The importance of quarantine: modelling the COVID-19 testing process.

We incorporate the disease state and testing state into the formulation of a COVID-19 epidemic model. For this model, the basic reproduction number is identified and its dependence on model parameters related to the testing process and isolation efficacy is discussed. The relations between the basic reproduction number, the final epidemic and peak sizes, and the model parameters are further explored numerically. We find that fast test reporting does not always benefit the control of the COVID-19 epidemic if good quarantine while awaiting test results is implemented. Moreover, the final epidemic and peak sizes do not always increase along with the basic reproduction number. Under some circumstances, lowering the basic reproduction number increases the final epidemic and peak sizes. Our findings suggest that properly implementing isolation for individuals who are waiting for their testing results would lower the basic reproduction number as well as the final epidemic and peak sizes.

Application of weighted gene co-expression network and immune infiltration for explorations of key genes in the brain of elderly COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: Although many studies have demonstrated the existing neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients, the mechanisms are not clear until now. This study aimed to figure out the critical molecular and immune infiltration situations in the brain of elderly COVID-19 patients. Methods: GSE188847 was used for the differential analysis, WGCNA, and immune infiltration analysis. We also performed GO, KEGG, GSEA, and GSVA for the enrich analysis. Results: 266 DEGs, obtained from the brain samples of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients whose ages were over 70 years old, were identified. GO and KEGG analysis revealed the enrichment in synapse and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction in COVID-19 patients. Further analysis found that asthma and immune system signal pathways were significant changes based on GSEA and GSVA. Immune infiltration analysis demonstrated the imbalance of CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, and HLA. The MEpurple module genes were the most significantly different relative to COVID-19. Finally, RPS29, S100A10, and TIMP1 were the critical genes attributed to the progress of brain damage. Conclusion: RPS29, S100A10, and TIMP1 were the critical genes in the brain pathology of COVID-19 in elderly patients. Our research has revealed a new mechanism and a potential therapeutic target.

Mapping the trophic state index of eastern lakes in China using an empirical model and Sentinel-2 imagery data

Lake eutrophication has become a critical environmental issue due to the global effects of anthropogenic activities and climate change, and has been comprehensively studied for many years. A series of models and indicators have been proposed to assess the trophic state of lakes. The trophic state index (TSI) is a synthetic index that integrates chlorophyll-a, water clarity, and total phosphorus and is widely used to evaluate the trophic state of aquatic environments. In this study, we collected in situ lake samples (N = 431) from typical lakes to match Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) imagery data using the Case 2 Regional Coast Color processor. Then we developed a new empirical model, TSI = -34.04 x (band 4/band 5) - 1.114 x (band 1/band 4) + 97.376. This model is valid for all of China, with good performance and few errors (RMSE = 7.36;MAE = 6.25) for the validation dataset. Recognizing that over 94% of the Chinese population located along eastern watersheds and large lakes have competing water uses, and given the TSI model on the seasonal scales, we further estimated the mean TSI and trophic state in eastern Chinese lakes (> 100 km2) from 2019 to 2020. The results revealed that more lakes were eutrophic in autumn (94.28%) than in spring (> 77.14%), indicating a serious eutrophication of eastern lakes. Although the eastern lakes have been studied in more detail, this study found that eutrophication still has markedly negative impacts on lake ecosystems. In addition, no significant improvement was observed in spring, most likely due to the months of curfew/lockdown from January 2020 onwards due to COVID-19. This may be due to the enrichment of nutrients deposited in sediment or watershed soil, which can be characterized as "autochthonous sources" of lake eutrophication, over decades with high rates of economic development. This study demonstrates the applicability of Sentinel-2 MSI data to monitor lake eutrophication as well as the feasibility of blue/red and red/red edge combinations. The framework and TSI model used bands available on MSI sensors to develop a novel approach for generating historical eutrophication data for large-scale evaluation of and decision-making related aquatic environmental changes, even in poorly studied areas.

