Emotional Framing in the Spreading of False and True Claims

The explosive growth of online misinformation, such as false claims, has affected the social behavior of online users. In order to be persuasive and mislead the audience, false claims are made to trigger emotions in their audience. This paper contributes to understanding how misinformation in social media is shaped by investigating the emotional framing that authors of the claims try to create for their audience. We investigate how, firstly, the existence of emotional framing in the claims depends on the topic and credibility of the claims. Secondly, we explore how emotionally framed content triggers emotional response posts by social media users, and how emotions expressed in claims and corresponding users' response posts affect their sharing behavior on social media. Analysis of four data sets covering different topics (politics, health, Syrian war, and COVID-19) reveals that authors shape their claims depending on the topic area to pass targeted emotions to their audience. By analysing responses to claims, we show that the credibility of the claim influences the distribution of emotions that the claim incites in its audience. Moreover, our analysis shows that emotions expressed in the claims are repeated in the users' responses. Finally, the analysis of users' sharing behavior shows that negative emotional framing such as anger, fear, and sadness of false claims leads to more interaction among users than positive emotions. This analysis also reveals that in the claims that trigger happy responses, true claims result in more sharing compared to false claims. © 2023 ACM.

Evaluation of suspected patients to COVID-19 triage status: a cross-sectional descriptive study

Introduction: Proper and effective triage of patients suspected to COVID-19, the diagnosis of their high risk situation and then hospitalization in order to carry out treatment measures are of particular importance. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the triage status of patients suspected of COVID-19. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the period between April and June 2020 in one of hospitals in Tehran. Triage information related to 1010 patients suspected of COVID 19 were assessed. Some of these patients were hospitalized and the rest were advised to rest at home. Clinical, laboratory and survival or death data of hospitalized patients were collected from their hospital documenttaion. Patients who were discharged from triage without the need for medical intervention and were advised to rest at home were contacted by phone. Then their condition after discharge from triage, re-referral to other hospitals due to the symptoms of the disease, other symptoms that appeared at home, and treatment measures performed in case of re-referral to the hospital were asked. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression modeling and t-test and chi-square statistical tests using SPSS 16. Results: The results showed that among the 1010 assessed patients, 360 people (35.5%) were admitted to the hospital with a definite diagnosis of COVID-19, and 650 people (64.5%) did not need to be hospitalized according to the triage performed. Among the 650 patients sent home, the information of 57.5% of the patients could not be followed up due to the lack of answering the phone, and only 276 people (42.5%) answered the phone call, and none of them needed hospitalization in other hospitals. Among the patients admitted to the hospital, 14.8% had died. The results of adjusted odds ratio based on multivariate logistic regression modeling for predictors of mortality showed that after adjusting the variables in the model, none of the variables showed a significant relationship with mortality (P>0.05 in all cases). Conclusion: Results showed that all patients who were admitted to the hospital after triage were finally infected with COVID-19. Other patients who did not require hospitalization and were advised to rest at home were not hospitalized in other medical centers either. The results showed that the triage performed for patients was able to identify COVID 19 critically ill patients who need hospitalization.

Sleep as a likely immunomodulation agent: novel approach in the treatment of COVID-19

The potential advantages of sleep concerning suppressing cytokine storms and inflammation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on its immunopathogenesis are summarized in the current study. COVID-19 as a global pandemic in the past months has afflicted many people. Clinical properties, pathology, and the pathogenesis of acute respiratory disorder caused by coronaviruses or other pathogens are evidence implying the probable contribution of oxidation, excessive inflammation, and excessive immune response, particularly cytokine storm, to the pathology of COVID-19. According to findings by experimental and clinical research on animals and in humans, sleep loss impairs immune function. Sleep loss strongly influences peripheral levels of the immune response's inflammatory mediators, which is accomplished by the generation of various hormones and mediators during sleep. There are a large number of studies supporting the presence of reciprocal regulation between low-intensity inflammatory response and sleep. By improving sleep quality and at the same time adjusting the circadian rhythm, it may be possible to prevent infections and boost immunity. As a result, sufficient (or even more) sleep duration may lower susceptibility to COVID-19 infection as well as increase antibody levels. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Spontaneous Renal Rupture and Hematoma in a Covid - 19 Case

Background: Covid-19 is a life-threatening disease-causing and accompanying multiple organ injuries in hospitalized patients. Case presentation: A 73-year-old male patient was admitted to a hospital in Tehran province. He had symptoms of COVID-19 disease, and his involvement with COVID-19 was confirmed by the molecular method and patchy areas of ground-glass opacities in the computed tomography (CT) scan. He was under treatment for his diabetes and hypertension. After a few hours of admission, he had low oxygen saturation (80%);hence he became under intensive care, oxygen, and anticoagulant therapy. On day 6 of ICU admission, his clinical status became worse when he had left side pain, hematuria, glucosuria, proteinuria, and high serum creatinine level (3.28 mg/dL). CT scan imaging was indicating of renal hematoma. The surgical or any invasive intervention was impossible due to the unstable status of the patient. Packed red cell and plasma replacement therapy were not effective in the prevention of expiration of the patient on day 7 of hospitalization. Spontaneous renal hemorrhage concurrent with COVID-19 disease was the defmite diagnosis for this case. Conclusion: We think that COVID-19 involvement may accelerate renal injury in our case. Anyhow, there were multiple predisposing risk factors for renal hematoma, in this case, such as diabetes, anticoagulant therapy, and COVID-19. We suggest that COVID-19 involvement accelerates renal problems. Nevertheless, this conclusion should be confirmed by other reports and research by clinical scientists.

