfunction and thrombotic events are among the leading causes of death in critically ill patients with COVID-19. The elevated inflammatory cytokines suggest that a "cytokine storm", also known as cytokine release syndrome, may play a major role in the pathology of COVID-19. In addition to anti-viral therapy and supportive treatment in critically ill patients, unique medications for this condition are also under investigation. Here we reviewed therapeutic options, including the antibody therapy that might be an immediate strategy for SARS-CoV-2 therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:A novel type of Coronavirus emerged at Wuhan in late 2019 involving preferentially the respiratory system. Owing to the rapid spread, almost 22 million people became infected and 700,000 died. Similar to other countries, the need for additional hospital beds and intensive care units required diversion of health care resources toward the care for those with COVID-19 in Turkey. Telemedicine appeared as a safe and low-cost alternative for the maintainability of pediatric health services during the pandemics. Within this context, we aimed to deliver the health services through telemedicine during the follow-up of chronic childhood diseases. Materials and Methods:This prospective study included five pediatric subspecialties, including allergy immunology, hematology and oncology, nephrology, rheumatology, and inborn metabolic disorders. After the interview, patients and involved physicians were requested to fill out a questionnaire designed to measure the level of satisfaction and the quality of the service we offered. Results:Of the 263 interviews, overall patient and physician satisfaction was 99% and 87%, respectively. As results of the interviews, 250 routine visits were performed, 181 acute complaints were assessed, drug changes were made in 118 patients, 9 patients were determined to be unable to get their drugs, and 12 who misused their drugs. The main advantage of the telemedicine declared by the patients was "not to waste time for transportation." The main concerns of the participants were inability to perform physical and laboratory examinations. Conclusion:Consequently, we considered telemedicine as a feasible alternative not only during pandemics but also in daily practice in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

December 2019 will never be forgotten in the history of medicine when an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, China sooner or later prompted the World Health Organization to issue a public health warning emergency. This is not the first nor will it be the last time that a member of β‐coronaviruses (CoVs) is waging a full‐scale war against human health. Notwithstanding the fact that pneumonia is the primary symptom of the novel coronavirus (2019nCoV; designated as SARS‐CoV‐2), the emergence of severe disease mainly due to the injury of nonpulmonary organs at the shadow of coagulopathy leaves no choice, in some cases, rather than a dreadful death. Multiple casual factors such as inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, platelet and complement activation, renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system derangement, and hypoxemia play a major role in the pathogenesis of coagulopathy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients. Due to the undeniable role of coagulation dysfunction in the initiation of several complications, assessment of coagulation parameters and the platelet count would be beneficial in early diagnosis and also timely prediction of disease severity. Although low‐molecular‐weight heparin is considered as the first‐line of treatment in COVID‐19‐associated coagulopathy, several possible therapeutic options have also been proposed for better management of the disease. In conclusion, this review would help us to gain insight into the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, and laboratory findings associated with COVID‐19 coagulopathy and would summarize management strategies to alleviate coagulopathy‐related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs) has exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently available monoclonal antibodies and vaccines appear to have reduced efficacy against some of these VoCs. Antivirals targeting conserved proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are unlikely to be affected by mutations arising in VoCs, and should therefore be effective against emerging variants. We here investigate the efficacy of Molnupiravir, currently in phase II clinical trials, in hamsters infected with either Wuhan strain, B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 variants. Molnupiravir proved to be effective against infections with each of the variants and therefore may have potential combating current and future emerging VoCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an emerging viral disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), which leads to severe respiratory infections in humans. The first reports came in December 2019 from the city of Wuhan in the province of Hubei in China. It was immediately clear that children developed a milder disease than adults. The reasons for the milder course of the disease were attributed to several factors: innate immunity, difference in ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme II) receptor expression, and previous infections with other common coronaviruses (CovH). This literature review aims to summarize aspects of innate immunity by focusing on the role of ACE2 expression and viral infections in children in modulating the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles deemed potentially eligible were considered, including those dealing with COVID-19 in children and providing more up-to-date and significant data in terms of epidemiology, prognosis, course, and symptoms, focusing on the etiopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 disease in children. The bibliographic search was conducted using the search engines PubMed and Scopus. The following search terms were entered in PubMed and Scopus: COVID-19 AND ACE2 AND Children; COVID-19 AND Immunity innate AND children. The search identified 857 records, and 18 studies were applicable based on inclusion and exclusion criteria that addressed the issues of COVID-19 concerning the role of ACE2 expression in children. The scientific literature agrees that children develop milder COVID-19 disease than adults. Milder symptomatology could be attributed to innate immunity or previous CovH virus infections, while it is not yet fully understood how the differential expression of ACE2 in children could contribute to milder disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019, was informed of several cases of respiratory diseases of unknown origin in the city of Wuhan in the Chinese Province of Hubei, the clinical manifestations of which were similar to those of viral pneumonia and manifested as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. And, the disease caused by the virus is named the new coronavirus disease 2019 and it will be abbreviated as 2019-nCoV and COVID-19. As of January 30, 2020, the WHO classified this epidemic as a global health emergency (Chung et al. in Radiology 295(1):202–207, 2020). It is an international real-life problem. Due to deaths, globally everyone is under fear. Now, it is the responsibility of researchers to give hope to the people. In this article, we aim to better protect people and general pandemic preparedness by predicting the lifetime of the disease-causing virus using three mathematical models. This article deals with a complex real-life problem people face all over the world, an international real-life problem. The main focus is on the USA due to large infection and death due to coronavirus and thereby the life of every individual is uncertain. The death counts of the USA from February 29 to April 22, 2020, are used in this article as a data set. The death counts of the USA are fitted by the solutions of three mathematical models and a solution to an international problem is achieved. Based on the death rate, the lifetime of the coronavirus COVID-19 is predicted as 1464.76 days from February 29, 2020. That is, after March 2024 there will be no death in the USA due to COVID-19 if everyone follows the guidelines of WHO and the advice of healthcare workers. People and government can get prepared for this situation and many lives can be saved. It is the contribution of soft computing. Finally, this article suggests several steps to control the spread and severity of the disease. The research work, the lifetime prediction presented in this article is entirely new and differs from all other articles in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the third virus that caused coronavirus-related outbreaks over the past 20 years. The outbreak was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, but rapidly progressed into a pandemic of an unprecedented scale since the 1918 flu pandemic. Besides respiratory complications in patients with COVID-19, clinical characterization of severe infection cases showed several other comorbidities, including multiple organ failure, and septic shock. To better understand the systemic pathogenesis of COVID-19, we interrogated the virus's presence in the peripheral blood cells, which might provide a form of trafficking or hiding to the virus. By analyzing >2 billion sequence reads of high-throughput transcriptome sequence data from 180 samples of patients with active SARS-CoV-2 infection or healthy controls collected from 6 studies, we found evidence of traces of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in two samples from two independent studies. In contrast, the viral RNA was abundant in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from the same patients. We also devised a "viral spike-to-actin" RNA normalization as a metric to compare across various samples and minimize errors caused by intersample variability in total human RNA abundance. Our observation suggests immune presentation and discounts the possibility of extensive viral infection of lymphocytes or monocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on cognitive function is essential for monitoring the cognitive decline in the elderly population. This study aims to assess the current cognitive status and the longitudinal cognitive decline in elderly patients recovered from COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 1539 COVID-19 inpatients aged over 60 years who were discharged from three COVID-19-designated hospitals in Wuhan, China, from February 10 to April 10, 2020. In