COVIDPub Date : 2024-05-23DOI: 10.3390/covid4060046
B. A. Babalola, A. Adegboyega
{"title":"Computational Discovery of Novel Imidazole Derivatives as Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: An Integrated Approach Combining Molecular Dynamics and Binding Affinity Analysis","authors":"B. A. Babalola, A. Adegboyega","doi":"10.3390/covid4060046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4060046","url":null,"abstract":"One of the most pressing challenges associated with SARS treatment is the emergence of new variants that may be transmissible, causing more severe disease or being resistant to the current standard of treatment. This study aimed to identify potential drug candidates from novel imidazole derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), a crucial drug target for treating viral infection, using a computational approach that integrated molecular docking and dynamics simulation. In this study, we utilized AutoDock Vina within the PyRx workspace for molecular docking analysis to explore the inhibitory effects of the compounds on the Mpro, a drug target for SARS-CoV-2. The ADMET properties of these compounds, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity, were evaluated using the SwissADME and ADMETLab servers. Each of the 18 compounds that were tested demonstrated strong binding affinities towards Mpro, with imidazolyl–methanone C10 showing the most significant binding affinity. Moreover, pyridyl–imidazole C5, thiophenyl–imidazole C1, and quinoline–imidazole C14 displayed binding affinities of −8.3, −8.2, and −7.7 Kcal/mol, respectively. These compounds interacted with specific amino acid residues (HIS A:41—CYS A:145) within the Mpro protein. To assess the stability of the ligand with the best binding affinity, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted using Schrodinger software, which revealed its stability over the simulation period. The study provides valuable insights into the potential of imidazole derivatives as SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. All compounds including C10 display promising characteristics and hold potential as drug candidates for SARS-CoV-2. However, further optimization and experimental validation of these compounds are necessary to advance their development as effective therapeutics against viral infections.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"46 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141103478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
COVIDPub Date : 2024-05-20DOI: 10.3390/covid4050045
Dilshani Sarathchandra, Jennifer Johnson-Leung
{"title":"How Political Ideology and Media Shaped Vaccination Intention in the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States","authors":"Dilshani Sarathchandra, Jennifer Johnson-Leung","doi":"10.3390/covid4050045","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4050045","url":null,"abstract":"As a pharmaceutical intervention, vaccines remain a major public health strategy for mitigating the effects of COVID-19. Yet, vaccine intake has been affected by various cognitive and cultural factors. We examine how a selected set of factors (i.e., knowledge, concern, media, peer influence, and demographics) shaped COVID-19 vaccination intention in the early phase of the pandemic (Fall 2020). Using a survey conducted in three US states (Idaho, Texas, and Vermont) just prior to the rollout of the first vaccines against COVID-19, we find that COVID-19 concern was the primary driver of vaccination intention. Concern was shaped mainly by two factors: political ideology and media sources. Yet, ideology and media were much more important in affecting concern for those who leaned politically conservative, as opposed to those who leaned liberal or remained moderate. The results from our structural equation models affirm that the information politically conservative respondents were receiving reinforced the effects of their ideology, leading to a greater reduction in their concern. We discuss the potential implications of these findings for future pandemic preparedness.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"45 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141118952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
COVIDPub Date : 2024-05-17DOI: 10.3390/covid4050044
R. Nocini, G. Lippi, C. Mattiuzzi
{"title":"Mortality of Laryngeal Cancer before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"R. Nocini, G. Lippi, C. Mattiuzzi","doi":"10.3390/covid4050044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4050044","url":null,"abstract":"(1) Background: The interplay between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and laryngeal cancer represents a substantial challenge for both patients and healthcare. To garner information on recent mortality data for laryngeal cancer, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed real-world data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2) Methods: We searched the CDC WONDER online database 2018–2022 using the ICD-10 code for laryngeal cancer (C32; malignant neoplasm of the larynx). We also performed a sub-analysis between genders and across ten-year age groups. The data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test. (3) Results: The trend of age-adjusted mortality ×100,000 did not change significantly between the years 2018 and 2022 (p = 0.553). Males had higher age-adjusted mortality rates (M/F ratios between 4.6 and 5.0), but no significant variation was found in both genders (males: p = 0.676; females: p = 0.596). Although the mortality rate remained unchanged in people aged 35–84 years, the variation reached statistical significance in those aged 85 or older (p = 0.004), displaying a significant increase in 2021 compared to 2018 (p = 0.006) and 2019 (p = 0.039). (4) Conclusions: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality for laryngeal cancer seems to be relatively modest in the general US population. Nevertheless, closer attention must be paid to older people, for whom the unfavorable consequences of misdiagnosis or mistreatment of this and other types of cancers can be exacerbated.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"2 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140964168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
COVIDPub Date : 2024-05-15DOI: 10.20944/preprints202403.1157.v1
Angela Falola, Hanna Squire, Sabine Bou-Antoun, Alessandra Løchen, Colin S. Brown, Alicia Demirjian