Efficacy of traditional Chinese exercise for obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Obesity is considered one of the biggest public health problems, especially in the background of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. It is urgent to find interventions to control and improve it. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the effect of traditional Chinese exercise on obesity. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and WanFang database for updated articles published from the inception of each database to June 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on traditional Chinese exercise in weight reduction were included, and related data were extracted. The random-effects model was used to adjust for the heterogeneity of the included studies, and funnel plots were used to examine publication bias. Results A total of 701 participants were included in the 10 studies. Compared with the control group, the outcome of body weight [mean difference (MD) = −6.10;95% CI = -8.79, -3.42], body mass index (MD = −2.03;95% CI = -2.66, -1.41), body fat mass (MD = −3.12;95% CI = -4.49, -1.75), waist circumference (MD = −3.46;95% CI = -4.67, -2.24), hip circumference (MD = −2.94;95% CI = -4.75, -1.30), and waist-to-hip ratio (MD = −0.04;95% CI = -0.06, -0.03) in the intervention group had significant differences. Egger's test and funnel plots showed that the potential publication bias of the included studies was slight (p = 0.249). Conclusion Traditional Chinese exercise is an effective treatment for obesity;people under the COVID-19 lockdown could do these exercises to control weight. However, a precise and comprehensive conclusion calls for RCTs on a larger scale with more rigorous designs considering the inferior methodological quality and limited retrieved articles. Systematic review registration www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42021270015.

Efficacy of traditional Chinese exercise for obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Obesity is considered one of the biggest public health problems, especially in the background of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. It is urgent to find interventions to control and improve it. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the effect of traditional Chinese exercise on obesity. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and WanFang database for updated articles published from the inception of each database to June 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on traditional Chinese exercise in weight reduction were included, and related data were extracted. The random-effects model was used to adjust for the heterogeneity of the included studies, and funnel plots were used to examine publication bias. Results: A total of 701 participants were included in the 10 studies. Compared with the control group, the outcome of body weight [mean difference (MD) = -6.10; 95% CI = -8.79, -3.42], body mass index (MD = -2.03; 95% CI = -2.66, -1.41), body fat mass (MD = -3.12; 95% CI = -4.49, -1.75), waist circumference (MD = -3.46; 95% CI = -4.67, -2.24), hip circumference (MD = -2.94; 95% CI = -4.75, -1.30), and waist-to-hip ratio (MD = -0.04; 95% CI = -0.06, -0.03) in the intervention group had significant differences. Egger's test and funnel plots showed that the potential publication bias of the included studies was slight (p = 0.249). Conclusion: Traditional Chinese exercise is an effective treatment for obesity; people under the COVID-19 lockdown could do these exercises to control weight. However, a precise and comprehensive conclusion calls for RCTs on a larger scale with more rigorous designs considering the inferior methodological quality and limited retrieved articles. Systematic review registration: www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42021270015.

External Supports Are Associated With the COVID-19 Vaccination in Chinese Breast Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignant cancer in China. Considering the specific national conditions, no evidence is available for factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination in patients with breast cancer. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey, fielded from June 21 through June 27, 2021. A total of 944 nationally representative samples of Chinese breast cancer patients participating in the survey were included. Participant surveys included questions addressing who finished COVID-19 vaccination with the question "Have you taken the COVID-19 vaccine?", and response options were "Yes" and "No". Results: Overall, 730 (77.33%) women with breast cancer were unvaccinated, and only 214 (22.67%) were vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. After adjusting for potential confounders, including both sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, we found that external support, including positive doctor suggestions (odds ratio (OR): 5.52; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.50 - 8.71; P < 0.0001), positive support from surrounding people (OR: 11.65; 95% CI: 7.57 - 17.91; P < 0.0001), and negative initiative from the community (OR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.06 - 0.35; P < 0.0001), was associated with COVID-19 vaccination rates among breast cancer patients. These results remain stable in subgroup analyses. We found that most participants (82.52%) understood the necessity of COVID-19 vaccinations in China was strong; however, the recognition regarding the COVID-19 vaccine showed different patterns between vaccinated and unvaccinated participants. Conclusions: Our findings suggest external support, including vaccination suggestions from surgeons or oncologists, vaccination suggestions from associated people, and residents' committee mandated vaccinations, was associated with the COVID-19 vaccination rates. Interventions regarding these factors and improving publicity as well as education regarding COVID-19 vaccines among breast cancer patients are warranted.

Trade for Food Security: The Stability of Global Agricultural Trade Networks.

