Search Subject Areas | Preprints.org

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0315.v1

In Search of Preventative Strategies: Novel Anti-Inflammatory High-CBD Cannabis Sativa Extracts Modulate ACE2 Expression in COVID-19 Gateway Tissues

Bo Wang, Anna Kovalchuk, Dongping Li, Yaroslav Ilnytskyy, Igor Kovalchuk, Olga Kovalchuk

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV2; ACE2 receptor; medical cannabis; CBD

Online: 19 April 2020 (02:45:50 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

With the rapidly growing pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the new and challenging to treat zoonotic SARS-CoV2 coronavirus, there is an urgent need for new therapies and prevention strategies that can help curtail disease spread and reduce mortality. Inhibition of viral entry and thereby spread constitute plausible therapeutic avenues. Similar to other respiratory pathogens, SARS-CoV2 is transmitted through respiratory droplets, with potential for aerosol and contact spread. It uses receptor-mediated entry into the human host via angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) that is expressed in lung tissue, as well as oral and nasal mucosa, kidney, testes, and the gastrointestinal tract. Modulation of ACE2 levels in these gateway tissues may prove a plausible strategy for decreasing disease susceptibility. Cannabis sativa, especially one high in the anti-inflammatory cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD), has been proposed to modulate gene expression and inflammation and harbour anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Working under the Health Canada research license, we have developed over 800 new Cannabis sativa lines and extracts and hypothesized that high-CBD C. sativa extracts may be used to modulate ACE2 expression in COVID-19 target tissues. Screening C. sativa extracts using artificial human 3D models of oral, airway, and intestinal tissues, we identified 13 high CBD C. sativa extracts that modulate ACE2 gene expression and ACE2 protein levels. Our initial data suggest that some C. sativa extract down-regulate serine protease TMPRSS2, another critical protein required for SARS-CoV2 entry into host cells. While our most effective extracts require further large-scale validation, our study is crucial for the future analysis of the effects of medical cannabis on COVID-19. The extracts of our most successful and novel high CBD C. sativa lines, pending further investigation, may become a useful and safe addition to the treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy. They can be used to develop easy-to-use preventative treatments in the form of mouthwash and throat gargle products for both clinical and at-home use. Such products ought to be tested for their potential to decrease viral entry via the oral mucosa. Given the current dire and rapidly evolving epidemiological situation, every possible therapeutic opportunity and avenue must be considered.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202101.0412.v1

Raspberry PI for Kill Mosquitoes by Laser

Ildar Rakhmatulin

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Insect Science Keywords: laser for mosquito control; deep learning for mosquito control; insect detection; mosquito neutralization; pest detection; insect recognition; Raspberry Pi3; Raspberry Pi4; OpenCV for small object detect

Online: 21 January 2021 (09:27:07 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0051.v1

Tobacco-Use Disparity in Gene Expression of ACE2, the Receptor of 2019-nCov

Guoshuai Cai

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: Wuhan 2019-nCov; ACE2; expression; susceptibility; race; age; gender; smoking

Online: 5 February 2020 (02:56:53 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0455.v1

Eucalyptol (1,8 cineole) from Eucalyptus Essential Oil a Potential Inhibitor of COVID 19 Corona Virus Infection by Molecular Docking Studies

Arun Dev Sharma, inderjeet kaur

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; Essential oil; Eucalyptol; Molecular docking

Online: 31 March 2020 (10:16:13 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint CASE REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202101.0132.v1

Genomic Evidence of a Sars-Cov-2 Reinfection Case With E484K Spike Mutation in Brazil

Carolina Kymie Vasques Nonaka, Marília Miranda Franco, Tiago Gräf, Ana Verena Almeida Mendes, Renato Santana de Aguiar, Marta Giovanetti, Bruno Solano de Freitas Souza

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; reinfection; E484K

Online: 6 January 2021 (20:38:36 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint CASE REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0180.v1

First Case of COVID-19 Infection with Fulminant Myocarditis Complication: Case Report and Insights

Jia Hui Zeng, Ying-Xia Liu, Jing Yuan, Fu-Xiang Wang, Wei-Bo Wu, Jin-Xiu Li, Li-Fei Wang, Hong Gao, Yao Wang, Chang-Feng Dong, Yi-Jun Li, Xiao-Juan Xie, Cheng Feng, Lei Liu

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; fulminant myocarditis; infection; echocardiography

Online: 11 March 2020 (04:57:10 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Working Paper BRIEF REPORT

Design of an Epitope-Based Synthetic Long Peptide Vaccine to Counteract the Novel China Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Florina Bojin, Oana Gavriliuc, Michael-Bogdan Margineanu, Virgil Paunescu

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: 2019-nCoV; coronavirus; peptide vaccine; CD4+ epitope; CD8+ epitope

Online: 8 February 2020 (05:56:31 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0078.v1

Susceptibility Analysis of COVID-19 in Smokers Based on ACE2

Jin Wang, Qiulin Luo, Rui Chen, Tao Chen, Jianxiang Li

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Behavioral Sciences Keywords: cigarette smoke; ACE2; HCoV-19; susceptibility

Online: 5 March 2020 (03:15:43 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0408.v1

A Hint on the COVID-19 Risk: Population Disparities in Gene Expression of Three Receptors of SARS-CoV

Guoshuai Cai, Xiang Cui, Xia Zhu, Jun Zhou

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: Wuhan SARS-CoV-2; ACE2; DC-SIGN; L-SIGN; expression; susceptibility; race; age; gender; smoking; single cell

Online: 27 February 2020 (12:45:26 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0299.v1

scRNA-seq Profiling of Human Testes Reveals the Presence of ACE2 Receptor, a Target for SARS-CoV-2 Infection, in Spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli Cells

Zhengpin Wang, Xiaojiang Xu

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Cell And Developmental Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; infection; scRNA-Seq; ACE2; spermatogonia

Online: 21 February 2020 (02:42:15 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0346.v1

The Molecular Story of COVID-19; NAD⁺Depletion Addresses All Questions in this Infection

Shirin Kouhpayeh, Laleh Shariati, Maryam Boshtam, Ilnaz Rahimmanesh, Mina Mirian, Mehrdad Zeinalian, Azhar Salari-jazi, Negar Khanahmad, Mohammad Sadegh Damavandi, Parisa Sadeghi, Hossein Khanahmad

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; nCoV 19; oxidative stress; PARP; PARG; TRPM2

Online: 23 March 2020 (07:40:50 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Working Paper REVIEW

Review of Infective Dose, Routes of Transmission, and Outcome of COVID-19 Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Virus: Comparison with Other Respiratory Viruses

Sedighe Karimzadeh, Raj Bhopal, Huy Nguyen Tien

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: infective dose; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; respiratory viruses; viral load; viral dynamics

Online: 25 July 2020 (16:21:53 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202303.0140.v1

Autoimmune Inflammatory Reactions Triggered by the COVID-19 Genetic Vaccines in Terminally Differentiated Tissues

Panagis Polykretis, Alberto Donzelli, Janci C. Lindsay, David Wiseman, Anthony M. Kyriakopoulos, Michael Mörz, Paolo Bellavite, Masanori Fukushima, Stephanie Seneff, Peter A. McCullough

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: COVID-19; genetic vaccines; adverse reactions; autoimmunity; immunohistochemistry; spike protein

Online: 8 March 2023 (02:57:33 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0283.v1

Emerging Understanding of Etiology and Epidemiology of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Wuhan, China

Daibing Zhou, Peng Zhang, Chen Bao, Youzhi Zhang, Ning Zhu

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Etiology; Epidemiology; COVID-19; Wuhan

Online: 19 February 2020 (11:58:13 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202006.0044.v1

Major Concerns on the Identification of Bat Coronavirus Strain RaTG13 and Quality of Related Nature Paper

xiaoxu lin, Shizhong Chen

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: Epidemiology; COVID-19; coronavirus; bat; RaTG13; BtCoV/4991; SARS-CoV-2; Pangolin Coronavirus; next generation sequencing

Online: 5 June 2020 (06:17:26 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0258.v1

Asians and Other Races Express Similar Levels of and Share the Same Genetic Polymorphisms of the SARS-CoV-2 Cell-Entry Receptor

Ying Chen, Kejia Shan, Wenfeng Qian

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; cell-entry receptor; ACE2 expression; The Cancer Genome Atlas; susceptibility; demographic factors; race

Online: 18 February 2020 (06:40:01 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0356.v1

Initial Review and Analysis of COVID-19 Host Genetics and Associated Phenotypes

Yosuke Tanigawa, Manuel Rivas

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; host genetics; genetics; polygenic risk score

Online: 24 March 2020 (08:36:20 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0258.v2

Asians Do Not Exhibit Elevated Expression or Unique Genetic Polymorphisms for ACE2, the Cell-Entry Receptor of SARS-CoV-2

Ying Chen, Kejia Shan, Wenfeng Qian

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; cell-entry receptor; ACE2; The Cancer Genome Atlas; susceptibility; demographic factors; polymorphism

Online: 25 February 2020 (06:30:17 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Working Paper SHORT NOTE

