Distinct profiles and kinetics of soluble infammatory markers in patients with acute and chronic HCV-infections and SARS-CoV-2-infections: Implications for the long-term consequences of viral infections?

Background and Aims Viral infections occur acutely but can also progress chronically, with the immune system having a central role in immunopathoge-nesis. The question arises whether all alterations in immune responses are reversible after viral elimination (spontaneously or by therapy). Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare soluble infammatory markers (SIM) during and after infection with SARS-CoV-2 and acute and chronic HCV-infections. Patients and Method Patients with acute HCV (n = 29), chronic HCV (n = 54), SARS-CoV-2 (n = 39) and 31 healthy-controls were included. Blood samples were tested at baseline, end of treatment/infection, and follow-up ( >= 9 months after baseline). IL-12p70, IL-1b, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, TNF, IFN-g, IL-10, IL-22, CXCL-10, MCP-1, MIP-1b, ITAC were quantified using the HD-SP-X Imaging and Analysis SystemTM. Results SIM profiles in patients with acute HCV were substantially elevated at baseline and the decrease during follow-up was considerably less compared to the SARS-CoV-2 cohort. In chronic HCV-patients, viral elimination by therapy resulted in a decrease in SIM, although not always to those of controls. Cirrhotic HCV patients had higher SIM levels after HCV elimination than non-cirrhotic chronic HCV-patients. In the SARS-CoV-2 cohort, most SIM returned to levels of controls 3 months after baseline. Conclusions SIM profiles and kinetics after viral elimination difer between blood-borne acute and chronic HCV- and respiratory SARS-CoV-2-infections. The immunologic imprint 9 months after cured HCV-infection (both acute and chronic) appears to be more pronounced than after SARS-CoV-2-infection. Further analysis is needed to correlate the SIM profle with the clinical pheno-type (long-HepC vs. long-COVID-19).

Monitoring the Trend of Energy Consumption during the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on socioeconomics and directly impacted the electrical system. In Malaysia, Grid System Operators (GSOs) were found to lack detailed information to differentiate the total energy demand before and during a pandemic. Working from home during the pandemic has changed the way of life and daily energy management methods for the domestic sector. This paper aims to study the national energy demand during the pandemic and then look into domestic energy management. The study included 3 phases. Phase 1 involved the analysis of data from the GSO to identify differences in energy demand before and during the pandemic. Next, in phase 2, a survey will be conducted on the energy management of the domestic sector. Finally, phase 3 involves household energy-saving proposals through examples of structural improvements. During the 2020 Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia, the average total decrease in energy demand compared to 2019 was 15.82%. This high percentage is due to the closure of several economic sectors, such as trade and industry. From the survey, 88 110 respondents reported that domestic electricity bills increased during the MCO. Statistical analysis using ANOVA indicated no significant link between age range and behavior, knowledge, and total bills paid by respondents. Furthermore, this study also suggested structural upgrades incorporating 5-star air conditioning that can save RM389.47 per year, which will take 4.78 years to repay. This study concluded with suggestions on changes that can be implemented to aid homeowners with energy savings. © 2022 IEEE.

Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Upper Manhattan Community-Based Organizations: A Qualitative Analysis of Employee Focus Groups.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) play a key role in assisting local communities, especially those in under-resourced areas, through their deep knowledge of the community's needs and available resources. We examined perceptions of COVID-19's impact on health-related services in CBOs located in Upper Manhattan, New York City (serving East Harlem, Central Harlem, Morningside Heights and Hamilton Heights, and Washington Heights and Inwood). Three focus groups were conducted on Zoom in November 2020; focus groups were composed of participants employed at CBOs in this catchment area. Deidentified interview transcripts were evaluated using an iterative process of thematic content analysis. We identified five major themes related to the impact of COVID-19 on community needs: 1) increased mistrust and decreased service utilization, 2) breakdowns in communication, 3) shift in need, 4) increased risk factors for negative health outcomes among staff and community, and 5) decreased funding and an uncertain future. Because of the pandemic, CBOs have pivoted to cater to the immediate and changing needs of the community and, in doing so, revised their menu of services as well as their service delivery model. In trying to maintain connectivity with and the trust of community members, participants had to construct novel strategies and develop new outreach strategies; participants also recognized the role strain of trying to balance community needs with home responsibilities. Given these findings, concern arises around the long-term health and well-being of community members and participants. The government must provide the necessary resources to ensure the viability of CBOs and create a stronger infrastructure for future emergencies.

Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Upper Manhattan Community-Based Organizations: A Qualitative Analysis of Employee Focus Groups

Community-based organizations (CBOs) play a key role in assisting local communities, especially those in under-resourced areas, through their deep knowledge of the community’s needs and available resources. We examined perceptions of COVID-19’s impact on health-related services in CBOs located in Upper Manhattan, New York City (serving East Harlem, Central Harlem, Morningside Heights and Hamilton Heights, and Washington Heights and Inwood). Three focus groups were conducted on Zoom in November 2020;focus groups were composed of participants employed at CBOs in this catchment area. Deidentified interview transcripts were evaluated using an iterative process of thematic content analysis. We identified five major themes related to the impact of COVID-19 on community needs: 1) increased mistrust and decreased service utilization, 2) breakdowns in communication, 3) shift in need, 4) increased risk factors for negative health outcomes among staff and community, and 5) decreased funding and an uncertain future. Because of the pandemic, CBOs have pivoted to cater to the immediate and changing needs of the community and, in doing so, revised their menu of services as well as their service delivery model. In trying to maintain connectivity with and the trust of community members, participants had to construct novel strategies and develop new outreach strategies;participants also recognized the role strain of trying to balance community needs with home responsibilities. Given these findings, concern arises around the long-term health and well-being of community members and participants. The government must provide the necessary resources to ensure the viability of CBOs and create a stronger infrastructure for future emergencies.

