"Crisis" or "opportunity"? COVID-19 pandemic's impact on environmentally sound invention efficiency in China.

Introduction: The environmentally sound invention (ESI) is a "bridge" between environmental sound technologies (ESTs) and green productions. This study investigates the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on ESI efficiency using a multi-methods model in three stages. Methods: The ESI efficiency is measured using the Slack-Based Measure (SBM) method in the first stage. By excluding the environmental effect of the pandemic on each province using the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) model's results in the second stage, this study compares the ESI efficiency change with or without the influence of the pandemic in the third stage. Results: The results show that the pandemic can be a "crisis" in the short term, but an "opportunity" in the long term. First, the SBM efficiency results in the first stage show a decrease in the number of the average efficient provinces in which the pandemic is more severe during 2020-2021. Second, results of the spatial Tobit and SFA models provide evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacts the ESI efficiency during 2020, this impact is decreasing in 2021, and this impact has a spatial diffusion effect. Discussion: Based on these results, this study discussed the theoretical and political implications. This paper enriches the knowledge of ESTs research and development by proposing a three-stage approach with multi-methods to investigate the influence of the pandemic's impact on ESI efficiency.

From 100-Year-Old Women's Motoring Masks to Contemporary PPE: A Socio-Political Study of Persistent Problems and Inventive Possibilities

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment became central to daily news. Face masks may have been critical, but they were clearly not equally designed or distributed, compelling many health workers to make their own. These issues are neither new nor specific to health-oriented fields. We offer insights from another case of individuals taking personal protective equipment into their own hands. We analyse patents for women's motoring face masks invented in the USA, Canada, England and France (1900–1925). Our findings suggest that women invented and wore face masks not only to drive safely, but to position themselves as legitimate motorists and as citizens with equal rights to technology, public space and resources at the turn of the last century. We propose that a study of historic motoring face masks might offer insights into persistent problems and inventive possibilities relating to contemporary personal protective equipment. [ FROM AUTHOR]

"Drug Repurposing" Policies and Statutes: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic:A Review

Introduction: Repurposed drugs are not eligible for patent protection in India vide Sec 3 (d) of the Indian Patent Act, 1970. The data generated to establish the therapeutic efficacy of the repurposed drugs for the new indication are not eligible for data exclusivity under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940. However, repurposed drugs possess immense advantages, especially when compared to the traditional route of drug discovery. Marketing repurposed drugs is fraught with challenges, and means to overcome them need to be facilitated. Methodology: A review of literature regarding provisions available to protect repurposed candidates through various routes globally were studied including policies, special committee reports as well as case laws. Result(s): A brief tenure of data exclusivity for repurposed candidates as provided in statutes in the US and EU appears to be an attractive route of protection of such inventions. This will encourage and incentivize drug research by this route and eventually lead to a fulfillment of India being a preferred destination for not only pharma manufacturing, but also research. Copyright © Author (s) 2023.

Conjugate Effects of Covid-19 and Trips on the Pharmaceutical Drug Prices and Marketing Strategies

COVID-19 waves were the deadliest health crisis faced by the residents of planet earth in the 21th century. This outbreak of SARV-CoV-2 virus and its variants has impacted nearly all of the world in a short window of 16 months. Almost all the nations in the world had maintained a complete lockdown in all the spheres to withstand this medical health emergency. Thus, COVID-19 has a deep impact on the global economy and commerce because of lockdowns, and limited movements as defined in COVID-19 protocol guidelines for its prevention. The trade modalities of the pharmaceutical industry, which is already being governed under the TRIPS and WHO agreements, also got effected like other sectors of the economy. The significant setbacks for the pharmaceutical industry were the disruptions in the operations due to clogged supply chains of raw materials and stalled production units. On the contrary, the opportunity for the invention of vaccines provides the spur for research and development. Certainly, the prices of the drugs and marketing strategies have also been adjusted during this period. In this paper, authors have tried to trace and survey the combined effects of COVID-19 and TRIPS on the pharmaceutical industry's marketing manoeuvres and the prices of the drugs. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AND HEMOFILTRATION-TARGETING VIREMIA

