A coadunation of biological and mathematical perspectives on the pandemic COVID-19: A Review

Coronaviruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 02 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahar Qazi ◽  
Kayenat Sheikh ◽  
Mo Faheem ◽  
Arshad Khan ◽  
Khalid Raza
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Replication Process ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Models Of Disease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Preliminary Phylogenetic Analysis

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created an emergency globally, and social distancing and isolation is the only solution to prevent its spread. Several countries have announced full lockdown to tackle this pandemic. The coronavirus family is inclusive of pathogens of both – animal species and humans, encapsulating the isolated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Researchers round the globe have been dexterously working to decode this lethal virus. Many mathematical frameworks have also been depicted which have helped to understand the dynamics of the COVID-19. Methods: This systematic review highlights the virus genomic composition, preliminary phylogenetic analysis, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and prognosis along with mathematical models of disease transmission and dynamics. Results: Our preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the novel coronavirus sequence discerns that although shares its lineage with SARS, BAT-CoV, Beta-BAT-SARS,however, this protein is highly dissimilar to its ancestors. The widely prominent amino acid residues found in the protein are alanine (ALA), aspartic acid (ASP), phenylalanine (PHE), leucine (LEU), aspartic acid (ASP), threonine (THR), valine (VAL), tyrosine (TYR) and asparagine (ASN) that are responsible for its replication process. Conclusion: Research on coronaviruses continues towards developing a strong understanding of the rapidly evolving viral replication and its transmission between individuals.

scholarly journals The clinical characteristics and treatment approaches of COVID-19: a concise review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjad Eslamkhah ◽  
Nazila Alizadeh ◽  
Khalil Hajiasgharzadeh ◽  
Masoud Eslamkhah ◽  
Ahad Mokhtarzadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Concise Review ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

A series of cases of pneumonia occurred in China in late 2019. For this type of coronavirus, the WHO formally identified the condition as a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). They announced that this disease is the recent main concern of health problems in the world. Transfer of this novel coronavirus (nCoV) from human to human exists predominantly among family members, who have close contact with each other. This review article is provided based on the recent findings of COVID-19, which were retrieved by searching PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science until December 2020. Here, we highlighted the coronaviruses types, COVID-19 symptoms, epidemiology of the disease, transmission ways, and nCoV related pneumonia pathogenesis and continue with characteristic features and treatment methods. While no approved treatments are available for this type of infection therapy but several drugs may have potential benefits. It seems that identifying the detailed characteristics of the novel coronavirus disease offers the foundation for further research into the production of effective anti-COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 infection and the antiviral innate immune response

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Yang ◽  
Yingying Lyu ◽  
Fajian Hou
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Innate Immune Response ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Replication Process ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak began in December 2019, causing the illness known as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The virus spread rapidly worldwide to become a global public health emergency. As of 15 November 2020, more than 53 million confirmed cases and over one million deaths worldwide have been reported (World Health Organization, 2020). The SARS-CoV-2 genome was sequenced and studies are ongoing to further understand the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, etiological structure, cellular receptor angiotensin II converting enzyme (ACE2), and intracellular replication process of the virus. Currently, thousands of clinical trials related to SARS-CoV-2 are underway (https://clinicaltrials.gov/). However, no vaccines or drugs have yet been approved, until very recently, for direct treatment or prevention of COVID-19 and only supportive treatment has been applied clinically. This review will discuss the possible mechanism of the innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and provide insight into the development of related therapeutics.

scholarly journals CONSCIOUSNESS AND PRECAUTIONARY HABIT RELATING TO COVID-19 INFECTIONS AMONG STUDENTS IN NWAFOR ORIZU COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, NSUGBE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
NWANKWO NONYELUM STELLA
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
College Of Education ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
History Of ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Descriptive Survey

Objective: Similar to outbreaks of many other infectious diseases, success in controlling the novel coronavirus infection requires a timely and accurate monitoring of the epidemic. The main objective of the present study is to assess consciousness and precautionary habit relating to COVID-19 infections among students. Methods: The descriptive survey research design method was used. The researcher formulated two research questions. A self-developed questionnaire was adopted for data collection. The sample size consists of students in Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, selected using purposive random sampling technique, subsequently, thirty copies of the questionnaire were administered by the researcher. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. Results: The study showed among other findings that students are conscious about the possibility of the disease transmission by droplets when an infected person cough, sneezes, or speaks. These findings have the vantage of providing the researchers, government, students, policy makers, and government with adequate and correct baseline data on consciousness and precautionary habit relating to COVID-19 infections among students. Conclusion: Based on the research findings, it was concluded that the world has a long history of successful efforts to prevent or cure widespread infections. The main points in preventing the spread in society are hand hygiene, social distancing, and quarantine. With increased testing capacity, detecting more positive patients in the community will also enable the reduction of secondary cases with stricter quarantine rules.

