Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 39
Filter
1.
Water ; 15(4):710.0, 2023.
Article in English | MDPI | ID: covidwho-2237186

ABSTRACT

A region's population growth inevitably results in higher water consumption. This persistent rise in water use increases the region's wastewater production. Consequently, due to this increase in wastewater (influent), Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are required to run effectively in order to handle the huge demand for treated/processed water (effluent). Knowing in advance the influent and effluent parameters increases the operational efficiency and enables cost-effective utilization of diverse resources at wastewater treatment plants. This paper is based on a prediction/forecasting of an influent quality parameter, namely total MLD, as well as effluent quality parameters, namely MPN, BOD, DO, COD and pH for the real-time data collected pre-, during and post-COVID-19 at the Bharwara WWTP in Lucknow, India. It is the largest UASB-based wastewater treatment facility in Uttar Pradesh and the second largest in Asia. In this paper, we propose a novel model namely, wPred comprising extensions of SARIMA with seasonal order and ANN-based ML models to estimate the influent and effluent quality parameters, respectively, and compare it with the existing machine learning models. The lowest sMAPE error for the influent parameters using wPred is 2.59%. The findings of the paper show a strong correlation (R-value), up to 0.99, between the effluent parameters actually measured and predicted. As a result, the model designed in this paper has an acceptable level of accuracy and generalizability which efficiently predicts/ forecasts the performance of Bharwara WWTP.

2.
Curr Diabetes Rev ; 2022 Aug 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2002398

ABSTRACT

The lack of currently available drugs for the treatment of diabetes complications has stimulated our interest in finding new Aldose Reductase inhibitors (ARIs) with more beneficial biological properties. One metabolic method by the use of aldose reductase inhibitors in the first step of the polyol pathway. to control excess glucose flux in diabetic tissues. Computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) plays a key role in finding and optimizing potential lead substances. AR inhibitors (ARI) have been widely discussed in the literature, for example, Epalrestat is currently the only ARI used to treat patients with diabetic neuropathy in Japan, India, and China. Inhibiting R in patients with severe to moderate diabetic autonomic neuropathy has a beneficial effect on heart rate variability. AT-001, an AR inhibitor, is now being tested in COVID-19 to see how safe and effective it is at reducing inflammation and cardiac damage. In summary, these results from animal and human studies strongly indicate that AR can cause cardiovascular complications in diabetes. The current multi-center, large-scale randomized human study of the newly developed powerful ARI may prove its role in diabetic cardiovascular disease to establish therapeutic potential. During the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in 2019, diabetes and cardiovascular disease were risk factors for severely negative clinical outcomes in patients with COVID19. New data shows that diabetes and obesity are among the strongest predictors of COVID-19 hospitalization. Patients and risk factors for severe morbidity and mortality of COVID- 19.

3.
Ann Pediatr Cardiol ; 15(1): 4-12, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1911858

ABSTRACT

Background: Neurodevelopmental abnormalities are common in congenital heart disease (CHD), more so in cyanotic CHDs. Perioperative factors have been known to affect neurodevelopmental outcomes. Aim: We aimed to determine the neurodevelopmental outcomes following open-heart surgery in cyanotic CHD. Methods: In this prospective observational study, eligible infants and children ≤21 months with cyanotic CHD planned for open-heart surgery underwent preoperative neurodevelopmental assessment using Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants (DASII) to look for any motor and/or mental delay. A second neurodevelopmental assessment was performed after 9 months ± 2 weeks of cardiac surgery. Follow-up DASII was conducted through interactive video conferencing in 23 of 60 patients due to COVID-19 pandemic. The univentricular and biventricular repair groups were compared in terms of their neurodevelopmental outcomes. Perioperative factors were compared between neurodevelopmental "delay" and "no delay" groups. Results: Of the 89 children enrolled, preoperative motor and mental delay were present in 29 and 24 children, respectively. Follow-up DASII could be performed in 60 children. At follow-up, motor delay was present in seven and mental delay in four children. Overall, there was a significant improvement in both motor and mental developmental quotient at follow-up. There was no significant difference in either motor or mental domains between univentricular and biventricular groups. Among the perioperative variables, only the postoperative length of stay in intensive care unit was significantly different between neurodevelopmental "delay" and "no delay" groups (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental delay occurred substantially among unoperated children with cyanotic CHD. The neurodevelopmental status improved significantly following open-heart surgery among the survivors. Delay was associated with length of stay in intensive care following cardiac surgery.