SESSION TITLE: COVID-19 Case Report Posters 2 SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 01:45 pm INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic spawned the use and study of novel therapeutics, re-purposed drugs, and interventions– all with limited success. Seraph® 100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter® [Seraph®] is an investigational device that was given Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019 to treat severe coronavirus disease. Higher viremia is correlated with higher mortality. Seraph® uses extracorporeal filtration to aid the innate immune system by reducing viral load and mitigating downstream effects of inflammation. CASE PRESENTATION: A forty-eight year old gentleman presented to the emergency room with coughs and fever of 101° F. He tested positive via polymerase chain reaction [PCR] testing for SARS-CoV-19 pneumonia. A computed-tomography angiogram [CTA] of the chest was negative for pulmonary embolism, but demonstrated significant bilateral ground-glass opacities consistent with viral pneumonia. Vitals were notable for an oxygen saturation of 69% on room air that improved to 96% on 6 liters/minute [L/min] of supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula. He was initiated on both dexamethasone and remdesivir. Within hours, the patient's oxygen requirements escalated to 15 L/min via non-rebreather to high flow humidified nasal cannula with a flow rate of 40 L/min and 60% FiO2. On day three, he was transferred to the ICU for treatment with Seraph®. After one treatment, the patient was weaned from high flow humidified nasal cannula to room air. On day five, after a second treatment, he transferred to the floor. He was discharged on day six, on room air, having completed his course of remdesivir, with an additional 5 days of oral steroids. DISCUSSION: Preliminary data regarding Seraph® remain limited with only select eligible patients undergoing therapy. Cases like our patient demonstrate dramatic improvements with even one or two treatments which correlate well with data that show up to 99% reduction in the bloodstream of targeted pathogens per pass. While database collection data have revealed trends towards improved outcomes, further investigation into populations most likely to benefit from treatment is needed. Timing, immunocompromised status and other comorbidities that raise or lower the chances of successful hemofiltration need to be considered. CONCLUSIONS: Studies in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic augment ongoing research as filtration devices are used to target bacterial infections, cytokines and inflammatory markers. Since the invention of antibiotics, multi-drug resistant organisms have increased in prevalence. Novel interventions such as Seraph® warrant investigation to prevent infectious diseases from becoming unmanageable threats. Reference #1: Kielstein JT, Borchina DN, Fühner T, Hwang S, Mattoon D, Ball AJ. Hemofiltration with the Seraph® 100 Microbind® Affinity filter decreases SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Crit Care. 2021;25(1):190. Published 2021 Jun 1. doi:10.1186/s13054-021-03597-3 Reference #2: Pape A, Kielstein JT, Krüger T, Fühner T, Brunkhorst R. Treatment of a Critically Ill COVID-19 Patient with the Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity Filter. TH Open. 2021;5(2):e134-e138. Published 2021 Apr 14. doi:10.1055/s-0041-1727121 Reference #3: Schmidt JJ, Borchina DN, van T Klooster M, et al. Interim-analysis of the COSA (COVID-19 patients treated with the Seraph® 100 Microbind® Affinity filter) registry [published online ahead of print, 2021 Dec 7]. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2021;gfab347. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfab347 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Aneesa Afroze No relevant relationships by Lydia Meece No relevant relationships by Angela Park

Intensive Care Unit Therapy Support Worker -Response to the COVID 19 Pandemic

Background: We are a team of four Therapy Support Workers, who work on GICU on the Early Mobilisation Project (EMP). We have highlighted the response of our role during the first and second surge as we were unable to complete our traditional job role on EMP due to a variety of factors. The first surge saw an increased number of redeployed staff and a shortage of PPE, so we began the RESTORE project (REhab Step-down Therapy OutrEach). During the second surge we saw an increased number of patients, increased BMI and increased dependency and this resulted in an un-manageable caseload of patients stepping down to the wards. This led to the PIRT project (Post Intensive care Rehab Team). Method: RESTORE was created in response to help with the transition from GICU to the ward, as it is well documented that this transition can feel like 'falling from a cliff'. Therapists would visit GICU step down patients on the ward to manage expectations, give timely information about their ICU stay, and reassure patients around anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares. The PIRT team treated patients from GICU on the wards and focused on those needing assistance of two or more for their rehab. This allowed the ward team to manage their already busy caseload of patients and discharge planning, while PIRT focused on physical and non-physical therapy sessions of GICU step down patients. With the addition of this team, it allowed for longer sessions with patients and enabled them to progress their rehab with adequate staff to support them. Results: Both projects were hugely successful, we were able to help patients and colleagues throughout the pandemic as our job role evolved and adapted. Neither project was sustainable due to staffing needs, but it is something we would love to have funding for in the future. From the PIRT project, we helped to reduce length of stay from 25.5 days to 16, we gave 231 therapy inventions over a 5-week period, which included a holistic approach of trips outside, shopping, cooking, showing and visits to chaplaincy as well as physical rehab such as standing and walking. The feedback given from patients during both projects highlighted how much of an impact we made and how beneficial it could be going forward. It felt like having a family member come and visit whilst they couldn't have their own in. Positivity it gives to patients is priceless. When asked Overall how would you evaluate the rehab team? Indisposible. Conclusions: Both projects were a joining of forces as we worked cohesively with colleagues on different wards and in different teams. RESTORE and PIRT helped with providing a holistic journey and continuity for patients. The project naturally incorporated the University Hospital Southampton's values of working together, patients first and always improving, and we were proud of all that was achieved.