scholarly journals The Effect of Mobility on the Spread of COVID-19 in Light of Regional Differences in the European Union

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5395
Author(s):  
Ali Cheshmehzangi ◽  
Maycon Sedrez ◽  
Junhang Ren ◽  
Dezhou Kong ◽  
Yifan Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Population Mobility ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Geographical Locations

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly all over the world, affecting many countries to varying degrees. In this study, an in-depth analysis of the factors influencing the spread of COVID-19 is offered mainly through big data in the European Union (EU) context. In doing so, the data of the first wave of the pandemic are assessed. Afterward, we evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 spread in specific countries and regions. Based on the existing literature, mobility is recognized as a significant direct factor affecting disease transmission. The same applies to the case of COVID-19. However, compared with the analysis of mobility itself, this paper explores more profound reasons that affect mobility, ranging from policy and economy to geographical and transportation factors. Specifically, this paper studies nine EU countries based on their population density and the degree of impact of the epidemic in the first six months (February to July 2020) of the pandemic. Our study aims to illustrate how policies, economies, and geographical locations (including transportation factors) directly or indirectly affect the spread of the novel coronavirus by applying the SEIR model to analyze all selected countries’ big data. The key findings of this research are: (1) the timeliness of relevant policies and the effectiveness of government implementation indirectly limit the spread of the epidemic by reducing population mobility; (2) a better medical level would contribute to detect, isolate, and treat patients, and help control the epidemic; and (3) the large land borders and developed transportation between countries exacerbate the spread of the COVID-19. The paper contributes to ongoing research on COVID-19 by addressing the above points.

scholarly journals Molecular basis of the logical evolution of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: A comparative analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhisek Dwivedy ◽  
Krushna Chandra Murmu ◽  
Mohammed Ahmad ◽  
Punit Prasad ◽  
Bichitra Kumar Biswal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Conformational Flexibility ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Evolutionary Pathway ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Human Coronaviruses ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Current Report

AbstractA novel disease, COVID-19, is sweeping the world since end of 2019. While in many countries, the first wave is over, but the pandemic is going through its next phase with a significantly higher infectability. COVID-19 is caused by the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that seems to be more infectious than any other previous human coronaviruses. To understand any unique traits of the virus that facilitate its entry into the host, we compared the published structures of the viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 with other known coronaviruses to determine the possible evolutionary pathway leading to the higher infectivity. The current report presents unique information regarding the amino acid residues that were a) conserved to maintain the binding with ACE2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2), and b) substituted to confer an enhanced binding affinity and conformational flexibility to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The present study provides novel insights into the evolutionary nature and molecular basis of higher infectability and perhaps the virulence of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Reduced social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with antisocial behaviors in an online United States sample

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine O'Connell ◽  
Kathryn Berluti ◽  
Shawn A Rhoads ◽  
Abigail Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Specific Form ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Antisocial Behaviors ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Antisocial behaviors cause harm, directly or indirectly, to others’ welfare. The novel coronavirus pandemic has increased the urgency of understanding a specific form of antisociality: behaviors that increase risk of disease transmission. Because disease transmission-linked behaviors tend to be interpreted and responded to differently than other antisocial behaviors, it is unclear whether general indices of antisociality predict contamination-relevant behaviors. In a preregistered study using an online U.S. sample we found that individuals reporting high levels of antisociality engage in fewer social distancing measures: they report leaving their homes more frequently (p=.016, n=117) and standing closer to others while outside (p<.001, n=114). These relationships were observed after controlling for sociodemographic variables, illness risk, and use of protective equipment. Antisociality was not significantly associated with level of worry about the coronavirus. These findings suggest that more antisocial individuals may pose health risks to themselves and their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia with negative detection of viral ribonucleic acid from nasopharyngeal swabs: A case report

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peiyan Zhang ◽  
Zhao Cai ◽  
Weibo Wu ◽  
Ling Peng ◽  
Yinfeng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Lavage Fluid ◽  
Nucleic Acid Detection ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Acid Test