Understanding the Origin of ‘BatCoVRaTG13’, a Virus Closest to SARS-CoV-2

Monali C. Rahalkar, Rahul A. Bahulikar

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; RATG13; BtCoV/4991; SARS-like (SL-) corona virus; pneumonia

Online: 24 May 2020 (20:02:22 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Genomic analysis indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is most related to RaTG13, a beta corona virus derived from bats by 96% ¹. At present, RaTG13 is only available on the public database in the form of a genome sequence. The genome of RaTG13 (MN996532.1) was sequenced from the RNA of a bat faecal swab collected in 2013 from Yunnan, China, however the exact location is not mentioned. Since RaTG13 is one of the main supports for SARS-CoV-2 to have a natural origin, it is of utmost importance to understand the sample location. RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequence of RaTG13 shows that it is 100% similar to that of bat corona virus BtCoV/4991 and 98.7-98.9% similar to SARS-CoV-2 RdRp ². BtCoV/4991 was described to be a SARS-like (SL-) corona virus from bat faeces sampled in an abandoned mine from Mojiang ². Both the publications ^1,2 are authored by Dr. Zheng-li Shi (Z-L Shi), who is described as the bat woman of China ³. However, BtCoV/4991 has not been mentioned by Zhou et al 2020 ¹ where novel corona virus was first described. Based on the RdRp sequence similarities, similarities in sample collection dates, sample locations, and the fact that RaTG13 is mentioned synonymous to BtCoV/4991 on the Chinese bat database, it is predicted that RaTG13 and BtCoV/4991 originate from the same sample. The sample, bat faecal swab was collected in 2013 from an abandoned mineshaft in Mojiang by Dr. Shi and her work group. In 2012, in a Mojiang mineshaft, six mine workers suffered from atypical pneumonia and three of them died. These workers were engaged in the work of clearing debris from a mineshaft which had a lot of bats and bat faeces ³^,4. A detailed health investigation indicated that the miners suffered from atypical pneumonia mostly of the viral origin ⁴. Therefore, in the light of the present Covid-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, the fact that its phylogenetic neighbour RaTG13 originated from bat faeces collected from a mineshaft, which was also the origin of pneumonia-like disease in miners in 2012, should be noted.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0081.v1

Structurally Observed Electrostatic Features of the COVID-19 Coronavirus-Related Experimental Structures inside Protein Data Bank: A Brief Update

Wei Li

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biophysics Keywords: COVID-19; electrostatic feature; salt bridging network; structural update

Online: 5 March 2020 (03:37:44 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0197.v1

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: A Review of the Current Literature and Built Environment (BE) Considerations to Reduce Transmission

Leslie Dietz, Patrick F. Horve, David Coil, Mark Fretz, Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Built Environment (BE); building operations; novel coronavirus; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2

Online: 12 March 2020 (04:18:26 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0161.v1

The Small Intestine, an Underestimated Site of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: From Red Queen Effect to Probiotics

Zhijie Feng, Yan Wang, Wei Qi

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: coronaviruses receptors; angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2); COVID-19; SARS-Cov-2; the Red Queen hypothesis; segmented filamentous bacteria

Online: 10 March 2020 (08:45:34 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Working Paper ARTICLE

Citrus Fruits Are Rich in Flavonoids for Immunoregulation and Potential Targeting ACE2

Liping Cheng, Weikang Zheng, Ming Li, Jie Huang, Shuzheng Bao, Qiang Xu, Zhaocheng Ma

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Food Science And Technology Keywords: citrus flavnoids; naringin; immunoregulation; ACE2; 2019-nCoV

Online: 23 February 2020 (09:49:10 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint HYPOTHESIS | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0138.v1

Medical Countermeasures Analysis of 2019-nCoV and Vaccine Risks for Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE)

Darrell O. Ricke, Robert W. Malone

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: 2019-nCoV; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; ADE; antibody depedendent enhancement

Online: 8 March 2020 (15:35:27 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Background: In 80% of patients, COVID-19 presents as mild disease^1,2. 20% of cases develop severe (13%) or critical (6%) illness. More severe forms of COVID-19 present as clinical severe acute respiratory syndrome, but include a T-predominant lymphopenia³, high circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages in lungs, and immune dysregulation including immunosuppression⁴. Methods: All major SARS-CoV-2 proteins were characterized using an amino acid residue variation analysis method. Results predict that most SARS-CoV-2 proteins are evolutionary constrained, with the exception of the spike (S) protein extended outer surface. Results were interpreted based on known SARS-like coronavirus virology and pathophysiology, with a focus on medical countermeasure development implications. Findings: Non-neutralizing antibodies to variable S domains may enable an alternative infection pathway via Fc receptor-mediated uptake. This may be a gating event for the immune response dysregulation observed in more severe COVID-19 disease. Prior studies involving vaccine candidates for FCoV^5,6 SARS-CoV-1^7-10 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) ¹¹ demonstrate vaccination-induced antibody-dependent enhancement of disease (ADE), including infection of phagocytic antigen presenting cells (APC). T effector cells are believed to play an important role in controlling coronavirus infection; pan-T depletion is present in severe COVID-19 disease³ and may be accelerated by APC infection. Sequence and structural conservation of S motifs suggests that SARS and MERS vaccine ADE risks may foreshadow SARS-CoV-2 S-based vaccine risks. Autophagy inhibitors may reduce APC infection and T-cell depletion¹² ¹³. Amino acid residue variation analysis identifies multiple constrained domains suitable as T cell vaccine targets. Evolutionary constraints on proven antiviral drug targets present in SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 may reduce risk of developing antiviral drug escape mutants. Interpretation: Safety testing of COVID-19 S protein-based B cell vaccines in animal models is strongly encouraged prior to clinical trials to reduce risk of ADE upon virus exposure.

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0595.v1

De-novo Assembly of RaTG13 Genome Reveals Inconsistencies Further Obscuring SARS-CoV-2 Origins

Mohit Singla, Saad Ahmad, Chandan Gupta, Tavpritesh Sethi

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: COVID-19; de novo assembly; metagenomics; data quality

Online: 27 August 2020 (07:56:01 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0308.v1

Potential Pathogenesis of Multiple Organ Injury in COVID-19

Ling Guo, Kuipeng Yu, Dengren Li, Huimin Yang, Lei Liu, Jiahui Fan, Nan Sun, Xiangdong Yang

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: AGTR2; ACE2; COVID-19

Online: 20 March 2020 (07:01:44 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0197.v2

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: A Review of the Current Literature and Built Environment (BE) Considerations to Reduce Transmission

Leslie Dietz, Patrick F. Horve, David Coil, Mark Fretz, Jonathan Eisen, Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Built Environment (BE); building operations; novel coronavirus; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2

Online: 20 March 2020 (05:02:44 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201701.0111.v1

AKR1C1 as a Biomarker for Differentiating the Biological Effects of Combustible from Non-Combustible Tobacco Products

Sangsoon Woo, Hong Gao, David Henderson, Wolfgang Zacharias, Gang Liu, Quynh T. Tran, G. L. Prasad

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: aldo-keto reductases; cigarette smoke; smokeless tobacco products; nicotine; oral cavity cells; xenobiotic metabolism

Online: 25 January 2017 (04:20:07 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Working Paper REVIEW

Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System is an Important Factor to Protect Against Viral Infections

Philip C. Calder, Anitra C. Carr, Adrian F. Gombart, Manfred Eggersdorfer

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: immune system; viral infection; influenza; COVID-19; micronutrients; vitamins; omega-3 fatty acids; minerals; vitamin C; vitamin D

Online: 12 March 2020 (04:30:45 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0295.v1

DNA Methylation Analysis of the COVID-19 Host Cell Receptor, Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme 2 Gene (ACE2) in the Respiratory System Reveal Age and Gender Differences

Michael J. Corley, Lishomwa C. Ndhlovu

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Wuhan 2019-nCoV; ACE2; DNA methylation; epigenetics; profiling; lung tissue; age; gender; COVID-19; coronavirus

Online: 19 March 2020 (02:51:45 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0360.v1

Transcriptional Inhibition of Host Viral Entry Proteins as a Therapeutic Strategy for SARS-CoV-2

Xinchen Wang, Ryan Dhindsa, Gundula Povysil, Anthony Zoghbi, Joshua Motelow, Joseph Hostyk, David Goldstein

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; transcriptional inhibition; COVID-19; drug repurposing; TMPRSS2

Online: 24 March 2020 (14:26:57 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint HYPOTHESIS | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0101.v1

The Powerful Immune System Against Powerful COVID-19: A Hypothesis

Farzad Taghizadeh-Hesary, Hassan Akbari

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: COVID-19; ATP; Immune dysfunction

Online: 7 April 2020 (12:07:22 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints201911.0193.v1

Human Origins in Southern African Palaeo-wetlands? Strong Claims from Weak Evidence

Carina M. Schlebusch, Liisa Loog, Huw S. Groucutt, Turi King, Adam Rutherford, Chiara Barbieri, Guido Barbujani, Lounès Chikhi, Mattias Jakobsson, Anders Eriksson, Andrea Manica, Sarah A. Tishkoff, Eleanor M.L. Scerri, Aylwyn Scally, Chris Brierley, Mark G. Thomas

