GS-2: A Novel Broad-Spectrum Agent for Environmental Microbial Control.

The environmental control of microbial pathogens currently relies on compounds that do not exert long-lasting activity on surfaces, are impaired by soil, and contribute to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. This study presents the scientific development and characterization of GS-2, a novel, water-soluble ammonium carboxylate salt of capric acid and L-arginine that demonstrates activity against a range of bacteria (particularly Gram-negative bacteria), fungi, and viruses. In real-world surface testing, GS-2 was more effective than a benzalkonium chloride disinfectant at reducing the bacterial load on common touch-point surfaces in a high-traffic building (average 1.6 vs. 32.6 CFUs recovered from surfaces 90 min after application, respectively). Toxicology testing in rats confirmed GS-2 ingredients were rapidly cleared and posed no toxicities to humans or animals. To enhance the time-kill against Gram-positive bacteria, GS-2 was compounded at a specific ratio with a naturally occurring monoterpenoid, thymol, to produce a water-based antimicrobial solution. This GS-2 with thymol formulation could generate a bactericidal effect after five minutes of exposure and a viricidal effect after 10 min of exposure. Further testing of the GS-2 and thymol combination on glass slides demonstrated that the compound retained bactericidal activity for up to 60 days. Based on these results, GS-2 and GS-2 with thymol represent a novel antimicrobial solution that may have significant utility in the long-term reduction of environmental microbial pathogens in a variety of settings.

Role of T Lymphocyte Activation Profile in Predicting SARS-CoV-2 Severity: Experience from Tertiary Care Centre of North India.

Background: Immune dysregulation plays a key role in determining COVID-19 disease severity. We aimed to analyze the T cell activation profile in COVID - 19 cases and its predictive role in disease severity and outcome. Material & methods: This was a prospective observational pilot study from a tertiary care COVID-19 hospital. Peripheral blood samples obtained between the fifth and seventh day of COVID-19 illness, were subjected to lymphocyte subset analysis using multicolor flowcytometry using a single tube, 8 antibodies (CD45, CD19, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD38, HLADR, and CD56) analysis. Correlation between lymphocyte subset analysis and clinical profile was determined. Results: 26 patients including 11 with mild disease and 15 with severe disease were enrolled. The median age was 58 years (range: 33-81), with a male: female ratio of 1.36:1. Significant lymphopenia was observed in the severe group compared to the mild group (p < 0.02). The absolute numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8 + T cells, B cells, and NK cells were significantly reduced in the severe group as compared to the mild group (p < 0.05). In patients with severe disease, the proportion of CD8 + and CD4 + T cells were significantly higher than those in patients with mild disease (p = 0.0372). Using ROC analysis, a CD4:8 T cell ratio of ≥ 2.63 and an activated (CD38 + HLA-DR+) CD8 T cell proportion of > 15.85% of the total CD8 T cell population, significantly determined the severe disease category. Conclusions: Severe COVID-19 is associated with severe lymphopenia, altered CD4/CD8 ratio and markedly increased CD8 T cell activation profile. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12288-022-01558-6.

Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in households with children with asthma and allergy: A prospective surveillance study.

