Equivalent Reduction Research Articles

A modified model to assess the thermal protective performance of fire-retardant clothing exposed to both flame and radiant source

The present work evaluates the thermal protective performance (TPP) of a multi-layered fire-resistant fabric system subjected to a high intensity risky thermal environment integrating both flame and radiant heat exposure by developing a modified model for the fabric as well as the skin. The present numerical analysis takes into consideration a multiple-layer flameproof gear (outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner), an airgap separating fabric and skin, and a three-layer of skin (epidermis, dermis, and fat layer). The present model is formulated by considering a two-flux model for the radiative heat interaction in the porous fabric medium and a nonlinear bioheat transfer model for the multi-layered skin. The radiative part of the total incident energy from the flame and the radiant heater is considered to be absorbed, emitted, reflected, and transmitted through the porous fibrous layer. Here, a two-flux model is implemented to simulate the self-emission of hot gas trapped inside the porous fabrics. The thermal response in multi-layered skin is analysed using a non-linear bioheat transfer model considering a temperature dependent thermal conductivity of the living tissue. Purely radiant exposure markedly impairs turnout gear protection, while performance deteriorates more gradually with increased convective thermal energy. Greater fabric transmissivity negatively affects skin temperature distribution and TPP ratings more than equivalent reflection reduction. These study results aid in enhancing flame-resistant fabric thermal protection.

Efficient Bottom-Up Synthesis for Programs with Local Variables

We propose a new synthesis algorithm that can efficiently search programs with local variables (e.g., those introduced by lambdas). Prior bottom-up synthesis algorithms are not able to evaluate programs with free local variables, and therefore cannot effectively reduce the search space of such programs (e.g., using standard observational equivalence reduction techniques), making synthesis slow. Our algorithm can reduce the space of programs with local variables. The key idea, dubbed lifted interpretation, is to lift up the program interpretation process, from evaluating one program at a time to simultaneously evaluating all programs from a grammar. Lifted interpretation provides a mechanism to systematically enumerate all binding contexts for local variables, thereby enabling us to evaluate and reduce the space of programs with local variables. Our ideas are instantiated in the domain of web automation. The resulting tool, Arborist, can automate a significantly broader range of challenging tasks more efficiently than state-of-the-art techniques including WebRobot and Helena.

How to develop global energy-intensive sectors in the presence of carbon tariffs?

Developed economies like the EU advocate imposing carbon tariffs on exports from countries lacking equivalent emission reduction measures, with energy-intensive sectors being the most susceptible. This study establishes five specific policy scenarios aligned with the potential criteria for carbon tariffs by developed economies. Utilizing the GTAP-E model, we quantitatively analyze the impact on energy-intensive sectors in major developing and developed economies. The results highlight the disadvantaged position of affected economies compared to the imposing ones. Lastly, the paper delves into effective strategies for relevant countries and outlines the transition pathways for energy-intensive sectors.

Treatment of agitation in terminally ill patients with intranasal midazolam versus subcutaneous midazolam: study protocol for a randomised controlled open-label monocentric trial (MinTU Study)

BackgroundIntranasal (i.n.) drug application is a widely known and low-invasive route of administration that may be able to achieve rapid symptom control in terminally ill patients. According to the German S3 guideline “Palliative care for patients with incurable cancer”, benzodiazepines, such as midazolam, are recommended for the treatment of terminal agitation. To the best of our knowledge there is no evidence for i.n. midazolam in terminally ill patients. We aim to assess the use of i.n. midazolam as an alternative to subcutaneous administration of the drug.MethodsIn this monocentric, randomised, controlled, open-label investigator initiated trial, n = 60 patients treated at the palliative care unit of a University Hospital will be treated with 5 mg midazolam i.n. versus 5 mg subcutaneous (s.c.) midazolam in the control arm when terminal agitation occurs (randomly assigned 1:1). The estimated recruitment period is 18 months. Treatment efficacy is defined as an improvement on the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (Palliative Version) (RASS-PAL) and a study specific numeric rating scale (NRS) before and after drug administration. Furthermore, plasma concentration determinations of midazolam will be conducted at t1 = 0 min, t2 = 5 min, and t3 = 20 min using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The primary objective is to demonstrate non-inferiority of midazolam i.n. in comparison to midazolam s.c. for the treatment of agitation in terminally ill patients.DiscussionMidazolam i.n. is expected to achieve at least equivalent reduction of terminal agitation compared to s.c. administration. In addition, plasma concentrations of midazolam i.n. are not expected to be lower than those of midazolam s.c. and the dynamics of the plasma concentration with an earlier increase could be beneficial.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Registry DRKS00026775, registered 07.07.2022, Eudra CT No.: 2021-004789-36.