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Life Sciences Keywords: human origins; mitochondrial DNA; Africa; human evolution

Online: 17 November 2019 (00:55:26 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0341.v1

Myths and Facts: Chloroquine May Be A Potential Supportive/Therapeutic Drug in COVID-19 Treatment

Muhammad Kashif, Muhammad Aamir, Sadia Minhas, Romeeza Tahir, Shah Jahan, Nadeem Afzal

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; Outbreak; nCoV-19; Quinine; Chloroquine; Hydroxychloroquine

Online: 19 April 2020 (08:36:55 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0051.v2

Bulk and Single-Cell Transcriptomics Identify Tobacco-Use Disparity in Lung Gene Expression of ACE2, the Receptor of 2019-nCov

Guoshuai Cai

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: Wuhan 2019-nCov; ACE2; expression; susceptibility; race; age; gender; smoking; single cell

Online: 14 February 2020 (04:32:49 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0353.v1

Can Innate Immunity Flatten the Curve? Covid-19 – A Case Study

Sangam Banerjee

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: COVID-19; innate immunity

Online: 19 April 2020 (16:54:43 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201703.0074.v1

The Relation between Frequency of E-Cigarette Use and Frequency and Intensity of Cigarette Smoking among South Korean Adolescents

Jung Ah Lee, Sungkyu Lee, Hong-Jun Cho

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Other Keywords: electronic cigarette; e-cigarette; smoking; adolescent; frequency; tobacco

Online: 14 March 2017 (07:56:50 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ESSAY | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0484.v1

CoVID-19: Where We Are, What We Should Do and What We Should Learn

Jörg Eppinger, Magnus Rueping

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; CoVID-19; pandemic control; research policy

Online: 28 April 2020 (07:50:12 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

There were warnings before; nevertheless the current CoVID-19 pandemic took the world by surprise: within just four month, it conquered the globe and claimed over 200'000 lives. Unprecedented governmental actions put about half of the population under curfew or lock-down. The resulting economic meltdown is expected to eliminate globally 9’000’000’000’000 (9 trillion) USD in 2020 and 2021 alone, a value roughly the size of the yearly GDP of the world’s 150 smallest economies. The resulting crises might cause mass-unemployment and a hunger pandemic later this year. This Essay analyses current statistical data of the CoVID-19 pandemic to develop a guideline for a path through the crisis, minimizing both loss of lives and economic costs. Part 1 details the current situation; part 2 develops a small set of measures, allowing a near normal life until a future vaccination campaign has reached sufficient numbers of people; and part 3 provides some important lessons for the future beyond SARS-CoV-2. The Essay leads to the following key-messages: 1) The CoVID-19 pandemic will stay for at least two more years. This is the minimum time required for a vaccination campaign to reach sufficient numbers of people. 2) The crucial element to control the pandemic is keeping case numbers under the threshold required for a functional tracing, testing & isolation (TTI) strategy. That threshold differs from country to country and strongly depends on culture and the applied tracing technology as well as available testing capacities. 3) The economic burden of a TTI strategy is moderate while fatalities are also reduced. Hence, such an approach is strongly recommended. Its implementation requires a set of simple and cost-effective measures (see figure below), which in combination seem to be sufficient to keep CoVID-2’s reproductive rate at or below 1. 4) Implementing international coordination of actions will be necessary for effective infection-chain tracing5) If case numbers are above the TTI threshold, shutdown measures remain the only option until tracing of infection chains becomes feasible again.6) In the future, neglected pandemic-related research requires a funding boost. Just 1% of the bill of the current crisis could support the research of 45’000 scientist for 20 years.

Preprint HYPOTHESIS | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0392.v1

In silico Comparative Genomics of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) and Designing of a Cost-effective RFLP-PCR Based Mass Screening Diagnostic Protocol

Aditya Singh, Prateek Bhatia

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; diagnosis; comparative genomics

Online: 26 March 2020 (14:58:35 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

SARS-CoV 2 also known as COVID-19 is a fast spreading coronavirus related disease that emerged from China in December 2019 and is currently attained the status of a pandemic. There are currently no drugs/ vaccines against the same and moreover limited diagnostic tests to identify the infection. Additionally, these tests are expensive and hence are exclusive for very highly suspected cases of the disease especially in developing countries. This is causing an under-diagnosis which is an alarming state of affairs, as even a single missed SARS-CoV 2 case would spread the disease exponentially and keep it in the community. Through this entirely in silico study, we have developed a cheaper and faster diagnostic method based on simple PCR and restriction enzyme digestion, commonly used in restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) tests. Through comparative genomics, we found the closest neighbours of SARS-CoV 2 then found the highly conserved regions of the genome which were absent in SARS-CoV 1, its closest neighbour. Then we found restriction sites for various enzymes followed by designing of PCR primers flanking those sites. We have found the primer pair to produce a 401 bp amplicon and when digested by SwaI enzyme, it produces two fragments of lengths 216 bp and 185 bp. As an internal control, GAPDH primers are pooled with the SARS-CoV 2 primers as the patient sample will also include human RNA mixed with the viral RNA. This primer pair gives an amplicon of 131 bp and hence a negative sample should show a single band of 131 bp while a positive digested sample will give three bands of 401 bp, 216 bp and 131 bp. The primers are specific to SARS-CoV 2 only and can additionally be used for SYBR green based real time quantification of viral load. The developed tests have not yet been tested in vitro due to stressed out working hours in the only pathogenic virus handling laboratory in our institute. Nonetheless, this study works as a head start for other laboratories to rapidly test the suggested protocols in vitro and make available a cheaper alternative test for SARS-CoV 2 which would especially be beneficial for the lower to middle income countries.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201906.0103.v1

Overexpression of Chalcone Synthase Improves Flavonoid Accumulation and Drought Tolerance in Tobacco

Ben Hu, Heng Yao, Xiaojun Peng, Ran Wang, Feng Li, Zhong Wang, Mingyue Zhao, Lifeng Jin

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Plant Sciences Keywords: chalcone synthase; drought stress; flavonoids; transgenic tobacco; overexpression

Online: 12 June 2019 (05:39:29 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0281.v2

Mutation Hot Spots in Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Virus

Feroza Begum, Arup Kumar Banerjee, Upasana Ray

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; S protein; RBD; S1; S2

Online: 7 September 2020 (04:15:59 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0037.v1

Recommendations for Healthy Daytime, Evening, and Night-Time Indoor Light Exposure

Timothy Brown, George Brainard, Christian Cajochen, Charles Czeisler, John Hanifin, Steven Lockley, Robert Lucas, Mirjam Munch, John O'Hagan, Stuart Peirson, Luke Price, Till Roenneberg, Luc Schlangen, Debra Skene, Manuel Spitschan, Celine Vetter, Phyllis Zee, Kenneth Wright Jr.

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Anatomy And Physiology Keywords: light; circadian; melatonin

Online: 1 December 2020 (16:06:08 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0307.v1

Influenza Viral Infection is a High-Risk Factor for Developing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Lei Zhang, Youwei Zhang

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Cell And Developmental Biology Keywords: COVID-19; influenza; SARS-CoV-2; ACE2; risk factor

Online: 20 March 2020 (06:56:25 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0051.v3

Bulk and Single-Cell Transcriptomics Identify Tobacco-Use Disparity in Lung Gene Expression of ACE2, the Receptor of 2019-nCov

Guoshuai Cai

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: Wuhan 2019-nCov; ACE2; expression; susceptibility; race; age; gender; smoking; single cell

Online: 2 March 2020 (01:38:52 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202105.0617.v1

Estimating COVID-19 Related Mortality in India: An Epidemiological Challenge with Insufficient Data

Lauren Zimmermann, Maxwell Salvatore, Giridhara Babu, Bhramar Mukherjee

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: COVID-19; India; mortality data

Online: 25 May 2021 (15:06:40 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0182.v1

Taxonomy and Phylogenetic Research on Ralstonia solanacearum: A Complex Pathogen with Extraordinary Economic Consequences

Sujan Paudel, Shefali Dobhal, Anne M. Alvarez, Mohammad Arif

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Plant Sciences Keywords: Ralstonia solanacearum species complex; taxonomy; phylogenomic; plant bacteria; tomato wilt; bacterial wilt; brown rot of potato; Granville Wilt of tobacco; moko disease of banana; Bugtok disease; spewy eye

Online: 8 September 2020 (10:19:34 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint SHORT NOTE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0077.v4

The Ongoing COVID-19 Epidemic Curves Indicate Initial Point Spread in China With Log-Normal Distribution of New Cases per Day With a Predictable Last Date of the Outbreak Version 4: Predictions for Selected European Countries, USA and the World as a Whole and Try to Predict the End of the Outbreak Including a Discussion of a Possible “New Normal”

Stefan Olsson, Jing Zhang

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: epidemiology; COVID-19

Online: 19 April 2020 (08:15:10 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

