Reflections, resilience and recovery: a qualitative study of Covid-19's impact on an international adult population's mental health and priorities for support.

The impact of the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on different countries and populations is well documented in quantitative studies, with some studies showing stable mental health symptoms and others showing fluctuating symptoms. However, the reasons behind why some symptoms are stable and others change are under-explored, which in turn makes identifying the types of support needed by participants themselves challenging. To address these gaps, this study thematically analysed 925 qualitative responses from five open-ended responses collected in the UCL-Penn Global COVID Study between 17 April and 31 July 2021 (Wave 3). Three key themes that comprised 13 codes were reported by participants across countries and ages regarding the impact of Covid-19 on their health, both mental and physical, and livelihoods. These include: (1) Outlook on self/life, (2) Self-improvement, and (3) Loved ones (friends and family). In terms of support, while 2.91% did not require additional support, 91% wanted support beyond financial support. Other unexpected new themes were also discussed regarding vulnerable populations suffering disproportionately. The pandemic has brought into sharp focus various changes in people's mental health, physical health and relationships. Greater policy considerations should be given to supporting citizens' continued access to mental health when considering pandemic recovery.

SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITOR FOR BLOCKING SARS-CoV-2 ENTRY

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel and highly pathogenic coronavirus and is the causative agent of COVID-19, an ongoing pandemic that has posed a serious threat to public health and global economy. Thus, there is a pressing need for therapeutic interventions that target essential viral proteins and regulate virus spread and replication. To invade the host cell, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein binds to the host cell's ACE2 receptor, followed by cleavage events that allow the Spike protein to fuse with the host cell membrane. Thus, the essential role of Spike protein in ACE2 receptor binding and viral fusion makes it a prime target for therapeutic interventions. Method(s): We performed molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation-based virtual screening against SARS-CoV-2 RBD/ACE2 interface using a commercial library of 93,835 drug-like compounds. Compounds with promising docking poses and scores were selected for further MD simulation refinement, from which ten lead compounds were identified. Antiviral potencies of ten lead compounds were evaluated against lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with SARS-CoV-2 Spike to down select to a single lead compound, SAI4. ELISA-based assays were employed to determine the binding affinities of SAI4 to recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD. Antiviral potential of SAI4 was validated against genuine SARS-CoV-2 in a BSL3 setting. Result(s): We identified SAI4 as a candidate small molecule, which inhibited SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus entry with IC50 value of ~18 muM. We determined that SAI4 binds RDB with a Kd of ~20 muM. Using cells engineered to express ACE2 and cells that express physiological levels of ACE2, we found that SAI4 inhibited SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus entry at both engineered and physiological ACE2 levels. We validated the antiviral potential of SAI4 against genuine SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-NL63. Lastly, we demonstrated antiviral potential of SAI4 against four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta). Conclusion(s): Using virtual screening, we identified SAI4 as the promising hit compound which displayed inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV-2 entry and its four variants of concern. Thus, our study will pave the way for further development of small molecules for therapeutic targeting of SARS-CoV-2 entry to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disaster Mapping and Assessment of Pakistan’s 2022 Mega-Flood Based on Multi-Source Data-Driven Approach (preprint)

Climate change-induced mega floods have become increasingly frequent worldwide. The rapid mapping and assessment of flood disasters poseurgent challenges for developing countries with poor data facilities or databases. In this study, the characteristics of the 2022 mega-flood in Pakistan were monitored and analyzed based on multi-resources data. The extent of inundation throughout Pakistan and its impact on farmlands, buildings, and roads were mapped using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing data processing technology. The results showed that a10-meter resolution flooding map could be achieved using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform in a timely manner with reasonable precision. A GIS-based bluespot model was used to evaluate the risk of dam-failure floods. The zone risk distribution map of the dam-failure flood was produced with five risk levels, which contribute to the safety of the key infrastructure for flooding control. The driving forces of snow melting in northern Pakistan induced by heat wavesand disasters was detected using Earth observationsand long-record historical data. Five aspects of flood prevention and control recommendations were characterized, providing a reference for developing countries to cope with flood disasters under worsening climate change conditions.

