No abstract

Lassa hemorrhagic fever, caused by Lassa mammarenavirus (LASV) infection, accumulates up to 5000 deaths every year. Currently, there is no vaccine available to combat this disease. In this study, a library of 200 bioactive compounds was virtually screened to study their drug-likeness with the capacity to block the α-dystroglycan (α-DG) receptor and prevent LASV influx. Following rigorous absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) profiling, molecular docking was conducted with the top ligands against the α-DG receptor. The compounds chrysin, reticuline, and 3-caffeoylshikimic acid emerged as the top three ligands in terms of binding affinity. Post-docking analysis revealed that interactions with Arg76, Asn224, Ser259, and Lys302 amino acid residues of the receptor protein were important for the optimum binding affinity of ligands. Molecular dynamics simulation was performed comprehensively to study the stability of the protein-ligand complexes. In-depth assessment of root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), polar surface area (PSA), B-Factor, radius of gyration (Rg), solvent accessible surface area (SASA), and molecular surface area (MolSA) values of the protein-ligand complexes affirmed that the candidates with the best binding affinity formed the most stable protein-ligand complexes. To authenticate the potentialities of the ligands as target-specific drugs, an in vivo study is underway in real time as the continuation of the research.

COVID-19 has become a global health concern, due to the high transmissible nature of its causal agent and lack of proper treatment. Early diagnosis and nonspecific medical supports of the patients appeared to be effective strategy so far to combat the pandemic caused by COVID-19 outbreak. Biomarkers can play pivotal roles in timely and proper diagnosis of COVID-19 patients, as well as for distinguishing them from other pulmonary infections. Besides, biomarkers can help in reducing the rate of mortality and evaluating viral pathogenesis with disease prognosis. This article intends to provide a broader overview of the roles and uses of different biomarkers in the early diagnosis of COVID-19, as well as in the classification of COVID-19 patients into multiple risk groups.

The novel coronavirus known to have brought the world to a standstill is responsible for many deaths throughout the globe as of now. The causative agent (SARS-CoV-2) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been recognized as a zoonotic transfer. Although, the medium of animal-human transmission is still unknown, bats maybe a potential reservoir of this novel strain. Due to its high rate of transmission the most favorable way of limiting the outbreak's extent is by early diagnosis followed by isolation of the infected individuals. So far, the most widely used diagnosis methods are RT-qPCR which detects specific sequences of the viral RNA. Some other methods include serological tests and the recently introduced CRISPR-CAS-12 based assays.As of now, no specific therapeutic treatments are known for COVID-19 however the use of some broad-spectrum antiviral drugs and convalescent plasma therapy have demonstrated positive outcomes. Apart from these treatments, vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2 is also in progress by 17 known companies. This article provides a comprehensive insight on the recently emerged Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) including its origin, transmission mechanism, pathophysiology and updated treatment methods.

Identification of bacteriocin sources. Classification of bacteriocins. Antiviral pathways of bacteriocins.