Single-cell transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility profiling elucidate the kidney-protective mechanism of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.

Mineralocorticoid excess commonly leads to hypertension (HTN) and kidney disease. In our study, we used single-cell expression and chromatin accessibility tools to characterize the mineralocorticoid target genes and cell types. We demonstrated that mineralocorticoid effects were established through open chromatin and target gene expression, primarily in principal and connecting tubule cells and, to a lesser extent, in segments of the distal convoluted tubule cells. We examined the kidney-protective effects of steroidal and nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs), as well as of amiloride, an epithelial sodium channel inhibitor, in a rat model of deoxycorticosterone acetate, unilateral nephrectomy, and high-salt consumption-induced HTN and cardiorenal damage. All antihypertensive therapies protected against cardiorenal damage. However, finerenone was particularly effective in reducing albuminuria and improving gene expression changes in podocytes and proximal tubule cells, even with an equivalent reduction in blood pressure. We noted a strong correlation between the accumulation of injured/profibrotic tubule cells expressing secreted posphoprotein 1 (Spp1), Il34, and platelet-derived growth factor subunit b (Pdgfb) and the degree of fibrosis in rat kidneys. This gene signature also showed a potential for classifying human kidney samples. Our multiomics approach provides fresh insights into the possible mechanisms underlying HTN-associated kidney disease, the target cell types, the protective effects of steroidal and nonsteroidal MRAs, and amiloride.

Quality of audit and cost stickiness empirical evidence from emerging markets

This study aims to present further evidence of cost stickiness by employing Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) costs. It also provides empirical evidence on the effect of audit committee meetings and audit quality on cost stickiness. The study used data from listed companies on the Saudi Arabian stock exchange during 2015–2019. Based on pooled panel data regression, the study proves that the SG&A costs are sticky. The results show the level of SG&A costs increases more with an increase in sales revenue (activity) while it decreases less with an equivalent reduction in sales revenue (activity). Also, this study finds that the frequency of audit committee meetings decreases the magnitude stickiness of SG&A costs, which supports the view that frequent meetings of AC significantly enhance its overseeing function and effectiveness. The study further reveals that audit quality “by BIG4 audit firms” is not related to reduced cost stickiness. This result implies that there is no difference in CS between companies audited by BIG4 or by non-BIG4. In general, the research highlights the importance of AC diligence (i.e., meetings) in improving its effectiveness and controlling management’s discretions affecting the cost structure in the context of sticky cost behavior.

Open Reduction Maneuver for Distal Radius Fracture Involving an Intra-articular Sagittal Split

Open Reduction Maneuver for Distal Radius Fracture Involving an Intra-articular Sagittal Split

Enhancement of flow characteristics in waxy crude oil under the influence of subtle magnetic fields

The study aims to improve flow in weakly magnetized transportation of waxy crude oil. The magnetization of waxy crude oil with a weak magnetic field strength below 100 mT was investigated using magnetization processing equipment. By employing the orthogonal experimental principle and data processing method, the magnetization effect of crude oil and its primary influencing factors were examined and analyzed. A new concept, equivalent viscosity reduction rate, is introduced along with criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of reducing magnetization viscosity. The equivalent viscosity reduction rate increases as magnetization intensity rises, but initially increases and then decreases as magnetization temperature increases. The viscosity reduction is most significant when the magnetization temperature is close to the wax appearance temperature, resulting in an 18% equivalent viscosity reduction rate. We clarify the mechanism of enhancing crude oil flow with magnetic fields by integrating previous microscopic studies. The viscosity reduction effect of magnetized wax crystals is orderly under a weak magnetic field. The nucleation of magnetic wax limits the viscosity reduction effect of magnetization at high temperature. The reduction in the length-diameter ratio of magnetized wax crystals and boundary box dimensions contributes to enhancing the low temperature fluidity of crude oil.