total, 466 uninfected spouses of COVID-19 patients were selected as controls. The current cognitive status was assessed using a Chinese version of the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status-40 (TICS-40) and the longitudinal cognitive decline was assessed using an Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Cognitive assessments were performed 6 months after patient discharge. Results: Compared with controls, COVID-19 patients had lower TICS-40 scores and higher IQCODE scores [TICS-40 median (IQR): 29 (25 to 32) vs. 30 (26 to 33), p < 0.001; IQCODE median (IQR): 3.19 (3.00 to 3.63) vs. 3.06 (3.00 to 3.38), p < 0.001]. Severe COVID-19 patients had lower TICS-40 scores and higher IQCODE scores than non-severe COVID-19 patients [TICS-40 median (IQR): 24 (18 to 28) vs. 30 (26 to 33), p < 0.001; IQCODE median (IQR): 3.63 (3.13 to 4.31) vs. 3.13 (3.00 to 3.56), p < 0.001] and controls [TICS-40 median (IQR): 24 (18 to 28) vs. 30 (26 to 33), p < 0.001; IQCODE median (IQR) 3.63 (3.13 to 4.31) vs. 3.06 (3.00 to 3.38), p < 0.001]. Severe COVID-19 patients had a higher proportion of cases with current cognitive impairment and longitudinal cognitive decline than non-severe COVID-19 patients [dementia: 25 (10.50 %) vs. 9 (0.69 %), p < 0.001; Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): 60 (25.21 %) vs. 63 (4.84 %), p < 0.001] and controls [dementia: 25 (10.50 %) vs. 0 (0 %), p < 0.001; MCI: 60 (25.21 %) vs. 20 (4.29 %), p < 0.001)]. COVID-19 severity, delirium and COPD were risk factors of current cognitive impairment. Low education level, severe COVID-19, delirium, hypertension and COPD were risk factors of longitudinal cognitive decline. Conclusions: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with an increased risk of long-term cognitive decline in elderly population. COVID-19 patients, especially severe patients, should be intensively monitored for post-infection cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In late 2019, a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) emerged in Wuhan, China. SARS‐CoV‐2 and the disease it causes, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), spread rapidly and became a global pandemic in early 2020. SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein is responsible for viral entry and binds to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on host cells, making it a major target of the immune system – particularly neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) that are induced by infection or vaccines. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membraned particles constitutively released by cells, including virally‐infected cells. EVs and viruses enclosed within lipid membranes share some characteristics: they are small, sub‐micron particles and they overlap in cellular biogenesis and egress routes. Given their shared characteristics, we hypothesized that EVs released from spike‐expressing cells could carry spike and serve as decoys for anti‐spike nAbs, promoting viral infection. Here, using mass spectrometry and nanoscale flow cytometry (NFC) approaches, we demonstrate that SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein can be incorporated into EVs. Furthermore, we show that spike‐carrying EVs act as decoy targets for convalescent patient serum‐derived nAbs, reducing their effectiveness in blocking viral entry. These findings have important implications for the pathogenesis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in vivo and highlight the complex interplay between viruses, extracellular vesicles, and the immune system that occurs during viral infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 is abbreviated as "COVID-19" caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus 2 first emerged in Wuhan, China, on December 2019. On 15th of March, this disease has been classified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic and a global public health emergency. Objective: The study's aim was to evaluate the knowledge and behavior toward the virus among professional students of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study done on 753 students which were invited to complete a Google document using a 20-item electronic questionnaire that was design to gauge knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19. The study was conducted from February 20 to March 18, 2020 in Alkharj and Riyadh region. Results: The predominant sex is male (73%), the common age is <25 years old, more medical students were involved in the study than any other specialty and the predominant educational degree of the participants was bachelors. The awareness of mode of transmission of novel coronavirus infection is less in business administration participants compare to others and is highly significant (P = 0.001). Most of the participants (588 [98%]) were aware of coronavirus but only 302 (50%) of respondents are aware of COVID-19 which is highly significant (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The results are mostly uniform among different professional students with the exception of some knowledge-related questions. The Internet was the main source of information, so there is a need to create more awareness about COVID-19 through social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 is abbreviated as "COVID-19" caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus 2 first emerged in Wuhan, China, on December 2019. On 15th of March, this disease has been classified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic and a global public health emergency. Objective: The study's aim was to evaluate the knowledge and behavior toward the virus among professional students of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study done on 753 students which were invited to complete a Google document using a 20-item electronic questionnaire that was design to gauge knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19. The study was conducted from February 20 to March 18, 2020 in Alkharj and Riyadh region. Results: The predominant sex is male (73%), the common age is <25 years old, more medical students were involved in the study than any other specialty and the predominant educational degree of the participants was bachelors. The awareness of mode of transmission of novel coronavirus infection is less in business administration participants compare to others and is highly significant (P ˂ 0.001). Most of the participants (588 [98%]) were aware of coronavirus but only 302 (50%) of respondents are aware of COVID-19 which is highly significant (P ˂ 0.001). Conclusion: The results are mostly uniform among different professional students with the exception of some knowledge-related questions. The Internet was the main source of information, so there is a need to create more awareness about COVID-19 through social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of a novel Corona virus (COVID 19) originated on December 19 from China. The city of Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, China, is responsible for an outbreak of respiratory illness known as COVID 19 and it has been rapidly spread across the world claiming millions of lives. The sudden outbreak of novel Coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2 or 2019‐nCoV), is a big concern for their speedy mitigation using the predictable treatment and creating its approach around the world. Researchers and doctors are in search of rapid diagnosis kit, drugs, and viral‐resistant personal protective equipment (PPE) to clinical diagnosis, medication, and prevent the spread of COVID 19. A rational approach with adaptability and broad viewpoint to challenge the growing pain could be overcome by the application of appropriate technology. The nanotechnology‐based approach can significantly serve the purpose of the current pandemic situation of COVID 19. But same time implementation of innovative and creative nanotech approach, there is a decisive need for the full knowledge of SARS‐CoV‐2 pathogenesis. Moreover, to defeat COVID 19, particularly nanotech‐based system with their viral inhibitory properties to increase the effective nanotech approach is essential. In this scenario, this review aims to summarize the past, present, and future of nanotech‐based systems that can be used to treat COVID 19, highlighting Nano‐based compounds. Lastly, the potential application of the different category of Inorganic Nanomaterials/Inorganic organic conjugate /hybrid system and their practical applicability as suitable means for inspiring against COVID 19 has also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) as a new human coronavirus has begun spreading over Wuhan City/China in December 2019, and then spread rapidly worldwide, causing pneumonia called COVID-19. Up to now, the scientists have extensively attempted to find effective vaccines and drugs for treatment of coronavirus infections. To this end, various pharmaceutical agents are undergoing the clinical studies to assess their potency and efficacy against COVID-19. Based on the new findings, the U.S. food and drug administration (FDA) has issued an emergency use authorization for remdesivir as an effective anti-viral for remedying the hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Recently, the European medicines agency has authorized the use of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19. Remdesivir as a nucleotide prodrug exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activities against RNA viruses. In this short review, we have rendered a brief overview of discovery and synthesis for remdesivir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemics have always been a destructive carrier to living organisms. Humans are the ultimate victims, as now we are facing the SARS CoV-2 virus caused COVID-19 since its emergence in Dec 2019, at Wuhan (China). Due to the new coronavirus' unexplored nature, we shed light on curcumin for its potential role against the disease. The Nsp9 replicase protein, which plays an essential role in virus replication, was extracted online, followed by 3D PDB model prediction with its validation. The in silico molecular docking of curcumin with the replicase enzyme gave insights into the preventive measures against the virus as curcumin showed multiple interactions with Nsp9 replicase. The current study showed the use of curcumin against the coronavirus and its possible role in developing medicine against it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Since then the number of affected pregnant women is rising, but scarce information is available about the clinical features of COVID-19 in pregnancy in India. Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical features, obstetric and neonatal outcomes of 30 pregnant patients with COVID-19 and provide some evidence that can be used for guiding treatment of pregnant women with COVID-19. Materials & Methods: In our prospective, single-centre observational study, we included 30 pregnant women with COVID-19 who were admitied to Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh for delivery between 15th May 2020 to 15th September 2020. Clinical features, laboratory results, treatments, maternal and foetal outcomes were analyzed. Results: Thirty pregnant patients with COVID-19 having a positive reverse transcriptuon polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result for SARS-CoV-2 at the time of admission who delivered at Fortis hospital between May 15th to September 15th 2020, were included in our study. Twelve were primiparous and eighteen were multiparous women. Among the patients, five had fever, eight had fever with cough, rest seventeen were asymptomatic. Twenty-seven patients underwent caesarean section and three delivered vaginally. Only one patient deteriorated in ICU as was unable to maintain the saturation levels and expired after 10 days of her ICU stay because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. No cases of neonatal death or neonatal asphyxia were reported. Conclusion: The maternal and neonatal outcomes of patients who were infected in late pregnancy appeared to be good and these outcomes were achieved with expedient management that might be the best practice in view of the available data. The clinical characteristics of these patients with COVID-19 during pregnancy were similar to those of non-pregnant adults that have been reported in the literature. All the cases of COVID-19 in our study were of mild type on admission and twenty-nine patients achieved good recovery. Thus, pregnancy and childbirth did not seem to aggravate the course of symptoms of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus primarily affecting the respiratory system, was initially diagnosed in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Identified as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization, the virus rapidly became a global pandemic. The effects on health care worldwide were unprecedented as countries adapted services to treat masses of critically ill patients. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic had on thoracic surgery at a major trauma center during peak prevalence. Methods Prospective unit data were collected for all patients who underwent thoracic surgery during March 2020 until May 2020 inclusive. Retrospective data were collected from an earlier comparable time period as a comparison. Results In the aforementioned time frame, 117 thoracic surgical operations were performed under the care of four thoracic surgeons. Six operations were performed on three patients who were being treated for SARS-CoV-2. One operation was performed on a patient who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2. There were no deaths due to SARS-CoV-2 in any patient undergoing thoracic surgery. Conclusion This study demonstrates that during the first surge of SARS-CoV-2, it was possible to adapt a thoracic oncology and trauma service without increase in mortality due to COVID-19. This was only possible due to a significant reduction in trauma referrals, cessation of benign and elective work, and the more stringent reprioritization of cancer surgery. This information is vital to learn from our experience and prepare for the predicted second surge and any similar future pandemics we might face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is an uncommon respiratory illness that is transmitted primarily by respiratory droplets or direct contact with an infected person. The COVID-19 initially appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, and spread everywhere around the globe. Earlier in 2003, the coronavirus was known due to the human SARS-CoV virus, which infected 8,000 people and caused 800 deaths in southeast Asia and Canada. It should be mentioned that in 2012, another coronavirus, called Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, infected Saudi Arabia and 27 other countries. The SARS-CoV2 belongs to a family of viruses called Coronaviruses that can infect bats, birds, pigs, cows, and different mammals. Some plant extracts are shown to inhibit microorganism replication and may be utilized in medication to treat infectious and non-infectious diseases, one of which is chamomile. chamomile medicinal plant, that has 120 biologically active compounds, the most necessary of which are flavonoids, like apigenin and luteolin, that are shown to possess antiviral activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International travel may facilitate the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). The study describes clusters of COVID‐19 cases within Chinese tour groups travelling in Europe January 16–28. We compared characteristics of cases and non‐cases to determine transmission dynamics. The index case travelled from Wuhan, China, to Europe on 16 January 2020, and to Shanghai, China, on 27 January 2020, within a tour group (group A). Tour groups with the same outbound flight (group B) or the same tourism venue (group