Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miriam Merad, Catherine A. Blish, Federica Sallusto, Akiko Iwasaki
Summary: Considerable research effort has been focused on deciphering the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infections and understanding the pathophysiology of COVID-19, including Long Covid syndrome. The hope is that knowledge gained from this research will be applied to studies of inflammatory processes in critical and chronic illnesses in the future.
Article
Immunology
Yaolin Guo, Tianyi Li, Xinyi Xia, Bin Su, Hanping Li, Yingmei Feng, Jingwan Han, Xiaolin Wang, Lei Jia, Zuoyi Bao, Jingyun Li, Yongjian Liu, Lin Li
Summary: The study found that severe COVID-19 patients have higher antibody levels compared to moderate patients, and a cytokine storm is associated with COVID-19 severity. There is a difference in immunoglobulin type between anti-S protein antibodies and anti-N protein antibodies in COVID-19 patients. These findings have important implications for clinical prevention.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sung Eun Choi, Corneliu Sima, Laura Pesquera Colom, Giang T. Nguyen, William Giannobile
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a surveillance COVID-19 testing program in an academic dental institution. The results showed that implementing an adaptive testing cadence based on individual risk status can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection within the institution. Participation in clinical activities did not pose additional risk compared to other in-person activities.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Peter Chen, Ajay Nirula, Barry Heller, Robert L. Gottlieb, Joseph Boscia, Jason Morris, Gregory Huhn, Jose Cardona, Bharat Mocherla, Valentina Stosor, Imad Shawa, Andrew C. Adams, Jacob Van Naarden, Kenneth L. Custer, Lei Shen, Michael Durante, Gerard Oakley, Andrew E. Schade, Janelle Sabo, Dipak R. Patel, Paul Klekotka, Daniel M. Skovronsky
Summary: LY-CoV555, a neutralizing antibody, showed promising results in reducing viral load, improving symptoms, and lowering the risk of hospitalization among patients with mild or moderate Covid-19. While one of the doses appeared to accelerate the decline in viral load, others did not show significant effects by day 11.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Daohong Zhang, Deepak Kukkar, Ki-Hyun Kim
Summary: This review focuses on recent advances in in vitro immunoassays for COVID-19 diagnosis and provides a comprehensive discussion on the basic strategies available to establish advanced immunological detection systems. It is expected to help develop upscaled point-of-care diagnostic systems for efficient screening of COVID-19 and for early seroprevalence surveys towards possible future outbreaks.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Rosanna W. Peeling, David L. Heymann, Yik-Ying Teo, Patricia J. Garcia
Summary: Diagnostics play a crucial role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Molecular tests like PCR are recommended for confirming diagnosis in symptomatic individuals, while antigen rapid detection tests have the advantage of being easier to perform with faster results and lower cost. Antibody tests can inform public policy but should not be used as proof of immunity. All three types of tests continue to be important in transitioning from pandemic response to control.
Article
Virology
Ladislav Stepanek, Magdalena Janosikova, Lubomir Stepanek, Marie Nakladalova, Alena Borikova
Summary: This study analyzed the presence and persistence of COVID-19-induced antibodies in unvaccinated healthcare workers over the course of 1-8 months post symptom onset. The results showed that infection-induced anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG rates dropped to a third in seropositive participants over the course of 8 months, and the number of symptoms and their duration in the acute phase were relevant to the subsequent kinetics of antibody responses.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
David Leeman, Joe Flannagan, Dimple Chudasama, Kyle Dack, Charlotte Anderson, Gavin Dabrera, Theresa Lamagni
Summary: During September to December 2020, there were 53,430 student case-patients of COVID-19 among university students returning to campus in England, accounting for 2.7% of all cases during that period. The number of student case-patients increased rapidly after the start of the term, mainly driven by cases and outbreaks in student accommodations. Case rates among students aged 18-23 doubled at the beginning of the term in towns with universities. These findings highlight the importance of implementing face-to-face and control measures to reduce virus transmission.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Courtney R. Lane, Norelle L. Sherry, Ashleigh F. Porter, Sebastian Duchene, Kristy Horan, Patiyan Andersson, Mathilda Wilmot, Annabelle Turner, Sally Dougall, Sandra A. Johnson, Michelle Sait, Anders Gonsalves da Silva, Susan A. Ballard, Tuyet Hoang, Timothy P. Stinear, Leon Caly, Vitali Sintchenko, Rikki Graham, Jamie McMahon, David Smith, Lex E. X. Leong, Ella M. Meumann, Louise Cooley, Benjamin Schwessinger, William Rawlinson, Sebastiaan J. van Hal, Nicola Stephens, Mike Catton, Clare Looker, Simon Crouch, Brett Sutton, Charles Alpren, Deborah A. Williamson, Torsten Seemann, Benjamin P. Howden
Summary: This study conducted genomic sequencing of COVID-19 cases in Victoria, Australia, identifying the source of the second wave outbreak and showing the effectiveness of genomic epidemiology in eliminating COVID-19 for a second time. The results indicated that a single incursion from hotel quarantine led to a large outbreak, but strict interventions and decisive public health responses were successful in controlling the spread. Real-time genomic surveillance played a crucial role in shaping public health strategies during the outbreak.
LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Andrea Alemany, Pere Millat-Martinez, Marc Corbacho-Monne, Clara Suner, Cristina Galvan-Casas, Caty Carrera, Dan Ouchi, Nuria Prat, Jordi Ara, Nuria Nadal, Ricard Riel, Blanca Funollet, Carmen Ojeda-Ciurana, Lluis Esteve Balague, Betlem Salvador-Gonzalez, Anna Forcada Arcarons, Josep Vidal-Alaball, Maria Isabel Del Cura-Gonzalez, Ricardo Rodriguez Barrientos, Rafel Ramos-Blanes, Alberto Alum Bou, Elsa Mondou, Mireia Torres, Neus Campins, Ana Sanz, Yonggiang Tang, Miquel Angel Rodriguez-Arias, Quique Bassat, Bonaventura Clotet, Oriol Mitja
Summary: This study assessed the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous anti-COVID-19 hyperimmune immunoglobulin 20% (C19-IG20%) in preventing the development of symptomatic COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed that C19-IG20% did not prevent asymptomatic individuals from developing symptomatic COVID-19.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Christian Doppler, Michael Feischl, Clara Ganhor, Spela Puh, Marina Mueller, Michaela Kotnik, Teresa Mimler, Max Sonnleitner, David Bernhard, Christian Wechselberger
Summary: PCR and antigen testing strategies have been successful in limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, it is equally important to continuously monitor the seroprevalence status and antibody levels of vaccinated individuals. This study estimated the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in Upper Austria from December 2020 to April 2021. The results reflect the current population-based estimates and PCR-screening analyses, demonstrating the value of broad-based monitoring using point-of-care testing network.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
K. R. Barker, L. N. Small, D. V. Thai, K. Y. Sohn, L. C. Rosella
Summary: The Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 assay is a rapid molecular test that can detect SARS-CoV-2. The test showed high positive and negative predictive values in a specific patient population, with short turnaround times and potential benefits in patient flow and triage. However, the test performance may vary with prevalence and may not be suitable for large healthcare centers.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Sergey Knyazev, Karishma Chhugani, Varuni Sarwal, Ram Ayyala, Harman Singh, Smruthi Karthikeyan, Dhrithi Deshpande, Pelin Icer Baykal, Zoia Comarova, Angela Lu, Yuri Porozov, Tetyana Vasylyeva, Joel O. Wertheim, Braden T. Tierney, Charles Y. Chiu, Ren Sun, Aiping Wu, Malak S. Abedalthagafi, Victoria M. Pak, Shivashankar H. Nagaraj, Adam L. Smith, Pavel Skums, Bogdan Pasaniuc, Andrey Komissarov, Christopher E. Mason, Eric Bortz, Philippe Lemey, Fyodor Kondrashov, Niko Beerenwinkel, Tommy Tsan-Yuk Lam, Nicholas C. Wu, Alex Zelikovsky, Rob Knight, Keith A. Crandall, Serghei Mangul
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, genomics and bioinformatics have become crucial tools in public health. They have been used to acquire genomic data that support global health responses, aid in the development of testing methods, and enable the timely tracking of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, the rapid generation and analysis of genomic data present unique technical, scientific, and organizational challenges.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Chang-Sheng Xia, Minghua Zhan, Yudong Liu, Zhi-Hong Yue, Ying Song, Feifei Zhang, Hui Wang
Summary: This study assessed the levels of protective antibodies in SARS survivors with and without the COVID-19 vaccine, and found that SARS survivors have protective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 even without vaccination, and generate a stronger antibody response after vaccination compared to controls.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ghady Haidar, Mounzer Agha, Andrew Bilderback, Amy Lukanski, Kelsey Linstrum, Rachel Troyan, Scott Rothenberger, Deborah K. McMahon, Melissa D. Crandall, Michele D. Sobolewksi, P. Nathan Enick, Jana L. Jacobs, Kevin Collins, Cynthia Klamar-Blain, Bernard J. C. Macatangay, Urvi M. Parikh, Amy Heaps, Lindsay Coughenour, Marc B. Schwartz, Jeffrey M. Dueker, Fernanda P. Silveira, Mary E. Keebler, Abhinav Humar, James D. Luketich, Matthew R. Morrell, Joseph M. Pilewski, John F. McDyer, Bhanu Pappu, Robert L. Ferris, Stanley M. Marks, John Mahon, Katie Mulvey, Sundaram Hariharan, Glenn M. Updike, Lorraine Brock, Robert Edwards, Richard H. Beigi, Paula L. Kip, Alan Wells, Tami Minnier, Derek C. Angus, John W. Mellors
