The oral protease inhibitor (PF-07321332) protects Syrian hamsters against infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

There is an urgent need for potent and selective antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. Pfizer developed PF-07321332 (PF-332), a potent inhibitor of the main viral protease (Mpro, 3CLpro) that can be dosed orally; the compound is in clinical development. We demonstrate that PF-332 exerts equipotent in vitro activity against the four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns (VoC) and can completely arrest replication of the alpha variant in primary human airway epithelial cells grown at the air-liquid interface. Treatment of Syrian hamsters with PF-332 (250 mg/kg, twice daily) completely protected the animals against intranasal infection with the beta (B.1.351) and delta (B.1.617.2) SARS-CoV-2 variants. Moreover, treatment of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) infected animals with PF-332 completely prevented transmission to untreated co-housed sentinels. The trough drug concentration at this efficacious dose were above the in vitro efficacious concentrations.

Analysis of different interface treatments between masonry of AAC blocks and reinforced concrete structure after uniaxial compression strength test

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) masonry is widely used in civil construction but requires further investigation. Hence, this experimental study evaluated three types of interface treatment between the reinforced concrete structure and AAC masonry, in scale, after a uniaxial compression resistance test. The types of interface treatment considered are reinforcement with steel bars, with rough polymeric cementitious mortar, and without treatment. The maximum load capacity, displacements, and occurrence of cracks were analysed. The results showed that the maximum individual load capacity did not significantly differ among the examined groups. However, the analysis of the displacements and cracks showed that the group with steel reinforcement had the smallest displacements and largest cracks. This behaviour is owing to the greater solidarity of forces conferred by steel reinforcement.