Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL THERAPY IN SEVERE COVID-19 PATIENTS: 2-YEAR FOLLOW-UP RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background & Aim: The long-term effects of human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment on COVID-19 patients have not been fully characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a MSC treatment administered to severe COVID-19 patients enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT 04288102). Methods, Results & Conclusion(s): A total of 100 patients experiencing severe COVID-19 received either MSC treatment (n = 65, 4x107 cells per infusion) or a placebo (n = 35) combined with standard of care on days 0, 3, and 6. Patients were subsequently evaluated 18 and 24 months after treatment to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the MSC treatment. The outcomes measured included: 6-minute walking distance (6-MWD), lung imaging, quality of life according to the Short Form 36 questionnaire, COVID-19-related symptoms, titers of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, MSC-related adverse events (AEs), and tumor markers. Two years after treatment, a marginally smaller proportion of patients had a 6-MWD below the lower limit of the normal range in the MSC group than in the placebo group (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04-0.80, Fisher's exact test, p = 0.015). On the SF-36 questionnaire, a marginally higher general health score was received by the MSC group at month 18 compared with the placebo group (50.00 vs. 35.00;95% CI: 0.00-20.00, Wilcoxon rank sum test, p = 0.016). In contrast, there were no differences in the total severity score of lung imaging or the titer of neutralizing antibodies between the two groups. Meanwhile, there were no MSC-related AEs reported at the 18- or 24-month follow-ups. The serum levels of most of the tumor markers examined remained within normal ranges and were similar between the MSC and placebo groups. Long-term safety was observed for the COVID-19 patients who received MSC treatment. Yet few sustained efficacy of MSC treatment was observed at the end of the 2-year follow-up period. Funding(s): The National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFA1105604, 2020YFC0860900), the specific research fund of The Innovation Platform for Academicians of Hainan Province (YSPTZX202216) and the Fund of National Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases, PLA General Hospital (NCRCID202105,413FZT6). [Figure presented]Copyright © 2023 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy

Implementation of radiotherapy in a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang province during the epidemic of COVID-19.

Objective: To explore the clinical practice of delivering radiotherapy during the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19). Method(s): During this epidemic period, available method including but not limited to: strict disinfection, body temperature monitoring and staff training of relevant knowledge, were used to ensure the safety of radiotherapy treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to study the relevant data including proportion of patients receiving radiotherapy for different purposes, time from scanning to the first time of radiation delivery and degree of satisfaction in the view of staffs and patients, respectively. Result(s): A total of 60 patients received radiation therapy in the department of radiotherapy of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (2020-02-11). Compared with the same period in 2019 (after the Spring Festival), the total number of patients receiving radiotherapy was decreased from 72 to 60(83.3%). Among them, the number of patients receiving palliative radiation therapy decreased significantly, while the proportion of radical, preoperative and/or postoperative radiotherapy/radiochemotherapy did not significantly decrease. There was significant difference between two years (chi2=6.967, P<0.05). The median time for newly admitted patients to receive radiotherapy was two days, which was not significantly longer than the interval in 2019 (P>0.05). Staff and patients were generally satisfied with the current prevention measures. Conclusion(s): Using a variety of prevention and control method, and taking full account of medical safety and patient benefits, radiation-related activities can be carried out during the epidemic.Copyright © 2020 by the Chinese Medical Association.

Fostering consumer engagement during an omnipresent victim crisis: understanding the role of values in pandemic-themed advertising

Many brands have launched pandemic-themed advertising campaigns, aiming to build rapport with their customers in this unprecedented moment. Yet it is challenging for brands to know how to communicate efficiently. To fill this gap, the current research aims to provide a systematic framework that could guide advertisers in designing pandemic-themed advertisements to stimulate consumer engagement on social media by examining the role of values in context-specific brand communications. In particular, we analyze a large corpus of 286 brand YouTube videos posted between the onset of the COVID-19 and the fall of 2020 through a combination of qualitative induction, coding, and big data analytics. The results demonstrate that brands can incorporate various values in their brand communications when the world is combating a victim crisis like the current pandemic. Our findings reveal that hedonism, universalism, conformity, security, and tradition values positively predict consumer engagement (i.e., commenting), whereas stimulation value negatively predicts consumer commenting. We develop a new type of victim crisis - omnipresent victim crisis - and offer a theorization of this sub-type of victim crisis to delineate the pandemic or crises alike (e.g., environmental issues) for future research. We further highlight the role of value embodiment in crisis communication and advertising literature and offer rich theoretical and practical implications.