BMI status and associations between affect, physical activity and anxiety among U.S. children during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: There is concern regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the psychological and physical health of children, but to date, studies on mental health during the pandemic in children are limited. Furthermore, unprecedented lifestyle stressors associated with the pandemic may aggravate the childhood obesity epidemic, but the role of BMI on child activity levels and psychological outcomes during COVID-19 is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We investigated how emotional responses (positive/negative affect), physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours related to anxiety among U.S. children with healthy weight and overweight/obesity during the pandemic. METHODS: Sixty-four typically developing children (63% girls, 53% healthy weight) aged 9 to 15 years completed two virtual visits during the height of 'stay-at-home' measures from April 22 to July 29, 2020. Children completed 24-hours PA recalls, state portion of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and the 10-item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children. RESULTS: Independent of child BMI status, child anxiety scores were over five standard deviations greater than normative values from paediatric populations prior to the pandemic. Higher positive affect and PA were each associated with reduced anxiety levels in children with overweight/obesity, whereas higher positive affect was associated with reduced anxiety in children with healthy weight. Greater leisure screen time was associated with higher negative affect irrespective of child BMI status. CONCLUSIONS: These associations highlight the potential mental health benefits of maintaining positive affect, engaging in PA and limiting leisure screen time for children during the pandemic and suggest that these associations may be particularly relevant for children with overweight/obesity.

Associations between Affect, Physical Activity, and Anxiety Among US Children During COVID-19.

We investigated how emotional responses (positive and negative affect), physical activity (PA), and sedentary behaviors related to anxiety among US children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sixty-four typically-developing children (63% girls) age 9-15 years old completed two virtual visits during height of "stay-at-home" measures between April 22 - July 29, 2020. Children completed 24-hour PA recalls, state portion of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), and the shortened 10-item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS-C). Children reported state anxiety scores that were more than 5 standard deviations greater than values from healthy pediatric populations prior to the pandemic. Children with higher positive affect and who reported more time in PA reported less state anxiety. Sedentary and leisure screen time were positively correlated with negative affect. Our findings suggest that maintaining positive affect, engaging in PA, and limiting leisure screen time may be important for child mental health during stressful periods. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: There is increasing concern regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the psychological and physical health of children. To date, studies on mental health during the pandemic in children are limited. We investigated links between activity levels and psychological outcomes in children during the height of the "stay-at-home" measures. We found that children had anxiety scores that were more than 5 standard deviations greater than normative values from healthy pediatric populations prior to the pandemic, and 94% of children exceeded the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on leisure screen time. Positive affect and physical activity were associated with reduced anxiety levels in children during the pandemic. These findings highlight the important mental health benefits of maintaining positive affect, engaging in physical activity, and limiting leisure screen time for children, especially during stressful periods.

Prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes is associated with anxiety and physical inactivity in children during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with adverse child mental health outcomes and reduced physical activity. Moreover, prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with increased risk for adverse psychological outcomes in children. OBJECTIVES: Assess prenatal exposure to GDM on anxiety levels and physical activity in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Sixty-five children age 9 to 15 reported their physical activity and anxiety levels using the 24-hours physical activity recall and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children via phone or video meetings. Prenatal exposure to GDM was obtained from maternal electronic medical records. RESULTS: The 38 GDM-exposed children reported significantly higher anxiety levels and were less likely to engage in any vigorous physical activity (VPA) (5% vs 30%) compared to the 27 GDM-unexposed children. Lower levels of physical activity were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety. Less engagement in VPA explained 75% of the association between GDM exposure and anxiety levels. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic may be beneficial for reducing anxiety, particularly amongst GDM-exposed children.

Associations between Affect, Physical Activity, and Anxiety Among US Children During COVID-19 (preprint)

We investigated how emotional responses (positive and negative affect), physical activity (PA), and sedentary behaviors related to anxiety among US children during the COVID 19 pandemic. Sixty four typically developing children (63% girls) age 9 to 15 years old completed two virtual visits during height of stay at home measures between April 22 to July 29, 2020. Children completed 24 hour PA recalls, state portion of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), and the shortened 10 item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS C). Children reported state anxiety scores that were more than 5 standard deviations greater than values from healthy pediatric populations prior to the pandemic. Children with higher positive affect and who reported more time in PA reported less state anxiety. Sedentary and leisure screen time were positively correlated with negative affect. Our findings suggest that maintaining positive affect, engaging in PA, and limiting leisure screen time may be important for child mental health during stressful periods.