Polymerized type I collagen as a potential treatment against COVID-19.

In this document we make a brief compilation of current treatments, focusing on a Mexican drug, from the Mexican industry, which has attracted attention as a potential treatment of COVID-19 in its moderate to severe forms, due to its anti-inflammatory efficacy that is it has been shown to contribute to the treatment of the forms that occur with cytokine storm, so we make a recapitulation of the main research in this regard.Copyright © 2022 Comunicaciones Cientificas Mexicanas S.A. de C.V.. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of patients with negative PCR tests after COVID-19 pneumonia in intermediate-level intensive care unit

Objectives: The need for an intensive care unit has increased during the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). For this reason, intermediate-level intensive care units (IICUs) were established in hospitals worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the data of patients that hospitalized in IICU. Method(s): Patients under treatment for COVID-19 were followed up in IICU after the negative polymerized chain reaction test. A total of 52 patients were evaluated retrospectively between August 24, 2020 and March 1, 2021. The patients were divided into two groups according to discharge status from IICU (Group 1: exitus, Group 2: transferred to clinic, or discharged home). Demographic data, comorbidities, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), treatments and procedures, and complications were recorded. Result(s): Seventeen (32.7%) of 52 patients who were followed up in IICU died. Thirty-five patients (67.3%) were transferred to the clinic or discharged home. The APACHE II scores at admission to IICU were higher in Group 1 (26.11 +/- 5.86) than in Group 2 (23.43 +/- 6.32) but not statistically significant. GCS was statistically significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (7.82 +/- 2.42 and 10.25 +/- 2.58, respectively, p = 0.002). Mechanical ventilation rate (82.3%) and the need for inotropic agents (76.5%) were higher in Group 1 (p = 0,034 and p < 0.001, respectively). Tracheostomy was applied to 5 of all patients, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was performed 4 of them. Conclusion(s): We think that IICU created during the pandemic provides effective treatment for patients needing intensive care. We think IICU is beneficial in providing quick patient discharge in tertiary intensive care units.Copyright © 2023 by Prusa Medical Publishing.

Mucin-Inspired Single-Chain Polymer (MIP) Fibers as Potent SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors.

Mucins are the key component of the defensive mucus barrier. They are extended fibers of very high molecular weight with diverse biological functions depending strongly on their specific structural parameters. Here, we present a mucin-inspired nanostructure, produced via a synthetic methodology to prepare methacrylate-based dendronized polysulfates (MIP-1) on a multi gram-scale with high molecular weight (MW=450 kDa) and thiol end-functionalized mucin-inspired polymer (MIP) via RAFT polymerization. Cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) analysis of MIP-1 confirmed a mucin-mimetic wormlike single-chain fiber structure (length=144±59 nm) in aqueous solution. This biocompatible fiber showed promising activity against SARS-CoV-2 and its mutant strain, with a remarkable low half maximal (IC50 ) inhibitory concentration (IC50 =10.0 nM). Additionally, we investigate the impact of fiber length on SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by testing other functional polymers (MIPs) of varying fiber lengths.

PERSONALIZED CORRECTION OF HEMOSTASIS SYSTEM DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19.

Violations of the hemostasis (blood aggregation control, BAC) system in patients with COVID-19 in the acute period and at the stage of convalescence have been studied and methods of targeted correction of the identified disorders are considered. Prevention of serious complications related to COVID-19 infection requires complex assessment of the hemostasis system and prompt correction of disorders. Methods of clinical hemostasiograms and low-frequency piezothromboelastography (LPTEG) provide comprehensive and informative assessment of functional state of the BAC system and monitoring of the effectiveness of therapy, both in hospital and on outpatient basis. It was established that hemostasis system disorders had unspecified character with hyper- or hypocoagulation in the acute period and structural or chronometric hypercoagulation in the recovery period. Under LPTEG monitoring in hospital, the identified disorders were corrected by low-molecular-weight (LMW) heparins, blood-based preparations, and fibrinolysis inhibitors;at the outpatient stage, the therapy was supplemented with sulodexide and anticoagulants. Personalized correction of the hemostatic potential was based on the following LPTEG parameters. Prescription of the anti-aggregant and vasoprotective therapy required that the response time (t1) would be reduced below 0.9 min and thrombin activity (TA) constant increased above 40 relative units. The anticoagulant therapy was prescribed when the gelation point (t3) decreased to 4.7 min and the coagulation drive intensity (CDI) index was above 50 relative units. The fibrinolytic activity was corrected when the clot polymerization intensity (CPI) index was above 20 relative units, the cross-linked fibrin formation time (t5) decreased to 27 min, and the clot retraction and lysis intensity (CRLI) index exceeded 15%. The boundary values of these LPTEG parameters were adjusted at the levels of moderate hypercoagulation or reference normal coagulation. The LPTEG monitoring and personalization of the prescribed antithrombotic therapy allowed the risk of thrombo-hemorrhagic complications to be reduced at all stages of COVID-19 treatment.Copyright © 2021 Authors. All rights reserved.

