The neurotropic potential of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was demonstrated quite recently; however, the mechanistic details are yet to be explored. Therefore, the effects of EBV infection in the neural milieu remain underexplored. Previous reports have suggested the potential role of virus-derived peptides in seeding the amyloid-β aggregation cascade, which lies at the center of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. However, no such study has been undertaken to explore the role of EBV peptides in AD. In our research, ∼100 EBV proteins were analyzed for their aggregation proclivity in silico using bioinformatic tools, followed by the prediction of 20S proteasomal cleavage sites using online algorithms NetChop ver. 3.1 and Pcleavage, thereby mimicking the cellular proteasomal cleavage activity generating short antigenic peptides of viral origin. Our study reports a high aggregate-forming tendency of a 12-amino-acid-long ( 146 SYKHVFLSAFVY 157 ) peptide derived from EBV glycoprotein M (EBV-gM). The in vitro analysis of aggregate formation done using Congo red and Thioflavin-S assays demonstrated dose-and timedependent kinetics. Thereafter, Raman spectroscopy was used to validate the formation of secondary structures (α helix, β sheets) in the aggregates. Additionally, cytotoxicity assay revealed that even a low concentration of these aggregates has a lethal effect on neuroblastoma cells. The findings of this study provide insights into the mechanistic role of EBV in AD and open up new avenues to explore in the future.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV2 is associated with various comorbidities; cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, liver, lung diseases, and neurological ailments. The majority of the dysfunctions mentioned above are often associated with endothelial deterioration, indicating that endothelium can be the target of SARS-CoV2. Our study is an exclusive observational study that quantitatively analyses COVID-19 related comorbidities. We retrieved the data of % population of COVID-19 hospitalized and deceased patients with associated comorbidities from publicly accessible portals of the five European countries. A two tailed t-test enabled us to determine the significant proportions of deaths compared to hospitalized patients with associated comorbidity. Our study revealed that deaths associated with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are highly significant (p < 0.0001) compared to hospitalized in countries like Italy, France, and Spain unlike the Netherlands. Deaths from kidney diseases (Italyp < 0.0001; Swedenp < 0.0001; Netherlandsp = 0.0001; Francep = 0.0033) and neurological ailments (Francep = 0.0001; Netherlandsp < 0.0001) are significantly higher than the total hospitalized patients affected by the particular comorbidity. We have noted that deaths due to liver diseases are least associated with COVID-19 among all comorbidities. Intriguingly, immunodeficiency shows mixed outcomes in death proportions compared to the hospital admitted individuals. Besides, the treatment regime involves drugs like losartan, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, Remdesivir, Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, etc. may modulate the severity of the comorbidities. These comorbidities can create chaos in the existing healthcare system and may worsen the disease outcome.

In the present study, we evaluated the synergistic effects of EBV and H. pylori infection on gastric epithelial cells in various coinfection models. These coinfection models were among the first to depict the exposures of gastric epithelial cells to EBV followed by H. pylori ; however, coinfection models exist that narrated the scenario upon exposure to H. pylori followed by that to EBV.

Introduction: The study of epidemiological outcomes of COVID-19 in the affected countries needs to be conducted to implement an effective strategy. Methodology: Our study included age and sex-based analysis of epidemiological data of infected and deceased patients from various countries. The patient data was graphically depicted with the slope's calculation to describe a gradual or steep spread of the disease along with subsequent rise or fall in the death reports. Results: Population groups of 20-49 years of age and 50 years-above were highly vulnerable to infection. Interestingly, 20-49 years of age group was most affected in India. However, higher population of the deceased were reported in the 50 years-above in all countries. India and South Korea demonstrated a gradual appearance of COVID-19 positive cases than other countries illustrated by reduced slope %. Further the highest percentage of infected people and deaths were reported from the densely populated states of India. We observed a sex independent prevalence of COVID-19. The BCG and JE vaccine are unique in the vaccination regime of India and South Korea. Conclusions: Reduced ACE-2 expression in the children's nasal epithelium may be responsible for reduced SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. Countries showed varying patterns in COVID-19 spread and associated mortality. It may be influenced by factors, such as screening strategy, countries demography, implementation of lockdown, etc. Due to limited evidence, it would be difficult to point to the influence of the virus on either sexes. Although vaccines may stimulate non-specific immunity, experimental proofs are needed to demonstrate the potential of any vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

The pandemic of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the Severe Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) creates an immense menace to public health worldwide. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the novel coronavirus as the main cause of global pandemic. Patients infected with this virus generally show fever, nausea, and respiratory illness, while some patients also manifest gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Traces of SARS-CoV-2 RNA have been found in gastrointestinal cells. Further angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) the known receptor for the virus is extensively expressed in these cells. This implies that gastrointestinal tract can be infected and can also present them as a replication site for SARS-CoV-2, but since this infection may lead to multiple organ failure, therefore identification of another receptor is a plausible choice. This review aims to provide comprehensive information about probable receptors such as sialic acid and CD147 which may facilitate the virus entry. Several potential targets are mentioned which can be used as a therapeutic approach for COVID-19 and associated GI disorders. The gut microbiomes are responsible for high levels of interferon-gamma which causes hyper-inflammation and exacerbates the severity of the disease. Briefly, this article highlights the gut microbiome’s relation and provides potential diagnostic approaches like RDT and LC-MS for sensitive and specific identification of viral proteins. Altogether, this article reviews epidemiology, probable receptors and put forward the tentative ideas of the therapeutic targets and diagnostic methods for COVID-19 with gastrointestinal aspect of disease.

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Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is well-known for its role in chronic gastritis and gastric cancer. Eradication of these carcinogenic bacteria from the gut is one of the challenges for clinicians. The complexity of treatment mainly owes to antibiotic resistance and relapse due to an additional reservoir in the oral cavity. Our study emphases the isolation of H. pylori from distinct habitats of the gut microenvironment (gastric biopsy and gastric juice) and its subsequent characterization. We have also evaluated the effect of various oral rinses on isolated H. pylori from different anatomical locations of included subjects. Results: The possible strains isolated from two different habitats of the same subject shows a striking difference in their growth pattern. Promisingly, some of the included oral rinses are efficient in growth inhibition as per recommended 30 s treatment. The subsequent evaluation shows that oral rinse B (among A-E) is most effective and down-regulates the expression of one of the potent H. pylori gene, CagA, in the infected gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells. Conclusion:Our study, for the first time, revealed that H. pylori, isolated from the different habitat of the same subject, show a different growth pattern. The expression of H. pylori pathogenic gene (CagA) was down-regulated by the use of oral rinses. Hence, oral rinses will reduce the H. pylori in the oral cavity and help to control its migration from oral to the gastric compartment and may be used as an adjuvant treatment option for its reinfection.

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