ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the association of inflammation and immune responses with the outcomes of patients at various stages, and to develop risk stratification for improving clinical practice and reducing mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 77 patients with primary outcomes of either death or survival. Demographics, clinical features, comorbidities, and laboratory tests were compared. Linear, logistic, and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors. RESULTS: The average age was 59 years (35-87 years). There were 12 moderate cases (16.2%), 42 severe cases (54.5%), and 23 critical cases (29.9%); and 41 were male (53.2%). Until March 20, 68 cases were discharged (88.3%), and nine critically ill males (11.7%) died. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels on the 1st day were compared with IL-6 values on the 14th day in the severe and the critically ill surviving patients (F=4.90, p=0.034, ß=0.35, 95% CI: 0.00-0.10), and predicted death in the critically ill patients (p=0.028, ß=0.05, OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.10). CD4+ T-cell counts at admission decreased the hazard ratio of death (p=0.039, ß=-0.01, hazard ratio=0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.00, and median survival time 13.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that IL-6 levels and CD4+ T-cell count at admission played key roles of predictors in the prognosis, especially for critically ill patients. High levels of IL-6 and impaired CD4+t cells are seen in severe and critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Critical Illness , Interleukin-6 , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and overABSTRACT
Astaxanthin was established to conserve kidney function and subcellular structure through anti-oxidation and/or the free radical scavenging system, yet little research linked a new protective effect to autophagy or lysosomes. We pre-fed Wistar rats with natural astaxanthin, β-carotene, or placebo and induced acute kidney injury using gentamicin, before examining renal tissues and measuring physiological indices. Qualitative evidence from histopathological and subcellular images, along with quantitative evidence showing treatment effects on blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine (p < 0.01), indicated that esterified Haematococcus astaxanthin surpassed β-carotene at effectively counteracting chemical damage and protecting the kidneys from injury. Proliferation of enlarged lysosomes and mediation analysis results revealing enhanced lysosomal acid phosphatase activity were consistent with the hypothesized autophagy-lysosomal pathway being up-regulated by astaxanthin intake (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the protective effect of astaxanthin against acute kidney injury exerted through the autophagy-lysosomal detoxification pathway, which totally different from the anti-oxidation and/or conventional SOD-dependent free radical scavenging system, was demonstrated with strong evidence. In light of the pandemic outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia associated with a virus preferentially targeting the renal tubular cells, dietary astaxanthin may help bring down incidence rate of coronavirus disease, cases of acute kidney injury secondary to the disease, and mortality rate from acute kidney injury, especially when a standard of care treatment for the infectious disease is pending. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.
ABSTRACT
Purpose One of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is that using an e-wallet - a contactless process - rather than a payment terminal is an intuitively safer option. This study is grounded in cognitive absorption theory and investigates how the use of the money-gift function influences the intention to continue using an e-wallet app. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-sectional approach, a structured questionnaire was designed and distributed to the target respondents in Malaysia through social media platforms. The data were collected with purposive sampling and a total of 350 eligible responses were analyzed with partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings Cognitive absorption significantly influenced the perceptions of e-wallet apps (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness). The intention to continue using an e-wallet app was positively predicted by attitude and subjective well-being. Furthermore, this study found that the path between attitude and the intention to continue use was mediated by subjective well-being, whereas perceived security moderated the path between cognitive absorption and perceptions of an e-wallet app. Practical implications The results offer much-needed broad guidance for e-wallet service providers. In particular, the findings reveal how implementing money-gift functions promotes various positive outcomes that influence the intention to continue using an e-wallet app. Originality/value Previous research on e-wallets considered only the basic characteristics of an e-wallet app when studying continuous usage. Few studies have empirically examined the innovative function of money gifts. Therefore, this study is among the first to offer empirical insights into how immersion and cognitive interaction with the money-gift function can influence user perceptions and behavior toward e-wallet apps.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To acquire the knowledge of quality control performance through carrying out proficiency Testing Schemes (PTS) nationwide. METHODS: National Institutes for Food and Drug Control(NIFDC) schemed three PTS to evaluate the testing competence of participants from the aspects of safety and stability of vaccine products and pseudotyped virus-based neutralization assay, pseudotyped virus based neutralization assay(PBNA), which takes as a hand of COVID-19 vaccine development. RESULTS: Eighty-nine participants took part in the three PTS and the satisfaction rate stated as 96.9%, 96.4% and 76.0%. CONCLUSION: The testing ability and quality control performance of Official Medical Control Laboratories (OMCL), manufacturers and research institutes are acceptable. The testing results of sterile testing and aluminum assay of aluminum adjuvanted vaccine can be assured well, while the ability of PBNA needs to be improved by some manufacturers.