Advances in SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review

Translational Control of COVID-19 and Its Therapeutic Implication

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of COVID-19, which has broken out worldwide for more than two years. However, due to limited treatment, new cases of infection are still rising. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the basic molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 to control this virus. SARS-CoV-2 replication and spread depend on the recruitment of host ribosomes to translate viral messenger RNA (mRNA). To ensure the translation of their own mRNAs, the SARS-CoV-2 has developed multiple strategies to globally inhibit the translation of host mRNAs and block the cellular innate immune response. This review provides a comprehensive picture of recent advancements in our understanding of the molecular basis and complexity of SARS-CoV-2 protein translation. Specifically, we summarize how this viral infection inhibits host mRNA translation to better utilize translation elements for translation of its own mRNA. Finally, we discuss the potential of translational components as targets for therapeutic interventions.

Homologous and Heterologous Anti-COVID-19 Vaccination Does Not Induce New-Onset Formation of Autoantibodies Typically Accompanying Lupus Erythematodes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Celiac Disease and Antiphospholipid Syndrome

The COVID-19 pandemics has caused the death of almost six million people worldwide. In order to establish collective immunity, the first vaccines that were approved in Germany were the vector virus-based vaccine Vaxzevria and the mRNA vaccines Comirnaty and Spikevax, respectively. As it was reported that SARS-CoV-2 can trigger autoimmunity, it is of significant interest to investigate whether COVID-19 vaccines evoke the formation of autoantibodies and subsequent autoimmunity. Here, we analyzed immune responses after different vaccination regimens (mRNA/mRNA, Vector/Vector or Vector/mRNA) with respect to anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity and the development of autoantibodies well known for their appearance in distinct autoimmune diseases. We found that anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels were 90% lower after Vector/Vector vaccination compared to the other vaccinations and that Vector/mRNA vaccination was more effective than mRNA/mRNA vaccination in terms of IgM and IgA responses. However, until 4 months after booster vaccination we only detected increases in autoantibodies in participants with already pre-existing autoantibodies whereas vaccinees showing no autoantibody formation before vaccination did not respond with sustained autoantibody production. Taken together, our study suggests that all used COVID-19 vaccines do not significantly foster the appearance of autoantibodies commonly associated with lupus erythematodes, rheumatoid arthritis, Celiac disease and antiphospholipid-syndrome but provide immunity to SARS-CoV-2.

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to assess the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions on the second wave of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic across the world

In the present paper, we aimed to determine the influence of various non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) enforced during the first wave of COVID-19 across countries on the spreading rate of COVID-19 during the second wave. For this purpose, we took into account national-level climatic, environmental, clinical, health, economic, pollution, social, and demographic factors. We estimated the growth of the first and second wave across countries by fitting a logistic model to daily-reported case numbers, up to the first and second epidemic peaks. We estimated the basic and effective (second wave) reproduction numbers across countries. Next, we used a random forest algorithm to study the association between the growth rate of the second wave and NPIs as well as pre-existing country-specific characteristics. Lastly, we compared the growth rate of the first and second waves of COVID-19. The top three factors associated with the growth of the second wave were body mass index, the number of days that the government sets restrictions on requiring facial coverings outside the home at all times, and restrictions on gatherings of 10 people or less. Artificial intelligence techniques can help scholars as well as decision and policy-makers estimate the effectiveness of public health policies, and implement "smart" interventions, which are as efficacious as stringent ones.

COVID-19 pandemic and reasons to prioritize the needs of the health care system to ensure its sustainability: A scoping review from January to October 2020 (Review)

The worldwide spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led the World Health Organization to characterize the pandemic as a public health emergency of international concern. National health care systems in countries during the initial surge of the pandemic were unable to handle the sanitarian crisis that had emerged. Thus, the prevention and control of future global health emergencies must be a priority. The present scoping review aimed to retrieve articles that summarize the current experience on issues related to historical knowledge, and epidemiology, clinical features and overall burden of SARS-CoV-2 on health care services. In summary, a comprehensive overview of the information that has been learnt during this period is presented in the current review. Furthermore, taking into account the global experience, the need for planning cohesive and functional health services before similar pandemic events occur in the future is highlighted. The next public health issue should be prevented rather than treated. In spite of the vaccination benefits, a number of sporadic cases of SARS-CoV-2infections will persist. Information collected remains relevant for appraising how similar threats can be faced in the future. Overall, collaborative health care plans need to be rethought to increase preparedness.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Prescribing Trends in Outpatient Care: A Nationwide, Quasi-Experimental Approach

