• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.19.1-19.10
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• 2023

Endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been evidenced to be cross-reactive to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although a correlation exists between the immunological memory to HCoVs and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity, there is little experimental evidence for the effects of HCoV memory on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Here, we investigated the Ag-specific immune response to COVID-19 vaccines in the presence or absence of immunological memory against HCoV spike Ags in a mouse model. Pre-existing immunity against HCoV did not affect the COVID-19 vaccine-mediated humoral response with regard to Ag-specific total IgG and neutralizing Ab levels. The specific T cell response to the COVID-19 vaccine Ag was also unaltered, regardless of pre-exposure to HCoV spike Ags. Taken together, our data suggest that COVID-19 vaccines elicit comparable immunity regardless of immunological memory to spike of endemic HCoVs in a mouse model.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Patients with severe COVID-19 exhibit hyper-inflammatory responses characterized by excessive activation of myeloid cells, including monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils, and a plethora of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Accumulating evidence also indicates that hyper-inflammation is a driving factor for severe progression of the disease, which has prompted the development of anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Corticosteroids, IL-6R inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors have demonstrated promising results in treating patients with severe disease. In addition, diverse forms of exosomes that exert anti-inflammatory functions have been tested experimentally for the treatment of COVID-19. Here, we briefly describe the immunological mechanisms of the hyper-inflammatory responses in patients with severe COVID-19. We also summarize current anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of severe COVID-19 and novel exosome-based therapeutics that are in experimental stages.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.785-807
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• 2020

The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unprecedentedly changing the world since its outbreak in late 2019. Using the collected the data related to COVID-19 and the social media user data from a mobile application market research agency from January 25 to April 7, this study empirically examines the effect of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide, the number news COVID-19, and the enforcement of social distancing measures on the daily active users (DAU) of two social media services - Twitter and Facebook - in South Korea. There are three important findings from the results of econometric analysis. First, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has a negative effect on the DAU of social media. Second, the number of COVID-19 news is negatively associated with the DAU of social media. Finally, the implementation of social distancing measures has no significant effect on the DAU of the social media. Theoretical implications and managerial guidelines are also discussed.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.252-266
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• 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious pneumonia that has spread throughout the world. It is caused by a novel, single stranded RNA virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Genetic analysis revealed that, phylogenetically, the SARS-CoV-2 is related to severe acute respiratory syndrome-like viruses seen in bats. Because of this, bats are considered as a possible primary reservoir. The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. As of May 27, 2020, more than 5,406,282 confirmed cases, and 343,562 confirmed deaths have been reported worldwide. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral drugs available against COVID-19. Newly developed vaccines are in the first stage of clinical trials, and it may take a few months to a few years for their commercialization. At present, remdesivir and chloroquine are the promising drugs for treating COVID-19 patients. In this review, we summarize the diversity, genetic variations, primary reservoirs, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment strategies, and future prospects with respect to controlling the spread of COVID-19.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.9
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• pp.659-672
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• 2020

The outbreak of a recent strain of Coronavirus, known as 'COVID-19', has spread sharply from China across the globe, resulting in a dramatic recession in the global economy. This uncertainty has therefore negatively influenced the business perspective and the various formulated strategies that may not considered such [extreme] circumstances. Using baseline analysis and archival data, this paper reports some of the major implications of COVID-19 on global business and strategy and puts forward suggested research agenda as potential future directions for organizations. In order to survive and remain sustainable, this paper argues that businesses need to revisit their strategies during current COVID-19 crises from three perspectives, including supporting human resources financial commitment, forming cross-functional teams and connecting with their supply chains, as well as investing in corporate social responsibility and doubling down efforts with regard to partnerships. The study also represents a preliminary analysis to the implications of COVID-19 on the business and strategies across the globe and is considered the first such in the field of business, as to date all research papers on COVID-19 have been published in medical-related journals. Directions for future research are also proposed at the end of this study.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.320-331
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• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major health burden worldwide, with over 450 million confirmed cases and 6 million deaths. Although the acute phase of COVID-19 management has been established, there is still a long way to go to evaluate the long-term clinical course or manage complications due to the relatively short outbreak of the virus. Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the most common respiratory complications associated with COVID-19. Scarring throughout the lungs after viral or bacterial pulmonary infection have been commonly observed, but the prevalence of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis is rapidly increasing. However, there is limited information available about post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis, and there is also a lack of consensus on what condition should be defined as post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis. During a relatively short follow-up period of approximately 1 year, lesions considered related to pulmonary fibrosis often showed gradual improvement; therefore, it is questionable at what time point fibrosis should be evaluated. In this review, we investigated the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, and management of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2024

Since its outbreak in late 2019, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly caused global morbidity and deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has major complications in cardiovascular and pulmonary system. The increased rate of mortality is due to delayed detection of certain biomarkers that are crucial in the development of disease. Furthermore, certain proteins and enzymes in cellular signaling pathways play an important role in replication of SARS-CoV-2. Most cases are mild to moderate symptoms, however severe cases of COVID-19 leads to death. Detecting the level of biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin, creatine kinase, creatine kinaseMB, procalcitonin and Matrix metalloproteinases helps in early detection of the severity of disease. Similarly, through downregulating Renin-angiotensin system, interleukin, Mitogen-activated protein kinases and Phosphoinositide 3-kinases pathways, COVID-19 can be effectively controlled and mortality could be prevented. Ginseng and ginsenosides possess therapeutic potential in cardiac and pulmonary complications, there are several studies performed in which they have suppressed these biomarkers and downregulated the pathways, thereby inhibiting the further spread of disease. Supplementation with ginseng or ginsenoside could act on multiple pathways to reduce the level of biomarkers significantly and alleviate cardiac and pulmonary damage. Therefore, this review summarizes the potential of ginseng extract and ginsenosides in controlling the cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases by COVID-19.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and declared a worldwide pandemic on March 11, 2020, is a novel infectious disease that causes respiratory illness and death. Pediatric COVID-19 accounts for a small percentage of patients and is often milder than that in adults; however, it can progress to severe disease in some cases. Even neonates can suffer from COVID-19, and children may spread the disease in the community. This review summarizes what is currently known about COVID-19 in children and adolescents.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate recent trends in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and analyze the results for the activation of COVID-19 Korean medicine research. Methods: We searched for RCTs published from December 2019 to October 2021 in the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI). The investigation focused on the type of study, the purpose of the study, and the treatment methods. Results: A total of 8 RCTs were selected and analyzed from the 447 searched studies. All studies attempted to observe the effects of herbal medicine. Herbal medicine included granules, decoctions, and intravenous injections. The most frequently used herb type was drugs for clearing away heat and detoxification and releasing the exterior syndrome. In most studies, the effectiveness of TCM treatment of COVID-19 was significantly high. Conclusions: Although more quality studies are needed to support these results, TCM treatment for COVID-19 has been effective. Therefore, we hope that Korean medicine studies on infectious diseases will be actively conducted like TCM and contribute to national health.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents as a mild-to-moderate respiratory illness in most children. However, a small proportion of children with COVID-19 develop severe or critical illnesses. Although pediatric clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19 are sparse, some drugs are available for children and adolescents with severe COVID-19. This review summarizes clinical data focusing on antiviral agents and immunomodulators for use in treating COVID-19. In addition, current recommendations for therapeutics for children and adolescents with COVID-19 are discussed.