copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2021-03-18): The primary outcome was susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 among PLWHA compared to their HIV-negative counterparts. A secondary outcome was the mortality risk of COVID-19 patients with HIV compared to COVID-19 patients without HIV. Predefined search terms determined by the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) included multiple combinations of the following: "Human Immunodeficiency Virus" OR "HIV" OR "AIDS", AND "COVID-19" OR "Coronavirus." Studies found as a result of our initial search were transferred into Endnote, which further removed duplicate studies. [...] HIV remains an important risk factor of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection and is associated with a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19. Therefore, PLWHA should be prioritized for receiving a vaccine. Further studies are warranted to assess the long-term outcomes in PLWHA who survives COVID-19.
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2020-01-31): We are currently witnessing a major epidemic caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The evolution of 2019-nCoV remains elusive. We found 4 insertions in the spike glycoprotein (S) which are unique to the 2019-nCoV and are not present in other coronaviruses. Importantly, amino acid residues in all the 4 inserts have identity or similarity to those in the HIV-1 gp120 or HIV-1 Gag. Interestingly, despite the inserts being discontinuous on the primary amino acid sequence, 3D-modelling of the 2019-nCoV suggests that they converge to constitute the receptor binding site. The finding of 4 unique inserts in the 2019-nCoV, all of which have identity /similarity to amino acid residues in key structural proteins of HIV-1 is unlikely to be fortuitous in nature. This work provides yet unknown insights on 2019-nCoV and sheds light on the evolution and pathogenicity of this virus with important implications for diagnosis of this virus.
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2020-02-02): "Based on analysis of multiple, very short regions of proteins in the novel coronavirus, the bioRxiv paper claimed that the new coronavirus may have acquired these regions from HIV," said Arinjay Banerjee, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in virology at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada who has extensively studied coronaviruses. [...] Essentially, the scientists found that yes, there are some additions in the nCoV coronavirus originating in Wuhan that other coronaviruses don’t have, which are similar to pieces of sequence found in HIV. But, the kicker here is that these pieces of genetic code are also found in countless other viruses and there’s no reason to believe they specifically came from HIV, at all. [...] But despite the removal, the pre-print paper has stimulated a heap of discussion about HIV and coronavirus. Many people have asked on social media why, if coronavirus does not have pieces of HIV in it, HIV drugs are being used in some cases to treat the virus, with preliminary evidence that they, and other anti-viral drugs appear to be working in some cases.
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2021-02-04): Three other insertions were identified (Fig. 5a–c). These short sequences are present in SARS-CoV-2 but absent from some chiropteran isolates (i.e., CoVZC45 and CoVZXC21) and from SARS-CoV. The authors of a pre-publication (Pradhan et al. 2020) pointed out a fact they qualify uncanny: at these four insertions, the SARS-CoV-2 S protein shows similarities with fragments of the HIV-1 virus ENV and GAG proteins. However, following critical comments regarding methodological and interpretation weaknesses, the authors withdrew their manuscript from the bioRxiv site. [...] In conclusion, the hypothesis of HIV insertions inside the S gene can be ruled out. The phylogeny indicates that insertions/deletions occur frequently in CoV spike, and that the furin cleavage site, which is unique to SARS-CoV-2 among SARS-like coronaviruses, is the most recent insertion. This insertion plays a key role in SARS-CoV-2 spreading, but unfortunately, the data currently available do not enable us to conclude when, where and how this insertion appeared. Identifying the proximal animal host before the zoonosis might bring an answer to this question.
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2023-11-21): - MYTH: "The COVID-19 virus contains ‘HIV-like insertions,’ suggesting it was engineered."
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2020-04-20): Nobel laureate Luc Montagnier inaccurately claims that the novel coronavirus is man-made and contains genetic material from HIV CLAIM this coronavirus genome contained sequences of another virus […] the HIV virus (AIDS virus) [...] No, "HIV insertions" were not identified in the 2019 coronavirus, contrary to claims based on questionable bioinformatics study
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2021-04-30): AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. Experts say the coronavirus has no HIV sequences in it’s genetic makeup. [...] "Those little spikes that come out of the Coronavirus and make it attach inside our lungs so efficiently are Spike Glycoproteins, better known as S-proteins for short. Well the Covid-19 strain that’s currently going around has S-protein 120 spikes. S-protein 120 is only found in one other virus known to man, HIV," states a claim circulating on Facebook. It goes on to say that shows "the current Covid-19 strain was indeed genetically modified by the insertion of these HIV proteins into the Coronavirus and therefore weaponizing it." Vincent Racaniello, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Columbia University, says such claims are not true. The coronavirus has no HIV-1 sequences, which can be seen by looking at the genome sequence, he said.