Summary: This study investigated the humoral responses to COVID-19 vaccination in immunocompromised individuals. The results showed that the proportion of individuals with antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was lower in immunocompromised groups, particularly in solid organ transplant and anti-CD20 monoclonal recipients. Antibody levels were strongly correlated with neutralization titers, but immunocompromised patients had significantly lower neutralization titers compared to non-immunocompromised healthcare workers among individuals with intermediate antibody levels.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
K. S. Joshy, Robin Augustine, Anwarul Hasan, Alap Ali Zahid, Susan M. Alex, Yogesh B. Dalvi, Fatima Mraiche, Sabu Thomas, Nandakumar Kalarikkal, Hong Chi
Summary: This study developed a novel drug delivery system composed of polymer blend nanocarriers coated with a lipid to efficiently release cisplatin. The system exhibited high drug loading capacity, pH-responsive release, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and blood compatibility. Testing on breast cancer cells showed excellent results, indicating the potential of cisplatin-loaded nanoparticles in breast cancer interventions.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Raghid Bsat, Hiam Chemaitelly, Peter Coyle, Patrick Tang, Mohammad R. Hasan, Zaina Al Kanaani, Einas Al Kuwari, Adeel A. Butt, Andrew Jeremijenko, Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal, Ali Nizar Latif, Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik, Gheyath K. Nasrallah, Fatiha M. Benslimane, Hebah A. Al Khatib, Hadi M. Yassine, Mohamed G. Al Kuwari, Hamad Eid Al Romaihi, Mohamed H. Al-Thani, Abdullatif Al Khal, Roberto Bertollini, Laith J. Abu-Raddad, Houssein H. Ayoub
Summary: The study examined Rt estimations in Qatar to guide the national COVID-19 response, finding that different estimation methods produced consistent and comparable results. These estimates were correlated with trends in infection incidence, and the model-based estimations strongly correlated with empirical estimations, highlighting the importance of Rt estimations in guiding pandemic responses.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mohamed A. Elrayess, Farhan S. Cyprian, Abdallah M. Abdallah, Mohamed M. Emara, Ilhame Diboun, Najeha Anwardeen, Sven Schuchardt, Hadi M. Yassine
Summary: Increased COVID-19 severity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension is associated with reduced levels of triacylglycerols containing specific long-chain unsaturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, potentially offering novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Rashid Ahmed, Robin Augustine, Maryam Chaudhry, Usman A. Akhtar, Alap Ali Zahid, Muhammad Tariq, Mojtaba Falahati, Irfan S. Ahmad, Anwarul Hasan
Summary: Impaired diabetic wounds are associated with failure in wound closure and lower limb amputations, mainly due to the lack of growth factors and prolonged inflammation. Supplying nitric oxide endogenously or exogenously can enhance the healing of diabetic wounds, with ongoing research focusing on using NO-donors encapsulated in nanomaterials as a therapeutic strategy for diabetic wounds.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Rekha Unni, Ruby Varghese, Yogesh Bharat Dalvi, Robin Augustine, M. S. Latha, R. Reshmy, Hari Kumar Bhaskaran Nair, Anwarul Hasan, A. Abraham, Tiju Joseph Mathew
Summary: This study focuses on the extraction of nanocellulose from the root of Ixora coccinea L. plant and preparation of nanocellulose plasticized scaffold. The experiments demonstrate that the scaffold is cell-friendly, promotes cell proliferation, and shows potential in various tissue engineering applications.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sahar Sultan, Nebu Thomas, Mekha Varghese, Yogesh Dalvi, Shilpa Joy, Stephen Hall, Aji P. Mathew
Summary: This study successfully developed bio-based and patient-specific three-dimensional scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration using 3D printing technology. The composite scaffolds were analyzed for their macro- and microstructures, mechanical properties, in vitro cytotoxicity, and in vivo biocompatibility. The results showed that the composite scaffolds had uniform particle distribution, significantly increased mechanical strength, and demonstrated good biocompatibility.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Robin Augustine, Mert Gezek, Nazli Seray Bostanci, Angelina Nguyen, Gulden Camci-Unal
