Effect of the early use of antivirals on the COVID-19 pandemic. A computational network modeling approach

It seems that we are far from controlling COVID-19 pandemics, and, consequently, returning to a fully normal life. Until an effective vaccine is found, safety measures as the use of face masks, social distancing, washing hands regularly, etc., have to be taken. Also, the use of appropriate antivirals in order to alleviate the symptoms, to control the severity of the illness and to prevent the transmission, could be a good option that we study in this work. In this paper, we propose a computational random network model to study the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in Spain. Once the model has been calibrated and validated, we use it to simulate several scenarios where effective antivirals are available. The results show how the early use of antivirals may significantly reduce the incidence of COVID-19 and may avoid a new collapse of the health system.

In vitro antifungal evaluation and structure-activity relationships of a new series of chalcone derivatives and synthetic analogues, with inhibitory properties against polymers of the fungal cell wall

Here we report the synthesis, in vitro antifungal evaluation and SAR study of 41 chalcones and analogues. In addition, all active structures were tested for their capacity of inhibiting Saccharomyces cerevisiae beta(1,3)-glucan synthase and chitin synthase, enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of the major polymers of the fungal cell wall.

Inhibitors of the fungal cell wall. Synthesis of 4-aryl-4-N-arylamine-1-butenes and related compounds with inhibitory activities on beta(1-3) glucan and chitin synthases

As part of our project devoted to the search for antifungal agents, which act via a selective mode of action, we synthesized a series of new 4-aryl- or 4-alkyl-N-arylamine-1-butenes and transformed some of them into 2-substituted 4-methyl-tetrahydroquinolines and quinolines by using a novel three-step synthesis. Results obtained in agar dilution assays have shown that 4-aryl homoallylamines not possessing halogen in their structures, tetrahydroquinolines and quinolines, display a range of antifungal properties in particular against Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum canis. Regarding the mode of action, all active compounds showed in vitro inhibitory activities against beta(1-3) glucan-synthase and mainly against chitin-synthase. These enzymes catalyze the synthesis of beta(1-3) glucan and chitin, respectively, major polymers of the fungal cell wall. Since fungal but not mammalian cells are encased in a cell wall, its inhibition may represent a useful mode of action for these antifungal compounds.