5.
J Hosp Leis Sport Tour Educ ; 30: 100360, 2022 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1907293

ABSTRACT

Academic research in tourism and hospitality sector adds value directly to the way the industry grows and develops. Scholars in this area struggle with the pressures to publish in high ranking journals. The present study attempts to help doctoral students and tourism educators in identifying emerging themes in the tourism and hospitality arising out after COVID-19 pandemic. Using bibliometric analysis, five broad areas of emerging research themes are identified. Such research would further help managers, tourism related state administrators, and firm owners to recover from the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the industry across the world.

6.
Nanoscale ; 14(23): 8291-8305, 2022 Jun 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1873563

ABSTRACT

The envelope (E) protein encoded in the genome of an RNA virus is crucial for the replication, budding and pathophysiology of the virus. In the light of the ongoing pandemic, we explored similarities/differences between SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 E protein ion channels in terms of their selectivity. Further, we also examined the impact of variation of the bath concentration and introduction of potential and concentration gradients across the channel on the binding ratios of sodium and chloride ions for the SARS-CoV-2 E protein. Ion transport is described through the fourth-order Poisson-Nernst-Planck-Bikerman (4PNPBik) model which generalizes the traditional model by including ionic interactions between ions and their surrounding medium and non-ionic interactions between particles due to their finite size. Governing equations are solved numerically using the immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method (IB-LBM). The mathematical model has been validated by comparing analytical and experimental ion activity. The SARS-CoV-1 E protein ion channel is found to be more permeable to cationic ions, while the SARS-CoV-2 E protein has similar selectivity for both cationic and anionic species. For SARS-CoV-2, an increase in the bath concentration results in an increase in the binding ratio for sodium ions. Furthermore, the chloride binding ratio increases as the concentration gradient increases. A potential gradient has a minimal effect on the binding ratio. The SARS-CoV-2 E protein was found to support higher ionic currents than the SARS-CoV-1 E protein. Furthermore, the ionic current increased with increasing bath concentrations.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Chlorides , Humans , Ion Channels , Ion Transport , Sodium
7.
Journal of Experimental Zoology, India ; 25(1):575-580, 2022.
Article in English | GIM | ID: covidwho-1837795

ABSTRACT

Present world! If we utter these words in the present scenario, they will reflect with their truest meaning even in the mind of a lay man of a country. Yes, this is the impact of the Corona Virus Pandemic 2019 which has made the whole world stand in the same line today. We are feeling globally, watching globally and learning globally. COVID -19 Pandemic causes deadly effects on human populations all over the world. Millions of deaths have occurred and more than billions are suffering from this deadly disease. Present study is based on the effects of Pandemic Covid -19 on environment and Human society. On environment issues we focus on the hydrological study of river Ganga near Bijnor District and on wild life. Social aspect specially focuses on the behavioral changes in human beings during lockdown period. Study indicates that all living beings, except human feel happy during lock down. This chapter includes analysis of water quality of lotic system and ethological changes of the animals. Results indicate that significant changes occur in aquatic life and the noticeable changes were found in the behavior of human beings.

