scholarly journals Could Lower Testosterone in Older Men Explain Higher COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortalities?

2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 935
Author(s):  
Luis M. Montaño ◽  
Bettina Sommer ◽  
Héctor Solís-Chagoyán ◽  
Bianca S. Romero-Martínez ◽  
Arnoldo Aquino-Gálvez ◽  
...  

The health scourge imposed on humanity by the COVID-19 pandemic seems not to recede. This fact warrants refined and novel ideas analyzing different aspects of the illness. One such aspect is related to the observation that most COVID-19 casualties were older males, a tendency also noticed in the epidemics of SARS-CoV in 2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome in 2012. This gender-related difference in the COVID-19 death toll might be directly involved with testosterone (TEST) and its plasmatic concentration in men. TEST has been demonstrated to provide men with anti-inflammatory and immunological advantages. As the plasmatic concentration of this androgen decreases with age, the health benefit it confers also diminishes. Low plasmatic levels of TEST can be determinant in the infection’s outcome and might be related to a dysfunctional cell Ca2+ homeostasis. Not only does TEST modulate the activity of diverse proteins that regulate cellular calcium concentrations, but these proteins have also been proven to be necessary for the replication of many viruses. Therefore, we discuss herein how TEST regulates different Ca2+-handling proteins in healthy tissues and propose how low TEST concentrations might facilitate the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the lack of modulation of the mechanisms that regulate intracellular Ca2+ concentrations.

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (supplement) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raees Khan ◽  
Shumaila Naz ◽  
Fawad Muhammad ◽  
Syed Babar Jamal ◽  
Sumra Wajid Abbasi ◽  
...  

The death toll and the total number of infected individuals due to the ongoing pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 infection have exceeded that of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) as the disease has raged around the world. So far the global efforts to tackle COVID-19 include the launch of Sputnik V vaccine by Russia, 42 vaccines presently undergoing clinical trials on humans and around 92 vaccines under preclinical active investigation in animals. Majority of the SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals have been reported to show mild symptoms whereas a considerable number show no symptoms at all. SARS-CoV-2 is believed to spread from infected individuals who are asymptomatic in addition to the symptomatic individuals. In this review we discussed how the mildly infected and asymptomatic individuals raise serious concerns and complicate the processes of screening, detection, quarantine, tracking and treatmentthatareinpracticetopreventthetransmissionofthe COVID-19.


Pneumologie ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Becher ◽  
J von Recum ◽  
K Schierhorn ◽  
T Wolff ◽  
M Tönnies ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (06) ◽  
pp. 422-426
Author(s):  
C. Rau ◽  
J. Lindert ◽  
S. Kotsias-Konopelska ◽  
R. Kobbe

ZusammenfassungErkrankungen der Atemwege gehören zu den häufigsten Gesundheitsproblemen von Kindern und treten regelhaft auch während und nach Reisen auf. Virale Atemwegsinfektionen können die Reisefähigkeit von Kindern – und damit auch ihren Angehörigen – ungünstig beeinflussen, beispielsweise durch Fieber, bronchiale Obstruktion und Schwierigkeiten beim Druckausgleich während des Fliegens durch Schwellungen und Sekretionen der Schleimhäute und der eustachi‘schen Röhre. Zu den reisemedizinisch relevanten aerogen übertragenen Krankheiten zählen neben banalen, viralen Erkältungen auch potenziell schwer verlaufende Viruserkrankungen, allen voran die saisonale Influenza und die Masern, sowie bakterielle Infektionen durch Meningokokken und die Tuberkulose. Gegen einige dieser Erkrankungen stehen effektive Impfstoffe zur Verfügung. Auch seltene, schwer verlaufende Atemwegsinfektionen, die unter bestimmten epidemiologischen Umständen außerhalb Europas erworben werden können, sollen im Folgenden exemplarisch an den Erkrankungen Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) und der Histoplasmose dargestellt werden.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Mostafijur Rahman ◽  
Md. Bayejid Hosen ◽  
M. Zakir Hossain Howlader ◽  
Yearul Kabir