A bibliometric analysis of telerehabilitation services for patients with stroke

Background Routine rehabilitation services were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Telehealth was identified as an alternative means to provide access to these services. This bibliometric study aimed to analyze the scientific literature to discover trends and topics in the potential applications of telerehabilitation for patients with stroke. Methods The Web of Science electronic database was searched to retrieve relevant publications on telerehabilitation. Bibliometric data, including visual knowledge maps of authors, countries, institutions, and references, were analyzed in CiteSpace. Visualization maps were generated in VOSviewer to illustrate recurrent keywords and countries actively involved in this research area. Results The analysis was performed based on 6,787 publications. The number of publications peaked between 2019 and 2021, coinciding with the years of the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 113 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania had at least one publication in this research field, implying global attention in this research area. Nine of the top 10 most productive countries are developed countries, indicating a potentially higher capability to implement a telerehabilitation program. Conclusion The potential benefits and diversity of telerehabilitation are already highly visible from clinical studies, and further improvements in these technologies are expected to enhance functionality and accessibility for patients. More relevant research is encouraged to understand the barriers to increased adaptation of telerehabilitation services, which will finally translate into a significant therapeutic or preventive impact.

Does COVID-19 pandemic event alter the dependence structure breaks between crude oil and stock markets in Europe and America

This article attempts to investigate the influence of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the dependence structure break between crude oil and stock markets in Europe and America using ARMA-GARCH and R-vine copula methods. The empirical results demonstrate that international crude oil and European (American) stock markets have significant asymmetric and symmetric dependence structure, rapid outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic triggers their dependence structure break. The results of Kendall correlation confirms that COVID-19 pandemic amplifies the dependence risks between European Brent crude oil and France (German and Spain) stock markets and reduces the dependence risk between Brent crude oil and UK (Italy) stock markets after February 20, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic may amplify the dependence risk between West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil and Canada stock markets after March 23, 2020, it first quickly reduces the dependence risks between WTI crude oil and US (Brazil and Mexico) stock markets after March 23, 2020 and then enlarges their dependence risks after June 30, 2020. European and American crude oil and stock markets have induced different ranges of their dependence risks in different time scales and their dependence structure breaks have good robustness.

Bi-directional work-family conflict of home-based teachers in Taiwan during COVID-19: application of job demands-resources model

Purpose Drawing from the conservation of resource theory and the job demands-resources model, this study examines the bi-directional conflicts of work and family during COVID-19, and investigates the online teaching work-related antecedents and the mechanism shaping emotional exhaustion of teachers in Taiwan. Moreover, this study explores mindfulness in teaching as a possible moderator. Design/methodology/approach Data for analysis were collected from elementary school teachers via an online survey using a questionnaire comprising well-developed scales. The hypotheses were validated using structural equation modeling. Findings Results show that only family interfering with work conflict mediates the positive relationship of online teaching job demand with emotional exhaustion and negative relationship of online teaching job resource with emotional exhaustion. Results also evidence that mindfulness practiced by teachers can help them perceive their own feelings and thoughts non-judgmentally in face of job demands. Originality/value With the growing work-from-home trend, the current study revisits the impact of work demands and resources on work-family conflict, and examines whether Taiwanese teachers' perception towards online teaching would lead to different observations. The path that JD -> WIF conflict -> EE is well established in the literature, while COVID-19 brings to light another path JD -> FIW conflict -> EE, revealing insight into teachers' cognition and plight during the pandemic.

Review of action mechanisms of acupuncture on post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) is a kind of mental disorder caused by severe traumatic events. It has a high incidence, a serious of impacts on the physical and mental health of patients. Especially in the current situation of COVID-19, the researches on PTSD are particularly important, but the choice of drugs available for PTSD is limited and it is often accompanied by adverse reactions. In the field of acupuncture, there are many clinical research evidences suggested that PTSD is a predominant disease of acupuncture. However, its action mechanisms have not been fully elucidated, so the possible mechanisms of acupuncture in treating PTSD were discussed.

Patients with Advanced Pancreatic & Biliary Cancer Appear More Vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant: An Observational Study during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Shanghai (preprint)

