Goyaves de Chine or Chinese guavas!

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Have you ever tasted Goyaves de Chine or Chinese guavas? They are small fruits that resemble guavas but are miniature in size.  Goyaves de Chine or Chinese guavas  These small-sized fruits are found in ample in Mauritius in the month of April. They ripen in that month and are a traditional delicacy sold in the streets.  The color of these fruits range from green to red to yellow. The green fruits are not yet ripe and are a bit firmish. The red ones are softer and have a sour taste while the yellow ones are larger in size with a sweet taste.  Chinese guavas or  Goyaves de Chine  These fruits get softer and rot faster. Therefore consume them on the same day you purchase them. Also, this is the reason that vendors pluck them up early from the trees when they are still red.  These fruits are also called cherry guavas or strawberry guavas or lemon guava. It is native in Brazil and also grows in Hawaii.  The skin or peel of the fruit is quite thin and i...
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A novel drug against coronavirus is under study at Washington University School of Medicine in the USA

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 Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in the US have developed a new antiviral compound that blocks covid virus from entering human cells. They have named this compound MM3122. They state that if given early in the disease course they could reduce severity of the dreaded illness. 

Mechanism of action of MM3122

The compound acts on the key human protein called transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). Covid-19, other coronaviruses and influenza virus uses this protein to enter and infect human cells. James W Janetka, senior author of this study states:

“Great vaccines are now available for SARS-CoV-2, but we still need effective antiviral medications to help curb the severity of this pandemic,” 

“The compound we are developing prevents the virus from entering cells,”


They want to develop an oral form of this inhibitor that could help in covid infection and minimize its severity. The authors add that the compound also blocks another related protein called matriptase. Matriptase and TMPRSS2 are found on surface of lung cells as well as other cells. Their inhibition prevents spike protein activation and membrane fusion. James explained:

“The SARS-CoV-2 virus hijacks our own lung cells’ machinery to activate its spike protein, which enables it to bind to and invade lung cells,”

“In blocking TMPRSS2, the drug prevents the virus from entering other cells within the body or from invading the lung cells in the first place if, in theory, it could be taken as a preventive,”

Stage of the study

The study is still preclinical. The new compound is being tested on mice. Once it undergoes the efficacy and safety studies, it could be used as a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. Remdesivir is already approved for use in covid. The new compound, the authors state is better than remdesivir too. The compound is also proven to be effective against the original Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The study co-author Sean Whelan adds:

“The majority of inhibitors of viral infection work by blocking steps of replication once the virus is inside the cell,”

“Dr Janetka has identified and refined a molecule that stops the virus from entering the cell in the first place. As the target of MM3122 is a host protein, this may also pose a larger barrier to the emergence of viruses that are resistant to the inhibitor,” 

The compound offers a ray of hope against the 21st century bad viruses that evade treatment until now. 

Henna hair dye: use, limitations, and safety




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