Publications by authors named "S Scognamiglio"

Article Synopsis
  • Italy faced the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak unevenly, with Sardinia having one of the lowest incidence rates, potentially due to its insular characteristics.
  • The study analyzed 2,327 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected from Sardinia to investigate genetic diversity and evolutionary patterns over three years.
  • Findings indicate that Sardinia experienced unique COVID-19 trends, including the introduction of rare viral lineages caused by tourism and its geographic isolation, affecting the spread of common variants.
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It has been more than four years since the first report of SARS-CoV-2, and humankind has experienced a pandemic with an unprecedented impact. Moreover, the new variants have made the situation even worse. Among viral enzymes, the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M) has been deemed a promising drug target vs.

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Article Synopsis
  • Age-related changes in neurotransmitter systems, particularly involving norepinephrine (NE), are linked to cognitive decline, highlighting the potential for therapies that enhance neurotransmission.
  • In aged Fischer 344 rats, there was a significant decrease in glutamate-stimulated NE release in areas of the brain like the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, which is mediated by NMDA receptors.
  • The psychostimulant drug amphetamine (AMPH) not only restores NE release but also improves memory function and dendritic spine maturation, suggesting that repurposing such drugs could help address cognitive deficits associated with aging.
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Since its outbreak, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread rapidly, causing the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Even with the vaccines' administration, the virus continued to circulate due to inequal access to prevention and therapeutic measures in African countries. Information about COVID-19 in Africa has been limited and contradictory, and thus regional studies are important.

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Despite the approval of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and restrictions during the pandemic, the demand for new efficacious and safe antivirals is compelling to boost the therapeutic arsenal against the COVID-19. The viral 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL) is an essential enzyme for replication with high homology in the active site across CoVs and variants showing an almost unique specificity for Leu-Gln as P2-P1 residues, allowing the development of broad-spectrum inhibitors. The design, synthesis, biological activity, and cocrystal structural information of newly conceived peptidomimetic covalent reversible inhibitors are herein described.

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