Sequential Administration of SARS-CoV-2 Strains-Based Vaccines Effectively Induces Potent Immune Responses against Previously Unexposed Omicron Strain.

In the past few years, the continuous pandemic of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has placed a huge burden on public health. In order to effectively deal with the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, it becomes meaningful to further enhance the immune responses of individuals who have completed the first-generation vaccination. To understand whether sequential administration using different variant sequence-based inactivated vaccines could induce better immunity against the forthcoming variants, we tried five inactivated vaccine combinations in a mouse model and compared their immune responses. Our results showed that the sequential strategies have a significant advantage over homologous immunization by inducing robust antigen-specific T cell immune responses in the early stages of immunization. Furthermore, the three-dose vaccination strategies in our research elicited better neutralizing antibody responses against the BA.2 Omicron strain. These data provide scientific clues for finding the optimal strategy within the existing vaccine platform in generating cross-immunity against multiple variants including previously unexposed strains.

Diagnosis and Treatment Strategy of Nasogenic Olfactory Dysfunction.

Since the global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a symptom of the onset of SARS-CoV-2, olfactory dysfunction (OD), has attracted tremendous attention. OD is not only a negative factor for quality of life but also an independent hazard and early biomarker for various diseases, such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Therefore, early identification and treatment of OD in patients are critical. Many etiological factors are responsible for OD based on current opinions. Sniffin'Sticks are recommended to identify the initial position (central or peripheral) for OD when treating patients clinically. It is worth emphasizing that the olfactory region in nasal cavity is recognized as the primary and critical olfactory receptor. Many nasal diseases, such as those with traumatic, obstructive and inflammatory causes, can lead to OD. The key question is no refined diagnosis or treatment strategy for nasogenic OD currently. This study summarizes the differences in medical history, symptoms, auxiliary examination, treatment and prognosis of different types of nasogenic OD by analyzing the current studies. We propose using olfactory training after 4-6 weeks of initial treatment for nasogenic OD patients with no significant improvement in olfaction. We hope that our research can provide valuable clinical guidance by systematically summarizing the clinical characteristics of nasogenic OD.

Sleep quality as a mediator of the relationship between screen time and negative emotions among Chinese college freshmen.

College freshmen are special populations facing great challenges in adapting to the brand new environment, and their lifestyle and emotional states are worthy of attention. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, their screen time and prevalence of negative emotions were significantly increased, but few studies have focused on such situation of college freshmen and illustrated relevant mechanisms. Thus, based on a sample of Chinese college freshmen during the COVID-19 pandemic, the current study aimed to investigate the association between their screen time and negative emotions (depression, anxiety and stress), and further explore the mediating effects of sleep quality. Data from 2,014 college freshmen was analyzed. The screen time was self-reported by participants using predesigned questionnaires. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Chinese Version of Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were used to assess sleep quality and emotional states, respectively. The mediation analysis was conducted to examine the meditation effect. Results indicated that participants with negative emotions tended to have longer daily screen time and worse sleep quality, sleep quality partially mediated the association between screen time and negative emotions.The critical role of sleep quality and related intervention measures should be recognized and implemented.

Characterization of RBD-specific cross-neutralizing antibodies responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants from COVID-19 convalescents.

Introduction: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has been posing a severe threat to global public health. Although broadly neutralizing antibodies have been used to prevent or treat corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), new emerging variants have been proven resistant to these antibodies. Methods: In this study, we isolated receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific memory B cells using single-cell sorting method from two COVID-19 convalescents and expressed the antibody to test their neutralizing activity against diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants. Then, we resolved antibody-RBD complex structures of potent RBD-specific neutralizing antibodies by X-ray diffraction method. Finally, we analyzed the whole antibody repertoires of the two donors and studied the evolutionary pathway of potent neutralizing antibodies. Results and discussion: We identified three potent RBD-specific neutralizing antibodies (1D7, 3G10 and 3C11) from two COVID-19 convalescents that neutralized authentic SARS-CoV-2 WH-1 and Delta variant, and one of them, 1D7, presented broadly neutralizing activity against WH-1, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron authentic viruses. The resolved antibody-RBD complex structures of two antibodies, 3G10 and 3C11, indicate that both of them interact with the external subdomain of the RBD and that they belong to the RBD-1 and RBD-4 communities, respectively. From the antibody repertoire analysis, we found that the CDR3 frequencies of the light chain, which shared high degrees of amino acid identity with these three antibodies, were higher than those of the heavy chain. This research will contribute to the development of RBD-specific antibody-based drugs and immunogens against multiple variants.

