Pandemic Of Respiratory Illness Research Articles

Mechanisms of musculoskeletal consequences of COVID-19

Introduction A coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, called COVID-19 by the WHO has caused a pandemic of respiratory illness killed more than 6 million people. The severe infection has a significant negative impact on the entire musculoskeletal system.The objective was to summarize literature data on the mechanisms of the condition and identify musculoskeletal symptoms of COVID-19.Material and methods An internet search of PubMed, MedLine and eLIBRARY library databases using the search terms: COVID-19, aseptic osteonecrosis, post-COVID-19 syndrome, arthropathy, musculoskeletal system, spondylitis, osteoporosis was performed.Results and discussion Musculoskeletal symptoms of COVID-19 are reported in 31-59% of cases. Mechanisms of musculoskeletal involvement of coronavirus infection include cytotoxic effect of the virus on osteogenesis cells, vascular inflammation and coagulopathy, “cytokine storm”, side effects of drug therapy and hypoxia. According to an etiological factor, musculoskeletal manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 include autoimmune (reactive arthritis, sacroiliitis, ankylosing spondylitis, axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis) conditions caused by impaired circulation of bone tissue (aseptic osteonecrosis), infectious (septic arthritis, spondylitis, spondylodiscitis) and metabolic (osteopenia, osteoporosis) conditions.Conclusion It has been established that COVID-19 infection has a negative impact on the musculoskeletal, endocrine and immune systems increasing the risk of degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system and infectious complications in orthopaedic patients early post surgery.

Understanding the high electronic quantum similarity of a series of ligands used as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by molecular mechanics and density functional theory approaches

Background A coronavirus identified in 2019, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19. Most people with COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without the need for special treatments. The SARS‑CoV‑2 RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle. The active site of the RdRp is a very accessible region, so targeting this region to study the inhibition of viral replication may be an effective therapeutic approach. For this reason, this study has selected and analysed a series of ligands used as SARS-CoV-2 virus inhibitors, namely: Darunavir (Daru), Dexamethasona (Dexame), Dolutegravir (Dolu), Fosamprenavir (Fosam), Ganciclovir (Gan), Insoine (Inso), Lopinavir (Lop), Ritonavir (Rito) and Tipranavir (Tipra). Methods These ligands were analyzed using molecular docking, molecular quantum similarity using four similarity indices like overlap, Coulomb and their Euclidean distances. On the other hand, these outcomes were supported with chemical reactivity indices defined within a conceptual density functional theory framework. Results The results show the conformations with the highest root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), have π-π stacking interaction with residue LYS621, ARG555 and ASP623, CYS622, ASP760, among others. In the molecular quantum similarity, the highest indices have been obtained in the electronic similarity in comparison with the structural similarity. Conclusions These studies allow the identification of the main stabilizing interactions using the crystal structure of SARS‑CoV‑2 RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase. In this order of ideas, this study provides new insights into these ligands that can be used in the design of new COVID-19 treatments. The studies allowed us to find an explanation supported in the Density Functional Theory about the chemical reactivity and the stabilization in the active site of the ligands.

A robust platform for integrative spatial multi-omics analysis to map immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung tissues.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus has caused a devastating global pandemic of respiratory illness. To understand viral pathogenesis, methods are available for studying dissociated cells in blood, nasal samples, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and similar, but a robust platform for deep tissue characterization of molecular and cellular responses to virus infection in the lungs is still lacking. We developed an innovative spatial multi-omics platform to investigate COVID-19-infected lung tissues. Five tissue-profiling technologies were combined by a novel computational mapping methodology to comprehensively characterize and compare the transcriptome and targeted proteome of virus infected and uninfected tissues. By integrating spatial transcriptomics data (Visium, GeoMx and RNAScope) and proteomics data (CODEX and PhenoImager HT) at different cellular resolutions across lung tissues, we found strong evidence for macrophage infiltration and defined the broader microenvironment surrounding these cells. By comparing infected and uninfected samples, we found an increase in cytokine signalling and interferon responses at different sites in the lung and showed spatial heterogeneity in the expression level of these pathways. These data demonstrate that integrative spatial multi-omics platforms can be broadly applied to gain a deeper understanding of viral effects on cellular environments at the site of infection and to increase our understanding of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the lungs.

