TY - THES A1 - Graf, Dominic T1 - Surface and active site modification of proteins with organometallic markers and inhibitors T1 - Modifikation von Proteinen an der Oberfläche und im aktiven Zentrum durch organometallische Marker und Inhibitoren N2 - After implementing a reliable mass spectrometry based kinetic study the indole conjugation with different organometallic indoles led to questions about the electronical and sterical influences on reactivity. The substitution pattern of the ferrocene functionalized indoles at the six-membered ring determines the electron density on the C3 atom, which reacts with the formed Schiff base. Since the experimental results showed the exact opposite trend, covalent docking studies were performed elucidating the importance of surface interactions. These studies were in harmony with the experimental results and determined lysine 33 as most preferable conjugation site as well as substitution in 6-position as most favourable pattern. The amine motif in compounds 6, 7 and 8 proofed to be easily fragmented by the ESI method used. The amide linker in 10 remains intact but shows a lower conversion. Those two inherent characteristics are however preferable for well-defined and site-specific bioconjugation. The synthesis and evaluation of piano stool complex derivatives with manganese and rhenium metal centre 15, 16, 18 and 22 gave additional guidance by the interpretation of applicable structural motifs. The electron-withdrawing carbonyl groups lead to the hindrance of fulvene formation and thus to no fragmentation as seen with the ferrocene group. The total conversion is low compared to 8, only 22 shows a good enough conversion to mainly monoconjugate of 45% and a possible radio-labelling application as 99mTc analogue. As consequence manganese complexes with a stable facial tricarbonyl unit and a tridentate chelator with 4-, 5- and 6-substituted aminomethylindole conjugated through an amide bond were synthesized and consecutively evaluated. The resulting organometallic indole derivatives 29, 30 and 31 all showed a total conversion around 40% similar to 16, but at the same time a rate constant in the range of 10-4 s-1 like the organic indole. Besides the similar conversion, the rate constants followed the trend of the 6-substituted derivative as fastest and then 5- and 4- substituted derivative with decreasing reactivity. For underlining the usage as technetium label for the best out of the series 31, a rhenium analogue was prepared. The resulting compound 32 was especially interesting, because the conversion was even higher than the 70% of 8 with a total of 88%. Additionally, the rate constant was a tenfold higher as well. This rendered compound 32 as best possible 99mTc analogue for further application as radio-label. After the success of 32 and realizing the sterical benefits resulting from the flexible tridentate ligand-system, substitution at the five-membered ring was explored. The complexes 33, 34 and 35 are based on indole-2-carboxylic acid and with the difference of the length of the alkyl spacer between amide and complex to probe for the influence and sterical hindrance, but all three derivatives showed no conjugation which excludes functionalization in 2-position. As the C3 is used for the actual bioconjugation, the last possible derivatization was realized on the indole-N1 by using 1-(3-bromopropyl)indole as building block during the synthesis of the ligand-system. The corresponding manganese 36 and rhenium 37 complexes both showed similar properties of a moderate conversion like 22 and a rate constant in the range of 10-5 s-1. In conclusion the rhenium complex 32 with the 6-substitution pattern at the tridentate indole-bearing ligand remains the most promising structure. The here developed liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry-based assay for the determination of inhibitory activity of drug candidates against the 3CLpro of the sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 was successfully implemented and especially designed to give, due to the available absorption spectra and corresponding mass traces, further insight in the otherwise through fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based assays neglected influences on the inhibition results. Starting with a literature-known quinolone containing covalent inhibitor 42 an N1-methylated derivative 43 and their analogues 44 and 45 in which the benzoic acid was exchanged for ferrocene carboxylic acid were synthesized. The inhibition of 3CLpro was evaluated by the concentration of initial 15mer peptide left after incubation and for that purpose the for 280 