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2021-05-26): According to the results of the T7EI assay, sgRNAs with relatively high efficiency were selected and nine dual-sgRNA combinations, which included those targeting the same protein-coding gene and those targeting different protein-coding genes, were constructed in the lentiviral vector. The sgRNA target sites in these J-Lat 10.6 cells stably expressing Cas9 dual-guide RNAs (gRNAs) were sequenced to analyze the types and frequency of mutations. Nucleotide sequences analysis indicated that almost all of the mutations were clustered near the Cas9 cleavage site, at 3–4 nt upstream of the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence, confirming that NHEJ repair caused the mutations. The combinations with a high proportion of insertions and deletions of the HIV-1 genome were sg-Gag1-J + sg-Gag2-J (Insertions: 44%; Deletions: 32%), sg-Gag2-J + sg-Pol2-J (Insertions: 19%; Deletions: 63%), and sg-Pol2-J + sg-Tat1-J (Insertions: 54%; Deletions: 25%), respectively (Figure 3). The mutated sequences of the sgRNA-targeted regions in the three most efficient dual-sgRNA combinations are displayed in Figure 4. Mutation sequences of other combinations are shown in Supplementary Figures S1, S2. The incidence of nucleotide substitutions (NSs) was low, only being detected in four out of nine combinations, and at less than 10% (Figures 3C,E,H,I).
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2009-02-09): Viral fusion. The fusion process that is mediated by S protein of SARS-CoV is similar to that mediated by class I viral fusion proteins of other viruses, such as HIV-1 and murine hepatitis virus (MHV)53,54, but may occur in the acidic environment of the endosomes, rather than on the cell surface. S2 contains heptad repeat 1 (HR1) and HR2 domains, which play an important part in SARS-CoV fusion with target cells. Binding of the RBD of S1 to the receptor ACE2 triggers a conformational change of the S2 from a pre-fusion form to a post-fusion form, resulting in insertion of the putative fusion peptide (amino acids 770–788)31 into the target cell membrane and association of HR1 and HR2 domains to form a six-helix bundle fusion core structure. This brings the viral envelope and target cell membrane into close proximity for fusion. The crystal structure of the SARS-CoV fusion core is described in detail in ref. 55 (Fig. 3). Similarly to the S protein of MHV, but not gp41 of HIV-1, SARS-CoV S protein has a longer HR1 region than HR2 region.
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2003-09-21): The genome of the SARS-CoV was recently sequenced [8, 9]. Since it is a member of the Coronaviridae [10], the S2 protein is believed to play a central role in viral entry. Although we found no sequence homology between the SARS-CoV S2 and HIV-1 gp41, a comprehensive sequence analysis reveals that all the above-mentioned elements of gp41 are present also in S2. [...] Herein, we report the identification of the sequence in SARS-CoV S2 protein that is analogous to the C-HR of HIV-1 gp41. This led us to the suggestion that the viral entry mechanisms are analogous and therefore a therapeutic strategy that is being applied against the HIV-1 can be adopted to fight SARS-CoV. [...] Gallaher WR, Garry RF: Model of the pre-insertion region of the spike (S2) fusion glycoprotein of the human SARS coronavirus: implications for antiviral therapeutics.http://www.virology.net/sars/s2model.html
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2020-02-03): Titled "Uncanny similarity of unique inserts in the 2019-nCoV spike protein to HIV-1 gp120 and Gag," the paper claimed to find similarities between the new coronavirus and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The use of the word "uncanny" in the title, together with "unlikely to be fortuitous" in the abstract, led some to think that the authors were suggesting the virus had somehow been engineered by humans.
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2020-04-20): Genomic analyses of the novel coronavirus show that it was not engineered. In addition, the claim that its genome contains inserted HIV sequences is based on a now-withdrawn preprint of a study that contained significant flaws in design and execution. The so-called "HIV insertions" identified by the authors are in fact gene sequences that can also be found in many other organisms besides HIV. [...] Secondly, the claim that SARS-CoV-2 contains HIV insertions is based on a preprint of a research study uploaded to bioRxiv on 2 February 2020. A preprint is a study in progress that has not been peer-reviewed by other scientists. The authors of the preprint, titled "Uncanny similarity of unique inserts in the 2019-nCoV spike protein to HIV-1 gp120 and Gag", claimed to have found "4 insertions in the spike glycoprotein (S) which are unique to 2019-nCoV and are not present in other coronaviruses". The authors further asserted that "all of [these inserts] have identity/similarity to amino acids residues in key structural proteins of HIV-1 [which] is unlikely to be fortuitous in nature".
