March 14, 2022 – iEXPOSED.us Blog

CORONAVIRUS INFO PROVIDED BY DR. JIM HARRIS – 3/14/2022

(FROM THE WASHINGTON POST)

FROM REUTERS:

France to launch fourth COVID shot for over-80s, PM says

”…France is to start offering a fourth COVID-19 vaccination shot to people over 80 years old who had their previous booster dose more than three months ago,..”

FROM CELL

Broad neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants by an inhalable bispecific single-domain antibody

”…Highlights

Conserved epitopes outside of the receptor binding motif (RBM) of SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD

A bispecific single-domain antibody (bn03) broadly neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants

Two arms of bn03 can bind simultaneously and synergistically to one RBD of spike trimer

Inhalation of bn03 can effectively treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in hACE2 mice

Summary

The effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapeutic antibodies has been limited by the continuous emergence of viral variants, and by the restricted diffusion of antibodies from circulation into the sites of respiratory virus infection. Here, we report the identification of two highly-conserved regions on Omicron variant RBD recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, we generated a bispecific single-domain antibody that was able to simultaneously and synergistically bind these two regions on a single Omicron variant RBD as revealed by cryo-EM structures. We demonstrated that this bispecific antibody can be effectively delivered to lung via inhalation administration, and exhibited exquisite neutralization breadth and therapeutic efficacy in mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Importantly, this study also deciphered an uncommon and highly-conserved cryptic epitope within the spike trimeric interface that may have implications for the design of broadly protective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapeutics.

(J. Harris: A potentially effective new vaccine taken by inhalation.)

FROM BECKERS:

1. MORE ABOUT COMBINATION VARIANTS: DELTACHRON

(Deltacron: 6 things to know about the potential coronavirus variant)

(J. Harris: Very readable.)

”…We have not seen any change in the epidemiology with this recombinant,” WHO COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove, PhD, said of deltacron during a March 9 media briefing. “We haven’t seen any change in severity. But there are many studies that are underway…”

2. Flu shot offers little protection this season, CDC data shows

”…Despite the apparent mismatch, the CDC still recommends all Americans 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu annually,

as it can prevent serious virus-related complications…”

(J. Harris: The mismatched flu shot gives the cautious another reason to wear masks in crowded situations — and to avoid them.)

3. The tie between medical errors, daylight saving — and why Congress may end the time change (and Washington Post)

”…The tie between medical errors, daylight saving — and why Congress may end the time change….But while the experts sounded alarms about the clock change, they split on the right fix. Calandrillo argued that the nation should permanently adopt daylight saving time to capitalize on as much light as possible in the early evening, while Malow argued for a permanent shift to standard time, saying that moving the clocks earlier throws off the body’s natural responses to light….The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has pushed for an end to the shift. Experts at the March 9 hearing, convened by the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on consumer protection, said the time shift hurts sleep, is linked to cardiac problems, and presents other health and public safety risks….”There is clear evidence that going back and forth not only affects adults with [more] heart attacks and strokes but also affects our kids, particularly with teen sleep deprivation,” …”

PERCENT VACCINATED