Longitudinal Follow-up of Pulmonary Function in Patients Hospitalized with Pulmonary Covid-19

Purpose of Study: The post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, as a multisystemic disease have been described in adults. Although some studies have described the pulmonary complications up to 3 months post-COVID infection, longitudinal data on pulmonary sequalae are sparse. The objective of this review was to summarize the findings of studies that included a longitudinal follow-up of patients with moderate to severe pulmonary COVID-19 infection. Methods Used: We performed a literature search using Pubmed, Google Scholar and Medline using key words: "pulmonary function test", PFT?, "long-COVID", longitudinal? and sequalae?. We included studies of adult patients (>18 years of age) who had been hospitalized with acute COVID-19 infection and had at least two follow-ups with PFT measurements, including one follow-up at least 6 months post-infection. Studies that did not account for co-morbidities and other lung diseases or those which only included one-time follow-up were excluded. Summary of Results: Five studies satisfied our inclusion criteria (See Table). The studies showed persistent lung injury for at least 3 months after discharge, with decreased forced expiratory volume (FEV1), total lung capacity (TLC), forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusion vital capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DCLO) and carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO). Although these values improved at 6 and 12 months of follow-up, those with more severe disease continued to have decreased DLCO suggestive of restrictive lung damage. Studies that included symptomatic assessment revealed that a minority of patients continued with fatigue and dyspnea uf to 12 months after the infection. The limitations of the studies include availability of data from a single center, small sample size and the variability in controlling for different co-morbidities. In addition, baseline PFT measurement before COVID-19 infection was not available for most patients. Most of the studies were done at the time that the Delta variant was dominant, therefore the data may not be applicable to other variants. Conclusion(s): Our literature review shows that some adult patients hospitalized with acute covid pulmonary infection continue to have abnormal PFTs for up to 12 months after infection. Although PFTs improve overtime, a minority of patients with more severe disease on admission continue with abnormal functional abnormalities, specifically restrictive ventilatory pattern with impaired DLCO at 12 months of follow-up. It is important that patients hospitalized with moderate to severe pulmonary COVID-19 infection be followed up and managed for at least 12 months after the initial infection. Larger prospective studies including different variants of COVID-19 that take into account various co-morbidities and different management strategies are warranted.

Effectiveness of food traceability system: Chinese consumer food purchase intention during the pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, food safety scandals were common issues. This situation resulted in the rapid development of food traceability systems (FTS), which create transparency in tracking food products from manufacturing to consumption. So, this study empirically tests the elements of FTS by integrating the information system success model (ISSM) of DeLone and McLane on Chinese consumers' intention to purchase food using an FTS during a pandemic outbreak. Also, this study shows the significant mediating effect of perceived value, perceived safety, and perceived health benefits between the quality perspective of ISSM and purchase intention (PUI) as the dependent variable. This study provides insights for the further development of food traceability technologies. Copyright © 2023 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

The impacts and challenges in China's clothing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic

This chapter aims to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on China's clothing industry and find countermeasures by analysing the challenges brought by the crisis. This chapter reveals China's clothing industry's crisis and challenge and its supply chain during the COVID-19 outbreak. It analyzes the characteristics of China's current clothing supply chain and its insufficient ability to overcome the crisis. This study refers to the precedents strategies adopted by clothing enterprises in the face of difficulties, combined with the restrictions of the epidemic impact on the industry. It expounds on the effective measures that clothing enterprises could take in the crisis. During the COVID- 19 crisis, most manufacturing sectors were closed, and production across the clothing industry was greatly reduced. In addition, the supply chain of raw materials and manufactured goods are also disrupted due to logistics and trade restrictions. In particular, many domestic small and medium- sized enterprises cancel or delay orders because of insufficient capital reserves. The complexity and particularity of the clothing industry supply chain reflect the importance of supply chain management. There are few systematic papers about the impact of the COVID- 19 on China's clothing industry. Hence, this chapter hopes to provide researchers and industry representations valuable information about China's clothing industry's current situation. Finally, the chapter gives suggestions to those enterprises in the clothing industry to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. © Peter Lang GmbH Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften Berlin 2021. All rights reserved.

The impact of epidemic outbreak on Chinese consumers spending behavior

When COVID-19 appeared in China, the economic situation declined to some extent. At this time, most Chinese consumers changed their usual consumption behavior and began to be thrifty to varying degrees. Consumers are more likely to make shopping plans or to shop less often. Consumer confidence, financial stress, and impulse spending can all change at this time. However, not all spending has been cut. Under a series of government measures such as quarantine or lockdown, consumers started to hoard food and household goods. Also, consumers spend more on hygiene or health care products than usual. This chapter discusses changes in consumer spending behavior in China before and after the COVID- 19 outbreak and how consumers behave during the economic recession. This article collected data by distributing questionnaires to analyze changes in consumer spending behavior. This chapter was inspired by the work of Daniel Hampson and his coresearchers on consumer typologies. We used the following independent variables (e.g., consumer confidence, perceived financial security, and consumer financial distress) to test consumers' frugal behavior. Studying the psychological and behavioral impact of COVID- 19 on consumers can help businesses create strategies during downturn times. Through this research, marketers can find ways to cope with the decline of consumer purchasing power and urge enterprises to change marketing strategies to stimulate consumer consumption. © Peter Lang GmbH Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften Berlin 2021. All rights reserved.