Effects of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep on sleep quality and mental health among patients with COVID-19 treated in Fangcang shelter hospitals

Introduction With the COVID-19 pandemic in China, a large number of mild or ordinary confirmed cases have been sent to Fangcang shelter hospitals for treatment. We aimed to investigate the mental health condition of Fangcang patients 2 years after the pandemic when patients knew more about COVID-19 and the virus was less virulent. We focused on the effect of dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep on depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Methods A total of 1,014 patients from two large Fangcang shelter hospitals in Shanghai between 22 April and 8 May 2022 completed a set of questionnaires comprising: the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Insomnia Severity Index scale. Results Results show that the positive screening rates for anxiety, depression, and insomnia among tested patients were 55.3, 27.0, and 47.8%, respectively. Patients were more likely to report higher anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and to endorse affective and sleep disorders if they were: female, aged 18–40 years, with undergraduate course or above, white-collar employees, or those who thought the pandemic would have severe economic effects. About 51.4% of the participants had dysfunctional beliefs about sleep to varying degrees. Compared with patients who had accurate beliefs about sleep, the ratios of insomnia, anxiety, and depression were significantly higher among patients with dysfunctional beliefs about sleep. Discussion Attention should be paid to the mental health problems of patients in Fangcang shelter hospitals. The results indicate that dysfunctional beliefs about sleep significantly increased anxiety, depression, and insomnia of Fangcang patients.

Effects of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep on sleep quality and mental health among patients with COVID-19 treated in Fangcang shelter hospitals.

Introduction: With the COVID-19 pandemic in China, a large number of mild or ordinary confirmed cases have been sent to Fangcang shelter hospitals for treatment. We aimed to investigate the mental health condition of Fangcang patients 2 years after the pandemic when patients knew more about COVID-19 and the virus was less virulent. We focused on the effect of dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep on depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Methods: A total of 1,014 patients from two large Fangcang shelter hospitals in Shanghai between 22 April and 8 May 2022 completed a set of questionnaires comprising: the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Insomnia Severity Index scale. Results: Results show that the positive screening rates for anxiety, depression, and insomnia among tested patients were 55.3, 27.0, and 47.8%, respectively. Patients were more likely to report higher anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and to endorse affective and sleep disorders if they were: female, aged 18-40 years, with undergraduate course or above, white-collar employees, or those who thought the pandemic would have severe economic effects. About 51.4% of the participants had dysfunctional beliefs about sleep to varying degrees. Compared with patients who had accurate beliefs about sleep, the ratios of insomnia, anxiety, and depression were significantly higher among patients with dysfunctional beliefs about sleep. Discussion: Attention should be paid to the mental health problems of patients in Fangcang shelter hospitals. The results indicate that dysfunctional beliefs about sleep significantly increased anxiety, depression, and insomnia of Fangcang patients.

A survey on mental health of medical staff fighting COVID-19 in Wuhan

Objectives: To assess the mental health status of medical staff that fight against the maim irus diseases 2019 (COV1D- 19) in Wuhan. and provide data support for medical staff psychological intervention and protection. Methods The meritul health status of 224 medical staff in the prevention and control of GOVID-19 and 127 controls was investigated by combining scale filling and online survey methods. Results The anxiety store of medical shill in Wuhan survey group 18.6 t 5.9 / was significantly higher than that of ordinary medical staff in Xi' an f 16.0 +or-4.6 . and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.01). 29.991 of the medical staff that fight against COVID -19 in Wuhan had a high score of anxiety. The degree of anxiety of military medical staff was significantly lower than that of non-military medical staff t 11/4 0.001. Those who had participated in the fight against SARS. disaster rescue or exercises had significantly loner anxiety than those without any experience (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in anxiety between medical staff who participated in the exercise and those who participated in the fight against SARS and disaster rescue (P=036). Conclusions The front-line medical staff who fight against COV1D- 19 show a high level of anxiety. Participation in the exercise can significantly reduce the anxiety of medical staff fighting against the epidemic.