A comparison of proptosis reduction with teprotumumab versus surgical decompression based on fat-to-muscle ratio in thyroid eye disease

ABSTRACT Purpose To explore if orbital fat-to-muscle ratio (FMR) is predictive of whether surgical decompression or teprotumumab leads to greater proptosis reduction in thyroid eye disease (TED). Methods A single-center retrospective cohort study comparing surgical decompression with teprotumumab according to FMR. All TED patients completing an 8-dose course of teprotumumab between January 2020 and September 2022 and all patients undergoing bony orbital decompression from January 2017 to December 2019 were included. Subjects were excluded if they were <18 years, received both surgical decompression and teprotumumab, or lacked orbital imaging. The primary exposure variable was teprotumumab or surgical decompression. The secondary exposure variable was baseline FMR. The primary outcome measure was change in proptosis (mm). Results Thirty-eight patients, mean age 53.5 years (±11.4), were included in the teprotumumab group and 160 patients, mean age 48 years (±11.1), in the surgical group. Average proptosis reduction after teprotumumab and surgical decompression was 3 mm (±1.44) and 5 mm (±1.75), respectively. The FMR was stratified at the median of 1.80. In subjects with FMR < 1.80, teprotumumab showed equivalent proptosis reduction compared to surgical decompression, −0.33 mm (SE 1.32) p = .802. In subjects with FMR ≥ 1.80, surgical decompression led to significantly more proptosis reduction than teprotumumab, 3.01 mm (SE 0.54), p < .001. Conclusions Baseline FMR can be used to counsel patients as to proptosis reduction with teprotumumab versus surgery. Subjects with low FMR obtain comparable proptosis reduction with teprotumumab or surgery, whereas high FMR is associated with more significant proptosis reduction following surgery over teprotumumab.

Opioid tapering in older cancer survivors does not increase psychiatric or drug hospitalization rates.

Opioid tapering in the general population is linked to increases in hospitalizations or emergency department visits related to psychiatric or drug-related diagnoses. Cancer survivors represent a unique population with different opioid indications, prescription patterns, and more frequent follow-up care. This study sought to describe patterns of opioid tapering among older cancer survivors and to test the hypothesis of whether older cancer survivors face increased risks of adverse events with opioid tapering. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Medicare-linked database, we identified 15 002 Medicare-beneficiary cancer survivors diagnosed between 2010 and 2017 prescribed opioids consistently for at least 6 months after their cancer diagnosis. Tapering was defined as a binary time-varying event occurring with any monthly oral morphine equivalent reduction of 15% or more from the previous month. Primary diagnostic billing codes associated with emergency room or hospital admissions were used for the composite endpoint of psychiatric- or drug-related event(s). There were 3.86 events per 100 patient-months, with 97.8% events being mental health emergencies, 1.91% events being overdose emergencies, and 0.25% involving both. Using a generalized estimating equation for repeated measure time-based analysis, opioid tapering was not statistically associated with acute events in the 3-month posttaper period (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02; P = .62) or at any point in the future (OR = 0.96; P = .46). Opioid tapering in older cancer survivors does not appear to be linked to a higher risk of acute psychiatric- or drug-related events, in contrast to prior research in the general population.

Real-Time Generation of Operational Characteristic Curves for Municipal Water Pumping Systems: An Approach to Energy Efficiency and Carbon Footprint

Water supply represents a significant electrical load worldwide. The operation of inefficient pumps contributes to increased energy demand and carbon footprint. Current methods for evaluating industrial water pumps present technical and economic challenges that need to be addressed. For these reasons, we developed a practical and cost-effective virtual instrument called the Pumping Evaluation System (PES). The PES tool performs real-time monitoring of electrical, hydraulic, and efficiency data, as well as the Operating Characteristic (OC) curves. The PES tool was implemented on a vertical pump currently used by a municipal water distribution plant in Mexicali, Mexico. A comparative analysis between the experimental data and the manufacturer’s data revealed potential energy savings of 361,455 kWh/year (24.35%) and an equivalent carbon footprint reduction of 157,233 kg of CO2eq/year if the old pump is replaced by a new one, which is the lowest cost alternative according to a Life Cycle Cost (LCC).

