Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick J. Lenehan, Eshwan Ramudu, A. J. Venkatakrishnan, Gabriela Berner, Reid McMurry, John C. O'Horo, Andrew D. Badley, William Morice, John Halamka, Venky Soundararajan
Summary: A retrospective study compared laboratory test measurements in rehospitalized COVID-19 patients versus those not rehospitalized after viral clearance, finding that rehospitalized patients had lower hemoglobin levels and were more likely to have moderate or severe anemia. These findings suggest that anemia-related lab tests should be considered in risk assessment for COVID-19 patients.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francesco Ferrara, Antonio Vitiello
Summary: The global COVID-19 pandemic first started in Wuhan, China in November 2019, causing millions of deaths worldwide. The ACE-2 protein plays a crucial role in the infection and pharmacological modulation of COVID-19, suggesting that targeting the RAS and ACE-2 may be important in therapeutic strategies.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryuta Uraki, Maki Kiso, Shun Iida, Masaki Imai, Emi Takashita, Makoto Kuroda, Peter J. Halfmann, Samantha Loeber, Tadashi Maemura, Seiya Yamayoshi, Seiichiro Fujisaki, Zhongde Wang, Mutsumi Ito, Michiko Ujie, Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Yuri Furusawa, Ryan Wright, Zhenlu Chong, Seiya Ozono, Atsuhiro Yasuhara, Hiroshi Ueki, Yuko Sakai-Tagawa, Rong Li, Yanan Liu, Deanna Larson, Michiko Koga, Takeya Tsutsumi, Eisuke Adachi, Makoto Saito, Shinya Yamamoto, Masao Hagihara, Keiko Mitamura, Tetsuro Sato, Masayuki Hojo, Shin-ichiro Hattori, Kenji Maeda, Riccardo Valdez, Moe Okuda, Jurika Murakami, Calvin Duong, Sucheta Godbole, Daniel C. Douek, Ken Maeda, Shinji Watanabe, Aubree Gordon, Norio Ohmagari, Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi, Michael S. Diamond, Hideki Hasegawa, Hiroaki Mitsuya, Tadaki Suzuki, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Summary: The replicative ability and pathogenicity of Omicron BA.2 variant is similar to that of BA.1 in rodents, but it shows less pathogenicity compared to early SARS-CoV-2 strains. There is a marked reduction in the neutralizing activity of plasma from individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 and vaccine recipients against BA.2 variant.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rinki Deo, Manish C. Choudhary, Carlee Moser, Justin Ritz, Eric S. Daar, David A. Wohl, Alexander L. Greninger, Joseph J. Eron, Judith S. Currier, Michael D. Hughes, Davey M. Smith, Kara W. Chew, Jonathan Z. Li
Summary: The study retrospectively analyzed untreated outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 and found that symptom and viral rebound were common, but the combination of symptom and viral rebound was rare.
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ziyad Al-Aly, Benjamin Bowe, Yan Xie
Summary: This study analyzed the US Department of Veterans Affairs national healthcare databases to investigate the occurrence of Long COVID and death risk after breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection. The findings showed that vaccination significantly reduced the risk of death and post-acute sequelae but did not eliminate them completely. These results underscore the importance of further research on prevention and post-acute care for breakthrough infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Baisheng Li, Aiping Deng, Kuibiao Li, Yao Hu, Zhencui Li, Yaling Shi, Qianling Xiong, Zhe Liu, Qianfang Guo, Lirong Zou, Huan Zhang, Meng Zhang, Fangzhu Ouyang, Juan Su, Wenzhe Su, Jing Xu, Huifang Lin, Jing Sun, Jinju Peng, Huiming Jiang, Pingping Zhou, Ting Hu, Min Luo, Yingtao Zhang, Huanying Zheng, Jianpeng Xiao, Tao Liu, Mingkai Tan, Rongfei Che, Hanri Zeng, Zhonghua Zheng, Yushi Huang, Jianxiang Yu, Lina Yi, Jie Wu, Jingdiao Chen, Haojie Zhong, Xiaoling Deng, Min Kang, Oliver G. Pybus, Matthew Hall, Katrina A. Lythgoe, Yan Li, Jun Yuan, Jianfeng He, Jing Lu
Summary: This article reports the first local transmission of the Delta variant in mainland China. Compared to A/B lineage infections during the first wave in China in early 2020, Delta infections had viral loads that were on average about 1000 times greater when they first tested positive, suggesting potentially faster viral replication and greater infectiousness during early infection. The transmission bottleneck size of the Delta variant was generally narrow, with 1-3 virions in most donor-recipient transmission pairs. However, transmission of minor intra-host variants resulted in at least 3 of the 34 substitutions identified in the outbreak, highlighting the contribution of intra-host variants to population-level viral diversity during rapid spread.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Smriti Mallapaty
