Latest news with #NIV
The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
SB43154 drug used in cancer research shows promise against COVID-19 in preclinical studies: Scientists
After a long battle and research, Indian scientists have found out that a drug used in cancer studies has the potential to provide substantial protection against the coronavirus infection in preclinical studies. Remarkably, even after more than 50 consecutive generations exposed to the drug, the virus was unable to develop resistance. Scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have jointly found that the drug -- SB431542, an ALK5 inhibitor -- is highly effective against the coronavirus. Study findings This discovery was a collaborative effort between the National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture in Hisar and National Institute of Virology (NIV) under the ICMR in Pune, said NIV Director Dr Naveen Kumar. The study was first released as a preprint on bioRxiv and has since been accepted for publication in the Journal of Virology. If future human trials confirm its effectiveness, the drug could become a groundbreaking tool in the fight against COVID-19. Since December 2019, when the coronavirus emerged from China's Wuhan, it has spread to nearly every country in the world. Since 2020, more than 30 anti-Covid vaccines have received the World Health Organization's (WHO) approval for global use. "However, health experts believe vaccines alone are not enough. The virus continues to mutate, and many existing treatments like Remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies will quickly lose effectiveness," Kumar said. In this context, Indian scientists have been screening small molecule inhibitors that mainly target cellular kinases and phosphatases. One such compound, SB431542 -- originally developed to block TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-beta) signalling and commonly used in preclinical cancer, inflammation and fibrosis research -- has now been found by Indian researchers to also inhibit the coronavirus effectively. Kumar explained that SB431542 fights the virus in three fronts. It first blocks the virus from entering human cells by targeting the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Secondly, it disrupts the ability of the virus to assemble inside cells by interfering with ORF3a-related lysosomal dysfunction. Finally, it prevents the virus from killing the infected cell (a process called apoptosis), which helps stop the virus from escaping and spreading to other cells. This three-pronged approach has not been observed in any existing antiviral drug. Interestingly, the drug acted through both direct and indirect mechanisms -- it directly targets the viral ORF3a protein and indirectly hinders the virus by blocking the host cell's TGF-β signaling pathway. SB431542 was also tested against the chicken coronavirus (Infectious Bronchitis Virus or IBV) in specific pathogen-free chicken embryos. Embryos treated with the drug developed normally and showed no mortality, while those in the untreated control group failed to develop properly and did not survive. Kumar emphasised that even after exposing the virus to the drug over 50 successive generations (passage), it failed to develop resistance. This suggests that the chances of the virus evolving a drug-resistant variant against this compound are extremely low. This is a major advancement over existing antivirals like Remdesivir, against which the virus builds resistance quickly.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
US pauses visa processing at embassy in Niger: state department
The US is pausing all routine visa services at US embassy in Nigerien capital Niamey until further notice, according to a state department spokesperson and an internal state department cable seen by Reuters on Saturday. The July 25-dated cable did not provide a reason for the move but a state department spokesperson said the pause, which would cover all immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, was in place until Washington addressed "concerns with the government of Niger." The spokesperson did not provide further details on the reason, but said that most diplomatic and official visas were excepted from the pause. "The Trump administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process," the department spokesperson said. The diplomatic cable also instructed consular officers in other visa processing posts to apply "heightened scrutiny" when assessing non-immigrant visa applications for Nigerien nationals, whose overstay rates it said were 8% for visitor visas and 27% for student and exchange visas. Consular managers should make an effort to reduce the number of overstays by nonimmigrant visa holders in the US, the cable said and added: "In this regard, particular vigilance is needed in adjudicating Nigerien NIV applicants."