{"title":"COVID-19 Therapeutics Use by Social Deprivation Index in England, July 2020–April 2023","authors":"Angela Falola, Hanna Squire, Sabine Bou-Antoun, Alessandra Løchen, Colin S. Brown, Alicia Demirjian","doi":"10.20944/preprints202403.1157.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202403.1157.v1","url":null,"abstract":"Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has disproportionately affected certain demographics in England, exacerbating existing health disparities. Effective therapeutics are a critical line of defence against COVID-19, particularly for patients at elevated risk for severe disease. Surveillance systems were established to monitor the usage of COVID-19 therapeutics in hospital and community settings and to inform stewardship. Three antiviral therapies—nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid®), remdesivir (Veklury®), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio®)—and two neutralising monoclonal antibody therapies (nMAbs)—sotrovimab (Xevudy®) and casirivimab with imdevimab (Ronapreve®)—were in use in England between July 2020 and April 2023. This paper aims to illuminate trends in the utilisation of COVID-19 therapeutics treatment in both hospital and community settings, stratified by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) in England. Chapter 3 of the English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) Report 2022 to 2023 also discusses the epidemiological surveillance of these five directly acting antiviral COVID-19 therapeutics’ use in England between 2022 and 2023.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"63 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140973616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
COVIDPub Date : 2024-05-13DOI: 10.3390/covid4050041
Ignacio Alejandro Mendoza-Martínez, Edmundo Marroquín-Tovar, Jorge Pablo Rivas-Díaz, Araceli Durand, Gustavo Enrique Sauri-Alpuche, B. García-Rivera
{"title":"Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Subjective Well-Being and Quality of Life in Mexico: Insights from Structural Equation Modeling","authors":"Ignacio Alejandro Mendoza-Martínez, Edmundo Marroquín-Tovar, Jorge Pablo Rivas-Díaz, Araceli Durand, Gustavo Enrique Sauri-Alpuche, B. García-Rivera","doi":"10.3390/covid4050041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4050041","url":null,"abstract":"Amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the living conditions of the population were dramatically altered, with social distancing measures and the looming threat to public health leaving a profound impact on people’s lives. This study aims to assess the influence of COVID-19 on subjective well-being and overall quality of life in Mexico. A structural model with latent variables was used. Data were extracted from the National Self-Reported Well-being Survey (SWLS) from October 2020 and January 2021, featuring a robust sample size of 3615 residents from urban areas in Mexico, all aged 18 and above. Findings revealed that around 38% of the variance in overall life satisfaction in October 2020 and January 2021 could be attributed to Personal well-being (0.231), Personal satisfaction (0.320), Satisfaction with the environment (0.076), and Negative emotional states (−0.116). In comparison, October 2019 to January 2020 saw a lower 20% explained variance, primarily associated with Personal well-being (0.184), Personal satisfaction (0.270), and Satisfaction with the environment (0.052). Reliability assessments, including Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients, Rho_a, and Composite Reliability, all surpassed 0.70 for each subscale. In addition, our study confirmed convergent validity, as the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) consistently exceeded 0.50 across all subscales, while the discriminant coefficient exceeded 0.70.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"103 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140985961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
COVIDPub Date : 2024-05-13DOI: 10.3390/covid4050042
Antoinette D. Reichert, Júlia M. da Silva Voorham, Karin H. Groenewegen, Huub La van den Oever
{"title":"Impact and Occurrence of Herpesvirus and Aspergillosis Superinfection in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia","authors":"Antoinette D. Reichert, Júlia M. da Silva Voorham, Karin H. Groenewegen, Huub La van den Oever","doi":"10.3390/covid4050042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4050042","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Pulmonary superinfections with Herpesviridae and Aspergillus spp. are common in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia but their epidemiology and impact remain poorly understood. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 61 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients at Deventer Hospital’s ICU (2020–2021) who underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BL) due to clinical deterioration. We analyzed blood and respiratory samples, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Results: Among 61 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients who underwent BL, 34 (55.7%) had superinfections, with 18 having COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), 7 having herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, and 9 having both. Patients with HSV had later diagnoses (median 14 vs. 8 days, p = 0.014), longer mechanical ventilation (median 47 vs. 18.5 days, p = 0.015), and longer ICU stays (median 74 vs. 24 days, p = 0.021) compared to CAPA patients. At baseline, laboratory parameters and treatment (dexamethasone or tocilizumab) showed no significant association with superinfections. Mortality did not differ significantly among groups. Conclusion: In mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage, HSV reactivation occurred later in the course of illness and was associated with longer mechanical ventilation and ICU stays compared to CAPA. Baseline parameters did not predict superinfections.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"90 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140984681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
COVIDPub Date : 2024-05-12DOI: 10.3390/covid4050040
Alessandro Geraci, Laura Di Domenico, Antonella D'Amico
