Covid-19 virus has been circulating in bats for decades: Study

An international team of researchers has discovered that the lineage that gave rise to the

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that is responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic, has been circulating in

bats for decades and likely includes other viruses with the ability to infect humans.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Microbiology, have implications for the

prevention of future pandemics stemming from this lineage.

"Coronaviruses have genetic material that is highly recombinant, meaning different regions

of the virus's genome can be derived from multiple sources," said study researcher Maciej

Boni from Penn State University in the US.

"This has made it difficult to reconstruct SARS-CoV-2's origins. You have to identify all the

regions that have been recombining and trace their histories. To do that, we put together a

diverse team with expertise in recombination, phylogenetic dating, virus sampling, and

molecular and viral evolution," Boni added.

The team used three different bioinformatic approaches to identify and remove the

recombinant regions within the Covid-19 virus genome.

Next, they reconstructed phylogenetic histories for the non-recombinant regions and

compared them to each other to see which specific viruses have been involved in

recombination events in the past.

They were able to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships between Covid-19 virus and its

closest known bat and pangolin viruses.

The researchers found that the lineage of viruses to which Covid-19 virus belongs diverged

from other bat viruses about 40-70 years ago.

Importantly, although SARS-CoV-2 is genetically similar (about 96 per cent) to the RaTG13

coronavirus, which was sampled from a Rhinolophus affinis horseshoe bat in 2013 in Yunnan

province, China, the team found that it diverged from RaTG13 a relatively long time ago, in

1969.

"The ability to estimate divergence times after disentangling recombination histories, which

is something we developed in this collaboration, may lead to insights into the origins of many

different viral pathogens," said study researcher Philippe Lemey.

The team found that one of the older traits that SARS-CoV-2 shares with its relatives is the

receptor-binding domain (RBD) located on the Spike protein, which enables the virus to

recognize and bind to receptors on the surfaces of human cells.

"This means that other viruses that are capable of infecting humans are circulating in

horseshoe bats in China," said study researcher David L Robertson from the MRC-University

of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research.

The team concluded that preventing future pandemics will require better sampling within

wild bats and the implementation of human disease surveillance systems that are able to

identify novel pathogens in humans and respond in real-time.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/covid-19-virus-has-been-circulating-in-bats-fordecades-

study-119890

Immunoprotein found to impair coronavirus cell interaction

Source: Indian Express

US firms eye year-end Covid vaccine launch

https://epaper.tribuneindia.com/c/53839925

Prioritise treatment

https://epaper.tribuneindia.com/c/53839903

World Hepatitis Day 2020: Causes, symptoms, treatment of the liver disease

On World Hepatitis Day today, here are some facts about the causes, symptoms and treatment

of the disease.

Lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity have a profound impact on the liver.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), liver ailments are the 10th most

common cause of deaths in India. The liver is the largest organ in the human body whose

“main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of

the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolises drugs. As it does so, the liver

secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines. The liver also makes proteins important for

blood clotting and other functions,” explains WebMD.com.

Lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity have a profound impact on the liver. It may lead

to fatty lever disease which further leads to liver dysfunction and liver cirrhosis.

If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes or high cholesterol, it is imperative that it

be controlled to lead a healthy lifestyle. High blood sugar is one of the causes of liver damage

too.

July 28 is World Hepatitis Day and the 2020 theme, Hepatitis-free future, with a strong focus

on preventing hepatitis B among mothers and newborns, and spreading awareness about the

disease amid Covid-19 pandemic.

”Worldwide, 290 million people are living with viral hepatitis unaware. Without finding the

undiagnosed and linking them to care, millions will continue to suffer, and lives will be

lost.” says the official World Hepatitis Day website.

Types of Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis, be it Type A, B, C, D and E are a group of diseases that affect the liver. WHO

says that, “Together, hepatitis B and C are the most common cause of deaths, with 1.3 million

lives lost each year. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, viral hepatitis continues to claim

thousands of lives every day.”

The Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) in a 2016 report says that Hepatitis C, a

contagious infection of the liver, affects about 12 million people in the country.

Symptoms of the disease are hard to detect as there may be no symptoms at all sometimes or

can also be confused with the common flu. However, if you see signs of fatigue, mild fever,

muscle pain, loss of appetite, light-coloured stools, nausea and vomiting, it is advisable to

seek medical help at the earliest. Not seeking appropriate treatment at the right time might

lead to liver cirrhosis or scarring, and eventually liver cancer.

Some need-to-know facts

* Live and eat healthy. Avoid excessive fried or junk food.

* Avoid alcohol as it is toxic to the liver if consumed in large quantities. In moderation and

with a healthy lifestyle, it might pose no problems.

* Carcinogenic elements present in cigarettes might pose a threat too. This might also put

passive smokers at high risk as well.

The WHO will also be publishing new recommendations on the prevention of mother-tochild

transmission of the virus today.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/health/world-hepatitis-day-2020-causes-symptomstreatment-

of-the-liver-disease/story-5V7LWuWzNr9pz3QkktKL0L.html

Covid-19 and conjunctivitis: How to take care of pink eyes

Academic studies at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic identified conjunctivitis as a

secondary symptoms in about 10 to 15 per cent of Covid-19 cases.

Sunglasses or prescription glasses can be worn while going out to protect the eyes.

The coronavirus pandemic has gripped the entire world, affecting millions. It has led to over

six lakh deaths too and pharmacists across the world are racing to find a vaccine to cure

Covid-19, the disease it causes.

Covid-19 affectes different people in different ways Among the common symptoms that a

patient of Covid-19 exhibits are fever, dry cough and tiredness. Some others may experience

aches and pains, sore throat, headache and loss of taste or smell.

But some experts have said that the coronavirus disease can spread through the eyes too, just

as it does through the mouth or nose. According to American Academy of Ophthalmogists,

the Sars-CoV-2 virus can cause pink eye infection (conjunctivitis).

A study in this regard was done in June and published in the Canadian Journal of

Ophthalmology. Academic studies at the outset of the pandemic identified conjunctivitis as a

secondary symptoms in about 10 to 15 per cent of Covid-19 cases.

How to protect your eyes during Covid-19

• Guarding your eyes - as well as your hands, nose, and mouth. According to Rajesh Sinha,

Professor of Ophthalmology at AIIMS, New Delhi, when a person touches an affected

surface and then touches the eyes or the face, the virus can enter the body. With spectacles,

one can prevent virus droplets from coming in contact with the eyes.

• Those wearing contact lenses should consider switching to glasses for a while. “They

should also be careful before rubbing their eyes,” said Ikeda Lal, Ophthalmologist at Delhi

Eye Centre and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi. This can allow the virus to get into

the eyes.

• Sunglasses or prescription glasses can be worn while going out to protect the eyes.

• Use eye drops or lubricating agents. Since a lot of people are working from home, the

screen time has increased considerably. And then there are webinars, web series, movies or

video chats. All this can lead to dryness in eyer and increase the blinking rate. The eyer drops

and lubricating agents will help in this, said experts.

• Social distancing and hygiene is of course important. The ophthalmologists say that there is

no substitute to washing your hands. And this should be done frequently.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/covid-19-and-conjunctivitis-how-to-take-careof-

pink-eyes/story-fik1wQlW1ACIO6uZdZumpL.html

As Covid-19 spreads, the silver lining

It is a problem. But there is now enough know-how to help prevent it, and manage its

consequences.

The universal use of masks in public places is the single most important intervention to

reduce risks

Looking at the rising curve of new cases in India, it may seem premature to talk about what

the new normal will look like. However, just as it was important early in the pandemic to

look ahead to save lives, it is also important to look ahead now to preserve the social fabric

and the economy. The pendulum of fear has swung from one extreme to another with much

misinformation. So, it is time to review what we do know.