Tillandsia-Inspired Composite Materials for Atmospheric Water Harvesting

Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is a potentially promising small-scale approach to alleviate the water crisis in arid or semiarid regions. Inspired by the asymmetric structure of tillandsia leaves, a plant species native to semiarid regions, we report the development of a bioinspired composite (BiC) to draw moisture for AWH applications. With the advent of the post-COVID era, the nonwoven materials in used masks are discarded, landfilled, or incinerated along with the masks as medical waste, and the negative impact on the environment is inevitable. The nonwoven sheet has porosity, softness, and certain mechanical strength. We innovatively developed BiCs, immobilizing hygroscopic salt with a nonwoven mask for fast vapor liquefaction and using a polymer network to store water. The resulting BiC material manages to achieve a high-water adsorption capacity of 1.24 g g-1 under a low-moderate humidity environment and a high-water release ratio of ca. 90% without the use of photothermal materials, while maintaining high structural integrity in cyclic testing. © 2023 American Chemical Society.

The effect of current infection control procedures and application times on the dimensional stability of dental impression materials

Aims: In this study, the effects of different disinfection and sterilization methods and their application duration on the dimensional stability of impression materials were evaluated. Methods: Two impression materials, condensation (CS) and addition silicone (VPS), disinfectants with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) immersion, 3% hydrogen peroxide immersion and steam autoclave were selected. Disc-shaped samples (n=112) were obtained in 7 subgroups of each material (n=8). Sixteen untreated samples served as controls. Dimensional change was measured with a digital micrometer in the reference lines on the sample. Results: The highest mean percentage of dimensional change for the 50 min autoclave was 0.10±0.03% for CS and 0.10±0.02% for VPS. The dimensional change in CS did not differ for hydrogen peroxide. Compared with the controls, dimensional change was significant in 20 min NaOCl and 50 min autoclave (p<.05). Both impression materials in the autoclave showed statistically significant dimensional changes regardless of the time. The difference in application duration significantly affected the dimensional stability of the impression materials regardless of the procedure (p<.001). Extended application duration did not affect the dimensional stability in the hydrogen peroxide for CS, NaOCl and autoclave for VPS. Conclusions: Chemical disinfection and autoclave sterilization caused statistically significant but clinically acceptable dimensional changes in CS and VPS impression materials used in this study.

Functionalized Photocatalytic Nanocoatings for Inactivating COVID-19 Virus Residing on Surfaces of Public and Healthcare Facilities

The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected the large population across the globe by serious respiratory illness and death. Since the medicine for this new disease is yet to discover, the treatment op-tions against pandemic COVID-19 are very limited and unsatisfactory. Further, the hospitals, wherethe COVID-19 patients are admitted for treatment, are the major source of the spread of this virus, as it survives on the surfaces of inanimate objects for days. Therefore, hospitals have become hotspots for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The non-availability of quality personal protective equipment (PPE) and exposure to severe COVID patients have been major factors for the infection in millions of healthcare workers. However, developing an effective medicine has remained challenging due to its unpredictable mutation rate. Here, this article describes functionalized photocatalytic nanocoat-ings to destroy the COVID-19 virus, which can be applied on the surface of inanimate objects, such as paper, cloth, glass, wood, ceramic, metallic, and polymeric surfaces. With the supporting experimental results, various possible ways of killing the virus and its relevant mechanism are dis-cussed. This article provides new insights for developing nano solutions to address this COVID-19 issue.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.

