Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on viral antigen capture by anti-spike glycoprotein monoclonal antibody for detecting immunoglobulin A antibodies against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in milk.

BACKGROUND: Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), caused by PED virus (PEDV), is a severe enteric disease burdening the global swine industry in recent years. Especially, the mortality of PED in neonatal piglets approaches 100%. Maternal antibodies in milk, particularly immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies, are of great importance for protection neonatal suckling piglets against PEDV infection as passive lactogenic immunity. Therefore, appropriate detection methods are required for detecting PEDV IgA antibodies in milk. In the current study, we prepared monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against PEDV spike (S) glycoprotein. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was subsequently developed based on PEDV antigen capture by a specific anti-S mAb. RESULTS: The developed ELISA showed high sensitivity (the maximum dilution of milk samples up to 1:1280) and repeatability (coefficient of variation values < 10%) in detecting PEDV IgA antibody positive and negative milk samples. More importantly, the developed ELISA showed a high coincidence rate with a commercial ELISA kit for PEDV IgA antibody detection in clinical milk samples. CONCLUSIONS: The developed ELISA in the current study is applicable for PEDV IgA antibody detection in milk samples, which is beneficial for evaluating vaccination efficacies and neonate immune status against the virus.

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccination status and hesitancy among older adults in China.

Vaccination is the primary defense against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, especially among older adults and those with chronic conditions. Using a nationally representative sample of 12,900 participants from the fifth wave (2021-2022) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we examined the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination status and the determinants of vaccination hesitancy in Chinese adults aged 52 and older. By July/August 2022, 92.3% of the Chinese population aged 60 years and older had received at least one COVID-19 vaccination, 88.6% had completed the primary series and 72.4% had received a booster. Those aged 80 years and older had lower vaccination rates, with 71.9% and 46.7% completing the primary series and booster shots, respectively. These statistics represent the situation before China ended the Zero-COVID policy in November 2022 because vaccination stagnated between July/August and November 2022. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that belonging to the oldest age groups (individuals aged 70 years and older and especially those aged 80 years and older) as well as being female and unmarried, residing in urban areas, being functionally dependent and having chronic conditions meant that these individuals were less likely to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Our regression analysis results were corroborated by self-reported reasons for nonvaccination. Vaccination hesitancy probably contributed to excessive mortality among vulnerable populations after China ceased its Zero-COVID policy. Our study provides important lessons on how to balance containment efforts with vaccination and treatment measures, as well as highlighting the need to clarify the side effects and contraindications of vaccines early on.

Rethinking Cultural Creativity and Tourism Resilience in the Post-Pandemic Era in Chinese Traditional Villages

Traditional villages constitute rural systems with rich cultural heritage resources and the potential for tourism development. Improving resilience in the tourism industry in traditional villages in the post-pandemic era must be urgently reconsidered. This study focuses on the Chinese villages of Zhang Guying and Rebala in Hunan Province and uses a qualitative analysis method. Through in-depth study of two case villages, the study finds that traditional Chinese villages, especially tourist-oriented traditional villages, are more vulnerable to the impact of the epidemic than cities and other places. However, because of their unique traditional cultural connotations, traditional Chinese villages have the potential to enhance tourism resilience in the post-epidemic era through cultural excavation and cultural creative production. The embossed patterns, couplet stories, architecture and folk culture of traditional villages can be used for cultural and creative production. The production of digital products and physical cultural and creative products, and the formation of related industrial chains, will help improve the resilience of village tourism. The joint action of villages, attractiveness (scenic spots), production, social capital, government structure, and cultural creativity helps to transform “vulnerable individuals” into “ resilient industrial structures”. This research helps to reconsider whether the past tourism concepts (cultural creativity and creative tourism) have an effect on existing tourism destinations (especially Chinese traditional villages) in the context of the post-epidemic era, and whether they can be rejuvenated. Like other small organizational structures facing the threat of the epidemic, Chinese traditional villages have problems such as insufficient costs and reduced resource advantages. This study will focus on these issues to explore how cultural creativity can help improve existing problems and enhance tourism resilience.

Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Among Patients, Their Relatives and Healthy Residents in Zhangjiajie.