Investigation of Anti-Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Anti-Inflammation effects of Qing Fei Hua Xian Decotion on Pulmonary Fibrosis via Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification (preprint)

Background Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a common interstitial pneumonia disease, also occurred in post-COVID-19 survivors. The mechanism underlying the anti-PF effect of Qing Fei Hua Xian Decotion (QFHXD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula applied for treating PF in COVID-19 survivors, is unclear. This study aimed to uncover the mechanisms related to the anti-PF effect of QFHXD through analysis of network pharmacology and experimental verification.Methods The candidate chemical compounds of QFHXD and its putative targets for treating PF were achieved from public databases, thereby we established the corresponding “herb- compound -target” network of QFHXD. Moreover, The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of potential targets was also constructed to screen the core targets. Furthermore, Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were used to predict targets, and pathways, then validated by in vivo experiments.Results A total of 188 active compounds in QFHXD and 50 target genes were identified from databases. The key therapeutic targets of QFHXD, such as PI3K/Akt, IL-6, TNF, IL-1β, STAT3, MMP-9, and TGF-β1 were identified by KEGG and GO analysis. Anti-PF effects of QFHXD (in a dose-dependent manner) and prednisone were confirmed by HE, Masson staining, and Sirius red staining as well as in vivo Micro-CT and immunohistochemical analysis in a rat model of bleomycin-induced PF. Besides, QFXHD remarkably inhibits the activity of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and TGF‑β1/Smad2/3.Conclusion QFXHD significantly attenuated bleomycin-induced PF via inhibiting inflammation and EMT. PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and TGF‑β1/Smad2/3 pathways might be the potential therapeutic effects of QFHXD for treating PF.

Differential Psychological Factors Associated With Unnecessary Dental Avoidance and Attendance Behavior During the Early COVID-19 Epidemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is challenging the dental community to an unprecedented degree. Knowledge of the increased risk of infection in dental settings has been disseminated to the public and guidelines have been formulated to assist dental attendance decision-making. However, dental attendance behaviors incompatible with treatment need is not uncommon in clinical settings. Important gaps remain in the knowledge about how psychological factors are affecting dental attendance behaviors during the COVID-19 epidemic. In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey was performed during February and March 2020. A total of 342 and 294 dental patients who attended and avoided dental visits, respectively, were included. The participants were classified into four groups based on dental attendance behavior and emergent/urgent dental treatment need. Bivariate analysis was performed to investigate factors associated with dental attendance. Multivariable logistic regression based on principal component scores was performed to identify major psychological constructs associated with unnecessary dental avoidance and attendance. Among all the factors explored, inability to wear masks during dental treatment (P < 0.001; effect size: 0.32) was most closely associated with the overall pattern of dental attendance among participants. Multivariable regression suggested that unnecessary dental avoidance was associated with perceived risk of infection in general and in dental settings (odds ratio [95% CI]: 0.62 [0.53, 0.72]; p < 0.001), perceived impact of COVID-19 and dental problems on general health (0.79 [0.65, 0.97]; 0.021), and personal traits such as trust and anxiety (0.77 [0.61, 0.98]; 0.038). Unnecessary dental attendance was associated with optimism toward the epidemic (1.68 [1.42, 2.01]; <0.001) and trust (1.39 [1.13, 1.74]; 0.002). Multidisciplinary efforts involving dental and medical professionals as well as psychologists are warranted to promote more widespread adoption, among the general public, of dental attendance behaviors compatible with dental treatment need during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Research and practice of online emergency teaching based on electronic information technology under the influence of COVID-19

The new crown pneumonia (COVID-19) epidemic in 2020 has spread globally, causing schools around the world to stop routine teaching. Educational institutions in various countries have adopted online teaching methods in response to this crisis. This research, carried out in Human Institute of Information Technology with a number of teachers and students as its subjects, sets out to give statistical analysis upon the students' selections of online teaching platforms as well as their evaluations of online teaching. At the same time, based on the online teaching practice of ?Building Structure?, a certain quantity of research upon the online teaching practice is completed among the students who began their college studies in engineering cost in the year of 2018. According to all these studies, it is evident that multiple factors such as teachers' ages, professions, and the features of various online teaching platforms, can determine which one is used by different individuals. The evaluation results suggest that online teaching is necessary under the impact of the epidemic despite the fact that students may face a series of problems for lack of self-control and other possible reasons. Through practice, an innovative teaching and evaluation method can partially solve the problems found in online teaching and provide useful ideas for creating higher quality teaching on the Internet.

Donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation.

