scholarly journals Host Sex Steroids Interact With Virus Infection: New Insights Into Sex Disparity in Infectious Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinfeng Wu ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Xing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Host Sex ◽  
Viral Infectious Disease ◽  
Human Viruses ◽  
Sex Disparity

Sex hormones are steroid hormones synthesized from the gonads of animals and tissues such as the placenta and adrenocortical reticular zone. The physiological functions of sex hormones are complex. Sex hormones are not only pathologically correlated with many diseases of the reproductive system, but are etiological factors in some viral infectious diseases, including disease caused by infections of coronaviruses, herpesviruses, hepatitis viruses, and other kinds of human viruses, which either exhibit a male propensity in clinical practice, or crosstalk with androgen receptor (AR)-related pathways in viral pathogenesis. Due to the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the role of androgen/AR in viral infectious disease is highlighted again, majorly representing by the recent advances of AR-responsive gene of transmembrane protease/serine subfamily member 2 (TMPRSS2), which proteolytically activates the receptor-mediated virus entry by many coronaviruses and influenza virus, along with the role of androgen-mediated signaling for the transcription of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the role of sex hormone responsive genes during Zika virus (ZIKV) pathogenesis, et al. Collectively, we propose to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of male sex hormones during multiple phases in the life cycle of different human viruses, which may be partly responsible for the sex-specific prevalence, severity and mortality of some diseases, therefore, may provide clues to develop more efficient prevention and treatment strategies for high-risk populations.

scholarly journals International Law of State Responsibility and COVID-19: An Ideology Critique

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-121
Author(s):  
Robert Knox ◽  
Ntina Tzouvala
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
International Law ◽  
The Other ◽  
State Responsibility ◽  
Ideology Critique ◽  
Capitalist Production ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Us ◽  
The One

Abstract Despite minimal prospects of success, international lawyers spent the first few months of the global pandemic discussing whether the rules of state responsibility could be invoked against states, especially China, for their acts and omissions regarding COVID-19. In this piece, we take these debates seriously, if not necessarily literally. We argue that the unrealistic nature of these debates does not make them irrelevant. Rather, we propose an ideology critique of state responsibility as a legal field. Our approach is two-fold. First, we argue these debates need to be situated within the rise of geopolitical competition between the US and its allies on the one hand and China on the other. In this context, state responsibility is always laid at the feet of one’s opponents. Secondly, we posit that my emphasising the role of states, recourse to state responsibility renders invisible the role of transnational processes of capitalist production and exchange that have profound effects on nature and set the stage for the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Drawing from the work of the geographer Neil Smith, we argue against the ‘naturalisation’ of disasters performed much of the international legal discourse about COVID-19.

scholarly journals Diverse Effects of Exosomes on COVID-19: A Perspective of Progress From Transmission to Therapeutic Developments

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangiliyandi Gurunathan ◽  
Min Hee Kang ◽  
Jin-Hoi Kim
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Lung Injuries ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Intercellular Spread

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of coronavirus and the causative agent of the current global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There are currently no FDA-approved antiviral drugs for COVID-19 and there is an urgent need to develop treatment strategies that can effectively suppress SARS-CoV-2 infection. Numerous approaches have been researched so far, with one of them being the emerging exosome-based therapies. Exosomes are nano-sized, lipid bilayer-enclosed structures, share structural similarities with viruses secreted from all types of cells, including those lining the respiratory tract. Importantly, the interplay between exosomes and viruses could be potentially exploited for antiviral drug and vaccine development. Exosomes are produced by virus-infected cells and play crucial roles in mediating communication between infected and uninfected cells. SARS-CoV-2 modulates the production and composition of exosomes, and can exploit exosome formation, secretion, and release pathways to promote infection, transmission, and intercellular spread. Exosomes have been exploited for therapeutic benefits in patients afflicted with various diseases including COVID-19. Furthermore, the administration of exosomes loaded with immunomodulatory cargo in combination with antiviral drugs represents a novel intervention for the treatment of diseases such as COVID-19. In particular, exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used as cell-free therapeutic agents. Mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes reduces the cytokine storm and reverse the inhibition of host anti-viral defenses associated with COVID-19 and also enhances mitochondrial function repair lung injuries. We discuss the role of exosomes in relation to transmission, infection, diagnosis, treatment, therapeutics, drug delivery, and vaccines, and present some future perspectives regarding their use for combating COVID-19.