Global food production is facing increasing uncertainties under climate change and the coronavirus pandemic, provoking challenges and severe concerns to national food security. The role of global agricultural trade in bridging the imbalance between food supply and demand has come to the fore. However, the impact of multifaceted and dynamic factors, such as trade policies, national relations, and epidemics, on the stability of the agricultural trade network (ATN) needs to be better addressed. Quantitatively, this study estimated grouping characteristics and network stability by analyzing the changing global ATN from 1986 to 2018. We found that the evolution of global agricultural trade communities has gone through four stages: the dominance of the US-Asian community, the rise of the European-African community, the formation of tri-pillar communities, and the development of a multipolar community with a more complex structure. Despite witnessing a progressive increase in the nodal stability of the global ATN during the decades, particular gaps can still be found in stability across countries. Specifically, the European community achieved stability of 0.49 and its trade relations were effectively secured. Meanwhile, the remaining leading communities' stability shows a stable and upward trend, albeit with more significant challenges in trade relations among some of them. Therefore, how to guarantee the stability of trade relations and strengthen the global ATN to resist external shocks has become an essential question to safeguard global food security.

Towards a global One Health index: a potential assessment tool for One Health performance.

BACKGROUND: A One Health approach has been increasingly mainstreamed by the international community, as it provides for holistic thinking in recognizing the close links and inter-dependence of the health of humans, animals and the environment. However, the dearth of real-world evidence has hampered application of a One Health approach in shaping policies and practice. This study proposes the development of a potential evaluation tool for One Health performance, in order to contribute to the scientific measurement of One Health approach and the identification of gaps where One Health capacity building is most urgently needed. METHODS: We describe five steps towards a global One Health index (GOHI), including (i) framework formulation; (ii) indicator selection; (iii) database building; (iv) weight determination; and (v) GOHI scores calculation. A cell-like framework for GOHI is proposed, which comprises an external drivers index (EDI), an intrinsic drivers index (IDI) and a core drivers index (CDI). We construct the indicator scheme for GOHI based on this framework after multiple rounds of panel discussions with our expert advisory committee. A fuzzy analytical hierarchy process is adopted to determine the weights for each of the indicators. RESULTS: The weighted indicator scheme of GOHI comprises three first-level indicators, 13 second-level indicators, and 57 third-level indicators. According to the pilot analysis based on the data from more than 200 countries/territories the GOHI scores overall are far from ideal (the highest score of 65.0 out of a maximum score of 100), and we found considerable variations among different countries/territories (31.8-65.0). The results from the pilot analysis are consistent with the results from a literature review, which suggests that a GOHI as a potential tool for the assessment of One Health performance might be feasible. CONCLUSIONS: GOHI-subject to rigorous validation-would represent the world's first evaluation tool that constructs the conceptual framework from a holistic perspective of One Health. Future application of GOHI might promote a common understanding of a strong One Health approach and provide reference for promoting effective measures to strengthen One Health capacity building. With further adaptations under various scenarios, GOHI, along with its technical protocols and databases, will be updated regularly to address current technical limitations, and capture new knowledge.

JC virus-induced progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a presumably healthy patient.

BACKGROUND: JC virus (JCV) is common among healthy individuals and remains latent but may be reactivated under immunosuppressive conditions, resulting in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Here, we present a rare case of PML caused by JC virus infection in a previously healthy and immunocompetent patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old female without any disease history was admitted after presenting with rapidly progressive dementia. The preoperative diagnosis was progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and corticosteroid treatment did not improve the symptoms. Brain lesions were surgically sampled, and JCV infection was confirmed by high-throughput DNA gene detection. This patient received a combined treatment of mirtazapine, mefloquine, and traditional Chinese herbs, and had stabilization of the disease on followed-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is a rare, this case demonstrates that JC virus infection within the brain occurs in apparently healthy people. This case may increase our understanding of virus infection when facing the coronavirus epidemic in recent years, considering that similar medications were used.

COVID-19 vaccination boosts the potency and breadth of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 among recovered patients in Wuhan.