The Sars-CoV-2 infection has taken a huge toll globally, with over 600,000 deaths so far. The

actual number of infections is far greater than the known cases. This is important, because it

has led to many misconceptions about the fatality of the disease. For example, in Delhi,

antibody data, which tells us about the percentage of the population that has been infected

and recovered, points to about two to three million infections. When compared to the

130,000-plus known cases and less than 4,000 deaths, the difference is staggering; fatality is

less than 0.2% by antibody data and around 3% by known cases. It is clear that when

diagnostic testing is done extensively, as is now happening in the United States (US), more

than 99% of diagnosed infections recover uneventfully.

The additional risk of dying of Covid-19 is unlikely to be more than a person’s current one year

risk of death. For example, for a young Indian male, the risk of dying of Covid-19 is not

more than the risk of dying in a road accident this year. For a young Indian woman, it is

comparable to the risk of dying during pregnancy. A 70-year-old elderly Indian male already

has an annual risk of death of 5% or more, to which Covid-19 adds about 1% additional risk.

However, none of this means that the problem is small. Restated in another way, the annual

risk of death is being doubled during the pandemic — the additional risk compressed into a

few months. Also, this risk is transmissible to those around us. The real problems begin when

the disease starts to spread so rapidly that it overwhelms the health care system. Then, deaths

start not only because of Covid-19 but also because of other causes that would normally be

preventable. The focus of the new normal should be to get on with our lives, while observing

reasonable precautions to prevent a catastrophic spread.

At the first semblance of normal life, with schools, universities, and more restaurants and

malls opening, there will be a further rise in Covid-19 cases and, consequently, deaths. This

cannot be helped until we have new effective treatments or vaccines. The universal use of

masks in public spaces will probably be the single-most important intervention to reduce the

risks. We don’t require more debate on airborne transmission. It is quite straightforward.

Large droplets from sneezes and coughs are more likely to transmit infections but settle down

fast from the air. While speaking, we expel very small droplets that are less likely to infect,

but remain in the air longer, creating tangible infection risks in closed, crowded and poorly ventilated

spaces. Wearing a mask reduces the droplets we send out and those that we breathe

in. Comfortable surgical masks, or almost any mask, do a good job of the former, while N95

respirators are required to effectively do the latter. If everyone is wearing a mask, N95 is not

required and people can stay comfortable and protected. This is the simplest strategy to

reduce not only the number of infections, but probably also the severity of infection, since it

seems that a higher amount of virus exposure may lead to higher chances of severe disease.

The other necessary intervention is to restrict indoor crowding and increase fresh air

ventilation. As the summer comes to an end in about a month, it will become possible to

bring in fresh air without compromising the temperature control of air-conditioned buildings.

However, optimal design of indoor spaces is still a problem that requires thought on the part

of architects and engineers, especially for restaurants where masks are not possible. Rapid air

exchange with filtration or decontamination is a viable option where fresh air cannot be

brought in.

The other critical need is to destigmatise Covid-19. None of us know where it is coming

from, but there is no reason for panic beyond rational precautions. Most people can safely

self-isolate and recover at home, preferably without any consternation on the part of

neighbours. Reverse isolation, in which high-risk people are temporarily isolated, is another

option. The large number of infections has a silver lining: When managed well, there will be

a large fraction of recovered people with some immunity. Herd immunity is still some

distance away as a nation, but local immunity may be sufficient to prevent large outbreaks in

such areas. In data collected by others and us, about 20-30% of Delhi and Mumbai residents

seem to be in the recovered category based on antibody presence, although these are not

neutralising antibodies with definite anti-virus action.

A very positive sign is that there have been no proven re-infections in over six months of

global experience, despite poor antibody response and lack of neutralising antibodies in many

people. Better immunity tests will allow immunity passports for those who can safely serve at

the frontline of critical high-risk services. The size of our problem may yet become the size

of our opportunity. It is time, despite the doom and gloom, to start thinking of the new

normal.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/as-covid-19-spreads-the-silver-lining/storyiiFa7ZQbVycikW4BMmiSSN.html

Protein is important for pregnant and breastfeeding women

Proteins help to build and maintain tissue and muscle mass. It is also essential for extra blood

production and promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women need to consume almost 50 percent additional protein.

