Coronaviruses - Volume 2, Issue 12, 2021

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 options 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 nanocoatings 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 discussed. This article provides new insights for developing nano solutions to address this COVID-19 issue.

The present paper elucidates the conceivable application of two key molecules in SARS-CoV-2 detection of suspected infected persons. These molecules were selected on the basis of the strong interaction between ACE-2 and S protein that allows virus attachment to its host cells; on the other hand, specific immunocompetant effectors are generated by the human immune system during the infection. Several testing procedures are already being used to diagnose SARSCoV- 2 infection, particularly the RT-PCR technique. ELISA and LFIA are possible assays for the employment of shACE-2/ hAc-anti-S (the molecules of interest) as the main agents of the test that confer dual principal functions (capture and detection). The future diagnostic kits involving shACE-2 and hAc-anti-S will possibly be highly sensitive with rapid detection in addition to their advantage of relatively easy conception. They could be largely considered as technically advanced kits in regards to the current SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic immunoassays.

New and fascinating physical, chemical and biological phenomena arise in ultra-small materials, such as graphene. Graphene is a single layer formed only for carbon atoms, super-strong, 200 times stronger than steel and as much as 6 times lighter. It also has a high elasticity and density. Furthermore, it seems to be impermeable to almost everything, but allows the passage of water and air. Due to its versatility, modern and urgent applications arise every day, one of the most necessary, currently, is the control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2), the virus responsible for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has dimensions around 100 nm and has caused a worldwide public health emergency. Different ways to prevent coronavirus contagion has proposed and one of them is the use of masks. Here, we investigated some properties of graphene that can help combat COVID-19. A scale appropriate for comparison shows that the spatial dimension of a virus is much larger than the graphene sheet, making it a great candidate for manufacturing face masks, filters and respirators. We also make use of firstprinciples calculations, based on the density functional theory (DFT), to investigate the interaction between graphene and a water molecule. We observed that the water molecule undergoes a repulsion force when it is very close to the graphene sheet. The hydrophobicity of graphene can be important to prevent the face mask that doesn’t get wet when you breathe with it.

Immunosuppressant drugs like Etanercept, Mycophenolate mofetil, Sirolimus, Cyclosporine, and Rituximab can weaken the immune system and make patients susceptible to SARS nCoV-2 virus. These drugs make immunocompromised persons more vulnerable to complications associated with COVID-19. Moreover, it can also increase mortality and morbidity, as a weakened immune system can lead to a longer duration of infection. This study discusses the guidelines on immunosuppressant drugs and their associated risk factors with COVID-19, issued by the U.S CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), WHO (World Health Organization), U.S FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and other accredited global health organizations. Moreover, it also includes information about pharmaceutical properties, mechanism of action, COVID-19 associated risk factors, adverse drug reactions, contraindications, and drug-drug interactions. Our study will help government partners and international health organizations to understand COVID-19 health risks associated with immunosuppressants. Increased public awareness about effective drug therapy for autoimmune diseases, cancer treatment, immunocompromised, and organ transplant patients will help lower the mortality and morbidity associated with the disease amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is a worldwide public health problem causing 347,070 deaths from December 25, 2019, till May 25, 2020. Phospholipids are structural components of mammalian cytoskeleton and cell membranes. Phosphatidylglycerol is an anionic lipid found in mammalian membranes in low amounts (1-2%) of the total phospholipids. Also, phosphatidylglycerol suppresses viral attachment to the plasma membrane and subsequent replication in lung cells. Phosphatidylglycerol depletion caused by over expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2α induces lipid accumulation in lung alveoli and promotes acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). An exogenous-surfactant replacement has been successfully achieved in ARDS and improved oxygenation and lung mechanics. Inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha impairs an early step of COVID-19 replication. Aim: The present study was carried out to explain the correlation between the administration of exogenous artificial surfactant as well as cytosolic phospholipase A2α inhibitors to improve oxygenation and lung mechanics and inhibit COVID-19 replication. Methods: Database research was carried out on Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, country-specific journals, and following-up WHO reports published between December 25, 2019 - May 25, 2020. Results: Till 25 May 2020, coronavirus cases were 5,307,298, with 347,070 deathsand 2,314,849 recovered cases. According to the WHO reports, most COVID-19 deaths seen are in people who suffered from other chronic diseases characterized by phospholipidosis and phosphatidylglycerol deficiency, including hypertension, liver, heart, and lung diseases and diabetes. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) catalyze the cleavage of fatty acids esterified at the sn-2 position of glycerophospholipids leading to enhanced inflammation and lung damage. Also, cytosolic phospholipase A2α inhibitors may reduce the accumulation of viral proteins and RNA. In addition, administration of exogenous phospholipid surfactant may help COVID-19 infected patients with ARDS to remove inflammatory mediators. Conclusion: The present study showed a relation between phosphatidylglycerol deficiency in COVID-19 infected patients with ARDS and/or chronic diseases and their mortality. These findings also showed an important approach for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infections by using cytosolic phospholipase A2α inhibitors and exogenous administration of a specific phospholipid surfactant.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) has emerged as a new public health crisis, with the WHO officially declaring it as a pandemic on 30 January 2020. In December 2019, the virus was reported to be transmitted to humans through an unknown intermediary animal in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. As of 18 May 2020, there were 4,730,968 reported cases of Covid-19, with 315,488 deaths. Direct contact among individuals is the most common transmission method, primarily through droplets released during coughing or sneezing. The incubation period of the virus oscillates between 2 to 14 days. The commonly reported symptoms include fatigue, sore throat, cough, and fever. Most of the people are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms. The elderly and people with comorbidities show severe symptoms. The disease is diagnosed by using the real- time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing method. A blood test is also used to detect the antibodies to the virus, which are usually released after infection. The typical laboratory findings indicate elevated C-reactive proteins (CRP) with normal or low white blood cell counts; the chest CT scan demonstrates ground-glass opacities (GGO) and bilateral pneumonia in most patients. Supportive treatment is available, and research on the right treatment using existing drugs is ongoing. Several pharmaceutical companies and research institutions are focusing on the development of a vaccine. The review summarizes and provides an update on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies in the management of Covid-19.

