Spatiotemporal characteristics and co-effects of air quality and carbon dioxide emissions changes during the COVID-19 epidemic lockdown measures in China.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted several nations, including China, to enact unprecedented lockdown measures, leading to significant alterations in environmental conditions. Previous studies have solely analysed the impact of lockdown measures on air pollutants or carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, but few have focused on the spatio-temporal change characteristics and synergistic effects between the two. In this study, we constructed a methodological framework to examine the spatiotemporal characteristics and co-effects of air quality (PM2.5, SO2, and NO2) and CO2 changes in 324 prefecture-level cities in China due to the COVID-19 blockade measures from January 24 to April 30, 2020, using the regression discontinuity in time method and co-effect control coordinate system. The results show that a significant improvement in air quality and CO2 emissions during the lockdown period, with notable north‒south heterogeneity. During the major lockdown period (January 24 to February 29), the measures resulted in respective reductions of 5.6%, 16.6%, and 25.1% in the concentrations of SO2, NO2, and CO2 nationwide. The proportions of cities with negative treatment effects on PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and CO2 were 39.20%, 70.99%, 84.6%, and 99.38%, respectively. Provinces where concentrations of CO2 and NO2 declined by over 30% were primarily concentrated in southern areas of the 'Yangtze River Defense Line'. Starting from March, the improvement effect of air quality and CO2 has weakened, and the concentration of air pollutants has rebounded. This study offers crucial insights into the causal effects of lockdown measures on air quality changes, and reveals the synergy between air quality and CO2, thereby providing a reference for devising effective air quality improvement and energy-saving emission reduction strategies.

Modelling the economic burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health care workers in four countries.

Health care workers (HCWs) experienced greater risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study applies a cost-of-illness (COI) approach to model the economic burden associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs in five low- and middle-income sites (Kenya, Eswatini, Colombia, KwaZulu-Natal province, and Western Cape province of South Africa) during the first year of the pandemic. We find that not only did HCWs have a higher incidence of COVID-19 than the general population, but in all sites except Colombia, viral transmission from infected HCWs to close contacts resulted in substantial secondary SARS-CoV-2 infection and death. Disruption in health services as a result of HCW illness affected maternal and child deaths dramatically. Total economic losses attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs as a share of total health expenditure ranged from 1.51% in Colombia to 8.38% in Western Cape province, South Africa. This economic burden to society highlights the importance of adequate infection prevention and control measures to minimize the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs.

Is Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 a Target for the Intervention of Cytokine Storms?

The term "cytokine storm" describes an acute pathophysiologic state of the immune system characterized by a burst of cytokine release, systemic inflammatory response, and multiple organ failure, which are crucial determinants of many disease outcomes. In light of the complexity of cytokine storms, specific strategies are needed to prevent and alleviate their occurrence and deterioration. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a CNC-basic region-leucine zipper protein that serves as a master transcription factor in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis by orchestrating the expression of many antioxidant and phase II detoxification enzymes. Given that inflammatory response is intertwined with oxidative stress, it is reasonable to assume that NRF2 activation limits inflammation and thus cytokine storms. As NRF2 can mitigate inflammation at many levels, it has emerged as a potential target to prevent and treat cytokine storms. In this review, we summarized the cytokine storms caused by different etiologies and the rationale of interventions, focusing mainly on NRF2 as a potential therapeutic target.

Anxiety and associated factors among medical college students during COVID-19 epidemic

Objective: To analyze anxiety and its influencing factors of medical college students during the epidemic of COVID-19, so as to provide theoretical basis for targeted mental health promotion.

Study on the Formation Mechanism of Medical and Health Organization Staff's Emergency Preparedness Behavioral Intention: From the Perspective of Psychological Capital.

Medical and Health Organization (MHO) staff's emergency preparedness awareness and behaviors are essential variables that affect public health emergency response effectiveness. Based on the theory of psychological capital and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study discusses the mechanism of the psychological characteristics of MHO staff on their emergency preparedness behavioral intention (EPBI). To verify the research model, we conducted a web-based questionnaire survey among 243 MHO staff from China and analyzed the data using the structural equation modeling software, AMOS 24.0 (IBM, New York, United States). The empirical results reveal that psychological capital significantly affected cognitive processes theorized by TPB. This study suggests that the positive psychological capital of MHO staff should be developed and managed to improve their EPBI.

