Two meters apart from each other is far more effective than just one at reducing the risk of spreading SARS-CoV-2.

Two-meter distancing might halve infection risk compared to one meter, according to a new review analysis in The Lancet.  The researchers combed through 172 observational studies across 16 countries and then applied statistical analysis to pull out estimates of of risk of infection. The models they used on nine key studies found that transmission of viruses

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APPA: New effective treatment for harmful effects of neutrophils in inflammatory diseases found at the Liverpool University

New research conducted by the University of Liverpool and AKL Research and Development Ltd (AKLRD), published in Inflammopharmacology, highlights the potential benefits of a new drug treatment on the human body’s immune response in inflammation. In a number of inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and, more recently, COVID-19, major complications and extensive tissue damage can occur

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Adjunct Immunotherapies for the Management of Severely Ill COVID-19 Patients. Convalescent plasma role in cytokine and proteolytic storm fighting.

In this Perspective, published on Cell Reports Medicine http://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2020.100016, the role of the different immunotherapeutic approaches, including convalescent plasma, is analysed. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has infected 5,85 millions, with more than 361,000 fatal cases as of May 29, 2020. Currently, there are no

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Interferon beta-1b for COVID-19

A phase II clinical trial has found that a combination of three drugs — interferon beta-1b, lopinavir-ritonavir, and ribavirin — plus standard care is successful in treating mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19. This three-drug combination also shortens the duration of viral shedding — that is, the period during which the virus is detectable in a person’s

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Hyperimmune convalescent plasma therapy can downregulate inflammatory and proteolytic storms in Covid-19

The pandemic spread of a novel coronavirus – SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) as a cause of acute respiratory illness, named Covid-19, is placing the healthcare systems of many countries under unprecedented stress. Global economies are also spiraling towards a recession in fear of this new life-threatening disease. Vaccines that prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and therapeutics that reduces

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Lymphopenia, neutrophilia and cytokines in severe Covid-19 patients

The dynamic changes of lymphocyte subsets, neutrophils and cytokines profiles of patients with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and their correlation with the disease severity has been studied in a paper recently published on EBioMedicine https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102763. Of the 40 COVID-19 patients enrolled, 13 severe cases showed significant and sustained decreases in lymphocyte counts, but increases in

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Early Indicators: Investigational convalescent plasma is safe for patients with COVID-19

The first safety study communications overview, Early Safety Indicators of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma in 5,000 Patients, for the national expanded access program for convalescent plasma has been published https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.12.20099879v1 The report tells us: Mayo Clinic and collaborators reported safety data on the first 5,000 hospitalized patients transfused with investigational convalescent plasma as part of the

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Face masks essential in combating spread of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols and droplets

SARS-CoV-2 spread occurs through the transmission of droplets and aerosols from infected people through speaking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Wearing masks can reduce the airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus, a new study finds. The research is published in the journal Science. The team of researchers at the University of California San Diego and the National Sun Yat-sen

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Neutrophil Extracellular Traps are involved in Severe COVID-19 proteolytic storm

Neutrophil released NETs to control microbial/viral infections, could serve as a therapeutic target in coronavirus infections. In March this year, Dr. Knight and Kanthy of Michigan University observed a striking similarity between an autoimmune disease known as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and COVID-19. Both conditions appeared to involve blood clots in arteries, veins, and the microvasculature.

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