An Old Adult with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Represented Reduced COVID-19 Symptoms, Probably Due to Cross Impact of Drugs;A Case-Report Blended with Computational Biology Study

Background Studies have shown that morbidity and mortality critically increase from COVID-19 in patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. But we had an Alzheimer's disease patient treated rapidly from COVID-19 involvement. We explore the probable cause of treatment using in-silico drug screening tools. Case presentation We present an 81-year-old female patient who recovered from COVID-19 disease despite her severe dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and unfavorable respiratory status. The patient was under medical care for ten days. She received standard COVID-19 medical care plus her drugs for Alzheimer's disease. We found those drugs administered for Alzheimer's disease can interact, and probably inhibit, SARS-COV-2 main protease that plays a central role in virus replication. Conclusion Our patient remediated from COVID-19 very well despite being at a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. However, her amnesia may help her to fight and resist respiratory distress. In addition, administered drugs for Alzheimer's disease may interact with viral biomolecules and dwindle SARS-COV-2 replication.

MARKED CHANGES ARE SEEN IN THE SMALL BOWEL MICROBIOME AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

SARS-CoV-2 has had a profound impact on the human population in the last 24 months. This includes dramatic changes in lifestyle, hygiene, and altered food sources/consumption patterns, which could directly impact the small bowel microbiome on an individual and perhaps even at a population level. To date, this has not been examined. Here, we compare small bowel microbial profiles in subjects before SARS-CoV-2 and intra-pandemic. Methods: The REIMAGINE study is a large-scale study using validated methods for duodenal aspirate collection and microbiome sequencing in subjects undergoing upper endoscopy. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: pre-pandemic, from February 2019 to March 2020;and intrapandemic, from April 2021 to September 2021. Groups were matched for gender, age, and BMI. Duodenal aspirates were collected, and microbial DNA was isolated using the MagAttract PowerSoilDNA Kit. V3 and V4 libraries were sequenced on a MiSeq. Reference-based Operational Taxonomic Unit clustering was performed using SILVA v132 database. Taxonomic analysis was performed with CLC Microbial Genomics Module v.2.5 and MicrobiomeAnalyst, and duodenal microbial alpha- and beta-diversity indices were calculated. Significance was determined by Wilcox test. Results: In total 94 subjects were included in the analysis. The overall duodenal microbiome profile (beta-diversity) of intra-pandemic subjects (n=38, mean age= 51 ± 18, mean BMI =23.9 ± 4.7) was significantly different from pre-pandemic subjects (n=56, mean age= 51 ± 15, mean BMI = 25.24 ± 4.9)(p<0.002, Fig1A), with no significant changes in duodenal microbial alpha diversity between groups (Fig1B). Significant duodenal microbial taxonomic differences were identified between groups, including changes in the relative abundance (RA) of 2 phyla, 3 classes, 6 orders, 4 families and 23 genera (Fig2A). At the phylum level, Actinobacteria RA was significantly decreased in the intra vs. the pre group (FC=-1.99, P=9.83E-8, Fig2B). Additionally, at the genus level, RA of Rothia (P= 6.85E-7), Pseudomonas (P=0.0376), and Escherichia (P=0.0092) were significantly decreased in the intra group (Fig2A). Of note, the phylum Deinococcus (P=0.0016) was increased in the intra vs. the pre group (Fig2B). Conclusion: In this first study examining the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the small bowel microbiome, we show substantial changes in microbial profiles intra-pandemic as compared to pre-pandemic. The duodenal microbiome of intra-pandemic subjects was associated with less disrupter bacteria (Escherichia and Pseudomonas), commonly associated with GI disorders. In contrast, Deinococcus phylum was increased intra-pandemic. This phylum includes organisms resistant to sanitation and increased in the nasal passage of people during the pandemic. The short and long term impact of these changes on human health require further study.(Figure Presented)

Life-threatening SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children: A Single-center Case Series

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known as the most recent pandemic condition declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is widely believed that this infection is less frequent and severe in children, but few mortality reports are available in this age group population. Case Presentation: We described nine pediatric patients with probable or confirmed COVID-19 who died due to disease complications. Their age ranged between seven months and 14 years. All had underlying diseases, and three of them had been hospitalized before the COVID-19 diagnosis due to their previous medical conditions. Cough and respiratory symptoms were the most common symptoms observed in these patients. Bilateral ground-glass opacities were common radiologic findings. Conclusions: Although COVID-19 is less common in the pediatric group, all ages are vulnerable to this infection, and mortality may occur, especially in patients with underlying diseases. We emphasize that children with underlying diseases and COVID-19 should be hospitalized and monitored tightly during treatment. © 2021, Author(s).

Effects of Imfluna, an Iranian traditional polyherbal medicine, on COVID-19 symptoms: A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background: The current pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severity of the infection and high mortality have almost unprecedented challenges in the health systems of most countries around the world. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Iranian traditional polyherbal medicine (Imfluna) containing a mixture of echinacea, stachys, artemisia, hyssopus, polybody, alpinia, ginger, and ginseng extract on symptoms of COVID-19 infected patients. Methods: In this placebo-controlled and double-blind clinical trial, a total of 60 voluntarily approved patients with COVID-19 were randomly assigned to the placebo and Imfluna groups. Patients in each group, in addition to receiving standard medications, took two 500 mg capsules of Imfluna or placebo every 8 hours for 2 weeks. The patient's vital signs, including the severity of shortness of breath, cough, and body temperature, were recorded during the study. Also blood ESR, liver and kidney function tests were performed at baseline and endpoint. Results: The results showed that patients in the Imfluna-treated group had significantly greater improvement in daily cough, shortness of breath and ESR compared with the placebo group. In addition, lung lesions improved in the Imfluna-treated group, although not significantly. Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 who were treated with Imfluna for 2 weeks had better comfort and fewer symptoms associated with the disease with no any drug side effects.