Respiratory News and Research

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Reducing coronavirus-related mortality through senolytics

A study recently published in the journal Science explores the concept of senescent cells (SnC) having a hyperinflammatory response and the use of a class of small molecules called senolytics to combat this.

16 Jun 2021

Could daily rapid testing replace mandatory quarantine to prevent imported SARS-CoV-2 infections?

A new study, released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, examines the relative effectiveness of varying strategies, such as pre-flight testing, longer or shorter periods of quarantine, tests for release, or daily testing after the flight, using modeling tools. The results show that it is feasible to avoid quarantine by the use of lateral flow testing daily for five days, achieving higher reductions in the number of secondary cases caused by an infected traveler in the country of destination.

16 Jun 2021

COVID-e-Vax DNA vaccine candidate elicits robust immune responses in preclinical trials

A new study, released as a preprint on the bioRxiv* server, describes the late-stage clinical trial efficacy of a new vaccine candidate based on a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) plasmid platform expressing the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Among different constructs of the vaccine plasmid, the RBD was found to produce the most potent and broad immune response.

16 Jun 2021

Study observes increased breadth of SARS-CoV-2 antibody neutralization acquired over one year

A new paper in the journal Nature offers a reassuring answer, showing that convalescent COVID-19 patients, some of whom had received vaccination as well, retain antiviral antibodies and neutralizing activity, as well as memory B cells, for up to 6-12 months from infection.

16 Jun 2021

Increased viral replication and shedding in nonhuman primates carrying SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant

A team of researchers from the US and UK used the AGM intranasal model of SARS-CoV-2 infection to determine differences between a contemporary SARS-CoV-2 D614G variant circulating in summer 2020 and the B.1.1.7 UK variant of concern that emerged in late 2020.

16 Jun 2021

Cissampelos pareira (velvetleaf) exhibits anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential

Cissampelos pareira (Cipa), also known as velvetleaf, is a widely used hormone modulator used to treat reproductive disorders and fever. Research has shown that it can inhibit three serotypes of Dengue virus (DENV) and affect various hormones.

16 Jun 2021

Prior vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus associated with less severe COVID-19

The researchers found that individuals with registered diphtheria or tetanus vaccinations were less likely to develop severe COVID-19 than people who had only received other vaccinations. The results of this study are posted to the medRxiv* preprint server.

16 Jun 2021

A study on SARS-CoV-2 proteins for the development of COVID-19 drugs

The authors of the review have grouped the virus proteins into three categories, (a) host-entry, (b) self-acting, and (c) host-interacting. Additionally, individual SARS-CoV-2 proteins are evaluated to be either directly targeted by drugs or block virus-host interactions.

16 Jun 2021

Rapidly evolving SARS-Cov-2 strains may give rise to escape variants

The number of COVID-19 variants is growing rapidly, so much that the scale and scope of mutation may pose a threat to the continuing successful use of the current vaccines and therapies.

16 Jun 2021

Two vaccines elicit durable neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in pre-clinical study

A group of scientists led by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian reported that the Moderna mRNA vaccine and a protein-based vaccine candidate elicited durable neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in pre-clinical research. There were no adverse effects.

16 Jun 2021

Researchers identify specific cells and proteins that control the sneeze reflex

A tickle in the nose can help trigger a sneeze, expelling irritants and disease-causing pathogens. But the cellular pathways that control the sneeze reflex go far beyond the sinuses and have been poorly understood.

16 Jun 2021

Chronic fatigue a significant challenge for most long COVID patients

Researchers in Canada have conducted a study suggesting that the majority of patients living with long COVID (coronavirus disease) following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) experience chronic fatigue that is at least as severe as that seen in several other clinical conditions.

15 Jun 2021

Neanderthal-derived genetic locus influences COVID-19 severity in humans

Researchers in the United States and Estonia have identified four genetic variants on a chromosome 3 haplotype that may be responsible for driving the association between this locus and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

15 Jun 2021

New AI model could help predict which viruses are likely to spread from animals to humans

A new model that applies artificial intelligence to carbohydrates improves the understanding of the infection process and could help predict which viruses are likely to spread from animals to humans.

15 Jun 2021

CDC study looks at SARS-CoV-2 testing among returning cruise ship travelers

In a recent study published on the preprint server medRxiv*, a group of researchers discusses the RT-PCR results and symptoms experienced by the travelers to illustrate the viral dynamics during asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 infection.

15 Jun 2021

SARS-CoV-2 oral vaccine booster shows promise in animal tests

In a recent study published on the pre-print bioRxiv* server, a group of Israeli researchers discusses their progress towards developing an oral multi-antigen SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

15 Jun 2021

Exposure to common cold virus can protect against COVID-19 infection

Exposure to the rhinovirus, the most frequent cause of the common cold, can protect against infection by the virus which causes COVID-19, Yale researchers have found.

15 Jun 2021

WHO: Effective action needed to protect the health of children from toxic e-waste

Effective and binding action is urgently required to protect the millions of children, adolescents and expectant mothers worldwide whose health is jeopardized by the informal processing of discarded electrical or electronic devices according to a new ground-breaking report from the World Health Organization: Children and Digital Dumpsites.

15 Jun 2021

Adapting COVID-19 vaccination strategies based on SARS-CoV-2’s evolution

Given the risk of SARS-CoV-2 developing new variants in unvaccinated individuals, vaccination sites are crucial. However, new research from the University of Michigan, USA, shows current vaccination programs may be worsening regional outbreaks when viral strains and SARS-CoV-2 escape mutations outdo vaccination rates.

15 Jun 2021

Could urine tests predict kidney injury and mortality in COVID-19?

A team of scientists from the Columbia University, New York, has recently identified a potential biomarker to predict acute kidney injury in COVID-19 patients. By analyzing urine samples of 444 COVID-19 patients, they have revealed that the urinary level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) can be used to determine the severity and duration of acute kidney and tubular injuries, as well as to predict the risk of mortality in acute COVID-19 patients.

15 Jun 2021

Respiratory News and Research

Reducing coronavirus-related mortality through senolytics

Could daily rapid testing replace mandatory quarantine to prevent imported SARS-CoV-2 infections?

COVID-e-Vax DNA vaccine candidate elicits robust immune responses in preclinical trials

Study observes increased breadth of SARS-CoV-2 antibody neutralization acquired over one year

Increased viral replication and shedding in nonhuman primates carrying SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant

Cissampelos pareira (velvetleaf) exhibits anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential

Prior vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus associated with less severe COVID-19

A study on SARS-CoV-2 proteins for the development of COVID-19 drugs

Rapidly evolving SARS-Cov-2 strains may give rise to escape variants

Two vaccines elicit durable neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in pre-clinical study

Researchers identify specific cells and proteins that control the sneeze reflex

Chronic fatigue a significant challenge for most long COVID patients

Neanderthal-derived genetic locus influences COVID-19 severity in humans

New AI model could help predict which viruses are likely to spread from animals to humans

CDC study looks at SARS-CoV-2 testing among returning cruise ship travelers

SARS-CoV-2 oral vaccine booster shows promise in animal tests

Exposure to common cold virus can protect against COVID-19 infection

WHO: Effective action needed to protect the health of children from toxic e-waste

Adapting COVID-19 vaccination strategies based on SARS-CoV-2’s evolution

Could urine tests predict kidney injury and mortality in COVID-19?

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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