8.
Comput Biol Med ; 142: 105231, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1616436

ABSTRACT

The advent and persistence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic since December 2019 has created the largest public health emergency in over a century. Despite the administration of multiple vaccines across the globe, there continues to be a lack of approved efficacious non-prophylactic interventions for the disease. Flavonoids are a class of phytochemicals with historically established antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties that are effective against cancers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and even other human coronaviruses. To identify the most promising bioactive flavonoids against the SARS-CoV-2, this article screened a virtual library of 46 bioactive flavonoids against three promising targets in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle: human TMPRSS2 protein, 3CLpro, and PLpro. By examining the effects of glycosylation and other structural-activity relationships, the presence of sugar moiety in flavonoids significantly reduces its binding energy. It increases the solubility of flavonoids leading to reduced toxicity and higher bioavailability. Through protein-ligand contact profiling, it was concluded that naringin formed more hydrogen bonds with TMPRSS2 and 3CLpro. In contrast, hesperidin formed a more significant number of hydrogen bonds with PLpro. These observations were complimented by the 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy analysis, which showed a considerable stability of docked bioflavonoids in the active site of SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. Finally, the binding affinity and stability of the selected docked complexes were compared with the reference ligands (camostat for TMPRSS2, GC376 for 3CLpro, and GRL0617 for PLpro) that strongly inhibit their respective SARS-COV-2 targets. Overall analysis revealed that the selected flavonoids could be potential therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2. Naringin showed better affinity and stability for TMPRSS2 and 3CLpro, whereas hesperidin showed a better binding relationship and stability for PLpro.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Aniline Compounds , Animals , Benzamides , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Humans , Life Cycle Stages , Molecular Docking Simulation , Naphthalenes , SARS-CoV-2
10.
COVID-19: Tackling Global Pandemics through Scientific and Social Tools ; : 85-96, 2022.
Article in English | ScienceDirect | ID: covidwho-1509453

ABSTRACT

The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in various countries varies in different manners, depending on the demographic and climatic conditions. This needs expediting better strategies to combat the novel coronavirus and also the emergence of new viral strains in the future. Our in-depth analysis suggests the spread of COVID-19 cases worldwide, the timeline of spread among most affected countries as of September 3, 2020. Evaluation of the climatic conditions in 2-week interval is carried out. The study recorded most of the countries getting affected by COVID-19 belong to the range of 25–35°C maximum temperature, 20–30°C minimum temperature, and 60%–80% relative humidity. To get a more generalized view on the spread, the study explored the temperature distribution of affected countries and chronicled in both minimum and maximum temperatures so that the number of COVID-19 cases mostly follows a lognormal distribution. In different ranges of relative humidity, not a single distribution is obtained to explain the spread of COVID-19 cases worldwide. A comparison between theoretic and descriptive parameters is also done to support the spread of COVID-19.

11.
Rheumatol Int ; 42(3): 477-484, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1473997

ABSTRACT

To study the clinical, laboratory characteristics and outcomes of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) temporally related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a resource-limited setting. All children meeting the World Health Organization case definition of MIS-C were prospectively enrolled. Baseline clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Enrolled subjects were followed up for 4-6 weeks for evaluation of cardiac outcomes using echocardiography. The statistical data were analyzed using the stata-12 software. Thirty-one children with MIS-C were enrolled in an 11-month period. Twelve children had preexisting chronic systemic comorbidity. Fever was a universal finding; gastrointestinal and respiratory manifestations were noted in 70.9% and 64.3%, respectively, while 57.1% had a skin rash. Fifty-eight percent of children presented with shock, and 22.5% required mechanical ventilation. HSP like rash, gangrene and arthritis were uncommon clinical observations.The median duration of hospital stay was 9 (6.5-18.5) days: four children with preexisting comorbidities succumbed to the illness. The serum ferritin levels (ng/ml) [median (IQR)] were significantly higher in non-survivors as compared to survivors [1061 (581, 2750) vs 309.5 (140, 720.08), p value = 0.045]. Six patients had coronary artery involvement; five recovered during follow-up, while one was still admitted. Twenty-six children received immunomodulatory drugs, and five improved without immunomodulation. The choice of immunomodulation (steroids or intravenous immunoglobulin) did not affect the outcome. Most children with MIS-C present with acute hemodynamic and respiratory symptoms.The outcome is favorable in children without preexisting comorbidities.Raised ferritin level may be a poor prognostic marker. The coronary outcomes at follow-up were reassuring.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , COVID-19/complications , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/etiology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/drug therapy , Treatment Outcome
12.
Pathogens ; 10(10)2021 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1444290

