ABSTRACT
The development of online technologies and mobile apps have transformed the ways in which consumers buy and/or sell. Recently, the coronavirus pandemic has increased the usage of e-commerce and m-commerce around the world. Therefore, this study aims to investigate what drives mobile shopping apps adoption by generation Z during the pandemic. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this quantitative research shows that fear of COVID-19 exerted a positive effect on perceived usefulness of mobile apps. Furthermore, the perceived safety of mobile apps has a positive effect on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Perceived usefulness has a direct influence on the intention to use mobile apps, and both a fear of COVID-19 and perceived safety have strong indirect effects on the intention to use an app. It can be argued that the research results are relevant from both theoretical and practical perspectives taking into consideration the development of m-commerce in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2023, Bucharest University of Economic Studies. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Since the revealing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the broad clinical spectrum of COVID-19 and, especially, the acute severe respiratory syndrome, have alarmed the whole medical world. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is complex and unknown since the beginning of the pandemic. Many proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukine-6 (IL-6), are involved in the occurrence of cytokine release syndrome, having an important role in the severe evolution and death of COVID-19 patients. For evaluating the role of tocilizumab (TCZ), an anti-IL-6 agent, we analysed the survival in 149 COVID-19 patients from the first day of therapy until the next 90 days of follow-up. Less than half of patients (18.79%) died. The mean survival period was 75.05 days. The evolution of the inflammatory syndrome was favourable at 3 and 7 days, after TCZ administration, with a statistically significant decreased amount of fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. The risk factors of death rate were age over 60 and pre-existing co-morbidities, as heart disease and obesity. The administration of TCZ in severe COVID-19 patients as in other studies was beneficial.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: COVID-19 is a medical emergency that has affected the world's population. Severe cases of COVID-19 have been treated with Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits interleukin-6 (IL-6), to prevent a possible cytokine storm. However, there is insufficient data to prove its effectiveness and impact in reducing mortality rate. Therefore, we have developed a systemic review to compare the efficacy in treating COVID-19 severe cases between Tocilizumab group of patients and standard care group of patients.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 risk of infection from someone who does not pose a kind of symptoms is very small;it is possible to get COVID-19 from someone who has a mild cough without feeling sick. The elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions (high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes) appear to develop a severe form of the disease, more often than the other categories. By September 7, in Romania, 95,897 cases of people infected with the new coronavirus (COVID-19) were confirmed. 40,454 patients were declared cured and 12,339 asymptomatic patients were discharged 10 days after detection. On September 8, 883 were found of new cases of people infected with SARS-VOC-2. Coronavirus strains are viruses of the class are seven in number, including the 2019-nCoV. Four of the strains cause common colds, while the others have led to epidemics: SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which erupted in China in 2002 and spread globally in 2003;MERS ( Middle East respiratory Syndrome) - was discovered in 2012 in Saudi Arabia;Covid-19 (coronavirus disease that wAS discovered 2019) -, disease triggered by the coronavirus that has was discovered in 2019;new strain of coronavirus was first identified in the city 's Wuhan, Hubei Province and China (in December 2019).