Background:There is a great controversy about lethal effect of Omicron Variant on vulnerable populations and the measure of full-open or zero community transmission policy. Thus, we designed an observational study to evaluate the outcomes of Omicron-infected patients with pancreatic & biliary cancer (the so-called “King of Cancer”) in order to provide potential evidence for the most appropriate strategy to counter Omicron transmission in Shanghai.Methods: Omicron infected patients with advanced pancreatic & biliary cancer were enrolled from April 15 to May 31, 2022. Four groups were set in this study: Group 1, Omicron-infected cancer patients (N=4); Group 2, non-infected cancer patients (N=4); Group 3, infected non-cancer-afflicted subjects (N=4); Group 4, non-infected non-cancer-afflicted subjects (N=4). On Day 0, 7 and 14 after infection, the blood samples were dynamically collected from all subjects. The primary endpoints were disease severity and survival. Results:By the endpoints in this observational study, Patients No. 2, 3 and 4 died separately at Day 11, 25 and 13 after viral infection, all of whom were patients with advanced cancer, with the death rate up to 75%. Group 1 presented an overall T cell exhaustion status compared with other groups with obviously lower T cell populations and higher B cell% and CD4+T/CD8+T ratio (P<0.05). Time-course cytokine monitoring results showed that IL-1β was significantly decreased in Group 1 (P<0.05) and generally kept at a low level without obvious fluctuation. IL-6 was markedly increased in infected cancer patients (P<0.01), but remained a low level and had no apparent change during the whole infection process in non-cancer-afflicted subjects. Furthermore, several inflammatory parameter indexes indicated a tight association of Omicron infection with disease course and prognosis of Omicron-infected cancer patients.Conclusions:For patients with advanced pancreatic & biliary cancer, the strict & comprehensive control strategy for COVID-19 epidemic in Shanghai provided a guarantee of low infection and death rate. Conclusively, this policy shall be persisted upon the consideration of the welfare of vulnerable populations.

Research on Extension Design of Emergency Cold Chain Logistics from the Perspective of Carbon Constraints

Extenics has unique advantages in solving contradictions by using formal models to explore the possibility of expanding things and the laws and methods of development and innovation. This paper studies the specific application of the extension strategy generation method in emergency cold chain logistics, in order to solve the problem that the emergency plan is difficult to cover in the face of an emergency. The purpose of this paper is to provide ideas for the generation of strategies to solve the contradictions of cold chain logistics in complex emergency scenarios. Giving full play to the unique advantages of extenics in solving contradictory problems, this paper analyzes the core problems, objectives and conditions of emergency cold chain logistics in four links with the case scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, extends and generates 10 measures to form 36 schemes, and evaluates the combination schemes quantitatively and objectively using the dependent function and superiority evaluation formula. In addition, the consideration of carbon constraints is added to the selection of the scheme, and the specific plan of integrating e-commerce platform, expert guidance, establishing temporary cold storage transfer and contactless distribution is designed. The research results provide support for meeting the needs of emergency logistics schemes in different situations and optimizing the energy efficiency of the scheme while ensuring humanitarian support. At the same time, the application of extenics basic-element formal language also provides a reference for further applying artificial intelligence to the design of emergency logistics schemes.

Validation of the local applicability of the 'TIB' Olfactory Test Device in the era of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity and test-retest reliability of the novel 'TIB' Olfactory Test Device (TIB) and to determine its normative values. METHODS: The study stratified the study subjects into normosmic, hyposmic and anosmic groups according to their olfactory function. The olfactory function of the subjects was evaluated using both the traditional Chinese version of the University of Pennsylvania of Smell Identification Test (UPSIT-TC) and the TIB. The normosmic group was used to retest with the UPSIT-TC and TIB at an inter-test interval of at least 7 days. The cut-off scores of TIB among the three different groups were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: This study enrolled 180 subjects: 60 in each group. The mean scores of TIB were 44.1 for the normosmic group, 27.5 for the hyposmic group and 10.9 for the anosmic group. The TIB scores were significantly different across the three groups. There was a significant correlation between the first and second TIB tests (r = 0.506). The cut-off scores were 41 for normosmic subjects and 24 for hyposmic subjects. CONCLUSION: The validity and test-retest reliability results suggest that the TIB is an appropriate olfactory test for the Taiwanese population.

Photosensitizers: A Membrane-Targeting Photosensitizer with Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics for Highly Efficient Photodynamic Combat of Human Coronaviruses (Small 30/2021)

Lianrong Wang, Engui Zhao, Sijie Chen and co-workers (article number 2101770) develop a novel membrane-targeting photosensitizer (DTTPB) with aggregation-induced emission characteristics for efficient photodynamic inactivation of human coronaviruses. DTTPB can bind to the envelope of human coronaviruses and sensitize the production of reactive oxygen species, which can effectively inactivate human coronaviruses upon white-light irradiation.

