scholarly journals The Role of High-Throughput Laboratories in Homeland Security

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
Tony J. Beugelsdijk ◽  
Scott P. Layne
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Homeland Security ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
The World ◽  
Chemical And Biological Weapons ◽  
Dangerous Place ◽  
Terrorist Networks

Infectious diseases pose threats from natural and manmade sources, and arguably the situation is getting worse. The outbreak of the coronavirus causing the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) shows that the world is linked by thousands of people traveling millions of miles every single day who can spread SARS or new strains of influenza with pandemic potential. 1 The world is also becoming a more dangerous place, with rogue nations and terrorist networks aggressively seeking nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Of these, biological weapons are the cheapest to produce and likely the most attractive because they can be used anonymously.

scholarly journals Crystal structure of Nsp15 endoribonuclease NendoU from SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngchang Kim ◽  
Robert Jedrzejczak ◽  
Natalia I. Maltseva ◽  
Michael Endres ◽  
Adam Godzik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Structural Genomics ◽  
Structure Determination ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
World Wide ◽  
The World

ABSTRACTSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 is rapidly spreading around the world. There is no existing vaccine or proven drug to prevent infections and stop virus proliferation. Although this virus is similar to human and animal SARS- and MERS-CoVs the detailed information about SARS-CoV-2 proteins structures and functions is urgently needed to rapidly develop effective vaccines, antibodies and antivirals. We applied high-throughput protein production and structure determination pipeline at the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases to produce SARS-CoV-2 proteins and structures. Here we report the high-resolution crystal structure of endoribonuclease Nsp15/NendoU from SARS-CoV-2 – a virus causing current world-wide epidemics. We compare this structure with previously reported models of Nsp15 from SARS and MERS coronaviruses.

Plasma therapy a possible hope to fight against COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravikant Piyush ◽  
Aroni Chatterjee ◽  
Shashikant Ray
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Plasma Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Drugs ◽  
Wild Fire ◽  
The World ◽  
Short Span ◽  
Game Changer

The world is currently going through a disastrous event and a catastrophic upheaval caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pandemic has resulted in loss of more than 150000 deaths across the globe. Originating from China and spreading across all continents within a short span of time, it has become a matter of international emergency. Different agencies are adopting diverse approaches to stop and spread of this viral disease but still now nothing confirmatory has come up. Due to lack of vaccines and proper therapeutic drugs, the disease is still spreading like wild fire without control. An Old but very promising method- the convalescent plasma therapy could be the key therapy to stop this pandemic. This method has already proven its mettle on several occasions previously and has been found to be effective in curing the pandemics induced by Ebola, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the same group of β-Coronavirus that has resulted in the above diseases. Therefore, the role of plasma therapy is being explored for treatment of this disease. In this review, we have mainly focused on the role of convalescent plasma therapy and why its use should be promoted in fight against COVID-19, as it could turn out to be a game changer.

A geographical analysis of the first wave of Covid-19 with reference to highland and lowland regions of India

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-281
Author(s):  
Bindhy Wasini Pandey ◽  
◽  
Yuvraj Singh ◽  
Usha Rani ◽  
Roosen Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Temporal Pattern ◽  
Regional Disparity ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Indian Himalayan Region ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Extensive Coverage ◽  
The World ◽  
Spatio Temporal

The issue of health has become a major concern in recent years as a result of extensive coverage of media reporting outbreaks of diseases and the spread of deadly infectious diseases around the world. There has been a growing concern over the accessibility and affordability of healthcare facilities. The spread of the ongoing pandemic COVID-19 has been felt all over the world. However, the rate of infection varies across certain regions of the world. There exists intra-regional disparity as well. Recent research shows that there are latitudinal and altitudinal variations in the spread of the COVID-19. This paper studies variation of infection COVID-19 across the highlands of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and the lowland areas in India. The paper also examines the role of geographical spaces in the spread of coronavirus in these regions. The study indicates that place-based effects (altitude, temperature, pollution levels, etc.) on health can be seen in a variety of ways; therefore, locational issues are very important for addressing health questions. The paper also analyses the Spatio-temporal pattern of the COVID-19 pandemic in the study area to understand the nature of the disease in different locations.

scholarly journals SPIKE PROTEIN AND ITS PROTEASES ROLE IN SARS-COV-2 PATHOGENICITY AND TREATMENT; A REVIEW

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fateme Tavakoli Far ◽  
◽  
Ehsan Amiri-Ardekani ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Cathepsin B ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Pressure Regulation ◽  
Common Receptor ◽  
The World

Since December 2019, a novel beta coronavirus has spread around the world. This virus can cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). In this study, we reviewed proteases of SARS-CoV-2 based on related articles published in journals indexed by Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar from December 2019 to April 2020. Based on this study, we can claim that this coronavirus has about 76% genotype similarity to SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Also, similarities between these two viruses have been found in the mechanism of entry into host cells and pathogenicity. ACE 2, the angiotensin convertase enzyme 2, plays a role in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system (RAAS) and blood pressure regulation. Some mechanisms have been reported for the role of ACE 2 in the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2. For example, the interaction between the ACE 2 receptor and spike protein mediated by TMPRSS2, Cathepsin B/L, and other enzymes is responsible for the entry of the virus into human cells and pathogenicity. Some host cell endosomal enzymes are necessary to cleavage coronavirus spike protein and cause binding to their common receptor. So, we conclude that molecules like antibodies or small molecules like ACE 2 antagonists and soluble ACE 2 can be used as a good therapeutic candidate to prevent SARS-CoV-2.

