Long-term perturbation of the peripheral immune system months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly infectious respiratory virus which is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is increasingly clear that recovered individuals, even those who had mild COVID-19, can suffer from persistent symptoms for many months after infection, a condition referred to as “long COVID”, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, or post COVID-19 condition. However, despite the plethora of research on COVID-19, relatively little is known about the molecular underpinnings of these long-term effects. Methods We have undertaken an integrated analysis of immune responses in blood at a transcriptional, cellular, and serological level at 12, 16, and 24 weeks post-infection (wpi) in 69 patients recovering from mild, moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19 in comparison to healthy uninfected controls. Twenty-one of these patients were referred to a long COVID clinic and > 50% reported ongoing symptoms more than 6 months post-infection. Results Anti-Spike and anti-RBD IgG responses were largely stable up to 24 wpi and correlated with disease severity. Deep immunophenotyping revealed significant differences in multiple innate (NK cells, LD neutrophils, CXCR3+ monocytes) and adaptive immune populations (T helper, T follicular helper, and regulatory T cells) in convalescent individuals compared to healthy controls, which were most strongly evident at 12 and 16 wpi. RNA sequencing revealed significant perturbations to gene expression in COVID-19 convalescents until at least 6 months post-infection. We also uncovered significant differences in the transcriptome at 24 wpi of convalescents who were referred to a long COVID clinic compared to those who were not. Conclusions Variation in the rate of recovery from infection at a cellular and transcriptional level may explain the persistence of symptoms associated with long COVID in some individuals.

An integrative approach to clinical recovery for COVID-19 patients using an Ayurvedic formulation: A multicentric double-blind randomized control trial.

BackgroundTraditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda contain a vast repository of naturally occurring herbs with strong antimicrobial potency. A multitude of complementary therapies have been explored for their therapeutic role to treat COVID-19 during the pandemic. There have been promising results reported from in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies that need to be further explored in humans.ObjectiveThe present randomized placebo control trial evaluates the clinical efficacy of an integrated approach including Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation, NOQ19 in the improvement of mild to moderate category of COVID-19 infected patients.Patients and methodsA multicentric, randomized, placebo control design was adopted for the study. A total of 76 patients with positive COVID-19 RT-PCR test were enrolled in the study; 39 in the NOQ19 arm and 37 in the placebo arm. Patients were randomized and blinded to their respective intervention, which was provided along with the standard of care treatment. Rate of recovery assessment was done on Day 3, 5 and 7 via RT-PCR test to measure the rate of recovery. Blood markers were analysed on Day 0 and Day 7.OutcomesThe patients were assessed for rate of recovery via RT-PCR and improvement in blood biomarkers. They were also monitored for any adverse events or side effects of the drug.ResultsThe present study demonstrated a significant early recovery in the patients who took the NOQ19 formulation. Patients who received NOQ19 with the standard care of treatment showed clinical improvement in terms of oxygen requirement, breathlessness and SpO2, though the difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, no side effects were observed with the use of NOQ19.ConclusionAn overall integrated approach of standard of care treatment with Ayurvedic formulation (NOQ19) results in early clinical outcome in the management of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.

Evaluation of an Ayurvedic formulation in clinical recovery of COVID-19 patients: A placebo controlled pilot study among moderate-severe patients

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that has affected millions of people worldwide. Apart from measures taken to reduce the transmission of virus and provide symptomatic relief to patients, a potent drug targeted against the virus is required to manage the disease. Traditional medicines with an array of phytochemicals and potent anti-viral properties, can provide alternate solution in the therapeutic cure of COVID-19.Objective: The present study investigates the efficacy of an Ayurvedic formulation, NOQ19, on the rate of recovery and clinical improvement among moderate-severe COVID-19 infected patients who were not on a ventilator or in intensive care unit.Methods: A placebo controlled randomized study design, with 1:1 ratio between the intervention and placebo arms was adopted. The participants were provided their respective intervention along with the standard of care treatment. A follow up was conducted on Day 7 and Day 10 to assess the rate of recovery and clinical improvement. Rate of recovery was the primary outcome measured and was determined by a negative result on the RT-PCR test. The secondary outcomes included clinical improvement among patients and were measured using blood biomarkers.Results: The NOQ19 arm had a higher percentage of population who turned RT-PCR negative on Day 7 (23%) when compared to the placebo arm (11%). Further subgroup analysis demonstrated that for both moderate and severe patients, there were a greater percentage of population who were RT-PCR negative in the NOQ19 arm compared to the placebo arm at Day 7: (NOQ-19: 22.22%, Placebo: 14.29% for moderate patients), (NOQ19: 23.08% Placebo: 0% for severe patients). By Day 10, both populations depicted an almost similar percentage of the population who were RT- PCR negative. Both the groups demonstrated an improvement in blood biomarkers, although the improvement was greater in the NOQ19 arm. None of the patients in the intervention arm reported any adverse events.Conclusion: The results of this pilot RCT indicates that NOQ19 along with standard of care treatment can be considered as an effective therapy for COVID-19 and aid early recovery from the disease.

