A global survey in the developmental landscape of possible vaccination strategies for COVID-19.

The development of COVID-19 vaccines was promptly regulated to ensure the best possible approach. By January 2022, 75 candidates reached preclinical evaluation in various animal models, 114 vaccines were in clinical trials on humans, and 48 were in the final testing stages. Vaccine platforms range from whole virus vaccines to nucleic acid vaccines, which are the most promising in prompt availability and safety. The USA and Europe have approved vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) and Moderna (mRNa1273). So far, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca-University of Oxford, Sinopharm, Sinovac Biotech Gamaleya, Bharat Biotech, and Novavax have documented effective vaccines. Even with technological advances and a fast-paced development approach, many limitations and problems need to be overcome before a large-scale production of new vaccines can start. The Key is to ensure equal and fair distribution globally through regulatory measures. Recent studies link Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination programs and lower disease severity.

The microbiota-mediated dietary and nutritional interventions for COVID-19.

Worldwide, scientists are looking for specific treatment for COVID-19. Apart from the antiviral approach, the interventions to support healthy immune responses to the virus are feasible through diet, nutrition, and lifestyle approaches. This narrative review explores the recent studies on dietary, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions that influence the microbiota-mediated immunomodulatory effects against viral infections. Cumulative studies reported that the airway microbiota and SARS-CoV-2 leverage each other and determine the pathogen-microbiota-host responses. Cigarette smoking can disrupt microbiota abundance. The composition and diversification of intestinal microbiota influence the airway microbiota and the innate and adaptive immunity, which require supports from the balance of macro- and micronutrients from the diet. Colorful vegetables supplied fermentable prebiotics and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant phytonutrients. Fermented foods and beverages support intestinal microbiota. In sensitive individuals, the avoidance of the high immunoreactive food antigens contributes to antiviral immunity. This review suggests associations between airway and intestinal microbiota, antiviral host immunity, and the influences of dietary, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions to prevent the clinical course toward severe COVID-19.

Sleep, Dietary Melatonin Supplementation, and COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people suffered from major mental health problems. These include stress, anxiety, and confusion about the existing situation of home confinement. Melatonin is a popular anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecule sold as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. OBJECTIVE: This review discusses the indications for using melatonin in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including treatment. METHODS: A comprehensive search of publications was conducted in electronic databases focusing on the administration of melatonin in COVID-19. RESULTS: Stress has a huge negative impact on sleep routines and the quality of life of individuals. Sleep is considered an important modulator of the immune response. Thus, a lack of sleep can weaken immunity, increasing organism susceptibility to infection. For instance, shorter sleep durations are associated with a rise in suffering from the common cold. The administration of melatonin protects against viral and other pathogens and speeds clinical recovery. CONCLUSION: In patients admitted to intensive care units, melatonin decreases the risks of severe complications, such as thrombosis and sepsis, and mortality rates. In addition, it is efficacious in lowering vessel permeability, depression, and sedation, and improving the quality of sleep, which could also help COVID-19 patients achieve better clinical outcomes.

Optimizing the Antimicrobial Effects by using Natural Compounds in COVID-19 Management.

COVID-19 has emerged as the most significant global health issue of our time. The causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, causes extensive damage to the lower respiratory tract in susceptible populations, leading to lung damage and death. COVID-19-infected patients are also prone to respiratory pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and E. coli. In some cases, these respiratory pathogens are multidrug-resistant and cause life-threatening infections in patients. Since the existing antibiotics are ineffective against these antibiotic-resistant bacteria, urgent attention is required to develop new and effective therapeutic agents to combat antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Alternatively, novel therapeutic strategies can be explored to enhance the antimicrobial effects of the existing antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics. Adding natural compounds with existing antimicrobial agents to increase their antimicrobial activity is one of the most suitable and promising options to combat the rising threat of both COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance. Natural compounds are generally considered safe and may even reduce the side effects of drugs and medicines. In light of such advantages, the current review summarized some of the studies that have combined natural compounds with antibiotics and antiviral to increase the antimicrobial potential of these drugs. This study can help researchers compare and understand already existing data to design new studies to develop antimicrobial agents against COVID-19.

Improving safety in dental practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a novel coronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It originated from the Chinese city of Wuhan and very quickly became a challenging public health problem. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization termed this potentially deadly disease a pandemic due to its rapid spread in various parts of the world, giving rise to international health emergencies. This virus is transmitted from human to human in the form of respiratory droplets, and in specific circumstances, airborne transmission may occur. Additional sources of exposure for dentists include blood and infected sharps. Due to the contagious nature of COVID-19 many health care providers have also been disproportionately affected, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, and paramedical staff. Dentists and dental staff are at high risk of cross-infection due to their nature of work. Therefore, they face a dual challenge in protecting themselves and their patients from infection transmission while ensuring that patients receive urgent dental care. In this review, the authors highlight the epidemiology, modes of cross-infection, and recent data on SARS-CoV-2 related to dental practice. The primary purpose is to make dental health care providers aware of the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and to increase their preparedness and understanding of this challenge, which will aid in controlling transmission. The information collected will be useful for the dental community in providing effective patient management through evidence-based recommendations for infection control and disinfection protocols.

Relationship between Gut Microbiota, Gut Hyperpermeability and Obesity.

Intestinal hyperpermeability is a complex metabolic process mediated by different pathways in close relation to the gut microbiota. Previous studies suggested that the gut microbiota is involved in different metabolic regulations, and its imbalance is associated with several metabolic diseases, including obesity. It is well known that intestinal hyperpermeability is associated with dysbiosis, and the combination of these two conditions can lead to an increase in the level of low-grade inflammation in obese patients due to an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Inflammatory bowel syndrome often accompanies this condition causing an alteration of the intestinal mucosa and thus reinforcing the dysbiosis and gut hyperpermeability. The onset of metabolic disorders depends on violations of the integrity of the intestinal barrier as a result of increased intestinal permeability. Chronic inflammation due to endotoxemia is responsible for the development of obesity. Metabolic disorders are associated with dysregulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and with an altered composition of gut flora. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms that illustrate the relationship between hyperpermeability, the composition of the gut microbiota, and obesity.