Currently circulating the HPAI H5N1 virus of clade 2.3.4.4b attached better to the human respiratory tract than the H5N1 virus of clade 2.1.3.2. More abundant attachment to the human respiratory tract of the H5N12022 virus was associated with its more effective replication.
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Postmortem brain samples from COVID-19 convalescents who died within 4-13 months of acute infection showed an Alzheimer’s disease-like increase in hyperphosphorylated tau protein
This study found abnormal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins in the postmortem human brain samples of hippocampus and medial entorhinal cortex within 4-13 months after acute COVID-19.
The striking molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and human EnaC-alpha decreases channel activity and may contribute to reduced reabsorption of alveolar fluid at the air-liquid interface
SARS-CoV-2 S protein may compete for the same processing protease with EnaC-alpha, a sodium permeable non-voltage-sensitive ion channel that controls fluid reabsorption at the air–liquid interface.
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The risk of transmission of influenza A H5N1 virus through direct contact with raw milk from infected dairy cows (the mammary gland of cows abundantly displays receptors for circulating 2.3.4.4b H5 viruses)
Recent studies have investigated the ongoing risk of transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus to humans through direct contact with raw milk from infected dairy cows, the binding of 2.3.4.4b H5 influenza A viruses to available receptors in the mammary gland tissue samples from cows.
A teenager who was hospitalized in British Columbia and tested positive for Influenza A (H5N1), clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D1.1, is the first case of avian influenza in Canada
On November 13, 2024, the Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed the first domestically acquired human case of avian influenza (also known as bird flu) caused by the influenza A(H5N1) virus in Canada.
Passive transfer of IgG from patients with long COVID induces mechanical and thermal sensitivity and impairs locomotor activity in mice
These findings demonstrate that transfer of IgG from long COVID patients to mice replicates disease symptoms, underscoring a causative and heterogeneous role of IgG in the pathogenesis of long COVID.
Testosterone, TMPRSS-2 and P450 aromatase are markers for the severity of COVID-19 (testosterone as a regulator of TMPRSS2 expression)
Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were found to have higher TMPRSS-2 and P450 aromatase levels and lower testosterone levels, suggesting that TMPRSS2, testosterone, and P450 aromatase can be used as markers of poor prognosis or increased disease severity in COVID-19.
The rapid waning of serum antibodies after mRNA vaccination is due to the inability of mRNA vaccines to induce long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow
This study showed the exclusion of SARS-CoV-2 specificity from the bone marrow long-lived plasma cell (LLPC) compartment and the inability of mRNA vaccines to induce necessary precursor programs to fully mature into the bone marrow LLPC.
SARS-CoV-2 antigens can persist in plasma for up to 14 months after acute infection
Analysis of temporal antigen profiles, performed by collecting blood samples at multiple time points, revealed that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 plasma antigens was 10.6% 3-6 months after the onset of COVID-19, 8.7% after 6-10 months and 5.4% after 10-14 months.
The XEC variant of SARS-CoV-2 exhibits higher pseudovirus infectivity and immune evasion
SARS-CoV-2 XEC variant exhibited a higher pseudovirus infectivity and immune evasion compared to KP.3, indicating that XEC will be a predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the near future.
14% of Texas dairy farmworkers tested had elevated levels of neutralizing antibodies against a recombinant Influenza A(H5N1) virus of clade 2.3.4.4b
Experts are warning that human cases of the H5N1 avian flu could be going undetected due to poor surveillance and a lack of diagnostic testing in at-risk groups.
The persistence of residual SARS-CoV-2 RNA or proteins in different tissue samples four months after infection
This study showed the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in solid tissue samples from various organs, including lung, liver, kidney, stomach, intestine, brain, breast, thyroid, blood vessels, and skin, in patients who had recovered from mild COVID-19 at one month, two months, and four months post-infection.
Diffusion tensor imaging revealed brain abnormalities in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Diffusion tensor imaging parameters were used to investigate microstructural abnormalities of brain tissue in individuals diagnosed with ME/CFS
Hypertrophic tonsils as the SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in children: 23% of tonsil and adenoid tissue samples of children who had undergone adenotonsillectomy, were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein
A discovery of the structural SARS-CoV-2 protein in situ in adenoids and palatine tonsils, in both epithelial and lymphomononuclear cells of different lymphoid compartments, suggests that the tonsils may be sites of prolonged infection, even without recent COVID-19 symptoms.
The carbohydrate ProLectin M increased viral clearance in patients with mild to severe COVID-19 by antagonizing the binding of galectin-3 to the S1 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2
The carbohydrate PL-M can reduce the viral load in Vero cells. In clinical studies with COVID-19 patients, PL-M treatment resulted in a rapid reduction of viral load and increased viral clearance, with no adverse effects.
