Publishing trends of journals and articles in Journal Citation Reports during the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive study

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the changes that occurred in journal and article publishing during the noncontact period that started in 2020 due to COVID-19. Methods: The integrated journal list in Journal Citation Reports (JCR) 2017–2021 and the search results of Web of Science were analyzed using pivot tables in Microsoft Excel. The articles, citations, impact factor (IF), publishers, open access (OA) status, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) were investigated using the data. Results: The CAGRs of articles, citations, and IFs in JCR journals increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the increase in OA articles was accompanied by a decreasing share of subscription articles. The top 20 journals in JCR-SCIE (Science Citation Index Expanded), based on the number of articles, accepted OA policies and showed a strong influence, accounting for 7% to 9% of all articles. MDPI and Frontiers were OA publishers included among the top 10 publishers. Large publishers maintained their competitiveness through mergers and acquisitions with OA publishers. Due to the rapid distribution of OA and early access articles as part of the international response to overcome COVID-19, the CAGRs of citations and IFs increased more than that of articles, and the publication and use of journal articles have become more active. Conclusion: The publication and use trends in JCR journals analyzed herein will provide useful information for researchers' selection of journals for article submission, analyses of research performance, and libraries' journal subscription contracts. © 2023 Korean Council of Science Editors

The immune enhancement effect of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner Seed Extract (NSE) in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

Since the global shock caused by COVID-19, interest in immune-enhancing materials is rapidly increasing, therefore, the development of novel materials is necessary from the industrial and health perspectives. In this study, we selected Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner Seed Extract (NSE) and evaluated immune enhancement effect by using RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. NSE significantly up-regulated production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species without affecting cell viability in RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, NSE exhibited an increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in RAW 264.7 cells. The enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay results showed that NSE-treatment significantly enhanced production of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, we observed that NSE significantly up-regulated phosphorylation of p65, I kappa B kinase α/β, and I kappa B (IκB) α as well as down-regulation of IκB α expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Our findings indicate that NSE could be the potential health-functional food material with capacity of improving immunity via Nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. © 2023, Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry. All rights reserved.

Purchase intention toward sustainable masks after COVID-19: the moderating role of health concern

This study aimed to investigate consumers' intentions to purchase sustainable masks to reduce the environmental pollution caused by disposable masks in the context of COVID-19. A research model was derived based on the Value-Belief-Norm theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior, and the moderating role of health concerns and environmental knowledge due to the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Through a Korean online survey company, we collected data on sustainable masks from respondents aged from their 20 s to 50 s, living in the Korea, and a structural equation analysis was performed on the 337 valid samples. Environmental concerns and beliefs were found to have a positive impact on the purchase intention on sustainable masks. Although environmental knowledge played the role of a moderator, we found that the higher the health concern, the stronger the purchase intention. Based on these results, it is possible to derive a strategy to increase the purchase of sustainable masks and reduce the environmental pollution caused by disposable masks. A sales strategy should be implemented for groups with high health concern. In addition, since the subjective norm increases the purchase intention for sustainable masks, advertising that stimulates them will help reduce environmental pollution caused by disposal masks. In the future, it will be possible to help reduce environmental pollution not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also during other emerging pandemics.

Parental concerns during COVID-19-related school closures: children's behaviors and media usage