During an epidemic outbreak it is useful for planners and responsible authorities to be able to plan ahead to estimate when an outbreak of an epidemic is likely to ease and when the last case can be predicted in their area of responsibility. Theoretically this could be done for a point source epidemic using epidemic curve forecasting. The extensive data now coming out of China makes it possible to test if this can be done using MS Excel a standard spreadsheet program available to most offices. The available data is divided up for whole China and the different provinces. This and the high number of cases makes the analysis possible. Data for new confirmed infections for Hubei, Hubei outside Wuhan, China excluding Hubei as well as Zhejiang and Fujian provinces all follow a log-normal distribution that can be used to make a rough estimate for the date of the last new confirmed cases in respective areas. In the version 2 continuation work, 9 additional days were added for the Chinese data to evaluate the previous predictions. The extra data then available from China follows the previous predicted trend supporting the usefulness of this simple technique. In the version 2 we also tested the feasibility for a non-specialist to make similar predictions using additional data from S Korea now available. In this third continuation the predictions for Version 2 are evaluated for S Korea and fits well the beginning of the decline but it seems to be difficult to bring down numbers of cases per day under about 100 new cases per day, potential reasons for this is discussed. To further evaluate when in a prediction becomes reliable the Chinese data was used to evaluate to make predictions for each day around the peak in number of cases and after2-3 consecutive days of decreasing new cases per day the prediction becomes reliable. In version 3 data for Italy just reaching this point was used to make further predictions for that country. A second new analysis was also added to use the fitted equation to detect when the acceleration of new cases per day stopped increasing exponentially. In the Chinese case this measured point coincides with the date of the complete Hubei lockdown and in the new Italian analysis it coincides with the mandatory Italian lockdown. Predicted dates for the end of the Italian outbreak is also added. In version 4 we expand the analysis to selected European countries, USA and the World as a whole and try to predict the end of the outbreak. We further discuss the apparent success of the used techniques that might work to introduce a “new normal” not very different to the previous to stop secondary outbreaks of COVID19 and future COVIDs that are sure to come.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202108.0440.v1

Clinical Relevance of Elevated Soluble ST2, HSP27 and 20S Proteasome in Patients with COVID-19

Ralph Wendt, Marie-Therese Lingitz, Maria Laggner, Michael Mildner, Denise Traxler, Alexandra Graf, Pavla Krotka, Bernhard Moser, Konrad Hoetzenecker, Sven Kalbitz, Christoph Luebbert, Joachim Beige, Hendrik Jan Ankersmit

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: COVID-19; HSP27; sST2; ARDS; biomarker

Online: 23 August 2021 (13:23:05 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202108.0085.v1

Use of the Acrylonitrile Haemoglobin Adduct N‑(2‑cyanoethyl)valine as a Biomarker Of Compliance in Smokers Switching to Tobacco Heating Products

Oscar M. Camacho, Michael McEwan, Nathan Gale, Nikola Pluym, Max Scherer, George Hardie, James Murphy

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biology And Biotechnology Keywords: tobacco heating product; CEVal; protocol compliance; smoking cessation; biomarker

Online: 3 August 2021 (14:30:34 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202108.0317.v1

Impacts of COVID-19 on Diverse Farm Systems in Tanzania and South Africa

Hemant G Tripathi, Harriet E Smith, Steven M. Sait, Susannah M. Sallu, Stephen Whitfield, Astrid Jankielsohn, William E Kunin, Ndumiso Mazibuko, Bonani Nyhodo

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Agricultural Science And Agronomy Keywords: COVID-19; Africa; food systems; agriculture

Online: 16 August 2021 (10:47:45 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Emerging information on the interactions between the COVID-19 pandemic and global food systems has highlighted how the pandemic is accentuating food crises across Africa. Less clear, however, are how the impacts differ between farming systems. Drawing on 50 key informant interviews with farmers, village leaders and extension officers, in South Africa and Tanzania, we identify the effects of COVID-19 and associated measures to curb the spread of the disease on farming production systems, the coping mechanisms adopted by farmers, and explore their longer-term plans for adaptation. We focus on a diverse range of production systems, from small-scale mixed farming systems in Tanzania, to large-scale corporate farms in South Africa. Our findings highlight how COVID-19 restrictions have interrupted the supply chains of agricultural inputs and commodities, increasing the storage time for produce, decreasing income and purchasing power, and reducing labour availability. Farmers’ responses were heterogeneous, with highly diverse small-scale farming systems and those less engaged with international markets least affected by the associated COVID-19 measures. Large-scale farmers were most able to access capital to buffer short-term impacts, whereas smaller-scale farms shared labour, diversified to subsistence produce and sold assets. However, compounded shocks, such as recent extreme climate events, limited the available coping options, particularly for smaller-scale and emerging farmers. The study highlights the need to understand the characteristics of farm systems to better equip and support farmers, particularly in contexts of uncertainty. We propose that policy actions should focus on (i) providing temporary relief and social support and protection to financially vulnerable stakeholders, (ii) job assurance for farmworkers, and engaging an alternative workforce in farming, (iii) investing in farming infrastructure, such as storage facilities, digital communication tools, and extension services, and iv) supporting diversified agroecological farming systems.

Working Paper ARTICLE

COVID-19 Evolves in Human Hosts

Yanni Liu, Bing Liu, Jiangtao Cui, Zhi Wang, Yulong Shen, Yueshen Xu, Kaicheng Yao, Yuanfang Guan, Xiaoke Ma

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; divergence

Online: 21 July 2020 (13:46:45 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Working Paper HYPOTHESIS

Could Unconventional Immunomodulatory Agents Help Alleviate COVID-19 Symptoms and Severity?

Stephen Mamber, Steven Krakowka, Jeffrey Osborn, Lloyd Saberski, Ryan Rhodes, Albert Dahlberg, Kara Fitzgerald, Neal Wright, Sarah Beseme, John McMichael

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2, Immunomodulators

Online: 27 April 2020 (09:55:03 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201911.0330.v1

Identifying Early-Warning Signals for the Sudden Transition from Mild to Severe Tobacco Rtch Disease by Dynamical Network Biomarkers

Adrián Tarazona, Javier Forment, Santiago F. Elena

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: complex systems; DNB; phase transitions; plant-virus interaction; Potyvirus; protein-protein interaction networks; response to infection; systems biology; Tobacco etch virus

Online: 27 November 2019 (04:42:28 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0395.v1

V483a – an Emerging Mutation Hotspot of Sars-Cov-2

Omar Ashwaq, Pratibha Manickavasagam, Sk Manirul Haque

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Spike protein, V483A, substitution mutation, virus-host cell interaction, high transmission, infectivity.

Online: 17 September 2020 (10:43:02 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0184.v1

Serological Test is an Efficient Supplement of RNA Detection for Confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Ning-Shao Xia, Gui-Qiang Wang, Wen-Feng Gong

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; diagnosis; antibody; serology; screening

Online: 11 March 2020 (10:40:09 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0386.v1

Accelerated Production of Hesperidin-rich Citrus Pectin from Waste Citrus Peel for Prevention and Therapy of COVID-19

Francesco Meneguzzo, Rosaria Ciriminna, Federica Zabini, Mario Pagliaro

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: hesperidin; COVID-19; pectin; flavonoids; hydrodynamic cavitation; IntegroPectin

Online: 26 March 2020 (13:59:28 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0122.v1

Can Melatonin Reduce the Severity of COVID-19 Pandemic?

Alexander Shneider1, Aleksandr Kudriavtsev, Anna Vakhrusheva

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: melatonin; coronavirus; pandemic; SARS-CoV-2; bat; lung; p62; apoptosis; programmed cell death; mortality; morbidity; prevention; vaccine; adjuvant; drug; symptoms

Online: 8 April 2020 (08:13:26 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Working Paper ARTICLE

Identification of a Potential Mechanism of Acute Kidney Injury During the Covid-19 Outbreak: A Study Based on Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis

Da Xu, Hao Zhang, Hai-yi Gong, Jia-xin Chen, Jian-qing Ye, Tong Meng, Si-shun Gan, Fa-jun Qu, Chuan-min Chu, Wang Zhou, Xiu-wu Pan, Lin-hui Wang, Xin-gang Cui

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biology And Biotechnology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; acute kidney injury; angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2); transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSSs)

Online: 23 February 2020 (15:42:24 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202104.0408.v1

Salivary Biomarkers in COVID-19 Patients: The Rabbit out of the Hat!