Summary: Although studies show vaccines reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by more than 80%, the Delta variant is introducing fresh uncertainties.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Gallo, Alyexandra Arienzo, Stefano Iacobelli, Valentina Iacobelli, Giovanni Antonini
Summary: Galectin-3 binding protein (Gal-3BP) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that plays an important role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and is upregulated in cancer and various viral infections. Studies have shown a direct correlation between circulating levels of Gal-3BP and the severity and progression of viral infections. Gal-3BP affects viral infections through various mechanisms, including inducing the expression of interferons and proinflammatory cytokines, as well as directly interacting with virus components.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Brian Grunau, Martin Prusinkiewicz, Michael Asamoah-Boaheng, Liam Golding, Pascal M. Lavoie, Martin Petric, Paul N. Levett, Scott Haig, Vilte Barakauskas, Mohammad Ehsanul Karim, Agatha N. Jassem, Steven J. Drews, Sadaf Sediqi, David M. Goldfarb
Summary: Among vaccinated individuals, SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations and ACE-2 inhibition are correlated with live viral neutralizing antibody titers. Correlation is stronger in samples collected at later durations post-vaccination.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leo Swadling, Mala K. Maini
Summary: Despite the infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2, some individuals resist developing detectable infections, suggesting the occurrence of abortive infections. This type of infection is a desirable outcome as it prevents disease development and allows for the study of highly effective immunity. The identification of abortive infections using sensitive immunoassays and transcriptomic signatures is challenging, but there is evidence supporting their occurrence in various viral infections. Furthermore, the role of T cells in terminating early viral replication in abortive infections needs to be considered.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Daseuli Yu, Hee-Jeong Han, Jeonghye Yu, Jihye Kim, Gun-Hee Lee, Ju-Hee Yang, Byeong-Min Song, Dongseob Tark, Byeong-Sun Choi, Sang -Min Kang, Won Do Heo
Summary: CRISPR-Cas13-mediated viral genome targeting is an effective strategy for combating SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. By using mRNA-encoded Cas13b, specifically targeting the ORF1b region, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene can be degraded. Among the designed CRISPR RNAs, those targeting the pseudoknot site upstream of ORF1b were found to be most effective in suppressing viral propagation. Pseudoknot-targeting Cas13b not only reduced spike protein expression and viral replication by 99%, but also inhibited the replication of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Article
Immunology
Zheng Liu, Chenglu Yang, Haokun Zhang, Guojie Cao, Senzhen Wang, Siwen Yin, Yanming Wang
Summary: The study shows that the fusion protein of the receptor-binding domain (S-RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 can bind ACE2 and block viral infection. Immunization with this fusion protein in mice produces highly effective neutralizing antibodies, indicating its potential as a treatment and preventive measure against COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Tara C. Bouton, Joseph Atarere, Jacquelyn Turcinovic, Scott Seitz, Cole Sher-Jan, Madison Gilbert, Laura White, Zhenwei Zhou, Mohammad M. Hossain, Victoria Overbeck, Lynn Doucette-Stamm, Judy Platt, Hannah E. Landsberg, Davidson H. Hamer, Catherine Klapperich, Karen R. Jacobson, John H. Connor