Reduced Circumferential Strain in Athletes with Prior COVID-19.

Purpose: To characterize global and segmental circumferential systolic strain (CS) measured by cardiac MRI in athletes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included 188 soldiers and collegiate athletes referred for cardiac MRI after SARS-CoV-2 infection (C19+) between July 2020 and February 2021 and a control group of 72 soldiers, collegiate, and high school athletes who underwent cardiac MRI from May 2019 to February 2020, prior to the first SARS-CoV-2 case detected in our region (C19-). Global and segmental CS were measured by feature tracking, then compared between each group using unadjusted and multivariable- adjusted models. Acute myocarditis was diagnosed according to the modified Lake Louise criteria and the location of pathologic late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was ascertained. Results: Among the 188 C19+ athletes (median age, 25 years [IQR, 23-30]; 131 men), the majority had mild illness. Global CS significantly differed between C19+ and C19- groups, with a median of -24.0 (IQR -25.8, -21.4) versus. -25.0 (-28.0, -22.4), respectively (p = .009). This difference in CS persisted following adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, heart rate, and systolic blood pressure ß coefficient 1.29 [95% CI: 0.20, 2.38], p = .02). In segmental analysis, the basal- and mid- inferoseptal, septal and inferolateral segments were significantly different (p < .05), which had a higher frequency of post-COVID late gadolinium enhancement. The global and segmental differences were similar after exclusion of athletes with myocarditis. Conclusion: Among athletes, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a small but statistically significant reduced CS.

Modular characterization of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein domain functions in nucleocapsid-like assembly.

SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, with the Omicron subvariant XBB currently prevailing the global infections, continue to pose threats on public health worldwide. This non-segmented positive-stranded RNA virus encodes the multi-functional nucleocapsid protein (N) that plays key roles in viral infection, replication, genome packaging and budding. N protein consists of two structural domains, NTD and CTD, and three intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) including the NIDR, the serine/arginine rich motif (SRIDR), and the CIDR. Previous studies revealed functions of N protein in RNA binding, oligomerization, and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), however, characterizations of individual domains and their dissected contributions to N protein functions remain incomplete. In particular, little is known about N protein assembly that may play essential roles in viral replication and genome packing. Here, we present a modular approach to dissect functional roles of individual domains in SARS-CoV-2 N protein that reveals inhibitory or augmented modulations of protein assembly and LLPS in the presence of viral RNAs. Intriguingly, full-length N protein (NFL) assembles into ring-like architecture whereas the truncated SRIDR-CTD-CIDR (N182-419) promotes filamentous assembly. Moreover, LLPS droplets of NFL and N182-419 are significantly enlarged in the presence of viral RNAs, and we observed filamentous structures in the N182-419 droplets using correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), suggesting that the formation of LLPS droplets may promote higher-order assembly of N protein for transcription, replication and packaging. Together this study expands our understanding of the multiple functions of N protein in SARS-CoV-2.