Receptor-Based Pharmacophore Modelling of a series of ligands used as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by complementary theoretical approaches, molecular docking, and reactivity descriptors.

Background: A coronavirus identified in 2019, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19. Most people with COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without the need for special treatments. The SARS‑CoV‑2 RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle. The active site of the RdRp is a very accessible region, so targeting this region to study the inhibition of viral replication may be an effective therapeutic approach. For this reason, this study has selected and analysed a series of ligands used as SARS-CoV-2 virus inhibitors, namely: the Zidovudine, Tromantadine, Pyramidine, Oseltamivir, Hydroxychoroquine, Cobicistat, Doravirine (Pifeltro), Dolutegravir, Boceprevir, Indinavir, Truvada, Trizivir, Trifluridine, Sofosbuvir and Zalcitabine. Methods: These ligands were analyzed using molecular docking, Receptor-Based Pharmacophore Modelling. On the other hand, these outcomes were supported with chemical reactivity indices defined within a conceptual density functional theory framework. Results: The results show the conformations with the highest root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), have π-π stacking interaction with residue LEU141, GLN189, GLU166 and GLY143, HIE41, among others. Also was development an electrostatic potential comparison using the global and local reactivity indices. Conclusions: These studies allow the identification of the main stabilizing interactions using the crystal structure of SARS‑CoV‑2 RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase. In this order of ideas, this study provides new insights into these ligands that can be used in the design of new COVID-19 treatments. The studies allowed us to find an explanation supported in the Density Functional Theory about the chemical reactivity and the stabilization in the active site of the ligands.

Understanding the high electronic quantum similarity of a series of ligands used as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by molecular mechanics and density functional theory approaches

Background: A coronavirus identified in 2019, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19. Most people with COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without the need for special treatments. The SARS‑CoV‑2 RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle. The active site of the RdRp is a very accessible region, so targeting this region to study the inhibition of viral replication may be an effective therapeutic approach. For this reason, this study has selected and analysed a series of ligands used as SARS-CoV-2 virus inhibitors, namely: Darunavir (Daru), Dexamethasona (Dexame), Dolutegravir (Dolu), Fosamprenavir (Fosam), Ganciclovir (Gan), Insoine (Inso), Lopinavir (Lop), Ritonavir (Rito) and Tipranavir (Tipra). Methods: These ligands were analyzed using molecular docking, molecular quantum similarity using four similarity indices like overlap, Coulomb and their Euclidean distances. On the other hand, these outcomes were supported with chemical reactivity indices defined within a conceptual density functional theory framework. Results: The results show the conformations with the highest root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), have π-π stacking interaction with residue LYS621, ARG555 and ASP623, CYS622, ASP760, among others. In the molecular quantum similarity, the highest indices have been obtained in the electronic similarity in comparison with the structural similarity. Conclusions: These studies allow the identification of the main stabilizing interactions using the crystal structure of SARS‑CoV‑2 RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase. In this order of ideas, this study provides new insights into these ligands that can be used in the design of new COVID-19 treatments. The studies allowed us to find an explanation supported in the Density Functional Theory about the chemical reactivity and the stabilization in the active site of the ligands.

A framework for future national pediatric pandemic respiratory disease severity triage: The HHS pediatric COVID-19 data challenge.

With persistent incidence, incomplete vaccination rates, confounding respiratory illnesses, and few therapeutic interventions available, COVID-19 continues to be a burden on the pediatric population. During a surge, it is difficult for hospitals to direct limited healthcare resources effectively. While the overwhelming majority of pediatric infections are mild, there have been life-threatening exceptions that illuminated the need to proactively identify pediatric patients at risk of severe COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. However, a nationwide capability for developing validated computational tools to identify pediatric patients at risk using real-world data does not exist. HHS ASPR BARDA sought, through the power of competition in a challenge, to create computational models to address two clinically important questions using the National COVID Cohort Collaborative: (1) Of pediatric patients who test positive for COVID-19 in an outpatient setting, who are at risk for hospitalization? (2) Of pediatric patients who test positive for COVID-19 and are hospitalized, who are at risk for needing mechanical ventilation or cardiovascular interventions? This challenge was the first, multi-agency, coordinated computational challenge carried out by the federal government as a response to a public health emergency. Fifty-five computational models were evaluated across both tasks and two winners and three honorable mentions were selected. This challenge serves as a framework for how the government, research communities, and large data repositories can be brought together to source solutions when resources are strapped during a pandemic.