Cecilia Napodano, Cinzia Callà, Antonella Fiorita, Mariapaola Marino, Eleonora Taddei, Tiziana Di Cesare, Giulio Cesare Passali, Riccardo Disanto, Annunziata Stefanile, Massimo Fantoni, Andrea Urbani, Gaetano Paludetti, Gian Ludovico Rapaccini, Gabriele Ciasca, Umberto Basile

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: COVID-19; IgA; FLC; salivary biomarkers

Online: 15 April 2021 (12:06:40 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0349.v1

In Silico Identification of Potent COVID-19 Main Protease Inhibitors from FDA Approved Antiviral Compounds and Active Phytochemicals through Molecular Docking: A Drug Repurposing Approach

Vaishali Chandel, Sibi Raj, Brijesh Rathi, Dhruv Kumar

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biology And Biotechnology Keywords: novel coronavirus; COVID-19; protease; molecular docking; drug designing; ADME; drug repurposing

Online: 23 March 2020 (09:47:49 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA ((+)ssRNA) virus. The COVID-19 Main Proteases play very important role in the propagation of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). It has already killed more than 8000 people around the world and thousands of people are getting infected every day. Therefore, it is very important to identify a potential inhibitor against COVID-19 Main Proteases to inhibit the propagation of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). We have applied a drug repurposing approach of computational methodology, depending on the synergy of molecular docking and virtual screening techniques, aimed to identify possible potent inhibitors against Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from FDA approved antiviral compounds and from the library of active phytochemicals. On the basis of recently resolved COVID-19 Main Protease crystal structure (PDB:6LU7), the library of 100 FDA approved antiviral compounds and 1000 active components of Indian Medicinal Plants extracted for screening against COVID-19 Main Protease. The compounds were further screened using Pyrex virtual screening tool and then best inhibitors, top 19 compounds optimally docked to the COVID-19 Main Protease structure to understand the participation of specific amino acids with inhibitors at active sites. Total 19 best compounds were identified after screening based on their highest binding affinity with respect to the other screened compounds. Out of 19, 6 best compounds were further screened based on their binding affinity and best ADME properties. Nelfinavir exhibited highest binding energy -8.4 kcal/mol and strong stability with the TRP207, ILE281, LEU282, PHE3, PHE291, GLN127, ARG4, GLY283, GLU288, LYS5, LYS137, TYR126, GLY138, TYR126, SER139 and VAL135 amino acid residues of COVID-19 Main Protease participating in the interaction at the binding pocket. In addition to Nelfinavir (-8.4), Rhein (-8.1), Withanolide D (-7.8), Withaferin A (-7.7), Enoxacin (-7.4), and Aloe-emodin (-7.4) also showed good binding affinity and best ADME properties. Our findings suggest that these compounds can be used as potential inhibitors against COVID-19 Main Protease, which could be helpful in inhibiting the propagation of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Moreover, further in vitro and in vivo validation of these findings would be very helpful to bring these inhibitors to next level study.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0076.v1

The Advantage of Inactivated Vaccine for Preventing the Omicron Outbreak

Xinbo Lian, Jianping Huang, Li Zhang, Yingjie Zhao, Danfeng Wang, Shuoyuan Gao, Rui Wang, Xiaodong Song

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Anatomy And Physiology Keywords: COVID-19; Omicron; inactivated vaccines

Online: 4 March 2022 (09:10:15 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0134.v1

A Crispr-Cas9 System Designed to Introduce Point Mutations into the Human ACE2 Gene to Weaken the Interaction of the ACE2 Receptor with the SARS-CoV-2 S Protein

Pedro Tanaka, Jadson Santos, Ernna Oliveira, Natane Miglioli, Amanda Assis, Ana Monteleone-Cassiano, Vitor Ribeiro, Max Duarte, Mayara Machado, Romario Mascarenhas, Alex Souza, Leticia Brito, Leticia Oliveira, Eduardo Donadi, Geraldo Passos

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: Crispr-Cas9; ACE2 gene; SARS-CoV-2; new coronavirus; COVID-19

Online: 7 May 2020 (15:26:06 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint SHORT NOTE | doi:10.20944/preprints202006.0225.v1

CoV-GLUE: A Web Application for Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Variation

Joshua Singer, Robert Gifford, Matthew Cotten, David Robertson

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; web application; virus genome; lineage assignment; amino acids

Online: 18 June 2020 (06:24:20 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint SHORT NOTE | doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0493.v2

Future Considerations for the mRNA–Lipid Nanoparticle Vaccine Platform

Botond Igyártó, Sonya Jacobsen, Sonia Ndeupen

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Immunology And Microbiology Keywords: mRNA-LNP vaccines; side effects; dendritic cells

Online: 24 December 2020 (13:51:51 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Working Paper COMMUNICATION

Evidence That Quinine Exhibits Antiviral Activity against SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro

Maximilian Große, Natalia Ruetalo, Ramona Businger, Sascha Rheber, Christian Setz, Pia Rauch, Janina Auth, Ekkehard Brysch, Michael Schindler, Ulrich Schubert

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Quinine; Hydroxy-Chloroquine; Chloroquine; COVID-19; antiviral

Online: 6 July 2020 (09:19:06 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0362.v1

Leveraging Open Hardware to Alleviate the Burden of COVID-19 on Global Health Systems

Andre Maia Chagas, Jennifer Molloy, Lucia Prieto Godino, Tom Baden

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Free and Open Source Hardware; COVID-19; pandemic

Online: 24 March 2020 (14:46:29 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0529.v1

Geographic and Genomic Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations

Daniele Mercatelli, Federico Manuel Giorgi

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; genomics coronavirus; COVID-19 evolution

Online: 30 April 2020 (11:15:17 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201806.0035.v2

The First Universal Common Ancestor (FUCA) as the Earliest Ancestor of LUCA’s (Last UCA) Lineage

Francisco Prosdocimi, Marco José, Sávio Farias

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Life Sciences Keywords: origin of life; LUCA; FUCA; RNA World; PTC; Archaea; translation system

Online: 23 July 2019 (08:13:32 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0440.v1

COVID-19: A Drug Repurposing and Biomarker Identification by Using Comprehensive Gene-Disease Associations through Protein-Protein Interaction Network Analysis

Suresh Kumar

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; 2019-nCoV; novel corona virus; drug repurposing; chloroquine; high-risk group; asymptomatic

Online: 30 March 2020 (07:24:16 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) is a pandemic disease with an estimated mortality rate of 3.4% (estimated by the WHO as of March 3, 2020). Until now there is no antiviral drug and vaccine for COVID-19. The current overwhelming situation by COVID-19 patients in hospitals is likely to increase in the next few months. About 15 percent of patients with serious disease in COVID-19 require immediate health services. Rather than waiting for new anti-viral drugs or vaccines that take a few months to years to develop and test, several researchers and public health agencies are attempting to repurpose medicines that are already approved for another similar disease and have proved to be fairly effective. This study aims to identify FDA approved drugs that can be used for drug repurposing and identify biomarkers among high- risk and asymptomatic groups. In this study gene-disease association related to COVID-19 reported mild, severe symptoms and clinical outcomes were determined. The high-risk group was studied related to SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and life cycle by using Disgenet and compared with curated COVID-19 gene data sets from the CTD database. The overlapped gene sets were enriched and the selected genes were constructed for protein-protein interaction networks. Through interactome, key genes were identified for COVID-19 and also for high risk and asymptomatic groups. The key hub genes involved in COVID-19 were VEGFA, TNF, IL-6, CXCL8, IL10, CCL2, IL1B, TLR4, ICAM1, MMP9. The identified key genes were used for drug-gene interaction for drug repurposing. The chloroquine, lenalidomide, pentoxifylline, thalidome, sorafenib, pacitaxel, rapamycin, cortisol, statins were proposed to be probable drug repurposing candidates for the treatment of COVID-19. However, these predicted drug candidates need to be validated through randomized clinical trials. Also, a key gene involved in high risk and the asymptomatic group were identified, which can be used as probable biomarkers for early identification.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201811.0467.v1

Proteomic Studies Reveal Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 as a Key Regulator Unifying Neurodevelopment and Synaptic Function

Adriana Ramos, Carmen Rodriguez-Seoane, Isaac Rosa, Irantzu Gorrono-Etxebarria, Jana Alonso, Sonia Veiga, Carsten Korth, Robert. M Kypta, Angel Garcia, Jesus R. Requena

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: DISC1, neurodevelopment, synapse, CRMP-2, MUNC18, syntaxin, NECAP1, proteomics

Online: 19 November 2018 (12:25:42 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0196.v1

Omicron Sublineages Current Status in Ecuador

Andrés Carrazco-Montalvo, Andrés Herrera-Yela, Damaris Alarcón-Vallejo, Diana Gutiérrez-Pallo, Isaac Armendáriz-Castillo, Derly Andrade-Molina, Karen Muñoz-Mawyin, Juan Carlos Fernández-Cadena, Gabriel Morey-León, Paúl Cárdenas, Rubén Armas-Gonzalez, Leandro Patiño

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: COVID-19; Omicron; Sublineages; Ecuador

Online: 21 April 2022 (08:24:19 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint SHORT NOTE | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0089.v1

Sars-CoV-2 Envelope and Membrane Proteins: Differences from Closely Related Proteins Linked to Cross-species Transmission?