BACKGROUND: Whether children and people with asthma and allergic diseases are at increased risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our aims were to determine the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in households with children and to also determine whether self-reported asthma and/or other allergic diseases are associated with infection and household transmission. METHODS: For 6 months, biweekly nasal swabs and weekly surveys were conducted within 1394 households (N = 4142 participants) to identify incident SARS-CoV-2 infections from May 2020 to February 2021, which was the pandemic period largely before a vaccine and before the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Participant and household infection and household transmission probabilities were calculated by using time-to-event analyses, and factors associated with infection and transmission risk were determined by using regression analyses. RESULTS: In all, 147 households (261 participants) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The household SARS-CoV-2 infection probability was 25.8%; the participant infection probability was similar for children (14.0% [95% CI = 8.0%-19.6%]), teenagers (12.1% [95% CI = 8.2%-15.9%]), and adults (14.0% [95% CI = 9.5%-18.4%]). Infections were symptomatic in 24.5% of children, 41.2% of teenagers, and 62.5% of adults. Self-reported doctor-diagnosed asthma was not a risk factor for infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.04 [95% CI = 0.73-1.46]), nor was upper respiratory allergy or eczema. Self-reported doctor-diagnosed food allergy was associated with lower infection risk (aHR = 0.50 [95% CI = 0.32-0.81]); higher body mass index was associated with increased infection risk (aHR per 10-point increase = 1.09 [95% CI = 1.03-1.15]). The household secondary attack rate was 57.7%. Asthma was not associated with household transmission, but transmission was lower in households with food allergy (adjusted odds ratio = 0.43 [95% CI = 0.19-0.96]; P = .04). CONCLUSION: Asthma does not increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Food allergy is associated with lower infection risk, whereas body mass index is associated with increased infection risk. Understanding how these factors modify infection risk may offer new avenues for preventing infection.

The impact of COVID-19 on adolescent wellness in Chicago.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to understand the impact of the initial COVID-19 pandemic remote schooling period on self-reported wellness among adolescents in Chicago. METHODS: Students (n = 55) completed a 22-item wellness questionnaire before (February 2020) and shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak (April 2020). Precomparisons/postcomparisons (overall and by survey item) were evaluated using two-sided paired t-tests with an alpha level of 0.05. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate mean scores overall by demographic variables. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the following areas: Balance (Pre: 7.3, During: 6.4, p = 0.02), Education (Pre: 8.4, During 7.7, p = 0.03) and Friends (Pre:8.0, During: 6.3, p = 0.001). Overall wellness scores varied by demographic variables, though not significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the onset of the pandemic impacted students' ability to effectively learn, as well as to maintain balance in their lives and social relationships. Comprehensive support is needed in these areas to promote adolescent wellness.

Food Insecurity in the Food Allergic Population: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee.

Food allergies affect 32 million Americans. Restricted diets due to food allergies can be difficult to maintain especially when the household is food insecure. Food insecurity is defined as the inability to acquire food for household members due to insufficient money or resources for food. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many people to face food insecurity for the first time with Latinx, Native American, and Black communities disproportionately affected. Because of the increase in food insecurity, this work group developed a survey regarding food insecurity screening. This survey was sent out to a random sample of American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology members to assess food insecurity knowledge and practices. The majority of survey participants did not routinely screen their patients for food insecurity. The biggest barrier identified to screening was lack of knowledge of how to perform a screen and resources available when a patient screened positive. This work group report provides guidance on how to implement and perform a food insecurity screen, including federal resources and assistance programs.

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT AND BRAND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES DURING COVID-19

It is critical for marketers to improve consumer interaction and communication during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brands that fail to do so risk becoming obsolete. As a result, marketers must begin connecting with customers and offering them with worthwhile experiences. Customers will have a special place in their hearts for brands that understand their emotions amid social isolation and provide extra care, concern, and empathy by meeting and exceeding consumer expectations. Not only that, but in these unique times, brand communication must be quite different. Brands are required not only to give back to the society, but also to preserve customer trust in them. This article examines how marketers used various digital platforms to engage with customers and communicate with them during the COVID-19 outbreak in India. Implications for the marketers are presented thereafter.

FOOD DELIVERY APPS: INTENTION TO USE DURING COVID-19

The online food delivery industry in India is growing due to the changing lifestyles, eating habits of people, their busy work schedules and increased disposable income, particularly in urban areas of the country. Our research investigates how people used Food Delivery Apps (FDAs) during the COVID-19 outbreak in India. The study particularly aims to determine the influence of the safety concerns of people on the intention to use FDAs during the COVID-19 outbreak. The factor structure of our research model was confirmed using exploratory factor analysis. The model's validity was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modelling was used to measure the intention to use the FDA. Results revealed that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had a positive and substantial impact on intention to use a FDA. However, people's safety concerns about dining out versus ordering food at home were found to have no effect on their intention to use the app. In simple words, customers will use a FDA if it offers a variety of food options, quick navigation through the numerous food options, restaurants, and convenience of food selection and transaction processing. Not only that, but the study claims that another motivation for people to use a FDA is to relieve themselves from cooking so they can spend their time on other work or leisure activities, as well as to acquire a variety of meals while sitting at home without having to cook the same. Our research adds to the body of knowledge about the usage of FDAs during the COVID-19 outbreak. It also examines the implications in terms of key features of a FDA and important elements in designing such an app.

