Comorbidity of purulent meningitis with COVID‐19: A case report

To date, only a few cases of intracranial infection related to severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) were reported. Here we describe a case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) that was comorbid with purulent meningitis. A 62‐year‐old male patient was diagnosed with moderate COVID‐19 and had no fever or cough after treatment. However, he suffered from a head injury and experienced headache and fever immediately after the accident. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain showed bilateral frontal lobe contusion, subdural hematoma, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. In the following days, the patient suffered from recurrent fever, although chest CT did not show evidence of worsening of infection. Several lumbar punctures were made, confirming increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and karyocyte count. SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid was not detected in CSF but revealed the presence of Escherichia coli. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with purulent meningitis, presumably caused by brain trauma or the immunologic dysfunction caused by COVID‐19, which was supported by the significant reduction of all kinds of immune cells. Since immunologic dysfunction is commonly presented in COVID‐19 patients, comorbidity with meningitis should be considered when a COVID‐19 patient presents with headache and fever. Lumbar punctures and CSF cultures may help in the diagnosis.

Measurement of Phthalates in Settled Dust in University Dormitories and Its Implications for Exposure Assessment

Six phthalates: dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di(n-butyl) phthalate (DnBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di(n-octyl) phthalate (DOP) in settled dust on different indoor surfaces were measured in 30 university dormitories. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate college students' exposure via inhalation, non-dietary ingestion, and dermal absorption based on measured concentrations. The detection frequencies for targeted phthalates were more than 80% except for DEP (roughly 70%). DEHP was the most prevalent compound in the dust samples, followed by DnBP, DOP, and BBzP. Statistical analysis suggested that phthalate levels were higher in bedside dust than that collected from table surfaces, indicating a nonuniform distribution of dust-phase phthalates in the sleep environment. The simulation showed that the median DMP daily intake was 0.81 μg/kg/day, which was the greatest of the targeted phthalates. For the total exposures to all phthalates, the mean contribution of exposures during the daytime and sleeping time was 54% and 46%, respectively.

Leveraging Eye Tracking Technology to Improve Teacher Education

Teacher educators use various measures to gauge pre-service teachers' knowledge, skills, and attitudes, including behavioral measures, self-report questionnaires, and interviews. These measures often fail to capture the granularities of the teaching and learning processes. As such, there has been a burgeoning and recent interest in the use of biometrics like eye tracking technology in teacher education. Eye tracking, as an objective measure, provides important insights to prepare pre-service teachers for addressing learner differences and developing engaging online and blended instruction, both of which seem critical during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, one of the key goals for teacher education to achieve by 2025 is to expand the integration of eye tracking technology into teacher education. To fulfill this goal, the following steps are envisioned: 1) more eye tracking research in teacher education;2) more use of eye tracking as a teaching tool;3) more eye tracking instruction in graduate-level teacher education;4) more teacher education programs having access to eye tracking technology. For successful implementation, training and research experience are needed to scaffold teacher education students to understand and integrate this technology into their teaching and research practices. Interdisciplinary collaborations are also encouraged among researchers in teacher education and other disciplines to overcome obstacles associated with access to the eye tracking technology.

Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Contamination in Frozen Food-Related Samples - China, July 2020 - July 2021.

Introduction: Current evidence shows that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is neither a food safety issue nor a foodborne disease. However, the outbreaks of this disease in workers of meat- or poultry-processing plants and food markets have been reported in many countries. Systematic reports on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contamination in food-related samples worldwide are lacking so far. This study aimed to survey and monitor SARS-CoV-2 contamination in samples of foods or their packaging, storage environment, and employees, as well as explore the possible potential for virus transmission via frozen foods. Methods: Swabs of frozen food-related samples were collected between July 2020 and July 2021 in 31 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs) and Xinjiang Construction Corps in China. The SARS-CoV-2 RNAs were extracted and analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction using the commercially available SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test kit. Results: More than 55.83 million samples were analyzed, and 1,455 (0.26 per 10,000) were found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. Among the virus-positive samples, 96.41% (1,398/1,450) and 3.59% (52/1,450) were food/food packaging materials and environment, respectively. As for 1,398 SARS-CoV-2-positive food and food packaging materials, 99.50%, (1,391/1,398) were imported and 7 were domestic. The outer packaging of food was frequently contaminated by the virus 78.75% ( 1,101/1,398). Conclusions: Our study supported speculation that cold-chain foods might act as the SARS-CoV-2 carrier, and food handlers/operators were at high risk of exposure to the virus. It is necessary to carry out a comprehensive mass testing for SARS-CoV-2 nuclei acid, along with contact tracing and symptom screening in cold-chain food handlers and processors so as to identify high proportions of asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infections. Meanwhile, research and development of effective self-protection equipment available at a temperature below -18 ℃ is urgent.