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 has prompted widespread school closures and physical distancing measures. Concerns regarding COVID-19 school closures often increase stress levels in parents. Objective(s): This study examined whether higher levels of parental concerns were associated with children's problematic behaviors and other factors during COVID-19-related primary school closures. Method(s): Participants were 217 parents who responded to a webbased questionnaire covering parental concerns, subjective stress, and depression;children's sleep patterns, behavioral problems, and changes in activity level after COVID-19;previously received mental health services;and media usage during the online-only class period from community center in Suwon city. Result(s): The number of parental concerns was associated with children's behavioral problem index (BPI) score (Pearson correlation 0.211, p < 0.01), sleep problems (0.183, p < 0.01), increased smartphone usage (0.166, p < 0.05), increased TV usage (0.187, p < 0.01), parents' subjective stress levels (0.168, p < 0.05), and parental depression (0.200, p < 0.01). In families with children who previously received mental health services, the children reportedly suffered from more sleep and behavioral problems but not increased media usage, and parents noted more stress and depression. Parental concerns are related to family factors such as change of caregiver, no available caregiver, decreased household income, and recent adverse life events. Economically vulnerable people also reported higher rates of reported caregiver burden during COVID-19-related primary school closures, thus will require the potential heightened mental health needs. Conclusion(s): Ongoing monitoring of mental health at risky group and multiple support systems should be considered for parents having difficulty in caring their children.

Why People Became Hostile during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Role of Social Media Use, Blame Attribution, and Collective Efficacy

After the breakout of COVID-19, people debated whether the Trump administration or foreign countries (e.g., China and some European countries) were responsible for the global pandemic. The aim of the current study was to examine, based on attribution theory, why people blamed different actors and showed hostility toward them during the pandemic. Scholars have found that information obtained during a crisis could lead people to blame specific targets and that this blame attribution could influence people to show hostility toward those targets. We explored these relationships and tested the moderating roles of political orientation and collective efficacy. Using online survey data, we found that the more people use social media to obtain information, the more they blamed the federal government. Moreover, blaming the federal government positively related to hostility toward the federal government, and we found a stronger association between blame attribution and hostility toward the federal government among individuals with low collective efficacy. However, we found no significant relationship between social media use and hostility toward foreign countries nor any moderating role of political orientation. We found that the positive association between blaming foreign countries and hostility toward them was stronger among individuals with high collective efficacy. © 2022 Mass Communication & Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Viral Infections

Viral infections encompass a wide variety of conditions. Such dermatologic manifestations can be caused by either the direct infection of the skin or the body’s reaction to a viral infection. The common locations are near or on the lip and present as characteristic painful, uniform grouped vesicles on an erythematous base. Anogenital warts are the most frequently encountered sexually transmitted disease and are most commonly caused by low-risk genital HPV 6 and 11. The specificity of the current dermatologic manifestations of COVID-19 is not well understood, and many cutaneous findings are also present in many viral infections. Major complications that can develop include acute respiratory distress syndrome, thromboembolic complications, and acute cardiac injury. The severe impact of COVID-19 has been observed worldwide, and further investigation will help to reveal more information about systemic and dermatologic manifestations of the disease as well as better treatments. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

A Study on Real-time Hand Gesture Recognition Technology by Machine Learning-based MediaPipe

This study recognizes the movement of hands moving in real time through a camera connected to a computer to be used for children's educational activities. The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea has developed a curriculum for children aged three to five through the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum so that they can be applied in the field from 2020. The curriculum was presented in five areas (body exercise, health, communication, social relations, art experience, and nature exploration). Among them, physical exercise, health, and nature exploration are areas where education must be conducted through external activities. However, the reality is that active external activities are difficult. Even now, in January 2022, the world is suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Korean children's education site is also experiencing many difficulties. Therefore, this study attempts to help children learn how to explore nature indoors by using MediaPipe to recognize children's hand movements and using virtual mice that operate through them. © 2022, Success Culture Press. All rights reserved.

