Importance The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents an unprecedented challenge to identify effective drugs for prevention and treatment. Given the rapid pace of scientific discovery and clinical data generated by the large number of people rapidly infected by SARS-CoV-2, clinicians need accurate evidence regarding effective medical treatments for this infection. Observations No proven effective therapies for this virus currently exist. The rapidly expanding knowledge regarding SARS-CoV-2 virology provides a significant number of potential drug targets. The most promising therapy is remdesivir. Remdesivir has potent in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2, but it is not US Food and Drug Administration approved and currently is being tested in ongoing randomized trials. Oseltamivir has not been shown to have efficacy, and corticosteroids are currently not recommended. Current clinical evidence does not support stopping angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers in patients with COVID-19. Conclusions and Relevance The COVID-19 pandemic represents the greatest global public health crisis of this generation and, potentially, since the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918. The speed and volume of clinical trials launched to investigate potential therapies for COVID-19 highlight both the need and capability to produce high-quality evidence even in the middle of a pandemic. No therapies have been shown effective to date.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/articlepdf/2764727/jama_sanders_2020_rv_200005.pdf

Pharmacologic Treatments for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Review.

A novel infectious disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease (COVID-19) spread rapidly, reaching epidemic proportions in China, and has been found in 27 other countries. As of February 27, 2020, over 82,000 cases of COVID-19 were reported, with > 2800 deaths. No specific therapeutics are available, and current management includes travel restrictions, patient isolation, and supportive medical care. There are a number of pharmaceuticals already being tested [1, 2], but a better understanding of the underlying pathobiology is required. In this context, this article will briefly review the rationale for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor as a specific target.

/pdf/angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2-ace2-as-a-sars-cov-2-3drxdjxi93.pdf

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a SARS-CoV-2 receptor: molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic target.

SARS-CoV-2 Receptor ACE2 Is an Interferon-Stimulated Gene in Human Airway Epithelial Cells and Is Detected in Specific Cell Subsets across Tissues.

The FDA-approved drug ivermectin inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.

Therapeutic options in response to the 2019-nCoV outbreak are urgently needed. Here, we discuss the potential for repurposing existing antiviral agents to treat 2019-nCoV infection (now known as COVID-19), some of which are already moving into clinical trials. Therapeutic options in response to the 2019-nCoV outbreak are urgently needed. Here, we discuss the potential for repurposing existing antiviral agents to treat 2019-nCoV infection (now known as COVID-19), some of which are already moving into clinical trials.

Therapeutic options for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Evaluating the importance of a potential source of error when applying shoot 15N labelling techniques to legumes to quantify the below-ground transfer of nitrogen to other species

We hypothesised that a) species with greater acid soil tolerance have an increased capacity to utilise incipient rainfall; and b) liming increases the productivity and the ability of pasture species to utilise available water resources in the profile of an acid soil. A field experiment was established on a moderately acidic yellow Kandosol and monitored over 5 years. Five perennial pasture species including lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), were sown in monocultures with and without 2.9 t/ha lime. Both lucerne and phalaris were more persistent than chicory, tall fescue and cocksfoot under severe drought, despite both being considered sensitive to soil acidity. Surface liming increased the soil water deficit by up to 27 mm at 0.75–1.65 m under perennial pastures compared to unlimed treatments, despite lime having no physical presence at that depth. Lime increased lucerne, phalaris and cocksfoot cumulative herbage biomass by 150, 30 and 20 %, respectively, but had no significant effect on chicory or tall fescue biomass. The two most acid-sensitive species, lucerne and phalaris, were more resilient under drought despite the acidic nature of the soil. We contend that species sensitive to acidity can be a valuable addition to pastures on acid soils. Lime used in conjunction with deep-rooted perennial species is likely to maximise the ability of pastures to utilise scarce available soil water reserves.

Lime increases productivity and the capacity of lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.) and phalaris ( Phalaris aquatica L.) to utilise stored soil water on an acidic soil in south-eastern Australia

Perennial pasture species for the mixed farming zone of southern NSW 'We don't have many options

Prime lamb live weight response to lime application on pasture was measured in a grazing experiment in the high rainfall zone of the southwestern slopes of New South Wales, Australia. The pastures were limed every 6 years over 15 years. First cross South African Meat Merino lambs were used as test animals. Pre- and post-grazing pasture dry matter (DM) yield, botanical composition, feed quality and lamb live weight were monitored over 12 weeks in 2007. Results showed that liming significantly increased pasture DM yield of high quality species and improved overall pasture quality due to increased digestibility and metabolic energy content. As a result, the limed perennial and annual pastures carried 24.0% (3.6 lambs ha−1) and 29.0% (4.4 lambs ha−1) more stock than the unlimed perennial and annual pastures, respectively. Averaged across pasture types, the limed pastures produced 30.6% (131 kg ha−1) more lamb live weight gain than the unlimed pastures over 12 weeks. The live weight gain varied between grazing cycles depending on the availability of feed-on-offer and feed quality, which were closely related to the rainfall pattern. The perennial pastures did not show any advantage in animal production over annual pastures during the experimental period due to lack of moisture in the deep soil profile because of severe drought in the previous year. More seasons with normal or above average rainfall are needed to compare animal production on perennial pastures and annual pastures to investigate the advantage of perennial pastures in animal production.

/pdf/long-term-liming-regime-increases-prime-lamb-production-on-4sovkjk25b.pdf

Guangdi Li

Papers

Evaluating the importance of a potential source of error when applying shoot 15N labelling techniques to legumes to quantify the below-ground transfer of nitrogen to other species

Lime increases productivity and the capacity of lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.) and phalaris ( Phalaris aquatica L.) to utilise stored soil water on an acidic soil in south-eastern Australia

Perennial pasture species for the mixed farming zone of southern NSW 'We don't have many options

Long-term liming regime increases prime lamb production on acid soils.

Long-term effects of lime on earthworm abundance and biomass in an acidic soil on the south-western slopes of New South Wales, Australia