The COVID‐19 Menace

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), which binds to ectoenzyme angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2. It is very contagious and is spreading rapidly around the world. Until now, coronaviruses have mainly been associated with the aerodigestive tract due to the presence of a monobasic cleavage site for the resident transmembrane serine protease 2. Notably, SARS‐CoV‐2 is equipped with a second, polybasic cleavage site for the ubiquitous furin protease, which may determine the widespread tissue tropism. Furthermore, the terminal sequence of the furin‐cleaved spike protein also binds to neuropilin receptors. Clinically, there is enormous variability in the severity of the disease. Severe consequences are seen in a relatively small number of patients, most show moderate symptoms, but asymptomatic cases, especially among young people, drive disease spread. Unfortunately, the number of local infections can quickly build up, causing disease outbreaks suddenly exhausting health services’ capacity. Therefore, COVID‐19 is dangerous and unpredictable and has become the most serious threat for generations. Here, the latest research on COVID‐19 is summarized, including its spread, testing methods, organ‐specific complications, the role of comorbidities, long‐term consequences, mortality, as well as a new hope for immunity, drugs, and vaccines.

Transmembrane serine protease 2, a SARS-CoV-2 internalization protease, correlates with clinical outcome, molecular features, and immunotherapy response in colorectal cancer

“…Previous reports have suggested that patients with cancer are more susceptible to infections, and several bioinformatics analyses have shown that cancer tissues have higher TMPRSS2 expression levels than matched healthy tissues in lung and stomach cancer ( 24 , 25 ). As previously reported, patients with COVID-19 usually exhibit multi-organ damage, especially aerodigestive disease ( 26 ). We can speculate that a high expression of TMPRSS2 in these tissues facilitates the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.…”

The legacy of mRNA engineering: A lineup of pioneers for the Nobel Prize

“…Arriving in huge quantities, they were true stars, and they had a huge impact on taming the COVID-19 pandemic in many geographical regions. 107…”

Comparison of stress perceptions and coping strategies among students exposed to COVID-19 in countries with different approaches to anti-pandemic activities

“…specific symptoms of COviD-19, such as fever, cough, fatigue, loss of smell and taste or symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome are usually found in adults [1] and much less frequently in young adults [2]. nevertheless, its high infectiousness and potential to be life-threatening make it a significant issue for individuals of all ages [3]. recent studies on the COviD-19 pandemic suggest that experiences of uncertainty, fear of infection and disease, self-isolation, quarantine or lack of physical activity are highly stress-inducing factors [4], triggering psychological reactions in people similar to those observed in other extreme situations [5].…”