Clinical characteristics and treatments of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) can occur in association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is not easy to differentiate MIS-C from severe COVID-19 or Kawasaki disease based on symptoms. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of MIS-C. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline for case series and reports of MIS-C published until June 20, 2020. From a total of nine articles involving 45 cases, various clinical and laboratory data were extracted. Each target case was evaluated by using different diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: The average age at onset of MIS-C was 8.6 years. In 80% of cases, the age of patients ranged from 5 to 15 years. Fever (100%) and shock (82%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Sixty percent of cases met the diagnostic criteria for typical or atypical Kawasaki disease. Biomarkers indicative of inflammation, coagulopathy, or cardiac injury were characteristically elevated as follows: ferritin (mean: 1,061 ng/mL), CRP (217 mg/L), ESR (69 mm/hr), IL-6 (214.8 pg/mL), TNFα (63.4 pg/mL), D-dimer (3,220 ng/mL), PT (15.5 s), troponin I (1,006 ng/L), and BNP (12,150 pg/mL). Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered in all target cases, and inotropic agents were commonly used as well. No case of death was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that MIS-C is a serious condition that presents with fever, rash, as well as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms. Although it is challenging to differentiate MIS-C from Kawasaki disease or severe COVID-19, initiation of appropriate treatments through early diagnosis is warranted.

Bioinformatic Analysis of Antiviral Medicinal Compounds Against Sars Cov-2 Proteases

The world is under siege from a global pandemic caused by a novel class of coronaviruses called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2). These viruses cause severe respiratory illness leading to death. Molecular studies reveal that SARS CoV-2 proteases are involved in the processing of viral polyproteins. This study was conducted to obtain antiviral agents for SARS CoV-2 proteases. An extensive library of antiviral medicinal compounds was scrutinized to determine the probable interaction with both main and 3-chymotrypsin like proteases. Six antiviral compounds (Abietic Acid, Gallic Acid, Piceatannol, Piperine, Sinomenine, and Triptolide) were capable of establishing hydrogen bonds with the active pocket residues of the viral proteases, with appreciable binding energy. These compounds were subjected to root mean square analysis and tested not only for acute toxicity, but also for absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity properties. Results were favourable for use in the treatment of SARS COV-2 infection.

Therapeutic Effect of Regdanvimab in Patients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19: Day 28 Results from a Multicentre, Randomised, Controlled Pivotal Trial

Background. Regdanvimab is a monoclonal antibody with activity against SARSCoV-2. A Phase 2/3 study with two parts is currently ongoing and data up to Day 28 of Part 1 is available while the data from 1315 patients enrolled in Part 2 are expected in June 2021. Methods. This phase 2/3, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, double-blind study with 2 parts is aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of regdanvimab in outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19, not requiring supplemental oxygen therapy. Patients aged >18 with the onset of symptoms within 7 days were eligible to be enrolled. Results. In Part 1, 307 patients (101, 103, and 103 patients in the regdanvimab 40 mg/kg, regdanvimab 80 mg/kg, and placebo groups, respectively) were confirmed to have COIVD-19 by RT-qPCR at Day 1 (or Day 2). Regdanvimab significantly reduced the proportion of patients who required hospitalization or supplemental oxygen therapy compared to placebo (8.7% in the placebo vs. 4.0% in the regdanvimab 40 mg/kg). The difference in events rate was even larger in patients who met the high-risk criteria and confirmed a 66.1% reduction in patients receiving regdanvimab 40 mg/kg (Table 1). The median time to clinical recovery was shortened by 2.9 days (7.18 days for regdanvimab 40 mg/kg and 10.03 days for placebo;high-risk). Also, greater reductions from baseline viral load were shown in regdanvimab groups (Figure 1). The safety results confirmed that the regdanvimab was safe and well-tolerated. Occurrence of adverse events (Table 2) and results of other safety assessments were generally comparable among the 3 groups. The overall rate of infusion-related reaction was low and no serious adverse events or deaths were reported. The anti-drug antibody positive rate was low in the regdanvimab groups (1.4% in regdanvimab vs. 4.5% in placebo), and no antibody-dependent enhancement was reported. Conclusion. Results from the first part of the study indicate that regdanvimab may lower the rate of hospitalisation or requirement of oxygen supplementation, with the greatest benefit noted in patients at high-risk of progressing to severe COVID-19. The second part of the study remains ongoing and blinded. Therefore, results for the primary endpoint are forthcoming and will be presented at IDWeek.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic upon fashion consumer behavior: focus on mass and luxury products

