Medical Bulletin 9/January/2024

The current study in JAMA Network found that T1D was a risk factor associated with nearly all subtypes of CHD in offspring, while overweight and obesity were associated with certain types of CHD, suggesting distinct teratogenic mechanisms.

Reference: Turunen R, Pulakka A, Metsälä J, et al. Maternal Diabetes and Overweight and Congenital Heart Defects in Offspring. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(1):e2350579. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.50579

Novel compound protects against infection by virus that causes COVID-19, preliminary studies show

Compounds that obstruct the "landing gear" of a range of harmful viruses can successfully protect against infection by the virus that causes COVID-19, a study published and led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists shows. Based on the findings, researchers have launched a human clinical trial of one such compound made by chemically stabilizing a key coronavirus peptide.

If the compound, called a stapled lipopeptide, proves effective as a nasal spray in the trial, it could be the basis for a new drug modality to prevent or treat COVID-19, say the authors of the study, posted online today in the journal Nature Communications. Because such compounds foil a mechanism used by many types of viruses to enter and infect cells, stapled lipopeptides may also be effective against dangerous and potentially deadly viruses such as RSV, Ebola, and Nipah, as the authors also demonstrate in their study.

Reference: Novel compound protects against infection by virus that causes COVID-19, preliminary studies show; Nature Communications