Background: Almost the whole world is observing a pandemic like never before in the last century, affecting the human lifestyle and economies known as coronavirus disease -2019 (COVID-19). A new severe acute respiratory syndrome that has emerged in China in late 2019 and spread in more than 210 countries makes a global health care emergency. Objective: Considering the epidemiological features of COVID-19, it is crucial to prevent the spread of such a highly infectious disease through effective control methods such as early detection, isolation, and treatment strategies. Conclusion: This review highlights the SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes among communities and control measures, improving the quarantine and isolation of infected individuals. The “gold standard” molecular and other rapid diagnostic tests used to detect SARS-CoV-2 with their benefits and limitations have been reported. Several repurposed drugs, including antivirals trailed for COVID-19 patients, and supportive treatments, such as general, cellular, and immune therapies with the role of vitamins in the safe deployment for COVID-19 patients, have been discussed. Finally, the review also encompasses an overview and update about the recent development of COVID-19 vaccines and ongoing clinical studies, providing further research advances.

The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV- -2) has become a pandemic, as declared by WHO in March 2020 producing deleterious effects on patients worldwide. The angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) has been recognized as the coreceptor for SARS-CoV-2 infections and may act as a therapeutic step in blocking the enzyme to reduce SARS-CoV-2 expression and further cellular entry. Presently, the role of ACE-2 in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has been known and the experts have started working on the enzyme ACE-2 for the management and treatment of this pandemic disease. The binding of spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 to these receptors is the most important step and plays a key role in viral replication, thus this enzyme is becoming the doorway for the entry and spread in the human body causing asymptomatic pneumonia and severe of which is leading to death. As no specific method to prevent and treat this disease is available, the use of ACE-2 as a targeting ligand with COVID-19 virus spike protein could be helpful in the proper management of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated focusing on the economic stressors for the welfare of the population worldwide. This pandemic, which has affected individuals globally since January 2020, has caused barriers in the business involving different sectors. The primary sector, i.e., agriculture and food supplies, and the secondary sectors like the manufacturing units, oil and petrol sector, transport sector, travel and tourism as well as the finance industries, have all faced the adverse effect of this pandemic and subsequent lockdown. The different restrictions implemented by the government in most of the countries like quarantine, self-isolation, sealing of national and international borders, a complete shutdown of transport and travel, etc., have disrupted the equilibrium of demand and supply. As an aftermath of such misbalance, the economic conditions in all the sectors have been negatively impacted. In this review, we shall discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the economic condition of different sectors like agriculture, logistics, petroleumbased fuels, commodity market, hospitality and tourism, pharmaceutical industry, and finance industry.

Background: The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has raised a global health concern due to the unavailability of any vaccines or drugs. The repurposing of traditional herbs with broad-spectrum anti-viral activity can be explored to control or prevent a pandemic. Objective: The 3-chymotrypsin-like main protease (3CLpro), also referred to as the “Achilles’ heel” of the coronaviruses (CoVs), is highly conserved among CoVs and is a potential drug target. 3CLpro is essential for the virus’ life cycle. The objective of the study was to screen and identify broad- -spectrum natural phytoconstituents against the conserved active site and substrate-binding site of 3CLpro of HCoVs. Methods: Herein, we applied the computational strategy based on molecular docking to identify potential phytoconstituents for the non-covalent inhibition of the main protease 3CLpro from four different CoVs, namely, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, HCoV-HKU1, and HCoV-229E. Results: Our study shows that natural phytoconstituents in Triphala (a blend of Emblica officinalis fruit, Terminalia bellerica fruit, and Terminalia chebula fruit), namely chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, and elagic acid, exhibited the highest binding affinity and lowest dissociation constants (Ki), against the conserved 3CLpro main protease of SARSCoV-2, SARS-CoV, HCoV-HKU1, and HCoV-229E. Besides, phytoconstituents of other herbs like Withania somnifera, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hyssopus officinalis, Camellia sinensis, Prunella vulgaris, and Ocimum sanctum also showed good binding affinity and lower Ki against the active site of 3CLpro. The top-ranking phytoconstituents’ binding interactions clearly showed strong and stable interactions with amino acid residues in the catalytic dyad (CYS-HIS) and substrate-binding pocket of the 3CLpro main proteases. Conclusion: This study provides a valuable scaffold for repurposing traditional herbs with anti-- CoV activity to combat SARS-CoV-2 and other HCoVs until the discovery of new therapies.