scholarly journals The Role of Sex Hormones in Multiple Sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 93-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirla Avila ◽  
Arpana Bansal ◽  
John Culberson ◽  
Alan N. Peiris
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Sex Hormone ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Autoimmune Conditions ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelination disorder with an immune-mediated pathophysiology that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Like other autoimmune conditions, it has a predilection for female gender. This suggests a gender bias and a possible hormonal association. Inflammation and demyelination are hallmarks of MS. Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the CNS and these continue to be generated by oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). The process of remyelination represents a major form of plasticity in the developing adult CNS. Remyelination does occur in MS, but the process is largely inadequate and/or incomplete. Current treatment strategies primarily focus on reducing inflammation or immunosuppression, but there is a need for more extensive research on re-myelination as a possible mechanism of treatment. Previous studies have shown that pregnancy leads to an increase in OPC proliferation, oligodendrocyte generation and the number of myelinated axons in the maternal CNS. Studies have also suggested that this remyelination is possibly mediated by estriol. Sex hormones in particular have been shown to have an immuno-protective effect in TH1-driven autoimmunity diseases. The aim of our article is to review the available research on sex hormone-specific immune modulatory effects, assess its remyelination potential in MS, and suggest a future path for more extensive research on sex hormone as a target for therapeutics in MS.

scholarly journals A Breath of Fresh Air in the Fog of Antimicrobial Resistance: Inhaled Polymyxins for Gram-Negative Pneumonia

Antibiotics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Biagi ◽  
David Butler ◽  
Xing Tan ◽  
Samah Qasmieh ◽  
Eric Wenzler
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Novel Treatment ◽  
Pharmacodynamic Profile ◽  
Inhaled Antibiotics ◽  
Novel Treatment Strategies ◽  
Significant Attention

Despite advancements in therapy, pneumonia remains the leading cause of death due to infectious diseases. Novel treatment strategies are desperately needed to optimize the antimicrobial therapy of patients suffering from this disease. One such strategy that has recently garnered significant attention is the use of inhaled antibiotics to rapidly achieve therapeutic concentrations directly at the site of infection. In particular, there is significant interest in the role of inhaled polymyxins for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia, including ventilator-associated pneumonia, due to their retained activity against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens, including Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This review will provide a comprehensive overview of the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile, clinical outcomes, safety, and potential role of inhaled polymyxins in clinical practice.

Novelties in Diabetes-Endocrine Development - Vol. 31

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 242
Author(s):  
G. P. Jeyanthi
Keyword(s):  
Weight Control ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Artificial Pancreas ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Beta Cell Replacement ◽  
Short And Long Term

The field of diabetes mellitus research is currently characterized by rapid and remarkable growth that has led to the development of significant diagnostic and therapeutic advances. The frequency of the disease continues to increase at alarming rates worldwide. This volume is a comprehensive overview of the contemporary state of the art in the field. Renowned experts in the field provide a comprehensive balanced overview of the most important related topics. Starting with a chapter on the individualization of treatment goals describing short and long term therapeutic targets in Type 1 and 2 diabetes the book then provides an overview of potential means to achieve this target. This encompasses chapters weighing the role of well known as opposed to novel therapeutic approaches, the latter including not only technical achievements like artificial pancreas, but also the state of the art in beta cell replacement. A focus is set on diabetic complications and the recently debated association between diabetes and cancer. Treatment strategies for blood pressure and weight control are discussed.

scholarly journals Connectivity and seasonality: the 1918 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics in global perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-420
Author(s):  
Siddharth Chandra ◽  
Julia Christensen ◽  
Shimon Likhtman
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Compartmental Models ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
1918 Influenza