The application in electronic medical record device's patent research of technology adoption life cycle

Objectives: In this research hypothesizes the Technology Adoption Life (TAL) cycle tool provides a visual cycle graph, to provide decisionmaking evaluation of innovation, research, and design resource input. Then, whether the number of patent applications in different years can provide cycle modeling and decision-making reference, including: (1) the choice of patent application classification, (2) understanding the degree of improvement of the entire product, (3) crossing the 'Chasm?' in the market where the product patent application is applied. Methods: This study adopt TAL cycle method to observe, and analyze the existing improvement description of electronic medical record device product's patent. The analysis method reveals the timeline, quantity, and data statistics of electronic medical record device applications in patent. The data source is the Taiwan Patent Database. The range of the data search includes the valid patent specifications that the database has collect, and maintained between year 2015 and 2021. This research uses quantitative analysis to summarize the patent output time. At the same time, use text analysis to confirm that the search results match the Electronic Medical Record Device (EMRD) target product Smart wearable device, and draw the TAL-EMRD cycle, as references for resource input assessment during product research and development. Results: According to the results of this study, the evaluation method which summarizes the information on patent layout advices of this case as following: 1. Inventions accounted for 88%, and new models accounted for 12%. 2. Since 2015, the number of patents has gradually increased every year, and reach the highest peak in 2020, accounting for more than a quarter of the total number of patents. 3. The number of patents in 2019 is within the measurement range, and the decrease is 10% less than that in 2018, and the reduction ratio is 20% compared to 2020.Was the year of the Chasm! In summary, the TAL-EMRD cycle records the existing application measures and research and development traces of the case in the database. This study also found that since March 2020 after the COVID'19 global pandemic, the patent development of case products has grown rapidly because EMRD products are widely used in personal health management and medical monitoring. Conclusions: Based on the result of this study, the following suggestions are made for the practical application and future research of the TAL-EMRD cycle: (1) patent tracking of individual cases, (2) evaluation of software and hardware cooperative development, (3) data investigation of industrial research and development. And large study with an application of electronic medical record and device R&D is feasible and should be considered.

Multisectoral Factors Associated with Global National Trends in Neonatal Mortality Rates: A Call for Targeted Public Health Intervention, Particularly in Countries Impacted Most by COVID-19