Integrated Analysis of Bulk RNA-Seq and Single-Cell RNA-Seq Unravels the Influences of SARS-CoV-2 Infections to Cancer Patients.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious and pathogenic coronavirus that emerged in late 2019 and caused a pandemic of respiratory illness termed as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cancer patients are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The treatment of cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 is more complicated, and the patients are at risk of poor prognosis compared to other populations. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 are prone to rapid development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of which pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is considered a sequelae. Both ARDS and PF are factors that contribute to poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients. However, the molecular mechanisms among COVID-19, ARDS and PF in COVID-19 patients with cancer are not well-understood. In this study, the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between COVID-19 patients with and without cancer were identified. Based on the common DEGs, a series of analyses were performed, including Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction and hub gene extraction, transcription factor (TF)-DEG regulatory network construction, TF-DEG-miRNA coregulatory network construction and drug molecule identification. The candidate drug molecules (e.g., Tamibarotene CTD 00002527) obtained by this study might be helpful for effective therapeutic targets in COVID-19 patients with cancer. In addition, the common DEGs among ARDS, PF and COVID-19 patients with and without cancer are TNFSF10 and IFITM2. These two genes may serve as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of COVID-19 patients with cancer. Changes in the expression levels of TNFSF10 and IFITM2 in CD14+/CD16+ monocytes may affect the immune response of COVID-19 patients. Specifically, changes in the expression level of TNFSF10 in monocytes can be considered as an immune signature in COVID-19 patients with hematologic cancer. Targeting N6-methyladenosine (m6A) pathways (e.g., METTL3/SERPINA1 axis) to restrict SARS-CoV-2 reproduction has therapeutic potential for COVID-19 patients.

The cross-talk of lung and heart complications in COVID-19: Endothelial cells dysfunction, thrombosis, and treatment.

The pandemic respiratory illness SARS-CoV-2 has increasingly been shown to be a systemic disease that can also have profound impacts on the cardiovascular system. Although associated cardiopulmonary sequelae can persist after infection, the link between viral infection and these complications remains unclear. There is now a recognized link between endothelial cell dysfunction and thrombosis. Its role in stimulating platelet activation and thrombotic inflammation has been widely reported. However, the procoagulant role of microparticles (MPs) in COVID-19 seems to have been neglected. As membrane vesicles released after cell injury or apoptosis, MPs exert procoagulant activity mainly by exposing phosphatidylserine (PS) on their lipid membranes. It can provide a catalytic surface for the assembly of the prothrombinase complex. Therefore, inhibiting PS externalization is a potential therapeutic strategy. In this paper, we describe the pathophysiological mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 induces lung and heart complications through injury of endothelial cells, emphasizing the procoagulant effect of MPs and PS, and demonstrate the importance of early antithrombotic therapy. In addition, we will detail the mechanisms underlying hypoxia, another serious pulmonary complication related to SARS-CoV-2-induced endothelial cells injury and discuss the use of oxygen therapy. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, virus invades endothelial cells through direct infection, hypoxia, imbalance of the RAAS, and cytokine storm. These factors cause endothelial cells to release MPs, form MPs storm, and eventually lead to thrombosis. This, in turn, accelerates hypoxia and cytokine storms, forming a positive feedback loop. Given the important role of thrombosis in the disease, early antithrombotic therapy is an important tool for COVID-19. It may maintain normal blood circulation, accelerating the clearance of viruses, waning the formation of MPs storm, and avoiding disease progression.