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in overall consumption, but luxury sales within offline department stores rose significantly. This study identifies changes in the market environment variable (i.e. pandemics) and their impact on clothing consumption behavior. Moreover, it examines consumer behavior characteristics and provides implications for future fashion marketing and merchandising strategies. Design/methodology/approach: This study analyzed post-pandemic consumption trends by obtaining luxury brand sales data from the Korea National Statistical Office and department stores. Moreover, it investigated luxury consumption fluctuation after the pandemic and statistically analyzed the characteristics of luxury consumers by customer level (CL) that affected sales. Findings: The results of the study showed that offline (online) clothing consumption at mass markets has decreased (increased) since the pandemic, whereas sales of luxury fashion brands at offline department stores have grown. Moreover, the in-depth analysis showed a significant sales decline (increase) for clothing-centered (leather-centered) luxury brands. Practical implications: If such a trend in luxury brand consumption continues, current polarization is expected to be maintained. Therefore, the study’s findings can be used as basic data in strengthening luxury brands and planning products. Originality/value: This is the first work to undertake a comparative study of fashion consumer behavior, before and after the pandemic, involving the mass and luxury markets in South Korea. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Adherence to urgent eye visits during the COVID-19 pandemic: A population characteristics study

Purpose : The rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed the way eye care practitioners provide care. As an early response to the pandemic, the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Illinois at Chicago created a tele-triage system to screen patients requesting an urgent visit. The aim of this study was to explore demographic and community factors associated with adherence of patients scheduled for recommended urgent eye visits. Methods : Surveys of all individuals requesting an acute same day in-person visit between April 6, 2020 and June 6, 2020 were reviewed, and medical chart review was completed for patients recommended an urgent visit. Demographic data and adherence to visit were examined. Using ArcGIS, address was geocoded and census tract level variables were appended from the U.S. Census American Community Survey between 2014 and 2018. COVID-19 related death data during the study period were also included from the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Descriptive statistics, t-tests and binary logistic regression were used to compare variables. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data was analyzed using SAS Institute Inc. 2018 (SAS 9.4M6, Cary, NC, USA). Results : A total of 229 patients were recommended an urgent visit. Of 216 patients with matching criteria on chart review, mean age was 46.6 ± 18.6 years. The majority of patients were female (55.6%) and Black or African American (40.3%), and most common insurance was Medicaid (36.6%). 192 patients (88.9%) reported for their scheduled visit. When comparing personal characteristics by adherence to visit, there was no difference based on gender (p=0.94), race (p=0.56), insurance status (p=0.28), nor new versus established status (p=0.20). Community level data showed that individuals who did not adhere to their visit more commonly came from neighborhoods with a greater proportion of Blacks or African Americans (59.4% vs. 33.4%;p=0.03), greater unemployment rates (17.5% vs. 10.7%;p<0.01), and greater cumulative deaths from COVID-19 (56 vs. 31;p=0.01). Conclusions : The findings from this study suggest that, in our patient population, COVID19 itself disproportionately affects black communities in terms of mortality, but also affects adherence to appointments which, in return, increases gaps in health equity.

Do fever-relieving medicines have anti-COVID activity: An insight

Aim: The present study was performed to determine the inhibitory interaction of fever-relieving medicines with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) essential proteins. Materials & methods: Structure-based drug repositioning was performed using PYRX 0.9 and these drugs were directed toward the predicted active site of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein receptor-binding domain, main protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Results: Results showed that acetaminophen and naproxen have considerable inhibitory activity and show a high affinity for active residues of these proteins. The prediction of activity spectra for substances (PASS) studies showed that these drugs are anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immunostimulant. Conclusion: Hence, it is proven that these drugs have antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and can stimulate the immune and anti-inflammatory response against this disease.