Martina Bianchi, Domenico Benvenuto, Marta Giovanetti, Silvia Angeletti, Massimo Ciccozzi, Stefano Pascarella

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Sars-CoV-2; Homology modelling; Envelope Membrane glycoprotein; Bat; Pangolin; Sars-CoV

Online: 7 April 2020 (11:09:23 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0376.v1

Computational Strategies to Combat COVID-19: Useful Tools to Accelerate SARS-CoV-2 and Coronavirus Research

Franziska Hufsky, Kevin Lamkiewicz, Alexandre Almeida, Abdel Aouacheria, Cecilia Arighi, Alex Bateman, Jan Baumbach, Niko Beerenwinkel, Christian Brandt, Marco Cacciabue, Sara Chuguransky, Oliver Drechsel, Robert D. Finn, Adrian Fritz, Stephan Fuchs, Georges Hattab, Anne-Christin Hauschild, Dominik Heider, Marie Hoffmann, Martin Hölzer, Stefan Hoops, Lars Kaderali, Ioanna Kalvari, Max von Kleist, René Kmiecinski, Denise Kühnert, Gorka Lasso, Pieter Libin, Markus List, Hannah F. Löchel, Maria J. Martin, Roman Martin, Julian Matschinske, Alice C. McHardy, Pedro Mendes, Jaina Mistry, Vincent Navratil, Eric Nawrocki, Áine Niamh O'Toole, Nancy Palacios-Ontiveros, Anton I. Petrov, Guillermo Rangel-Piñeros, Nicole Redaschi, Susanne Reimering, Knut Reinert, Alejandro Reyes, Lorna Richardson, David L. Robertson, Sepideh Sadegh, Joshua B. Singer, Kristof Theys, Chris Upton, Marius Welzel, Lowri Williams, Manja Marz

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: virus bioinformatics; SARS-CoV-2; sequencing; epidemiology; drug design; tools

Online: 23 May 2020 (11:01:11 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0010.v1

Identifying Hotspots of Peoples Diagnosed with Tuberculosis and Drug Addiction of Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs through a Geospatial Intelligence Application on Communities from Southern Brazil

Alessandro Rolim Scholze, Felipe Mendes Delpino, Luana Seles Alves, Josilene Dália Alves, Thaís Zamboni Berra, Antônio Carlos Vieira Ramos, Miguel Fuentealba-Torres, Inês Fronteira, Ricardo Alexandre Arcêncio

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Tuberculosis; Alcoholism; Illicit drugs; Tobacco use disorder; Spatial analysis

Online: 4 April 2022 (07:22:45 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0597.v1

An Analysis Review, Detection Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on Biosensor Application

Bakr Taha, Norhana Arsad, Yousif Al Mashhadany

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19 detection; biosensor application; COVID-19 transmission styles; sensors interaction; artificial intelligence

Online: 27 August 2020 (08:01:55 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0006.v1

COVID-19 Pandemic: Can Maintaining Optimal Zinc Balance Enhance Host Resistance?

Mohammed S. Razzaque

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: zinc; antiviral; COVID-19; pandemic; host resistance

Online: 1 April 2020 (09:30:36 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0710.v1

Evaluation of the Effect of D614G, N501Y and S477N Mutation in SARS-CoV-2 through Computational Approach

Sarmilah Mathavan, Suresh Kumar

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; D614G; N501Y; S477N; mink; VOC 202012/01; B.1.1.7

Online: 28 December 2020 (17:00:23 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes an outbreak of COVID-19 disease in humans with the aid of spike protein. It consists of a receptor-binding domain (RBD) that recognizes and binds to the host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The aim of this study was to examine the mutational effect of spike protein on the sequence through an interaction study of the mutant spike protein and the human ACE2 protein at the structural level. A total of 17,227 spike proteins from Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, South America, and North America were compared to the Wuhan spike protein reference sequence (Wuhan-Hu-1). The structural and stability implications of D614G, N501Y, and S477N mutations were evaluated. The binding affinity between mutated RBD and human ACE2 protein was also studied. The D614G mutation may have originated in Germany, Europe based on the date of the first sample collection report. It is now widely circulated all over the world with most occurrences in North America. The mutations N501Y and S477N may have originated from Oceania based on the date of the first sample collection report and also have the highest occurrences in Oceania. Based on the computational analysis of mutational effects, the D614G, N501Y, and S477N mutations decreased stability and were tolerated. For disease propensity prediction, N501Y was more prone to disease compared to D614G, while S477N was not prone to disease. The mutation of D to G at position 614 and S to N at position 477 for secondary structure prediction shows no changes in secondary structure while remaining in the coil region, whereas the mutation of N to Y at position 501 changes from coil structure to extended strand. N501Y mutation has a higher affinity to human ACE2 protein compared to D614G and S477N based on a docking study. D614G spike mutation was identified to exist between the two hosts based on a comparison of SARS-CoV-2 derived between the mink and human. Further research is needed on the link between the mink mutation N501T and the mutation N501Y in humans, which has evolved as a separate variant.

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0500.v1

A Deep Analysis on the Impact and Statistics of Covid-19 in Kerala, India – A Meta-Analysis Study

Merin Dickson, Anjana Abhilash, Gayathri G Menon, Sapna Chandran

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; impact on society during COVID-19; behavioral impact of COVID-19; government policies against COVID-19; measures adopted by the government; COVID-19 Statistics; Infection rate and Data analysis

Online: 21 September 2020 (11:09:11 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Working Paper REVIEW

Marine Red Alga Porphyridium sp. as a Source of Sulfated Polysaccharides (SPs) for Combating Against COVID-19

Vinod Nagle, Mahadev Gaikwad, Yogesh Pawar, Santanu Dasgupta

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Anti-viral; Carrageenan; Coronavirus; COVID-19; Porphyridium; sulfated polysaccharides (SPs)

Online: 10 April 2020 (07:49:11 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0084.v1

Nsp7 and Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 Are Envisaged as Potential Targets of Vitamin D and Ivermectin

Jhimli Dasgupta, Udayaditya Sen, Abhisek Bakshi, Abhijit Dasgupta, Krishnendu Manna, Chinmay Saha, Rajat K. De, Satinath Mukhopadhyay, Nitai P. Bhattacharyya

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Vitamin D; Ivermectin; RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase; Spike glycoprotein; Knowledge based docking

Online: 5 May 2020 (15:18:30 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

COVID-19 has emerged as deadly pandemic worldwide with no vaccine or suitable antiviral drugs to prevent or cure the disease. Because of the time-consuming process to develop new vaccines or antiviral agents, there has been a growing interest in repurposing some existing drugs to combat SARS-CoV-2. Vitamin D is known to be protective against acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia and cytokine storm. Recently it has been used as a repurposed drug for the treatment of H5N1 virus-induced lung injury. Circumstantial evidences indicate that people with low level of vitamin D are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Although, vitamin D was suggested to interfere with viral replication, its interaction with any SARS-CoV-2 protein is unexplored yet. Beside this, ivermectin, a well-known anti-parasitic agent, exhibits potent anti-viral activities in vitro against viruses such as HIV-1 and dengue. Very recently, ivermectin has been found to reduce viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. We have analyzed available structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins to identify probable binding partner(s) of vitamin D and ivermectin through knowledge-based docking studies and figured out possible implication of their binding in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our observations suggest that the non-structural protein nsp7 possesses a potential site to house 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (VDY) or the active form of Vitamin D, calcitrol. Binding of vitamin D with nsp7 likely to hamper the formation of nsp7-nsp8 complex which is required to bind with RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), nsp12 for optimal function. On the other hand, potential binding site of ivermectin has been identified in the S2 subunit of trimeric spike(S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. We propose that deeply inserted mode of ivermectin binding at three inter-subunit junctions may restrict large scale conformational changes of S2 helices which is necessary for efficient fusion of viral and host membrane. Our study, therefore, opens up avenues for further investigations to consider vitamin D and ivermectin as potential drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201711.0183.v1

A Novel Non-Invasive Selection Criterion for the Preservation of Primitive Dutch Konik Horses

Sharon May-Davis, Wendy Y Brown, Kathleen Shorter, Zefanja Vermeulen, Raquel Butler, Marianne Koekkoek

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Anatomy And Physiology Keywords: Dutch Konik; Metacarpal; Metatarsal; primitive horse; splint bones; Tarpan

Online: 29 November 2017 (07:01:17 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201907.0306.v1

Compared Anatomy and Histology between Mus musculus Mice (Swiss) and Rattus norvegicus Rats (Wistar)

Giorgio Silva-Santana, Fábio Aguiar-Alves, Licínio Esmeraldo Silva, Maria Lúcia Barreto, Jemima Fuentes Ribeiro Silva, Alexia Gonçalves, Ana Luíza Mattos-Guaraldi, Kátia Calvi Lenzi-Almeida

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Animal Science, Veterinary Science And Zoology Keywords: anatomy; histology; mice; Mus musculus; rat; Rattus norvegicus

Online: 27 July 2019 (01:19:19 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0005.v1

SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: Viral Genomics, Epidemiology, Vaccines, and Therapeutic Interventions

Mohammed Uddin, Farah Mustafa, Tahir A. Rizvi, Tom Loney, Hanan Al Suwaidi, Ahmad Al Marzouqi, Afaf Kamal Eldin, Nabeel Alsabeeha, Thomas E. Adrian, Cesare Stefanini, Norbert Nowotny, Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Abiola C. Senok

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Viral Genomics

Online: 1 April 2020 (09:22:38 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202107.0620.v1

Impacts of COVID-19 on the Horticultural Industry

Pulkit Marwah, Yu Yvette Zhang, Mengmeng Gu

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Horticulture Keywords: COVID-19, Gardening Industry, COVID-19, gardening industry, horticulture, nursery and landscape, business survey

Online: 28 July 2021 (10:26:00 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202108.0044.v1