Collection and quality characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 convalescent plasma

Objective To explore the application and safety of apheresis technology in collection of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CP), and to analyze the quality characteristics of the plasma. Methods The general data of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CP) donors, including gender, age, date of discharge or release from medical isolation, were collected based on informed consent. After physical examination, the CP was collected by apheresis technology with plasma separator, inactivated with methylene blue, and determined for severe acute respiratory symptom Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acid and specific antibody (RBD-IgG) against SARS-CoV-2. Results The collection process went well, and no serious adverse events related to plasma collection were reported during or after the collection. The average age of COVID-19 CP donors was 38 years (n = 933). The distributions of blood groups A, B, AB and 0 in RhD (+) COVID-19 CP were 33. 4%, 29. 2%, 10% and 27. 2% respectively. The plasma donation date was 18 d from the discharge date in average. All the test results of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in CP were negative, while the proportion of plasma samples at SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer of more than 1: 160 was 92. 60%. Conclusion Apheresis technology was safe and reliable. The COVID-19 CP contained high titer antibody. Large-scale collection and preparation of inactivated plasma against SARS-CoV-2 played an important role in the treatment of COVID-19.

Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements in Biomedical Field in China from 2011 to 2020

Based on the data of domestic patent transfer/license database, this paper systematically combs and analyzes the transformation of biomedical patent achievements in China. The research shows that although the conversion rate of biomedical patents in China is low at present, and the transformation in some fields lags behind obviously, after the revision of the Law of Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements in 2015, all parties actively explore a new mode of transformation of achievements, and the transformation technology trend is basically consistent with the development trend of biomedical industry, indicating that the policy effectively drives the transformation work. It is suggested that relevant departments continue to improve policies, establish a transformation ecosystem, and play a greater role in the transformation of biomedical patent achievements in epidemic prevention and control. © 2022, China Biotechnology Press. All rights reserved.

Are intravitreal injections essential during the COVID-19 pandemic? Global preferred practice patterns and practical recommendations.

Tertiary outpatient ophthalmology clinics are high-risk environments for COVID-19 transmission, especially retina clinics, where regular follow-up is needed for elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Intravitreal injection therapy (IVT) for chronic macular diseases, is one of the most common procedures performed, associated with a significant burden of care because of the vigorous treatment regimen associated with multiple investigations. While minimizing the risk of COVID-19 infection transmission is a priority, this must be balanced against the continued provision of sight-saving ophthalmic care to patients at risk of permanent vision loss. This review aims to give evidence-based guidelines on managing IVT during the COVID-19 pandemic in common macular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macula edema and retinal vascular disease and to report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected IVT practices worldwide.To illustrate some real-world examples, 18 participants in the International Retina Collaborative, from 15 countries and across four continents, were surveyed regarding pre- and during- COVID-19 pandemic IVT practices in tertiary ophthalmic centers. The majority of centers reported a reduction in the number of appointments to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 with varying changes to their IVT regimen to treat various macula diseases. Due to the constantly evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the uncertainty about the normal resumption of health services, we suggest that new solutions for eye healthcare provision, like telemedicine, may be adopted in the future when we consider new long-term adaptations required to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Time-lag rumor propagation model and rumor-refuting strategy of SEIRD under COVID-19

