ABSTRACT
Pandemic outbreaks can disrupt firms' normal operations, so they demand a resilient response. Firms can combine social responsibility initiatives with resilient responses by reconfiguring their production resources for pandemic relief. It remains unclear, however, whether pandemic-relieving product adaptation (in short, PRPA) improves financial performance. We draw on stakeholder theory to analyze the effect of a PRPA strategy on the stock returns of US-listed manufacturing firms during the COVID-19 pandemic—the most enduring and large-scale pandemic in recent history. The results reveal that the stock market reacts more positively to PRPA under severe pandemic circumstances and for firms with low political connectedness, low media coverage, and/or more unique production technology. The findings offer important implications for operations theory and practice. © 2023 Decision Sciences Institute.
ABSTRACT
Patients with cancer are at high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Institutions for disease control and prevention and cancer-related learned societies in many countries recommend prioritizing cancer patients for COVID-19 vaccines. All the COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for emergency use, including inactivated vaccines, mRNA vaccines, recombinant adenovirus vector-based vaccines, and recombinant protein subunit vaccines, can be applied in cancer patients. Cancer patients with stable disease can be vaccinated against COVID-19 at any time, while patients with advanced-stage cancer or undergoing anticancer therapy should decide on the timing of vaccination according to the specific situation such as treatment methods and cancer type, etc.. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients may outweigh the risks, but the immune response rate may be lower in cancer patients, especially in patients with haematological malignancies, than in healthy individuals.Copyright © 2021 by the Chinese Medical Association.
ABSTRACT
In recent years, the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on the global medical, political and economic fields. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, our understanding of the impact of COVID-19 has grown exponentially. Recently, the COVID-19 epidemic has changed rapidly in China, and there has been controversy over how to carry out surgical operations for patients with lung neoplastic lesions. Some studies have shown that lung cancer patients undergoing surgery are more likely to experience respiratory failure and perioperative death after contract-ing COVID-19 than the general population, however, delays in cancer treatment are also associated with increased mortality among these patients. In particular, the novel coronavirus Omikron variant has a higher transmissibility and may escape the immunity obtained through the previous novel coronavirus infection and vaccination. In order to minimize the risk of novel coronavirus infection in surgical patients, it is necessary to develop new treatment guidelines, expert consensus and preventive measures. However, the current rapid change of the epidemic situation has led to insufficient time and evidence to develop guidelines and consensus. Therefore, thoracic surgeons need to evaluate specific patient populations at higher risk of severe complications before surgery and weigh the benefit of surgical treatment against the risk of novel coronavirus infection. We try to give some recommendations on lung surgery during the current domestic epidemic situation based on the guidelines and consensus of oncology and thoracic surgery organizations in different regions on lung surgery.Copyright © 2023, Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
In recent years, the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on the global medical, political and economic fields. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, our understanding of the impact of COVID-19 has grown exponentially. Recently, the COVID-19 epidemic has changed rapidly in China, and there has been controversy over how to carry out surgical operations for patients with lung neoplastic lesions. Some studies have shown that lung cancer patients undergoing surgery are more likely to experience respiratory failure and perioperative death after contract-ing COVID-19 than the general population, however, delays in cancer treatment are also associated with increased mortality among these patients. In particular, the novel coronavirus Omikron variant has a higher transmissibility and may escape the immunity obtained through the previous novel coronavirus infection and vaccination. In order to minimize the risk of novel coronavirus infection in surgical patients, it is necessary to develop new treatment guidelines, expert consensus and preventive measures. However, the current rapid change of the epidemic situation has led to insufficient time and evidence to develop guidelines and consensus. Therefore, thoracic surgeons need to evaluate specific patient populations at higher risk of severe complications before surgery and weigh the benefit of surgical treatment against the risk of novel coronavirus infection. We try to give some recommendations on lung surgery during the current domestic epidemic situation based on the guidelines and consensus of oncology and thoracic surgery organizations in different regions on lung surgery.Copyright © 2023, Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a tremendous increase in the production of masks worldwide, with more than 1.5 billion masks having been disposed of during this time. The damage caused by mask pollution is a global threat;highlighting the need to dispose of discarded masks correctly. Herein, we report a recycling approach that uses discarded masks to fabricate a superhydrophobic epoxy resin/SiO2 membrane for separating emulsions. The composite has a high flux value (2123 L. m(-2).h(-1)) and high separation efficiency (>98%). The filter maintained its excellent superhydrophobic property (WCA > 150 degrees) after tape-peel cycles, clamping cycles with tweezers, abrasion cycles with 800 grit SiC sandpaper, pressure with fingertips, and kneading cycles. This study proposes a renewable, eco-friendly, and low-cost product, which can be used for oil spill cleanup and water purification. The filter not only removes oil from oily wastewater (such as oil spills) but also solves pollution caused by discarded masks. This study provides insights for resource recovery that may contribute to the purification of oily water emulsions.