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I wanted to start with this article that got quite a bit of news spotlight as it reported the likelihood for a big chunk of cases being transmitted by infected folks days before symptoms appear. Your actions can save lives, protect yourself and others.
I wanted to start with this article that got quite a bit of news spotlight as it reported the likelihood for a big chunk of cases being transmitted by infected folks days before symptoms appear. Your actions can save lives, protect yourself and others.
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Now, let’s present some articles looking at potential cell targets for SARS-CoV-2 based on expression of entry factors (note that expression of a receptor alone does not necessarily mean susceptibility!) This one suggests some nasal epithelial cells to be involved.
Now, let’s present some articles looking at potential cell targets for SARS-CoV-2 based on expression of entry factors (note that expression of a receptor alone does not necessarily mean susceptibility!) This one suggests some nasal epithelial cells to be involved.
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Continuing with entry factors, this article also looked at their expression in different species and tissues. Nasal secretory cells came up once again, in addition to type II pneumocytes. It also shows that human ACE2 is induced by interferon.
Continuing with entry factors, this article also looked at their expression in different species and tissues. Nasal secretory cells came up once again, in addition to type II pneumocytes. It also shows that human ACE2 is induced by interferon.
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The upper and lower respiratory tract differ in their ambient temperatures (32-33˚C vs 37˚C, respectively) and this new preprint looks at the effects of temp on SARS-CoV replication in human airway epithelial cell cultures. Spoiler alert: yes, there is a difference.
The upper and lower respiratory tract differ in their ambient temperatures (32-33˚C vs 37˚C, respectively) and this new preprint looks at the effects of temp on SARS-CoV replication in human airway epithelial cell cultures. Spoiler alert: yes, there is a difference.
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To finish with viral entry papers, this one shows that the multibasic cleavage site within the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is important for infection in human cells (note that cellular context + presence of cellular proteases that can cleave at this site is important here.)
To finish with viral entry papers, this one shows that the multibasic cleavage site within the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is important for infection in human cells (note that cellular context + presence of cellular proteases that can cleave at this site is important here.)
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Moving on to replication of the viral genome and expression of viral genes, this article reports the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 enzyme that does just that, RdRp, in complex with its two viral co-factors. Knowing its structure is key as it is a common target for antivirals.
Moving on to replication of the viral genome and expression of viral genes, this article reports the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 enzyme that does just that, RdRp, in complex with its two viral co-factors. Knowing its structure is key as it is a common target for antivirals.
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Another characteristic of many viruses is their ability to undergo recombination of their genome, which has implications including pathogenesis and zoonotic potential. This preprint is on recombination of CoV RNA & identify the viral nsp14 as a determinant for this to occur.
Another characteristic of many viruses is their ability to undergo recombination of their genome, which has implications including pathogenesis and zoonotic potential. This preprint is on recombination of CoV RNA & identify the viral nsp14 as a determinant for this to occur.
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But, how do our bodies respond to SARS-CoV-2 infection and how is it different from other respiratory viruses? This article presents an unbalanced response characterized by low levels of interferons + high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines → disease development.
But, how do our bodies respond to SARS-CoV-2 infection and how is it different from other respiratory viruses? This article presents an unbalanced response characterized by low levels of interferons + high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines → disease development.
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This other paper reaches similar conclusions (high expression of pro-inflammatory genes.) This is something that we keep seeing (e.g., elevated levels of IL-6) and that is being considered when considering therapeutics to dampen host responses against the infection.
This other paper reaches similar conclusions (high expression of pro-inflammatory genes.) This is something that we keep seeing (e.g., elevated levels of IL-6) and that is being considered when considering therapeutics to dampen host responses against the infection.
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We have talked about ferrets as a model of viral transmission and non-human primates to study pathology. This new preprint presents Syrian hamsters as a small animal model for human COVID-19 and reveals both protective and damaging properties for innate immune signaling.
We have talked about ferrets as a model of viral transmission and non-human primates to study pathology. This new preprint presents Syrian hamsters as a small animal model for human COVID-19 and reveals both protective and damaging properties for innate immune signaling.
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Lastly, here is a non-molecular article that ended up being today’s morning reading for yours truly. The authors developed an artificial intelligence system to specifically diagnose ‘novel coronavirus pneumonia’ based on chest computer tomography radiographies!
Lastly, here is a non-molecular article that ended up being today’s morning reading for yours truly. The authors developed an artificial intelligence system to specifically diagnose ‘novel coronavirus pneumonia’ based on chest computer tomography radiographies!
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I wanted to end this thread by sharing these two nice review/perspective readings. One succinctly summarizes what we know about host response to infection and vaccinology considerations and the other focuses on herd immunity as it relates to COVID-19.
Cheers and stay safe!
I wanted to end this thread by sharing these two nice review/perspective readings. One succinctly summarizes what we know about host response to infection and vaccinology considerations and the other focuses on herd immunity as it relates to COVID-19.
Cheers and stay safe!
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