Reforestication analysis using temporal NDVI and ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 polarimetric data

The article presents the results of assessing the restoration of a pine forest on a test site in the vicinity of Ulan-Ude after the 2003 fire and reforestation work. The studies were carried out on the basis of the full polarimetric information of the L-band ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 from 2017–2019. and NDVI indices based on the optical range of Resurs-P and Landsat 1995–2021. The results of the polarimetric decomposition of the H-F-a-classification indicate significant differences between the test and reference forest areas. Studies of long-term seasonal fluctuations of the NDVI for the test site revealed differences in the rate of recovery of multi-seasonal tracks to the pre-fire level and the level of the reference forest areas.

Rate of Recovery and Symptomatic Efficacy of a Polyherbal AYUSH Formulation in the Treatment of SARS CoV-2 disease: A Single-arm trial

Background The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the human coronavirus SARS- CoV-2, has led to millions of deaths across the globe. Not only is the SARS-CoV-2 virus highly infectious, it also mutates very easily. This creates additional challenges for development of robust therapeutic solutions. Along with modern system of healthcare, there is a definite need for exploring natural plant based antiviral compounds directed against the SARS CoV-2 virus. Objective The present observational study investigates the efficacy of an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation of 19 ingredients, NOQ19, in the management of COVID-19. Methodology: A single arm, single centric, open label study design was adopted for this feasibility study. 161 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients were enrolled. The enrolled participants were provided the Ayurvedic intervention, 2 tablets of NOQ19, thrice daily along with the standard of care treatment. Follow up COVID-19 RT- PCR tests were conducted on Day 5, Day 10 and Day 14, or until the patient turned negative. The time required for testing negative on the RT-PCR test or becoming asymptomatic was noted. Results A subjective analysis demonstrated that 74% of patients turned RT-PCR negative within 5 days of taking NOQ19. Additionally, 98% of the subjects turned RT-PCR Negative on Day 10 after taking NOQ19 in addition to the standard of care treatment of Vitamin C, Zinc and antipyretic (as necessary). None of the participants reported any adverse or side effects to the medication. Conclusion NOQ19 Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation can be an effective and safe option for the symptomatic management of COVID-19.

Rate of Recovery and Symptomatic Efficacy of a Polyherbal AYUSH Formulation in the Treatment of SARS CoV-2 disease: A Single-arm trial

Background The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the human coronavirus SARS CoV-2, has led to millions of deaths across the globe. Not only is the SARS CoV-2 virus highly infectious, it also mutates very easily. This creates additional challenges for development of robust therapeutic solutions. Along with modern system of healthcare, there is a definite need for exploring natural plant based antiviral compounds directed against the SARS CoV-2 virus. Objective The present observational study investigates the efficacy of an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation of 19 ingredients, NOQ19, in the management of COVID-19. Methodology: A single arm, single centric, open label study design was adopted for this feasibility study. 161 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients were enrolled. The enrolled participants were provided the Ayurvedic intervention, 2 tablets of NOQ19, thrice daily along with the standard of care treatment. Follow up COVID-19 RT- PCR tests were conducted on Day 5, Day 10 and Day 14, or until the patient turned negative. The time required for testing negative on the RT-PCR test or becoming asymptomatic was noted. Results A subjective analysis demonstrated that 74% of patients turned RT-PCR negative within 5 days of taking NOQ19. Additionally, 98% of the subjects turned RT-PCR Negative on Day 10 after taking NOQ19 in addition to the standard of care treatment of Vitamin C, Zinc and antipyretic (as necessary). None of the participants reported any adverse or side effects to the medication. Conclusion NOQ19 Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation can be an effective and safe option for the symptomatic management of COVID-19.

