scholarly journals The Current Status of Drug Repositioning and Vaccine Developments for the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9775
Author(s):  
Jung-Hyun Won ◽  
Howard Lee
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Drug Repositioning ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Successful Vaccine ◽  
The World

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified, the world has vehemently worked to develop treatments and vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at an unprecedented speed. Few of the repositioned drugs for COVID-19 have shown that they were efficacious and safe. In contrast, a couple of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 will be ready for mass rollout early next year. Despite successful vaccine development for COVID-19, the world will face a whole new set of challenges including scale-up manufacturing, cold-chain logistics, long-term safety, and low vaccine acceptance. We highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration to find innovative answers to these challenges and to prepare for newly emerging viruses.

scholarly journals Influences on Attitudes Regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendall Pogue ◽  
Jamie L. Jensen ◽  
Carter K. Stancil ◽  
Daniel G. Ferguson ◽  
Savannah J. Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
The World ◽  
Short And Long Term

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, with the United States being highly affected. A vaccine provides the best hope for a permanent solution to controlling the pandemic. However, to be effective, a vaccine must be accepted and used by a large majority of the population. The aim of this study was to understand the attitudes towards and obstacles facing vaccination with a potential COVID-19 vaccine. To measure these attitudes a survey was administered to 316 respondents across the United States by a survey corporation. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships of several factors with attitudes toward potential COVID-19 vaccination. Prior vaccine usage and attitudes predicted attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. Assessment of the severity of COVID-19 for the United States was also predictive. Approximately 68% of all respondents were supportive of being vaccinated for COVID-19, but side effects, efficacy and length of testing remained concerns. Longer testing, increased efficacy and development in the United States were significantly associated with increased vaccine acceptance. Messages promoting COVID-19 vaccination should seek to alleviate the concerns of those who are already vaccine-hesitant. Messaging directed at the benefits of vaccination for the United States as a country would address the second predictive factor. Enough time should be taken to allay concerns about both short- and long-term side effects before a vaccine is released.

scholarly journals Lyophilized Matrix Containing Ready-to-Use Primers and Probe Solutions for Standardization of Real-Time PCR and RT-qPCR Diagnostics

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Remi N Charrel ◽  
Laurence Thirion
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
E Gene ◽  
Long Term Stability

Real-time molecular techniques have become the reference methods for the direct diagnosis of pathogens. The reduction of steps is a key factor in order to decrease the risk of human errors resulting in invalid series and delayed results. We describe here a process involving the preparation of oligonucleotide primers and a hydrolysis probe in a single tube at predefined optimized concentrations that are stabilized via lyophilization (Lyoph-P&P). Lyoph-P&P was compared to the classic protocol using extemporaneously prepared liquid reagents, assaying (i) sensitivity, (ii) long-term stability at 4 °C, and (iii) long-term stability at 37 °C, mimicking transportation without a cold chain. Two previously published molecular assays were selected for this study. They target two emerging viruses that are listed on the blueprint of the WHO to be considered for preparedness and response actions: chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV). The results of our study demonstrate that (i) Lyoph-P&P is stable for at least four days at 37 °C, supporting shipping without the need of a cold chain, (ii) Lyoph-P&P rehydrated solution is stable at 4 °C for at least two weeks, (iii) the sensitivity observed with Lyoph-P&P is at least equal to, and often better than, that observed with liquid formulation, and (iv) the validation of results observed with low-copy specimens is rendered easier by higher fluorescence levels. In conclusion, Lyoph-P&P holds several advantages over extemporaneously prepared liquid formulations and merits consideration as a novel real-time molecular assay for implementation into a laboratory with routine diagnostic activity. Since the meeting, this concept has been applied to the COVID-19 situation: two diagnostic assays (E gene and RdRp) have been developed and can be ordered on the European Virus Archive catalog (https://www.european-virus-archive.com/detection-kit/lyophilized-primers-and-probe-rt-pcr-2019-ncov-e-gene; https://www.european-virus-archive.com/detection-kit/lyophilized-primers-and-probe-rt-pcr-sars-cov-2-rdrp-gene).

