scholarly journals FaviCoV -a comprehensive manually curated resource for functional genetic variants in SARS-CoV-2

Author(s):  
Mercy Rophina ◽  
Kavita Pandhare ◽  
Mohit Mangla ◽  
Afra Shamnath ◽  
Bani Jolly ◽  
...  

The widespread and unprecedented adoption of genome sequencing to understand the genetic epidemiology of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has provided interesting insights into the evolution and spread of the pathogen. Further research has enabled the understanding of the functional implications of genetic variants. While a compilation of functionally relevant variants in the genome would significantly enhance the interpretation of genomes, there has been a paucity of resources systematically collecting and evaluating evidence on the functionality of genetic variants. To this end, we manually compiled evidence from literature and preprints on variants in SARS-CoV-2 genomes and their functional relevance, including assays used and interpretations. This compilation presently includes 430 unique variants including 79 variants which have experimental evidence supporting their functional consequences. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only resource providing a comprehensive collection of evidence supporting functional consequences of variants in SARS-CoV-2. While researchers across the world work coherently to sequence more genomes and also evaluate functions of genetic variants, we hope this resource would continue to play a central role in rapid dissemination of evidence. The resource is available at https://clingen.igib.res.in/favicov/

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 748-752
Author(s):  
Swapnali Khabade ◽  
Bharat Rathi ◽  
Renu Rathi

A novel, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causes severe acute respiratory syndrome and spread globally from Wuhan, China. In March 2020 the World Health Organization declared the SARS-Cov-2 virus as a COVID- 19, a global pandemic. This pandemic happened to be followed by some restrictions, and specially lockdown playing the leading role for the people to get disassociated with their personal and social schedules. And now the food is the most necessary thing to take care of. It seems the new challenge for the individual is self-isolation to maintain themselves on the health basis and fight against the pandemic situation by boosting their immunity. Food organised by proper diet may maintain the physical and mental health of the individual. Ayurveda aims to promote and preserve the health, strength and the longevity of the healthy person and to cure the disease by properly channelling with and without Ahara. In Ayurveda, diet (Ahara) is considered as one of the critical pillars of life, and Langhana plays an important role too. This article will review the relevance of dietetic approach described in Ayurveda with and without food (Asthavidhi visheshaytana & Lanhgan) during COVID-19 like a pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravikant Piyush ◽  
Aroni Chatterjee ◽  
Shashikant Ray

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.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 565
Author(s):  
Mathieu Gand ◽  
Kevin Vanneste ◽  
Isabelle Thomas ◽  
Steven Van Gucht ◽  
Arnaud Capron ◽  
...  

For 1 year now, the world is undergoing a coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The most widely used method for COVID-19 diagnosis is the detection of viral RNA by RT-qPCR with a specific set of primers and probe. It is important to frequently evaluate the performance of these tests and this can be done first by an in silico approach. Previously, we reported some mismatches between the oligonucleotides of publicly available RT-qPCR assays and SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected from GISAID and NCBI, potentially impacting proper detection of the virus. In the present study, 11 primers and probe sets investigated during the first study were evaluated again with 84,305 new SARS-CoV-2 unique genomes collected between June 2020 and January 2021. The lower inclusivity of the China CDC assay targeting the gene N has continued to decrease with new mismatches detected, whereas the other evaluated assays kept their inclusivity above 99%. Additionally, some mutations specific to new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern were found to be located in oligonucleotide annealing sites. This might impact the strategy to be considered for future SARS-CoV-2 testing. Given the potential threat of the new variants, it is crucial to assess if they can still be correctly targeted by the primers and probes of the RT-qPCR assays. Our study highlights that considering the evolution of the virus and the emergence of new variants, an in silico (re-)evaluation should be performed on a regular basis. Ideally, this should be done for all the RT-qPCR assays employed for SARS-CoV-2 detection, including also commercial tests, although the primer and probe sequences used in these kits are rarely disclosed, which impedes independent performance evaluation.


JAMIA Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srikar Chamala ◽  
Sherri Flax ◽  
Petr Starostik ◽  
Kartikeya Cherabuddi ◽  
Nicole M Iovine ◽  
...  