Molecularly imprinted polymer-modified carbon paste electrodes (MIP-CPE): A review on sensitive electrochemical sensors for pharmaceutical determinations

Recent years have been associated with the development of various sensor-based technologies in response to the undeniable need for the rapid and precise analysis of an immense variety of pharmaceuticals. In this regard, special attention has been paid to the design and fabrication of sensing platforms based on electrochemical detection methods as they can offer many advantages, such as portability, ease of use, relatively cheap instruments, and fast response times. Carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) are among the most promising conductive electrodes due to their beneficial properties, including ease of electrode modification, facile surface renewability, low background currents, and the ability to modify with different analytes. However, their widespread use is affected by the lack of sufficient selectivity of CPEs. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) composed of tailor-made cavities for specific target molecules are appealing complementary additives that can overcome this limitation. Accordingly, adding MIP to the carbon paste matrix can contribute to the required selectivity of sensing platforms. This review aims to present a categorized report on the recent research and the outcomes in the combinatory fields of MIPs and CPEs for determining pharmaceuticals in complex and simple matrices. CPEs modified with MIPs of various pharmaceutical compounds, including analgesic drugs, antibiotics, antivirals, cardiovascular drugs, as well as therapeutic agents affecting the central nervous system (CNS), will be addressed in detail.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

New Biocompatible Nanohydrogels of Predefined Sizes for Complexing Nucleic Acids.

The advent of protein expression using m-RNA applied lately for treating the COVID pandemic, and gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 technology for introducing DNA sequences at a specific site in the genome, are milestones for the urgent need of developing new nucleic acid delivery systems with improved delivery properties especially for in vivo applications. We have designed, synthesized, and characterized novel cross-linked monodispersed nanohydrogels (NHG's) with well-defined sizes ranging between 50-400 nm. The synthesis exploits the formation of self-assemblies generated upon heating a thermo-responsive mixture of monomers. Self-assemblies are formed and polymerized at high temperatures resulting in NHGs with sizes that are predetermined by the sizes of the intermediate self-assemblies. The obtained NHGs were chemically reduced to lead particles with highly positive zeta potential and low cell toxicity. The NHGs form complexes with DNA, and at optimal charge ratio the size of the complexes is concomitant with the size of the NHG's. Thus, the DNA is fully embedded inside the NHGs. The new NHGs and their DNA complexes are devoid of cell toxicity which together with their tunned sizes, make them potential tools for gene delivery and foreign protein expression.

NiFe-based Prussian blue analogue nanopolygons hybridized with functionalized glyoxal polymer as a voltammetric platform for the determination of amisulpride in biological samples.

A novel voltammetric platform based on pencil graphite electrode (PGE) modification has been proposed, containing bimetallic (NiFe) Prussian blue analogue nanopolygons decorated with electro-polymerized glyoxal polymer nanocomposites (p-DPG NCs@NiFe PBA Ns/PGE). Cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were utilized to investigate the electrochemical performance of the proposed sensor. The analytical response of p-DPG NCs@NiFe PBA Ns/PGE was evaluated through the quantity of amisulpride (AMS), one of the most common antipsychotic drugs. Under the optimized experimental and instrumental conditions, the method showed linearity over the range from 0.5 to 15 × 10-8 mol L-1 with a good correlation coefficient (R = 0.9995) and a low detection limit (LOD) reached, 1.5 nmol L-1, with excellent relative standard deviation for human plasma and urine samples. The interference effect of some potentially interfering substances was negligible, and the sensing platform demonstrated an outstanding reproducibility, stability, and reusability. As a first trial, the proposed electrode aimed to shed light on the AMS oxidation mechanism, where the oxidation mechanism was monitored and elucidated using the FTIR technique. It was also found that the prepared p-DPG NCs@NiFe PBA Ns/PGE platform had promising applications for the simultaneous determination of AMS in the presence of some co-administered COVID-19 drugs, which could be attributed to the large active surface area, and high conductivity of bimetallic nanopolygons.

Polymer Additives to Personal Protective Equipment can Inactivate Pathogens.

Face masks have been proven to be medicine's best public health tool for preventing transmission of airborne pathogens. However, in situations with continuous exposure, lower quality and "do-it-yourself" face masks cannot provide adequate protection against pathogens, especially when mishandled. In addition, the use of multiple face masks each day places a strain on personal protective equipment (PPE) supply and is not environmentally sustainable. Therefore, there is a significant clinical and commercial need for a reusable, pathogen-inactivating face mask. Herein, we propose adding quaternary poly(dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate), q(PDMAHDM), abbreviated to q(PDM), to existing fabric networks to generate "contact-killing" face masks-effectively turning cotton, polypropylene, and polyester into pathogen resistant materials. It was found that q(PDM)-integrated face masks were able to inactivate both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in liquid culture and aerosolized droplets. Furthermore, q(PDM) was electrospun into homogeneous polymer fibers, which makes the polymer practical for low-cost, scaled-up production.