ABSTRACT

Throughout the course of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic there has been a need for approaches that enable rapid monitoring of public health using an unbiased and minimally invasive means. A major way this has been accomplished is through the regular assessment of wastewater samples by qRT-PCR to detect the prevalence of viral nucleic acid with respect to time and location. Further expansion of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring efforts to include the detection of variants of interest/concern through next-generation sequencing has enhanced the understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. In this report, we detail the results of a collaborative effort between public health and metropolitan wastewater management authorities and the University of Louisville to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic through the monitoring of aggregate wastewater samples over a period of 28 weeks. Through the use of next-generation sequencing approaches the polymorphism signatures of Variants of Concern/Interest were evaluated to determine the likelihood of their prevalence within the community on the basis of their relative dominance within sequence datasets. Our data indicate that wastewater monitoring of water quality treatment centers and smaller neighborhood-scale catchment areas is a viable means by which the prevalence and genetic variation of SARS-CoV-2 within a metropolitan community of approximately one million individuals may be monitored, as our efforts detected the introduction and emergence of variants of concern in the city of Louisville. Importantly, these efforts confirm that regional emergence and spread of variants of interest/concern may be detected as readily in aggregate wastewater samples as compared to the individual wastewater sheds. Furthermore, the information gained from these efforts enabled targeted public health efforts including increased outreach to at-risk communities and the deployment of mobile or community-focused vaccination campaigns.

13.
Ann Pediatr Cardiol ; 14(3): 269-277, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1395103

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Outcome data of children with heart disease who acquired COVID-19 infection are limited. AIMS: We sought to analyze outcome data and identify risk factors associated with mortality in children with heart disease and grown-ups with congenital heart disease (GUCH) who had a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective, multicentric, observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included children with heart disease and GUCH population, who presented with either symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection to any of the participating centers. COVID-19-negative patients admitted to these centers constituted the control group. RESULTS: From 24 pediatric cardiac centers across India, we included 94 patients with a median age of 12.5 (interquartile range 3-96) months and 49 (52.1%) patients were males. Majority (83 patients, 88.3%) were children. One-third of the patients (n = 31, 33.0%) had acyanotic congenital heart disease, and 41.5% (n = 39) were cyanotic, with > 80% of the patients being unoperated. Only 30 (31.9%) patients were symptomatic for COVID-19 infection, while the rest were incidentally detected positive on screening. A total of 13 patients died (case fatality rate: 13.8%). The in-hospital mortality rate among hospitalized patients was significantly higher among COVID-19-positive cases (13 of 48; 27.1%) as compared to COVID-negative admissions (9.2%) during the study period (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of mortality among COVID-19-positive cases were severity of illness at admission (odds ratio [OR]: 535.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.9-41,605, P = 0.005) and lower socioeconomic class (OR: 29.5, 95% CI: 1.1-814.7, P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Children with heart disease are at a higher risk of death when they acquire COVID-19 infection. Systematic preventive measures and management strategies are needed for improving the outcomes.

14.
Ann Pediatr Cardiol ; 14(3): 260-268, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1395102

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted pediatric cardiac services across the globe. Limited data are available on the impact of COVID.19 on pediatric cardiac care in India. AIMS: The aims are to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the care of children with heart disease in India in terms of number of outpatient visits, hospitalizations, catheter-based interventions, and cardiac surgeries. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective, multicentric, observational study. METHODS: We collected monthly data on the number and characteristics of outpatient visits, hospitalizations, catheter-based interventions, and cardiac surgeries and major hospital statistics, over a period of 5 months (April to August 2020), which coincided with the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India and compared it with data from the corresponding months in 2019. RESULTS: The outpatient visits across the 24 participating pediatric cardiac centers decreased by 74.5% in 2020 (n = 13,878) as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 (n = 54,213). The reduction in the number of hospitalizations, cardiac surgeries, and catheterization procedures was 66.8%, 73.0%, and 74.3%, respectively. The reduction in hospitalization was relatively less pronounced among neonates as compared to infants/children (47.6% vs. 70.1% reduction) and for emergency surgeries as compared to elective indications (27.8% vs. 79.2%). The overall in-hospital mortality was higher in 2020 (8.1%) as compared to 2019 (4.8%), with a higher postoperative mortality (9.1% vs. 4.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The current COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the delivery of pediatric cardiac care across India with two-third reduction in hospitalizations and cardiac surgeries. In an already resource-constrained environment, the impact of such a massive reduction in the number of surgeries could be significant over the coming years. These findings may prove useful in formulating strategy to manage subsequent waves of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