Exploration of Luteolin as Potential Anti-COVID-19 Agent: Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamic Simulation, ADMET and DFT Analysis

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has recently emerged as a pandemic respiratory disease with mild to severe pneumonia symptoms. No clinical antiviral agent is available so far. However, several repurposing drugs and vaccines are being given to individuals or in clinical trials against SARS-CoV-2 Objective: The aim of this study is to uncover the potential effects of Luteolin (Lut) as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV2 encoded proteins via utilizing computational tools. Method: Molecular modelling to unfold the anti-SARS-CoV2 potential of Lut along with reference drugs namely remdesivir and nafamostat was performed by the use of molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity (ADMET) and density functional theory (DFT) methods against the five different SARS-CoV-2 encoded key proteins and one human receptor protein. The chemical reactivity of Luteolin is done through prediction of HOMO-LUMO gap energy and other chemical descriptors analysis. Results: In the present study, Lut binds effectively in the binding pockets of spike glycoprotein (6VSB), ADP phosphatase of NSP3 (6W02), and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (7AAP) protein receptors with significant values of docking scores -7.00, -7.25, and -6.46 respectively as compared to reference drugs remdesivir and nafamostat. Conclusion:: Thus, Lut can act as a therapeutic agent and is orally safe for human consumption as predicted by molecular modelling against SARS-CoV-2 in the treatment of COVID-19.

Progress in COVID research and developments during pandemic.

The pandemic respiratory disease COVID‐19 has spread over the globe within a small span of time. Generally, there are two important points are being highlighted and considered towards the successful diagnosis and treatment process. The first point includes the reduction of the rate of infections and the next one is the decrease of the death rate. The major threat to public health globally progresses due to the absence of effective medication and widely accepted immunization for the COVID‐19. Whereas, understanding of host susceptibility, clinical features, adaptation of COVID‐19 to new environments, asymptomatic infection is difficult and challenging. Therefore, a rapid and an exact determination of pathogenic viruses play an important role in deciding treatments and preventing pandemic to save the people's lives. It is urgent to fix a standardized diagnostic approach for detecting the COVID‐19. Here, this systematic review describes all the current approaches using for screening and diagnosing the COVID‐19 infectious patient. The renaissance in pathogen due to host adaptability and new region, facing creates several obstacles in diagnosis, drug, and vaccine development process. The study shows that adaptation of accurate and affordable diagnostic tools based on candidate biomarkers using sensor and digital medicine technology can deliver effective diagnosis services at the mass level. Better prospects of public health management rely on diagnosis with high specificity and cost‐effective manner along with multidisciplinary research, specific policy, and technology adaptation. The proposed healthcare model with defined road map represents effective prognosis system.

New Perspectives on Antimicrobial Agents: Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir for Treatment of COVID-19.

ABSTRACTSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged to cause pandemic respiratory disease in the past 2 years, leading to significant worldwide morbidity and mortality. At the beginning of the pandemic, only nonspecific treatments were available, but recently two oral antivirals have received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Molnupiravir targets the viral polymerase and causes lethal mutations within the virus during replication. Nirmatrelvir targets SARS-CoV-2’s main protease, and it is combined with ritonavir to delay its metabolism and allow nirmatrelvir to inhibit proteolytic cleavage of viral polyproteins during replication, preventing efficient virus production. Both drugs inhibit in vitro viral replication of all variants tested to date. Each is taken orally twice daily for 5 days. When started in the first 5 days of illness in persons at risk for complications due to COVID-19, molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir significantly decreased severe outcomes (hospitalizations and death) with adjusted relative risk reductions of 30% and 88%, respectively, for the two treatments. Molnupiravir should not be used in children or pregnant persons due to concerns about potential toxicity, and reliable contraception should be used in persons of childbearing potential. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir may cause significant drug-to-drug interactions that limit its use in persons taking certain medications metabolized by certain cytochrome P450 enzymes. Both treatment regimens are important additions to the management of early COVID-19 in at-risk patients in the outpatient setting.