Biomass Resource Utilization and Carbon Emission Reduction Potential in Municipal Solid Waste

Under the background of global warming, waste biomass is regarded as a resource that can be an alternative to fossil fuels. Many researchers have been taking the way of utilizing biomass resources and the carbon reduction it brings as a new research direction. Municipal domestic waste (MSW), as one of the biomass sources, has also been emphasized for its resource utilization. This paper illustrates the importance of biomass resource utilization in MSW and three newer ways of resource treatment in the last decade. Then the carbon reduction potential is estimated. The results indicate that biomass resource utilization is clearly related to the current situation of global warming control. The three types of resource utilization in MSW are hydrothermal treatment, pyrolysis and anaerobic treatment, of which hydrothermal and anaerobic treatment are suitable for the resource treatment of kitchen waste in MSW, while pyrolysis can be directly used for the treatment of MSW. It is also predicted that when all kitchen waste is treated by anaerobic digestion and the rest of the waste is incinerated or pyrolyzed in 2025, it can bring nearly 100 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emission reduction. The carbon reduction potential is huge. This study provides a reference for the subsequent treatment of MSW and the prediction of its carbon emission reduction.

Development of Bexarotene Analogs for Treating Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas.

Bexarotene, a drug approved for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), is classified as a rexinoid by its ability to act as a retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist with high specificity. Rexinoids are capable of inducing RXR homodimerization leading to the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation in human cancers. Numerous studies have shown that bexarotene is effective in reducing viability and proliferation in CTCL cell lines. However, many treated patients present with cutaneous toxicity, hypothyroidism, and hyperlipidemia due to crossover activity with retinoic acid receptor (RAR), thyroid hormone receptor (TR), and liver X receptor (LXR) signaling, respectively. In this study, 10 novel analogs and three standard compounds were evaluated side-by-side with bexarotene for their ability to drive RXR homodimerization and subsequent binding to the RXR response element (RXRE). In addition, these analogs were assessed for proliferation inhibition of CTCL cells, cytotoxicity, and mutagenicity. Furthermore, the most effective analogs were analyzed via qPCR to determine efficacy in modulating expression of two critical tumor suppressor genes, ATF3 and EGR3. Our results suggest that these new compounds may possess similar or enhanced therapeutic potential since they display enhanced RXR activation with equivalent or greater reduction in CTCL cell proliferation, as well as the ability to induce ATF3 and EGR3. This work broadens our understanding of RXR-ligand relationships and permits development of possibly more efficacious pharmaceutical drugs. Modifications of RXR agonists can yield agents with enhanced biological selectivity and potency when compared to the parent compound, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.

Atmospheric composition and climate impacts of a future hydrogen economy

Abstract. Hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the global energy transition to net zero emissions in many scenarios. However, fugitive emissions of hydrogen into the atmosphere during its production, storage, distribution and use could reduce the climate benefit and also have implications for air quality. Here, we explore the atmospheric composition and climate impacts of increases in atmospheric hydrogen abundance using the UK Earth System Model (UKESM1) chemistry–climate model. Increases in hydrogen result in increases in methane, tropospheric ozone and stratospheric water vapour, resulting in a positive radiative forcing. However, some of the impacts of hydrogen leakage are partially offset by potential reductions in emissions of methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds from the consumption of fossil fuels. We derive a refined methodology for determining indirect global warming potentials (GWPs) from parameters derived from steady-state simulations, which is applicable to both shorter-lived species and those with intermediate and longer lifetimes, such as hydrogen. Using this methodology, we determine a 100-year global warming potential for hydrogen of 12 ± 6. Based on this GWP and hydrogen leakage rates of 1 % and 10 %, we find that hydrogen leakage offsets approximately 0.4 % and 4 % respectively of total equivalent CO2 emission reductions in our global hydrogen economy scenario. To maximise the benefit of hydrogen as an energy source, emissions associated with hydrogen leakage and emissions of the ozone precursor gases need to be minimised.