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2021-06-29): Several online stories inaccurately claim that the new coronavirus contains HIV "insertions" and shows signs of being created in a lab. But there is no evidence that the new virus was bioengineered, and every indication it came from an animal. [...] A ZeroHedge article with the headline, "Coronavirus Contains ‘HIV Insertions,’ Stoking Fears Over Artificially Created Bioweapon," pounced on some of the language in the preprint to argue that the scientists were saying the virus might be "man-made." The story also cited tweets from a visiting scientist at Harvard who had commented on the preprint and stated that the scientist’s tweets suggested that the virus "might have been genetically engineered for the purposes of a weapon." [...] Only one "insertion" is not fully shared with the bat virus, Bedford explained, and "in no way suggests engineering" since it is consistent with the types of insertions and deletions that happen in coronaviruses. "There is absolutely no evidence for either (1) sequence insertions or (2) their relationship to HIV," he concluded.
Claim: Coronavirus contains 'HIV insertions' (Anonymous, 2020-04-02)
Evidence (2020-04-18): The second argument laid out by Bryn Duffy above is unrelated to the technical claim laid in this article. It is true that base pair substitutions are possible without altering the function of course. However, for forensic purposes, one must prove that the coronavirus genome contains precise parts of the HIV genome, not just proteins that are common amongst many different viruses. [...] As a molecular biologist, I also want to say that if I designed putting such short insertions from HIV into coronavirus, I would not use different HIV strains for each insertion site 😉 - [...] If and I’m saying if it is established that this virus does indeed contain HIV insertions, what implications does this have for the vaccines that have been developed for a coronavirus, does this not make them null and void.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2023-11-28): A public information film offering tips to prevent coronavirus infection that allegedly dates to the 1970s is actually a parody of the public service films that the U.K. Central Office of Information produced and distributed nationally between 1946 and 2011.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2023-11-28): A three-minute video titled "Coronavirus – 1970s Public Information Film" offering recommendations to prevent coronavirus infections went viral at the end of 2023. The video circulated on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. One Facebook post sharing the video in November 2023 received over 50,000 views and 2,000 shares. The video’s title and retro appearance resembled the public information short films that the U.K. Central Office of Information (COI) produced and distributed during television advertising breaks. The COI was created in 1946 to replace the British Ministry of Information, which was responsible for government publicity and propaganda during the Second World War, and was active until 2011. [...] However, the video shared on social media isn’t an actual public information film but a work of satire. It is also not from the 1970s.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2020-03-16): The 1995 film Outbreak offers a narrow vision of heroism during an epidemiological crisis. That message is ill-suited to the realities of the coronavirus.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2024-10-08): - ^ a b "Coronavirus - les films repoussés : Mulan, Les Nouveaux mutants, Fast & Furious 9..." AlloCiné (in French). March 13, 2020. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020. [...] - ^ Lodge, Guy (March 31, 2020). "How the coronavirus hit cinema". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2016-07-24): Public information films (PIFs) are a series of government-commissioned short films, shown during television advertising breaks in the United Kingdom. The name is sometimes also applied, faute de mieux, to similar films from other countries, but the US equivalent is the public service announcement (PSA). Public information films were commonplace from the 1950s until the 2000s. However, they became obsolete with the closure of the Central Office of Information. [...] Public information films produced by the COI covered a wide range of subjects. The fillers listed above were for domestic consumption. However, COI films was also commissioned by the British Foreign Office to supply films for overseas use. These films dealt with research and development, British products and the British way of life. They were usually distributed through the diplomatic network but not always. Some films were sold commercially to overseas outlets, mostly television. [...] Children and Disused Fridges. The Central Office of Information for Home Office. 10 May 1971. Retrieved 1 August 2020. This public information film is concerned with the problem of children being suffocated in old fridges that, tempted by their playful imaginations, they want to climb into. The danger today has been largely eliminated by the introduction of magnetic seals instead of locks.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2023-09-26): For the first time on The National Archives’ website you can view complete public information films from 1945 -2006. Joining with the Central Office of Information (COI) to celebrate their 60th Anniversary. This film collection can be used to provide social, economic, and political context for 20th Century British History topics.