Background: 3C-like protease also called the main protease is an essential enzyme for the completion of the life cycle of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. In our study we predicted compounds which are capable of inhibiting 3C-like protease, and thus inhibit the lifecycle of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus using in silico methods. </P><P> Methods: Lead like compounds and drug molecules which are capable of inhibiting 3C-like protease was identified by structure-based virtual screening and ligand-based virtual screening method. Further, the compounds were validated through absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion filtering. Results: Based on binding energy, ADME properties, and toxicology analysis, we finally selected 3 compounds from structure-based virtual screening (ZINC ID: 75121653, 41131653, and 67266079) having binding energy -7.12, -7.1 and -7.08 Kcal/mol, respectively and 5 compounds from ligandbased virtual screening (ZINC ID: 05576502, 47654332, 04829153, 86434515 and 25626324) having binding energy -49.8, -54.9, -65.6, -61.1 and -66.7 Kcal/mol respectively. All these compounds have good ADME profile and reduced toxicity. Among eight compounds, one is soluble in water and remaining 7 compounds are highly soluble in water. All compounds have bioavailability 0.55 on the scale of 0 to 1. Among the 5 compounds from structure-based virtual screening, 2 compounds showed leadlikeness. All the compounds showed no inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes, no blood-brain barrier permeability and no toxic structure in medicinal chemistry profile. All the compounds are not a substrate of P-glycoprotein. Our predicted compounds may be capable of inhibiting 3C-like protease but need some further validation in wet lab.


Author(s):  
Talita Stelling de Araujo ◽  
Glauce Moreno Barbosa ◽  
Karoline Sanches ◽  
Jéssica M. Azevedo ◽  
Katia Maria dos Santos Cabral ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Sumathi Sivapalasingam ◽  
George A Saviolakis ◽  
Kirsten Kulcsar ◽  
Aya Nakamura ◽  
Thomas Conrad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background REGN3048 and REGN3051 are human monoclonal antibodies (mAb) targeting the spike glycoprotein on the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which binds to the receptor dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) and is necessary for infection of susceptible cells. Methods Preclinical study: REGN3048, REGN3051 and isotype immunoglobulin G (IgG) were administered to humanized DPP4 (huDPP4) mice 1 day prior to and 1 day after infection with MERS-CoV (Jordan strain). Virus titers and lung pathology were assessed. Phase 1 study: healthy adults received the combined mAb (n = 36) or placebo (n = 12) and followed for 121 days. Six dose levels were studied. Strict safety criteria were met prior to dose escalation. Results Preclinical study: REGN3048 plus REGN3051, prophylactically or therapeutically, was substantially more effective for reducing viral titer, lung inflammation, and pathology in huDPP4 mice compared with control antibodies and to each antibody monotherapy. Phase 1 study: REGN3048 plus REGN3051 was well tolerated with no dose-limiting adverse events, deaths, serious adverse events, or infusion reactions. Each mAb displayed pharmacokinetics expected of human IgG1 antibodies; it was not immunogenic. Conclusions REGN3048 and REGN3051 in combination were well tolerated. The clinical and preclinical data support further development for the treatment or prophylaxis of MERS-CoV infection.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy ◽  
Guggalada Govardhana Yadav ◽  
Yaser Hassan Dewir ◽  
Abdullah Ibrahim

Many underutilized tree species are good sources of food, fodder and possible therapeutic agents. Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is popularly known as “desert date”, reflecting its edible fruits. This tree grows naturally in Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Local inhabitants use fruits, leaves, roots, stem and root bark of the species for the treatment of various ailments. Several research studies demonstrate that extracts and phytochemicals isolated from desert date display antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective and molluscicidal activities. Mesocarp of fruits, seeds, leaves, stem and root bark are rich sources of saponins. These tissues are also rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids and polysterols. Some constituents show antioxidant, anticancer and antidiabetic properties. The objective of this review is to summarize studies on diverse bioactive compounds and the beneficial properties of B. aegyptiaca.


Author(s):  
Melissa McDiarmid ◽  
Marian Condon ◽  
Joanna Gaitens

Pandemic diseases of this century have differentially targeted healthcare workers globally. These infections include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Ebola. The COVID-19 pandemic has continued this pattern, putting healthcare workers at extreme risk. Just as healthcare workers have historically been committed to the service of their patients, providing needed care, termed their “duty of care”, so too do healthcare employers have a similar ethical duty to provide care toward their employees arising from historical common law requirements. This paper reports on results of a narrative review performed to assess COVID-19 exposure and disease development in healthcare workers as a function of employer duty of care program elements adopted in the workplace. Significant duty of care deficiencies reported early in the pandemic most commonly involved lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) availability. Beyond worker safety, we also provide evidence that an additional benefit of employer duty of care actions is a greater sense of employee well-being, thus aiding in the prevention of healthcare worker burnout.


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