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally and is currently having a damaging impact on nearly all countries in the world. The implementation of stringent measures to stop COVID-19 dissemination had an influence on healthcare services and associated procedures, possibly causing antibiotic consumption fluctuations. This paper aims to evaluate the immediate and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic prescribing trends in outpatient care of the Portuguese public health sector, including in primary healthcare centers and hospitals, as well as on specific antibiotic groups known to be closely associated with increased resistance. Segmented regression analysis with interrupted time series data was used to analyze whether the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact in antibiotic prescribing tendencies at a national level. The outcomes from this quasi-experimental approach demonstrate that, at the beginning of the pandemic, a significant, immediate decrease in the overall antibiotic prescribing trends was noticed in the context of outpatient care in Portugal, followed by a statistically non-significant fall over the long term. The data also showed a significant reduction in the prescription of particular antibiotic classes (antibiotics from the Watch group, 3rd-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and clarithromycin) upon COVID-19 emergence. These findings revealed an important disruption in antibiotics prescribing caused by the current public health emergency.

Effect of a Warm-Up Protocol with and without Facemask-Use against COVID-19 on Cognitive Function: A Pilot, Randomized Counterbalanced, Cross-Sectional Study

The present study aimed to verify the effect of a warm-up protocol with and without facemask-use on cognitive function. The sample was composed of 17 healthy, non-smoking physical education students (age = 17.6 years, height = 1.71 m, and body mass = 69.7 kg). They were randomized to perform 15 min of warm-up exercises, while wearing a cloth facemask (EXP) or no mask (CON) on two separate occasions, with at least 48-h separating conditions. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and d2 Attention assessment were used to verify cognitive function, using a repeated measures general linear model. The warm-up improved cognitive abilities and the results demonstrated significant differences between the EXP vs. CON groups in post-concentration performance (186.06 ± 15.47 EXP-score vs. 178.12 ± 13.66 CON-score), post the total number of errors (23.47 ± 14.50 EXP-frequency < 29.06 ± 13.74 CON-frequency), and in the post RPE (6.0 ± 1.37 EXP-index > 4.7 ± 0.85 CON-index). Wearing a cloth facemask caused positive effects on cognitive function. This data suggests that wearing a cloth facemask during warm-up may stimulate/improve the cognitive function.

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) and Soluble Forms of AGE Receptor: Emerging Role as Mortality Risk Factors in CKD

Advanced glycation end-products (AGE) can promote chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and CKD-related morbidities. The soluble receptor for AGE (sRAGE) is a potential biomarker of inflammation and oxidative stress. Here, we explored the role of AGE, glycated albumin, sRAGE and its different forms, cRAGE and esRAGE, as prognostic factors for mortality in 111 advanced CKD patients. The median follow-up time was 39 months. AGE were quantified by fluorescence, sRAGE and its forms by ELISA. Malnutrition was screened by the Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS). The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association of variables with all-cause mortality. Mean levels of sRAGE, esRAGE and cRAGE were 2318 ± 1224, 649 ± 454 and 1669 ± 901 pg/mL. The mean value of cRAGE/esRAGE was 2.82 ± 0.96. AGE were 3026 ± 766 AU and MIS 6.0 ± 4.7. eGFR correlated negatively with AGE, sRAGE, esRAGE and cRAGE, but not with cRAGE/esRAGE. Twenty-eight patients died. No difference was observed between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Starting dialysis was not associated with enhanced risk of death. AGE, esRAGE and cRAGE/esRAGE were independently associated with all-cause mortality. AGE, esRAGE and cRAGE/esRAGE may help to stratify overall mortality risk. Implementing the clinical evaluation of CKD patients by quantifying these biomarkers can help to improve patient outcomes.