Identification of nurse shark VNAR single-domain antibodies targeting the spike S2 subunit of SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Antibody-based therapeutics targeting the spike protein, specifically the S1 subunit or the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, have gained attention due to their clinical efficacy in treating patients diagnosed with COVID-19. An alternative to conventional antibody therapeutics is the use of shark new antigen variable receptor domain (VNAR ) antibodies. VNAR s are small (<15 kDa) and can reach deep into the pockets or grooves of the target antigen. Here, we have isolated 53 VNAR s that bind to the S2 subunit by phage panning from a naïve nurse shark VNAR phage display library constructed in our laboratory. Among those binders, S2A9 showed the best neutralization activity against the original pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 virus. Several binders, including S2A9, showed cross-reactivity against S2 subunits from other ß coronaviruses. Furthermore, S2A9 showed neutralization activity against all variants of concern (VOCs) from alpha to omicron (including BA1, BA2, BA4, and BA5) in both pseudovirus and live virus neutralization assays. Our findings suggest that S2A9 could be a promising lead molecule for the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants. The nurse shark VNAR phage library offers a novel platform that can be used to rapidly isolate single-domain antibodies against emerging viral pathogens.

Implementation of a Hardware-Assisted Bluetooth-Based COVID-19 Tracking Device in a High School: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Contact tracing is a vital public health tool used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. However, traditional interview-format contact tracing (TCT) is labor-intensive and time-consuming and may be unsustainable for large-scale pandemics such as COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to address the limitations of TCT. The Yale School of Engineering developed a Hardware-Assisted Bluetooth-based Infection Tracking (HABIT) device. Following the successful implementation of HABIT in a university setting, this study sought to evaluate the performance and implementation of HABIT in a high school setting using an embedded mixed methods design. METHODS: In this pilot implementation study, we first assessed the performance of HABIT using mock case simulations in which we compared contact tracing data collected from mock case interviews (TCT) versus Bluetooth devices (HABIT). For each method, we compared the number of close contacts identified and identification of unique contacts. We then conducted an embedded mixed methods evaluation of the implementation outcomes of HABIT devices using pre- and postimplementation quantitative surveys and qualitative focus group discussions with users and implementers according to the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework. RESULTS: In total, 17 students and staff completed mock case simulations in which 161 close contact interactions were detected by interview or Bluetooth devices. We detected significant differences in the number of close contacts detected by interview versus Bluetooth devices (P<.001), with most (127/161, 78.9%) contacts being reported by interview only. However, a significant number (26/161, 16.1%; P<.001) of contacts were uniquely identified by Bluetooth devices. The interface, ease of use, coherence, and appropriateness were highly rated by both faculty and students. HABIT provided emotional security to users. However, the prototype design and technical difficulties presented barriers to the uptake and sustained use of HABIT. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of HABIT in a high school was impeded by technical difficulties leading to decreased engagement and adherence. Nonetheless, HABIT identified a significant number of unique contacts not reported by interview, indicating that electronic technologies may augment traditional contact tracing once user preferences are accommodated and technical glitches are overcome. Participants indicated a high degree of acceptance, citing emotional reassurance and a sense of security with the device.

Telehealth Use Across Time and Regional Medical Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from China.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created lots of difficulties for individuals to seek medical help offline. Telehealth is considered as a potential approach to solve this issue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, although the use of telehealth has increased in the short term, it still remains unknown whether the use of telehealth can maintain a high level of development in the long term. The purpose of this article is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth use across time and regional medical resources. Materials and Methods: Our research used the Internet search index from Baidu Index Platform in 31 provinces of China as the proxy of telehealth use. A total of 2,119,486 times of searching behaviors from January 2018 to December 2021 are included in our dataset. Changing plots, the method of analysis of variance and empirical models are applied to reveal the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic and telehealth use. Results: Baidu Index counts increased (p < 0.01) at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic (2020) but started to decline (p < 0.01) during the period of regular epidemic prevention and control (2021). Moreover, the counts of Baidu Index in regions with rich medical resources are higher than those in other regions in 2020. Comparing Baidu Index counts in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has higher positive effects on telehealth use during the period of 2021 in regions with average and poor medical resources. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic has a positive effect on telehealth use in 2020 but has a negative effect in 2021. During the epidemic, telehealth use differs in regions with rich, average, and poor medical resources. Our findings indicate that the use of telehealth should be promoted with different measures in regions with different medical resources, thereby contributing its healthy development in the long term.