Smart delivery and retrieval of swab collection kit for COVID-19 test using autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are one of the highly emerging technologies of the modern day. Due to their small size, flying capabilities, and complex machinery, drones can be deployed in diverse fields, including agriculture, sports, entertainment, parcel delivery, disaster management, search and rescue, emergency medicine, and healthcare. In case of medical emergency, timely delivery of the required emergency kit is very important. This is often not possible in many underdeveloped countries due to lack of resources, traffic jams, congestion or challenging routes. Also, in times like today’s when the world is hit with COVID-19 pandemic, the movement is very limited due to lockdowns and emergency. In such case, drones can be deployed to deliver the emergency kits and collect samples for tests. This may save someones life as well as time and financial resources. In third world countries, the COVID-19 has spread chaos because of very limited hospitals, resources and staff. Therefore, it is difficult for the government and health officials to accommodate every patient or give him/her the care that he/she needs. Amidst the fear of pandemic, everyone is trying to undergo tests for COVID-19 which is difficult to handle In our research, we have proposed a solution that comprises smartphone application with the help of a patient sending a call to a healthcare centre for delivering emergency kit. The kit contains equipment with the help of which a person can collect swab. The drone takes the swab samples back to the healthcare centre for tests. We have introduced an optimization factor as a baseline for future studies of this kind. We have further conducted field experiments to test our proposed scheme. The results have shown that drones can be quite efficient in collecting samples and delivering emergency kits.

Treatment and prognosis of COVID-19: Current scenario and prospects (Review).

SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh member of the family of coronaviruses that can cause infections in humans, termed as COVID-19, which is now a global pandemic. Because it is a novel virus, considerable efforts and extensive studies are needed to fully understand its characteristics. Its symptoms and severity range from mild to critical, depending on several factors, such as host susceptibility to the virus and their immune system, with the most common symptoms being fever, fatigue, sore throat and runny nose. There is no clear treatment available yet, though several options are being explored, with research for vaccines being at the forefront. Traditional Chinese Medicine may also be used as a treatment option. Since this virus is similar to the SARS-CoV and MERS viruses, considerable insight can be gained from previous studies. Although many patients recover completely, there are several factors that lead to poor prognosis. This review summarizes the research carried out so far in terms of treatment options and prognosis factors associated with COVID-19.

Development of a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antibody detection kit and study on dynamic changes in antibodies in infected patients.

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly to 185 regions and countries around the world with more than 2.8 million confirmed infections and 203,044 deaths. Respiratory diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2 are serious threats to human health. OBJECTIVES: To develop a rapid detection kit for new coronavirus antibodies and use it to study the dynamic changes in antibodies in clinically confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. METHODS: The SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibody test kit (colloidal gold method) was developed. Serum SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies were tested in SARS-CoV-2- and non-SARS-CoV-2-infected persons, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The sensitivities of the SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibody test kit (colloidal gold method) were 50%, 70%, 92.5% and 97.5% after 1-3 days, 4-6 days, 7-9 days and >9 days of admission, respectively, and the specificities of the IgM, IgG and IgM + IgG antibodies were all 100%. Using the SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibody test kit (colloidal gold method), the positive rates of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies increased from 50% to 92.5% after 1-3 days, 4-6 days and 7-9 days of admission, which showed an increasing trend. The titers of the SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in the positive specimens increased with the length of admission.

Serum SARS-COV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein: A Sensitivity and Specificity Early Diagnostic Marker for SARS-COV-2 Infection.

