Disruption of the biological activity of protease-activated receptors2/4 in adults rather than children in SARS CoV-2 virus-mediated mortality in COVID-19 infection

Cancer management during the COVID-19 world pandemic

Since 2019, the world has been experiencing an outbreak of a novel beta-coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2. The worldwide spread of this virus has been a severe challenge for public health, and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. As of June 8, 2023, the virus' rapid spread had caused over 767 million infections and more than 6.94 million deaths worldwide. Unlike previous SARS-CoV-1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus outbreaks, the COVID-19 outbreak has led to a high death rate in infected patients; this has been caused by multiorgan failure, which might be due to the widespread presence of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors-functional receptors of SARS-CoV-2-in multiple organs. Patients with cancer may be particularly susceptible to COVID-19 because cancer treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy) suppress the immune system. Thus, patients with cancer and COVID-19 may have a poor prognosis. Knowing how to manage the treatment of patients with cancer who may be infected with SARS-CoV-2 is essential. Treatment decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis, and patient stratification is necessary during COVID-19 outbreaks. Here, we review the management of COVID-19 in patients with cancer and focus on the measures that should be adopted for these patients on the basis of the organs or tissues affected by cancer and by the tumor stage.

Sodium alginate-based drug delivery for diabetes management: A review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is among the biggest global health problems of the 21st century, which is characterised by insufficient insulin secretion and results in the augmentation of blood sugar levels. The current foundation of hyperglycemia therapy is oral antihyperglycemic medications like biguanides, sulphonylureas, α-glucosidase inhibitors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonists, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and others. Many naturally occurring substances have shown promise in treating hyperglycemia. Inadequate prologitivity of action, restricted bioavailability, site specificity, and dose-related side effects are some problems with currently available anti-diabetic medications. Sodium alginate has shown promise as a drug delivery mechanism, potentially solving issues with current therapies for several substances. This review summarizes the research on the efficacy of drug delivery systems based on alginate for transporting oral hypoglycemic medicines, phytochemicals, and insulin for treating hyperglycemia.

Cellular immune states in SARS-CoV-2-induced disease

The general immune state plays important roles against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Cells of the immune system are encountering rapid changes during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2-induced disease. Reduced fraction of functional CD8⁺ T cells, disrupted cross-talking between CD8⁺ T cells with dendritic cells (DCs), and impaired immunological T-cell memory, along with the higher presence of hyperactive neutrophils, high expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and non-classical monocytes, and attenuated cytotoxic capacity of natural killer (NK) cells, are all indicative of low efficient immunity against viral surge within the body. Immune state and responses from pro- or anti-inflammatory cells of the immune system to SARS-CoV-2 are discussed in this review. We also suggest some strategies to enhance the power of immune system against SARS-CoV-2-induced disease.

A comparative analysis on the safety and efficacy of Covaxin versus other vaccines against COVID-19: a review

Since the identification of the genomic sequence of SARS-CoV-2, an unprecedented effort is being made until this date for the development of a safe and effective vaccine by pharma companies and laboratories worldwide. To attain herd immunity and quite possibly recover from this pandemic, which has claimed the life of about 4.23 million people, an exceptional effort has been made by the scientific community for the development of a vaccine. Various vaccines have been developed based on different platforms and each of them seems to possess its own merits and demerits based on its safety, immunogenicity, the durability of immunity, dosing schedule, technological platform, and ease of manufacture and transport. Based on these parameters this review aims to critically assess the efficacy of Covaxin and compare it with other vaccines in the WHO EUL list and perform a comparative analysis of COVID-19 vaccines which are in phase 3 and phase 4 of clinical trials. This will help us determine where COVAXIN stands against other vaccines and vaccine candidates based on these parameters which will ultimately help us determine the best vaccine that could potentially eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of Standardised Extract Pegagan Embun (Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.) toward Natural Killer Cell and CD8 Cell Activities on White Male Mice Exposed to H5N1 Virus Antigen

AIM: Community in Indonesia used pegagan embun (Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.) to increase endurance. Based on that, the study aimed to determine the effects of pegagan embun extract on natural killer (NK) cells and CD8 cells activities in white male mice exposed to the H5N1 antigen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As many as thirty-five experimental white male mice were used, divided into seven groups, by varying the time of administration of the H5N1 antigen. Groups I and II, were given the test extract for 7 days and induced H5N1 antigen on days 1 and 7, then evaluated on day 8. Group III was given a test extract for 3 days, then induced antigen on the 4th day and continued with giving the test extract until day 7th. In Groups V and VII, only H5N1 antigen induction on day 1 and evaluated on day 8. Groups IV and VI were given the test extract for 7 and 4 days. The observations examine the activities of NK cells and CD8 cells. The data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variation method with p = 0.05, then analyzed with Duncan Multiple Range Test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: After calculating, the NK cell activity for groups 1 to 7, respectively: 2.12; 2.03; 2.07; 1.87; 1.98; 1.91; and 1.95 ng/mL while for CD8 cell activity 22.23; 24.61; 23.69; 21.10; 19,20; 19.87; and 18.13 ng/mL. The results showed that giving pegagan embun extract to white male mice exposed to the H5N1 antigen increase the activities of NK cells and CD8 cells. CONCLUSION: It concluded that administration of standardized extract of pegagan embun (H. sibthorpioides Lam.) at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW increased NK cells activities and CD8 cells of white male mice exposed to H5N1 virus antigen.