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Scientists identify gut microbiota dysbiosis as a potential risk factor for long COVID

A study in Norway has recently highlighted a significant association between gut microbiota alteration and persistent respiratory dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

21 Jul 2021

Intestinal organoids demonstrate variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility

Three-dimensional organoid structures grown in the lab allow deeper, almost in situ investigation of a biological system, without the use of living animals. In a paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv*, organoids generated from human specimens are utilized to investigate the way in which SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the numerous cells of the intestinal epithelium, finding great heterogeneity in the susceptibility of the organoids and the cells within to infection.

21 Jul 2021

Study examines the host and viral factors that drive SARS-CoV-2 evolution

In a new paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv*, two clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 are monitored by whole genome sequencing as they are passaged through several generations of Vero cells or human-derived primary nasal epithelial cells (PNEC), allowing direct observation of the occurrence of virus enhancing mutations and the way in which host cell factors shape virus evolution.

21 Jul 2021

Study associates feelings of discrimination and low status with long COVID-19 symptoms

A recent study, released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, examines the correlation of these symptoms with the patient’s socioeconomic status (SES) and perception of social discrimination, along with other social factors. The researchers found that the first two factors are associated strongly with long-term symptoms of COVID-19.

21 Jul 2021

How to run a COVID-19 vaccination campaign: lessons from other infectious outbreaks

A new paper, available on the medRxiv* preprint server, presents lessons learned from the implementation of three adult vaccine programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa and South America.

21 Jul 2021

COVIDcast API: An open repository of real-time COVID-19 indicators

A new preprint available on the medRxiv* server reports the utility of the COVIDcast API, a database of all COVID-19 indicators that are constantly being updated, dating from April 2020.

21 Jul 2021

Human coronaviruses need organic materials to transfer efficiently between surfaces

This study, published in the journal Viruses, indicated that human coronaviruses do not transfer effectively from contaminated hands to contact surfaces without the presence of any organic material.

21 Jul 2021

Scientists explore susceptibility of different animals to SARS-CoV-2 infection

A team of researchers at the Institute of Infectious Diseases (IFIK) at the University of Bern and the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) has utilized a unique collection of advanced cell culture models of cells lining the airways from various domesticated and wildlife animals. This way, the team can determine which animals are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

20 Jul 2021

Reusable N95 masks could offer reduction in waste and cost, study shows

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began last year, face masks and other personal protective equipment have become essential for health care workers. Disposable N95 masks have been in especially high demand to help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.

20 Jul 2021

Potent nasal vaccine protects non-human primates from SARS-CoV-2

A team of US-based scientists has recently demonstrated the efficacy of a live attenuated, recombinant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidate currently under phase I clinical trial as a single-dose intranasal vaccine.

20 Jul 2021

Structural changes in receptor-binding interface may induce immune fitness of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

Florida International University researchers have investigated the mutation-induced structural changes in the delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that could contribute to its immune evasion abilities.

20 Jul 2021

COVID-19 vaccination remains Australia's best option for a return to normal, say researchers

Researchers in Australia and the United States have advised that the recent decision in Australia to prioritize older vulnerable age groups for vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents the optimal strategy for reducing deaths caused by the disease.

20 Jul 2021

Next-generation COVID-19 vaccine provides robust immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in mice

Researchers in Canada have developed an adenoviral vector-based vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that induced robust immune protection against the ancestral strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in mice.

20 Jul 2021

IQWiG finds no benefit of high-flow therapy for COPD and type 1 respiratory failure

No benefit of high-flow therapy (HFT) can be derived from the available study data for patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic type 1 respiratory failure. It therefore remains unclear whether this form of treatment has advantages over long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) or non-invasive ventilation (NIV).

20 Jul 2021

CEPI and IVI announce new research program to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines in Africa

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the International Vaccine Institute today announced a new programme of clinical research which aims to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines in Africa.

20 Jul 2021

Study finds dramatic decreases in antibiotic dispensing for children during the pandemic

As children made fewer visits to health facilities and engaged in social distancing and other COVID-19 mitigation measures, a smaller number of them also received prescription drugs, a new study suggests.

20 Jul 2021

Researchers examine the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in reducing household transmission

A new study has been published on the medRxiv* preprint server, which focuses on the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine by studying the susceptibility of a vaccinated individual to infection. The researchers have also studied the effect of the vaccine on virus transmission.

20 Jul 2021

Study examines clinical outcomes in vaccinated individuals hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

A new study has been published on the medRxiv* preprint server that has evaluated the clinical outcomes of the COVID-19 patients hospitalized in AIG hospitals, Hyderabad, India, between April 24, 2021, and May 31, 2021.

20 Jul 2021

Study reports on COVID-19 vaccine uptake and antibody prevalence in England during May 2021

A new study reports this finding, along with varying antibody prevalence among different groups and regions and between different age groups. In the current paper, available as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, the results of the sixth round of the REACT-2 study are reported.

20 Jul 2021

Study suggests COVID-19 vaccine confidence and hesitancy in the UK driven by trust, not misinformation

An interesting new study reports that vaccine hesitancy in the UK is driven not, as is commonly thought, by the so-called ‘infodemic’ of misinformation that has characterized much public messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the personality of the individual, the ability to trust scientific and government leadership, political affiliations, and openness relative to the process of vaccine development was found to be key in the development of this attitude.

20 Jul 2021

Respiratory News and Research

Scientists identify gut microbiota dysbiosis as a potential risk factor for long COVID

Intestinal organoids demonstrate variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility

Study examines the host and viral factors that drive SARS-CoV-2 evolution

Study associates feelings of discrimination and low status with long COVID-19 symptoms

How to run a COVID-19 vaccination campaign: lessons from other infectious outbreaks

COVIDcast API: An open repository of real-time COVID-19 indicators

Human coronaviruses need organic materials to transfer efficiently between surfaces

Scientists explore susceptibility of different animals to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Reusable N95 masks could offer reduction in waste and cost, study shows

Potent nasal vaccine protects non-human primates from SARS-CoV-2

Structural changes in receptor-binding interface may induce immune fitness of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

COVID-19 vaccination remains Australia's best option for a return to normal, say researchers

Next-generation COVID-19 vaccine provides robust immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in mice

IQWiG finds no benefit of high-flow therapy for COPD and type 1 respiratory failure

CEPI and IVI announce new research program to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines in Africa

Study finds dramatic decreases in antibiotic dispensing for children during the pandemic

Researchers examine the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in reducing household transmission

Study examines clinical outcomes in vaccinated individuals hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

Study reports on COVID-19 vaccine uptake and antibody prevalence in England during May 2021

Study suggests COVID-19 vaccine confidence and hesitancy in the UK driven by trust, not misinformation

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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