Molecular Mechanism of Coronaviruses (COVID-19) and Diagnostic Approaches: A Systematic Review

An acute respiratory disease is rampantly spreading in population worldwide caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19). The COVID-19 is a major source of disaster in the 21thcentury. It has spread throughout China and is received as a pandemic worldwide. To date (18th May 2020), a total of 4,827,272patients are infected and more than 3,17,174confirmed deaths have been reported with 6.57% fatality rate. Several research investigations have identified that COVID-19 belongs to ?-coronavirus family and has a highly identical genomic structure to bat coronavirus. The novel coronavirus uses the same receptor, ACE-2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) as that for SARS-CoV, and mainly spreads through the respiratory tract. As per WHO, symptoms include shortness of breath especially in the lower respiratory tract, sore, throat, cough, headaches, and fever. However, the specific drugs required to prevent/treat an attack is a major need at this current point of time. In this regard, we conducted a systematic review on coronavirus to cover the molecular mechanism of viral entry and replication, which provides the basis of future management of COVID-19

Vaccine Approaches for Pandemic COVID-19: An Overview

The coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV-2 causative agent of the pandemic viral pneumonia disease COVID-19, identified in the late 2019. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or therapeutics available to control the disease. Although, earlier research efforts of SARS pandemic (2003) provides the precious information to the researchers for fast track vaccine development. Research efforts for vaccine development of COVID-19 pandemic are unprecedented in terms of promising time period. The inactivated whole virus-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is first one developed and entered into clinical trial. However, later on after announce of complete genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2, vaccine based on recombinant viral vector, nucleic acid and immunogenic fragment also introduced. Previous experience of undesired immunopotentiation in SARS-CoV studies represents, vaccine safety should be the main concern.  Researchers believe that next generation vaccine approaches using recombinant technology such as viral vector or subunit protein-based vaccine will be more effective and safer. This review describes brief information of the major vaccine candidates and the current scenario of vaccine approaches against COVID-19 pandemic

Genetic Polymorphisms and Cisplatin- Related Nephrotoxicity

Cis- diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin) is one of the most commonly used present day hemotherapeutic agents. It is used to treat a wide range of cancers including head and neck, lung, gastrointestinal tract, ovarian and genitourinary cancers. However, dose- limiting toxicity is often associated with cisplatin. It is known that cisplatin works more effectively with dose escalation, but significant risk for nephrotoxicity is often associated with higher doses [1]. Recovery of renal function occurs over a period of 2-4 weeks, although lack of recovery can also take place [2]. Kidney accumulates cisplatin in much higher concentration in comparison to other organs and is the major route of its excretion [3]. Five times higher cisplatin concentration was observed in proximal tubular epithelial cells in comparison to serum [4]. Highest accumulation of cisplatin occurs in S3 segment of proximal tubule followed by the distal collecting tubule and the S1 segment of proximal tubule [5]. Cisplatin nephrotoxicity may be presented in various ways of which the most serious presentation is acute kidney injury, which occurs in 20-30% of patients despite hyperhydration and forced Diuresis [6].</p