nm defined molar attenuation coefficient of (26.41±0.59) L*mol-1*cm-1 determined and used. The results showed a reaction of DL dithiothreitol with the less stable benzoic acid esters leading to a moderate inhibitory effect. The methylation in N1-position showed an increase in stability. The methylated and with ferrocene carboxylic acid functionalized derivative showed a complete inhibition during the timeframe of the assay. In search of a fluorescent and therefore traceable inhibitor, 4 hydroxycoumarin was used to synthesize the analogue with benzoic acid 49 and ferrocene carboxylic acid 50. Both derivatives were less stable than their analogues but exhibited the same trend of a more stable ferrocene-derived compound, which exerted a higher inhibition as well. After preparing and testing the model thioester 53 and showing an inactivation of the established inhibitor ebselen, it was concluded that the reaction with DL dithiothreitol reduces the concentration of active intact inhibitor and therefore decreases the inhibition rate during the assay. The next step was proofing the reducing agent as non-essential for the fast assay conducted in a timeframe of 5 min to circumvent the negative influence of DL dithiothreitol. By excluding every inhibition-altering part, the resulting method is the perfect tool for precise statements in relation of inhibitory activity. Then the inhibition assay was repeated for ebselen and the best out of the here introduced organometallic inhibitors 45. Both give equivalent results of a complete inhibition during the measurement. The implemented liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry-based assay has many advantages over the fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based assays in which all the information and insight accumulated by the evaluation of uv/vis traces and mass spectra are not available leading to wrong or deviating results regarding the inhibitory capacity of inhibitor candidates. N2 - Nach der erfolgreichen Implementierung einer auf Massenspektrometrie basierenden Methode, um kinetische Studien über die Indolkonjugation durchzuführen, kamen Fragen über die elektronischen und sterischen Einflüsse auf die Reaktivität auf. Das Substitutionsmuster der Ferrocen-funktionalisierten Indole am sechsgliedrigen Ring bestimmt die Elektronendichte am C3-Atom, welches wiederum mit der zuvor entstandenen Schiffbase reagiert. Da die experimentellen Daten einen der Elektronendichte entgegengesetzten Trend aufwiesen, wurden Docking-Studien durchgeführt, um die Einflüsse der Wechselwirkungen mit der Proteinoberfläche näher zu beleuchten. Diese entsprachen den experimentellen Werten und zeigten, dass Lysin 33 die bevorzugte Konjugationsstelle ist und dass die Substitution in 6-Position die energetisch günstigste darstellt. Das sekundäre Amin der Verbindungen 6, 7 und 8 wurde unter den ESI-Bedingungen leicht fragmentiert. Die Amid-Bindung von 10 dagegen bleibt intakt und ein langsamerer Umsatz, welcher für einen wohl definierten Umsatz sorgt, wurde beobachtet. Die Synthese und Evaluation der Halbsandwich-Komplexe 15, 16, 18 und 22 gab zusätzlichen Aufschluss über die strukturellen Einflüsse. Die elektronenziehenden Carbonyle behindern die Bildung der Fulvene, welche für die Ferrocen-Derivate beobachtet worden war. Der Gesamtumsatz ist vergleichsweise gering und nur Substanz 22 zeigt eine annehmbare Konversion von 45% an Monokonjugat auf, welches sie wiederum für den Einsatz als 99mTc-Analog qualifiziert. Als direkte Konsequenz wurden Mangankomplexe mit einer stabilen facialen Tricarbonyl-Einheit und einem Indol beinhaltenden tridentaten Liganden synthetisiert. Dies wurde für die 4-, 5- und 6-Substitution durchgeführt um die Komplexe 29, 30 und 31 zu erhalten. Alle drei zeigten eine Konversion von ungefähr 40% und lagen mit einer Ratenkonstante von 10-4 s-1 in dem Bereich des organischen Indols. Die Ratenkonstanten folgten hingegen wiederum dem Trend der begünstigten 6-Position, gefolgt von der 5- und dann 4-Position. Um einen Verglich zu einer analogen Technetium-Verbindung zu ziehen wurde der beste Komplex 31 als Rhenium-Analog 32 hergestellt. Dies wies den bisher höchsten Gesamtumsatz von 88% auf, welches die Konversion von 70% der Verbindung 8 überschritt. Dadurch qualifizierte sich Verbindung 32 als beste Option für eine Umsetzung als Radiomarker. Nach den Erkenntnissen über die begünstigte Sterik der flexiblen tridendaten Liganden wurde versucht den Erfolg auf den Fünfring zu übertragen. Eine auf Indol-2-säure basierende Reihe an Komplexen (33,34,35) mit unterschiedlich langen Alkyl-Ketten zwischen Indol und Metallkomplex sollte