Summary: The lack of oxygen supply in engineered constructs poses a major challenge in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Providing and maintaining adequate oxygen levels in large tissue-engineered constructs as well as during transportation and storage is crucial. Recent approaches involve incorporating oxygen-generating materials such as peroxides and fluorinated substances into scaffolds. This review paper highlights the importance of oxygen-generating materials in various tissue engineering approaches and discusses challenges, solutions, and future strategies in designing clinically relevant multifunctional biomaterials.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Robin Augustine, Sumama Nuthana Kalva, Yogesh B. Dalvi, Ruby Varghese, Maneesh Chandran, Anwarul Hasan
Summary: The development of highly porous cell supportive polymeric scaffolds with sufficient mechanical strength has always been a challenging task in tissue engineering. Air-jet spinning is an upcoming alternative approach for generating loosely arranged nanofibrous scaffolds within short time. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) tissue engineering scaffolds loaded with diamond nanosheets (DNS) were fabricated by air-jet spinning, and the inclusion of DNS improved the mechanical strength of the scaffolds. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the high biocompatibility of PCL-DNS scaffolds, making them suitable for tissue engineering applications.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rekha Unni, R. Reshmy, Karthika Ramesh, Tiju Joseph Mathew, A. Abraham, Yogesh Bharat Dalvi, Raveendran Sindhu, Aravind Madhavan, Parameswaran Binod, Ashok Pandey, Asad Syed, Meenakshi Verma, Balasubramani Ravindran, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi
Summary: This article investigates the impact of glutar-aldehyde on glycerol plasticized nanocellulose and finds that the GA-crosslinked nanocellulose has higher tensile modulus and larger surface area, making it more suitable as a bio-adsorbent for wastewater treatment. The GA-treated nanocellulose also possesses non-toxicity, inertness, increased crystallinity index, and good mechanical qualities, making it suitable for various applications such as product packaging, bioengineering materials, tissue engineering, and insulation coatings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Steven Levitte, Reza Yarani, Abantika Ganguly, Lynne Martin, John Gubatan, Helen R. R. Nadel, Benjamin Franc, Roberto Gugig, Ali Syed, Alka Goyal, K. T. Park, Avnesh S. S. Thakor
Summary: Intraarterial corticosteroid treatment can provide symptom relief for pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with minimal side effects. Vascular morphologic changes in the mesenteric circulation correlate with disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease. This approach shows promise as a locoregional therapy for IBD patients, but further research is needed.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Steven Levitte, Abantika Ganguly, Sophie Frolik, Alix A. Guevara-Tique, Shaini Patel, Ann Tadas, Orly Klein, David Shyr, Rajni Agarwal-Hashmi, Lynn Beach, Elizabeth Callard, Katja Weinacht, Alice Bertaina, Avnesh S. Thakor
Summary: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication in pediatric stem cell transplant patients. Corticosteroids are the main treatment, but their long-term use can cause complications. Intraarterial steroid administration has been successfully used in children with GVHD, improving symptoms and liver function. This approach may be considered as a rescue or bridge therapy for children with acute GVHD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Robin Augustine, Vasilios K. Nikolopoulos, Gulden Camci-Unal
Summary: Researchers have developed a new self-oxygenating composite biomaterial for bone-tissue engineering that releases oxygen, improves cell survival, and enhances mechanical strength, showing promise for clinical treatment of bone defects.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Robin Augustine, Gulden Camci-Unal
Summary: Maintaining adequate oxygen levels within implanted scaffolds is a major challenge in bone tissue engineering. We developed an oxygen-generating scaffold using electrospinning technology and characterized its physical, chemical, and biological properties. The scaffold provided controlled oxygen release, supported cell proliferation, and facilitated bone defect contraction in vitro. Our approach shows promise for developing tissue-engineered products targeting bone defects.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)