Background: The United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target an end to preventable newborn deaths and a reduction in neonatal mortality rate (< 28 d, NMR) to 12/1,000 live births for all countries. Understanding concurrent trends in country-level, multisectoral factors associated with NMR trends may illuminate opportunities for intervention strategies. Our objective was to explore country-specific trends in NMR from 1990-2019 and identify those countries which contribute to the largest percentage of neonatal deaths in order to focus efforts on reducing NMRs in those specific countries. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2030 SDGs have been severely impacted. Methods: We created a comprehensive global database of NMR and associated variables that were selected based on literature review and categorized into Population Health, Health Systems, Maternal, Neonatal, and Social factors from 1990 to 2019. Data were compiled from publicly available sources including UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, and OECD. Data were collected and analyzed for 195 countries. NMR trends were analyzed from 1990 to 2019 with more targeted analysis of trends in the last 2 decades from 2000 to 2019. We then performed statistical analyses using the selected variables to compare variable means using t-tests, identify bivariate associations, and generate multivariable regression models. Results: In terms of total deaths, 20 countries contributed 75% of the total 2.5 million neonatal deaths. All of these 20 countries showed decreases in NMR since 1990 (Figure 1). However, only China and Egypt accomplished the UN goal of reducing NMR to 12/1,000 live births. We compared variables associated with NMR in our 20 target countries to the remaining countries and found significant differences between the means for most variables (Table 1). Bivariate regression analyses showed statistically significant associations between NMR trends and changes over time in median income, health care spending, literacy level, maternal mortality ratio, and low birthweight rate. Ultimately the variables maternal mortality ratio change and median income change were selected for multivariable analysis based on collinearity. The multivariate regression model generated using NMR, maternal mortality ratio change, median income change resulted in an r-squared value of 0.54, explaining 54% of the variance in NMR trends. Conclusion: Since 20 countries contribute 75% of the neonatal deaths worldwide, we propose that targeting these 20 countries would have the greatest impact on global neonatal deaths. Future research will focus on identification of country specific barriers and evaluating the countries with greatest NMR improvements to propose effective focused strategies for reducing NMRs in high burden countries. The disparate impact that COVID-19 has had on countries with the highest neonatal mortality burden should be a primary focus of continued public health invention efforts, and is a specific focus of our ongoing research.

The gender paradox: professionalisation of a form of traditional martial arts, Lathi Khela, in the sociocultural context of Bangladesh

In the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic-struck India, this paper was born as an autoethnographic and analytical inquiry;it presents qualitative and multimodal research into a martial arts dance tradition, Lathi Khela, conducted from 2017 to 2018. This practice developed as a martial art, with little or no patronage, during the colonial days of the still undivided Bengal. Indeed, it still lives on as a popular martial arts dance tradition in many districts and rural communities of Bengaluru, Bangladesh. Compared to other districts, the Lathi Khela group from the Narail district has continued this practice through innovative methods. The distinctive character of the district is governed by the multi-generational practitioners of Lathi Khela and their creative choreographies, as well as the knowledge it articulates and embodies. Moreover, in Narail, this previously male-dominated profession has also included women since 2008. The focus of this work was the role of gender in the continuity of the Lathi Khela tradition in this district. This was achieved through five semi-structured, demonstrative interviews intuitively applied in the field. The research also drew on an ongoing conversation on Facebook with Rahat, a veteran Lathi Khela practitioner, who took stock of the current cultural landscape in the context of COVID-19. On the one hand, the women of this district occupy a contested space when representing this male-dominated tradition, and on the other, they physically embody lives within the patrilineal boundaries of kinship and marriage. The performativity of gender is thus directly connected to the symbolic meaning of maan, that is, the prestige attributed to the female body within the sociocultural contexts of the Lathi Khela.

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS PROCTITIS DEVELOPING AFTER CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) VACCINE: CAUSALITY OR CASUALTY?

AIM: The COVID-19 epidemic is still raging over the globe, and vaccination is supposed to help us overcome it. Although the vaccinations' efficacy is undeniable, their safety is still a concern. This is the first case of CMV proctitis following vaccination since the invention of the COVID-19 vaccine, suggesting that the COVID-19 vaccine may not only cause immune hyperactivity but also cause immune deficiency. We report this case to provoke new thinking about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. METHODS: We described a case of a 58-year-old Chinese woman, without obvious cause of immunosuppression, who developed persistent constipation three days after the second COVID-19 vaccination. Electronic colonoscopy revealed new circumferential growth at the anorectal junction, with uneven surface and ulceration, which mimicked rectal carcinoma. Rectal biopsy revealed severe active chronic proctitis with CMV infection. The clinical course was favorable with ganciclovir therapy. In this case, we used laboratory biochemical examination, colonoscopy, immunohistochemistry, and other methods to detect, and finally confirmed the existence of CMV proctitis. RESULTS: Ganciclovir was used to treat the patient, and a good effect was observed. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the gastrointestinal tract occurs mainly in immunosuppressed patients. While in our case, there was no evidence of immunodeficiency, except for earlier vaccination against COVID-19. Therefore, it is plausible to doubt that COVID-19 vaccination caused the occurrence of CMV proctitis in the patient. CONCLUSIONS: It is speculated that the vaccine can cause immune dysfunction, and thus may not only lead to the occurrence of immune hyperactivity disorders but also immune deficient diseases. The clinical course of CMV proctitis was favorable with ganciclovir therapy.