Summary: The majority of Delta- and Omicron-infected cohort culture-converted by day 6, with no further impact of booster vaccination on sterilization or cycle threshold decay. Rapid antigen testing may provide reassurance of lack of infectiousness, though guidance to mask for days 6-10 is supported by our finding that 17% of participants remained culture-positive after isolation.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tiago Fazolo, Karina Lima, Julia C. Fontoura, Priscila Oliveira de Souza, Gabriel Hilario, Renata Zorzetto, Luiz Rodrigues Junior, Veridiane Maria Pscheidt, Jayme de Castilhos Ferreira Neto, Alisson F. Haubert, Izza Gambin, Aline C. Oliveira, Raissa S. Mello, Matheus de Bastos Balbe E Gutierres, Rodrigo Benedetti Gassen, Lais Durco Coimbra, Alexandre Borin, Rafael Elias Marques, Ivaine Tais Sauthier Sartor, Gabriela Oliveira Zavaglia, Ingrid Rodrigues Fernandes, Helder Nakaya, Fernanda Hammes Varela, Marcia Polese-Bonatto, Thiago J. Borges, Sidia Maria Callegari-Jacques, Marcela Santos Correa da Costa, Jaqueline de Araujo Schwartz, Marcelo Comerlato Scotta, Renato T. Stein, Cristina Bonorino
Summary: The study reveals that children with COVID-19 exhibit stronger cellular immunity but higher viral load compared to adults, suggesting a differential response mechanism between children and adults in the disease manifestation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
James E. Kirby, Stefan Riedel, Sanjucta Dutta, Ramy Arnaout, Annie Cheng, Sarah Ditelberg, Donald J. Hamel, Charlotte A. Chang, Phyllis J. Kanki
Summary: This study aimed to define the relationship of SARS-CoV-2 antigen, viral load determined by RT-qPCR, and viral culture detection. The results showed a strong correlation between antigen testing and viral culture, with high sensitivity of antigen tests at high viral loads. Therefore, antigen testing can be used to rule out infectivity at the time of sampling.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Antonio Vitiello, Francesco Ferrara
Summary: Low molecular weight heparin is a drug known for its anticoagulant properties, but recent evidence suggests that it may have additional anticoagulant effects and potential benefits in the treatment of COVID-19. The molecular mechanisms behind these pleiotropic effects are not fully understood.
CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS AND THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Antonio Vitiello, Andrea Zovi, Ugo Trama, Francesco Ferrara
Summary: This article discusses the research progress in using drugs to modify ACE-2 expression to counter COVID-19, pointing out the potential connection between severe respiratory diseases and deregulated ACE-2 expression.
Review
Immunology
Antonio Vitiello, Francesco Ferrara, Andrea Zovi
Summary: The human microbiota, consisting of symbiotic microorganisms, plays a crucial role in human physiological functions. While the impact of an altered microbiota on diseases like chronic inflammatory diseases and psychiatric diseases is well-studied, its role in the host immune response to bacterial and viral infections is still not fully understood. Recent evidence highlights the alterations in the microbiota of patients with viral infections such as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). This review emphasizes the biological and clinical significance of the associations between the microbiota and COVID-19 infection and how microbiota-produced metabolites modulate immune responses to COVID-19 infection.
INFLAMMOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francesco Ferrara, Andrea Zovi, Marta Masi, Roberto Langella, Ugo Trama, Mariarosaria Boccellino, Antonio Vitiello
Summary: Long COVID is a syndrome characterized by symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction, which have a significant impact on daily life. It occurs in patients with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least 2 months and cannot be explained by alternative diagnoses after 3 months. The cause of Long COVID is believed to be related to deposits of tau protein.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Andrea Zovi, Francesco Ferrara, Roberto Langella, Fabiola Cavallaro, Antonio Vitiello
Summary: The genetic variability of each individual contributes to different genetic polymorphisms associated with varying susceptibility to infectious diseases. This knowledge is crucial for developing appropriate pharmacological solutions to combat severe viral diseases like SARS-CoV-2. The manuscript emphasizes how human genetic variability can lead to severe symptoms in certain individuals, who should take preventive measures such as vaccination.