D) and all Chinese passengers on the inbound flight (group C) were investigated. The outbreak involved 11 confirmed cases, 10 suspected cases and six tourists who remained healthy. Group A, involving seven confirmed cases and six suspected cases, consisted of familial transmission followed by propagative transmission. There was less pathogenicity with propagative transmission than with familial transmission. Disease was transmitted in shared outbound flights, shopping venues within Europe and inbound flight back to China. The novel coronavirus caused clustered cases of COVID‐19 in tour groups. When tourism and travel opens up, governments will need to improve screening at airports and consider increased surveillance of tour groups—particularly those with older tour members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel betacoronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), has spread across the globe at an unprecedented rate since its first emergence in Wuhan City, China in December 2019. Scientific communities around the world have been rigorously working to develop a potent vaccine to combat COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), employing conventional and novel vaccine strategies. Gene-based vaccine platforms based on viral vectors, DNA, and RNA, have shown promising results encompassing both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in previous studies, supporting their implementation for COVID-19 vaccine development. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the emergency use of two RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. We review current gene-based vaccine candidates proceeding through clinical trials, including their antigenic targets, delivery vehicles, and route of administration. Important features of previous gene-based vaccine developments against other infectious diseases are discussed in guiding the design and development of effective vaccines against COVID-19 and future derivatives. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic is spreading all over the world. With the number of cases increasing rapidly, the epidemiological data on the nutritional practice is scarce. In this study, we aim to describe the clinical characteristics and nutritional practice in a cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods and Study Design: This is a multicenter, ambidirectional cohort study conducted at 11 hospitals in Hubei Province, China. All eligible critical COVID-19 patients in the study hospital intensive care units at 00:00, March 6th, 2020, were included. Data collection was performed via written case report forms. Results: A total of 44 patients were identified and enrolled, of whom eight died during the 28-day outcome follow-up period. The median interval between hospital admission and the study day was 24 (interquartile range, 13-26) days and 52.2% (23 of 44) of patients were on invasive mechanical ventilation. The median nutrition risk in critically ill (mNUTRIC) score was 3 (interquartile range, 2-5) on the study day. During the enrolment day, 68.2% (30 of 44) of patients received enteral nutrition (EN), while 6.8% (3 of 44) received parenteral nutrition (PN) alone. Nausea and aspiration were uncommon, with a prevalence of 11.4% (5 of 44) and 6.8% (3 of 44), respectively. As for energy delivery, 69.7% (23 of 33) of patients receiving EN and/or PN were achieving their prescribed targets. Conclusions: The study showed that EN was frequently applied in critical COVID-19 patients. Energy delivery may be suboptimal in this study requiring more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In December 2019 following an outbreak of Novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, it spread rapidly overwhelming the healthcare systems globally. With little knowledge of COVID-19 virus, very few published reports on surgical outcomes; hospitals stopped elective surgery, whilst emergency surgery was offered only after exhausting all conservative treatment modalities. Aim: This study presents our experience of outcomes of emergency appendectomies performed during the pandemic. Methods: Prospectively we collected data on 132 patients in peak pandemic period from 1st March to 5th June 2020 and data compared with 206 patients operated in similar period in 2019. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, preoperative events, investigations, surgical management, postoperative outcomes and complications were analysed. Results: Demographics and ASA grades of both cohorts were comparable. In study cohort 84.4% and 96.7% in control cohort had laparoscopic appendicectomy. Whilst the study cohort had 13.6% primary open operations, control cohort had 5.3%. Mean length of stay and early post-operative complications (<30 days) were similar in both cohorts apart from surgical site infections (p = 0.02) and one mortality in study cohort. Conclusion: In these overwhelming pandemic times, although conservative treatment of acute appendicitis is an option, a proportion of patients will need surgery. Our study shows that with careful planning and strict theatre protocols, emergency appendicectomy can be safely offered with minimal risk of spreading COVID-19 infection. These observations warrant further prospective randomised studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]