The immunity of patients who recover from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could be long lasting but persist at a lower level. Thus, recovered patients still need to be vaccinated to prevent reinfection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or its mutated variants. Here, we report that the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine can stimulate immunity in recovered patients to maintain high levels of anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) and anti-nucleocapsid protein (NP) antibody titers within 9 months, and high neutralizing activity against the prototype, Delta, and Omicron strains was observed. Nevertheless, the antibody response decreased over time, and the Omicron variant exhibited more pronounced resistance to neutralization than the prototype and Delta strains. Moreover, the intensity of the SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cell response was also increased in recovered patients who received COVID-19 vaccines. Overall, the repeated antigen exposure provided by inactivated COVID-19 vaccination greatly boosted both the potency and breadth of the humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, effectively protecting recovered individuals from reinfection by circulating SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

Correlation coefficient-directed label-free characterization of native proteins by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Investigation of proteins in their native state is the core of proteomics towards better understanding of their structures and functions. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has shown its unique advantages in protein characterization with fingerprint information and high sensitivity, which makes it a promising tool for proteomics. It is still challenging to obtain SERS spectra of proteins in the native state and evaluate the native degree. Here, we constructed 3D physiological hotspots for a label-free dynamic SERS characterization of a native protein with iodide-modified 140 nm Au nanoparticles. We further introduced the correlation coefficient to quantitatively evaluate the variation of the native degree, whose quantitative nature allows us to explicitly investigate the Hofmeister effect on the protein structure. We realized the classification of a protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants in 15 min, which has not been achieved before. This study offers an effective tool for tracking the dynamic structure of proteins and biomedical research.

Mediastinal Emphysema, Giant Bulla, and Pneumothorax Developed during the Course of COVID-19 Pneumonia.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is a recent outbreak in mainland China and has rapidly spread to multiple countries worldwide. Pulmonary parenchymal opacities are often observed during chest radiography. Currently, few cases have reported the complications of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. We report a case where serial follow-up chest computed tomography revealed progression of pulmonary lesions into confluent bilateral consolidation with lower lung predominance, thereby confirming COVID-19 pneumonia. Furthermore, complications such as mediastinal emphysema, giant bulla, and pneumothorax were also observed during the course of the disease.

High-performance multifunctional electrospun fibrous air filter for personal protection: A review.

With the increasingly serious air pollution and the rampant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), preparing high-performance air filter to achieve the effective personal protection has become a research hotspot. Electrospun nanofibrous membrane has become the first choice of air filter because of its small diameter, high specific surface area and porosity. However, improving the filtration performance of the filter only cannot meet the personal needs: it should be given more functions based on high filtration performance to maximize the personal benefits, called, multifunctional, which can also be easily realized by electrospinning technology, and has attracted much attention. In this review, the filtration mechanism of high-performance electrospun air filter is innovatively summarized from the perspective of membrane. On this basis, the specific preparation process, advantages and disadvantages are analyzed in detail. Furthermore, other functions required for achieving maximum personal protection benefits are introduced specifically, and the existing high-performance electrospun air filter with multiple functions are summarized. Finally, the challenges, limitations, and development trends of manufacturing high-performance air filter with multiple functions for personal protection are presented.

Transcriptome and targeted metabolome analysis revealed the effects of combined red and blue light on the growth and secondary metabolism of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a medicinal plant commonly used in China and other parts of East Asia. A high flavonoid content endows it with multiple beneficial biological activities that have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-COVID19 properties. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been recognized as effective artificial lights to enhance plant growth and the accumulation of secondary metabolites for commercial plant production. However, little is known regarding the effects of LEDs on S. baicalensis. Here, we explored the effects of monochromatic blue light (B, 460 nm), monochromatic red light (R, 660 nm), white light (CK), and different combinations of R and B (R9B1, R7B3, R5B5, R3B7, and R1B9) on the growth of, and flavonoid accumulation in S. baicalensis. The results revealed that under R:B ratios of 9:1 or 7:3, the whole plant and roots of S. baicalensis seedlings had a higher biomass and flavonoid content. Targeted metabolomics analysis showed that 48 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were verified between different groups, and the number of upregulated DEMs, particularly flavonoids, were higher in the R9B1 and R7B3 groups compared with the CK. Transcriptome data identified 1412 and 1508 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the R9B1 and R7B3 groups, respectively, in contrast to the CK. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that DEGs in both the R9B1 and R7B3 groups were primarily enriched in the phenylpropane biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, flavonoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, galactose metabolism, cartenoid biosynthesis, zeatin biosynthesis, and nitrogen metabolism pathways. The qRT-PCR results showed that SbPAL, SbCLL-7, SbCHI, SbFNS, and SbOMT encoding enzymes for the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were significantly upregulated in S. baicalensis, which was consistent with the transcriptome data. Finally, based on correlation analysis between the main flavonoids in S. baicalensis and the genes encoding transcription factors and enzymes for the flavonoid metabolism pathway, a co-expression network map was developed, which provided a basis for the mining of light responsive genes related to flavonoids biosynthesis in S. baicalensis. This is the first report to articulate how the combination of red light and blue light influences the growth and secondary metabolism of S. baicalensis.