Aufschluss über den sterischen Anspruch geben, allerdings war keine Konjugation für alle drei Derivate zu beobachten. Als Konsequenz wurde die 2-Position für weitere Funktionalisierung nicht weiter berücksichtigt. Die letzte verbliebene Stelle war das Indol-amin selbst, welche durch den Einsatz von 1-(3-bromopropyl)indol bei der Ligandensynthese erfolgreich alkyliert wurde. Der resultierende Mangan- 36 und Rhenium-Komplex 37 zeigten eine mit 22 vergleichbare moderate Konversion und um eine Größenordnung kleinere Ratenkonstante. Durch diese Erkenntnisse verblieb der Rhenium-Komplex 32 weiterhin der beste Kandidat für eine Umsetzung als radioaktiver Marker. Der hier beschriebene liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry basierte Assay für die Bestimmung der Inhibitions-Wirkung gegenüber der 3CLpro des sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 wurde erfolgreich etabliert. Durch die zusätzlichen Absorptions , sowie Massenspektren wurden weitere Informationen gewonnen, welche in den oft angewendeten Fluoreszenz-Resonanzenergietransfer Assays vernachlässigt werden und zu Verfälschungen der Inhibitionsergebnisse führen. Ausgehend von dem literaturbekannten kovalenten Inhibitor 42 wurde ein N1-methyliertes Derivat 43 hergestellt. Durch den Austausch von Benzoesäure durch Ferrocensäure wurden die Analoge 44 und 45 erhalten. Die Restkonzentration des 15mer Substrats nach der Inkubation wurde als Maß der Inhibition herangezogen. Hierfür wurde der molare Extinktionskoeffizient bei 280 nm mit (26.41±0.59) L*mol-1*cm-1 bestimmt. Die Methylierung führte zu einer erhöhten Stabilität. Der Wirkstoffkandidat 45 zeigte außerdem eine vollständige Inhibition im Rahmen des durchgeführten Assays. 4-Hydroxycoumarin wurde verwendet, um die fluoreszenten Analoga 49 und 50 herzustellen. Beide waren instabiler, wobei das Ferrocen-Derivat wie zuvor eine erhöhte Inhibition aufzeigte. Nach der Synthese und Auswertung des Assays für eine Thioester Modellverbindung 53 und einer nachgewiesenen Inaktivierung des etablierten Inhibitors Ebselen wurden die Nebenreaktionen mit DL-Dithiothreitol als Ursache für einen Konzentrationsabfall der aktiven und intakten Inhibitoren und infolgedessen verringerte Inhibition angenommen. Als nächstes wurde bewiesen, dass der Zusatz eines Reduktionsmittels wie keinen Einfluss auf die Enzymaktivität während des kurzen Assays hat. So wurden alle Einflüsse auf die Inhibitionswirkung ausgeschlossen und der nun makellose Assay für Ebselen und den hier vorgestellten neuartigen organometallischen Inhibitor 45 wiederholt, welche beide eine vollständige Inhibition aufwiesen. KW - Inhibition KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - Covalent inhibitors KW - Surface modification KW - Indole conjugation KW - LCMS- based kinetic studies Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-287424 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hasenpusch, Claudia A1 - Matterne, Uwe A1 - Tischer, Christina A1 - Hrudey, Ilona A1 - Apfelbacher, Christian T1 - Development and content validation of a comprehensive health literacy survey instrument for use in individuals with asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health N2 - Individuals with chronic conditions have been faced with many additional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual health literacy (HL) as the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply pandemic-related information has thus become ever more important in these populations. The purpose of this study was to develop and content-validate a comprehensive HL survey instrument for people with asthma based on an integrated framework, and on previous surveys and other instruments for use in the general population and vulnerable groups. Beside HL, assumed determinants, mediators, and health outcomes were embraced in the framework. A mixed-method design was used. A comprehensive examination of the available literature yielded an initial pool of 398 single items within 20 categories. Based on content validity indices (CVI) of expert ratings (n = 11) and the content analysis of cognitive interviews with participants (n = 9), the item pool was reduced, and individual items/scales refined or modified. The instrument showed appropriate comprehensibility (98.0%), was judged relevant, and had an acceptable CVI at scale level (S-CVI/Ave = 0.91). The final version comprises 14 categories measured by 38 questions consisting of 116 single items. In terms of content, the instrument appears a valid representation of behavioural and psychosocial constructs pertaining to a broad HL understanding and relevant to individuals with asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular monitoring of these behavioural and psychosocial constructs during the course of the pandemic can help identify needs as well as changes during the course of the pandemic, which is particularly important in chronic disease populations. KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - COVID-19 KW - asthma KW - survey instrument KW - questionnaire development KW - health literacy Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262146 SN - 1660-4601 VL - 19 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bertram, Ralph A1 - Bartsch, Vanessa A1 - Sodmann, Johanna A1 - Hennig, Luca A1 - Müjde, Engin A1 - Stock, Jonathan A1 - Ruedig, Vivienne A1 - Sodmann, Philipp A1 - Todt, Daniel A1 - Steinmann, Eike A1 - Hitzl, Wolfgang A1 - Steinmann, Joerg T1 - Risk stratification of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections based on an outbreak at a student festive event JF - Vaccines N2 - In early 2022, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global challenge. COVID-19 is caused by an increasing number of variants of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we report an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections related to a student festive event with 100 mostly vaccinated guests, which took place in Northern Bavaria, Germany, in October 2021. The data were obtained by retrospective guest interviews. In total, 95 students participated in the study, with 94 being fully vaccinated and 24 reporting infection by the delta variant. Correlation analyses among 15 examined variables revealed that time spent at the event, conversation with the supposed index person, and a homologous viral vector vaccination regime were significant risk factors for infection. Non-significant observations related to higher rates of infection included time since last vaccination, shared use of drinking vessels, and number of individual person-to-person contacts at the event. Our data suggest that a high rate of breakthrough infections with the delta variant occurs if no preventive measures are practiced. To limit infection risk, high-quality testing of participants should be considered a mandatory measure at gatherings, irrespective of the participants' vaccination status. KW - COVID-19 KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - outbreak KW - breakthrough infection Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-267270 SN - 2076-393X VL - 10 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Prada, Juan Pablo A1 - Maag, Luca Estelle A1 - Siegmund, Laura A1 - Bencurova, Elena A1 - Liang, Chunguang A1 - Koutsilieri, Eleni A1 - Dandekar, Thomas A1 - Scheller, Carsten T1 - Estimation of R0 for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany from excess mortality JF - Scientific Reports N2 - For SARS-CoV-2, R0 calculations in the range of 2–3 dominate the literature, but much higher estimates have also been published. Because capacity for RT-PCR testing increased greatly in the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, R0 determinations based on these incidence values are subject to strong bias. We propose to use Covid-19-induced excess mortality to determine R0 regardless of RT-PCR testing capacity. We used data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on the incidence of Covid cases, Covid-related deaths, number of RT-PCR tests performed, and excess mortality calculated from data from the Federal Statistical Office in Germany. We determined R0 using exponential growth estimates with a serial interval of 4.7 days. We used only datasets that were not yet under the influence of policy measures (e.g., lockdowns or school closures). The uncorrected R0 value for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 based on RT-PCR incidence data was 2.56 (95% CI 2.52–2.60) for Covid-19 cases and 2.03 (95% CI 1.96–2.10) for Covid-19-related deaths. However, because the number of RT-PCR tests increased by a growth factor of 1.381 during the same period, these R0 values must be corrected accordingly (R0corrected = R0uncorrected/1.381), yielding 1.86 for Covid-19 cases and 1.47 for Covid-19 deaths. The R0 value based on excess deaths was calculated to be 1.34 (95% CI 1.32–1.37). A sine-function-based adjustment for seasonal effects of 40% corresponds to a maximum value of R0January = 1.68 and a minimum value of R0July = 1.01. Our calculations show an R0 that is much lower than previously thought. This relatively low range of R0 fits very well with the observed seasonal pattern of infection across Europe in 2020 and 2021, including the emergence of