The Pest Risk Reduction Scenario Tool (PRReSTo) for quantifying trade-related plant pest risks and benefits of risk-reducing measures

Plant pest risks posed by trade in agricultural commodities are managed through pest risk analysis which involves assessing risk and selecting phytosanitary measures to manage unrestricted risk if it is unacceptably high. Diverse measures can be used to reduce risk. However, calibrating risk management protocols with the level of unrestricted risk is challenging. Agreed methods and user-friendly tools for comparatively evaluating risk-reducing measures in different pest-host systems are lacking. Here, we describe the Pest Risk Reduction Scenario Tool (PRReSTo), a generic Bayesian network model that estimates likely infestation rates of host items in consignments. PRReSTo considers host items’ vulnerability to pest infestation, the pest abundance to which host items are exposed during production, and the individual and cumulative effects of risk-reducing measures aimed at either minimising host vulnerability, pest exposure or infestation rates. We apply a PRReSTo implementation developed for assessing trappable insect pests in horticultural produce to test its versatility. First, we evaluate likely (unrestricted) host infestation rates under different levels of pest exposure and host vulnerability. Next, we evaluate the adequacy of risk-reducing measures under different host infestation scenarios and acceptability thresholds. We find that equivalent risk reduction may be achieved by highly effective individual measures or combinations of measures in a phytosanitary systems approach. The current implementation of PRReSTo is supported by an open access web application to facilitate adoption as a scenario analysis and decision-support tool by industry and regulators.

Pairwise biosynthesis of ion channels stabilizes excitability and mitigates arrhythmias

Coordinated expression of ion channels is crucial for cardiac rhythms, neural signaling, and cell cycle progression. Perturbation of this balance results in many disorders including cardiac arrhythmias. Prior work revealed association of mRNAs encoding cardiac NaV1.5 (SCN5A) and hERG1 (KCNH2), but the functional significance of this association was not established. Here, we provide a more comprehensive picture of KCNH2, SCN5A, CACNA1C, and KCNQ1 transcripts collectively copurifying with nascent hERG1, NaV1.5, CaV1.2, or KCNQ1 channel proteins. Single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) combined with immunofluorescence reveals that the channel proteins are synthesized predominantly as heterotypic pairs from discrete molecules of mRNA, not as larger cotranslational complexes. Puromycin disrupted colocalization of mRNA with its encoded protein, as expected, but remarkably also pairwise mRNA association, suggesting that transcript association relies on intact translational machinery or the presence of the nascent protein. Targeted depletion of KCHN2 by specific shRNA resulted in concomitant reduction of all associated mRNAs, with a corresponding reduction in the encoded channel currents. This co-knockdown effect, originally described for KCNH2 and SCN5A, thus appears to be a general phenomenon among transcripts encoding functionally related proteins. In multielectrode array recordings, proarrhythmic behavior arose when IKr was reduced by the selective blocker dofetilide at IC50 concentrations, but not when equivalent reductions were mediated by shRNA, suggesting that co-knockdown mitigates proarrhythmic behavior expected from the selective reduction of a single channel species. We propose that coordinated, cotranslational association of functionally related ion channel mRNAs confers electrical stability by co-regulating complementary ion channels in macromolecular complexes.

The value of reducing the Green Premium: cost-saving innovation, emissions abatement, and climate goals

Carbon-emitting technologies often cost less than carbon-emission-free alternatives; this difference in cost is known as the Green Premium. Innovations that decrease the Green Premium contribute to achieving climate goals, but a conceptual framework to quantify that contribution has been lacking. Here, we devise a framework to translate reductions in the Green Premium into equivalent reductions in carbon emissions. We introduce a new integrated assessment model designed for teaching and communication, the Climate Optimized INvestment model, to facilitate transparent investigation of cost-saving innovation. We look at consequences of introducing a new technology with potential for learning and improvement for scenarios with three levels of stringency of carbon constraint: an Unlimited budget scenario in which carbon emissions abatement is determined only by balancing marginal costs; a Large budget scenario with a maximum budget for future cumulative emissions equivalent to 50 times the initial-year emissions; and a Small budget scenario with a maximum budget for future cumulative emissions equivalent to 15 times the initial-year emissions. At all of these stringency levels, we find the least-cost solutions involve investing in a learning subsidy to bring the cost of the new technology down the learning curve. Reducing the Green Premium can lead to enhanced carbon abatement, lower abatement costs even after reaching net-zero emissions, less climate damage, and increased net-present-value of consumption. We find both the value of Green Premium reductions and the value of carbon dioxide removal are greater under more stringent mitigation targets. Our study suggests a crucial role for both public and private sectors in promoting and developing innovations that can contribute to achieving zero emissions goals.

