Respiratory News and Research

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To stoke rural vaccination rates, trusted farmers are asked to spread word

When he became eligible for the coronavirus vaccine in Illinois, Tom Arnold, 68, said he didn’t need any convincing. He raises cattle, hogs and chickens in Elizabeth, a small town in the state's northwestern corner.

19 Aug 2021

Scientists identify a potent neutralizing nanobody against SARS-CoV-1

In a recently published article in the journal Virologica Sinica, scientists have described the development and validation of a potent nanobody that targets the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The nanobody efficiently and specifically blocks the interaction between RBD and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neutralizes the virus.

19 Aug 2021

White-tailed deer are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been shown to infect a wide range of animals naturally and experimentally, and prior studies indicate deer are susceptible to infection. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns have been found to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.

19 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy is strongly correlated with antibody neutralization levels

All COVID-19 vaccines appear less effective when faced with variants such as Delta, according to a new medRxiv* study. However, the researchers suggest that booster shots may help improve immunity and protect against symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

18 Aug 2021

CDC declares four new COVID high-risk travel destinations

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), is far from over. As the cases continue to rise, countries grapple with controlling the viral spread. To date, over 209 million individuals have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, with more than 17 million cases recorded worldwide over the past 28 days.

18 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 and the expression of cytokine in human macrophages

A new study has determined the production of the SARS-CoV-2 SP-dependent ORF8.

18 Aug 2021

Severe COVID-19 characterized by phosphorylation of STAT1

A new study reports an enhanced expression of STAT1 in mild and severely infected COVID-19 patients as compared to controls

18 Aug 2021

Study shows how mesenchymal stromal cells regulate factors driving inflammation in COPD patients

A new phase I clinical study shows, for the first time, how treatment with a type of stem cell called mesenchymal stromal cells is able to regulate important factors driving inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for a period for time.

18 Aug 2021

Why have COVID-19 caseloads been comparatively low in Africa?

A new study has been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health that highlights the potential lessons that the world can draw from Africa on assumptions concerning viral pandemics. This is particularly important, given Africa’s long experience with dangerous infectious diseases.

18 Aug 2021

Study examines prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to HCoV-NL63 in healthy adults in Australia

A new study has been published in the MPDI journal Viruses, which focuses on determining the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies against HCoV-NL63, in healthy adults, in a cross-sectional study.

18 Aug 2021

How do glycans affect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein openings?

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, the role of glycan coating on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is further investigated by molecular dynamics simulations of the glycosylated and non-glycosylated protein, identifying several key glycans that play a role in stabilizing and protecting the RBD, and also encourage bonding with the ACE2 receptor.

18 Aug 2021

Study examines the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Geneva, Switzerland

In a paper uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv*, antibodies against both the spike protein and nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are measured in over 3,000 volunteers, six months following the initiation of the vaccination scheme in Geneva, Switzerland.

18 Aug 2021

Obstructive sleep apnea may affect heart health and increase blood pressure in children

Obstructive sleep apnea, a form of sleep-disordered breathing, is common in children and adolescents and may be associated with elevated blood pressure and changes in heart structure.

18 Aug 2021

Study suggests Harmony COVID-19 assay is superior to laboratory-based tests

A new study suggests a new coronavirus test developed by scientists from the University of Washington and the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine produces faster and more sensitive results than conventional PCR tests to measure severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA.

18 Aug 2021

A spike-derived epitope YLQ induces robust polyfunctional cytotoxic T cell responses in COVID-19 recovered individuals

The findings reveal that the dominant spike-derived epitope induces polyfunctional CD8+ T cell response in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovered individuals. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

18 Aug 2021

Increased chemosensory dysfunction with D614G mutation of SARS-CoV-2

A study, available on the pre-print server medRxiv, has determined the underlying molecular mechanisms of how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), especially the G614 strain, leads to olfactory dysfunction causing anosmia.

18 Aug 2021

Specificity of serological assays against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with parasitic infections

A new study available on the pre-print server medRxiv* aims to assess the specificity of the serological assays of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among patients known to have a tissue-borne parasitic infection or those who reside in areas where the virus is endemic.

18 Aug 2021

Designing antimalarials with multiple targeting mechanisms of action

Malaria remains a serious global health threat. While the current discoveries of antimalarials are almost totally focused on single mode-of-action inhibitors, multi-targeting inhibitors are highly desired to overcome the increasingly serious drug resistance.

18 Aug 2021

New bioengineered lung model could help scientists to advance research in lung conditions

An interdisciplinary team of researchers from McMaster and SickKids are developing a cutting-edge lung model that can better respond to viruses and drug treatments, giving scientists a tool to advance research in lung conditions like COVID-19, cystic fibrosis and allergens for asthma and air pollution.

18 Aug 2021

P681R spike mutation enhances replication efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

A team of scientists from the University of Texas, USA, has recently revealed that the P681R spike mutation is responsible for increased infectivity of the delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The P681R spike mutation increases the replication of the delta variant by increasing the dissociation of S1 and S2 subunits at the furin cleavage site. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

18 Aug 2021

Respiratory News and Research

To stoke rural vaccination rates, trusted farmers are asked to spread word

Scientists identify a potent neutralizing nanobody against SARS-CoV-1

White-tailed deer are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy is strongly correlated with antibody neutralization levels

CDC declares four new COVID high-risk travel destinations

SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 and the expression of cytokine in human macrophages

Severe COVID-19 characterized by phosphorylation of STAT1

Study shows how mesenchymal stromal cells regulate factors driving inflammation in COPD patients

Why have COVID-19 caseloads been comparatively low in Africa?

Study examines prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to HCoV-NL63 in healthy adults in Australia

How do glycans affect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein openings?

Study examines the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Geneva, Switzerland

Obstructive sleep apnea may affect heart health and increase blood pressure in children

Study suggests Harmony COVID-19 assay is superior to laboratory-based tests

A spike-derived epitope YLQ induces robust polyfunctional cytotoxic T cell responses in COVID-19 recovered individuals

Increased chemosensory dysfunction with D614G mutation of SARS-CoV-2

Specificity of serological assays against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with parasitic infections

Designing antimalarials with multiple targeting mechanisms of action

New bioengineered lung model could help scientists to advance research in lung conditions

P681R spike mutation enhances replication efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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