COVID-19 Outbreaks Linked to Imported Frozen Food in China: Status and Challege.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA contamination was reported on China's imported frozen foods and packaging materials. However, there was no evidence of this disease initiated by environment-to-human transmission until the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Beijing in June 2020. This article aimed to analyze and summarize COVID-19 outbreaks related to cold-chain foods to provide a scientific basis for tracing the epidemiological trajectory of the pandemic, providing risk assessments, and mitigation policies. Overall, 37 COVID-19 outbreaks and 5,741 infected cases were reported within the study period. It was found that 7 outbreaks and 689 cases were linked to imported frozen foods. The first index case among the 7 outbreaks was exposed to SARS-CoV-2-contaminated outer packaging of frozen food, triggering the subsequent community transmission. This study supported the speculation that cold-chain foods act as a pathway for SARS-CoV-2 and might present a risk for virus transmission between countries and regions. Handlers and processors exposed to the imported frozen foods should be effectively self-protected, daily monitored for clinical manifestations of COVID-19, and tested for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid at regular intervals.

Factors associated with peritraumatic stress symptoms among the frontline healthcare workers during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the prevalence of peritraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs), perceived threat, social support and factors contributing to clinically significant PTSS among frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers (HCWs) in China.Design and settingAn online survey through self-administered questionnaires was conducted from 18 February to 4 March 2020, during the outbreak of COVID-19.Outcomes measuresPTSS was assessed using the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) self-rating scale. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, self-reported health, physical/psychological symptoms, perceived threat from frontline work and perceived social support were investigated. Multivariable line regression analysis distinguished factors associated with HCWs’ PTSS scores.ResultsA total of 676 (58.1%) HCWs have shown clinically significant high levels of PTSS. Only 441 (37.9%) self-reported good health. Most had physical symptom(s) (915 (78.7%)), psychological symptom(s) (906 (77.9%)), inability to vent emotions (284 (24.4%)), emotional exhaustion (666 (57.3%)) and 1037 (89.2%) needed professional respect. Moreover, social support received was less than expected, and the receipt of psychological services/help scored the lowest (3.11±1.73). Combined psychological and physical symptoms, difficulty in releasing tension and venting emotions timely, fear of infection, emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation are significantly associated with PTSS scores among frontline HCWs. Working ≥8 hours, having the senior professional title, self-reported health, enjoying perfect protection and control measures, economic subsidy and control policy on reducing discriminatory practices are negatively correlated with PTSS scores.ConclusionsDuring the outbreak of COVID-19, frontline HCWs experienced clinically significant high levels of PTSS and heavy workload, and the emergency resulted in their inadequate psychosocial support. If this is left unchecked, HCWs have a higher risk of developing PTSD. Early detection, identification and person-directed, targeted multidisciplinary interventions should be undertaken to address various influencing factors. Comprehensive measures, including setting up emotional release channels, as well as providing psychological and social support intervention for HCWs globally, are highly recommended.

Environmental Temperature in Thermal Comfort Under Different Virtual Tourism Activity Intensities: Based on Microclimate Simulation Experiment.

Although COVID-19 lockdowns and travel regulations have restricted the spatial area for human activities, tourists can still use virtual devices and applications for travel purposes. This study aimed to explore the thermal comfort and satisfaction of tourists under various tourist activity intensities, using experimental and semi-structured interview methods, combined with microclimate simulation experiments and electrocardiogram data to monitor physiological indicators. The results showed that: (1) The thermal comfort of virtual tourists had a significant correlation with the environmental temperature. (2) The thermal comfort of virtual tourists differed under various activity intensities. The virtual tourism activity intensity moderated the relation between environmental temperature and tourists' thermal comfort. (3) In the state of exercise (slow walking, fast walking), the environmental temperature affected tourists' physiological indicators. (4) Virtual tourism that integrates realistic visual, audio, and tactile sensations can improve tourists' perception and satisfaction. The results provide a new perspective for the study of the virtual tourism experience and thermal comfort. In addition, it provides theoretical and practical support for the development of virtual tourism scenes in the environmental temperature context.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Burnout of Frontline Healthcare Workers in Fighting Against the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From China.

OBJECTIVES: The sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) plunged healthcare workers (HCWs) into warfare. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout and the factors associated with it among frontline HCWs fighting COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among frontline HCWs fighting against the COVID-19 in Wuhan, Harbin, and Shenzhen during the period from February 18 to March 4. Finally, HCWs were recruited using cluster sampling, 1,163 HCWs were included in the final analysis. Burnout was measured using a 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory scale (MBI scale). RESULTS: Of the participants, 48.6% suffered from burnout, and 21.8% showed a high degree of burnout. Doctors (b = 3.954, P = 0.011) and nurses (b = 3.067, P = 0.042) showed higher emotional exhaustion (EE) than administrators. Participants who worked continuously for more than 8 h a day (b = 3.392, P = 0.000), those who were unable to eat three regular daily meals (b = 2.225, P = 0.008), whose daily water intake was no more than 800 ml (b = 3.007, P = 0.000), who slept for no more than 6 h (b = 1.609, P = 0.036), and who were infected or had colleagues who were infected with COVID-19 (b = 4.182, P = 0.000) experienced much higher levels of EE, while those who could adhere to infection control procedures (b = -5.992, P = 0.000), who were satisfied with their hospital's infection control measures(b = -3.709, P = 0.001), and who could receive sufficient psychological crisis intervention (b = -1.588, P = 0.039) reported lower levels of EE. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that burnout is prevalent among frontline HCWs and that the known factors associated with burnout, such as workload, and the factors directly associated with COVID-19, such as having insufficient protection, can affect burnout symptoms in frontline HCWs. Synergized and comprehensive interventions should be targeted at reducing its occurrence among frontline HCWs fighting COVID-19.