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national-based study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that the prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms was significantly higher than that before the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms and evaluate the importance of influencing factors through Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN). METHODS: Data were sourced from the psychology and behavior investigation of Chinese residents (PBICR). A total of 21,916 individuals in China were included in the current study. Multiple logistic regression was applied to preliminarily identify potential risk factors for depressive symptoms. BPNN was used to explore the order of contributing factors of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic was 57.57 %. The top five important variables were determined based on the BPNN rank of importance: subjective sleep quality (100.00 %), loneliness (77.30 %), subjective well-being (67.90 %), stress (65.00 %), problematic internet use (51.20 %). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms in the general population was high during the COVID-19 pandemic. The BPNN model established has significant preventive and clinical meaning to identify depressive symptoms lay theoretical foundation for individualized and targeted psychological intervention in the future.

Characteristics of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron BA.2 Subvariant in Jilin, China from March to May 2022

Background and Objectives In the midst of the pandemic, new coronavirus mutants continue to emerge;the most relevant variant worldwide is omicron. Here, patients who recovered from the disease living in Jilin Province were analyzed to identify factors affecting the severity of omicron infection and to provide insights into its spread and early indication. Methods In this study, 311 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were divided into two groups. Data on the patients' demographic characteristics and laboratory tests, including platelet count (PLT), neutrophil count (NE), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum creatinine (SCR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), were collected. The biomarkers for moderate and severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and factors affecting the incubation period and time to subsequent negative nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) were also investigated. Results Age, gender, vaccination, hypertension, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/chronic bronchitis/asthma, and some laboratory tests were statistically different between the two groups. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, PLT and CRP had higher area under the ROC curve values. In the multivariate analysis, age, hypertension, COPD/chronic bronchitis/asthma, and CRP were correlated with moderate and severe COVID-19. Moreover, age was correlated with longer incubation. In the Kaplan-Meier curve analysis, gender (male), CRP, and NLR were associated with longer time to subsequent negative NAAT. Conclusions Older patients with hypertension and lung diseases were likely to have moderate or severe COVID-19, and younger patients might have a shorter incubation. A male patient with high CRP and NLR levels might take more time to turn back negative in the NAAT.

The colonic interleukin-19 aggravates the dextran sodium sulfate/stress-induced comorbidities due to colitis and anxiety

Comorbidities due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and anxiety are commonly acknowledged;however, their underlying basis is unclear. In the current study, we first conducted a clinical retrospective analysis to identify the enhancive incidence rate of IBD before or after the epidemic of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), with higher Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), as well as poorer Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Then, the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced IBD and anxiety comorbid models were established with the correlational relations between symptoms of IBD and anxiety-related behaviors. We found dysfunctional up-regulation of a new inflammatory factor interleukin (IL)-19 in the colon of DSS/CUS treated mice. Overexpression of IL-19 in colon induced anxious phenotypes, and accelerated the anxious condition and symptoms of colitis in the DSS/CUS model by promoting the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, and IL-6 pro-inflammatory factors, and activating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in the colon. Furthermore, overexpression of IL-19 in the colon also reduced the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathways activity in the hippocampus. These results suggest that IL-19 was a pivotal player in DSS/CUS-induced comorbidities of colitis and anxiety with different signaling pathways for the colon and hippocampus, which provides a candidate gene to explore the pathophysiology of comorbidities due to colitis and anxiety.