COVID-19 vaccination increased concentrations of IgE specific for the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain and IgG4
This study revealed increased IgE levels specific for the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 in individuals who had been immunized with the ChAdOx1, CoronaVac and mRNA BNT162b2 vaccines. Additionally, IgG4 levels detected after booster mRNA BNT162b2 vaccination, showed a moderate correlation with IgE levels.
De novo onset or exacerbation of psoriasis following the SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination
This study described a case series of 28 patients who experienced de novo onset or flares of psoriasis following infection with the SARS-CoV-2 or vaccination. All of these patients were successfully managed with anti-IL-17 or anti-IL-23 medications.
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein acts as an allosteric agonist of β-adrenergic receptors (a possible mechanism underlying cardiovascular symptoms in long-COVID patients)
This study is the first to show that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein acts as an allosteric agonist of β1- and β2 adrenergic receptors, which activates β-adrenergic receptors in cardiomyocytes and contributes to cardiac sympathetic hyperactivity.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein activates human cardiac fibroblasts and promotes cardiac fibrosis
The S1 protein activates human CFs by priming NLRP3 inflammasomes through NF-κB signaling in an ACE2-dependent way.
Co-localization of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with increased expression of vascular and autophagy markers in the placental tissue of unvaccinated women infected with SARS-CoV-2
According to the authors, the increased expression of VEGF and the endothelial cell marker CD34 indicates alterations, disarrangements, or remodeling of normal vasculature, associated with vascular endothelial injury and inflammation, presumably endothelitis.
Modulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by the “neurotoxin-like region” of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is selective, allosteric, and concentration-specific (a role in aggression and anxiety?)
These results demonstrated that nAChR subtypes interact with the neurotoxin-like region of the SARS-CoV-2, confirming that the α7 nAChR is a target for the SARS-CoV-2.
Elevated levels of non-inflammatory IgG4 antibodies specific for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were found in children aged 5 to 11 years one year after the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
This study found, for the first time in children, that levels of IgG4 antibodies specific for S1 and RBD significantly increased one year after the second vaccination compared to baseline.
SARS-CoV-2 enters human erythrocytes but does not affect the development of Plasmodium falciparum
SARS-CoV-2 enters human erythrocytes, but in a low percentage of cells (10.9%) compared to SARS-CoV-2 permissive cell lines. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in blood culture did not affect the survival or growth rate of the malaria parasite.
Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery in a fully vaccinated woman infected with SARS-CoV-2 (case report)
This case report describes a fully vaccinated woman positive for a non-Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 who experienced a spontaneous internal carotid dissection. A dissection was treated successfully with a flow-diverter stent.
Immune response in people from malaria-endemic regions of Ghana, exposed to Plasmodium falciparum and positive for SARS-CoV-2
Immune modulation associated with exposure to Plasmodium falciparum may contribute to a reduced severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection among people living in malaria-endemic regions
Dose-dependent antiviral effect of probenecid in COVID-19
This study showed a dose-dependent antiviral effect of a uricosuric agent probenecid in patients with symptomatic, mild-to-moderate COVID-19.
Positive effects of the flavonol quercetin in COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 syndrome
Numerous studies demonstrated the positive effects of quercetin in in COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 syndrome, including direct inhibition of viral entry into the host cells, inhibition of viral replication, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects.
Selective inhibition of NHE1, a pH-regulatory protein, improved locomotor and cognitive recovery in a mouse model of repetitive mild TBI
Inhibition of NHE1, an important pH-regulating plasma membrane protein resulted in a reduction of pathological signatures and improved locomotor and cognitive recovery in a mouse model of repetitive mild TBI.
Rise in cryptosporidiosis cases in Australia
The Department of Health and National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System of the Australian Government reported a rise in the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in Australia.
The BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine alters the activity of human ovarian granulosa cells (possible link with menstrual disorders)
The BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine directly affects the activity of ovarian granulosa cells, which is a unique, independent mechanism for vaccine-related menstrual abnormalities.
Histamine receptor H1 acts as an independent receptor for SARS-CoV-2
Histamine receptor H1 acts as an independent receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, H1 directly interacts with ACE2, synergistically enhancing ACE2-dependent viral entry.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties of natural products derived from plants, honey, and marine sponges
This study analyzes recent research on natural products derived from plants, honey, and marine sponges with properties against the SARS-CoV-2, as well as several potential mechanisms of their action,
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome after mRNA COVID vaccination (autopsy report)
Case report of patient who died of radiographically and pathologically confirmed reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) one day after the third mRNA COVID (BNT162b2) vaccination.