Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Eur J Pediatr Surg 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to be a major health concern. In search for novel treatment strategies against COVID-19, exosomes have attracted the attention of scientists and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles, secreted by all types of cells, and considered as key mediators of intercellular communication and stem-cell paracrine signaling. Read More

Eur J Pediatr Surg 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt (Main), Germany.

The fast-evolving nature of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented clinical, logistical, and socioeconomical challenges for health-care systems worldwide. While several studies have analyzed the impact on the presentation and management of acute appendicitis (AA) in the adult population, there is a relative paucity of similar research in pediatric patients with AA. To date, there is some evidence that the incidence of simple AA in children may have decreased during the first lockdown period in spring 2020, whereas the number of complicated AA cases remained unchanged or increased slightly. Read More

Z Naturforsch C J Biosci 2021 Jun 21. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Genome Center for Molecular Based Diagnostic & Research, Lahore, Pakistan.

The emergence of the pandemic in 2020 is a huge threat to global public health. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in China in December 2019 and later spread to almost all parts of the world in four months and declared as a pandemic in March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 has infected 15. Read More

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2021 Jan;67(1):115-119

Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology - Trabzon, Turkey.

Objective: We aimed to compare the clinical, epidemiological, and prognostic features of the H1N1 pandemic in 2009 and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic in 2020.

Methods: This retrospective study involved subjects from seven centers that were admitted and found to be positive for H1N1 or COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction test.

Results: A total of 143 patients with H1N1 and 309 patients with COVID-19 were involved in the study. Read More

Arq Bras Cardiol 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC - Brasil.

Background: The presence of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in individuals infected with COVID-19 may imply a worse prognosis.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) by COVID-19 and to analyze the factors associated with this condition in adults and the elderly with cardiovascular disease in Brazil until the 30th Epidemiological Week of 2020.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with data from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe - SIVEP-Gripe), referring to the SARS notification forms of hospitalized individuals in Brazil, between the 1st and 30th Epidemiological Week of 2020. Read More

PLoS One 2021 23;16(6):e0252317. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified as the causative agent for causing the clinical syndrome of COVID -19. Accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection is not only important for management of infected individuals but also to break the chain of transmission. South Africa is the current epicenter of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Africa. Read More

PLoS One 2021 23;16(6):e0252617. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Background: Many studies report the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies. We aimed to synthesize seroprevalence data to better estimate the level and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 infection, identify high-risk groups, and inform public health decision making.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched publication databases, preprint servers, and grey literature sources for seroepidemiological study reports, from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2021 Jun 23;27(9). Epub 2021 Jun 23.

We examined virus genomic evolution in an immunocompromised patient with prolonged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Genomic sequencing revealed genetic variation during infection: 3 intrahost mutations and possible superinfection with a second strain of the virus. Prolonged infection in immunocompromised patients may lead to emergence of new virus variants. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021 Jun 23:1-4. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Research Center, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, AlAhsa, Saudi Arabia.

The genetic variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been emerging and circulating in different parts of the world from the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Variants are divided into three classes: variant of interest, variant of concern, and variant of high consequence depending on its impact on the transmission, disease severity, diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. The variants of concern include the United Kingdom variant (B. Read More

J Interferon Cytokine Res 2021 Jun;41(6):205-219

Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), represents a public health crisis of unprecedented proportions. After the emergence of SARS-CoV-1 in 2002, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, this is the third outbreak of a highly pathogenic zoonotic coronavirus (CoV) that the world has witnessed in the last 2 decades. Infection with highly pathogenic human CoVs often results in a severe respiratory disease characterized by a delayed and blunted interferon (IFN) response, accompanied by an excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. Read More

FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE 68198, USA.

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can lead to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Virus-specific immunity controls infection, transmission, and disease severity. With respect to disease severity, a spectrum of clinical outcomes can occur on the basis of the age, genetics, comorbidities, and immune responses in an infected person. Read More

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021 Jun;62(7):25

Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin, China.

Purpose: The ocular surface is considered an important route for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. The expression level of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is vital for viral infection. However, the regulation of ACE2 expression on the ocular surface is still unknown. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Jun;100(25):e26433

Department of Internal Medicine.

Abstract: The subclinical severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection rate in hospitals during the pandemic remains unclear. To evaluate the effectiveness of our hospital's current nosocomial infection control measures, we conducted a serological survey of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (immunoglobulin [Ig] G) among the staff of our hospital, which is treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.The study design was cross-sectional. Read More

mSphere 2021 Jun 23:e0027021. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with a wide variety of neurological complications. Even though SARS-CoV-2 is rarely detected in the central nervous system (CNS) or cerebrospinal fluid, evidence is accumulating that SARS-CoV-2 might enter the CNS via the olfactory nerve. However, what happens after SARS-CoV-2 enters the CNS is poorly understood. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, 11203.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak as a pandemic in March 2020. In-person school instruction in the United States (U.S. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

The emergence of a new acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of the 2019-nCOV disease (COVID-19), has caused a pandemic and a global health crisis. Rapid human-to-human transmission, even from asymptomatic individuals, has led to the quick spread of the virus worldwide, causing a wide range of clinical manifestations from cold-like symptoms to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiorgan injury, and even death. Therefore, using rapid and accurate diagnostic methods to identify the virus and subsequently select appropriate and effective treatments can help improvement of patients and control the pandemic. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2021 Jun 22. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.

Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health threat since December 2019, and there is still no highly effective drug to control the pandemic. To facilitate drug target identification for drug development, studies on molecular mechanisms, such as SARS-CoV-2 protein interactions, are urgently needed. In this study, we focused on Nsp2, a non-structural protein with largely unknown function and mechanism. Read More

medRxiv 2021 Jun 17. Epub 2021 Jun 17.

Background: Easily distributed oral antivirals are urgently needed to treat coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), prevent progression to severe illness, and block transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We report the results of a Phase 2a trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and antiviral efficacy of molnupiravir in the treatment of COVID-19 ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04405570 ). Read More

Res Sq 2021 Jun 16. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

The worldwide spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and emergence of new variants demands understanding the structural basis of the interaction of antibodies with the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD). Here we report five X-ray crystal structures of sybodies (synthetic nanobodies) including binary and ternary complexes of Sb16-RBD, Sb45-RBD, Sb14-RBD-Sb68, and Sb45-RBD-Sb68; and Sb16 unliganded. These reveal that Sb14, Sb16, and Sb45 bind the RBD at the ACE2 interface and that the Sb16 interaction is accompanied by a large CDR2 shift. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2021 1;2021:8160860. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR), Department of Biochemistry, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore, 570015 Karnataka, India.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), which is characterized by clinical manifestations such as pneumonia, lymphopenia, severe acute respiratory distress, and cytokine storm. S glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE-II) to enter into the lungs through membrane proteases consequently inflicting the extensive viral load through rapid replication mechanisms. Despite several research efforts, challenges in COVID-19 management still persist at various levels that include (a) availability of a low cost and rapid self-screening test, (b) lack of an effective vaccine which works against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2, and (c) lack of a potent drug that can reduce the complications of COVID-19. Read More

J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2021 Apr-Jun;12(2):209-214. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jizan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

COVID-19 is a Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). It threatened the whole world and considered as pandemic recently, emergencies and quarantine has been declared all over the world. Many published reviews and research articles, discussed analysis, symptoms, diagnosis, and possible ways of treatments. Read More

J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2021 Apr-Jun;12(2):120-126. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that causes the infectious disease coronavirus disease-2019. Currently, there is no effective drug for the prevention and treatment of this virus. This study aimed to identify secondary metabolites that potentially inhibit the key proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Read More

Cureus 2021 May 19;13(5):e15128. Epub 2021 May 19.

Pulmonary Critical Care, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine - Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield, USA.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been devastating to the elderly population, especially due to a lack of clear guidelines for treatment. Corticosteroids have been the mainstay in treating the cytokine storm caused by the virus. In the past, prolonged viral shedding of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was noted in patients treated with high-dose corticosteroids. Read More

SAGE Open Med 2021 3;9:20503121211022993. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna (AIIMS Patna), Patna, India.

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (also known as 2019-nCoV) is a highly infectious agent and is declared as a global public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. The main known transmission route of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 is through respiratory air droplets. Although recent studies have revealed that the virus is detectable in the throat, blood, urine, anal swabs, tears and even faeces; however, modes of transmission other than respiratory droplets has not been studied much. Read More

Theranostics 2021 25;11(15):7379-7390. Epub 2021 May 25.

Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western, Yinchuan 750021, China.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel strain of highly contagious coronaviruses that infects humans. Prolonged fever, particularly that above 39.5 °C, is associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read More

Ecancermedicalscience 2021 10;15:1226. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Palliative Care & Psycho-oncology, Tata Medical Centre, New Town, Rajarhat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700160, India.

Background: Addressing the mental health needs of cancer patients and their caregivers improves the quality of care the patient receives in any cancer care ecosystem. International practice currently encourages integrated care for physical and mental health in oncology. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the delivery of healthcare services across the world. Read More

Biomark Insights 2021 4;16:11772719211021647. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Department of Adult Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Corticosteroids reduced mortality rate in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Previously, we hypothesized that corticosteroids mitigate the inflammation response resulting in reduced coagulation and thrombosis. In this retrospective study, we included 27 patients with COVID-19 that received high-dose corticosteroids (methylprednisolone 1000 mg i. Read More

Ethiop J Health Sci 2021 Mar;31(2):213-222

Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), which has been considered as a pandemic by WHO. SARS-CoV-2 encodes four major structural proteins, among which spike protein has always been a main target for new vaccine studies. This in silico study aimed to investigate some physicochemical, functional, immunological, and structural features of spike protein using several bioinformatics tools. Read More

J Infect Chemother 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Division for Health Service Promotion, The University of Tokyo, Japan.

Introduction: The worldwide pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continued to date. Given that some of the patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are asymptomatic, antibody tests are useful to determine whether there is a previous infection with SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we measured IgM and IgG antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 in the serum of asymptomatic healthy subjects in The University of Tokyo, Japan. Read More