Dynamics of innovation in the use of water resources in emerging markets

The advancement of water sustainability and reliance highly depends on the implementation of innovative ideas. However, despite being a vital resource, the water sector still faces many challenges in innovations compared to other industries. This study investigated three different aspects of innovation activities in the water sector in Kazakhstan, which represents a typical developing country. First, the potential water-related issues calling for more innovation activities were investigated. Second, the trend of innovation activities over 30 years was investigated with the help of patents. Third, the disruptions rendered by COVID-19 to innovation activities in the water sector were investigated through a questionnaire survey. The analysis results showed that the total volume of contaminated wastewater generated in Kazakhstan has generally increased with time. The number of water enterprises, patented water-related innovations, and total general patents showed a strong association, with correlation values ranging from 0.66 to 0.99. In all firms, regardless of the scale investigated in this study, the availability of local expertise, the culture of local organizations toward innovation, and the country’s business environment are all considered to have a significant impact on water innovation processes.

RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF NASOPHARYNGEAL TEST SWABS WITHIN THE US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

The COVID-19 pandemic placed tremendous strain on people, medical supply chains, and healthcare systems. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had to take extraordinary efforts to protect the veterans that it serves. The goal of this project was to rapidly deploy safe and effective nasopharyngeal (NP) test swabs to enable expanded testing for COVID-19 with a US veteran population. This manuscript describes the technical steps to achieving this goal. VA had internal additive manufacturing resources for many of the common processes and materials. Once the process and material were selected, the design of the NP swab geometry for effectiveness, strength, and maximum throughput commenced. A NP swab with tip geometry that resembles thin, rounded, stacked disks was selected for the design after the clinical members of the team reviewed several iterations of prototypes. Following the ASTM D790 test, the NP swabs were examined using a 10-power digital microscope to check for micro-fractures and surface finish. Once the NP swabs passed the initial quality assurance process, the NP swabs required cleaning, sterilization, and packaging. Subsequently, each NP swab package was labeled for identification. Approximately 30,000 NP swabs were produced with around 18,000 of them made available for immediate deployment. The effort showed that additive manufacturing along with good professional practice by engineers and healthcare professionals could rapidly respond to a shortage of NP swabs. Internal additive manufacturing and other digital manufacturing technologies should be part of an overall strategy to increase the robustness of healthcare delivery in emergency situations.

DESIGN INNOVATION PROCESS RESPONDS TO UNMET NEEDS CREATED BY COVID-19

This article presents a recent case study of the development and bringing to market of a new product through the design process of the author, Dan Brown, Ph.D. (Brown Sr.), a product design practitioner and academic with over 40 years of innovation experience, and his son Brown Jr., a business entrepreneur. This case explores how they collaborated as an entrepreneurial team to design and commercialize a novel PPE face shield using Brown St's Differentiation by Design research process. The article focuses on how design creates value and competitive advantage in markets by examining a recent case study of successful new product development arising from the COVID-19 pandemic -- providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). When seeking advantage in the practice of innovation, there is a creative quest that product design and development practitioners must address through their design process. Truly innovative and competitive new products are rare, as their design efforts often fall short of the original design aims. Brown Sr:'s past research has revealed that this creative quest often appears at the intersection of the existing knowledge boundaries of the user as well as the many less prominent stakeholders in the new product experience. Often framed as unmet stakeholder needs, this knowledge boundary appears when existing practice knowledge proves inadequate, but the development objective remains. These knowledge gap opportunities appear through detailed research of the problem, existing solution benchmarks, and stakeholders. They can also appear when the designer-researcher looks for them specifically. Finding these knowledge gaps and creatively conceiving advantaged solutions into competitively advantaged spaces or white spaces is the goal of this design process. This Case shares successful marketplace outcomes with Brown Sr.'s past research cases resulting from their design and development approaches. With a combined quantitative and qualitative research focus, this autobiographical case study builds on the insights available to the researcher. Autobiographic cases provide unique access to rich quantitative evidence of the design narrative and marketing histories gained from an insider's view of industry practice. Competitive advantage and its role in innovation in the real-world laboratory of the marketplace provide the context for researching the process of this design-focused strategy. The process starts with reframing the fundamental problem, which was, in this case, how to rapidly produce millions of face shields in a matter of months;the Browns teamed up to create a viable and scalable shield solution for the masses.