The Print
2 days ago
- Health
- The Print
SB43154 drug used in cancer research shows promise against COVID-19 in preclinical studies: Scientists
This discovery was a collaborative effort between the National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture in Hisar and National Institute of Virology (NIV) under the ICMR in Pune, said NIV Director Dr Naveen Kumar. Remarkably, even after more than 50 consecutive generations exposed to the drug, the virus was unable to develop resistance. Scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have jointly found that the drug — SB431542, an ALK5 inhibitor — is highly effective against the coronavirus. New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) After a long battle and research, Indian scientists have found out that a drug used in cancer studies has the potential to provide substantial protection against the coronavirus infection in preclinical studies. The study was first released as a preprint on bioRxiv and has since been accepted for publication in the Journal of Virology. If future human trials confirm its effectiveness, the drug could become a groundbreaking tool in the fight against COVID-19. Since December 2019, when the coronavirus emerged from China's Wuhan, it has spread to nearly every country in the world. Since 2020, more than 30 anti-Covid vaccines have received the World Health Organization's (WHO) approval for global use. 'However, health experts believe vaccines alone are not enough. The virus continues to mutate, and many existing treatments like Remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies will quickly lose effectiveness,' Kumar said. In this context, Indian scientists have been screening small molecule inhibitors that mainly target cellular kinases and phosphatases. One such compound, SB431542 — originally developed to block TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-beta) signalling and commonly used in preclinical cancer, inflammation and fibrosis research — has now been found by Indian researchers to also inhibit the coronavirus effectively. Kumar explained that SB431542 fights the virus in three fronts. It first blocks the virus from entering human cells by targeting the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Secondly, it disrupts the ability of the virus to assemble inside cells by interfering with ORF3a-related lysosomal dysfunction. Finally, it prevents the virus from killing the infected cell (a process called apoptosis), which helps stop the virus from escaping and spreading to other cells. This three-pronged approach has not been observed in any existing antiviral drug. Interestingly, the drug acted through both direct and indirect mechanisms — it directly targets the viral ORF3a protein and indirectly hinders the virus by blocking the host cell's TGF-β signaling pathway. SB431542 was also tested against the chicken coronavirus (Infectious Bronchitis Virus or IBV) in specific pathogen-free chicken embryos. Embryos treated with the drug developed normally and showed no mortality, while those in the untreated control group failed to develop properly and did not survive. Kumar emphasised that even after exposing the virus to the drug over 50 successive generations (passage), it failed to develop resistance. This suggests that the chances of the virus evolving a drug-resistant variant against this compound are extremely low. This is a major advancement over existing antivirals like Remdesivir, against which the virus builds resistance quickly. PTI PLB RC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
US pauses visa processing at embassy in Niger, State Dept says
FILE PHOTO: Men toss squash onto the banks of the Niger River in Niamey, September 18, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Penney/File Photo WASHINGTON - The United States is pausing all routine visa services at U.S. embassy in Nigerien capital Niamey until further notice, according to a State Department spokesperson and an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters on Saturday. The July 25-dated cable did not provide a reason for the move but a State Department spokesperson said the pause, which would cover all immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, was in place until Washington addressed "concerns with the Government of Niger." The spokesperson did not provide further details on the reason, but said that most diplomatic and official visas were excepted from the pause. "The Trump Administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process," the Department spokesperson said. The diplomatic cable also instructed consular officers in other visa processing posts to apply "heightened scrutiny" when assessing non-immigrant visa applications for Nigerien nationals, whose overstay rates it said were 8 percent for visitor visas and 27 percent for student and exchange visas. Consular managers should make an effort to reduce the number of overstays by nonimmigrant visa holders in the United States, the cable said and added: "In this regard, particular vigilance is needed in adjudicating Nigerien NIV applicants." The U.S. embassy in Niamey has informed all individuals impacted, the spokesperson added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar As part of his hardline stance on immigration, President Donald Trump has ordered a nationwide campaign to arrest migrants who are in the country illegally and has vowed to deport millions of people, executing raids at work sites including farms that were largely exempted from enforcement during his first term. Trump administration officials have said student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas. Rubio in May said the number of visas he has revoked was probably in the thousands. The State Department under his leadership significantly tightened social media vetting for U.S. visa applicants. The U.S. military in September said it had completed its withdrawal from Niger, after the West African nation's ruling junta in April 2024 ordered Washington to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. It was an embarrassing setback for Washington that followed a coup last year in the West African nation. Before the coup, Niger had been a key partner in the U.S. fight against insurgents in the Sahel region of Africa, who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more. REUTERS
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
US pauses visa processing at embassy in Niger, State Dept says
WASHINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - The United States is pausing all routine visa services at U.S. embassy in Nigerien capital Niamey until further notice, according to a State Department spokesperson and an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters on Saturday. The July 25-dated cable did not provide a reason for the move but a State Department spokesperson said the pause, which would cover all immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, was in place until Washington addressed "concerns with the Government of Niger." The spokesperson did not provide further details on the reason, but said that most diplomatic and official visas were excepted from the pause. "The Trump Administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process," the Department spokesperson said. The diplomatic cable also instructed consular officers in other visa processing posts to apply "heightened scrutiny" when assessing non-immigrant visa applications for Nigerien nationals, whose overstay rates it said were 8 percent for visitor visas and 27 percent for student and exchange visas. Consular managers should make an effort to reduce the number of overstays by nonimmigrant visa holders in the United States, the cable said and added: "In this regard, particular vigilance is needed in adjudicating Nigerien NIV applicants." The U.S. embassy in Niamey has informed all individuals impacted, the spokesperson added. As part of his hardline stance on immigration, President Donald Trump has ordered a nationwide campaign to arrest migrants who are in the country illegally and has vowed to deport millions of people, executing raids at work sites including farms that were largely exempted from enforcement during his first term. Trump administration officials have said student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas. Rubio in May said the number of visas he has revoked was probably in the thousands. The State Department under his leadership significantly tightened social media vetting for U.S. visa applicants. The U.S. military in September said it had completed its withdrawal from Niger, after the West African nation's ruling junta in April 2024 ordered Washington to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. It was an embarrassing setback for Washington that followed a coup last year in the West African nation. Before the coup, Niger had been a key partner in the U.S. fight against insurgents in the Sahel region of Africa, who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