AbstractThe goal of this article is to demonstrate the value of a global perspective on pandemics for understanding how global pandemics caused by novel viruses can unfold. Using the example of the 1918 influenza pandemic, two factors that were central to the evolving pattern of global pandemic waves, connectivity and seasonality, are explored. Examples of the influences of these factors on pandemic waves in different locations are presented. Viewing the 1918 pandemic through the lens of compartmental models of infectious diseases, our analysis suggests that connectivity played a dominant role in the initial stages. With the passage of time and the progressive infection and consequent immunization of more and more people, however, the role of seasonality increased in importance, ultimately becoming the driving force behind the emergence of future waves of infection. Implications of these observations for pandemics caused by novel viruses such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Mechanistic Model of the African Paradox Supports the Central Role of the NF-κB Pathway

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1887
Author(s):  
Ralf Kircheis ◽  
Manfred Schuster ◽  
Oliver Planz
Keyword(s):  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Efficient Treatment ◽  
Epidemiological Factors ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Specific Medication ◽  
Lower Infection ◽  
Sub Saharan

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has expanded into a global pandemic, with more than 220 million affected persons and almost 4.6 million deaths by 8 September 2021. In particular, Europe and the Americas have been heavily affected by high infection and death rates. In contrast, much lower infection rates and mortality have been reported generally in Africa, particularly in the sub-Saharan region (with the exception of the Southern Africa region). There are different hypotheses for this African paradox, including less testing, the young age of the population, genetic disposition, and behavioral and epidemiological factors. In the present review, we address different immunological factors and their correlation with genetic factors, pre-existing immune status, and differences in cytokine induction patterns. We also focus on epidemiological factors, such as specific medication coverage, helminth distribution, and malaria endemics in the sub-Saharan region. An analysis combining different factors is presented that highlights the central role of the NF-κB signaling pathway in the African paradox. Importantly, insights into the interplay of different factors with the underlying immune pathological mechanisms for COVID-19 can provide a better understanding of the disease and the development of new targets for more efficient treatment strategies.

scholarly journals How to Understand the Role of Insurance Mechanism in a Global Pandemic?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6743
Author(s):  
Feng Kong
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Risk Transfer ◽  
Catastrophe Model ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Impact Risk ◽  
Insurance Mechanism ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Risk Insurance

The COVID-19 epidemic has seriously affected global economic and social development. The extent to which insurance can play a role in preventing and transferring the risk of infectious diseases has become one of the major concerns of the community. This paper first analyzes the main contents of the U.S. Pandemic Risk Insurance Act during the COVID-19 epidemic and its insights to the global audiences. Then, on the basis of the definition of global pandemic, this paper analyzes the great challenges faced by the insurability of the infectious diseases’ catastrophe from the regional impact, risk accumulation, correlation with capital markets, and accuracy of catastrophe model, and the insurability of local infectious diseases. Finally, this paper presents the key points of the top-level design of the risk transfer mechanism of infectious disease insurance in China. This paper is informative in understanding the role of insurance in the risk transfer of infectious diseases.

Treatment of ebola and other infectious diseases: melatonin “goes viral”

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russel J Reiter ◽  
Qiang Ma ◽  
Ramaswamy Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Hemorrhagic Shock ◽  
Safety Profile ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Attractive Potential ◽  
Potential Treatment

This review summarizes published reports on the utility of melatonin as a treatment for virus-mediated diseases. Of special note are the data related to the role of melatonin in influencing Ebola virus disease. This infection and deadly condition has no effective treatment and the published works documenting the ability of melatonin to attenuate the severity of viral infections generally and Ebola infection specifically are considered. The capacity of melatonin to prevent one of the major complications of an Ebola infection, i.e., the hemorrhagic shock syndrome, which often contributes to the high mortality rate, is noteworthy. Considering the high safety profile of melatonin, the fact that it is easily produced, inexpensive and can be self-administered makes it an attractive potential treatment for Ebola virus pathology.  

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