Opportunities for Biomanufacturing in Low Earth Orbit: Current Status and Future Directions

Marc Giulianotti, Arun Sharma, Rachel Clemens, Orquidea Garcia, Lansing Taylor, Nicole Wagner, Kelly Shepard, Anjali Gupta, Siobhan Malany, Alan Grodzinsky, Mary Kearns-Jonker, Devin Mair, Deok-Ho Kim, Michael Roberts, Jeanne Loring, Jianying Hu, Lara Warren, Sven Eenmaa, Joe Bozada, Eric Paljug, Mark Roth, Donald Taylor, Gary Rodrigue, Patrick Cantini, Amelia Smith, William Wagner

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: microgravity, stem cells, microphysiological systems, organoids, biofabrication, biomanufacturing, space

Online: 2 August 2021 (13:29:43 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

In humankind’s endeavor to explore beyond our planet and travel further into space, we are now at the threshold of an era in which it is possible to move to and from low Earth orbit (LEO) with increasing ease and reduced cost. Through the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, investigators from industry, academia, and government can easily access the unique LEO environment on the ISS to conduct research and development (R&D) activities in ways not possible on Earth. A key advantage of the LEO environment for life sciences research is the ability to conduct experiments in sustained microgravity conditions. The ability to conduct long-term research in microgravity enables opportunities for novel, fundamental studies in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, including research on stem cell proliferation and differentiation, biofabrication, and disease modeling using microphysiological systems (MPS) that build on prior research using simulated microgravity conditions (Grimm, D., et al. 2018). Over the last decade, space-based research has demonstrated that microgravity informs our knowledge of fundamental biology and accelerates advancements in health care and medical technologies (International Space Station 2019). The benefits provided by conducting biomedical research in LEO may lead to breakthroughs not achievable on Earth. We are now at a transition point, in which nations are changing their approach to space-based R&D. The focus is shifting from government-funded fundamental science toward the expansion of privately funded R&D with terrestrial application and economic value that will drive a robust marketplace for innovation and manufacturing in LEO. Making this long-term transition requires public-private participation and near-term funding to support critical R&D to leverage the benefits of the LEO environment and de-risk space-based research. Studies conducted on the ISS over the past several years have indicated that one area with potential significant economic value and benefit to life on Earth is space-based biomanufacturing, or the use of biological and nonbiological materials to produce commercially relevant biomolecules and biomaterials for use in preclinical, clinical, and therapeutic applications. We must take advantage of the remaining lifetime of the ISS as a valuable LEO platform to demonstrate this economic value and Earth benefit. By facilitating access to the space station, the ISS National Lab is uniquely positioned to enable the R&D necessary to bridge the gap between the initial discovery phase of space-based biomedical research and the development of a sustainable, investment-worthy biomanufacturing market in LEO supported by future commercial platforms. Through a joint effort, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), which manages the ISS National Lab, and the University of Pittsburgh’s McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine brought together thought leaders from around the U.S. for a Biomanufacturing in Space Symposium that consisted of a series of working sessions to review data from past space-based tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research, discuss relevant current space-based R&D in this area, and consider potential future markets to address the questions: What are the most promising opportunities to leverage the ISS to advance space-based biomanufacturing moving forward? What are the current gaps or barriers that, if overcome, could clear pathways toward private investment in LEO as a valued site for research, development, and production activity? And, most importantly: For which opportunities do the most compelling value propositions exist? The goal of the Biomanufacturing in Space Symposium was to help identify the specific areas in which government and industry investment would be most likely to stimulate advancements that overcome barriers. This would lead to a more investment-ready landscape for private interests to enter the market and fuel exponential growth. The symposium was meant to serve as the first step in developing a roadmap to a sustainable market for biomanufacturing in space. The symposium identified and prioritized multiple key R&D opportunities to advance space-based biomanufacturing. These opportunities fall in the areas of disease modeling, stem cells and stem-cell-derived products, and biofabrication. Additionally, symposium participants highlighted the critical need for additional data to help validate and de-risk these opportunities and concluded that approaches such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning will be needed to produce and capture the required data. Symposium participants also came to a consensus that public-private partnerships and funding will be needed to advance the opportunities toward a biomanufacturing marketplace in LEO. This paper will summarize the current state of the science and technology on the ISS and in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine; provide an overview of biomanufacturing R&D in space to date; review the goals of the Biomanufacturing in Space Symposium; highlight the key commercial opportunities and gaps identified during the symposium; provide information on potential market sizes; and briefly discuss the next steps in developing a roadmap to biomanufacturing in space.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201902.0004.v1

Artificial Intelligence for Microscopy: What You Should Know

Lucas von Chamier, Romain F. Laine, Ricardo Henriques

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Cell And Developmental Biology Keywords: artificial intelligence; machine learning; live-cell imaging; super-resolution microscopy; classification; segmentation

Online: 1 February 2019 (09:00:39 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202309.0113.v1

Chronic Fatigue and Dis-Autonomy following COVID-19 Vaccination is Distinguished from Normal Vaccination Response by Altered Blood Markers

Amelie Semmler, Anna Katharina Mundorf, Anna Sabrina Kuechler, Karin Schulze-Bosse, Harald Heidecke, Kai Schulze-Forster, Matthias Schott, Markus Uhrberg, Sandra Weinhold, Karl J. Lackner, Marc Pawlitzki, Sven Guenther Meuth, Fritz Boege, Jana Ruhrländer

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Neuroscience And Neurology Keywords: Post-Acute COVID-19 Vaccination Syndrome; PACVS, G-protein-coupled receptor; receptor antibody; interleukin-6; dis-autonomy; chronic fatigue.

Online: 4 September 2023 (07:14:41 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202005.0030.v1

Ripening Efficacy of Kamias Fruit (Averroah Billimbi) for Cavendish Banana (Musa acuminata)

Joseph Dave Pregoner, Jake Condez, Minlyn Duhig, James Gallera, Francis Cofreros, James Ohina, Borgy Llerone Sandoy, Hillary Bantayan

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: Kamias (Averrhoa bilimbi); Ripening; Cavendish Banana (Musa acuminata); Experimental; Davao City

Online: 3 May 2020 (07:40:40 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202104.0034.v5

SARS-CoV2 Variants and Vaccines mRNA Spikes Fibonacci Numerical UA/CG Metastructures

Jean-Claude Perez

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV2; Biomathematics; vaccine; variants; mRNA; Fibonacci; numerical standing waves

Online: 20 April 2021 (10:05:55 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

ABSTRACT. In this paper, we suggest a biomathematical numerical method for analysing mRNA nucleotides sequences based on UA/CG Fibonacci numbers proportions. This method is used to evaluate then compare the spike genes related to the main SARS-CoV2 VARIANTS currently circulating within the world population. The 10 main results proposed to be reproduced by peers are: 1/ SARS-CoV2 genome and spike evolution in one year 2020-2021. 2/ SARS-CoV2 Origins. 3/ Comparing 11 reference variants spikes. 4/ analysing 32 CAL.20C California variant patients spikes. 5/ Toward a meta mRNA Fibonacci gene end message code. 6/ Analysing S501 UK, S484 South Africa and « 2 mutations » INDIA variants. 7/ Suggesting a possible variants spike mRNA palindrome symmetry metastructure improving mRNA stability then infectiousness. 8/ Analysing Fibonacci Metastructures in the mRNA coding for the vaccines PFIZER and MODERNA. 9/ Does the CG-rich modification of the synonymous codons of the spikes of the 2 mRNA vaccines affect the expression and quantity of SARS-CoV2 antibodies? 10/ The exceptional case of the Brazilian variant P.1. Particularly, we suggest the following conjecture at mRNA folding level : CONJECTURE of SARS-CoV2 VARIANTS: The growth of long Fibonacci structures in the shape of "podiums" for almost all of the variants studied (UK, California, South Africa, India, etc.) suggests the probable folding of the Spike mRNA in the form of a "hairpin", which can strengthen the cohesion and the lifespan of this mRNA. Finally, we show that these kinds of Fibonacci matastructures disapear TOTALLY by analysing the published mRNA sequences of PFIZER and MODERNA vaccines. One fact is certain, the two mRNAs of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will result in a low functionality of the spike vaccine. This is because their designers by seeking greater stability, have doped to build CG rich sequences which, as soon as they are inserted into the human host, will, paradoxically, seek to mutate, like SARS-CoV2 variants, towards CG ==> UA forms in order to improve their STABILITY and LIFETIME. We conclude using new biomathematics theoretical methods (Master code and numerical standing waves), and comparing the Spikes of the two vaccines Moderna and Pfizer, that there will be very probable differences in stability and shelf life of the two respective mRNAs vaccines. However, “State of the Art” analyzes will disclose that their two protein sequences are strictly identical. By modified their synonymous codons using different strategies, no one can guarantee that the quantity of antibodies generated will be identical in the two cases. We wish to draw attention to the great ADAPTATION power - at the global scale of their genomes - of the most infectious VARIANTS, such as the BRAZIL 20J / 501Y.V3 variant (P.1). This is very worrying for the VACCINES <==> VARIANTS run: We demonstrate how the Brazilian variant P.1 which becomes uncontrollable in Brazil in April 2021 has a level of organization of long metastructures of 17,711 bases covering the genome which is 3.6 more important than that of the 2 reference genomes SARS-CoV2 and worldwide D614G. We suggest that this high level of overall structure of this variant contributes to the stability of this genome and, might explain its greater contagiousness.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0029.v1

