COVID-19: Underpinning Research for Detection, Therapeutics, and Vaccines Development

BACKGROUND

The newly emerged coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, first reported in December 2019, has infected about five and a half million people globally and resulted in nearly 9063264 deaths until the 24th of June 2020. Nevertheless, the highly contagious virus has instigated an unimaginably rapid response from scientific and medical communities.

OBJECTIVES

Pioneering research on molecular mechanisms underlying the viral transmission, molecular pathogenicity, and potential treatments will be highlighted in this review. The development of antiviral drugs specific to SARS-CoV-2 is a complicated and tedious process. To accelerate scientific discoveries and advancement, researchers are consolidating available data from associated coronaviruses into a single pipeline, which can be readily made available to vaccine developers.

METHODS

In order to find studies evaluating the COVID-19 virus epidemiology, repurposed drugs and potential vaccines, web searches and bibliographical bases have been used with keywords that matches the content of this review.

RESULTS

The published results of SARS-CoV-2 structures and interactomics have been used to identify potential therapeutic candidates. We illustrate recent publications on SARS-CoV-2, concerning its molecular, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics, and focus on innovative diagnostics technologies in the production pipeline. This objective of this review is to enhance the comprehension of the unique characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and strengthen future control measures.

Lay Summary

An innovative analysis is evaluating the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to increase knowledge of possible viral detection methods, which highlights several new technology limitations and advantages. We have assessed some drugs currently for patients (Lopinavir, Ritonavir, Anakinra and Interferon beta 1a), as the feasibility of COVID-19 specific antivirals is not presently known. The study explores the race toward vaccine development and highlights some significant trials and candidates in various clinical phases. This research addresses critical knowledge gaps by identifying repurposed drugs currently under clinical trials. Findings will be fed back rapidly to the researchers interested in COVID 19 and support the evidence and potential of possible therapeutics and small molecules with their mode of action.

Alteration in memory cognition due to activation of caveolin-1 and oxidative damage in a model of dementia of Alzheimer's type

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to investigate the role of caveolin-1 in dementia of Alzheimer's type using intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV-STZ)-induced neurodegeneration model in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats (220-260 g) were employed. STZ 3 mg/kg via ICV route was given once to cause neuronal injury. Daidzein - a caveolin inhibitor at 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 mg/kg s.c. were given daily whereas minoxidil - a caveolin activator was given at 0.45 mg/kg, i.p. on alternate days for 28 days. STZ was also given at its submaximal dose 1.5 mg/kg to minoxidil group only.

RESULTS

ICV-STZ control animals exhibited cognitive and neurological deficits on the Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, and balance beam tests (P < 0.0001). Treatment with daidzein significantly restored memory impairments and decreased oxidative damage whereas minoxidil potentiates the effect of STZ causing significant impairment in memory. Significant oxidative stress such as lipid peroxidation and glutathione (P < 0.0001) were also observed due to ICV-STZ administration resulting in neuronal damage which was significantly prevented by treatment with daidzein in brain tissues.

CONCLUSION

The findings from the present investigation may conclude that the caveolin-1 from caveolae at the cell membrane induces memory deficits and oxidative stress phenotype that resemble the neurological phenotype of Alzheimer's disease. Further studies are warranted to gauge the effect of caveolin dyshomeostasis on the amyloidogenic cascade.

Non Familial Cherubism: A Case Report

Cherubism might occur in solitary cases or in several members of the family, often in many generations. Treatment depends on the clinical course of the disease. The reported case is an example of solitary sporadic occurrence within a family, which is a less documented condition in the literature.

Cyclic enaminone as new chemotype for selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities

The cyclic enaminone moiety has been identified as a new scaffold for selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The designed cyclic enaminones have been synthesized conveniently through the development of a new catalyst-free methodology and evaluated for cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitory activities. Three compounds 7d, 8, and 9 predominantly inhibited COX-2 with selectivity index of 74.09, 19.45 and 108.68, respectively, and were assessed for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced rat paw edema assay. The anti-inflammatory activity of 7d was comparable to that of celecoxib at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg. However, the compounds 8 and 9 were more/equally effective as anti-inflammatory agent compared to celecoxib at the doses of 12.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg and also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of diclofenac. The therapeutic potential of the most active compound 9 was further assessed by performing in vivo thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia tests using various models that revealed its analgesic activity. The in vivo non-ulcerogenicity of 9 revealed the gastrointestinal safety as compared to the non-selective COX inhibitor indomethacin. The in vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo experiments on heart rate and blood pressure provided the cardiovascular safety profile of 9. The molecular docking studies rationalize the COX-2 selectivity of the newly found anti-inflammatory compounds 7d, 8, and 9.

Severe Manifestations of Chikungunya Fever in Children, India, 2016

Chikungunya is a relatively benign disease, and a paucity of literature on severe manifestations in children exits. We describe a cohort of pediatric chikungunya fever patients in New Delhi, India, who had severe sepsis and septic shock, which can develop during the acute phase of illness.

In-vitro osteoblast proliferation and in-vivo anti-osteoporotic activity of Bombax ceiba with quantification of Lupeol, gallic acid and β-sitosterol by HPTLC and HPLC

BACKGROUND

Bombax ceiba is used traditionally to treat bone disorders, rheumatism, and joint pain. The aim of the study is to carry out osteogenic activity in-vitro and anti-osteoporotic activity in-vivo of stem bark of B. ceiba in surgical ovariectomy model in female rats.