With the increasing popularity of the Internet and the spread of COVID-19, epidemic-related rumors have attracted significant attention, allowing them to brew quickly and pose extremely negative social impacts. It is of great significance to investigate the propagation process of online rumors and offer tentative strategies to curb it. Based on the traditional susceptible, infected, recovered (SIR) model of online rumor propagation, groups of potential and die-hard rumor believers were introduced in this paper, establishing an authoritative rumor-refuting mechanism. Meanwhile, this paper considered factors such as the time-lag effect of rumor refutation from the nonauthoritative and authoritative institutions and the impact of the popularizing rate of higher education on the propagation and refutation of rumors. As a result of the process, the SEIRD (susceptible, exposed, infected, recovered, die-hard-infected) rumor propagation model was established to study how the proportion of the susceptible, exposed, infected, recovered, and die-hard-infected varies under different popularizing rates of higher education, the presence or absence of the authoritative rumor-refuting institutions, and the time-lag effect of rumor refutation. Finally, the model's effectiveness was verified via experimental simulation, which provided a reference for controlling the spread of online rumor propagation. In addition, the paper proposed a rumor-refuting coefficient to measure the rumor-refuting ability of the nonauthoritative and authoritative institutions. The results show that (1) increasing popularizing rate of higher education significantly slows down the rumor propagation and reduces the rumor propagation peak;(2) refuting the rumors based on the authoritative institutions is decisive for the ultimate elimination of rumors;and (3) eliminating the time-lag effect in refuting rumors facilitates slowing down the propagation of the online rumors. Therefore, the paper puts forward a feasible strategy to eliminate the time-lag effect of online rumor refutation in the future. Copyright ©2022 Chinese Journal of Engineering. All rights reserved.

Exploration of dataset COVID-19's impact on airport traffic

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on airport traffic, but few works have researched about this field. In order to have a further understanding of the influence, this paper studied the dataset Covid Impact on Airport Traffic. By exploratory data analysis and visualization of the dataset, this paper has a clear insight of how the airport traffic was influenced by COVID-19. This paper also analyzed the correlation of the data with confirmed covid-19 cases using an auxiliary dataset Time series summary of global confirmed covid-19 cases and forecasted the how would the data in Covid Impact on Airport Traffic change with the number of confirmed covid-19 cases. And finally, this paper estimated the financial loss of airports. The result of this paper showed the influence of COVID-19 from multiple aspects and it has instructive significance in some degree. © COPYRIGHT SPIE. Downloading of the is permitted for personal use only.

Prediction and Analysis of COVID-19 Epidemic Situation via Modified SEIR Model with Asymptomatic Infection

This paper deals with the prediction and analysis of COVID-19 epidemic situation based on a modified SEIR model with asymptomatic infection. First, by considering the self-isolation and asymptomatic infection, a modified SEIR model is proposed to predict and evaluate the epidemic situation of COVID-19 in Hubei Province, China. Then, based on the daily data reported by the Health Commission of Hubei Province, the modified SEIR model is solved numerically, and the parameters of the modified model are inverted by the least square method. Third, based on the modified model, the epidemic situation of COVID-19 in Hubei Province is predicted and verified. The simulation results show that the modified SEIR model is significant and reliable to describe the spread property of the COVID-19, thereby providing a potential theoretical support for the decision-making of epidemic prevention and control in the future. © 2021 IEEE.

Epidemic Dynamics Analysis of COVID-19 Using a Modified SEIR Model with Symptom Classifications

The prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic is a great challenge for human beings today. In the battle against COVID-19, the hierarchical treatment measures based on symptom classifications have proved to be a particularly effective way to deal with the large-scale epidemic in the absence of adequate medical resources. This paper deals with the epidemic dynamic analyses of the COVID-19 based on a modified SEIR model with different symptoms. First, by taking symptom classifications and hierarchical treatments of patients into account, a modified SEIR model is established. Then, the proposed differential equations model is solved by using Runge-Kutta methods, and the parameters herein are estimated by least square principle based on the data released by the National Health Commission. Simulation results of the model show that the introduction of symptom classifications in the SEIR model can not only improve the fitting accuracy, but also precisely describe the evolution rules and mutual transfer rules of patients with different symptoms. The model can provide theoretical support for decision-making of the corresponding government departments, especially for the construction of mobile cabin hospitals and the reasonable preparation of important epidemic prevention resources. © 2021 Technical Committee on Control Theory, Chinese Association of Automation.

Proposing a multifaceted model for adopting prefabricated construction technology in the construction industry