Long-term natural and human perturbations and current status of Clipperton Atoll, a remote island of the Eastern Pacific

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian H. Jost ◽  
Serge Andréfouët
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Tropical Eastern Pacific ◽  
Remote Island ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
Human Perturbations ◽  
History Of

Clipperton Atoll is one of the most isolated tropical island in the world and the only atoll of the eastern Pacific. Its outer slopes also make the largest coral reef of this region. Clipperton is a remarkable site for the geochemistry of its closed eutrophic stratified lagoon, the influence of both tropical eastern Pacific and Oceania gene pool on coral reef communities, the low diversity of the marine and land fauna, and for the equilibrium of its land ecosystem. The three components of the Clipperton Atoll seascape (coral reef-lagoon-land) all appear to have remarkable properties and history. All components experienced important changes in the last century due to anthropogenic (importation of exogenous species) or natural perturbations (closing of passes, coral bleaching). Here, we review the history of these three systems (land-lagoon-coral reef) and provide new insights of the current status of the atoll based on recent surveys and high resolution IKONOS satellite imagery. Most dramatic changes occurring in the last decades include explosion in crab Gecarcinus planatus population, almost-complete desertification of the island and increase in Masked Boobies Sula dactylatra population, making Clipperton Atoll one of the most important sites for this specie in the world. This review intends to provide a sound basis to discuss the future of Clipperton balanced between conservation and development priorities, and to raise awareness on the future of a delicate ecosystem.

scholarly journals Influences on Attitudes regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendall Pogue ◽  
Jamie Jensen ◽  
Carter Stancil ◽  
Daniel Ferguson ◽  
Savannah Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Predictive Factor ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
The World ◽  
Short And Long Term

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, with the United States being highly affected. A vaccine provides the best hope for a permanent solution to controlling the pandemic. However, to be effective, a vaccine must be accepted and used by a large majority of the population. Structural equation modelling was used to analyze the relationships of several factors with attitudes toward potential COVID-19 vaccination. The survey was administered to 316 respondents across the United States by a survey corporation. Prior vaccine usage and attitudes predicted attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. Assessment of the severity of COVID-19 for the United States was also predictive. Approximately 68% of all respondents were supportive of being vaccinated for COVID-19, but side effects, efficacy, and length of testing remained concerns. Longer testing, increased efficacy and development in the United States were significantly associated with increased vaccine acceptance. Messages promoting COVID-19 vaccination should seek to alleviate the concerns of those who are already vaccine-hesitant. Messaging directed at the benefits of vaccination for the United States as a country would address the second predictive factor. Enough time should be taken to allay concerns about both short and long-term side effects before a vaccine is released.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in early 2021: current status and looking forward

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengdi Wang ◽  
Zhoufeng Wang ◽  
Guangyu Wang ◽  
Johnson Yiu-Nam Lau ◽  
Kang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Critical Events ◽  
The World ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Infection Disease ◽  
Near Future

AbstractSince the first description of a coronavirus-related pneumonia outbreak in December 2019, the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes the infection/disease (COVID-19) has evolved into a pandemic, and as of today, >100 million people globally in over 210 countries have been confirmed to have been infected and two million people have died of COVID-19. This brief review summarized what we have hitherto learned in the following areas: epidemiology, virology, and pathogenesis, diagnosis, use of artificial intelligence in assisting diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development. As there are a number of parallel developments in each of these areas and some of the development and deployment were at unprecedented speed, we also provided some specific dates for certain development and milestones so that the readers can appreciate the timing of some of these critical events. Of note is the fact that there are diagnostics, antiviral drugs, and vaccines developed and approved by a regulatory within 1 year after the virus was discovered. As a number of developments were conducted in parallel, we also provided the specific dates of a number of critical events so that readers can appreciate the evolution of these research data and our understanding. The world is working together to combat this pandemic. This review also highlights the research and development directions in these areas that will evolve rapidly in the near future.

scholarly journals Development of mRNA Vaccines: Scientific and Regulatory Issues

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Ivana Knezevic ◽  
Margaret A. Liu ◽  
Keith Peden ◽  
Tiequn Zhou ◽  
Hye-Na Kang
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
The Past ◽  
Core Function ◽  
International Convergence ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

The global research and development of mRNA vaccines have been prodigious over the past decade, and the work in this field has been stimulated by the urgent need for rapid development of vaccines in response to an emergent disease such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, there remain gaps in our understanding of the mechanism of action of mRNA vaccines, as well as their long-term performance in areas such as safety and efficacy. This paper reviews the technologies and processes used for developing mRNA prophylactic vaccines, the current status of vaccine development, and discusses the immune responses induced by mRNA vaccines. It also discusses important issues with regard to the evaluation of mRNA vaccines from regulatory perspectives. Setting global norms and standards for biologicals including vaccines to assure their quality, safety and efficacy has been a WHO mandate and a core function for more than 70 years. New initiatives are ongoing at WHO to arrive at a broad consensus to formulate international guidance on the manufacture and quality control, as well as nonclinical and clinical evaluation of mRNA vaccines, which is deemed necessary to facilitate international convergence of manufacturing and regulatory practices and provide support to National Regulatory Authorities in WHO member states.