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019, first reported in China in late 2019, has quickly spread across the world. The outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Here, we describe our initial efforts at the University of Florida Health for processing of large numbers of tests, streamlining data collection, and reporting data for optimizing testing capabilities and superior clinical management. Specifically, we discuss clinical and pathology informatics workflows and informatics instruments which we designed to meet the unique challenges of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing. We hope these results benefit institutions preparing to implement SARS-CoV-2 testing.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Giovanni Di Guardo

With over 80 million cases, and 1,800,000 deaths reported at the end of 2020 by the World Health Organization, the “CoronaVirus Disease-2019” (CoViD-19) pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), should be viewed as a global catastrophe [...]


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bensu Karahalil ◽  
Aylin Elkama

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus. It is characterized by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has quickly influenced all over the world since it spreads easily. Common symptoms are fever, cough, difficulty in breathing and muscle aches. Despite the urgent need to find an effective antiviral treatment, already available agents are being used alone or in combination all over the world. At the beginning of the pandemic, death rates of infection caused by COVID-19 are high but "is COVID-19 responsible for all deaths?", or “are there any contributions of the frequently used drugs in this period to these deaths?” Surely herd immunity plays a major role and has the contribution in the decline in mortality rates. Meanwhile, it is kept in mind that due to safety concerns, changes have also been made to the dosage and combined use of frequently used drugs. Objective: In this review, answers to two questions above and the safety of treatments, toxicities of agents involving chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, favipiravir, lopiravir/ritonavir, sarilumab, tocilizumab, siltuximab, corticosteroids and bromhexine which are the most frequently used in both Turkey and all over the world will be summarized. Conclusion: Among these drugs favipiravir seems the most promising drug due to more tolerable adverse effects. More clinical trials with large sample sizes are needed to find the most effective and safe drug for COVID-19 treatment.


Hypertension ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Cerrato ◽  
Oscar Carretero ◽  
Hernán Grecco ◽  
Mariela M Gironacci

G protein-coupled receptors (R) exist as homo- or hetero-oligomers, which is essential for receptor function. Since BK actions were blocked by a Mas R antagonist or that Ang-(1-7) responses disappeared when the BK receptor B2 was blocked, we hypothesized that Mas and B2 Rs on the plasma membrane may interact through hetero-oligomer formation. Our aim was to investigate the existence of heteromerization between Mas and B2 Rs by the fluorescence energy transfer (FRET) technique and the functional consequences of this oligomer formation. HEK293T cells were transfected with the coding sequence for Mas R fused to YFP and B2 R fused to CFP. After 48 h cells were incubated in the absence and presence of 1 μM Ang-(1-7) or BK during 15 min and interaction between Mas and B2 R was evaluated by FRET. Functional consequences of this interaction were determined by ligand binding assays. A positive FRET was observed in cells cotransfected with MasR-YFP and B2R-CFP, suggesting that both Mas and B2 Rs interact by a hetero-oligomer formation in a constitutive manner. This hetero-oligomer was not altered by the agonist because FRET was not modified when the cells were stimulated with BK or Ang-(1-7). Ang-(1-7) or BK induced internalization of this hetero-oligomer into early endosomes since MasR-YFP or B2R-CFP colocalized with Rab-5, an early endosome marker, after ligand stimulation. When MasR-YFP plus B2R-CFP transfected cells were stimulated with Ang-(1-7) there was a decrease of 82±6% in Mas R and 58±4% in B2 R present in the plasma membrane. Conversely, when MasR-YFP plus B2R-CFP transfected cells were stimulated with BK there was a decrease of 91±4% in B2 R and 53±3% in Mas R in the plasma membrane. This result clearly demonstrates that in co-expressing cells of both receptors the selective stimulation of one of the GPCRs promotes co-internalization of both receptors. We conclude that Mas and B2 Rs constitutively interact through an hetero-oligomer formation at the plasma membrane which may explain the cross-talk between Ang-(1-7) and BK. This hetero-oligomer is internalized upon stimulation with either Ang-(1-7) or BK, leading to a decrease in the number of Rs present in the membrane.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 01-03
Author(s):  
Ashish Gujrathi

Coronavirus (COVID-19) was recognized in late December in Hubei province of Wuhan city in China. This highly contagious disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is transmitted from humans to humans. After the first case in Wuhan, the disease rapidly spread to other parts of the globe. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) made an assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic. Thus, social-distancing became an important measure to stop the spread of this disease. Various countries across the world adopted nationwide lockdowns. This led to a completely new scenario for the world, where every business in each industry faced new challenges and witnessed new opportunities. Similarly, the medical personal protective industry, a vital part of the healthcare sector, also witnessed new growth opportunities.