more contagious escape variants such as delta or omicron. In general, our study shows that excess mortality can be used as a reliable surrogate to determine the R0 in pandemic situations. KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - R0 KW - mortality Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301415 VL - 12 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schapovalova, Olesia A1 - Gorlova, Anna A1 - de Munter, Johannes A1 - Sheveleva, Elisaveta A1 - Eropkin, Mikhail A1 - Gorbunov, Nikita A1 - Sicker, Michail A1 - Umriukhin, Aleksei A1 - Lyubchyk, Sergiy A1 - Lesch, Klaus-Peter A1 - Strekalova, Tatyana A1 - Schroeter, Careen A. T1 - Immunomodulatory effects of new phytotherapy on human macrophages and TLR4- and TLR7/8-mediated viral-like inflammation in mice JF - Frontiers in Medicine N2 - Background While all efforts have been undertaken to propagate the vaccination and develop remedies against SARS-CoV-2, no satisfactory management of this infection is available yet. Moreover, poor availability of any preventive and treatment measures of SARS-CoV-2 in economically disadvantageous communities aggravates the course of the pandemic. Here, we studied a new immunomodulatory phytotherapy (IP), an extract of blackberry, chamomile, garlic, cloves, and elderberry as a potential low-cost solution for these problems given the reported efficacy of herbal medicine during the previous SARS virus outbreak. Methods The key feature of SARS-CoV-2 infection, excessive inflammation, was studied in in vitro and in vivo assays under the application of the IP. First, changes in tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) and lnteurleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) concentrations were measured in a culture of human macrophages following the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and treatment with IP or prednisolone. Second, chronically IP-pre-treated CD-1 mice received an agonist of Toll-like receptors (TLR)-7/8 resiquimod and were examined for lung and spleen expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and blood formula. Finally, chronically IP-pre-treated mice challenged with LPS injection were studied for “sickness” behavior. Additionally, the IP was analyzed using high-potency-liquid chromatography (HPLC)-high-resolution-mass-spectrometry (HRMS). Results LPS-induced in vitro release of TNF and IL-1β was reduced by both treatments. The IP-treated mice displayed blunted over-expression of SAA-2, ACE-2, CXCL1, and CXCL10 and decreased changes in blood formula in response to an injection with resiquimod. The IP-treated mice injected with LPS showed normalized locomotion, anxiety, and exploration behaviors but not abnormal forced swimming. Isoquercitrin, choline, leucine, chlorogenic acid, and other constituents were identified by HPLC-HRMS and likely underlie the IP immunomodulatory effects. Conclusions Herbal IP-therapy decreases inflammation and, partly, “sickness behavior,” suggesting its potency to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection first of all via its preventive effects. KW - toll-like receptors KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - inflammation KW - pro-inflammatory cytokines KW - mice Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286301 SN - 2296-858X VL - 9 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Geiger, Nina A1 - König, Eva-Maria A1 - Oberwinkler, Heike A1 - Roll, Valeria A1 - Diesendorf, Viktoria A1 - Fähr, Sofie A1 - Obernolte, Helena A1 - Sewald, Katherina A1 - Wronski, Sabine A1 - Steinke, Maria A1 - Bodem, Jochen T1 - Acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in precision-cut lung slices JF - Vaccines N2 - Aspirin, with its active compound acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), shows antiviral activity against rhino- and influenza viruses at high concentrations. We sought to investigate whether ASA and its metabolite salicylic acid (SA) inhibit SARS-CoV-2 since it might use similar pathways to influenza viruses. The compound-treated cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Viral replication was analysed by RTqPCR. The compounds suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture cells and a patient-near replication system using human precision-cut lung slices by two orders of magnitude. While the compounds did not interfere with viral entry, it led to lower viral RNA expression after 24 h, indicating that post-entry pathways were inhibited by the compounds. KW - acetylsalicylic acid KW - salicylic acid KW - antiviral activity KW - aspirin KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - precision-cut