Parameter Optimization for Var Planning of Systems With High Penetration of Wind Power: An Adaptive Equivalent Reduction Method

Voltage-related issues such as dramatic voltage fluctuation, lack of Var reserves, become more prominent in high wind power penetration (HWPP) system, leading to increasing of large-scale cascading trip risks within 100-200ms. During the cascading process, fast dynamic Var support, which is strongly related to internal parameters of Var devices, is quite crucial for HWPP system security. If device parameters optimization is also considered in the Var planning, it will be more promising to achieve less investment cost and guarantee transient security for HWPP system. However, the complex control elements and numerous internal parameters optimization cause a huge computational burden of planning issues. Therefore, this paper proposes an adaptively parameter order equivalent reduced optimization (APO-ERO) approach to efficiently and accurately solve the Var planning problem with parameter allocation. First, the original high-order Var device model is adaptively reduced to an optimal low-order model that minimizes the reduced order error. Next, an equivalent low-order optimization model in the upper layer and an inverse mapping parameter allocation model in the lower layer are established to relieve the computational burden. Finally, the two different test systems with HWPP verify that the proposed method can improve computational efficiency on the premise of guaranteeing accuracy.

Psychiatric or Drug Hospitalizations in Older Cancer Survivors on Long-Term Opioids

Non-cancer patients prescribed chronic courses of opioids are at high risk of psychiatric or drug overdose particularly during the post-tapering period, but data are limited on this effect in cancer survivors. This study quantified emergency room visits or hospital admissions for psychiatric or drug/alcohol overdose/withdrawal (henceforth "events") in cancer survivors prescribed opioids related to their cancer diagnoses. We identified 15,002 cancer survivors in SEER-Medicare diagnosed between 2010 and 2017 with bladder, breast, colon/rectal, kidney, lung, head/neck, or prostate cancer who were prescribed at least 6 months of stable opioids following their cancer diagnosis. The post-tapering interval was defined as a 3-month period following monthly oral morphine equivalent (OME) reduction of at least 15%. Outcomes were studied with logistic regression and time-dependent analysis was performed using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) using an auto-regressive correlation matrix; all reported p-values are two-sided. The study had a median follow up of 24 months; in this time, 8,311 patients (55%) initiated a taper at some point. The mean daily OME in non-tapering patients was 33.4 mg compared to 47.4 mg in tapering patients (p < 0.001); both groups had a low rate of any prior events in the baseline period (7.5% versus 8%, respectively p = 0.686). Patients attempting a taper also tended to be younger (40.3% versus 35.2% age 66-70, p <0.001). There was no difference by race. Opioid tapering was not associated with a higher rate of events in the 3-month post-taper period (p = 0.81) when correcting for sex, primary care site, baseline event rate, comorbidity, and age. Many older cancer survivors who are prescribed chronic opioids remain on high doses of opioids after completing therapy. These patients are at risk of acute psychiatric and drug-related emergencies. Unlike the general population, this risk does not appear to be exacerbated in the months following opioid tapering. Oncologists should be mindful of psychiatric and drug-related events in long-term cancer survivors prescribed chronic opioids, and these data should reassure physicians deciding whether or not to initiate an opioid taper. Future research should explore risk mitigation in these patients.

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Vero Cells by Bovine Lactoferrin under Different Iron-Saturation States.

Despite the rapid mass vaccination against COVID-19, the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, such as omicron, is still a great distress, and new therapeutic options are needed. Bovine lactoferrin (bLf), a multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein available in unsaturated (apo-bLf) and saturated (holo-bLf) forms, has been shown to exert broad-spectrum antiviral activity against many viruses. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of both forms of bLf at 1 mg/mL against infection of Vero cells by SARS-CoV-2. As assessed with antiviral assays, an equivalent significant reduction in virus infection by about 70% was observed when either form of bLf was present throughout the infection procedure with the SARS-CoV-2 ancestral or omicron strain. This inhibitory effect seemed to be concentrated during the early steps of virus infection, since a significant reduction in its efficiency by about 60% was observed when apo- or holo-bLf were incubated with the cells before or during virus addition, with no significant difference between the antiviral effects of the distinct iron-saturation states of the protein. However, an ultrastructural analysis of bLf treatment during the early steps of virus infection revealed that holo-bLf was somewhat more effective than apo-bLf in inhibiting virus entry. Together, these data suggest that bLf mainly acts in the early events of SARS-CoV-2 infection and is effective against the ancestral virus as well as its omicron variant. Considering that there are no effective treatments to COVID-19 with tolerable toxicity yet, bLf shows up as a promising candidate.