Caregiver Perceptions of Children's Psychological Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: Understanding youth well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic can help appropriately allocate resources and inform policies to support youth. Objective: To examine caregiver-reported changes in the psychological well-being of their children 3 to 4 months after the start of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, and to examine the association of caregiver-reported COVID-19 exposure and family stressors with caregiver perceptions of child psychological well-being. Design, Setting, and Participants: This survey study used an anonymous survey distributed via email from June 24 to July 15, 2020, to 350 000 families of students attending public schools in Chicago, Illinois. The a priori hypotheses were that caregivers would report worsening in child psychological well-being during the closure period compared with preclosure and that exposure to COVID-19-related stressors would be associated with a higher probability of worsening child psychological well-being. Data were analyzed from September 10, 2020, to March 15, 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes were 7 mental health concerns and 5 positive adjustment characteristics reported by caregivers using a retrospective pre-post design. COVID-19 exposure and family stressors were also reported by caregivers. Results: Among 350 000 families invited to participate, 32 217 caregivers (10 827 [39.3%] White, 8320 [30.2%] Latinx, 6168 [22.4%] Black; 2223 [8.1%] with multiple or other races/ethnicities) completed the survey on behalf of 49 397 children in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Child-specific outcomes were reported for 40 723 to 40 852 children depending on the specific question. The frequency of caregiver endorsement of youth mental health concerns ranged from 0.1 percentage point (suicidal ideation or self-harm, reported by 191 caregivers [0.5%] preclosure vs 246 caregivers [0.6%] during closure; P < .001) to 28.3 percentage points (loneliness, reported by 1452 caregivers [3.6%] preclosure vs 13 019 caregivers [31.9%] during closure; P < .001) higher after the end of in-person instruction compared with preclosure. Frequency of caregiver endorsement of youth positive adjustment characteristics ranged from -13.4 percentage points (plans for the future, reported by 18 114 caregivers [44.3%] preclosure vs 12 601 caregivers [30.9%] during closure; P < .001) to -30.9 percentage points (positive peer relationships, reported by 24 666 caregivers [60.4%] preclosure vs 19 130 caregivers [46.8%] during closure; P < .001) lower after the end of in-person instruction. Significant differences in COVID-19 exposure were observed across racial/ethnic (F3,27 534 = 614.8; P < .001) and household income strata (F5,27 506 = 842.0; P < .001). After accounting for covariates, all mental health concerns increased in probability (eg, angry: odds ratio, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.48-1.62]; P < .001) and all the positive adjustment characteristics decreased in probability (eg, hopeful or positive: odds ratio, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.84-0.92]; P < .001) as COVID-19 exposure and family stressors increased. Conclusions and Relevance: In this survey study of caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 and resulting exposure to stress were associated with worse youth psychological well-being, demonstrating the need for a comprehensive public health approach that prioritizes children's well-being and draws broad public attention to the mental health needs of youth.

Addressing the social needs of individuals with food allergy and celiac disease during COVID-19: A new practice model for sustained social care.

COVID-19 has led to high rates of food insecurity. Food insecure patients with food allergy and celiac disease are especially vulnerable during the pandemic when foods become limited. This paper describes a practice innovation implemented by a community-based organization, Food Equality Initiative (FEI), whose mission is improving health and ending hunger among individuals with food allergy and celiac disease. FEI responded to the pandemic by converting their in-person pantries to a contactless delivery of safe foods. The practice innovation is discussed in relation to three system-level elements necessary to sustain the integration of social care into the delivery of healthcare.