ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an enormous burden on healthcare systems. The pandemic revealed insufficient digitalisation of Czech healthcare, particularly in terms of interconnectedness of healthcare systems. Before the pandemic, the digitalisation of healthcare was not a priority;thus the E-health Act is still absent. Paperless healthcare was only represented by e-prescription (eRecept) and electronic sick note (e-Neschopenka), with tracking application e-Rouska and electronic medical request for COVID testing (eZadanka) introduced in 2020. The pandemic is expected to accelerate the digitalisation of Czech healthcare supported by funds from the National Recovery Plan. Nonetheless, several projects have been postponed with healthcare priorities being identified elsewhere. Based on a novel approach we analysed emerging medical-related technologies (keywords) in research output (publications, projects, contractual research, patents) among Czech research institutions and firms. In the last decade (2009–2018), the most frequent new technologies (keywords) were those related to genetics (genomic and genetic sequencing), nanomaterials (nanoparticle and nanomedicine), e-health (data processing), and sensors necessary for IoMT. In terms of future business opportunities big data, AI/machine learning and IoMT/wearables are considered to be the three principal transformative digital technologies. Copyright © 2023 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
ABSTRACT
Very little is known about the investment climate and operations of MNEs in Cuba due to limited data provided by the Cuban government. In this paper, we explore the investment climate in Cuba and identify factors that limit the activities of MNEs. We also assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the future prospects for MNEs in Cuba. Our research is based on question-naires and semi-structured interviews in MNEs operating in Cuba. MNEs consider low macroeconomic stability, the impossibility of acquiring real estate, access to financing and the movement of capital, and profit repatriation as the most problematic factors for their business activities. On the other hand, IPR protection, corruption, the skills and education of the available workforce and the availability of electricity were assessed as the least problematic. Less than half of the MNEs interviewed found positive changes con-cerning the investment climate in Cuba during recent years. This implies limited prospects for economic growth in the near future.
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SUMMARY: Convalescent plasma was one of the treatment modalities in patients with severe or moderate course of the new acute respiratory disease COVID-19. The basic condition for its administration is a sufficient virus neutralizing antibody titre >=160. The aim of the present study is the analysis of the data of convalescent anti-covid plasma donors of the Transfusion Department of the Olomouc University Hospital, specifically to compare the correlation of serological tests of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with the virus neutralization test. Copyright © 2022, Czech Medical Association J.E. Purkyne. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
AIM: Achieving sufficient vaccination rate (and herd immunity respectively) is considered to be the most promising strategy for prevention of outbreaks of novel coronavirus disease in future. The main aim of this work was to compare willingness of university students to receive vaccine against COVID-19 with vaccines for adults against other well-known diseases. Another aim was to assess students´ opinion on growing trend of parents refusing to vaccinate children. METHODS: The online questionnaire shared with students consisted of 12 questions. It was distributed via university bulk emails and social media. RESULTS: 3,133 students responded to our questionnaire. Overall university response rate was 15.9%. Students of our university showed significantly much stronger interest in receiving vaccine against COVID-19 than vaccine against other diseases (p <0.0001). Students also showed strong pro-vaccination attitude to vaccination of children. CONCLUSION: The study showed very well sudden change of attitude of university students to vaccination of adults at the time of strong restrictive regulations. Most of university students had pro-vaccination attitude to vaccination of children.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The most promising strategy for managing COVID-19 pandemic is achieving sufficient vaccination rate worldwide. The question is how many people will be willing to get vaccinated. STUDY DESIGN: We systematically reviewed peer-reviewed manuscripts monitoring people´s intention to receive a vaccine against COVID-19. METHODS: Up to December 28, 2020 we identified 62 relevant peer-reviewed articles in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and GoogleScholar. RESULTS: Total sample size was 118 855 respondents with overall average COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 72.5% which is "just" the level estimated to be sufficient for reaching herd immunity threshold. Surprisingly, healthcare workers showed smaller interest in receiving the vaccine when compared to general adult population and university students. On the other hand, their attitude to vaccination did not change over time. In case of general adult population, the longer the pandemic lasts, the smaller proportion of population wants to get vaccinated. Vaccination intentions were independent of gross domestic product and human development index. CONCLUSION: Willingness of population to receive COVID-19 is just at the herd immunity threshold and it is decreasing over time (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 110). Keywords: vaccination, survey, COVID-19, pandemic, review.