BACKGROUND: Since early 2020, convalescent plasma has been widely used for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is limited information regarding donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation. In this study, we evaluated the short-term donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation. METHODS: A prospective study of 309 convalescent plasma donation related adverse events were conducted at Wuhan Blood Center of China, from February 12 to April 1, 2020. Additionally, up to 28-day post-donation follow-ups were performed on the donors. RESULTS: Sixteen (5.2%) adverse events were reported in 309 donations. All of these were mild vasovagal without loss of consciousness. The frequency of adverse reactions was higher in donors with a per donation volume of >8 mL/kg body weight or ≥ 600 mL, <100 mm Hg in pre-donation systolic blood pressure, or less than 28 days from the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. There was no correlation to donation history, weight, sex, ABO blood type, pre-donation diastolic blood pressure, pulse, or hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: The donation of convalescent plasma is generally safe. Mitigation of risk factors associated with adverse events can further enhance donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation.

Feasibility of a pilot program for COVID-19 convalescent plasma collection in Wuhan, China.

BACKGROUND: A novel coronavirus has caused an international outbreak. Currently, there are no specific therapeutic agents for coronavirus infections. Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy is a potentially effective treatment option. METHODS: Patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and had been discharged from the hospital for more than 2 weeks were recruited. COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP)-specific donor screening and selection were performed based on the following criteria: 1) aged 18-55 years; 2) eligible for blood donation; 3) diagnosed with COVID-19; 4) had two consecutive negative COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab tests based on PCR (at least 24 hr apart) prior to hospital discharge; 5) had been discharged from the hospital for more than 2 weeks; and 6) had no COVID-19 symptoms prior to convalescent plasma donation. In addition, preference was given to CCP donors who had a fever lasting more than 3 days or a body temperature exceeding 38.5°C (101.3°F), and who donated 4 weeks after the onset of symptoms. CCP collection was performed using routine plasma collection procedures via plasmapheresis. In addition to routine donor testing, the CCP donors' plasma was also tested for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and S-RBD-specific IgG antibody. RESULTS: Of the 81 potential CCP donors, 64 (79%) plasma products were collected. There were 18 female donors and 46 male donors. There were 34 first-time blood donors and 30 repeat donors. The average time between CCP collection and initial symptom onset was 49.1 days, and the average time between CCP collection and hospital discharge was 38.7 days. The average volume of CCP collected was 327.7 mL. All Alanine transaminase (ALT) testing results met blood donation requirements. HIV Ag/Ab, anti-HCV, anti-syphilis, and HBsAg were all negative; NAT for HIV, HBV, and HCV were also negative. In addition, all of the CCP donors' plasma units were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Of the total 64 CCP donors tested, only one had an S-RBD-specific IgG titer of 1:160, all others had a titer of ≥1:320. CONCLUSION: Based on a feasibility study of a pilot CCP program in Wuhan, China, we demonstrated the success and feasibility of CCP collection. In addition, all of the CCP units collected had a titer of ≥1:160 for S-RBD-specific IgG antibody, which met the CCP quality control requirements based on the Chinese national guidelines for CCP.

Chest CT for Detecting COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy (preprint)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to perform a systematic review and meta- analysis regarding the diagnostic test accuracy of chest CT for detecting Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI were searched up to March 12, 2020. We included studies providing information regarding diagnostic test accuracy of chest CT for COVID-19 detection. The methodologic quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies–2 tool. Sensitivity and specificity were pooled.RESULTS: Ten studies (n = 2657 patients) were included. The risks of bias in all studies were moderate in general. Pooled sensitivity was 93% (95% CI: 85 - 97%), and only one study reported specificity (25%, 95% CI:22-30%). There was substantial heterogeneity according to the Cochran Q test (p < 0.01) and Higgins I2 heterogeneity index (96% for sensitivity). After dividing the studies into two groups based on the study site, we found that the sensitivity of chest CT was great in Wuhan (the most affected city by the epidemic) and the sensitivity values were very close to each other (97%, 96% and 99%, respectively). In the regions other than Wuhan, the sensitivity varied from 69% to 98%.CONCLUSION: Chest CT offers the great sensitivity for detecting COVID-19, especially in region with severe epidemic situation. However, the specificity is low. In the context of emergency disease control, chest CT provide a fast, convenient and effective method to early recognize suspicious cases and might contribute to confine epidemic.