REVIEWS IN MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Francesco Ferrara, Andrea Zovi, Roberto Langella, Fabiola Cavallaro, Eduardo Nava, Ugo Trama, Antonio Vitiello
Summary: The relaxed prescription regulations have led to an increase in prescribing and dispensing of new drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is in line with post-Covid-19 European policies, bringing therapies closer to the patient. However, it has also resulted in unpredictable healthcare spending. In Italy, the introduction of the National Plan for Reconstruction and Resilience aimed to give more prescribing freedom to General Practitioners, allowing them to directly prescribe certain categories of medicines for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
F. Ferrara, A. Zovi, E. Nava, U. Trama, A. Vitiello
Summary: Despite global policies to combat antibiotic resistance, the phenomenon continues to be a concern. Italy has introduced a new national plan and calls on health professionals to follow regulatory recommendations. A retrospective study in the Campania region suggests higher antibiotic consumption, possibly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study emphasizes the importance of informed and appropriate antibiotic use to address resistance.
ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANCAISES
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Francesco Ferrara, Andrea Zovi, Eduardo Nava, Roberto Langella, Antonio Vitiello
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are becoming a leading cause of death and hospitalization in the Western world. Various classes of antihypertensive drugs, such as ACE inhibitors, sartans, calcium antagonists, beta blockers, and diuretics, differ in mechanism, efficacy, tolerability, and cost. This analysis examines the prescribing trends of antihypertensive drugs in an Italian healthcare company, highlighting aspects of pharmacoeconomics, pharmacoutili-zation, and pharmacological differences.
CURRENT PROBLEMS IN CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Francesco Ferrara, Esteban Zavaleta, Antonio Vitiello, Jorge Arturo Villalobos, Andrea Zovi, Roberto Langella, Bruno Serrano, Ugo Trama, Sebastian Arguedas, Eduardo Nava, Jose Pablo Diaz, Elvira Bianco, Giuseppe Russo
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alessia Romagnoli, Filomena Valentino, Andrea Zovi, Andrea Caprodossi, Antonio Vitiello, Francesco Ferrara
Summary: Digital therapies (DTx) are software-based therapeutic interventions designed to prevent, manage, or treat diseases. This review provides an overview of the definition and history of DTx, categorizes the major DTx currently on the market based on indications and mechanisms of action, and discusses the regulatory processes enabling their use in clinical practice.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL INNOVATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Economics
Maurizio Capuozzo, Venere Celotto, Andrea Zovi, Roberto Langella, Francesco Ferrara
Summary: The Monitoring Registries and negotiated agreements established by the Italian Medicines Agency play a crucial role in achieving economic sustainability and efficient allocation of resources in the Italian healthcare system. Collaboration between physicians and pharmacists has led to significant financial recovery and a streamlined healthcare system.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Francesco Ferrara, Ugo Trama, Eduardo Nava, Maurizio Capuozzo, Andrea Zovi, Filomena Valentino, Roberto Langella
Summary: Atrial fibrillation, a common heart condition among the elderly, has seen a shift from traditional therapy to new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in recent years, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic. The consumption of NOACs has significantly increased since the introduction of new regulations, and there has been a notable rise in the number of patients with atrial fibrillation. These findings highlight the unmet therapeutic needs and the impact of Long Covid phenomena on the cardiovascular system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Maurizio Capuozzo, Francesco Ferrara, Mariachiara Santorsola, Andrea Zovi, Alessandro Ottaiano
Summary: This article reviews the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in solid tumors, highlighting their importance in predicting clinical outcomes and guiding prognosis. The article also discusses the recent advancements and challenges in CTC detection methods, as well as the significance of integrating CTC-based liquid biopsies into clinical practice.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xuezhi Zhuo, Vito Fodera, Per Larsson, Zarah Schaal, Christel A. S. Bergstrom, Korbinian Lobmann, Aleksei Kabedev
Summary: Our previous work demonstrated that beta-lactoglobulin-stabilized amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) loaded with 70 % indomethacin remains stable for over 12 months. We further investigated the stabilization mechanisms by testing five other drug molecules and using experimental techniques and molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that steric confinement, hydrogen bonding, and the glass transition temperature of the drug molecule play important roles in stabilizing ASDs with high drug loadings.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sebastian Schmidt, Ulrike Holzgrabe