Changes in Chinese early adolescents' group orientation and mental health from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic

Adolescence is a critical period for formulating and developing value orientations. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically restricted people's lives, potentially leading adolescents to reevaluate what they prioritize in life (i.e., their values) and affecting their mental health. Previous studies suggest that Chinese early adolescents' group orientation is negatively associated with mental health more strongly in rural than in urban, whereas this rural–urban differs may vary after the outbreak of the pandemic. To examine potential changes in group orientation, mental health, and their associations during the pandemic, two cross-sectional surveys of ninth-grade students in the same three school were conducted in rural and urban China in 2019 and 2021. The results showed that compared with students before the pandemic (2019, N = 516, 48.8% girls, Mage = 14.87 years), students during the pandemic (2021, N = 655, 48.1% girls, Mage = 14.80 years) displayed lower group orientation such as group responsibility and rule abiding of rural students, and higher loneliness and depressive symptoms. Social equality, group responsibility and rule abiding were all significantly negatively associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms. Those negative associations were stronger in the urban regions than in the rural region. Follow-up invariance analysis revealed that this rural–urban difference in the relations between social equality, group responsibility, and rule abiding and mental health problems was only significant during (and not before) the pandemic. The protective effect of group orientation on mental health seems to be weakened only in rural contexts. The results suggest that significant changes in macrolevel contexts may play an important role in shaping adolescents' value orientation and mental health.

Multi-criteria mixed virus detection decision method based on block method and box code method

OBJECTIVE: To find out a optimal solution for existence and universality of positive samples in pooling sample assay for SARS-Cov-2 so as to provide a more effective and rapid detection method for nucleic acid screening of low-risk population. METHODS: A mathematical model was built based on the relationship among time requirement, size of kits under the situation of different numbers of positive samples and maximum size of test sample during the pooling sample assay so as to seek the optimal test method from coding and non-coding method. Three circumstances including positive samples, single positive sample and multiple positive samples were explored, and the demanded quantity of test reagents was observed under the different circumstances. RESULTS: The efficiency of box-marfa test method is higher when showing the existence of positive sample and single positive sample, and the efficiency of non-coding optimal block test method was higher when showing multiple positive samples. The demanded quantity of test reagents of the optimal block test method was superior to other methods. CONCLUSION: The research result can be directly used for test of infection among low-density population, the box-marfa test method is suitable for situation of sufficient detection resources and checking out positive samples. The optimal block test method is suitable for situation of less positive samples and limited test resources as well as the situation of mixed test technique to be improved by a large margin. Taking the mixed test of 60 696 samples as an example, it can be used in a region with the positive rate less than 8.34%. The content of the research is suitable for low-risk and medium-risk regions and some of high-risk regions, it has significant application value in low-risk regions with insufficient test resources in initial stage of epidemic, regional screening in medium stage of epidemic and reginal time-limit test, and this method is also suitable for other virus samples for which mixed test can be carried out.

The colonic interleukin-19 aggravates the dextran sodium sulfate/stress-induced comorbidities due to colitis and anxiety.

Comorbidities due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and anxiety are commonly acknowledged; however, their underlying basis is unclear. In the current study, we first conducted a clinical retrospective analysis to identify the enhancive incidence rate of IBD before or after the epidemic of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), with higher Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), as well as poorer Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Then, the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced IBD and anxiety comorbid models were established with the correlational relations between symptoms of IBD and anxiety-related behaviors. We found dysfunctional up-regulation of a new inflammatory factor interleukin (IL)-19 in the colon of DSS/CUS treated mice. Overexpression of IL-19 in colon induced anxious phenotypes, and accelerated the anxious condition and symptoms of colitis in the DSS/CUS model by promoting the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1ß, and IL-6 pro-inflammatory factors, and activating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in the colon. Furthermore, overexpression of IL-19 in the colon also reduced the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathways activity in the hippocampus. These results suggest that IL-19 was a pivotal player in DSS/CUS-induced comorbidities of colitis and anxiety with different signaling pathways for the colon and hippocampus, which provides a candidate gene to explore the pathophysiology of comorbidities due to colitis and anxiety.

Achieving broad availability of SARS-CoV-2 detections via smartphone-based analysis.

