Amantadine resistance markers among low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 viruses isolated from poultry in India, during 2009-2017

Recent Developments in Semiconductor-Based Photocatalytic Degradation of Antiviral Drug Pollutants

The prevalence of antiviral drugs (ATVs) has seen a substantial increase in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to heightened concentrations of these pharmaceuticals in wastewater systems. The hydrophilic nature of ATVs has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the low degradation efficiency observed in wastewater treatment plants. This characteristic often necessitates the implementation of additional treatment steps to achieve the complete degradation of ATVs. Semiconductor-based photocatalysis has garnered considerable attention due to its promising potential in achieving efficient degradation rates and subsequent mineralization of pollutants, leveraging the inexhaustible energy of sunlight. However, in recent years, there have been few comprehensive reports that have thoroughly summarized and analyzed the application of photocatalysis for the removal of ATVs. This review commences by summarizing the types and occurrence of ATVs. Furthermore, it places a significant emphasis on delivering a comprehensive summary and analysis of the characteristics pertaining to the photocatalytic elimination of ATVs, utilizing semiconductor photocatalysts such as metal oxides, doped metal oxides, and heterojunctions. Ultimately, the review sheds light on the identified research gaps and key concerns, offering invaluable insights to steer future investigations in this field.

The evolution, characterization and phylogeography of avian influenza H9N2 viruses from India

The low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 virus is a significant zoonotic agent and contributes genes to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses. H9N2 viruses are prevalent in India with a reported human case. We elucidate the spatio-temporal origins of the H9N2 viruses from India. A total of 30H9N2 viruses were isolated from poultry and environmental specimens (years 2015-2020). Genome sequences of H9N2 viruses (2003-2020) from India were analyzed, revealing several substitutions. We found five reassortant genotypes. The HA, NA and PB2 genes belonged to the Middle-Eastern B sublineage; NP and M to the classical G1 lineage; PB1, PA and NS showed resemblance to genes from either HPAI-H7N3/H5N1 viruses. Molecular clock and phylogeography revealed that the introduction of all the genes to India took place around the year 2000. This is the first report of the genesis and evolution of the H9N2 viruses from India, and highlights the need for surveillance.

Discovery and Optimization of an Aptamer and Its Sensing Ability to Amantadine Based on SERS via Binary Metal Nanoparticles

With the growing concern of illegal abuse of amantadine (AMD) and its potential harmful impact on humans, detection of AMD has become an urgent food safety and environmental topic. Biosensing is a promising method for this, but the effective recognition of AMD still remains a challenge. Herein, we isolated an aptamer (Am-20) for AMD through a 14-round iterative selection based on capture-SELEX. The preliminary interaction mechanism between AMD and Am-20 was clarified with the help of docking simulations. Facilitated by a base mutation and truncation strategy, an optimized aptamer Am-20-1 with a short length of 62-mer was obtained, which exhibited competitive affinity with a K_d value of 33.90 ± 5.16 nM. A structure-switching SERS-based aptasensor based on Am-20-1 was then established for AMD quantification via a binary metal nanoparticle-embedded Raman reporter substrate (AuNRs@ATP@AgNPs). The fabricated strategy showed a wide linear range (0.005∼25 ng/mL) and a low limit of detection (0.001 ng/mL) for AMD determination. We envision that the novel aptamer identified in this study will provide a complementary tool for specific recognition and detection of AMD and could assist in the supervision of illegal abuse of AMD.

Key amino acids of M1-41 and M2-27 determine growth and pathogenicity of chimeric H17 bat influenza virus in cells and in mice

Based on our previous studies, we show that M gene is critical for viral replication and pathogenicity of the chimeric H17 bat influenza virus (Bat09:mH1mN1) by replacing bat M gene with those from human and swine influenza A viruses. However, the key amino acids of M1 and/or M2 proteins responsible for virus replication and pathogenicity remain unknown. In this study, the Eurasian avian-like M gene from the A/California/04/2009 pandemic H1N1 virus significantly decreased viral replication in both mammalian and avian cells in the background of chimeric H17 bat influenza virus by replacing the PR8 M gene. Further studies revealed that the M1 was more crucial for viral growth and pathogenicity in contrast to the M2, and amino acid residues of M1-41V and M2-27A were responsible for these characteristics in cells and in mice. These key residues of M1 and M2 proteins identified in this study might be important for influenza virus surveillance and used to produce live attenuated vaccines in the future. Importance The M1 and M2 proteins influence the morphology, replication, virulence and transmissibility of influenza viruses. Although a few key residues in M1/M2 proteins have been identified, whether other residues of M1/M2 proteins involved in viral replication and pathogenicity need to be discovered. In the background of chimeric H17 bat influenza virus, the Eurasian avian-like M gene from A/California/04/2009 significantly decreased viral growth in mammalian and avian cells. Further study showed that M1 was implicated more than M2 for viral growth and pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo, and the key amino acid residues of M1-41V and M2-27A were responsible for these characteristics in cells and in mice. These key residues of M1 and M2 proteins could be used for influenza virus surveillance and live attenuated vaccine application in the future. These findings provide important information for knowledge on the genetic basis of virulence of influenza viruses.

Targeting COVID-19 in Parkinson's Patients: Drugs Repurposed

The last couple of months have witnessed the world in a state of virtual standstill. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has overtaken the globe to economic and social lockdown. Many patients with COVID-19 have compromised immunity, especially in an aged population suffering from Parkinson 's disease (PD). Alteration in dopaminergic neurons and deficiency of dopamine in PD patients are the most common symptoms affecting 1% population above the age of 60 years. The compromised immune system and inflammatory manifestation in PD patients make them an easy target. The most common drugs under trial for COVID-19 are remdesivir, favipiravir, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin along with adjunct drugs like amantadine with some monoclonal antibodies. Presently, clinically US FDA approved drugs in PD include Levodopa, catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors, (Entacapone and Tolcapone), dopamine agonists (Bromocriptine, Ropinirole, Pramipexole, and Rotigotine), monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors (Selegiline and Rasagiline), amantadine and antimuscarinic drugs. The drugs have established mechanisms of action on PD patients with known pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties along with dose and adverse effects. Conclusion and relevance of this review focus on the drugs that can be tried on PD patients with SAR CoV-2 infection, in particular, amantadine that has been approved by all the developed countries as a common drug possessing both antiviral properties by downregulation of CTSL, lysosomal pathway disturbance and change in pH necessary to uncoat the viral proteins and anti- Parkinson properties. To deal with the significant prognostic adverse effect of SARS-CoV-2 on PD, the present-day treatment options, clinical presentation and various mechanisms are the need of the hour.