Using Patent Drawings to Differentiate Stock Return Rate of China Listed Companies. A Study on China Patent Species of Invention Grant

Patent is an important outcome of technological innovation. Though patent claim always caught attention when considering patent quality, it had to be supported by the drawings according to the patent examination criteria. However, patent drawing was seldom discussed. Based on the company integrated database, more than 50% of China listed companies of RMB common stocks (A-shares) from 2017Q1 to 2021Q4 were selected as effective samples. The effect of China invention grant patent’s drawing count for differentiating A-share’s stock return rate was thoroughly discussed via analysis of variation (ANOVA). The average drawing count of invention grants significantly increased over previous years. However, the total drawing count of invention grants was found to be an appropriate patent indicator for differentiating A-share’s stock return rate whereas the average drawing count of invention grants was not. The A-shares in the highest total drawing count groups of invention grants showed significantly higher stock return rate means while the A-shares in the lower total drawing count groups of invention grants showed significantly lower stock return rate means in most quarters from 2017 to 2021. The finding also proved that the patent quantity still mattered in China stock market.

The Therapeutic and Prophylactic Potential of Quercetin against COVID-19: An Outlook on the Clinical Studies, Inventive Compositions, and Patent Literature.

Quercetin is a phenolic flavonol compound with established antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immuno-stimulant properties. Recent studies demonstrate the potential of quercetin against COVID-19. This article highlighted the prophylactic/therapeutic potential of quercetin against COVID-19 in view of its clinical studies, inventions, and patents. The literature for the subject matter was collected utilizing different databases, including PubMed, Sci-Finder, Espacenet, Patentscope, and USPTO. Clinical studies expose the potential of quercetin monotherapy, and also its combination therapy with other compounds, including zinc, vitamin C, curcumin, vitamin D3, masitinib, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and ivermectin. The patent literature also examines claims that quercetin containing nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and dietary supplements, alone or in combination with other drugs/compounds, including favipiravir, remdesivir, molnupiravir, navitoclax, dasatinib, disulfiram, rucaparib, tamarixin, iota-carrageenan, and various herbal extracts (aloe, poria, rosemary, and sphagnum) has potential for use against COVID-19. The literature reveals that quercetin exhibits anti-COVID-19 activity because of its inhibitory effect on the expression of the human ACE2 receptors and the enzymes of SARS-CoV-2 (MPro, PLPro, and RdRp). The USFDA designated quercetin as a "Generally Recognized as Safe" substance for use in the food and beverage industries. It is also an inexpensive and readily available compound. These facts increase the possibility and foreseeability of making novel and economical drug combinations containing quercetin to prevent/treat COVID-19. Quercetin is an acidic compound and shows metabolic interaction with some antivirals, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory agents. Therefore, the physicochemical and metabolic drug interactions between quercetin and the combined drugs/compounds must be better understood before developing new compositions.

Nigella sativa L. and COVID-19: A Glance at The Anti-COVID-19 Chemical Constituents, Clinical Trials, Inventions, and Patent Literature.

COVID-19 has had an impact on human quality of life and economics. Scientists have been identifying remedies for its prevention and treatment from all possible sources, including plants. Nigella sativa L. (NS) is an important medicinal plant of Islamic value. This review highlights the anti-COVID-19 potential, clinical trials, inventions, and patent literature related to NS and its major chemical constituents, like thymoquinone. The literature was collected from different databases, including Pubmed, Espacenet, and Patentscope. The literature supports the efficacy of NS, NS oil (NSO), and its chemical constituents against COVID-19. The clinical data imply that NS and NSO can prevent and treat COVID-19 patients with a faster recovery rate. Several inventions comprising NS and NSO have been claimed in patent applications to prevent/treat COVID-19. The patent literature cites NS as an immunomodulator, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, a source of anti-SARS-CoV-2 compounds, and a plant having protective effects on the lungs. The available facts indicate that NS, NSO, and its various compositions have all the attributes to be used as a promising remedy to prevent, manage, and treat COVID-19 among high-risk people as well as for the therapy of COVID-19 patients of all age groups as a monotherapy or a combination therapy. Many compositions of NS in combination with countless medicinal herbs and medicines are still unexplored. Accordingly, the authors foresee a bright scope in developing NS-based anti-COVID-19 composition for clinical use in the future.

The EAES intellectual property awareness survey.