15.
Immuno ; 1(3):285-304, 2021.
Article in English | MDPI | ID: covidwho-1390659

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a deadly disease affecting millions due to the non-availability of drugs and vaccines. The majority of COVID-19 drugs have been repurposed based on antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antibiotic potential. The pathogenesis and advanced complications with infection involve the immune-inflammatory cascade. Therefore, a therapeutic strategy could reduce infectivity, inflammation, and immune modulation. In recent years, modulating the endocannabinoid system, particularly activation of the cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor is a promising therapeutic target for modulation of immune-inflammatory responses. JWH133, a selective, full functional agonist of the CB2 receptor, has been extensively studied for its potent anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. JWH133 modulates numerous signaling pathways and inhibits inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, prostanoids, and eicosanoids. In this study, we propose that JWH133 could be a promising candidate for targeting infection, immunity, and inflammation in COVID-19, due to its pharmacological and molecular mechanisms in numerous preclinical efficacy and safety studies, along with its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, organoprotective, and antiviral properties. Thus, JWH133 should be investigated in preclinical and clinical studies for its potential as an agent or adjuvant with other agents for its effect on viremia, infectivity, immune modulation, resolution of inflammation, reduction in severity, and progression of complications in COVID-19. JWH133 is devoid of psychotropic effects due to CB2 receptor selectivity, has negligible toxicity, good bioavailability and druggable properties, including pharmacokinetic and physicochemical effects. We believe that JWH133 could be a promising drug and may inspire further studies for an evidence-based approach against COVID-19.

16.
Sustainability ; 13(15):8448, 2021.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-1346566

ABSTRACT

The world is facing economic, as well as social, crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing sustainable practices is one of the possible ways to address these issues. Adopting circular oriented techniques throughout the supply chain not only guarantees economic profitability, but also provides an edge to the organization in the market of fierce global competition. The concept of implementing circularity in the supply chain is novel and dynamic in nature, and it involves certain risk. In this study, a Bayesian Network methodology is adopted to analyze how the risk propagation takes place in a circular supply chain network of an automobile organization. The circular supply chain network consists of a group of manufacturers, retailers and recyclers, located in the Delhi–NCR region. Economic, environmental, social, technological, waste management, agile vulnerability, and risk of cannibalization are the major risk categories that were identified through an extensive literature review. Further, the impact of risk on the performance of the circular supply chain is analyzed by considering performance parameters such as lost sales, impact on supply chain revenue, and inventory holding cost. Risk exposure index is incorporated into the study to analyze the vulnerability of each node. The findings of the study reveal that the reverse side of the circular supply chain can be a source of risk propagation during the implementation of the circularity concept. This work is carried out under a single industry domain. In the future, risk propagation analysis can be examined in the supply chain of other sectors. The findings of the study can assist the supply chain managers and the risk experts to focus on the areas that are more vulnerable to risk.

17.
Natl J Maxillofac Surg ; 12(2): 219-226, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1344472

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: The Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeons' practice globally. We implemented a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey among the OMF surgeons of India. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the study were (1) gathering data among the maxillofacial surgeons in terms of their occupational exposure and access to adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and (2) to estimate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the practice of OMF surgeons in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Complete responses of 178 OMF surgeons were included in the study. Descriptive and analytic statistics were computed. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Binary logistic regression models were created to assess the predictors of the impact of the COVID-19. RESULTS: Out of the 178 respondents of the study, most (37.1%) were following their hospital's guidelines. Most had access to adequate PPE (89.9%), whereas 93.8% had COVID-19 testing available. One hundred and thirty-three (74.7%) surgeons were involved in teleconsultation. Ninety-two (51.7%) and 166 (93.3%) were involved in elective surgery and emergency surgeries, respectively. Median outpatient department cases and number of surgeries done per week reduced by 73.9% and 66.7% (P < 0.001), respectively. Most surgeons (86%) experienced that cost of treatment had increased during the COVID. Over 75% were afraid to get infected with COVID, whereas 44.9% were anxious to lose the income. More than 56% of the OMF surgeons reported a fall in income and 94% reported decreased productivity in academic research. Most surgeons (93.8%) believed that COVID had a positive impact on human behavior in terms of hand hygiene. CONCLUSION: The impact of COVID-19 among OMF surgeons has adversely affected clinical practice, personal lives, and academic productivity and has catalyzed an exponential increase of telemedicine. Future surveys should capture the long-term impact of COVID-19.

