Summary

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, and the disease now affects nearly every country and region. Caused by SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 continues nearly 18 months later to present significant challenges to health systems and public health in both hemispheres, as well as the economies of every country. The morbidity and mortality of the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been significant, and various waves of disease outbreaks initially overwhelmed many hospitals and clinics and continue to do so in many countries. This influences everyone, and public health countermeasures have been dramatic in terms of their impact on employment, social systems, and mental health. This entry collection aims to gather diverse fields about COVID-19, including in epidemiology, public health, medicine, genetics, systems biology, informatics, data science, engineering, sociology, anthropology, nursing, environmental studies, statistics, and psychology.

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Entries
Topic Review
Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19
COVID-19 is pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus which is an emerging infectious disease, and outbreaks in more than 200 countries around the world. Consequently, the spread principles and prevention and control measures of COVID-19 have become a global problem to be solved. Here, we pose a series of dynamical models to reveal the transmission mechanisms of COVID-19. Based on these mathematical models, data fitting and spread trend of COVID-19 are explored to show the propagation law between human populations. We hope that our work may provide some useful insights for effective control of the COVID-19.
  • 6.5K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2
In December of 2019, the first few cases of novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia were reported in Wuhan, China. Since then, in a series of novel reports, a research group from Nankai University of China (the Nankai group) presented several important findings of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2): (1) The alternative translations of Nankai CDS (a 465- or 468-bp genomic region) could produce more than 17 putative proteins of the betacoronavirus subgroup B (BB coronavirus); (2) A furin protease cleavage site (FCS) was discovered in the Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2; (3) 5' UTR barcoding can be used for the detection, identification, classification and phylogenetic analysis of, but not limited to coronavirus; (4) The FCS in the SARS-CoV-2 genome was acquired through the combination of copy number variations of short tandem repeats and single nucleotide substitutions [4]; and (5) two criteria were proposed to determine the intermediate host(s).
  • 2.5K
  • 13 Apr 2021
Topic Review
COVID-19 Mechanisms of Lung Damage
COVID-19 is a dangerous disease that  has been treated with dangerous and ineffective drugs like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents may also be dangerous in the disease due to embolism formation.  Safe and potentially effective alternative medicines are proposed.
  • 2.0K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
ISIDOG Recommendations Concerning COVID-19, Pregnancy
To properly manage pregnant patients in times of Sars-2-CoV (Covid-19) pandemics, extra knowledge, skills and organisational measures are essential. After consultation of more than 20 knowledgeble ISIDOG country responsables in Europe and worldwide, we present a comprehensive review and clear recommendation  document to guide caretakers of pregnant women in all possible aspects of the manangement.  Care of patient with, or at risk of, COVID-19 infection, requires attention to minimize the potential pathogenic effect for the mother and the offspring, but also not to spread infection to themselves, caregivers or partners. ISIDOG will adjust guidelines egularly as more information becomes available.
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Coronavirus Diseases
At the end of 2019 a novel virus, SARS-Cov-2, causing severe acute respiratory syndrome has expanded from Wuhan, China. In March 2020 the World Health Organization declared the SARS-Cov-2 virus a global pandemic. We performed a narrative review to describe existing literature with regard to COVID-19 epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and future perspective. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus databases were searched for relevant articles.Although only when the pandemic will end it will be possible to assess the health, social and economic impact of this global disaster, this review represents a picture of the current state of the art. In particular, we focus on public health impact, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations, diagnosis, case management, emergency response and preparedness.