Abstract BackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak started in Wuhan, Hubei, China since Dec 2019 and cases of infection have been continuously reported in various countries. It is now clear that the COVID-19 coronavirus is transmissible from human to human. Nucleic acid detection is considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of COVID-19. In this case report, we describe our experience in detection of COVID-19 from a confirmed patient using nucleic acid test of bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid (BALF) samples but not nasopharyngeal swabs.Case presentationWe present a case of severely ill COVID-19 infected 46-year-old man with fever, coughing and chest tightness. We performed viral detection using his BALF samples and imaging method (CT) for confirmation. The patient received combination of interferonalfa-1b and ribavirin, lopinavir and ritonavir for antiviral treatment at different stages. Other medication was also given to him in combination for anti-inflammation, intestinal microbial regulation, phlegm elimination, liver protection and pulmonary fibrosis prevention purposes. We provided oxygen supply to him using BIPAP ventilator and high-flow humidification oxygen therapy instrument to facilitate respiration. The patient was cured and discharged.ConclusionThis case report described an effective supportive medication scheme to treat COVID-19 infected patient and emphasized the necessity of detection of the viral genome using BALF samples and its significance in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.

scholarly journals Brought to Light: How Ultraviolet Disinfection Can Prevent the Nosocomial Transmission of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-556
Author(s):  
Katrina Browne
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Microbial Inactivation ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Current Infection ◽  
Control Procedures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Uv Technology

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought to light the role of environmental hygiene in controlling disease transmission. Healthcare facilities are hot spots for infectious pathogens where physical distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) are not always sufficient to prevent disease transmission. Healthcare facilities need to consider adjunct strategies to prevent transmission of infectious pathogens. In combination with current infection control procedures, many healthcare facilities are incorporating ultraviolet (UV) disinfection into their routines. This review considers how pathogens are transmitted in healthcare facilities, the mechanism of UV microbial inactivation and the documented activity of UV against clinical pathogens. Emphasis is placed on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) as well as multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) that are commonly transmitted in healthcare facilities. The potential benefits and limitations of UV technologies are discussed to help inform healthcare workers, including clinical studies where UV technology is used in healthcare facilities.

scholarly journals Minimizing the infected peak utilizing a single lockdown: a technical result regarding equal peaks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Greene ◽  
Eduardo D Sontag
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Optimal Timing ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Initiation Time ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Current State ◽  
Optimal Protocol ◽  
Common Criterion ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Due to the usage of social distancing as a means to control the spread of the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19, there has been a large amount of research into the dynamics of epidemiological models with time-varying transmission rates. Such studies attempt to capture population responses to differing levels of social distancing, and are used for designing policies which both inhibit disease spread but also allow for limited economic activity. One common criterion utilized for the recent pandemic is the peak of the infected population, a measure of the strain placed upon the health care system; protocols which reduce this peak are commonly said to `flatten the curve." In this work, we consider a very specialized distancing mandate, which consists of one period of fixed length of distancing, and addresses the question of optimal initiation time. We prove rigorously that this time is characterized by an equal peaks phenomenon: the optimal protocol will experience a rebound in the infected peak after distancing is relaxed, which is equal in size to the peak when distancing is commenced. In the case of a non-perfect lockdown (i.e. disease transmission is not completely suppressed), explicit formulas for the initiation time cannot be computed, but implicit relations are provided which can be pre-computed given the current state of the epidemic. Expected extensions to more general distancing policies are also hypothesized, which suggest designs for the optimal timing of non-overlapping lockdowns.

scholarly journals Quantifying heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the lockdown in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimalan Arinaminpathy ◽  
Jishnu Das ◽  
Tyler McCormick ◽  
Partha Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Neelanjan Sircar
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Index Case ◽  
Transmission Dynamics ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Secondary Case ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Health Measure ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Models Of Disease ◽  
And Control

The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus shows marked heterogeneity in its transmission. Here, we used data collected from contact tracing during the lockdown in Punjab, a major state in India, to quantify this heterogeneity, and to examine implications for transmission dynamics. We found evidence of heterogeneity acting at multiple levels: in the number of potentially infectious contacts per index case, and in the per-contact risk of infection. Incorporating these findings in simple mathematical models of disease transmission reveals that these heterogeneities act in combination to strongly influence transmission dynamics. Standard approaches, such as representing heterogeneity through secondary case distributions, could be biased by neglecting these underlying interactions between heterogeneities. We discuss implications for policy, and for more efficient contact tracing in resource-constrained settings such as India. Our results highlight how contact tracing, an important public health measure, can also provide important insights into epidemic spread and control.

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