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Study discovers inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry priming protein by approved drug

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome -coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread to most of the world, causing millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* shows that a protease inhibitor drug already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could inhibit viral entry.

6 May 2020

Low CD8 and NK cell counts in the lung linked to high SARS-CoV-2 ACE2 receptor levels

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in April 2020 reports that low levels of specific immune cells, namely, CD8 T cells and NK cells, are linked to higher expression of the ACE2 molecule, which acts as a receptor for the CoV.

6 May 2020

Cytokine storms created by COVID-19 could be reduced by using blood filter

Cytokine storms created by COVID-19 are causing major organ destruction and death, and for the first time in the United States, when patients begin to show signs of trouble, physicians are replacing the usual filter in a kidney dialysis machine with a filter known to trap these tiny proteins, with the goal of avoiding the devastation.

6 May 2020

COVID-19 progression linked to B cell activation

The disease course of COVID-19 is diverse, ranging from asymptomatic to fatal respiratory failure. Scientists have been working to uncover the immunological reasons behind this heterogeneity. A recent study on B cells, published on the preprint server medRxiv in April 2020, shows that extrafollicular B cells could be a marker of severe infection in the early stages, predicting the need for earlier immunomodulatory therapy.

4 May 2020

Asymptomatic carriers transmit SARS-CoV-2 with normal breathing

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) first emerged in a seafood market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. Since then, it has spread to 187 countries, infecting more than 3.58 million people. The novel coronavirus spreads rapidly partly due to asymptomatic carriers. Now a new study shows that asymptomatic carriers may transmit the virus by merely breathing.

4 May 2020

New recommendations for treating the most critical COVID-19 patients

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise and the deaths mount, the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs has drafted a set of recommendations for health care workers on the front lines, to help them make decisions on how to treat the most critical patients, those with severe lung or heart failure

4 May 2020

AHA calls for specialized care for pregnant women with cardiovascular conditions

Women with cardiovascular conditions should be cared for during pregnancy by a cardio-obstetrics team or health care providers experienced in high-risk pregnancies to provide specialized maternity care for the mother and fetus, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement, Cardiovascular Considerations in Caring for Pregnant Patients, published today in the Association's flagship journal Circulation.

4 May 2020

New antibiotic fights drug-resistant bacteria without notable toxic side-effects

Through serendipity, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health considerably reduced the toxicity of a potential antibiotic against the most feared drug-resistant bacteria, while also improving its stability in fighting infections.

4 May 2020

FDA approves SFU professor's invention to wean COVID-19 patients from ventilators

Simon Fraser University professor Andy Hoffer hopes the SFU spinoff company he founded, Lungpacer Medical Inc., will help save the lives of COVID-19 patients using mechanical ventilators--and get them off more quickly, so that more ventilators can be available for all critically ill patients.

4 May 2020

Researchers examine role of immune response in COVID-19 patients

A new USC study suggests that temporarily suppressing the body's immune system during the early stages of COVID-19 could help a patient avoid severe symptoms.

4 May 2020

Study: Chronic exposure to inhaled nicotine alone leads to pulmonary hypertension

A study conducted by a team of researchers at LSU Health New Orleans has shown for the first time that chronic exposure to inhaled nicotine alone increases blood pressure (hypertension), in both the body's general circulation and in the lungs that can lead to pulmonary hypertension.

4 May 2020

High blood pressure drugs found to be safe for COVID-19 patients

Despite concerns expressed by some experts, common high blood pressure drugs did not increase the risk of contracting COVID-19 - or of developing severe disease - in a study of 12,594 patients.

3 May 2020

Long-lasting, low toxicity antimicrobial peptide fights 'superbug' lung infections

Researchers considerably reduced the toxicity of a potential antibiotic against the most feared drug-resistant bacteria.

1 May 2020

New clinical trial to assess whether hypertension drug may reduce COVID-19 severity

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have launched a clinical trial to investigate whether a drug approved for treating high blood pressure, heart failure and diabetic kidney disease might also reduce the severity of COVID-19 infections, lowering rates for intensive care unit admissions, the use of mechanical ventilators and all-cause mortality.

30 Apr 2020

UK-based biotechnology firm discovers potential treatments for Covid-19

A UK-based biotechnology firm has announced the discovery of two separate novel treatments for Covid-19 patients before they are put on ventilators. They are now urgently seeking funding of £4m to accelerate safety studies and clinical trials.

30 Apr 2020

Equating COVID-19 with high altitude pulmonary edema can have dangerous implications

Early reports of COVID-19 symptoms and the compelling need to quickly identify treatment options and curb the growing number of critically ill patients have led to erroneous and potentially dangerous comparisons between COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases like high altitude pulmonary edema, or HAPE.

30 Apr 2020

Abnormal blood clotting is a major cause of death in COVID-19 patients

A study led by clinician scientists at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has found that Irish patients admitted to hospital with severe COVID-19 infection are experiencing abnormal blood clotting that contributes to death in some patients.

30 Apr 2020

Lungs News and Research

Study discovers inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry priming protein by approved drug

Low CD8 and NK cell counts in the lung linked to high SARS-CoV-2 ACE2 receptor levels

Cytokine storms created by COVID-19 could be reduced by using blood filter

COVID-19 progression linked to B cell activation

Asymptomatic carriers transmit SARS-CoV-2 with normal breathing

New recommendations for treating the most critical COVID-19 patients

AHA calls for specialized care for pregnant women with cardiovascular conditions

New antibiotic fights drug-resistant bacteria without notable toxic side-effects

FDA approves SFU professor's invention to wean COVID-19 patients from ventilators

Researchers examine role of immune response in COVID-19 patients

Study: Chronic exposure to inhaled nicotine alone leads to pulmonary hypertension

High blood pressure drugs found to be safe for COVID-19 patients

Long-lasting, low toxicity antimicrobial peptide fights 'superbug' lung infections

New clinical trial to assess whether hypertension drug may reduce COVID-19 severity

UK-based biotechnology firm discovers potential treatments for Covid-19

Equating COVID-19 with high altitude pulmonary edema can have dangerous implications

Abnormal blood clotting is a major cause of death in COVID-19 patients

Free clinics try to fill gaps as COVID sweeps away job-based insurance

Fear of coronavirus propels some smokers to quit

New physiotherapy guidelines to improve long-term physical function and recovery from COVID-19

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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