ABSTRACT
Background: With reference to COVID-19 pandemic prevailing across the globe, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine were reported as effective against the disease to some extent. This effectiveness can be attributed to the glycosylation interruption of the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) recep-tor, which is a known target for SARS-CoV-2 entery. On the other hand, studies suggest that the inhibition of ACE2 can be lethal in certain cases, thereby causing cardiovascular disorders, especially in patients already suffering from heart-related diseases. Methods: In this study, the most probable targets (other than ACE2) have been proposed for the treatment of COVID-19 infection by taking chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as reference drugs. Swiss Tar-getPrediction and PASSonline tools were used in order to achieve this objective. Known drugs against each target possessing close relation to either viral infections or lung disorders were assessed from the DrugBank database, and simultaneous efficacy of these drugs towards other proposed targets has been analyzed. By taking the most effective drugs as a reference, similar compounds were screened from the ChEMBL library by using the Swiss Similarity tool. Finally, molecular docking studies were performed through MOE software by using screened compounds against proposed targets. Results: Four most probable targets have been proposed, which include chemokine receptors (CCRs), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (CHRMs), and histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT). Furthermore, it has been evaluated that quinacrine and vildagliptin are effective against most of the proposed targets. By taking vildagliptin as well as quinacrine as reference drugs, further eight compounds with similar effectiveness against these targets have been screened from the ChEMBL library. Molecular docking studies with CCR5, DPP4, and CHRM5 suggest that the quinacrine and its analogue (ChEMBL1782742) as well as vildagliptin and its analogue (ChEMBL511785) are the most suitable compounds as HITs for these targets. Conclusion: It has been established that the quinacrine, ChEMBL1782742, vildagliptin, ChEMBL511785, mavorixafor, atropine, and N-(2-aminoethyl)-1-aziridineethanamine in descending order can be considered as effective drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 infection.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To comparison was made between standard (control group) nasopharyngeal sample collection technique for RT-PCR and modified technique and the outcome was compared in terms of the proportion of positive results of Rt-PCR tests. Study Design: Double blinded randomized clinical trial. Place and Duration of Study: Pakistan Naval Ship Shifa Hospital Karachi Pakistan, from June and July 2020. Methodology: This study was a newly developed modified technique for nasopharyngeal sampling for RT-PCR tests of COVID-19 suspects. Target population included all patients who developed COVID-19 related symptoms and/or also had history of recent travel or closed contact with Covid-19 patients. Total 1500 nasopharyngeal PCR tests were done by a team of trained technicians. Systemetic probability sampling technique was utilized. Subjects were divided into two groups by using even and odd serial numbers. Proportion of positive test results were compared between two groups by using chi square test. Results: Results were collected for 3000 nasopharyngeal swab sample for RT-PCR testing. Mean age was 31.68 ± 11.89 years. In study group with modified technique, 470 tests were found positive for a total of 1500 samples while only 297 out of 1500 samples were detected positive in control group with standard technique. Chi square test applied to assess the difference between this proportion and it proved that the difference was highly statistically significant (p-value <0.00). Conclusion: we interpret that modified samples collection technique is relatively safe for sample collector of Covid-19 PCR which has got potential benefits to get more genuine results of these samples. © 2021, Army Medical College. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: The education sector is badly shaken in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic as nationwide closures have impacted 89% of the world's student population. Aims and Methodology: This qualitative, exploratory study investigated the impacts of COVID-19 on the prevailing education divide through focus group discussion. Focus group included purposefully selected two teachers (one male & one female), two senior headteachers (one male & one female), two Taluka Education Officers (one male & one female), two Assistant District Education Officers (One male & one female) and two Assistant professors of Education (one male one female). The focus group interviews were conducted from the participants through conference calls. Results: Focus group discussion results showed that there could be variable impacts of COVID-19 across society, parents, input that students could receive from families during this pandemic, assessment, gender, and schools. These variable impacts could result in further widening of the existing education divide in Pakistan. The major reasons, as highlighted by the participants, are the weak education system and the prevalent digital divide in Pakistan due to the use of online learning resources. It is recommended that the authorities should engage economically sound local elders, Non-Government Organizations and volunteer educated persons to meet the technology-based needs.