lung slices Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-289885 SN - 2076-393X VL - 10 IS - 10 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gupta, Shishir K. A1 - Minocha, Rashmi A1 - Thapa, Prithivi Jung A1 - Srivastava, Mugdha A1 - Dandekar, Thomas T1 - Role of the pangolin in origin of SARS-CoV-2: an evolutionary perspective JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences N2 - After the recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, unanswered questions remain related to its evolutionary history, path of transmission or divergence and role of recombination. There is emerging evidence on amino acid substitutions occurring in key residues of the receptor-binding domain of the spike glycoprotein in coronavirus isolates from bat and pangolins. In this article, we summarize our current knowledge on the origin of SARS-CoV-2. We also analyze the host ACE2-interacting residues of the receptor-binding domain of spike glycoprotein in SARS-CoV-2 isolates from bats, and compare it to pangolin SARS-CoV-2 isolates collected from Guangdong province (GD Pangolin-CoV) and Guangxi autonomous regions (GX Pangolin-CoV) of South China. Based on our comparative analysis, we support the view that the Guangdong Pangolins are the intermediate hosts that adapted the SARS-CoV-2 and represented a significant evolutionary link in the path of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus. We also discuss the role of intermediate hosts in the origin of Omicron. KW - COVID-19 KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - origin KW - evolution KW - intermediate host KW - pangolin KW - mutation KW - recombination KW - adaptation KW - transmission KW - comparative sequence analysis Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285995 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 23 IS - 16 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sitter, Magdalena A1 - Pecks, Ulrich A1 - Rüdiger, Mario A1 - Friedrich, Sabine A1 - Fill Malfertheiner, Sara A1 - Hein, Alexander A1 - Königbauer, Josefine T. A1 - Becke-Jakob, Karin A1 - Zöllkau, Janine A1 - Ramsauer, Babett A1 - Rathberger, Katharina A1 - Pontones, Constanza A. A1 - Kraft, Katrina A1 - Meybohm, Patrick A1 - Härtel, Christoph A1 - Kranke, Peter T1 - Pregnant and postpartum women requiring intensive care treatment for COVID-19 — first data from the CRONOS-registry JF - Journal of Clinical Medicine N2 - (1) Background: Data on coronavirus 2 infection during pregnancy vary. We aimed to describe maternal characteristics and clinical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 positive women requiring intensive care treatment for COVID-19 during pregnancy and postpartum period based on data of a comprehensive German surveillance system in obstetric patients. (2) Methods: Data from COVID-19 Related Obstetric and Neonatal Outcome Study (CRONOS), a prospective multicenter registry for SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women, was analyzed with respect to ICU treatment. All women requiring intensive care treatment for COVID-19 were included and compared regarding maternal characteristics, course of disease, as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes. (3) Results: Of 2650 cases in CRONOS, 101 women (4%) had a documented ICU stay. Median maternal age was 33 (IQR, 30–36) years. COVID-19 was diagnosed at a median gestational age of 33 (IQR, 28–35) weeks. As the most invasive form of COVID-19 treatment interventions, patients received either continuous monitoring of vital signs without further treatment requirement (n = 6), insufflation of oxygen (n = 30), non-invasive ventilation (n = 22), invasive ventilation (n = 28), or escalation to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 15). No significant clinical differences were identified between patients receiving different forms of ventilatory support for COVID-19. Prevalence of preterm delivery was significantly higher in women receiving invasive respiratory treatments. Four women died of COVID-19 and six fetuses were stillborn. (4) Conclusions: Our cohort shows that progression of COVID-19 is rare in pregnant and postpartum women treated in the ICU. Preterm birth rate is high and COVID-19 requiring respiratory support increases the risk of poor maternal and neonatal outcome. KW - maternal critical care KW - COVID-19 KW - ARDS KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - pregnancy KW - obstetrics Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-255257 SN - 2077-0383 VL - 11 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Geiger, Nina A1 - Kersting, Louise A1 - Schlegel, Jan