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the course of disease and epidemiological parameters of COVID-19 and provide evidence for making prevention and control strategies. Methods: To display the distribution of course of disease of the infectors who had close contacts with COVID-19 cases from January 1 to March 15, 2020 in Guangdong Provincial, the models of Lognormal, Weibull and gamma distribution were applied. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the basic characteristics and epidemiological parameters of course of disease. Results: In total, 515 of 11 580 close contacts were infected, with an attack rate about 4.4%, including 449 confirmed cases and 66 asymptomatic cases. Lognormal distribution was fitting best for latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period of confirmed cases and infection period of asymptomatic cases; Gamma distribution was fitting best for infectious period and clinical symptom period of confirmed cases; Weibull distribution was fitting best for latent period of asymptomatic cases. The latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period, infectious period and clinical symptoms period of confirmed cases were 4.50 (95%CI:3.86-5.13) days, 5.12 (95%CI:4.63-5.62) days, 0.87 (95%CI:0.67-1.07) days, 11.89 (95%CI:9.81-13.98) days and 22.00 (95%CI:21.24-22.77) days, respectively. The latent period and infectious period of asymptomatic cases were 8.88 (95%CI:6.89-10.86) days and 6.18 (95%CI:1.89-10.47) days, respectively. Conclusion: The estimated course of COVID-19 and related epidemiological parameters are similar to the existing data.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Contact Tracing , Cohort Studies , Humans , Incidence , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
This study aimed to explore the application value of new biological specimen oral fluid in SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and antibody detection. Oral fluid and paired respiratory and blood specimens from 7 confirmed cases of two COVID-19 cluster epidemic were collected in Beijing from October to November 2021. SARS-CoV-2 virus and IgG antibody were detected by real time PCR kits and serum antibody detection reagents, and SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody in oral fluids was detected by a new established method of magnetic particle chemiluminescence. The results showed that the nucleic acid amplification test of SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swabs, throat swabs and oral fluid specimens from 3 confirmed cases of COVID-19 was positive, among which the Ct value for ORF1a/b and N gene of oral fluid samples in 2 cases was close to that of throat swab, and the Ct value of oral fluid sample for 1 case was higher than that of throat swab. The complete genome sequence of one oral fluid specimen was obtained, which belonged to the VOC/Delta variant strain. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies of the paired oral fluid and serum were all positive, and the S/CO values of oral fluid were all lower than those of serum. The series of oral fluid results showed that SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody level increased from 11 to 32 days after the onset of the disease.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Nucleic Acids , COVID-19/diagnosis , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
[Figure: see text].
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies are associated with paraneoplastic sequelae such as non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) and inflammatory myopathy. We describe a unique case in which a metastatic gastric malignancy presented without typical GI symptoms and instead was discovered after pursuing a unifying diagnosis for a constellation of cardiac, neurologic, and musculoskeletal manifestations. Case Description/Methods: A 61-year-old woman presented to a tertiary medical center with shoulder and thigh soreness and weakness with functional decline in the 3 months prior to presentation. Her medical history included morbid obesity, atrial fibrillation (AF), diabetes mellitus, and resolved COVID-19 pneumonia. Her physical exam was notable for proximal muscle weakness and tenderness, bilateral ptosis, vertical gaze deficit, and 4/6 diastolic murmur. Laboratory values included CRP 3.2 mg/dL (normal range <0.8 mg/dL), ESR 51 mm/hour (, 30 mm/hour), creatine kinase 822 IU/L (25-185 IU/L), and aldolase 24.3 U/L (<8.1 U/L). A muscle biopsy was performed revealing an equivocal inflammatory myopathy process. The gaze deficit prompted an MRI of the brain, revealing multiple thromboembolic strokes. COVID related hypercoagulability and AF were considered, however given the murmur on exam, a transesophageal echocardiogram was performed which showed large mobile echodensities on the aortic valve. She was empirically treated for infectious endocarditis, though with concern for NBTE and occult malignancy. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast was then performed, demonstrating metastatic liver lesions and enlarged gastrohepatic and cardiophrenic lymph nodes. In discussion with radiology, it was suggestive of a gastric primary malignancy. Carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 returned at 4965 ng/mL (<3 ng/mL) and 1878 U/mL (<35 U/mL), respectively. The patient ultimately decided to pursue hospice care. Discussion: In this unusual case, a gastric malignancy presented with paraneoplastic phenomena in multiple systems, but without GI symptoms. Physical exam findings led to critical diagnostic steps. NBTE is associated with malignancy, commonly carcinomas of the stomach, biliary system, pancreas, ovaries, or lung. Inflammatory myopathy can also share strong associations with cancer. Our report highlights a unique diagnostic journey and should alert physicians to include GI malignancy on the differential when presented with NBTE and myopathy..