The first 1,000 days refers to the period from conception up to two years of a child’s life. It

offers a critical window of opportunity to shape the baby’s short-term and long-term health. It

is a period of maximum growth and accelerated development of the brain, digestive system

and immune system. Nutrition during this critical phase plays a significant role in influencing

the development of key organ systems and their functions in the body. Evidence suggests that

good nutrition during this period can influence the likelihood of developing conditions such

as obesity, allergies, heart disease and diabetes in later life.

A woman’s nutritional status both before conception and during pregnancy is important for

the health of the mother and baby. This in turn improves the overall health of the mother and

baby and pregnancy outcomes. A mother is the sole source of nutrition for the developing

foetus during pregnancy.

A woman should eat a healthy and balanced diet to nourish the growing foetus and to build

optimal maternal body reserves in preparation for breastfeeding. Key nutrients essential for

pregnant women are energy, protein, vitamin A, C, B12, folic acid, iron, iodine, and calcium.

Further, DHA – docosahexaenoic acid content of a mother’s diet has also been associated

with positive cognitive development and function.

Adequate maternal dietary energy and protein intake during pregnancy are essential for

positive pregnancy outcomes. Protein is one of the most important nutrients. Pregnant and

breastfeeding women need to consume almost 50 per cent additional protein to support foetal

growth and expansion of maternal tissues. As per the latest Indian Council of Medical

Research recommendations, 55gm protein per day must be taken by a sedentary woman

whereas the need in a pregnant and breastfeeding woman is quite higher. It is about 82 gm

during pregnancy and 79 gm for breastfeeding.

Protein is not only necessary for healthy growth and development of the foetus, but also for

accretion in maternal tissues. Proteins help to build and maintain tissue and muscle mass. It is

also essential for extra blood production and promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy.

In addition to pregnancy, protein requirements are higher during the breastfeeding period.

Breast milk is the sole source of nutrition for infants up to six months of age; hence the

maternal diet needs to provide nutrients in the right quantity and quality to meet the

nutritional requirement of the infant. One of the key nutrients which impacts breast milk

production is protein. Dietary protein not only supports adequate supply of breast milk but

also has an impact on overall growth and development of the infant. It also helps in

synthesising hormones, enzymes and antibodies.

Additionally, protein also plays a vital role in development of the immune system of both the

mother and foetus. During pregnancy, changes in reproductive hormones and immune

systems during pregnancy collectively make them more susceptible to certain infections.

Studies have indicated that pregnant women are more susceptible to COVID-19, and special

attention should be paid to the selection of drugs that are both effective for maternal diseases

and friendly to the foetus.

Suboptimal maternal nutrition during pregnancy may result in Intra Uterine Growth

Restriction and higher chance of Low Birth Weight and Small-for-Gestational-Age babies.

Currently, it has been reported that close to 75 per cent pregnant and lactating women are not

meeting their protein requirement. It is imperative that the diets of these women are

evaluated, and they are given appropriate recommendations to meet the daily protein

requirements.

Rich sources of protein need to be included in day-to-day diet. Some of the vegetarian

sources include whole pulses and cereals, nuts, milk and milk products whereas nonvegetarian

sources of protein are eggs, chicken, meat and seafood. Since meeting the protein

and other nutrient requirements through diet alone may be challenging on a day-to-day basis,

nutritional supplements could be considered to bridge the gap of these vital nutrients from the

diet.

‘Healthy bodies make healthy babies’ and hence nutrition needs to be given paramount

importance, especially in case of pregnant and breastfeeding women.

https://indianexpress.com/article/parenting/health-fitness/protein-pregnant-breastfeedingwomen-

6522741/