INTRODUCTION: The protection of intellectual property (IP) is one of the fundamental elements in the process of medical device development. The significance of IP, however, is not well understood among clinicians and researchers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current status of IP awareness and IP-related behaviors among EAES members. METHODS: A web-based survey was conducted via questionnaires sent to EAES members. Data collected included participant demographics, level of understanding the need, new ideas and solutions, basic IP knowledge, e.g., employees' inventions and public disclosure, behaviors before and after idea disclosures. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-nine completed forms were obtained through an email campaign conducted twice in 2019 (response rate = 4.8%). There was a dominancy in male, formally-trained gastrointestinal surgeons, working at teaching hospitals in European countries. Of the respondents, 71% demonstrated a high level of understanding the needs (frustration with current medical devices), with 66% developing specific solutions by themselves. Active discussion with others was done by 53%. Twenty-one percent of respondents presented their ideas at medical congresses, and 12% published in scientific journals. Only 20% took specific precautions or appropriate actions to protect their IPs before these disclosures. CONCLUSIONS: The current level of awareness of IP and IP-related issues is relatively low among EAES members. A structured IP training program to gain basic IP knowledge and skill should be considered a necessity for clinicians. These skills would serve to prevent the loss of legitimate IP rights and avoid failure in the clinical implementation of innovative devices for the benefit of patients.

FNCAS9 editor linked uniform detection assay (FELUDA)

The present invention describes a method for Tusing a bacterial CRISPR Cas Ribonucleoprotein complex for detecting single nucleotide variants in RNA or DNA or more broadly, any DNA or RNA fragment, without the need for sequencing. The principle ofdiscrimination is derived from the natural property of the enzyme being used for the invention, Francisellanovicida Cas9 (FnCas9) which shows very low binding affinity to mismatched substrates. DNA is isolated either from blood, saliva, or any other biological sources like bacteria and amplified if required. For virus infected patients, samples are collected as a nasal swab and inactivated. Total RNA isolated from the sample is converted to cDNA using the reverse transcriptase enzyme. The DNA (when test material is DNA) or cDNA (when test material is RNA, like for COVID-19) is subjected to Polymerase Chain reaction, amplifying using specific primers and tagging the amplified DNA products with a ligand of choice. The detection mix consists of labelled PCR products, sgRNA-fnCAS9 complex. The detection complex can be visualized using a wide array of technologies like lateral flow, gel based cleavage assay, fluorescence based detection, in both low, medium or plate based high-throughput format. Science behind this technology will be discussed in the presentation.

Invention is the need of the hour: A unique Data Accumulation and Analysis Platform for covid reporting

Background:A calamity in Wuhan, China would reach our doorstep was never thought and we were never prepared for it. Healthcare sector in India was stretched to its limits and manual processes in place were prone to errors and time consuming. ICMR has taken initiative for data management and develop portal for tracking testing and positive cases. However, mechanisms are required to reduce double data entries from already resource constrain laboratories. There was need for a software for automated report dispatch and real time analysis based on artificial intelligence for timely dissemination of reports to patients and health authorities for prompt containment measures. Methods:Once the result for a specimen was concluded, lab facilities would enter test details into the ICMR’s portal. DAAP - Data Accumulation and Analysis Platform was designed to timely disseminate institution specific reports in en- crypted manner. Once the data is entered into the ICMR Portal, an excel is exported from the same which is uploaded to the DAAP. Every patient’s ingested data is verified by laboratory. Validated reports are published which can only be viewed by the respective collection centres from where a particular specimen was collected. The analytic dashboard provides cumulative real time data. Results:Prior to DAAP, data entry engaged 20 manhours per day to disseminate reports, which was reduced to less than two manhours due to DAAP. DAAP has not only reduced the challenges posed by the double data entry, confidentiality and security but also assisted in providing real time insights into the trends and laboratory quality systems. Conclusions:DAAP empowers the clinicians and the authorities to view data statistics real time. Data insights such as hospitalization rate, positivity rate, symptoms distribution and distribution based on various parameters like age group, gender, ward, district etc can be sought real time by DAAP.

SARS-CoV-2 and Patent Activity.

The article provides information on the patent activity of inventors in relation to applications for inventions related to coronaviruses, in particular, to SARS-CoV-2. The presence of a steady interest in this topic for the period 1996-2020 is illustrated. It is indicated what objects of patent law can be inventions related to vaccines.