Electrocatalytic Determination of the antibiotic Levofloxacin using modified carbon paste electrode with a poly-murexide thin film voltammetrically

In this work, a simple, cheap, sensitive, and selective modified carbon paste electrode is proposed for the electroanalytical determination of Levofloxacin (LEVO), the drug used to treat pneumonia caused by coronavirus. The electrochemical polymerization method was applied to create a thin poly-murexide film (POMUR) on the bare carbon paste electrode (BCPE) surface to enhance its electrocatalytic activity. The peak current response of LEVO obtained by POMUR/CPE was increased by 14.2 μA compared to BCPE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques were employed to characterize BCPE and POMUR/CPE. Under the optimal experimental circumstances, the prepared sensor was capable of determining LEVO with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 7.18 nM (S/N = 3) for a linear dynamic range of 25 – 1 × 103 nM utilizing differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Moreover, the practical applicability of POMUR/CPE for determining LEVO in pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples (human serum) demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity with a recovery of 95.08 – 100.5 %. © 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Ivermectin Loaded Microsponges With Potential Benefit Of COVID 19: Preparation And Characterisation

Microsponges are extremely cross-linked, non-collapsible, porous, polymeric microspheres having particle size range from 5 to 300 mum. They are highly effective, stable, non-irritant, nontoxic, non-allergic, non-mutagenic and also minimum side effects with improved patient compliance. Ivermectin is act as an antiparasitic agent and antiviral agent, shows an inhibitory effect on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in primary stage. Ivermectin microsponges is prepared by quasi emulsion-solvent diffusion method by using two polymers in different proportion. Determination of entrapment efficiency and production yield was done for trail batches. Characterization of formulation done by SEM,PXRD and FTIR. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

Comorbidities of COVID-19 promote hypofibrinolysis

Background: Hypofibrinolysis, is the underlying reason behind hypercoagulability in severe COVID-19. Hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are the prime comorbidities. Blood clotting, maintained by regulatory balance between procoagulants and anticoagulants, lead to equilibrium between coagulation and fibrinolysis. Fibrin clots made of meshwork of polymerized fibrin threads, generated by proteolysis of fibrinogen by thrombin, play a cardinal role in thrombosis. RBC, WBC and platelets get embroiled in the meshwork of fibrin thread to form clot . Clots made up thin, highly branched fibrin fibers with smaller pores are less susceptible to fibrinolysis, on the contrary clots with thick fibers, less branched with larger pores are prone to lysis. Factor VIIIa crosslinks to fibrin, also crosslinks alpha2-antiplasmin, TAFI, and PAI-2 to fibrin, to increase resistance to fibrinolysis and enhancing thrombosis risk. Aim(s): How COVID-19 comorbidities escalate hypofibrinolysis? Methods: Methods are from published literatures. Result(s): Fibrinogen levels are found to be enhanced in diabetes, with fibrin clots denser and resistant to fibrinolysis. Glycation of fibrinogen attributes to increased fibrin polymerization and crosslinkings, ensuing in abnormal clots. Altered fibrin structures, resistant to fibrinolysis are also observed in patients with coronary artery diseases and peripheral arterial diseases. Hypertension has also contributed to altered fibrin structures, with antihypertensive treatment increasing the clot susceptibility to lysis. Interestingly, platelet derived polyphosphate has been known to induce higher mass-length ratio of fibrin threads making it fibrinolysis resistant. More so, thromboembolic COVID-19 patients reported of elevated factor VIII, in comparison to patients without thromboembolisms. Severe COVID-19 patients also reported of elevated anticoagulant proteins as SERPINS, PAI-1, alpha2-antiplasmin and TAFI, reflective of impaired fibrinolysis. Supportively, expression of PAI-1 and TAFI are known to be enhanced in comorbidities. Conclusion(s): Altered fibrin structures coupled with enhanced anticoagulant production, can lead to hypofibrinolysis, which predisposes to thromboembolisms in some severe COVID-19 patients with comorbidities.

Impact of Dialysis Clinical Operating Conditions on Human Serum Protein-Mediated Inflammatory Biomarkers Released in Patients Using Polyarylethersulfone Membranes

Hemodialysis (HD) is a life-sustaining treatment of crucial importance in managing end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, this membrane-based therapy is associated with acute side-effects due to bioincompatibility issues and limitations on the removal of uremic toxins. The present study assessed the influence of hydrodynamic conditions applied during HD treatment on protein-mediated inflammatory and thrombotic responses. The membrane modules considered are commonly used in Canadian hospitals and are comprised of a polymer blend of polyarylether sulfone-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PAES). The membranes morphology and hydrophilicity were assessed using SEM, AFM, BET, and zeta potential. An in vitro study evaluated the adsorptive behavior of fibrinogen (FB) to the membrane under different flow conditions. Lower rates of 200 mL/min promoted slower and significant FB adsorption, leading to more severe inflammatory and thrombotic responses. Hydrodynamic conditions also affected the concentration of all inflammatory biomarkers. Lower flow rates triggered more complement activation as well as coagulation, clotting, and inflammatory responses compared to higher flow rates. At the end of the dialysis session, patients treated with a Qb of 200 mL/min presented a significant increase in the concentration of C5a (232%), properdin (114%), serpin (545%), IL-1α (50%), IL-6 (450%), and vWF (212%). IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations declined by 12.5 and 35.5%, respectively. Male patients experienced more severe inflammatory responses than female patients at the operating conditions considered. Comparing the pre- and post-dialysis levels of female and male patients, female patients experienced significantly higher levels of IL-6 and properdin, while male patients presented higher levels of C5a, IL-1α, and IL-6. The results of this study will help clinical doctors evaluate the impact of HD operating conditions on blood activations before prescribing treatment and inform expectations for outcomes in female and male patients.

Synthesis and CO2 Capture of Porous Hydrogel Particles Consisting of Hyperbranched Poly(amidoamine)s.

We successfully synthesized new macroporous hydrogel particles consisting of hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s (HPAMAM) using the Oil-in-Water-in-Oil (O/W/O) suspension polymerization method at both the 50 mL flask scale and the 5 L reactor scale. The pore sizes and particle sizes were easily tuned by controlling the agitation speeds during the polymerization reaction. Since O/W/O suspension polymerization gives porous architecture to the microparticles, synthesized hydrogel particles having abundant amine groups inside polymers exhibited a high CO2 absorption capacity (104 mg/g) and a fast absorption rate in a packed-column test.

An Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Low-Aluminum and Rich-Iron-Calcium Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete

Limited studies have been conducted on low-aluminum and rich-iron-calcium fly ash (LARICFA)-based geopolymer concrete with increased strength. This study aims to investigate the mechanical characteristics of LARICFA-based geopolymer concrete, including its compressive strength, split tensile strength, and ultimate moment. The steps of this study include material preparation and testing, concrete mix design and casting, specimen curing and testing, and the analysis of testing results. Furthermore, the specimen tests consist of the bending, compressive, and split tensile strength tests. The results show that the average compressive strength and the ultimate moment of the geopolymer concrete are 38.20 MPa and 22.90 kN·m, respectively, while the average ratio between the split tensile and compressive strengths is around 0.09. Therefore, the fly ash-based geopolymer concrete can be used in structural components.

EFFECTS of the COVID-19 DISEASE on AXIAL SPONDYLARTHRITIS DISEASE FLARE

Background: Rheumatological disease fares may be seen after many infections. However, our knowledge for the post-COVID axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) fares and its related factors is limited. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate disease activity and factors that may be associated with disease activity in axial SpA patients in post-COVID period. Methods: We retrospectively assessed the axial SpA patients who have had COVID-19 disease confrmed by a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerized chain reaction (PCR) test result. Demographics, comorbid diseases, active medical treatments for SpA and information regarding COVID-19 clinical courses were collected from medical records. PCR positive patients were reached via telephone and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scored for pre-and post-COVID SpA symptoms. An increase of ≥2 points in the BASDAI score was defned as fare, and SpA groups with and without fare were compared. Factors predicting SpA fare were also analyzed by the logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 48 axial SpA patients were included in our study, 65% of them male and the mean±SD age was 42.3±8.6 years. Post-COVID SpA fare was seen in 38% patients. Demographic, clinical, medical features of the SpA patients and COVID-19 disease severity were similar between Flare and No fare groups. In comparison of the COVID-19 symptoms, although most of the COVID-19 related symptoms were similar between two groups, the frequency of the back pain and diarrhea were higher in the Flare group than No fare group. But in multivariate analysis, only history of the infammatory bowel disease had an increased risk for post-COVID SpA fare (Table 1). Conclusion: The presence of infammatory bowel disease statistically signifcant related post-COVID SpA fares. In addition, diarrhea and back pain symptoms in COVID-19 disease may be stimulating factors for SpA fares but we found no effect of rheumatological therapies.

Research progress of nanopore sequencing in the clinic

Because of the low throughput of current first-generation sequencing and the shortread length of second-generation sequencing, a new technology that overcomes the above shortcomings has emerged. The third-generation sequencing based on nanopore does not rely on the chain reaction of DNA polymerases and distinguishes bases by identifying electrical signals. It has broad application prospects and also faces more challenges. At present, it has many applications in detection of infectious pathogens, infectious disease prevention and control, genetic variation, and tumor diagnosis.