Summary: The binding of drugs to plasma proteins, such as human serum albumin (HSA), is crucial for determining pharmacokinetic parameters. This study investigated the enantioselective binding of S- and R-ketamine to HSA. It was found that ketamine has weak affinity to HSA, with no significant differences in binding behavior between the individual enantiomers and the racemate. The aromatic ring and N-methyl group were identified as the most strongly involved structural moieties in the binding of ketamine to HSA.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yuchen Zhao, Han Wang, Lin Jin, Ziwei Zhang, Lianghu Liu, Mengqi Zhou, Xianzheng Zhang, Lingling Zhang
Summary: Interleukins (ILs) are important for communication between immune cells and non-immune cells, but dysregulation of ILs expression is a characteristic of autoinflammatory diseases. Drugs targeting ILs have significant clinical benefits, but may also cause adverse reactions. Fusion protein technology, with its ability to enhance therapeutic efficacy, has been explored for developing anti-inflammatory drugs. This review discusses the efficacy of fusion protein drugs developed with ILs or their receptors in treating autoinflammatory diseases, highlighting the potential of this technology in future anti-inflammatory drug development.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Serena Bertoni, Elena Simone, Stefano Sangiorgi, Beatrice Albertini, Nadia Passerini
Summary: This study investigated the correlation between the structure and release properties of solid lipid microparticles (MPs) with different liquid additives. The additives accelerated the conversion of the unstable alpha-form of tristearin to the stable beta-polymorph and caused structural modifications in the MPs. The presence of additives prolonged the drug release in water and resulted in higher release profiles in biorelevant media. The findings suggest that the release behavior can be influenced by the polymorphism and supramolecular-level structural modification of lipid formulations containing crystal modifiers.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Juulia Jarvinen, Ahmed B. Montaser, Santosh Kumar Adla, Jukka Leppanen, Marko Lehtonen, Kati-Sisko Vellonen, Tuomo Laitinen, Aaro Jalkanen, William F. Elmquist, Juri Timonen, Kristiina M. Huttunen, Jarkko Rautio
Summary: This study attempted to alter the brain distribution pattern of Palbociclib by creating and assessing two novel prodrugs. Although the prodrug design did not significantly improve Palbociclib brain delivery, the study provides valuable insights for future prodrug development and drug delivery strategies targeting specific transporters.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2024)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Miao Wang, Xinyu Ma, Shiyu Zong, Yaqiong Su, Rui Su, Hong Zhang, Yang Liu, Chunliu Wang, Ye Li
Summary: This article discusses the potential and limitations of nasal administration in central nervous system drug delivery. Nasal gel viscosity can alleviate the impact of nasal mucociliary clearance on drug delivery, and materials such as gellan gum, chitosan, carbomer, cellulose, and poloxamer can be used to prepare nasal gels.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bjarke Strom Larsen, Eric Kissi, Liebert Parreiras Nogueira, Natalja Genina, Ingunn Tho
Summary: This study investigates the influence of drug load and polymer molecular weight on the structure of 3D printed tablets. The results show that drug load and polymer molecular weight have a significant impact on the porosity and size of the tablets, while the effect of drug load on the total porosity of the tablets is minimal.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhentao Qiao, Fuhang Wang, Dongjian Han, Yuansong Zhuang, Qingjiao Jiang, Yi Zhang, Miaomiao Liu, Quanxu An, Zhiwei Wang, Deliang Shen
Summary: In this study, it was demonstrated that periadventitial delivery of rapamycin-fibrin glue (RPM-FG) can inhibit intimal hyperplasia (IH) in a rat carotid artery injury model without compromising re-endothelialization. This provides a promising direction for the future development of a safe, effective, and minimally invasive perivascular drug delivery method to treat vascular disease.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Neele Puhlmann, Rodrigo Vidaurre, Klaus Kuemmerer
Summary: Active pharmaceutical ingredients and their metabolites and transformation products are pollutants that can harm human and environmental health. Designing greener APIs is an effective strategy to address this issue. The drug discovery and development process can incorporate environmental parameters to achieve this design, and this process is highly flexible.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2024)