scholarly journals The Durability, Functionality and Acceptability of Novel Screened Doors and Windows After Four Years of Use in A Gambian Village: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona C. Shenton ◽  
Musa Jawara ◽  
Majo Carrasco-Tenezaca ◽  
Jakob Knudsen ◽  
Umberto D'Alessandro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Control ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The World ◽  
Trained Staff ◽  
Window Blinds ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background: The World Health Organization recommends house screening as a tool for malaria control, yet evidence of the long-term durability, functionality and acceptability of this intervention is lacking. Here we examined the sustainability and use of novel types of screened doors and windows four years after installation in a Gambian village. Methods: A survey of 31 houses, each with two screened doors and two screened windows, was conducted in the rainy season. There were four types of screened door and two types of screened window. Trained staff carried out the survey and interviews of room owners were conducted in the local language before translation into English.Results: Structurally, the manufactured doors and windows were highly durable and in excellent condition. Most doors shut smoothly 50/61 (82%), although only 25/61 (41%) shut fully automatically with the latch slotting into the hole on the frame and holding fast. Door locks were less robust, with only (24/61) 39% present and working. Blinds proved especially flimsy, with only 4/109 (4%) of door blinds and 10/56 (18%) of window blinds present and in working order. Householders hung curtains inside most doors 50/61 (82%) and in 26/61 (43%) of the windows. Front doors were commonly found propped open 21/31 (68%) and 23/27 (85%) of those with a front door curtain, put their curtains down at night. Doors and windows were well liked, 19/31 (61%) of respondents were happy with them because they kept mosquitoes out 14/31 (45%) and provided security 12/31 (39%). The main reason given for the use of curtains was to provide privacy 26/28 (93% of those with curtains), especially while the door was open or had ‘see-through’ panels.Conclusions: Overall, the screened doors and windows were in excellent condition after four years of use. Improvements to the lock design are needed before scale-up. Installation of screening in buildings should be accompanied with health messaging recommending that at night, doors and windows be closed and curtains lifted or drawn to one side - to improve ventilation and keep the house cool.

scholarly journals Current Status of COVID-19 Diagnostics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surabhi Dixit ◽  
Monal Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Global Demand ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

In December 2019, an unexpected outbreak was caused by novel corona virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The lung disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 was given the name of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 11, 2020. Since its origin in the Hubei province of Wuhan city in China, now it has spread to 218 countries worldwide. Panic situation created by COVID-19 has compelled researchers and doctors to work collaboratively. To combat with the disease, every control measures are under consideration from drug discovery to vaccine development. In the management of disease, rapid diagnosis is equally important as development of vaccine and drug. At present, various diagnostic kits are available for COVID-19. With the disease progression, global demand for diagnostics is raising. So, this chapter will include the updates on efficient diagnostic assays and future of diagnostic.

COVID-19: innovative antiviral drugs required for long-term prevention and control of coronavirus diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman A. Ratcliffe ◽  
Helena C. Castro ◽  
Izabel C. Paixão ◽  
Cicero B. Mello
Keyword(s):  
Financial Markets ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Microbial Diseases ◽  
Prevention Therapy ◽  
The World ◽  
Scant Attention ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
And Control

: The COVID-19 pandemic has had catastrophic Global effects on financial markets, jobs and peoples’ lives. Future prevention/therapy of COVID-19 will rely heavily on vaccine development and attempts to repurpose drugs previously used for other microbial diseases. Little attention, however, has been paid to possible difficulties and delays in producing these drugs. Sometimes, unfortunately, these endeavours have been politicized and if these two approaches founder in any way or resistance subsequently occurs then the World will be left once again to the mercy of these devastating viral pandemics. This review therefore briefly outlines the challenges in development of vaccines and repurposed antiviral drugs which will hopefully lead to new treatments for COVID-19. It also concludes, however, that the armoury against COVID-19 urgently needs enlarging due to the potential severity and likely future reoccurrence of new emergent viruses. Therefore, serious consideration is given to alternative ways of preventing and controlling these pathogens that have received scant attention from the mediain the present pandemic. The development of innovative, broad-spectrum, antiviral drugs from natural products is therefore particularly advocated with the challenges involved largely addressed by new regulatory and scientific initiatives.

scholarly journals A Review on the Historical Development of Environmental Specimen Banks

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 01016
Author(s):  
Yu Xin Luo
Keyword(s):  
Historical Development ◽  
Environmental Studies ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Environmental Specimen ◽  
The World ◽  
Long Term Preservation ◽  
Monitoring Practice ◽  
Environmental Specimen Banks

Environmental Specimen Banks (ESBs) are facilities that archive samples from the environment for future researching and monitoring purposes. In addition, the long-term preservation of representative specimens is an important complement to environmental studies and monitoring practice. This article presented detailed information about ESBs in the world, and reviewed the history and current status of ESBs in China. Besides, crucialshould leave 8 mm of space above the abstract and 10 mm after the abstract.

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