Severe Acute Respiratory News and Research

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Demographic and clinical comparison of the first and second COVID-19 waves in London, UK

In a paper recently uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv*, clinical and demographic data from across the UK is compared to viral genome sequence data, identifying trends amongst the population affected, and across SARS-CoV-2 strains.

26 Mar 2021

Longitudinal study of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies following vaccination

A longitudinal study of IgG antibody levels in vaccinated healthcare workers was recently uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv*, suggesting that IgG levels could be a reliable indicator of successful vaccination.

26 Mar 2021

Testing unavailability may influence public behaviors and facilitate SARS-CoV-2 transmission

A team of scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles, USA, recently conducted a survey investigating the association between availability of testing facilities and COVID-19-related behavioral aspects. Their findings reveal that testing unavailability independently influences certain COVID-19-related behaviors that may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

26 Mar 2021

Occupation not a reason for high COVID-19 rates among immigrants in Norway, finds study

A new study has found that the disproportionate rate of COVID-19 among immigrant groups in Norway may not be a result of occupational risks.

26 Mar 2021

New mathematical model identifies role of super-spreaders in SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence

Researchers have developed a new mathematical model which helps characterize factors responsible for the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and their predominance.

26 Mar 2021

COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures have caused body weight increases in U.S., finds study

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, studied the body weight changes of a longitudinal cohort during the initial SIP (shelter-in-place) orders to better understand the possible downstream health implications of a prolonged SIP. They found a significant increase in body weight over the post-SIP period at a rate of roughly a pound and a half weight gain per month following SIP.

26 Mar 2021

COVID-19 long haulers report persistent neurological symptoms

Researchers at Northwestern University, USA, analyzed "long hauler" patients whose symptoms lasted at least six weeks. They found persistent neurological symptoms, including brain fog and headache.

26 Mar 2021

Can COVID-19 cause hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus?

Researchers at the University of Manchester, UK, aimed to systematically review the literature to provide evidence on SARS-CoV-2 and audio-vestibular symptoms. They found that COVID-19 has been tied to hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus.

26 Mar 2021

Identification of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with cross-neutralization potency

A team of scientists from the USA and Canada recently characterized the cross-neutralizing potency of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies isolated from COVID-19 patients. The findings reveal that some of the isolated antibodies targeting the spike RBD and the S2 subunit are capable of cross-neutralizing other members of the human beta-coronavirus family.

25 Mar 2021

Dual-antigen COVID-19 vaccine elicits humoral and cellular immune responses in mice

The scientific consensus is that safe and highly effective vaccines are required to end the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2. A new study describes a new vaccine that presents two viral antigens to the human immune system, in order to elicit a more efficacious response.

25 Mar 2021

Could an mRNA vaccine second dose reduce cellular immunity in previously infected individuals?

A new study, which was released on the bioRxiv* preprint server, shows the differential effect that a standard vaccine protocol may have on individuals, based on their history of prior infection with the virus.

25 Mar 2021

Could dry swabs provide cheaper, safer and faster material for SARS-CoV-2 testing?

A new study deals with the feasibility of using dry swab samples to isolate the virus, as compared to wet swabs, to reduce costs while improving safety.

25 Mar 2021

Researchers examine SARS-CoV-2 RNA interactome

A new study focuses on the identification of RNA-binding protein by mass spectrometry (ChIRP-M/S) approach. This study develops a global map that contains the complete set of host proteins that involve the SARS-CoV-2 genome during infection. This study has successfully identified new SARS-CoV-2 host dependency factors by merging proteomics data with gene silencing experiments. Such a discovery has paved new roads to develop more antiviral therapies.

25 Mar 2021

Changing upper respiratory microbiome in children related to SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility

Researchers tested the nasopharyngeal microbiome of children up to 21 years old and found the microbiome changes with age. Specific bacteria, whose abundance also changes with age, are associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection susceptibility and severity.

25 Mar 2021

Alzheimer’s symptoms linked to COVID-induced brain injury

New research shows further evidence between COVID-19 infection and the development of long-term neurological symptoms. The findings found COVID-induced neuroinflammation and microvascular injury contributed to dementia-like symptoms. However, they also found evidence indicating a low possibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly invading the brain.

24 Mar 2021

Fluoxetine (Prozac) performs strongly in vitro against SARS-CoV-2 (including mutants)

Researchers from Finland, to expand on these studies, tested some of these drugs against the new SARS-CoV-2 variants. The study is published on the preprint server bioRxiv.

24 Mar 2021

Study finds rapid spread of B.1.1.220 variant with E484K mutation in New York

New research led by Patrick McGann from Walter Reed Army Institute of Research found the first cases of the B.1.1.220 variant with an E484K mutation on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. Their results suggest the variant recently emerged as B.1.1.220 was not found in New York before December 2020. Still, it quickly made up 25% of coronavirus strains in late January and early February.

24 Mar 2021

Increased replicative fitness of SARS-CoV-2 UK strain in human bronchial cells

A recent study from France showed that the UK variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – also known as B.1.1.7 variant – can replicate much more efficiently in a reconstituted human bronchial epithelium, which may explain why it spreads so rapidly in the human population. The study is currently freely available on the bioRxiv preprint server.

24 Mar 2021

Deep learning tool predicts hosts based on early SARS-CoV-2 samples

The study, which appeared on the pre-print server bioRxiv*, revealed how DeepHoF could help prevent future outbreaks that may become as large as the current pandemic.

24 Mar 2021

Three commonly used antiviral drugs potentially effective at preventing replication of SARS-CoV-2

An international team of researchers has found that three commonly used antiviral and antimalarial drugs are effective in vitro at preventing replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

24 Mar 2021

Severe Acute Respiratory News and Research

Demographic and clinical comparison of the first and second COVID-19 waves in London, UK

Longitudinal study of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies following vaccination

Testing unavailability may influence public behaviors and facilitate SARS-CoV-2 transmission

Occupation not a reason for high COVID-19 rates among immigrants in Norway, finds study

New mathematical model identifies role of super-spreaders in SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence

COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures have caused body weight increases in U.S., finds study

COVID-19 long haulers report persistent neurological symptoms

Can COVID-19 cause hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus?

Identification of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with cross-neutralization potency

Dual-antigen COVID-19 vaccine elicits humoral and cellular immune responses in mice

Could an mRNA vaccine second dose reduce cellular immunity in previously infected individuals?

Could dry swabs provide cheaper, safer and faster material for SARS-CoV-2 testing?

Researchers examine SARS-CoV-2 RNA interactome

Changing upper respiratory microbiome in children related to SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility

Alzheimer’s symptoms linked to COVID-induced brain injury

Fluoxetine (Prozac) performs strongly in vitro against SARS-CoV-2 (including mutants)

Study finds rapid spread of B.1.1.220 variant with E484K mutation in New York

Increased replicative fitness of SARS-CoV-2 UK strain in human bronchial cells

Deep learning tool predicts hosts based on early SARS-CoV-2 samples

Three commonly used antiviral drugs potentially effective at preventing replication of SARS-CoV-2

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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