Creating a Machine Learning Tool to Predict Acute Kidney Injury in African American Hospitalized Patients.

Machine learning (ML) has been used to build high-performance prediction models in the past without considering race. African Americans (AA) are vulnerable to acute kidney injury (AKI) at a higher eGFR level than Caucasians. AKI increases mortality, length of hospital stays, and incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We aimed to establish an ML-based prediction model for the early identification of AKI in hospitalized AA patients by utilizing patient-specific factors in an ML algorithm to create a predictor tool. This is a single-center, retrospective chart review. We included participants 18 years or older and admitted to an urban academic medical center. Two hundred participants were included in the study. Our ML training set provided a result of 77% accuracy for the prediction of AKI given the attributes collected. For the test set, AKI was accurately predicted in 71% of participants. The clinical significance of this model can lead to great advancements in the care of AA patients and provide practitioners avenues to optimize their therapy of choice in AAs when given AKI risk ahead of time.

Psychosocial Determinants of Hand Hygiene, Facemask Wearing, and Physical Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene, facemask wearing, and physical distancing play a crucial role in the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying the key psychosocial determinants of these precautionary behaviors contributes to effective intervention and policymaking for COVID-19 and future pandemics. PURPOSE: This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze available evidence on psychosocial determinants of the general population's practice of three precautionary behaviors, based on the Risk, Attitudes, Norms, Abilities, and Self-regulation (RANAS) framework. METHODS: Literature was identified by searching seven databases and relevant review papers. Observational and experimental studies targeting the general population (≥18 years) published between January 2020 to September 2021 were included. Pooled effect sizes were calculated with the inverse-variance method using random-effects models. RESULTS: A total of 51 studies (64 samples) were included in the qualitative synthesis, of which 30 studies (42 samples) were included in the meta-analysis. RANAS-based constructs including knowledge, pros attitudes, and perceived norms were identified as significant determinants of all three behaviors in the meta-analysis. Perceived susceptibility and cons attitudes showed no significant associations with any behaviors. Perceived severity, perceived control, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention were significantly associated with one or two behaviors. Country (western vs. eastern hemispheres) significantly moderated the effects of certain risk and ability factors. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed with respect to the intention-behavior relationship, self-regulatory and reflexive factors of precautionary behaviors, as well as the exploration of the potential moderating effect of sociodemographic factors.

Identifying the psychosocial factors affecting the practice of three precautionary behaviors (hand hygiene, facemask wearing, and physical distancing) contributes to effective intervention and policymaking for the COVID-19 and future pandemics. Given the lack of summarized evidence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Through seven databases and relevant review papers, we summarized the research findings of 51 observational studies that targeted the general population (≥18 years) and were published between January 2020 and September 2021. We found that (a) more knowledge, positive behavioral attitudes, and better compliance with the norms were associated with better practices of all three precautionary behaviors; (b) perceived susceptibility to the disease and negative behavioral attitudes were not associated with any precautionary behaviors; (c) higher levels of perceived disease severity, perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention were associated with better practices of one or two behaviors. In addition, we found that country (western vs. eastern hemispheres) differed in the relationship between psychosocial factors and behavioral practices. Specifically, both the association of perceived susceptibility with hand hygiene and the association of perceived severity with physical distancing were stronger among western populations. In contrast, the contribution of self-efficacy on the practice of physical distancing was stronger among eastern populations.

