Month: October 2021

Washington (TIP): Scientists have developed a chemical compound that they say could prevent infection from SARS-CoV-2 virus or reduce the severity of COVID-19 if given early in the course of an infection.

The compound, called MM3122, interferes with a key feature of many viruses that allows them to invade human cells, according to the researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in the US.

The compound, described in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, targets a key human protein called transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) that coronaviruses harness to enter and infect human cells.

“Great vaccines are now available for SARS-CoV-2, but we still need effective antiviral medications to help curb the severity of this pandemic,” said study senior author James W Janetka, a professor at Washington University.

“The compound we are developing prevents the virus from entering cells,” Janetka said.

Janet said the ultimate goal of the study is to advance the molecules into an inhibitor that can be taken by mouth, and that could become an effective part of drug inhibitors against COVID-19.

The new drug compound potently blocks TMPRSS2 and another related protein called matriptase, which are found on the surface of the lung and other cells, according to the researchers.

Many viruses—including SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, as well as other coronaviruses and influenza—depend on these proteins to infect cells and spread throughout the lung, they said.

After the virus latches onto a cell in the airway epithelia, the human protein TMPRSS2 cuts the virus’s spike protein, activating the spike protein to mediate fusion of the viral and cellular membranes, initiating the process of infection.

MM3122 blocks the enzymatic activity of human protein TMPRSS2 which perturbs the activation of the spike protein and suppresses membrane fusion.

“The SARS-CoV-2 virus hijacks our own lung cells’ machinery to activate its spike protein, which enables it to bind to and invade lung cells,” Janetka said.

“In blocking TMPRSS2, the drug prevents the virus from entering other cells within the body or from invading the lung cells in the first place if, in theory, it could be taken as a preventive,” he added.

The researchers are testing the compound in mice in combination with other treatments that target other key parts of the virus.

This may help develop an effective broad-spectrum antiviral therapy that would be useful in COVID-19 and other viral infections, they added.

Studying cells growing in the lab that were infected with SARS-CoV-2, MM3122 protected the cells from viral damage much better than remdesivir, a treatment already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for patients with COVID-19, the researchers said.

An acute safety test in mice showed that large doses of the compound given for seven days did not cause any noticeable problems, they said.

The researchers also showed that the compound was as effective against the original Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

                Source: PTI

It’s nearly two years since the Covid-19 pandemic struck the world. Yet the fear and anxiety it brought, especially in those who suffered from the infectious disease, forced to remain in isolation at home, lost their near and dear ones and were left jobless for months, is hard to let go.

However, with Covid easing and India reopening, it is time to open up and start mingling with people with proper precaution, bring happiness back in your life and shun depression and anxiety, health experts said on Saturday ahead of the World Mental Health Day on October 10.

While we are not yet out of the pandemic and must adhere to Covid-approriate behaviour, one also needs to “be cognisant of physical and mental health, do exercise/ yoga and spend good time with family”, said Dr. Vipul Rastogi, Consultant neuropsychiatrist Medanta hospital, Gurugram, told IANS.

“Do not bottle-up your concerns and emotions. Share your feelings with family and friends and if it doesn’t help seek professional help at the earliest,” Rastogi added.

Mental health in India has been a concern, much before the pandemic. Due to societal pressures and social stigma revolving around it, the condition has not received much attention.

In 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind asserted that India was “facing a possible mental health epidemic”.

A study, published in the science journal Lancet in the same year, revealed that 14 per cent of India’s population suffered from mental health ailments, including 45.7 million suffering from depressive disorders and 49 million from anxiety disorders.

The Covid-19 pandemic has further accentuated this mental health crisis.

A recent LinkedIn report showed that more than one in two Indian professionals are currently feeling stressed at work as well-being measures have become a luxury for many in the last 18 months, adversely affecting mental health of working professionals in the country.

Source: IANS

Natural ingredients are for DIYs are ruling the beauty world right now. These are inexpensive, chemical-free and light on the skin. What those store-bought products can’t do, these natural ingredients can do ,without damaging the skin cells. One such ingredient is the banana peel. It is the most neglected item in your house and is often regarded as worthless. With the use of banana peel, you can say goodbye to acne and wrinkles without spending oodles.

How does it work?

Banana peel is high in lutein, an antioxidant and carotenoid vitamin related to Vitamin A. Lutein helps in protecting the skin against the damage done by the sun. Banana peel is high in esterified fatty acids, which are hard to find otherwise and constitute as one of the basic ingredients in many patent lotions.

With the use of banana peel, you can achieve an acne and wrinkle free skin. It has vitamins A, B, C, E, potassium, zinc, iron, and manganese that can reduce even the old acne marks. It hydrates your skin from the inside out and gives it a softer look. If you too want a naturally clear and younger looking skin, this is how you can get it.

How to use?

Incorporating banana peel in your daily beauty regime is very easy. Just follow the given steps for a beautiful looking skin:

–              First, prepare your skin. Use a mild cleanser to get rid of oil and dirt on the skin. Don’t scrub or be harsh on your skin, especially if you have acne.

–              Take a ripe banana and cut its peel into chunks and rub the inner part directly on the skin for 10 to 15 minutes in a circular motion.

–              Keep a check if the peel in turning black from the inside.

–              If that is the case, it means that the peel needs to be replaced now.

–              Don’t wash your face instantly.

–              Let your skin absorb all the moisture for at least 4-5 hours. (You can do this before going to sleep so that it stays on your face overnight)

–              Then rinse off with cold water.

–              You can use banana peel daily for better results.

Other benefits

Banana peel is rich in various minerals and vitamins which make it a perfect ingredient for resolving other skin related troubles as well. Here are some other benefits that you can reap from banana peel:

–              It can be used to get rid of warts. Just tape the banana peel on the skin and leave it overnight. With continuous use, your warts will vanish.

–              Because of high sugar content, it can help you with hemorrhoids.

–              As it is high in natural moisture, it can treat eczema and psoriasis as well.

–              You can use banana peel to correct cracked heels as well.

–              Banana peel is rich in potassium and is anti-inflammatory in nature. It can be used to treat the skin irritated by the sun.