{"title":"The Relationship between Coping Strategies and State Anxiety during COVID-19 Lockdown: The Role of Perceived Emotional Intelligence","authors":"Alessandro Geraci, Laura Di Domenico, Antonella D'Amico","doi":"10.3390/covid4050040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4050040","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented and unexpected change all around the globe. The long-term effects are still ongoing, especially those related to the confinement measures. The study took place during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy, where everyone was forced to stay home in order to reduce the spread of the virus. The aim was to investigate the role of perceived emotional intelligence abilities (PEI) in coping with COVID-19-related anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, and this study used an online survey launched through social networks, inviting adults to participate. The participants anonymously completed a three-scale online measurement of self-reported emotional abilities, coping strategies (approach and avoidance), and state anxiety towards COVID-19. Results: perceived emotional intelligence and approach coping significantly predicted state anxiety. In addition, perceived emotional intelligence mediated the relationship between approach coping and state anxiety. Conclusions: the study highlights the positive role of perceived emotional abilities in dealing with the unprecedented event represented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in particular, in coping with anxiety related to lockdown and confinement. Their results highlight the importance of fostering emotional intelligence for navigating critical life events.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"118 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140986319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
COVIDPub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.3390/covid4040038
T. Konishi, Toa Takahashi
{"title":"Mutation Trajectory of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Virus, Measured by Principal Component Analysis","authors":"T. Konishi, Toa Takahashi","doi":"10.3390/covid4040038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040038","url":null,"abstract":"Since 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a global pandemic, resulting in widespread infections and ongoing mutations. Analyzing these mutations is essential for predicting future impacts. Unlike influenza mutations, SARS-CoV-2 mutations displayed distinct selective patterns that were concentrated in the spike protein and small ORFs. In contrast to the gradual accumulation seen in influenza mutations, SARS-CoV-2 mutations lead to the abrupt emergence of new variants and subsequent outbreaks. This phenomenon may be attributed to their targeted cellular substances; unlike the influenza virus, which has mutated to evade acquired immunity, SARS-CoV-2 appeared to mutate to target individuals who have not been previously infected. The Omicron variant, which emerged in late 2021, demonstrates significant mutations that set it apart from previous variants. The rapid mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2 has now reached a level comparable to 30 years of influenza variation. The most recent variant, JN.1, exhibits a discernible trajectory of change distinct from previous Omicron variants.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"9 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140674027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
COVIDPub Date : 2024-04-19DOI: 10.3390/covid4040037
J. Sarfo, Mustapha Amoadu, E. Ansah, John Elvis Hagan Jnr.
{"title":"COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy among Teachers and Students: A Scoping Review of Prevalence and Risk Factors","authors":"J. Sarfo, Mustapha Amoadu, E. Ansah, John Elvis Hagan Jnr.","doi":"10.3390/covid4040037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040037","url":null,"abstract":"Students’ and teachers’ acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination may help boost the uptake of the vaccines in the general population because teachers and students serve as a source of information and campaign mechanisation for vaccination. This review aimed to map evidence on the prevalence and predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among teachers and students. After removing duplicates, a search in several databases (Dimensions, PubMed Central, JSTOR, Google Scholar, Google, the WHO Library, and HINARI) produced 2060 records. Through screening based on the inclusion criteria, 27 records were used for this review. A relatively high prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was found among teachers and students. Teachers and students in countries such as China, Egypt, the USA, and India however, reported relatively low levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Vaccine hesitancy depends on perceived adverse effects, safety, efficacy, and benefits among teachers and students, with male teachers and male students being more likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine than their female counterparts. Moreover, we found that vaccine acceptance could result from trust in the healthcare system and pharmaceutical companies, sources of COVID-19 information, and trust in healthcare providers. Public health experts, academics, other scientists, and health practitioners are required to take a more distinctive, multidisciplinary, and structured approach that focused on communicating effective evidence-based information to combat misinformation concerning COVID-19 vaccines.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":" 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140685001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
COVIDPub Date : 2024-04-17DOI: 10.3390/covid4040034
D. Price, T. Bonsaksen, Janni Leung, Mary R. Ruffolo, G. Lamph, Karis Hawkins, Amy Østertun Geirdal
{"title":"The Psychosocial Health of Black/African Americans Compared with People of Other Races/Ethnic Origins during the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"D. Price, T. Bonsaksen, Janni Leung, Mary R. Ruffolo, G. Lamph, Karis Hawkins, Amy Østertun Geirdal","doi":"10.3390/covid4040034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040034","url":null,"abstract":"This study compared the psychosocial health between Black/African Americans and other ethnic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using self-report questionnaires, data were collected at three time points from April 2020 to January 2022, controlling for education and employment status. Surprisingly, Black/African American participants consistently reported lower psychological distress compared to their counterparts. However, they initially reported lower quality of life, which improved over time, eventually surpassing that of the other groups by January 2022. These findings suggest resilience among Black/African Americans despite historical marginalization. Socioeconomic factors and historical context may have influenced these disparities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to support marginalized communities during crises.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":" 41","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140691712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}