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Study: Nasal therapy is more effective than commonly used IgG antibodies at neutralizing COVID-19 virus

A nasal therapy, built upon on the application of a new engineered IgM antibody therapy for COVID-19, was more effective than commonly used IgG antibodies at neutralizing the COVID-19 virus in animal models, according to research recently published by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB Health), the University of Houston, and IGM Biosciences, Inc.

4 Jun 2021

People who received Pfizer-Biontech vaccine have lower antibody levels targeting the delta variant

Levels of antibodies in the blood of vaccinated people that are able to recognise and fight the new SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant first discovered in India (B.1.617.2) are on average lower than those against previously circulating variants in the UK, according to new laboratory data from the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Centre, published today (Thursday) as a Research letter in The Lancet.

4 Jun 2021

Plant-based oil blend shows virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses in vitro

A new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv* server offers a potential candidate for disinfecting the respiratory tract and mouth during and after exposure to the virus, in the form of proprietary herbal oil named Viruxal.

3 Jun 2021

Two repurposed drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in a synergistic manner

A preprint paper uploaded to the bioRxiv* server shows how combining drugs targeting different entry factors of the host cell may prevent infection by the virus.

3 Jun 2021

Mast cell activation may underlie inflammation in severe COVID-19

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server points to mast cells as major culprits in the etiology of severe and critical COVID-19. This could suggest suitable therapeutic and preventive interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this viral illness.

3 Jun 2021

Lung protein hyperconcentration may be a key factor in predicting COPD risks

Airway mucus consists of various proteins such as long mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B, both of which contribute greatly to the proper gel-like consistency of this most essential bodily fluid.

3 Jun 2021

Alzheimer's disease increases a threefold risk of contracting severe COVID-19 and death

Neurodegenerative disorders that cause dementia increase the risk of contracting severe COVID-19 and dying from the disease.

3 Jun 2021

Could a green tea compound combat SARS-CoV-2?

Researchers recently published an article that reviewed the mechanisms by which EGCG could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and the various syndromes caused by COVID-19.

3 Jun 2021

Research opens alternative therapeutic avenues for treatment of chronic pain

Building on previous findings, scientists have demonstrated that conolidine interacts with the newly identified opioid receptor ACKR3/CXCR7.

3 Jun 2021

How can nanomaterials help in the fight against COVID-19?

Researchers have reviewed different types of nanomaterials and how they can be used for the detection, prevention, and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

3 Jun 2021

Researchers develop rapid antibody screening method for novel COVID-19 therapeutics development

New research undertaken by researchers in the USA describes two parallel but distinct in vivo approaches for the accelerated discovery of antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

3 Jun 2021

Study compares Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine-elicited response to SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new study has been published on the bioRxiv preprint server which focuses on the correlation between the vaccine-triggered Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and neutralization titers against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Further, neutralization activities against the variants (B.1.1.7, B.1.525, and B.1.351), using Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, sera were assessed.

3 Jun 2021

Scientists assess the filtration efficacy of 227 models of face masks sold in Brazil

The novel coronavirus is transmitted mainly via inhalation of saliva droplets or respiratory secretions suspended in air, so that face covering and social distancing are the most effective ways to prevent COVID-19 until enough vaccines are available for all.

3 Jun 2021

E6-specific inhibitors offer a unique, strategic approach for treating HPV-HNSCC

Oncotarget published "A high-content AlphaScreen™ identifies E6-specific small molecule inhibitors as potential therapeutics for HPV+ head and neck squamous cell carcinomas" which reported that the incidence of human papillomavirus-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has increased dramatically over the past decades due to an increase in infection of the oral mucosa by HPV.

3 Jun 2021

New survey highlights key role of ECT for treating severe depression, other conditions

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in North America in March 2020, health care facilities stopped providing all but "essential" care, to reduce infection risks and preserve protective gear known as PPE.

3 Jun 2021

Single mutation to bat virus spike protein allows cell entry using human ACE2

In a paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv by Kirchhoff et al. (May 31st, 2021) it is demonstrated that a single mutation to the RaTG13 spike protein results in significantly greater affinity towards the human receptor, indicating that the presence of a positively charged amino group at this position better facilitates interaction with the human ACE2 receptor, and helping to identify other viruses with zoonotic potential.

3 Jun 2021

A study of the COVID fatality rates in India during waves 1 and 2

A team of researchers at the Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan estimated the underreporting factor for infections using publicly available data released by the Indian Council of Medical Research on the reported number of cases and national seroprevalence surveys.

3 Jun 2021

Respiratory News and Research

Study: Nasal therapy is more effective than commonly used IgG antibodies at neutralizing COVID-19 virus

People who received Pfizer-Biontech vaccine have lower antibody levels targeting the delta variant

Plant-based oil blend shows virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses in vitro

Two repurposed drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in a synergistic manner

Mast cell activation may underlie inflammation in severe COVID-19

Lung protein hyperconcentration may be a key factor in predicting COPD risks

Alzheimer's disease increases a threefold risk of contracting severe COVID-19 and death

Could a green tea compound combat SARS-CoV-2?

Research opens alternative therapeutic avenues for treatment of chronic pain

How can nanomaterials help in the fight against COVID-19?

Researchers develop rapid antibody screening method for novel COVID-19 therapeutics development

Study compares Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine-elicited response to SARS-CoV-2 variants

Scientists assess the filtration efficacy of 227 models of face masks sold in Brazil

E6-specific inhibitors offer a unique, strategic approach for treating HPV-HNSCC

New survey highlights key role of ECT for treating severe depression, other conditions

Single mutation to bat virus spike protein allows cell entry using human ACE2

A study of the COVID fatality rates in India during waves 1 and 2

COVID-19 mortality in Israel and Europe after vaccination

Nanopore sequencing contradicts human genome integration of SARS-CoV-2

Long COVID patients at higher risk of small airway disease

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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