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2021-01-12): The ideas had been planted that afternoon. We’d watched two short films together produced by the government’s now-defunct Central Office of Information: Never Go With Strangers and Building Sites Bite. Both were originally screened in British classrooms in the Seventies, and I was keen to see if they still had the power to shock and instruct today’s YouTube-addled youth. [...] Public information films can be an incredibly efficient way to convey important messages to vast swathes of the population in ways they won’t quickly forget. Just ask anyone who saw either of the hair-raisers above at school – or the many other macabre classics of the time, such as Lonely Water, in which a hooded spectre looks on with satisfaction as youngsters drown in ditches and ponds. [...] Given the Prime Minister’s fondness for drawing parallels between Covid and wartime hardships, this failure seems doubly bizarre. The popular image of plucky Brits coping stoically with whatever Hitler threw at them was forged in no small part in the public information films produced by the Ministry of Information, the COI’s wartime predecessor. And arguably the most memorable strand of their output was devoted to keeping the population fit and virus-free, and therefore able to contribute to the war effort.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2024-10-04): Public information films (PIFs) are a series of government-commissioned short films, shown during television advertising breaks in the United Kingdom. The name is sometimes also applied, faute de mieux, to similar films from other countries, but the US equivalent is the public service announcement (PSA). Public information films were commonplace from the 1950s until the 2000s. However, they became obsolete with the closure of the Central Office of Information. [...] Notable public information films [edit]- AIDS: Don't Die of Ignorance: A major British information campaign in 1987 with a leaflet delivered to every household in the UK and short public information films ′Monolith′ and ′Iceberg′ with doom-laden voice of John Hurt. [...] - ^ "Children And Disused Fridges 1971 UK Public Information Film". Youtube. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2023-09-27): PSA: This ‘1970s’ PSA is a parody "As they say, history always repeats itself," read a Sept. 26 Instagram post sharing a video labeled as a 1970s public information film. [...] YouTube, Coronavirus - 1970s Public Information Film, May 24, 2020 [...] KATS, 1970’s coronavirus PSA, July 7, 2020
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2024-01-01): Local authorities had long been using film to spread their public health messages. But the 'official' information film came of age in WWII, when it was used by government to guide the public through austerity and a life under fire. The 1960s and 70s saw a public information 'golden age', with hundreds of short films launched on to the small screen to cajole the British public into binning their litter, giving up smoking or driving carefully. Children of the 70s will remember a world of dangers - from roads and railway tracks to farmyards, ponds, electricity pylons and especially strangers - and a legion of characters including the Green Cross Code Man, Charley the cat and the chilling Spirit of Dark and Lonely Water. Sometimes witty, sometimes alarming, always memorable, these films are a priceless and entertaining record of 20th century British life. But please, be careful... [...] Public Information Filler197125 mins Location: London [...] Public Information Filler19705 mins Location: Downpatrick
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2023-11-28): Public information film on coronavirus allegedly from the 1970s is a parody published in 2020 A public information film offering tips to prevent coronavirus infection that allegedly dates to the 1970s is actually a parody of the public service films that the U.K. Central Office of Information produced and distributed nationally between 1946 and 2011. Factually inaccurate: The 1970s coronavirus public information film shown on various social media posts is actually a parody published on 24 May 2020, shortly after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2020-07-20): Right… this is quite complex! There’s an aspect of political history to this, as well as an aspect of communication theory. Firstly… it’s not that there are no Public Information Films being made. There are. In fact, during the Coronavirus period, people may have seen films from the government giving advice about handwashing and staying alert… possibly during ad breaks, but also online. Most of the ones I’ve seen haven’t been particularly creative in their style, but they have been made. Government departments have still commissioned films, just not through the Central Office of Information.
Claim: A public information film on the coronavirus was released in the 1970s (Social media users, 2023-11-28)
Evidence (2022-02-24): There was no single moment during the flu outbreak when all the cinemas in the UK shut, and some jurisdictions simply imposed mitigating measures. In London, cinemas were required to be ventilated for 30 minutes every three hours. Those in Wolverhampton banned children and removed carpets. A Walsall cinema showed a 15-minute public information film that featured a Dr Wise and a foolish patient. The advantage of this piecemeal localised policy-making for the industry was that, with films struck onto celluloid prints, and canisters moving from cinema to cinema, movies could shift around to areas that did not have restrictions in place.