  • 1.8K
  • 07 May 2021
Topic Review
Coronavirus Invasion
Single-strand RNA (ssRNA) viruses such as the coronavirus family replicate the virus genomes by taking advantage of host cells. For example, after coronavirus approaches the ribosome of the epithelial cells or other host cells, it uses the ribosome of the host cell to replicate polyproteins. The replication and subsequent processes of precursor polyproteins can occur in the epithelial cells. After the coronavirus’ polyproteins are expressed, two enzymes — specifically, coronavirus main proteinase (3CLpro) and the papain-like protease (PLpro) — are thought to be involved in cleaving the polyproteins into smaller products used for replicating new viruses. In order to generate the daughter RNA genome, the coronavirus expresses an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which is a crucial replicase that catalyzes the synthesis of a complementary RNA strand using the virus RNA template
  • 2.7K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
COVID-19
COVID-19 is a disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus, a mutation nearly a decade apart from SARS-CoV virus. Its symptom onset is no different from the original virus, including fever (83–98%), cough (59–82%), shortness of breath (19–55%), and muscle ache (11–44%). It was suspected to be a paramyxovirus with evidence on its Spike 2 (S2) protein being homogeneous to the gp41 subunit of HIV. The World Health Organization (WHO) at the final stage ruled SARS to be coronaviruses, and the categorical rationale remained to the protocols in COVID-19 handling. While no patient zero has been formally traced, Dr. Carlo Urbani, the WHO physician closed it in in the first outbreak in Vietnam French Hospital of Hanoi in Vietnam, and later died from the virus in Bangkok. In addition to an overview of the epidemiological, clinical, and radiological features of SARS-CoV-2, researchers also summarize possible therapeutic options currently under investigation and the future outlook for the disease. Whereas the trials on SARS-CoV-2 genome-based specific vaccines and therapeutic antibodies are currently being tested, this solution is more long-term, as they require thorough testing of their safety. On the other hand, the repurposing of the existing therapeutic agents previously designed for other virus infections and pathologies happens to be the only practical approach as a rapid response measure to the emergent pandemic. The current pandemic emergency will be a trigger for more systematic drug repurposing design approaches based on big data analysis. Further on, regression analytical review is presented on the virological and evolutionary history of SARS-CoV viruses, indicating to the autoimmune pathogen.
  • 9.6K
  • 30 Jun 2025
Topic Review
IgG antibodies
IgG antibodies include two functional portions: the F(ab′)2 fragment, which is responsible for antigen recognition, and the crystallizable fragment (Fc), which is important for activation of the immune response by interacting with Fcγ receptors on B-cells and other innate immune cells. The Fc fragment also plays an important role in the activation of complement and in the clearance of microorganisms.
  • 2.6K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Research on COVID-19
As of March, most of the world is under the order of a “lockdown” or “restricted movement control” whereby world leaders and medical experts believe that social isolation is the best option at reducing the spread of the highly infectious and novel disease, that is Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). While this preventive measure is in place, various diagnostic kits and treatment strategies are being researched daily to diagnose and curb this disease quickly. This report summarizes the characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and evaluates the diagnostic kits and treatment drugs as well as vaccines that are either currently being used (RT-PCR) or in the clinical pipeline for safety and efficacy testing, respectively. The sooner efficient diagnosis and treatment can be made, the greater the number of lives will be saved.
  • 3.8K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Repeated SARS Outbreaks in China
Within last 17 years two widespread epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred in China, which were caused by related coronaviruses (CoVs): SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Although the origin(s) of these viruses are still unknown and their occurrences in nature are mysterious, some general patterns of their pathogenesis and epidemics are noticeable. Both viruses utilize the same receptor—angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)—for invading human bodies. Both epidemics occurred in cold dry winter seasons celebrated with major holidays, and started in regions where dietary consumption of wildlife is a fashion. Thus, if bats were the natural hosts of SARS-CoVs, cold temperature and low humidity in these times might provide conducive environmental conditions for prolonged viral survival in these regions concentrated with bats. The widespread existence of these bat-carried or -released viruses might have an easier time in breaking through human defenses when harsh winter makes human bodies more vulnerable. Once succeeding in making some initial human infections, spreading of the disease was made convenient with increased social gathering and holiday travel. These natural and social factors influenced the general progression and trajectory of the SARS epidemiology. However, some unique factors might also contribute to the origination of SARS in Wuhan. These factors are discussed in different scenarios in order to promote more research for achieving final validation.
  • 4.3K
  • 01 Nov 2020
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