AI Networking Cookbook: Practical recipes for AI-assisted network automation and development
TL;DR
Findings from a proof-of-concept, expanded access trial for COVID-19 patients prove the acellular biologic is safe and potentiallyective to prevent disease progression in a high-risk COVID-19 population with mild-to-moderate symptoms.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, has attracted the interest of the scientific community since 2019. In fact, in the majority of cases, COVID-19 results in a mildly symptomatic disease that needs no treatment. However, patients with comorbidities have an increased risk of severe manifestations of COVID-19. Although research progress in the field has been successfully accomplished, novel therapeutic strategies are still required. Treatment efforts are needed against the severe manifestations of the disease, such as the severe respiratory distress syndrome. The tripeptide glutathione could be a promising therapeutic approach against COVID-19. Glutathione is a multitarget agent that exhibits antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and modulates the host response to SARS-CoV-2. Oxidative stress and glutathione deficiency have been implicated in the pathophysiology of severe COVID-19 disease. Thus, a possible therapeutic strategy could be the enhancement of the antioxidant defenses of the host through the treatment with nonenzymatic antioxidants. Apart from functioning as a scavenging agent, glutathione plays a central role in cellular signalling. As a redox regulator, glutathione also acts as a signalling molecule, thus modulating innate and T cell immunity, with implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Existing clinical data, although limited, provide evidence that the modulation of glutathione levels could be a preventive or adjunctive therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Abstract The COVID-19 disease, presenting with complex immune dysregulation and leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction, represents a paradigm of viral sepsis. As heterogeneity of clinical presentation is contained in COVID-19 (one pathogen, one source of infection) related to bacterial sepsis, and due to the urgency of the pandemic for immediate responsive research networks, many trials have been conducted providing beneficial patient outcomes and changing the natural course of disease. In this review, we summarize lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic related to immunotherapy, management of acute respiratory failure (ARF) and postinfectious sequelae that could be implemented in sepsis care. Biomarker-guided immunotherapy in a tailored, precision medicine approach may alter sepsis outcomes. Measures used during the pandemic to handle ARF, such as high-flow nasal oxygen and awake prone position, have already been incorporated in standard-of-care sepsis management. Last, postinfectious sequelae present equally after sepsis (postsepsis syndrome [PSS]) and COVID-19 (post-COVID-19 syndrome [PCS]); management of PSS may share details from PCS management and vice versa. Teachings from the pandemic are not limited to the above. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed global health to a top priority; focus should remain now active on the sepsis agenda.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is a betacoronavirus that caused a global pandemic with a major impact on public health. Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS), also known as chronic or long COVID, is characterized by the persistence of symptoms for more than four weeks after the acute infection. PCS presents with several manifestations, including persistent fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, dyspnea, hair loss, anosmia, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuropsychiatric sequelae are highly prevalent in PCS, with emphasis on sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety, as well as “brain fog” and impairment of memory and concentration. The causes of post-COVID sequelae are multifactorial and involve cytokine release, systemic inflammation, and possible viral invasion of the nervous system. This study consists of an integrative literature review with an electronic search in the PubMed database, aiming to gather information and data established by the scientific community regarding the pathogenesis and development of neuropsychiatric sequelae. Inclusion criteria comprise clinical trials, meta-analyses, randomized controlled clinical trials, and systematic reviews, published between 2021 and 2024, written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, and available in full text with free access. Exclusion criteria include studies that do not fit the inclusion categories or are not written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish.
Translational virology, characterized as “from bench to bedside,” encompasses all stages from basic research through clinical evaluation and final registration and drug/vaccine approval. The objectives are to accelerate and streamline the innovation process at all stages. It includes identifying disease causes; screening prophylactic and therapeutic candidates; evaluating them in preclinical models and clinical trials; and addressing manufacture, distribution, regulatory review, and authorization. The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a perfect example of translational virology, demonstrating unprecedented cooperation from the identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to the rapid development of potential repurposed and novel drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines for both prophylactic and therapeutic applications. After confirmation of therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy in animal models, phase I–III clinical trials were conducted with partially overlapping timelines, thereby significantly reducing development time. Both drugs and monoclonal antibodies have been approved for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Convalescent plasma, mainly used in immunocompromised patients, has been suggested to provide potential benefits. Vaccines based on whole viruses, protein and peptide subunits, viral vectors, and nucleic acids were developed in parallel. Based on good safety profiles and robust immune responses, COVID-19 vaccine candidates were granted emergency use authorization worldwide, enabling mass vaccination. More than 13.6 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, and although severe adverse events have been registered, millions of lives have been saved. Due to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccine re-engineering has been required as part of translational virology. Vaccine production, storage, transport, and distribution have also been given attention.
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads. See our Cookie Policy.