2021 ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Donizete Tavares Da Silva ◽  
Priscila De Sousa Barros Lima ◽  
Renato Sampaio Mello Neto ◽  
Gustavo Magalhães Valente ◽  
Débora Dias Cabral ◽  
...  

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (1) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic and a threat to global public health (2). The virus mainly affects the lungs and can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In addition, coronavirus 2 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARSCOV2) also has devastating effects on other important organs, including the circulatory system, brain, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and liver


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2.ESP) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Soraya Pereira Franco Adriano ◽  
Betânia Maria Pereira Santos ◽  
Carmem Gabriela Gomes de Figueiredo Figueiredo ◽  
Ana Carolina Bernardes Dulgheroff ◽  
Ronaldo Rodrigues Sarmento ◽  
...  

Objetivo: Analisar a produção científica acerca da atual pandemia do novo coronavírus, destacando aspectos referentes às características do vírus, bem como a epidemiologia, o diagnóstico e tratamento da COVID-19 no intuito de fornecer informações aos profissionais de saúde e à comunidade científica. Método: Revisão narrativa, com busca nas bases de dados Scielo, Medline, Lilacs e Pubmed, referente ao período de fevereiro a maio de 2020, utilizando os descritores: “infecções por coronavírus” or “coronavirus infections”, “COVID-19”, “betacoronavirus”, “Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave”, “SARS-Cov-2”, “diagnóstico”, “diagnosis”. Resultados: Foram evidenciadas três categorias temáticas: aspectos referentes ao vírus; a epidemiologia e a clínica da doença; e aspectos do diagnóstico e tratamento. Conclusão: O Coronavírus sofreu mutações desde o início da pandemia, mas não se sabe se estas mutações afetaram seu poder de infecciosidade. Em diferentes partes do mundo a epidemiologia da COVID-19 foi diferente. Com relação ao tratamento, a droga que tem se mostrado mais promissora até o momento é o remdesivir. Sem uma vacina eficaz, a maior arma que dispomos é o isolamento social.Descritores: Infecções por Coronavírus; COVID-19; Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave. SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME AND COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2): A NARRATIVE REVIEWObjective: To analyze a scientific production on the current pandemic of new coronaviruses, highlighting aspects related to virus resources, as well as the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in order to provide information to health professionals and the scientific community. Method: Narrative review, searching the Scielo, Medline, Lilacs and Pubmed databases, for the period from February to May 2020, using the keywords: "coronavirus infections" or "coronavirus infections", "COVID-19", "Betacoronavirus", "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome", "SARS-Cov-2", "diagnosis", "diagnosis". Results: Three thematic categories were highlighted: aspects related to the virus; an epidemiology and disease clinic; and aspects of diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: The Coronavirus has mutated since the beginning of the pandemic, but it is not known whether these mutations have affected its infectiousness. In different parts of the world the epidemiology of COVID-19 was different. Regarding treatment, a drug that has been shown to be more promising until recovery is needed. Without an effective vaccine, the biggest weapon that affects social isolation.Descriptors: Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. SÍNDROME RESPIRATORIO AGUDO GRAVE Y COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2): UNA REVISIÓN NARRATIVAObjetivo: analizar una producción científica sobre la pandemia actual de nuevos coronavirus, destacando aspectos relacionados con los recursos del virus, así como la epidemiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de COVID-19 para proporcionar información a los profesionales de la salud y la comunidad científica. Método: Revisión narrativa, buscando en las bases de datos Scielo, Medline, Lilacs y Pubmed, para el período de febrero a mayo de 2020, utilizando los descriptores: "infecciones por coronavirus" o "infecciones por coronavirus", "COVID-19", "Betacoronavirus", "Síndrome respiratorio agudo severo", "SARS-Cov-2", "diagnóstico", "diagnóstico". Resultados: se destacaron tres categorías temáticas: aspectos relacionados con el virus; una clínica de epidemiología y enfermedad; y aspectos de diagnóstico y tratamiento. Conclusión: el coronavirus ha mutado desde el comienzo de la pandemia, pero no se sabe si estas mutaciones han afectado su infecciosidad. En diferentes partes del mundo, la epidemiología de COVID-19 fue diferente. Con respecto al tratamiento, un medicamento que ha demostrado ser más prometedor hasta que se necesita recuperación. Sin una vacuna efectiva, el arma más grande que afecta el aislamiento social.Descriptores: Infecciones por Coronavirus; COVID-19; Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo.


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