A1 - Stelz, Linda A1 - Fähr, Sofie A1 - Diesendorf, Viktoria A1 - Roll, Valeria A1 - Sostmann, Marie A1 - König, Eva-Maria A1 - Reinhard, Sebastian A1 - Brenner, Daniela A1 - Schneider-Schaulies, Sibylle A1 - Sauer, Markus A1 - Seibel, Jürgen A1 - Bodem, Jochen T1 - The acid ceramidase is a SARS-CoV-2 host factor JF - Cells N2 - SARS-CoV-2 variants such as the delta or omicron variants, with higher transmission rates, accelerated the global COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies need to be deployed. The inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), interfering with viral entry by fluoxetine was reported. Here, we described the acid ceramidase as an additional target of fluoxetine. To discover these effects, we synthesized an ASM-independent fluoxetine derivative, AKS466. High-resolution SARS-CoV-2–RNA FISH and RTqPCR analyses demonstrate that AKS466 down-regulates viral gene expression. It is shown that SARS-CoV-2 deacidifies the lysosomal pH using the ORF3 protein. However, treatment with AKS488 or fluoxetine lowers the lysosomal pH. Our biochemical results show that AKS466 localizes to the endo-lysosomal replication compartments of infected cells, and demonstrate the enrichment of the viral genomic, minus-stranded RNA and mRNAs there. Both fluoxetine and AKS466 inhibit the acid ceramidase activity, cause endo-lysosomal ceramide elevation, and interfere with viral replication. Furthermore, Ceranib-2, a specific acid ceramidase inhibitor, reduces SARS-CoV-2 replication and, most importantly, the exogenous supplementation of C6-ceramide interferes with viral replication. These results support the hypotheses that the acid ceramidase is a SARS-CoV-2 host factor. KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - ceramides KW - ceramidase KW - fluoxetine KW - acid sphingomyelinase Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286105 SN - 2073-4409 VL - 11 IS - 16 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nyawale, Helmut A. A1 - Moremi, Nyambura A1 - Mohamed, Mohamed A1 - Njwalila, Johnson A1 - Silago, Vitus A1 - Krone, Manuel A1 - Konje, Eveline T. A1 - Mirambo, Mariam M. A1 - Mshana, Stephen E. T1 - High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Mwanza, northwestern Tanzania: a population-based survey JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health N2 - The transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, has been documented worldwide. However, the evidence of the extent to which transmission has occurred in different countries is still to be established. Understanding the magnitude and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 through seroprevalence studies is important in designing control and preventive strategies in communities. This study investigated the seropositivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus antibodies in the communities of three different districts in the Mwanza region, Tanzania. A household cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2021 using the modified African Centre for Disease and Prevention (ACDC) survey protocol. A blood sample was obtained from one member of each of the selected households who consented to take part in the survey. Immunochromatographic rapid test kits were used to detect IgM and IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, followed by descriptive data analysis. Overall, 805 participants were enrolled in the study with a median age of 35 (interquartile range (IQR):27–47) years. The overall SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 50.4% (95%CI: 46.9–53.8%). The IgG and IgM seropositivity of the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 49.3% and 7.2%, respectively, with 6.1% being both IgG and IgM seropositive. A history of runny nose (aOR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.03–3.5, p = 0.036), loss of taste (aOR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.12–4.48, p = 0.023), and living in Ukerewe (aOR: 3.55, 95%CI: 1.68–7.47, p = 0.001) and Magu (aOR: 2.89, 95%CI: 1.34–6.25, p= 0.007) were all independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 IgM seropositivity. Out of the studied factors, living in the Ukerewe district was independently associated with IgG seropositivity (aOR 1.29, CI 1.08–1.54, p = 0.004). Twenty months after the first case of COVID-19 in Tanzania, about half of the studied population in Mwanza was seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - COVID-19 KW - seroprevalence KW - antibodies KW - Mwanza KW - Tanzania Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-288134 SN - 1660-4601 VL - 19 IS - 18 ER -