With the development of COVID-19, widely available tests are in great demand. Naked-eye SARS-CoV-2 test kits have recently been developed as home tests, but their sensitivity and accuracy are sometimes limited. Smartphones can convert various signals into digital information, potentially improving the sensitivity and accuracy of these home tests. Herein, we summarize smartphone-based detections for SARS-CoV-2. Optical detections of non-nucleic acids using various sensors and portable imaging systems, as well as nucleic acid analyses based on LAMP, CRISP, CATCH, and biosensors are discussed. Furthermore, different electrochemical detections were compared. We show results obtained using relatively complex equipment, complicated programming procedures, or custom smartphone apps, and describe methods for obtaining information with only simple setups and free software on smartphones. Then, the combined costs of typical smartphone-based detections are evaluated. Finally, the prospect of improving smartphone-based strategies to achieve broad availability of SARS-CoV-2 detection is proposed.

Relationship Between Mental Health Education Competency and Interpersonal Trust Among College Counselors: The Mediating Role of Neuroticism.

Objective: Based on the motivated cognition account, this study aimed to explore the relationship between mental health education competency and interpersonal trust among college counselors, as well as the mediating effect of neuroticism. Materials and Methods: A total of 483 college counselors were selected, including 155 men and 328 women. The youngest college counselor was 22 years old and the oldest was 56 years old (M = 31.69, SD = 6.12). The college counselors were asked to fill out the Mental Health Education Competency Scale for College Counselors, a 10-item short version of the Big Five Inventory, and an Interpersonal Trust Scale. Results: (1) This study found a significantly positive correlation between mental health education competency and interpersonal trust. (2) Mental health education competency and interpersonal trust were negatively correlated with neuroticism. (3) The mediating role of neuroticism in the association between mental health education competency and interpersonal trust was significant. Conclusion: Mental health education competency partly affected interpersonal trust via the mediating effect of neuroticism.

Investigation of bacteria and detergent residues on undergraduate students' dinner plates in dormitories during university lockdown.

The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted undergraduate students' experiments since their access to the laboratory is limited. To address this problem, the bacteria and detergent residues on undergraduate students' dinner plates were investigated by the students in the dormitories. Five different types of dinner plates from 50 students were collected, which were cleaned with detergent and water in the same way and naturally dried. Then, Escherichia coli (E. coli) test papers and sodium dodecyl sulfonate test kits were used to understand the bacteria and detergent residuals. Commonly available equipment such as a yogurt maker was used for bacterial culture; detergent analyses were performed using centrifugation tubes. Effective sterilization methods and safety protection were achieved by dormitory available methods. According to the investigated results, the students found the differences in bacteria and detergent residuals between different dinner plates and made suitable choices for the future.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Fecal Immunochemical Testing, Colonoscopy Services, and Colorectal Neoplasia Detection in a Large United States Community-based Population.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected clinical services globally, including colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and diagnostic testing. We investigated the pandemic's impact on fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening, colonoscopy utilization, and colorectal neoplasia detection across 21 medical centers in a large integrated health care organization. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients ages 18 to 89 years in 2019 and 2020 and measured changes in the numbers of mailed, completed, and positive FITs; colonoscopies; and cases of colorectal neoplasia detected by colonoscopy in 2020 vs 2019. RESULTS: FIT kit mailings ceased in mid-March through April 2020 but then rebounded and there was an 8.7% increase in kits mailed compared with 2019. With the later mailing of FIT kits, there were 9.0% fewer FITs completed and 10.1% fewer positive tests in 2020 vs 2019. Colonoscopy volumes declined 79.4% in April 2020 compared with April 2019 but recovered to near pre-pandemic volumes in September through December, resulting in a 26.9% decline in total colonoscopies performed in 2020. The number of patients diagnosed by colonoscopy with CRC and advanced adenoma declined by 8.7% and 26.9%, respectively, in 2020 vs 2019. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic led to fewer FIT screenings and colonoscopies in 2020 vs 2019; however, after the lifting of shelter-in-place orders, FIT screenings exceeded, and colonoscopy volumes nearly reached numbers from those same months in 2019. Overall, there was an 8.7% reduction in CRC cases diagnosed by colonoscopy in 2020. These data may help inform the development of strategies for CRC screening and diagnostic testing during future national emergencies.