METHODS

Plant drug: B. ceiba stem bark was extracted with solvents petroleum ether and methanol using Soxhlet extraction. In-vitro osteoblastic proliferation study was performed using UMR-106 cell lines. Both the extracts were undergone to acute toxicity study as per OECD423 guidelines. Female Wistar albino rats 180-240 g were used (n = 6). Surgical ovariectomy was performed under anesthesia to induce bone porosity and loss in all animals except normal control and sham control. Each extract was administered at two dose level: 100 and 200 mg/kg and the standard Raloxifene was given at 1 mg/kg orally for 28 days. The phytochemical study of both the extracts was performed using HPLC and HPTLC.

RESULTS

A significant osteoblast cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were observed with B. ceiba extracts in UMR-106 cell lines. Surgical removal of ovaries produced significant (p < 0.05) decline in bone mineral density, bone breaking strength, serum ALP, calcium, phosphorus, and estradiol level and marked bone tissue destruction in histology. Administration of petroleum ether and methanolic extract for 28 days significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated the consequences of ovariectomy induced bone porosity and restored the normal architecture of bone, as compared to OVX control. The phytochemical screening of both the extracts were also carried out. The quantification of phytoconstituents showed the presence of β-sitosterol and lupeol in petroleum ether extract, whereas the lupeol is also quantified in the methanolic extract. The presence of gallic acid was quantified in methanolic extract using HPLC.

CONCLUSION

B. ceiba: stem bark ameliorated the state of bone fragility and fracture possibly due to estrogenic modulation, as also confirmed by in-vitro osteogenic activity which may be due to the presence of lupeol, gallic acid and β-sitosterol constituents of the plant.

Association Between Parenting Stress and Functional Impairment Among Children Diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The objective of this study was to examine the association between parenting stress and functional impairment among children with Neurodevelopmental Disorder (NDD). A sample of 150 parents of children diagnosed with NDD were recruited from schools that offer special education services. Parents completed a self-administered survey containing the parenting stress index-short form (PSI-SF) scale and the Columbia Impairment Scale. The multiple logistic regression conducted to compare those with clinically significant PSI-SF scores indicated that the risk of parents with clinically significant scores of parenting stress increased 5.5 times with functionally impaired children with NDD. Further the risk of stress increased 4.6 times when these parents reported having their own disorder/disease. The risk of stress was reduced by 57% for those who had higher than a college level education compared to those with a college level education or below. These findings might help health care providers to initiate early intervention strategies such as peer support and education that can prevent parenting stress and reduce the risk of potential incidence of depression.

Amyloid beta plaque: a culprit for neurodegeneration

Increasing life expectancy has resulted in an increase in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease. None of the hypothesis proposed till date explains the exact pathobiology of the disease. It is therefore imperative to understand the underlying mechanisms. Amyloid beta (Aβ) is regarded as the main culprit and maximum therapeutic efforts are centered towards Aβ. This review will discuss about the biosynthesis, the physiological role of Aβ including the pathogenic aggregation of Aβ resulting neurodegenerative cognitive disabilities. Most studies of Alzheimer's disease have focused on the biochemical mechanisms involved in the neurodegenerative processes triggered by Aβ aggregates. Aβ is generated from mature amyloid precursor protein being metabolized by two competing pathways, α-secretase pathway (non-amyloidogenic pathway) and β-secretase (amyloidogenic pathway). The physiological roles of Aβ reported in neurotrophic properties, neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, metal ion sequestration and specificity of blood brain barrier. The neuronal injury is the result of Aβ oligomerization and it is reported that oligomerization of Aβ contributes to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. The physiological role of Aβ must be considered in the development of medications that intended to decrease its oligomerization forming plaques in a disease like Alzheimer's disease. The biosynthetic pathways for transport and accumulation of Aβ need to be ascertained as an attempt to develop future strategies for prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: an unusual case of chronic diarrhoea in a child

Most cases of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) are described in adults. It is a rare disorder in childhood. Most cases present with abdominal pain due to peptic ulceration and chronic diarrhoea not responding to general measures. The symptom complex is initially confused with other more common diseases, which lead to a delay in diagnosis. We present a rare case of a-12-year boy who initially presented with abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and progressive weight loss for over a two-year period before he was finally diagnosed as a case of ZES with the primary tumour in the pancreatic head and with multiple metastasis in both the liver and lymph nodes.

Do Circadian Rhythms Draw the Patterns of Sustained Mental Vigor and Ailment?

Preclinical Research Circadian rhythms are fundamental processes in all cells that coordinate a variety of cellular functions related to a specific time of the day. Disruption of circadian rhythms markedly impacts homeostasis. In this Commentary, we present data that disruption of circadian rhythm may lead to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative states. In this context, we further argue that there is an urgent need of developing new generations of compounds, chronobiotics, to modulate the molecular substrates of circadian timing system. Chronobiotics conceptually offer an effective way for restoration and protection from the consequences of the circadian disruption. We also briefly discuss whether dysfunctional circadian rhythms are a major driver of aging. Drug Dev Res 77 : 469-473, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.