Clinical features of SARS-CoV-2-associated encephalitis and meningitis amid COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic, numerous studies have been published on SARS-CoV-2-related encephalitis/meningitis, but it has not been established if there are specific clinical characteristics of encephalitis/meningitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. AIM: To identify the specific clinical features of cases of encephalitis/meningitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the context of this virus infection pandemic and investigate their relationship with SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: We searched PubMed, and included single case reports and case series with full text in English, reporting original data of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients with encephalitis/meningitis and a confirmed recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical data were extracted. RESULTS: We identified 22 articles (18 single case reports and 4 case series) reporting on a total of 32 encephalitis/meningitis patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed through reverse transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) in 96.88% of cases. A total of 22 (68.75%) patients had symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in about 1 wk (7.91 d) preceding the onset of neurologic symptoms. The most common neurological symptoms were consciousness disturbance (59.38%), seizure (21.88%), delirium (18.75%), and headache (18.75%). Four cases were confirmed by positive RT-PCR results in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), one was confirmed by positive RT-PCR results in postoperative brain tissue, and one by the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in CSF. The mainly damaged targets identified by neuroimaging included the temporal lobe (15.63%), white matter (12.5%), frontal lobe (9.38%), corpus callosum (9.38%), and cervical spinal cord (9.38%). Eighty percent of patients had electroencephalograms that showed a diffuse slow wave. Twenty-eight (87.5%) patients were administered with specific treatment. The majority (65.63%) of patients improved following systemic therapy. CONCLUSION: Encephalitis/meningitis is the common neurological complication in patients with COVID-19. The appropriate use of definitions and exclusion of potential similar diseases are important to reduce over-diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 associated encephalitis or meningitis.

Acute Renal Artery Embolism in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report. (preprint)

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is identified as the pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). The intravascular thrombotic phenomena related to the COVID-19 are emerging as an important complication that contribute to significant mortality. Case presentationWe present a 62-year-old man with severe COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes. After symptomatic and supportive treatment, the respiratory function was gradually improved. However, the patient suddenly developed abdominal pain, and the enhanced CT scan revealed acute left renal artery embolism. Given the risk of surgery and the duration of the disease, clopidogrel and heparin sodium were included in the subsequent treatment. Later, the abdominal pain and hypercoagulable state disappeared, and the effect was still satisfactory.ConclusionsThis report clarifies the challenges posed by embolism complications in the management of COVID-19 patients. Thrombosis is at a high risk in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia because of hypercoagulable state, blood stasis and endothelial injury. Thrombotic events caused by hypercoagulation status secondary to vascular endothelial injury deserves our attention. Because timely anticoagulation can reduce the risk of early complications, as illustrated in this case report.

SARS-CoV-2 Infected Cases with Untraceable Epidemic Origin: Its Values, Identification and TCM Treatment in Preventing Recurrence

During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the identification of a SARS-CoV-2 infected case with untraceable epidemic origin has three values: (1) the region has community transmission of the virus;(2) a certain portion of population in the community is getting immunized and more individuals have already been immunized;(3) an unpredictable future risk exists for regions where there are no infected cases with untraceable epidemic origin. Minimizing or avoiding the aggregation infection through individuals with no clinical symptoms is crucial and possible as its occurrence is mainly attributed to the local environment as opposed to the super spreader with or without clinical symptoms. As infected cases are not necessarily positive with gene test by definition, proper application of gene test is crucial in the identification of asymptomatic cases. In the early stage of an outbreak of infectious disease, gene test can be used to identify asymptomatic cases but it should not be used to exclude cases with typical clinical symptoms and signs. In the middle or late stages of an outbreak gene test should be applied in evaluation of infection rate of the population of a region, in addition to be used in spreader identification and isolation. Although asymptomatic cases are attributed to the overwhelming effect of personalized defense against pathogens, they are still a source of infection. Asymptomatic cases are considered to be Qi deficiency and with lingering toxicity in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Treatment in such cases, typically, involves therapy focused on replenishing the Qi, tonifying the lung, clearing the fever, and detoxification in order to return to a normal health condition. The recommended Chinese medicines include Qing Fei Pai Du Decoction, Yi Qi Qu Du Decoction, Xuan Fei Bai Du Granule, Lian Hua Qing Wen Capsule (Granule), and Jin Hua Qing Gan Granule, etc.

The Role of Corporate Culture in Bad Times: Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic (preprint)

After fitting a topic model to 40,927 COVID-19-related paragraphs in 3,581 earnings calls over the period January 22 to April 30, 2020, we obtain firm-level measures of exposure and response related to COVID-19 for 2,894 U.S. firms. We show that despite the large negative impact of COVID-19 on their operations, firms with a strong corporate culture outperform their peers without a strong culture. Moreover, these firms are more likely to support their community, embrace digital transformation, and develop new products than those peers. We conclude that corporate culture is an intangible asset designed to meet unforeseen contingencies as they arise.