18.
Heliyon ; 7(7): e07635, 2021 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1322113

ABSTRACT

The contagiosity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has startled mankind and has brought our lives to a standstill. The treatment focused mainly on repurposed immunomodulatory and antiviral agents along with the availability of a few vaccines for prophylaxis to vanquish COVID-19. This seemingly mandates a deeper understanding of the disease pathogenesis. This necessitates a plausible extrapolation of cell-based therapy to COVID-19 and is regarded equivalently significant. Recently, correlative pieces of clinical evidence reported a robust decline in lymphocyte count in severe COVID-19 patients that suggest dysregulated immune responses as a key element contributing to the pathophysiological alterations. The large granular lymphocytes also known as natural killer (NK) cells play a heterogeneous role in biological functioning wherein their frontline action defends the body against a wide array of infections and tumors. They prominently play a critical role in viral clearance and executing immuno-modulatory activities. Accumulated clinical evidence demonstrate a decrease in the number of NK cells in circulation with or without phenotypical exhaustion. These plausibly contribute to the progression of pulmonary inflammation in COVID-19 pneumonia and result in acute lung injury. In this review, we have outlined the present understanding of the immunological response of NK cells in COVID-19 infection. We have also discussed the possible use of these powerful biological cells as a therapeutic agent in view of preventing immunological harms of SARS-CoV-2 and the current challenges in advocating NK cell therapy for the same.

19.
3 Biotech ; 11(5): 236, 2021 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1201893

ABSTRACT

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has led to a global crisis by infecting millions of people across the globe eventually causing multiple deaths. The prominent player of the virus has been known as the spike protein which enters the host system and leads to the infection. The S2 subunit is the most essential in this process of infection as it helps the SARS-CoV-2 to infect the host by binding to the human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), with the help of the receptor binding domain found at the S2 subunit of the virus. Studies also hypothesize that the S glycoproteins present in the virus interacts with different hosts in different ways which might be due to the mutations taking place in the genome of the virus over time. This work aims to decipher the similarities and differences in the sequences of spike proteins from samples of SARS-CoV-2 acquired from different infected individuals in different countries with the help of in silico methods such as multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. It also aims to understand the differential infection rates among the infected countries by studying the amino acid composition and interactions of the virus with the host.

20.
Clin Exp Med ; 22(1): 125-135, 2022 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1198467

ABSTRACT

We aimed to identify prevalence and association of comorbid chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI) and utilization prevalence of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in COVID-19-hospitalized patients as a function of severity status. With the ongoing struggle across the globe to combat COVID-19 disease, published literature has described the role of kidney disease in COVID-19 patients based on single/multicenter experiences across the globe. We extracted data from observational studies describing comorbid CKD, AKI and CRRT and outcomes and severity of COVID-19-hospitalized patients from December 1, 2019-August 20, 2020 following PRISMA guidelines. Severity of COVID-19 includes intensive care unit admission, oxygen saturation < 90%, invasive mechanical ventilation utilization, in-hospital admission and mortality. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to calculate pooled estimates, and forest plots were created. In total, 29 studies with 15,017 confirmed COVID-19 patients were included. The overall prevalence of AKI was 11.6% [(430/3693)], comorbid CKD 9.7% [(1342/13,728)] and CRRT 2.58% [(102/3946)] in our meta-analysis. We also found higher odds of comorbid CKD (pooled OR: 1.70; 95%CI: 1.21-2.40; p = 0.002), AKI (8.28; 4.42-15.52; p < 0.00001) and utilization of CRRT (16.90; 9.00-31.74; p < 0.00001) in patients with severe COVID-19 disease. Conclusion Our meta-analysis suggests that comorbid CKD, AKI and utilization of CRRT were significantly associated with COVID-19 disease severity. Clinicians should focus on early triaging of COVID-19 patients with comorbid CKD and at risk for AKI to prevent complication and mortality.


Subject(s)
Acute Kidney Injury , COVID-19 , Acute Kidney Injury/epidemiology , Acute Kidney Injury/etiology , Acute Kidney Injury/therapy , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Multicenter Studies as Topic , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , SARS-CoV-2 , Severity of Illness Index
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL