Smart and functional textiles

Smart and Functional Textiles is an application-oriented book covering a wide range of areas from multifunctional nanofinished textiles, coated and laminated textiles, wearable e-textiles, textile-based sensors and actuators, thermoregulating textiles, to smart medical textiles and stimuli-responsive textiles. It also includes chapters on 3D printed smart textiles, automotive smart textiles, smart textiles in military and defense, as well as functional textiles used in care and diagnosis of Covid-19. • Overview of smart textiles and their multidirectional applications • Materials, processes, advanced techniques, design and performance of smart fabrics • Fundamentals, advancements, current challenges and future perspectives of smart textiles. © 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.

Cu(II)(PhOMe-Salophen) Complex: Greener Pasture Biological Study, XRD/HAS Interactions, and MEP

Abstract: PhOMe-salophen (1b) (salophen is N,N-bis(salycilidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine with two tert-butyl on each ring) and Cu(II) complex with PhOMe-salophen (1c) have been synthesized and characterized using various tools, including X-ray diffraction for the Cu(II)-complex (1c, C43H52CuN2O3)). The copper complex has been obtained by Cu2+ templated approach using 1b. PhOMe-salophen (1b) has been obtained in reasonably high yield using a mixture of the Schiff-base, 1a, Pd(OAc)2, PPh3, Na2CO3, 4-methoxyphenylboronic acid in benzene. We focus in this research work on the electronic and structural properties of the Cu–Schiff base complex. The tetra-coordinate τ4 index was calculated, indicating almost a perfect square planner in agreement with X-ray diffraction results. MEP reveals the maximum positive regions in 1/-associated with the azomethine and methoxyphenyl C–H bonds with an average value of 0.03 a.u. Hirshfeld surface analysis (HSA) was also studied to highlight the significant inter-atomic contacts and their percentage contribution through 2D Fingerprint plot. In a fair comparative molecular docking study, 1b and 1c were docked together with N-[{(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-carbonyl}alanyl}-l-valyl]-N1-((1R,2Z)-4-(benzyloxy)-4-oxo-1-[{(3R)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl}methyl]but-2-enyl)-l-leucinamide, N3 against main protease Mpro, (PDB code 7BQY) using the same parameters and conditions. Interesting here to use the free energy, in silico, molecular docking approach, which aims to rank our molecules with respect to the well-known inhibitor, N3. The binding scores of 1b, 1c, N3 are –7.8, –9.0, and –8.4 kcal/mol, respectively. These preliminary results propose that ligands deserve additional study in the context of possible remedial agents for COVID-19. © 2022, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.

Landscape Determinants of Infectivity and Insights into Vaccine Development and Effectiveness-Novel Coronavirus

Novel technology has led to advanced approaches and understandings of viral biology, and the advent in previous years has raised the possibility of determination of mechanisms of viral replication and infection, trans-species adaption, and disease. The outbreak of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global life-threatening concern recently. The war against COVID19 has now reached the most critical point, whereby it has caused worldwide social and economic disruption. Unfortunately, limited knowledge persists among the community regarding the biology of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The present review will summarize the basic life cycle and replication of the well-studied coronaviruses, identifying the unique characteristics of coronavirus biology and highlighting critical points where research has made significant advances that might represent targets for antivirals or vaccines. Areas where rapid progress has been made in SARS-CoV research have been highlighted. Additionally, an overview of the efforts dedicated to an effective vaccine for this novel coronavirus, particularly different generations of vaccines, which has crippled the world, has also been discussed. Areas of concern for research in coronavirus replication, genetics, and pathogenesis have been explained as well. Speedy evaluation of multiple approaches to elicit protective immunity and safety is essential to curtail unwanted immune potentiation, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this virus. Hope is to provide a glimpse into the current efforts, and the progress is made with reference to Coronaviruses and how the community can work together to prevent and control coronavirus infection now and in the future. Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Service Evaluation of the Management of Acute Cholecystitis in the Royal Gwent Hospital Pre and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aim: NICE guidelines set out the criteria for the treatment of patients with acute cholecystitis and the operative timescales for cholecystectomy. These targets were greatly affected during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to assess the impact that COVID-19 had on patients presenting with acute cholecystitis at a busy district general hospital. June 2020, compared with patients who presented with the same in June 2019. Method: Patient cohorts were identified for matching seasons pre- and post-covid-19 (June 2019 and June 2020). Data of all patients who presented with acute cholecystitis was obtained using an electronic patient management system. Statistical analyses were performed using a Wilcoxon test. Results: The results of the study indicate that waiting times post-covid are going down (p<0.05). Thus, days until cholecystectomy have decreased but the number of patients being operated on too has decreased thus further worsening waiting times for elective patients. The median and IQR's of days to surgery post-covid are 198 (121.5-278) and pre-covid are 251 (89.5-586.5). Presentations of gallstone complications almost doubled post-covid and the percentage of patients operated on decreased by over 20%. Conclusions: It is clear from the data that the NICE guidance on the management of acute cholecystitis has been difficult to adhere to during the pandemic. While the time from diagnosis to operation has reduced post-covid the total number of operations has decreased drastically, putting further strain on elective waiting lists. This, inevitably, will result in further presentations of complications from gallstones and adverse patient outcomes.

Dead Bodies - A Potential Source of Infection for COVID -19

The recent Covid-19 pandemic has raised a lot of questions regarding the mode of transmission of the virus. The rapid spread across the globe has compelled researchers to focus on this issue. Theories claiming droplet transmission, fbmites as well as airborne transmission have cropped up. The primary concern for the autopsy surgeons is whether the dead bodies harbor the virus and if so for how long. The present study was undertaken to find out the possibility of the virus being isolated from the human cadavers by testing at specified intervals after death. Out of the 74 cases examined, 59.5% of cases tested positive 1 day after death and 20.5% were still positive 5 days after death. The diflerence between males and females was not significant. The age of the subjects in our study ranged from 20 days to 90 years. The results of the study clearly indicate that the virus persists in the human cadavers for a sufficient period of time to act as a potential source of infection. Adequate precautionary measures while packing the body and autopsy examination are of utmost essential to prevent the spread of the disease among the dead body handlers and the family members while performing the last rites © 2022. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine.All Rights Reserved.

Potential Benefit of Masking and Other COVID-19 Infection Prevention Measures on Late-onset Infectionsin theNICU

Background: The incidence of nosocomial blood stream infections (BSI) among NICU admissions remains high, with significant mortality and morbidity. Due to COVID-19, there are increased infection prevention (IP) measures in NICUs including universal masking for all healthcare workers and families, social distancing, visitation restrictions, and increased attention to hand hygiene. These measures may also affect late-onset infection rates and offer understanding of novel interventions for prevention. Methods: We examined infection rates from three neonatal centers during the 24 months prior to implementation of COVID-19 IP measures (PRE-period) compared to the months after implementation from April 2020 (POST-period). Late-onset infections were defined as cultureconfirmed infection of the blood, urine, and other sterile fluids or identification of respiratory viral pathogens. An interrupted time series analysis of infection per 1000 patient days was performed based on a change-point Poisson regression with a lagged dependent variable and the number of patient days used as offsets. Each month was treated as independent with additional analysis using an observation-driven model to account for serial dependence. Results: Multicenter analysis to date included all infants cared for at three centers (Level 3 and 4) from 2018-2020. Monthly BSI rates decreased in the POSTperiod at the three centers (Figure 1). At all centers actual BSI rate was lower than the expected rate in the POST-period (Figure 2). The combined BSI rate per 1000 patient days was 41% lower compared to the rate prior to implementation (95% CI, 0.42 to 0.84, P = 0.004). In subgroup analysis of BSI by birthweight, during the POST-period there was a 39% reduction in infants < 1000g (P = 0.023), a 44% decrease for 1000-1500g patients (P = 0.292) and a 53% decrease in those > 1500g (0.083). Examining single center data from the University of Virginia through March 2021, there was a 36% decrease in all late-onset infections (BSI, UTI, Viral, and peritonitis) (95% CI, 0.46 to 0.90, P=0.011). Conclusion: In this preliminary analysis, we found a reduction of BSI after the implementation of COVID-19 infection prevention measures. Additionally, there were fewer viral infections, though there were a limited number of episodes. Further analyses of multicenter data and a larger number of patients from all 12 centers of our study network will elucidate the significance of these findings and the role some of these IP measures, such as universal masking, may have in infection prevention in the NICU (Supported in part by Grant Funding from the Gerber Foundation).

The effectiveness of online virtual teaching for improving neurophobia in pre-clinical medical students

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of virtual peer teaching in easing neurophobia among preclinical medical students at Cardiff University. Design: Quantitative research. Subjects: 94 Year two medical students at Cardiff University. Methods: An evaluative study was conducted to assess the prevalence of neurophobia and the effects of our teaching on it. This was assessed by comparing confidence, anxiety, and neurophobia levels pre-and post-session on a 5-point Likert scale. The quantitative data were collected based on thematic questions (anatomy, physiology, radiology, bone disease, and pathology) relevant to the session with only one correct answer for each question. Results: 62.7% of the students found neurological and neurosurgical concepts the most difficult to learn in medical school (3.70 ± 1.77). We found that the reported scores of neurophobia (3.22 ± 1.60 to 1.39 ± 1.72) and anxiety (3.59 ± 1.71 to 2.99 ± 1.58) decreased, while confidence (2.79 ± 1.60 to 3.71 ± 1.77) increased after one virtual teaching session. We also saw an overall average increase in knowledge across all five quantitative domains by 20.7%. Conclusions: Neurophobia remains rife amongst medical students, even in their preclinical years. Despite difficulties with face-to-face teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, our results strongly indicate that virtual teaching sessions can effectively alleviate neurophobia and improve clinical neuroscience knowledge.1,2.

Subclinical left and right ventricular dysfunction in COVID-19 recovered patients using speckle tracking echocardiography

Introduction: Myocardial injury during acute COVID-19 infection is well characterised however, its persistence during recovery is unclear. Purpose: We assessed left ventricle (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) and right ventricular (RV) free wall longitudinal strain and RV global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS) using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in COVID-19 recovered patients (30-45 days post recovery) and studied its correlation with various parameters. Methods: of the 245 subjects screened, a total of 53 subjects recovered from COVID-19 infection and normal LV ejection fraction were enrolled. Routine blood investigations, inflammatory markers (on admission) and comprehensive echocardiography including STE were done for all. Results: All the 53 subjects were symptomatic during COVID-19 illness and were categorized as mild: 27 (50.9%), moderate: 20 (37.7%) and severe: 6 (11.4%) COVID-19 illness. Reduced LV GLS was reported in 22 (41.5%), reduced RV-GLS in 23 (43.4%) and reduced RVFWS in 22 (41.5%) patients respectively. LVGLS was significantly lower in patients recovered from severe illness (mild: -20.3 ± 1.7%;moderate: -15.3 ± 3.4%;severe: -10.7 ± 5.1%;P < 0.0001). Similarly, RVGLS (mild: -21.8 ± 2.8%;moderate: -16.8 ± 4.8%;severe: -9.7 ± 4.6%;P < 0.0001) and RVFWS (mild: -23.0 ± 4.1%;moderate: -18.1 ± 5.5%;severe: -9.3 ± 4.4%;P < 0.0001) were significantly lower in subjects with severe COVID-19. Subjects with reduced LVGLS as well as RVGLS and RVFWS had significantly higher interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and serum ferritin levels during index admission. Conclusions: Subclinical LV and RV dysfunction was seen in majority of COVID-19 recovered patients. Patients with severe disease during index admission had far lower LV and RVGLS as compared to mild and moderate cases. Our study highlights the need for close follow-up of COVID-19 recovered subjects in order to determine the long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Heart rate variability in post-covid-19 recovered subjects using machine learning

Introduction: A significant proportion of patients recovering from COVID-19 infection experience symptoms attributable to autonomic cardiovascular dysregulation. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive marker of cardiovascular dysautonomia. Machine learning (ML) models based on HRV can be used to identify post COVID-19 patients with autonomic dysfunction. Methods: We evaluated HRV and blood pressure (BP) responses to orthostatic stress (3-min active standing) in 92 patients within 30-45 days of recovery from COVID-19 infection and 120 healthy controls. HRV was evaluated based on 12-lead electrocardiogram over a 60 second period during supine paced breathing. Lead II was used to extract ECG features including (a) average RR interval, (b) R wave height, (c) Heart Rate (HR) standard deviation and (d) HRV root mean square [HRVRMS]. We also assed for (1) orthostatic hypotension (OH;>20/10 mmHg fall in BP) and (2) postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS;HR increase >30 bpm without OH). Using ML, eleven candidate features were tested with eight algorithms (logistic regression, RandomForests, CatBoost, XGBoost, Extra-tree classifier, Multiple Perceptron (ANN), Support Vector Machines and AdaBoost Classifier) to distinguish between COVID-19 recovered and healthy controls. Results: HRV was significantly lower in post COVID-19 recovered subjects as compared to healthy controls (6.25+4.9 ms vs 9.8+8.9 ms;P<0.001). OH was reported in 12 patients (13.1%) while two patients (2.2%) had POTS. Patients with OH had a significantly lower HRV as compared to those without OH (3.29+3.16 ms vs 6.69+5.01 ms;P=0.025). Accuracy of various ML models varied between 67-80% with multiple perceptron being top model [80% weighted accuracy, AUC: 79.8%, Matthews's correlation coefficient: 0.59]. Permutation importance feature ranking showed HRV, Average RR and HR to be top feature that distinguish between COVID-19 recovered and healthy controls. Conclusions: A significant proportion of COVID-19 recovered patients experienced autonomic dysfunction as evident by lower HRV and presence of OH and POTS. ML model can help in early identification of autonomic dysfunction thereby leading to proper management in these patients.

Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in covid-19 recovered patients using speckle tracking echocardiography

Introduction: Myocardial injury during active coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection is well described however, its persistence during recovery is unclear. We assessed left ventricle (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in COVID-19 recovered patients and studied its correlation with various parameters. Methods: A total of 134 subjects within 30-45 days post recovery from COVID-19 infection and normal LV ejection fraction were enrolled. Routine blood investigations, inflammatory markers (on admission) and comprehensive echocardiography including STE were done for all subjects. Results: Of the 134 subjects, 121 (90.3%) were symptomatic during COVID-19 illness and were categorized into mild: 61 (45.5%), moderate: 50 (37.3%) and severe: 10 (7.5%) COVID-19 illness groups. Asymptomatic COVID-19 infection was reported in 13 (9.7%) patients. Subclinical LV and right ventricle (RV) dysfunction were seen in 40 (29.9%) and 14 (10.5%) patients respectively. Impaired LVGLS was reported in 1 (7.7%), 8 (13.1%), 22 (44%) and 9 (90%) subjects with asymptomatic, mild, moderate and severe disease respectively. LVGLS was significantly lower in patients recovered from severe illness (mild:-21 ± 3.4%;moderate:-18.1 ± 6.9%;severe:-15.5 ± 3.1%;P < 0.0001). Subjects with reduced LVGLS had significantly high interleukin-6 (P < 0.0001), C-reactive protein (P = 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.009) and serum ferritin (P = 0.03) levels during index admission. Conclusions: Subclinical LV dysfunction was seen in nearly a third of recovered COVID-19 patients while 10.5% had RV dysfunction. Our study suggests a need of close follow-up among COVID-19 recovered subjects to elucidate long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Bortezomib-Pomalidomide-Dexamethasone (VPD) As Novel Induction Therapy in Newly-Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Early Safety Data from an Ongoing Single Arm Phase-II Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trial (PRIME Study)

Introduction: Pomalidomide is a third-generation immunomodulatory drug approved for relapsed and/or refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM). In the phase 3 OPTIMISMM trial, pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone demonstrated superior efficacy in patients with RRMM. PRIME study (CTRI/2019/10/021618) is testing this combination in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) Aim: To determine safety of Pomalidomide in combination with Bortezomib and dexamethasone (VPD) in NDMM Study design: A prospective, single arm, phase II study from a tertiary center. Both transplant eligible and ineligible patients with NDMM aged between 18-70 years are being recruited in the study. Patients with Plasma cell leukemia, POEMS and amyloidosis were excluded. The regimen consists of weekly Bortezomib 1.3mg/sq.m (subcutaneous), Tab. Pomalidomide 2-4mg once daily for 21days, and Tab Dexamethasone 20mg twice weekly, with the cycle repeating every 28 days, 9-12 cycles. Here we report the adverse events (AE) by NCI CTCAE v5.0, upon recruiting 26 patients, as predetermined in the study. Results: Of the proposed 45-50 patients, 26 patients were enrolled in the study between April 2020 to May 2021 and 23 (88.4%) have completed 4 cycles of VPD. The median age is 55years (18-70), and gender ratio 1:1. At disease presentation, bone lesions were the commonest (96.2%, n=25), IMWG high risk cytogenetics were seen in 42.4% (n=11), RISS-2 in 69.3% (n=18), IgG kappa paraproteinemia in 54% (n=14) patients and ECOG performance score 2-3 in 57.6%(n=15). Ten (38.5%) patients have completed 9 cycles, and 3 underwent auto-transplant (between Cycle 4 & 6). Protocol adherence was 96.1% (25/26 patients). Table-1 shows drug-induced toxicity, hematological toxicities were the commonest. Two patients withdrew consent in view of bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy. Serious adverse events (SAE) were reported in 9 (34.6%) patients and were considered unrelated to the regimen by the safety committee (PSVT=1, Bony pain=2, dyspnea=1, pneumonia=1, constipation=1, diarrhea=1, hypotension=1) and one death due to SARS-CoV2 pneumonia. Treatment delays of 2 weeks in 4 patients (SARS-CoV2 = 3, Syncope = 1) After 4 cycles (n=23), 6 (26%) patients were in stringent Complete Response (sCR), 17(74%) in Very Good partial response (VGPR) and 13 (56.5%) are Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) negative. Of 10 patients who completed cycle 9, 9 were MRD negative and 1 showed disease progression. Conclusion: Safety data from the PRIME study demonstrates that VPD regimen has a favorable tolerance profile in patients with NDMM. Early efficacy signals are encouraging, and recruitment continues. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Radhakrishnan: Dr Reddy's Laboratories: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Emcure Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding;Intas Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding;Janssen India: Honoraria;NATCO Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding;Novartis India: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Roche India: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding;AstraZeneca India: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Bristol-Myers-Squibb India: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding;Cipla Pharmaceuticals India: Research Funding;Aurigene: Speakers Bureau. Garg: Dr Reddys Laboratories: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Nair: Dr Reddy's Laboratories: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Intas pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Mylan pharmaceuticals: Honoraria;Novartis India: Honoraria;Fresenius Kabi India: Honoraria;Cipla Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau;Janssen India: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Chandy: Janssen: Honoraria;Pfizer: Honoraria;Intas Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.

The management of severe aortic stenosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study comparing TAVI and SAVR

Introduction: Outcomes and characteristics of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) treated during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. Methods: This was a single-centre observational study of patients undergoing AS treatment with transcatheter (TAVI) or surgical (SAVR) therapy during the first-wave of the UK COVID-19 pandemic compared to a control cohort undergoing treatment in 2019. Demographics, baseline echocardiogram, CT, procedural characteristics and outcome data were collated. The primary outcome was 30-day allcause mortality. The secondary endpoint was duration of post-procedural hospitalisation. Results: 319 patients were recruited - 122 underwent intervention during the pandemic [73 TAVI;49 SAVR] and 197 in 2019 [127 TAVI;70 SAVR]. In 2020, TAVI patients had a higher Euroscore II (p<0.001) but there were no differences in procedural complications or mortality [p=0.16] compared to TAVI 2019 cases. Duration from TAVI to discharge was shorter in 2020 (p<0.001). SAVR 2020 patients had similar baseline profile [p=0.48], surgical characteristics, mortality (p=0.68) and duration from SAVR to discharge compared to those in 2019. During the pandemic, TAVI patients were older (p<0.001) and had a higher Euroscore II (p<0.001) than SAVR counterparts. TAVI patients had reduced 30-day mortality [0 (0%) vs 3 (6%);p=0.06] and were discharged more rapidly post-intervention than SAVR patients [median 1 [1] vs 7 [4] days;p<0.001) translating into shorter hospitalization (p<0.001). Conclusions: TAVI and SAVR can be safely delivered with predictable resource utilisation during a pandemic. Despite the TAVI cohort incorporating higher risk, older patients, outcomes were at least as good as SAVR with a shorter length of post-procedural hospitalisation.

Using explainable deep learning in da Vinci Xi robot for tumor detection

Deep learning has proved successful in computer-aided detection in interpreting ultrasound images, COVID infections, identifying tumors from computed tomography (CT) scans for humans and animals. This paper proposes applications of deep learning in detecting cancerous cells inside patients via laparoscopic camera on da Vinci Xi surgical robots. The paper presents method for detecting tumor via object detection and classification/localizing using GRAD-CAM. Localization means heat map is drawn on the image highlighting the classified class. Analyzing images collected from publicly available partial robotic nephrectomy videos, for object detection, the final mAP was 0.974 and for classification the accuracy was 0.84.

Indian Power System Operations during NCOVID-19 Pandemic

The NCOVID-19 pandemic has been an unforeseen calamity which affected almost all the countries in the world. On March 11, 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) declared NCOVID-19 as a pandemic. The Government of India (GOI) took several actions to control the spread of the pandemic in the country and issued several guidelines for public and organizations. The adversity caused by pandemic required continuity of electric supply to consumers. The latter was achieved through proper planning and execution. The Indian Power System Operator, POSOCO through its National and Regional Load Dispatch Centers (NLDC and RLDCs) assessed the situation early and took all planned efforts for the Indian power system operation which is essential for keeping 'lights ON' during these hours of crisis. Strategic team at the top management level and tactical teams at the individual control center level were formed to handle any unforeseen circumstances. This paper has discussed the various actions taken by POSOCO during NCOVID-19 scenario and impact of it on Indian power system. Impact of exceptional events as faced during pandemic period, like, Janata Curfew, Lights-Off event, Super Cyclonic Storms 'Amphan', 'Nisarga', and Solar eclipse is also discussed in the paper. The insights gained during these events may enhance the capability to envisage and handle such multiple high impact low probability events in the future. © 2021 IEEE.

Binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the avb6 Integrins May Promote Severe COVID in Patients with IPF

RATIONALE: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have worse outcomes following COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) spike protein (S1) harbors an RGD motif in its receptor-binding domain (RBD). Although SARS-CoV-2 is to exploit human Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors for cell entry. Single Cell RNA-seq showed that normal lung expresses low levels of ACE2 with very low expression (1.5%) in Alveolar type 2 epithelial cells. It is possible that SARS-CoV-2 needs a cellular co-receptor, which could include integrins, to promote alveolar cell internalization and pneumonitis.METHODS: Solid-phase binding assays were used to investigate S1 binding to ACE2 or αv containing integrins. Pseudovirus entry assays were used to measure the internalization of SARS-CoV-2 into Human embryonic kidney 293T cells expressing different combinations of potential receptors. RNAscope was used to visualize the co-localization of SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, and integrin mRNAs. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of αvβ6 integrins and ACE2 in lung tissue.RESULTS: Binding assays demonstrated that the RGD containing αvβ3 and αvβ6 integrins bound robustly to the SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit of Spike protein and overexpression of the αvβ6 integrin modestly augments ACE2 mediated SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviral entry into epithelial cells. In COVID-19 damaged lung ACE2 levels are low but the αvβ6 integrin levels are increased in alveolar epithelium whereas both ACE2 and αvβ6 integrin are increased in lung sections from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis compared with normal lung samples. CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit can bind αvβ6 integrins augmenting ACE2-dependent internalization of pseudovirus. In IPF patients, ACE2 levels and αvβ6 integrin levels are increased. Increased binding of the SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 and the αvβ6 integrin within fibrotic lung may explain the increased risk of severe COVID in patients with IPF.

The novel coronavirus sars-cov-2 binds rgd Integrins and upregulates avb3 integrins in Covid-19 infected lungs