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Patients with cancer are at high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Institutions for disease control and prevention and cancer-related learned societies in many countries recommend prioritizing cancer patients for COVID-19 vaccines. All the COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for emergency use, including inactivated vaccines, mRNA vaccines, recombinant adenovirus vector-based vaccines, and recombinant protein subunit vaccines, can be applied in cancer patients. Cancer patients with stable disease can be vaccinated against COVID-19 at any time, while patients with advanced-stage cancer or undergoing anticancer therapy should decide on the timing of vaccination according to the specific situation such as treatment methods and cancer type, etc.. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients may outweigh the risks, but the immune response rate may be lower in cancer patients, especially in patients with haematological malignancies, than in healthy individuals. Copyright © 2021 by the Chinese Medical Association.
ABSTRACT
The health-care gets huge stress in a pandemic or epidemic situation. Some diseases such as COVID-19 that causes a pandemic is highly spreadable from an infected person to others. Therefore, providing health services at home for noncritical infected patients with isolation shall assist to mitigate this kind of stress. In addition, this practice is also very useful for monitoring the health-related activities of elders who live at home. The home health monitoring, a continuous monitoring of a patient or elder at home using visual sensors is one such nonintrusive sub-area of health services at home. In this article, we propose a transfer learning-based edge computing method for home health monitoring. Specifically, a pre-trained convolutional neural network-based model can leverage edge devices with a small amount of ground-labeled data and fine-tuning method to train the model. Therefore, on-site computing of visual data captured by RGB, depth, or thermal sensor could be possible in an affordable way. As a result, raw data captured by these types of sensors is not required to be sent outside from home. Therefore, privacy, security, and bandwidth scarcity shall not be issues. Moreover, real-time computing for the above-mentioned purposes shall be possible in an economical way.
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In New Zealand, similar to the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruption to higher education, with a rapid transition to mass online teaching. The 1st year (and 1st semester in particular) of any University degree presents unique challenges for students. Literature suggests these students have significant learning concerns as they adjust to University teaching and assessment requirements. These challenges may be exacerbated with the rapid introduction of online learning environments as they are increasingly disconnected from their peers, and, at a greater risk of struggling with web-based learning technologies. © Copyright © 2021 Millar, Spencer, Stewart and Dong.
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Objective: To investigate the value of D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), Procalcitonin (PCT) and blood routine test in evaluating the prognosis of patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: A total of 54 severe COVID-19 patients were retrospectively studied, and were divided into death group (n=54) and survival group (n=31) according to the outcomes. The plasma D-dimer, CRP, PCT, and blood routine test of the two groups were analyzed and compared in order to clarify their relationship to the prognosis of severe COVID-19. Results: The time to initiation of disease days, age and proportion of comorbidity in death group were significantly longer or higher than in survival group (all P<0.05). The white blood cell counts and neutrophil counts levels in death group were significantly higher than in survival group (both P<0.05), while the lymphocyte counts levels in dead group were significantly lower than in survival group (P<0.05). D-dimer, CRP and PCT in death group were significantly higher than in survival group (all P<0.05). D-dimer was positively correlated to CRP (r=0.426, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with PCT (r=-0.217, P>0.05). Conclusion: D-dimer, CRP, white blood cell counts, and lymphocyte counts are valuable for prognosis evaluation of patients with severe COVID-19, and PCT also has certain prognostic value. © 2021, Editorial Board of Medical Journal of Wuhan University. All right reserved.
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[Background] The outbreak of corona virus disease (COVID-19) with a high risk of infection occurred in Wuhan city in December 2019, and gradually spread to other places. Current researches have shown that this atypical pneumonia is caused by a novel beta-coronavirus (βCoV), named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The population is generally susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, with an incubation period of 1~14 days, and the transmission routes include droplet transmission, contact transmission, and aerosol transmission. Since the outbreak of pneumonia in China, hospitals throughout the county have concentrated on the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia. As a result, routine clinics in hospitals at various levels have been affected. With the control of the epidemic situation in China, medical practice has been gradually restored and our country has entered the stage of regular epidemic prevention and control (EPC). Management of department of nuclear medicine faces new challenges in current regular EPC stage. [Purpose] This study aims to comply with regular epidemic prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia and provide guidance for the doctors of nuclear medicine in Yangtze River Delta. [Methods] Experts from the Yangtze River Delta region's nuclear medicine quality control center jointly formulated the guiding opinions on quality control of nuclear medicine in Yangtze River Delta region during regular epidemic prevention and control period of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, including in vivo and in vitro detection and ward treatment related to nuclear medicine. [Results and Conclusions] Based on its diversity and particularity, the examinations related to nuclear medicine, higher requirements are put forward for nuclear medicine staff for prevention and control of the epidemic. Therefore, a guideline of quality control is needed to ensure the health and safety of the nuclear medicine staff, patients and their accompanying personnel. © 2020, Science Press. All right reserved.