Bats are diverse. There exists 1423 known species, with considerable sequence variation in viral receptors (eg DPP4 and ACE2) increasing the likelihood that mere exists a coronavirus variant that spilling into humans.
DPP4 is the receptor for MERS while ACE2 is the receptor for SARS. The variation in these receptors among bats greater than that between humans and other species of mammals. We still don't know the identity of bat species from which COVID19 came.
Bats have exceptionally long lifespans for their size. Bat Immune system has adaptations that allow them to harbour viruses without getting ill. They have constitutive activation of interferon pathway while other pathogenic pathways are reduced.
Most importantly, the decreased activation of inflammasome pathway in bats probably explain the lack of pathology from coronavirus infections in bats. Viroporin induced inflammasome activation is a key process in a COVID19
Colchicine that blocks NLRP3 inflammasome (it's a treatment for Gout and FMF) has now been proven to reduce COVID19 induced mortality as shown by Colcorona trials.
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Here is a thread on what people with heart disease should consider before taking vaccine 1/n
People with heart disease are at increased risk from COVID19 not only due to heart disease but also from diabetes & hypertension. Thus benefits of vaccination are greater. Now the nuance
Reports of sudden deaths following vaccination have received widespread coverage, mostly in the old (Norway) as well as young (Karnataka, India & Portugal) attributed to Cardiac events. This has to be seen against millions vaccinated. Risk of COVID19 death above 70 is 14% 2/n
One can say a particular mode of death is attributable (partially or fully) to vaccination if it is raised above the baseline risk. Even still benefits of vaccine outweighs risk.
Let's discuss whether vaccine can plausibly trigger cardiac events in high risk individuals 3/n
Here is an excellent compilation of BirdDeath events across India. @birdcountindia affiliated with eBird.org is a science project promoting cataloging BirdRecords in India. You would find lists of events with links here 2/n #BirdFlu birdcount.in/dead-or-dying-…
Mass deaths of Birds have been reported from Kerala since mid December including in Duck Farms.
The causative agent has been confirmed as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza type H5N8 #HPAIH5N8
Despite name it has very low pathogenicity in humans. 3/n thehindu.com/news/national/…
Reliance Jio Customer Torture Service is the worst customer outreach program in existence.
My big mistake porting my mobile number from BSNL (another Jio success story in turning a great public facility to dust) to Reliance Jio network. @reliancejio@reliancegroup#Jio 1/n
I got an SMS on a Saturday afternoon before an extended weekend informing me that there was small unbilled amount with my previous service provider BSNL & hence Jio is disconnecting my services. Immediately my phone lost signal & network. Not even SMS or OTP possible 2/n
Although my credit card and debit card are blocked due to the OTP block, I managed to pay dues to BSNL.
When you follow the link in the SMS to update payment details, it asks you for an OTP (which of course you can't get because SMS is blocked
You need OTP to activate OTP! 3/n
Germinal Centre defects in severe COVID19 patients who died cripples effective antibody response. It probably explains why it takes upto 4-5 weeks (incubation upto 2, then 2-3) for antibodies to form. 10% produce no antibodies at all. #CovidImmunity sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/c…
Short lived nature of the antibody response after COVID19 infection makes dreams of Herd immunity from natural infections a mirage if ever it was even a thing. OTOH, vaccines "may" produce long lived antibodies, particularly with the RNA vaccines. sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/s…
Defects in Germinal center formation explains the short duration and/or lack of effective antibody response in COVID19. Most antibodies are derived from non-GC Bcells. TFh differentiation defects underlie the lack of Bcl6+ TFh & Follicular Bcells. Bodes poorly for Herd immunity.
Asians & others with darker skin living in Northern latitudes are prone to Vitamin D Deficiency? Severe COVID19 males had lower vitamin D levels. (Females take more supplements) Vitamin D plays key roles in cardiovascular & immune systems 1/n #VitaminD blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/a…
Vitamin D regulates the expression of PLC-γ1 in naive T cells & is key to T cell responsiveness in humans. Poor primary T cell response can affect immune responses to viral infections including influenza & coronaviruses. 2/n @Ms_Aflatoon#VitaminD nature.com/articles/ni.18…
Vitamin D necessary for IFN-γ–induced antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin expression, autophagy, phagosome-lysosome fusion, and antimicrobial activity crucial to TB & leprosy immunity. Before antibiotics sunlight was the only treatment for tuberculosis 3/n stm.sciencemag.org/content/3/104/…
@nntaleb There are sufficient mechanistic studies to believe there could be a synergy between Zinc and Hydroxychloroquine.
Zinc has activity against multiple virus families including coronavirus.
Hydroxychloroquine is a Zinc chelator and potentiates Zinc effects. Will post references 1/n
@nntaleb Zn2+ Inhibits Coronavirus and Arterivirus RdRP RNA dependent RNA Polymerase Activity In Vitro and Zinc Ionophores Block the Replication of These Viruses in Cell Culture 2/n journals.plos.org/plospathogens/…
@nntaleb Zinc ionophores inhibit other RNA viruses such as Dengue Virus as well. So this is a generic thing about RNA viruses. RdRp enzymes are structurally conserved across viral taxa. frontiersin.org/articles/10.33…