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 utilizes Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors to internalize cells, which are expressed in the nasal and ocular mucosa, and at low levels in the pulmonary epithelium. Despite significant sequence similarities there are substantial differences in transmission dynamics and clinical phenotype between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S1), which is used to internalize cells, contains RGD integrin binding domains which are not present within SARS-CoV-1 S1. We investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 S1 binds integrins while exploring mechanisms that might upregulate ACE2 expression to help explain SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and associated respiratory disease. Lung cell line ACE2 expression was determined using QPCR and western blotting, and in primary lung cells using single cell RNAseq data from publicly available datasets. The effect of IL6 and TGFb on ACE2 expression levels in lung epithelial cells and precision cut lung slices (PCLS) was explored. Solid phase binding assays were used to investigate S1 binding to ACE2 or av containing integrins. Immunohistochemistry was used to stain sections of COVID-19 infected lung tissue for ACE2 and av containing integrins. Single Cell RNA-seq showed that normal lung expresses low levels of ACE2 and only a small proportion of Alveolar type 2 epithelial cells are ACE2 positive (1.5%). Supporting this we found low level ACE2 mRNA and protein expression in small airway epithelial cells, immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (iHBECs) and A549 cells. IL6 had no effect on ACE2 mRNA or protein expression in the above cells, nor did it affect ACE2 protein in PCLS. TGFb increased ACE2 mRNA in iHBECs and increased ACE2 protein in PCLS. Binding assays demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 S1 binds avb3 and avb6 integrins in an RGD dependent manner, albeit with a lower affinity than to ACE2. Crucially avb3 integrins are upregulated in COVID-19 infected lung tissue, whereas ACE2 levels remain low even in patients with high viral RNA and protein expression in alveolar tissue. Our data suggests SARS-CoV-2 is able to bind integrins, and may utlise this mechanism to facilitate internalization into lung epithelial cells, which may help explain severe pathology despite low ACE2 expression levels in the lung.

Potential Applications of Mobile and Wearable Devices for Psychological Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic that has been raging in 2020 does affect not only the physical state but also the mental health of the general population, particularly, that of the healthcare workers. Given the unprecedented large-scale impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital technology has gained momentum as invaluable social interaction and health tracking tools in this time of great turmoil, in part due to the imposed state-wide mobilization limitations to mitigate the risk of infection that might arise from in-person socialization or hospitalization. Over the last five years, there has been a notable increase in the demand and usage of mobile and wearable devices as well as their adoption in studies of mental fitness. The purposes of this scoping review are to summarize evidence on the sweeping impact of COVID-19 on mental health as well as to evaluate the merits of the devices for remote psychological support. We conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted a significant toll on the mental health of the population, leading to an upsurge in reports of pathological stress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. It is also clear that mobile and wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches and fitness trackers) are well placed for identifying and targeting individuals with these psychological burdens in need of intervention. However, we found that most of the previous studies used research-gradewearable devices that are difficult to afford for the normal consumer due to their high cost. Thus, the possibility of replacing the research-grade wearable devices with the current smartwatch is also discussed.

Mindfulness: a traditional Buddhist wisdom to cope with the COVID-19 situation

Traditional Buddhist wisdom is always universal and relevant for mankind in overcoming suffering, also in disaster situations. Mindfulness as a traditional Buddhist practice has become popular in academic research as well as in public domain during the past three decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has landed us in a lot of anxiety, stress, worry, as well as other unforeseen physical, social, emotional, and economic severities. In this situation, we have a challenge to maintain mental strength, stability and togetherness to cope with this situation. The present paper explores the relevance of mindfulness along with its benefits and mentioning some practices for everyday life in reducing stress, anxiety, fear, worry, unnecessary panic towards any threat as well as improving mental health and well-being.

Host response to sars-cov-2: Insight from transcriptomic studies

In the recent months, a number of transcriptomic studies have generated high-resolution data on the genes and pathways that are dysregulated in the patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and enriched our understanding of the disease biology of this novel viral infection. The cumulative evidence collected from these data are considered in this article. Three motifs emerge with potential for future research and clinical translation. First, instead of a broad cytokine storm, one needs to interrogate the disease in terms of timing of specific cytokine up-regulation. Second, there is a subpopulation of immature or developing neutrophils in the patients with severe COVID-19 illness. This needs to be probed further for mechanistic insight and possible drug targets. Third, complement and coagulation cascades are significantly dysregulated in COVID-19, leading to the common clinical observation of a hypercoagulable state being associated with poor outcome. Interactions of these pathways with other immune-inflammatory pathways are important areas of future research. Finally, with rapid advances in relevant technologies in medicine (clinical transcriptomics, systems biology and artificial intelligence), we envisage deployment of these platforms in the clinical laboratory which shall benefit timely management of critical infectious illnesses such as COVID-19 and sepsis. © 2021, National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources. All rights reserved.