Cell-Based Blood Biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Daniel Missailidis, Oana Sanislav, Claire Allan, Sarah Annesley, Paul Fisher

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; mitochondria; Complex V; TORC1; Seahorse respirometry; biomarker; diagnosis; ME/CFS

Online: 3 February 2020 (10:36:05 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0332.v1

Instability of Nucleic Acids in Airborne Microorganisms under Far Infrared Radiation

Wei-Hong Huang, En-Jing Li

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: nucleic acids; airborne microorganisms; far infrared radiation; RNA virus

Online: 23 February 2020 (15:51:12 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Working Paper BRIEF REPORT

Exploring Potential Super Infection in SARS-CoV2 by Genome-Wide Analysis and Receptor–Ligand Docking

Chuanjun Shu, Xuan Huang, Juergen Brosius, Cheng Deng

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Cell And Developmental Biology Keywords: SARS-CoV2; spike; receptor–ligand docking; super infection

Online: 20 March 2020 (08:30:40 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints201701.0073.v1

Food as Commons or Commodity? Exploring the Links between Normative Valuations and Agency in Food Transition

Jose Luis Vivero-Pol

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Agricultural Science And Agronomy Keywords: food valuation; food as commons; food as commodity; transition theory; narratives of transition; agency in transition; transformative agency; counter-hegemonic attitudes; gradual reformers

Online: 16 January 2017 (04:17:20 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

The food system, the most important driver of planetary transformation, is in a deep crisis. Therefore, seeking a sustainable and socially-fair transition pathway becomes an issue of utmost priority for our own survival. The consideration of food as a commodity, a social construct that played a central role in driving this crisis, remains the uncontested narrative to lead the different transition pathways what seems rather contradictory. By exploring the normative values in the transition landscape, this paper seeks to understand how relevant is the hegemonic narrative of “food as commodity” and its alternative of “food as commons” to determine transition trajectories and food policy beliefs. Applying the Multi-level Perspective framework and developing the ill-studied “agency in transition”, this research enquired food-related professionals that belong to an online community of practice (N=95) on valuation of food dimensions and agency in food transitions to check whether the valuation of food is relevant to explain personal stances in transition. Results suggest the socially-constructed view of food as commodity is positively correlated to the gradual reforming attitude, whereas food as commons is positively correlated to the counter-hegemonic transformers regardless the self-defined position in the transition landscape (regime or niches). At personal level, there are multiple loci of resistance with counter-hegemonic attitudes in varied institutions of the regime and the innovative niches, many of them holding this discourse of food as commons. Conversely, alter-hegemonic attitudes are not positively correlated to this alternative discourse and they may inadvertently or purportedly reinforce the ‘‘neoliberal narrative’’. Food as commons, a different narrative whose rationale is explained in the paper, seems to be a relevant framework that could enrich the multiple transformative constituencies that challenge the industrial food system and therefore facilitate the convergence of movements that reject the commodification of food.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202105.0731.v1

High CD169 Monocyte/Lymphocyte Ratio Reflects the Immunophenotyping Disruption and Predicts Oxygen Need in COVID-19 Patients

Antonella Minutolo, Vita Petrone, Marialaura Fanelli, Marco Iannetta, Martina Giudice, Ines Ait Belkacem, Marta Zordan, Pietro Vitale, Guido Rasi, Sinibaldi-Vallebona Paola, Loredana Sarmati, Massimo Andreoni, Fabrice Malergue, Emanuela Balestrieri, Sandro Grelli, Matteucci Claudia

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology Keywords: cytokine storm; COVID-19; CD169; inflammation; respiratory outcome; T-cell exhaustion; COVID-19 therapy

Online: 31 May 2021 (10:28:24 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0091.v1

COVID-19: A Review on Molecular Basis, Pathogenic Mechanisms, Therapeutic Aspects and Future Projections

Muneeb Faiq, Ashutosh Kumar, Himanshu Singh, Vikas Pareek, Rizwana Qadri, Khursheed Raza, Chiman Kumari, Ravi Narayan, Pavan Kumar, Maheswari Kulandhasamy, Sada Pandey

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: Coronavirus; Pneumonia; COVID-19; Virus; Flu; Vaccine; Epidemic; Pandemic

Online: 7 April 2020 (11:15:55 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0024.v1

Emergence of Drift Variants That May Affect COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Antibody Treatment

Takahiko Koyama, Dilhan Weeraratne, Jane L. Snowdon, Laxmi Parida

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-nCoV-2; vaccine; antibody; immune escape; variant; spike protein; genomic drift; convalescent plasma

Online: 3 April 2020 (04:24:52 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0085.v1

Structural Elucidation of SARS-CoV-2 Vital Proteins: Computational Methods Reveal Potential Drug Candidates Against Main Protease, Nsp12 RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase and Nsp13 Helicase

Muhammad Usman Mirza, Matheus Froeyen

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; CoV-Mpro; CoV-Nsp12 polymerase; CoV-Nsp13 helicase

Online: 5 March 2020 (11:50:45 CET)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Supplementary Files| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0220.v1

The PHA4GE SARS-CoV-2 Contextual Data Specification for Open Genomic Epidemiology

Emma J. Griffiths, Ruth E. Timme, Andrew J. Page, Nabil-Fareed Alikhan, Dan Fornika, Finlay Maguire, Catarina Inês Mendes, Simon H. Tausch, Allison Black, Thomas R. Connor, Gregory H. Tyson, David M. Aanensen, Brian Alcock, Josefina Campos, Alan Christoffels, Anders Gonçalves da Silva, Emma Hodcroft, William W.L. Hsiao, Lee S. Katz, Samuel M. Nicholls, Paul E. Oluniyi, Idowu B. Olawoye, Amogelang R. Raphenya, Ana Tereza R. Vasconcelos, Adam A. Witney, Duncan R. MacCannell

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Biology And Biotechnology Keywords: genomics; metadata; SARS-CoV-2; bioinformatics; data standards

Online: 9 August 2020 (15:53:58 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0337.v1

Reporting Two SARS-CoV-2 Strains Based on A Unique Trinucleotide-Bloc Mutation and Their Potential Pathogenic Difference

Mustak Ibn Ayub

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Virology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; strains of SARS-CoV-2

Online: 19 April 2020 (07:14:52 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus behind COVID-19 pandemic is acquiring new mutations in its genome. Although some mutations provide benefits to the virus against human immune response, a number of them may result in their reduced pathogenicity and virulence. By analyzing more than 3000 high-coverage, complete genome sequences deposited in the GISAID database, here I report a unique 28881-28883:GGG>AAC trinucleotide-bloc mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 genome that results in two sub-strains, described here as SARS-CoV-2g (28881-28883:GGG genotype) and SARS-CoV-2a (28881-28883:AAC genotype). Computational analysis and literature review suggest that this bloc mutation would bring 203-204:RG(arginine-glycine)>KR(lysine-arginine) amino acid changes in the nucleocapsid (N) protein affecting the SR (serine-arginine)-rich motif of the protein, a critical region for the transcription of viral RNA and replication of the virus. Thus, 28881-28883:GGG>AAC bloc-mutation is expected to modulate the pathogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2. Remarkably, SARS-CoV-2g and SARS-CoV-2a strains can be linked with the heterogeneity of COVID-19 cases across different regions within and between countries by analyzing existing data. Sequence analysis suggests that severely affected cities, such as Milan, Lombardy, New York, Paris have the predominant presence of SARS-CoV-2g strains, whereas less affected places like Abruzzo, Lyon, Valencia have a relatively higher presence of SARS-CoV-2a, an indication that the latter strain may contribute to the reduced cases of COVID-19. A similar relationship is observed when Netherlands, Portugal are compared with Spain, France and Germany. These analyses suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 has already evolved into a less infective SARS-CoV-2a affecting COVID-19 cases in different regions. The time a country or region needs to acquire SARS-CoV-2a strains may be indicative to the time it would need to overcome the peak of the COVID-19 cases. To confirm these assumptions, prompt retrospective and prospective epidemiological studies should be conducted in different countries to understand the course of pathogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2a and SARS-CoV-2g. Potential drugs can be designed targeting 28881-28883 region of the N protein to modulate virus pathogenicity.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0429.v1

Polyethylene Identification in Ocean Water Samples by Means of 50 Kev Energy Electron Beam

John. I Adlish, Davide Costa, Enrico Mainardi, Piero Neuhold, Riccardo Surrente, Luca J. Tagliapietra

Subject: Biology And Life Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior And Systematics Keywords: Microplastics; Polyethylene Ocean Water; Microplastics identification; Microorganisms identification; Ocean Water quality; Drinking water; Food quality; Cancer and microplastics; plastic and ocean; particle physics; particle accelerators in environmental studies.

Online: 18 September 2020 (11:03:59 CEST)

Show abstract| Download PDF| Share

Biology and Life Sciences