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of serum severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid (N) protein assay in the early stages of SARS-COV-2 infection. Methods: Serum N protein level in SARS-COV-2 infected patients and non-SARS-COV-2 infected population was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) double antibody sandwich assay. Colloidal gold immunochromatography assay was used to detect serum N protein antibodies in the above populations. Results: Fifty cases of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid-positive and SARS-CoV-2 antibody-negative patients had a serum N protein positivity rate of 76%. Thirty-seven patients who were positive for serum SARS-CoV-2 antibody after infection had a serum SARS-CoV-2 N protein positivity rate of 2.7%. Serum N protein test results of 633 non-SARS-COV-2 infected patients, including pregnant women, patients with other respiratory infections, and individuals with increased rheumatoid factor were all negative, with serum N protein concentration <10.00 pg/mL at 100% specificity. Using SPSS 19.0 to calculate the receiver operating characteristic curve, the area under the curve was determined to be 0.9756 (95% confidence interval 0.9485-1.000, p < 0.0001), and sensitivity and specificity were 92% (95% confidence interval 81.16-96.85%) and 96.84% (95% confidence interval 95.17-97.15%), respectively. The best CUT-OFF value was 1.850 pg/mL. Conclusion: The measurement of serum SARS-COV-2 N protein has a high diagnostic value for infected patients before the antibody appears and shortens the window period of serological diagnosis. It is recommended that the manufacturer establish two different CUT-OFF values according to the purpose of the application. One CUT-OFF value is used for the diagnosis of clinical SARS-COV-2 infection, and the other is used to screen out as many suspected cases as possible.

Control measures to prevent Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in endoscopy centers: Multi-center study.

AIMS: To investigate control measures for COVID-19 pandemic in GIE centers in China. METHODS: This is a retrospective multi-center research, including seven centers. Data collection was from 1 February to 31 March 2020 and the same period in 2019. RESULTS: There were a total of 28 COVID-19 definite cases in these hospitals. Six out of seven GIE centers were arranged to shut down on 1 February, with a mean number of shutdown days of 23.6 ± 5.3. The actual workloads were only 10.3%-62.9% compared to those last year. All centers had a preoperative COVID-19 screening process. Epidemiological questionnaire, temperature taking and QR-code of journey were conducted. Chest CT scan was conducted during the shutdown period and continued in five centers after return to work. Antibody and nucleic acid test were applied in one to three centers. All endoscopists had advanced PPE. Five centers used surgical mask and the rest used N95 mask. Six centers used goggles or face shield. Five centers selected isolation gowns and the rest selected protective suits. The change frequency of these PPE was 4 h. Sterilizing measures were improved in six centers. Five centers utilized ultraviolet and six centers strengthened natural ventilation. Four and six centers used peracetic acid during the period of shutdown and return to work, alone or matched with OPA or acidified water. CONCLUSIONS: Many effective control measures were conducted in GIE centers during the outbreak, including patients' volume limitation, preoperative COVID-19 screening, advanced PPE and disinfection methods.

Characteristics of laboratory indexes in COVID-19 patients with non-severe symptoms in Hefei City, China: diagnostic value in organ injuries.

This study compared the laboratory indexes in 40 non-severe COVID-19 patients with those in 57 healthy controls. In the peripheral blood system of non-severe symptom COVID-19 patients, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, osteocalcin N-terminal, thyroid-stimulating hormone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 significantly decreased, and total protein, albumin, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products, human epididymal protein 4, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein were elevated. SARS-CoV-2 infection can affect hematopoiesis, hemostasis, coagulation, fibrinolysis, bone metabolism, thyroid, parathyroid glands, the liver, and the reproductive system.

The genetic sequence, origin, and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a new infectious disease that first emerged in Hubei province, China, in December 2019, which was found to be associated with a large seafood and animal market in Wuhan. Airway epithelial cells from infected patients were used to isolate a novel coronavirus, named the SARS-CoV-2, on January 12, 2020, which is the seventh member of the coronavirus family to infect humans. Phylogenetic analysis of full-length genome sequences obtained from infected patients showed that SARS-CoV-2 is similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and uses the same cell entry receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as SARS-CoV. The possible person-to-person disease rapidly spread to many provinces in China as well as other countries. Without a therapeutic vaccine or specific antiviral drugs, early detection and isolation become essential against novel Coronavirus. In this review, we introduced current diagnostic methods and criteria for the SARS-CoV-2 in China and discuss the advantages and limitations of the current diagnostic methods, including chest imaging and laboratory detection.