Tropical cyclone effects on vegetation resilience in the Yucatan Peninsula, México, between 2000-2012

The resilience capacity of vegetation in the Yucatan Peninsula is influenced by the winds and rains of tropical cyclones. There are no recent long-term studies on cyclonic impacts on natural vegetation in the region despite their significant effects on infrastructure and biodiversity. The objective of this study was to identify the area impacted by 21 tropical cyclones between 2000 and 2012 and to quantify the recovery capacity of the vegetation by using standardized anomalies of the normalized vegetation index (aNDVI). MODIS images from NASA’s “Terra and Aqua” satellites were used to calculate the damaged areas by analyzing the frequency of pixels corresponding to each type of vegetation per impact zone. The results showed that in 67% of the tropical cyclones, the impacts on vegetation were negative —a decrease in aNDVI—but in 33% of the cyclones, positive effects were recorded —an increase in aNDVI—. The lapse rate of vegetation recovery varied in 52% of the cases; vegetation recovered between two and three weeks after each cyclonic event, while 38% of the cases recovered within four to five weeks of the cyclone landfall. Tropical forests suffered the most significant effects, followed by hydrophilic vegetation. The most destructive hurricanes were Emily, Wilma, and Dean. The rate of recovery laps ranged from 4 to 10 weeks after the hurricane hit. The results could improve assessments of vegetation vulnerability against severe hydrometeorological events and establish priority zones for prompt inspection.

EFFECTIVE THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS TO PROMOTE RECOVERY FROM FIRST PSYCHOTIC EPISODE AND MINIMIZE ITS RELAPSE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY FROM PAKISTAN

Objective: To explore effective therapeutic strategies to promote recovery from first episode of psychosis and minimize its relapse. Study Design: Qualitative study. Place and Duration of Study: Karwan-e-Hayat Psychiatric Care and Rehabilitation Center, Karachi, from Mar to Jun 2019. Methodology: Seventeen participants were recruited through purposive sampling and data was collected through in-depth interviews. Qualitative thematic content analysis was done through generation of a coding scheme. Results: Almost half i.e., 8 (47%) had experience of 10 years, while 7 (41%) had 15 years’ experience, and 2 (12%) had 30 years’ experience as psychiatrists. Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed three main themes related to psychiatrists’ views on interventions for first episode of psychosis to prevent relapse: (1) duration of first episode of psychosis (2) compliance and rate of recovery after first episode (3) effective interventions for first episode psychosis. Conclusion: The effective interventions to promote recovery from first psychosis episode and minimize its relapse included multiple combinations of integrated stage-specific approaches necessitating antipsychotics (pharmacological) and psychosocial support (non-pharmacological).

Rate of Recovery and Symptomatic Efficacy of a Polyherbal AYUSH Formulation in the Treatment of SARS CoV-2 disease: A Single-arm trial

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the human coronavirus SARS CoV-2, has led to millions of deaths across the globe. Not only is the SARS CoV-2 virus highly infectious, it also mutates very easily. This creates additional challenges for development of robust therapeutic solutions. Along with modern system of healthcare, there is a definite need for exploring natural plant based antiviral compounds directed against the SARS CoV-2 virus. Objective: The present observational study investigates the efficacy of an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation of 19 ingredients, NOQ19, in the management of COVID-19. Methodology: A single arm, single centric, open label study design was adopted for this feasibility study. 161 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients were enrolled. The enrolled participants were provided the Ayurvedic intervention, 2 tablets of NOQ19, thrice daily along with the standard of care treatment. Follow up COVID-19 RT- PCR tests were conducted on Day 5, Day 10 and Day 14, or until the patient turned negative. The time required for testing negative on the RT-PCR test or becoming asymptomatic was noted. Results: A subjective analysis demonstrated that 74% of patients turned RT-PCR negative within 5 days of taking NOQ19. Additionally, 98% of the subjects turned RT-PCR Negative on Day 10 after taking NOQ19 in addition to the standard of care treatment of Vitamin C , Zinc and antipyretic (as necessary). None of the participants reported any adverse or side effects to the medication.Conclusion: NOQ19 Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation can be an effective and safe option for the symptomatic management of COVID-19.