Differences and Similarities between the Lung Transcriptomic Profiles of COVID-19, COPD, and IPF Patients: A Meta-Analysis Study of Pathophysiological Signaling Pathways.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic respiratory disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although many patients recover, long-term sequelae after infection have become increasingly recognized and concerning. Among other sequelae, the available data indicate that many patients who recover from COVID-19 could develop fibrotic abnormalities over time. To understand the basic pathophysiology underlying the development of long-term pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19, as well as the higher mortality rates in patients with pre-existing lung diseases, we compared the transcriptomic fingerprints among patients with COVID-19, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using interactomic analysis. Patients who died of COVID-19 shared some of the molecular biological processes triggered in patients with IPF, such as those related to immune response, airway remodeling, and wound healing, which could explain the radiological images seen in some patients after discharge. However, other aspects of this transcriptomic profile did not resemble the profile associated with irreversible fibrotic processes in IPF. Our mathematical approach instead showed that the molecular processes that were altered in COVID-19 patients more closely resembled those observed in COPD. These data indicate that patients with COPD, who have overcome COVID-19, might experience a faster decline in lung function that will undoubtedly affect global health.

Moderna (mRNA Vaccine) for COVID-19: A Leap in Vaccine World


 
 
 
 In December 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) appeared and spread worldwide, triggering a pandemic of respiratory illness. So, there was an urgent need for vaccines worldwide. The mRNA-based vaccines are undergoing an accelerated phase of development during this pandemic. WHO has issued interim guidelines for administering the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against COVID-19 based on advice given by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE). The significant future directions for study would be comparing and elucidating the immune processes triggered by mRNA vaccine platforms, developing existing methods focused on these mechanisms, and introducing new clinical trials of these vaccines against additional disease targets.
 This study aims to reveal the important role and contribution of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine to COVID-19 vaccinology.
 Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine could be the keystone of modern vaccinology in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
 
 

Mapping the spatial biology of COVID-19 immunopathology in placenta tissues

Abstract The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in late 2019 has spread globally, causing a pandemic of respiratory illness. The virus primarily affects the lungs, where it induces respiratory distress syndrome ranging from mild to acute. However, a growing body of evidence shows COVID-19 pathology in other organs that also carry the ACE-2 receptor, including the placenta. Most newborns delivered from COVID-19 positive mothers test negative following delivery, suggesting that there are protective mechanisms within the placenta. In this study, we compared a unique collection of placental tissue samples from COVID-19 positive and gestational age-matched non-COVID-19 samples. Using AKOYA’s ultrahigh-plex Phenocycler assay, we mapped dozens of protein biomarkers in situ with single-cell and subcellular spatial resolution to produce unbiased and comprehensive spatial biomarker maps of potential placental pathobiology associated with COVID-19 infections. Our antibody panel was aimed at in-depth identification of immune cell lineages, activation states, immune checkpoints, and tissue structures; infected cells were identified via the deployment of two antibodies directed at COVID-19 spike and capsid proteins, as well as an antibody directed against the ACE-2 receptor. All imaging data were obtained at single-cell resolution across whole tissue samples, and cellular phenotypes were subsequently identified via unsupervised clustering methods. These data are the first of their kind and will provide additional insight into the pathobiology of COVID-19.

Infection of Aspergillous and Mucormycosis in Maxillary Region of a Woman with Diabetes After Covid19, A Case Report

Introduction: COVID as a common pandemic respiratory disease has affected many people in the world today. Symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, fatigue and lethargy, shortness of breath, lack of sense of smell and taste, etc. In people with weakened immune systems, especially if they have received corticosteroids, it can cause fungal diseases, especially with two types of aspergillus and mucormycosis, which can cause sinusitis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis and even death