Pediatric Myopia Progression During the COVID-19 Pandemic Home Quarantine and the Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has made many countries adopt restrictive measures like home quarantine. Children were required to study at home, which made parents worried about the rapid myopic progression of their children. To compare myopia progression during the COVID-19 pandemic home quarantine with the time before it and risk factors of myopia progression, we conducted this study. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to find literature from December 2019 to March 2022 related to COVID-19 pandemic home quarantine and children's myopia progression. Outcomes of myopia progression included axial length and spherical equivalent refraction. Factors of digital screen device time and outdoor activity time were analyzed. Results: Ten studies were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to the same period before the COVID-19 pandemic, spherical equivalent refraction decreased (OR = -0.27; 95% CI = [-0.33, -0.21]; Z = 8.42; P < 0.00001). However, the subgroup analysis showed that there were no significant differences in spherical equivalent refraction between the two groups in higher-grade school-aged children (grades 4 and above, 11 to 18 years old) (OR = 0.01; 95% CI = [-0.05, 0.07]; Z =0.4; P = 0.69). The outcome of axial length showed no significant difference (OR = 0.06; 95% CI = [-0.31, 0.44]; Z = 0.34; P = 0.74). As for risk factors, the forest plots showed that digital screen device time (OR = 4.56; 95% CI = [4.45, 4.66]; Z = 85.57; P < 0.00001) and outdoor activity time (OR = -1.82; 95% CI = [-2.87, -0.76]; Z = 3.37; P = 0.0008) were risk factors of myopia progression. Conclusion: Compared with the time before the COVID-19 pandemic, myopia progression in children during COVID-19 pandemic home quarantine was accelerated, especially in younger children. Increased digital screen device and decreased outdoor activity times were risk factors. When home quarantine eases, more time on outdoor activities and less time on digital screen devices are needed for children. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/logout.php.

Fertility Intention Among Chinese Reproductive Couples During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study.

A decline in the fertility rate has been observed worldwide, which hampers social development severely. Given the impacts of COVID-19 on individuals and society, it is of great significance to investigate the fertility intention of reproductive couples under COVID-19. The convenience sampling method was used to obtain our study sample. The self-administered questionnaire included the following components: sociodemographic characteristics (age, residence, education, occupation, characteristics of the couples, and annual household income), reproductive history (parity, number of children, child gender, and duration of preparing pregnancy), and attitudes toward COVID-19, was distributed online via an applet of WeChat. The results showed that among 4,133 valid questionnaires, 1,091 had fertility intention before COVID-19, whereas 3,042 did not, indicating a fertility intention rate of 26.4% among participating couples. Of the 1,091 couples who had fertility intention before COVID-19, 520 (47.7%) were affected by the outbreak, whereas 571 (52.3%) were not. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, we further found that couples living in Hubei Province, the epicenter in China (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.35-3.60), and couples who prepared for pregnancy longer before COVID-19 (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.33) were more likely to change their fertility intention under the pandemic. In addition, most of the participants reported their fertility intention was affected by the inconvenience of seeking medical service under COVID-19. Therefore, more forms of medical services to provide convenience for patients might be effective ways to reverse the declined fertility intention rate in facing COVID-19.

Identification of tumor antigens and immune subtypes of glioma for mRNA vaccine development.

Recent evidence suggested that the mRNA vaccine has been effective for many tumors, but its progress in gliomas was slow. In this study, we screened potential tumor antigens and suitable populations for mRNA vaccine to develop mRNA vaccine for glioma. We integrated the normalized RNA sequencing expression data and somatic mutation data from TCGA-GBM, TCGA-LGG, and CGGA datasets. Putative antigens in glioma were identified by selecting highly mutated genes with intimate correlation with clinical survival and immune infiltration. An unsupervised partition around medoids algorithm was utilized to stably cluster the patients into five different immune subtypes. Among them, IS1/2 was cold tumor with low tumor mutation burden (TMB), immunogenic cell death (ICDs), and immune checkpoints (ICPs), and IS4/5 was hot tumor with high TMB, ICDs, and ICPs. Monocle3 package was used to evaluate the immune status similarity and evolution in glioma, which identified cluster IS2A/2B within IS2 subtype to be more suitable vaccination receivers. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified five hub immune genes as the biomarkers of patients' immune status in glioma. In conclusion, NAT1, FRRS1, GTF2H2C, BRCA2, GRAP, NR5A2, ABCB4, ZNF90, ERCC6L, and ZNF813 are potential antigens suitable for glioma mRNA vaccine. IS1/2A/2B are suitable for mRNA vaccination.