Applications of nanoparticles in combating COVID-19
Researchers review the various properties and use of nanoparticles in targeting SARS-CoV-2 and how they could be used to develop new therapeutics and diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2.
Nanoparticles, materials with a size less than 100 nm, have been used widely in many applications. Their small size makes their surface to volume ratio large, which has been used advantageously. Nanoparticles have been made from a wide variety of materials, including inorganic, metals, and organic materials.
The use of nanoparticles in pharmaceutical applications has many benefits. These materials can improve drug solubility, controlled drug release, and targeting of specific cells. In addition, they show efficient adsorption of many types of biomolecules and other chemicals, and can be used both for therapy and diagnostics. In a recently published review in
Touching contaminated surfaces can transfer SARS-CoV-2 to skin, finds study
Using artificial skin, researchers found that touching surfaces contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 can lead to transfer of virus to the skin.
The main mode of spreading of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is via airborne transmission via droplets from an infected person’s exhalation, cough, or sneeze. However, there is evidence that the virus can also spread when people come in contact with contaminated surfaces (known as ‘fomites’), with studies showing the virus can live for a few days on many surfaces.
This has led to a fear of touching objects used by many people. Public health guidelines suggest frequent hand washing and sanitization of communal objects. Another way to get around this problem is to coat objects with a coating that can kill viruses. But whether there is an actual transmission of the virus from the contaminated object to the skin is still unknown.
Triple mutation in SARS-CoV-2 seen in second wave of COVID-19 in India
Researchers sequenced the viral genome from samples in the state of Maharashtra and found a unique combination of three mutations that suggest the SARS-CoV-2 virus is continually evolving to evade the human immune response.
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to spread in several parts of the world, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is evolving to evade our immune system. Several new variants, designated variants of concern, have been reported from the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil at the end of 2020, which seem to be more infectious than the original strain.
Scientists at Oxford University have developed a new process based on nanotechnology to simplify and reduce the cost of testing water for chemical pollution and toxicity levels.
Study reports on safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in pregnancy
Researchers used different surveillance systems in the United States to track adverse outcomes after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in pregnant people and found no major safety flags.
In the United States, mRNA vaccines were the first to receive emergency use authorization to combat COVID-19. However, these vaccines were not approved for use in pregnant women as the clinical trial did not include pregnant women, and there is very little data on the safety of the vaccines among pregnant women.
However, pregnant women are more at risk of severe disease compared to the non-pregnant population. There may also be a greater risk of adverse outcomes like preterm birth. Hence, guidelines have been issued that pregnant women should also be given the vaccine. However, these women should be monitored after vaccination to determine safety.