Covid-19 Vaccines: Efficacy, Safety, And Side Effects

Coronaviruses are a type of virus. There are many different kinds, and some cause disease. A coronavirus identified in 2019, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is associate communicable disease caused by the SARS- CoV-2 virus. The general public infected with the virus can expertise delicate to moderate respiratory disorder and recover while not requiring special treatment. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age. The virus can unfold from an infected person’s mouth or nose in tiny liquid particles after they cough, sneeze, speak, or breathe. However, some will become seriously ill and need medical attention. The short review discusses the ways to prevent to prevent and slow down transmission, different types of vaccine available and their effectiveness and the emergence need to get vaccinated.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic respiratory disease caused by the highly contagious novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV 2). COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge healthcare services worldwide. Healthcare Workers (HCWs) are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection than the general population due to frequent contact with infected individuals. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice among HCWs towards COVID-19 in some COVID dedicated hospitals of Chattogram, Bangladesh.
 Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at three hospitals (Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chattogram 250 Bed General Hospital, and Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Disease) in Chattogram, from January 2021 to August 2021. The study included 393 HCWs (Physicians and nurses) by a non-probability convenient sampling method. An interview administered questionnaire was used to evaluate their knowledge, attitude and practices regarding COVID-19 and their associations with the participants’ characteristics.
 Results: Participants were predominantly female (230/393, 58.0%) and physicians (313/393, 77.0%). Almost all had sufficient knowledge (85.8%) and good preventive practice (92.1%) towards COVID-19, however, there was also a rather low level of positive attitude recorded, at 69.0%. Factors associated with KAP were, Knowledge: being a physician and higher education. Attitude: age >40 years, Practice: being a physician.
 Conclusion: The findings demonstrated sufficient knowledge and good preventive practice towards COVID-19, however, positive attitude was lower. Therefore, it is an identified requirement to continue with additional education and training strategies to offer a positive viewpoint of the pandemic for all HCWs.
 JCMCTA 2021 ; 32 (2) : 79-84

Future implications of COVID-19 through Mathematical modeling

COVID-19 is a pandemic respiratory illness. The disease spreads from human to human and is caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we formulate a mathematical model of COVID-19 and discuss the disease free state and endemic equilibrium of the model. Based on the sensitivity indexes of the parameters, control strategies are designed. The strategies reduce the densities of the infected classes but do not satisfy the criteria/threshold condition of the global stability of disease free equilibrium. On the other hand, the endemic equilibrium of the disease is globally asymptotically stable. Therefore it is concluded that the disease cannot be eradicated with present resources and the human population needs to learn how to live with corona. For validation of the results, numerical simulations are obtained using fourth order Runge–Kutta method.

A comprehensive evolutionary and epidemiological characterization of insertion and deletion mutations in SARS-CoV-2 genomes.

SARS-CoV-2, which causes the current pandemic of respiratory illness, is evolving continuously and generating new variants. Nevertheless, most of the sequence analyses thus far focused on nucleotide substitutions despite the fact that insertions and deletions (indels) are equally important in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we analyzed 1,099,664 high-quality sequences of SARS-CoV-2 genomes to re-construct the evolutionary and epidemiological histories of indels. Our analysis revealed 289 circulating indel types (237 deletion and 52 insertion types, each represented by more than ten genomic sequences), among which eighteen were recurrent indel types, each represented by more than 500 genome sequences. Although indels were identified across the entire genome, most of them were identified in nsp6, S, ORF8, and N genes, among which ORF8 indel types had the highest frequencies of frameshift. Geographical and temporal analyses of these variants revealed a few alterations of dominant indel types, each accompanied by geographic expansion to different countries and continents, which resulted in the fixation of several types of indels in the field, including the current variants of concern. Evolutionary and structural analyses revealed that indels involving S N-terminal domain regions were linked to the 3/4 variants of concern, resulting in significantly altered S protein that might contribute to the selective advantage of the corresponding variant. In sum, our study highlights the important role of insertions and deletions in the evolution and spread of SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 transmissibility: lockdown a forced agenda or need of hour?

Background: A corona virus identified in 2019, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19. COVID-19 has been cited responsible for over more than four million deaths across the world. Consequentially, COVID-19 had resulted in various residual health problems in infected individuals during the illness period and in some even after the recovery.Methods:A cross-sectional survey having 10-item questionnaire was developed using Google forms. The questionnaire was made available to the participants through all available social networking platforms such as email, WhatsApp etc. according to the suitability of the participant. Data were collected and entered in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, cleaned for errors and analysed using Epi-info version 7.2.1.0 software.Results: The study found that majority of people agreed to the implementation of lockdown and only 6.1% said that lockdown should not be implemented. Among those who agreed to the implementation of lockdown, 50.2% had opined that the lockdown should be implemented only based on the number of cases in the individual state.Conclusions:India, still as a developing nation has giant leaps to take to clear through this pandemic crisis. This study concludes that the general population was clear about the essentiality of the lockdown however a segment of the population had the implications in a way that was affecting their livelihood hence acutely changing their perception otherwise.