Human Rights Watch Arms Project—Chemical and Biological Weapons Program

1996 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Nongovernmental Organization ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Free Expression ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
The World ◽  
Chemical And Biological Weapons

Human Rights Watch is the largest U.S.-based independent human rights organization. It conducts regular, systematic investigations of human rights abuses in some seventy countries around the world. Human Rights Watch (HRW) includes five divisions, covering Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and the signatories of the Helsinki accords, and has four thematic projects: the Arms Project, the Women's Rights Project, the Children's Rights Project, and the Free Expression Project. HRW maintains offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, London, Brussels, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Dushanbe, and Hong Kong. Human Rights Watch is a nongovernmental organization, supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide. It accepts no government funds.

Toward a global ban on landmines

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (307) ◽  
pp. 391-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Parlow
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Hague Convention ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
The World ◽  
International Attention ◽  
Chemical And Biological Weapons ◽  
Internal Armed Conflicts

The use of arms, projectiles, or material calculated to cause unnecessary suffering, and more especially of poisoned weapons (chemical and biological weapons), was banned under the conceptual framework of both the 1907 Hague Convention (IV) and the 1925 Geneva Protocol. In the discussions leading to a ban on the use of chemical weapons, diplomats from around the world referred to their use as “barbaric and dishonourable” because of their effect on soldiers or the likely indiscriminate impact on civilians. It is a universal achievement that it is now impossible to conceive of a world that does not show concern for civilians caught up in war. As international attention to the protection of civilians in internal armed conflicts grows, it is accompanied by renewed debate regarding regulation of warring parties' conduct through humanitarian and human rights law.

scholarly journals Platelet Function in Viral Immunity and SARS-CoV-2 Infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afaf Allaoui ◽  
Akif A. Khawaja ◽  
Oussama Badad ◽  
Mariam Naciri ◽  
Marie Lordkipanidzé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Blood Components ◽  
Viral Immunity ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Activated Platelets ◽  
Viral Receptors

AbstractPlatelets, as nonnucleated blood components, are classically recognized for their pivotal role in hemostasis. In recent years, however, accumulating evidence points to a nonhemostatic role for platelets, as active participants in the inflammatory and immune responses to microbial organisms in infectious diseases. This stems from the ability of activated platelets to secrete a plethora of immunomodulatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as directly interplaying with viral receptors. While much attention has been given to the role of the cytokine storm in the severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), less is known about the contribution of platelets to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here, we give a brief overview on the platelet contribution to antiviral immunity and response during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals The role of vaccination in global health

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-19
Author(s):  
Keegan Guidolin ◽  
Gaby Meglei
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Preventable Death ◽  
Eradication Program ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future

Perhaps the greatest medical advancement in history was the development of the vaccine. While previously helpless to stop the spread of deadly infectious diseases, humanity has since harnessed the power of vaccination and decreased the incidence of infectious disease across the globe. Smallpox was the first disease to be eradicated—the greatest of our triumphs. This success was due to the global coordinated effort of the Intensified Smallpox Eradication Program. Presently, measles is the top cause of vaccine-preventable death in the world, and despite enormous vaccination efforts, eradication is still distant. This is due in part to the antivaccination movement, which was fueled by an article by Wakefield, published in the Lancet in 1998. The future of vaccination is an ambitious and unclear one—with tremendous financial support and involvement, the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) aims to eliminate vaccine preventable illness within what they call the “Decade of Vaccines”.

scholarly journals Milieu Relevance of Melanin’s Antiviral Effects and Interventions to the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
White Supremacy ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Institutional Racism ◽  
Preventative Treatment ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Antiviral Effects ◽  
The World

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected melanin dominant people, while on the continent of Africa, this novel strain does not appear to have decimated the population. Contrary to many scientific expectations, native Africans on the continent are less impacted compared to the global number of infections in other regions of the world. Therefore, an analysis of the role of melanin and milieu should be assessed by healthcare providers who have a concern for melanin-dominant populations. Questions are raised that Melanin has antiviral effects and there are additional factors derived from comorbidity that impact the susceptibility to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) embedded in institutional racism (aka the system of white supremacy-Milieu). Dietary practices, access to healthcare, lifestyle and genetics can influence the severity of illnesses associated with contracting this virulent coronavirus via intense erratic activation of the immune system among those subjected to a plethora of chronic societal stressors. In summary, this article will address the effects of this crisis on people of African descent and suggest alternative treatments as an intermediary, rather than exclusive reliance on a vaccine as preventative treatment. The relevance of such discourse is critical given America’s medical history, which has fostered profound distrust among her melanin-dominant citizenry.

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