Introduction: In July 2021, Zhangjiajie City became the new epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. Aside from the physical manifestations of COVID-19, patients are also victims of severe social stigmatization. Stigma affects not only COVID-19 patients or survivors, but also individuals associated with them. This study aims to describe and assess the COVID-19-related stigma between patients, their relatives, and healthy local residents. Methods: The study included 43 COVID-19 patients, 68 relatives, and 75 healthy residents from Zhangjiajie. Demographic data was collected, including gender, age, marital status, and educational level. Stigma attitudes toward COVID-19 were measured using the Stigma Scale and Social Distance Scale. Frequencies and percentages were described for each item of the scales, and differences among the three groups were examined using the chi-square test. Results: With regards to personal and perceived stigma, most participants agreed that patients with COVID-19 "could snap out of the problem" and that "they were dangerous." For social distance, over 30% of participants from the three groups agreed with the item "unwillingness to marry into the family of someone with COVID-19." In all groups, there were significant statistical differences in the belief that "the problem is not a real medical illness" and the desire to "spend the evening socializing." Conclusion: Although the outbreak was well-contained in Zhangjiajie, stigmatizing attitudes toward COVID-19 and desire for social distance to such patients were common among patients, their relatives and healthy local residents. Our study's results suggest that public education, anti-stigma interventions, and policies are necessary for people living in Zhangjiajie in order to effectively curtail the spread of COVID-19 and provide a useful strategy for a tourist city like Zhangjiajie to recover sooner from economic decline.

Substance and Internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has adversely influenced human physical and mental health, including emotional disorders and addictions. This study examined substance and Internet use behavior and their associations with anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online self-report questionnaire was administered to 2196 Chinese adults between February 17 and 29, 2020. The questionnaire contained the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), questions on demographic information, and items about substance and Internet use characteristics. Our results revealed that males consumed less alcohol (p < 0.001) and areca-nut (p = 0.012) during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Age, gender, education status, and occupation significantly differed among increased substance users, regular substance users, and nonsubstance users. Time spent on the Internet was significantly longer during the pandemic (p < 0.001) and 72% of participants reported increased dependence on the Internet. Compared to regular Internet users, increased users were more likely to be younger and female. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age <33 years (OR = 2.034, p < 0.001), increased substance use (OR = 3.439, p < 0.001), and increased Internet use (OR = 1.914, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with depression. Moreover, anxiety was significantly related to female gender (OR = 2.065, p < 0.001), "unmarried" status (OR = 1.480, p = 0.017), nonstudents (OR = 1.946-3.030, p = 0.001), and increased substance use (OR = 4.291, p < 0.001). Although there was a significant decrease in social substance use during the pandemic, more attention should be paid to increased Internet use. Increased Internet use was significantly associated with both anxiety and depression, and increased substance use was related to depression. Professional support should be provided to vulnerable individuals to prevent addiction.

Impact of early Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic on pediatric cardiac surgery in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide an insight into the impact of the early outbreak of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 on the care management for patients with congenital heart disease. METHODS: This study respectively enrolled a cohort of surgical patients who underwent surgery in 2018 (group I), 2019 (group II), and 2020 (group III) and a cohort of follow-up patients who had follow-up in 2017 (group A), 2018 (group B), and 2019 (group C) in 13 children hospitals. RESULTS: During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 era, there was a significant decrease in total surgical volume and a change in case mix in terms of an increase in the proportion of emergency operations. Decrease in migration scale index was correlated to the decrease in both surgical volume (r = 0.64, P = .02) and outpatient visit volume (r = 0.61, P = .03). There was a significantly higher proportion of patients who had follow-up through the internet or phone in group C (26.4% vs 9.6% in group B and 8.9% in group A; P < .0001). There was no statistical difference in death or rehospitalization among the 3 follow-up groups (P = .49). There was higher parents' anxiety score (P < .0001) and more use of telemedicine (P = .004) in group C compared with groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has resulted in a considerable decrease in total surgical volume and a change of case mix, which seems to be related to the strict traffic ban. Follow-up through the online medical service appears to be an effective alternative to the conventional method.