Purpose: Although prefabricated construction (PC) technology has attracted considerable attention worldwide because of its significant role in the global fight against COVID-19, market-driven adoption is still limited. The mechanisms for PC technology adoption have yet to be defined, which inhibits its diffusion in the construction market. This study aims to reveal the intrinsic motivation and action mechanism for PC technology adoption. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on the technology acceptance model (TAM), the study integrates characteristics from the diffusion of innovation theory to propose a multifaceted model for explaining practitioners’ PC technology adoption behavior from technology, organization and environment contexts. The proposed theoretical model was empirically examined via a survey of 234 professionals in mainland China using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling technique. Findings: The outcomes indicated that relative advantage, corporate social responsibility and market demand are significantly positively related to practitioners’ perceived usefulness from PC technology. Regulatory support and trading partner support have noticeable positive effects on practitioners’ perceived ease of use from PC technology. Perceived ease of use is found to positively influence perceived usefulness, and both of them have a positive influence on the attitude toward adopting PC technology. Attitude is further confirmed as an important predictor of adoption intention, which would lead to actual PC technology adoption behavior. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to explore industry perceptions toward PC technology adoption, providing valuable guidance for the effective diffusion of PC technology and laying a reliable foundation for research on other construction innovation adoption in post-COVID-19. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

The U.S. monetary policy responses during Covid-19

This paper mainly discusses the U.S. monetary policy responses during Covid-19. The main contents of monetary policy incorporate prompt and powerful actions, diverse policy tools and close cooperation with fiscal policy. Through the analysis about impacts of monetary policy by IS-LM model, relevant data and literature, the conclusion is obtained that monetary policy stimulates the economic recovery in short-term, while in long-term, its effects are restricted due to tightening lockdown and the decrease in marginal propensity to consume. © 2021 ACM.

Prevalence and risk-factors of COVID-19 in pregnancy: Living systematic review and metaanalysis

Background Since the first report of COVID-19 in December 2019, there have been significant concerns regarding the effects of the disease on pregnant and recently pregnant women. Quantifying prevalence, and identifying risk factors for severe COVID-19 in this population is key to planning and providing effective clinical maternal care. Objectives To identify rates of COVID-19 amongst pregnant and recently pregnant women and to identify maternal risk factors for severe COVID-19 and worsening clinical outcomes. Design To address the objectives using the developing evidence base we are using a 'Living systematic review' study design. Methods A systematic search of various databases and sources was conducted, including: Medline, Embase, Cochrane database, WHO COVID-19 database, CNKI, Wanfang databases, preprint servers, social media, reference lists of guidelines and included studies until the 6th of October 2020. Quality assessment of prevalence studies was done using the risk of bias tool by Hoy et al. and comparative cohorts using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Data extraction was completed with a pre-piloted form by two independent reviewers. The analysis is undertaken monthly and findings are regularly updated. Results are disseminated through our website: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/who-collabora ting-centre/pregcov/index.aspx. The living systematic review process and collated database has given rise to distinct review questions, and the authors of this focused on prevalence and maternal risk factors. Random effects meta-analysis was used to determine prevalence of COVID-19 and the maternal risk factors associated with severe COVID-19. Results 192 studies were included. Overall, 10% (95% confidence interval 7% to 12%;73 studies, 67 271 women) of pregnant and recently pregnant women attending or admitted to hospital for any reason were diagnosed as having suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Increased maternal age (1.82, 1.27 to 2.63;I2 = 30.1%;7 studies;3561 women), high body mass index (2.37, 1.83 to 3.07;I2 = 0%;6 studies;3380 women), pre-existing maternal comorbidity (1.81, 1.49 to 2.20;I2 = 0%;3 studies;2634 women), chronic hypertension (2.0, 1.14 to 3.48;I2 = 0%;2 studies;858 women), pre-existing diabetes (2.12, 1.62 to 2.78;I2 = 0%;3 studies;3333 women), and pre-eclampsia (4.21, 1.26 to 14.0;I2 = 0%;4 studies;274 women) were associated with severe COVID-19 in pregnancy. Conclusions 1 in 10 pregnant or recently pregnant women attending or admitted to hospital are estimated to have COVID-19. Pre-existing co-morbidities, chronic hypertension, pre-eclampsia, pre-existing diabetes, high maternal age, and high BMI are risk factors for severe COVID-19.

Landscape of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-interacting cells in human tissues

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global pandemic. However, the mechanism of tissue tropism of SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear. Here, recombinant receptor-binding subdomain 1 of spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (RBD-SD1) was used as a probe to investigate the potential tropism of SARS-CoV-2 in thirty-three types of normal human tissues. RBD-SD1 probe was observed to interact with cells in reported SARS-CoV-2 infected organs. Interestingly, the RBD-SD1 probe strongly interacted with bone marrow cells in an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-independent manner. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 induced the ACE2 mRNA expression in human primary bone marrow cells, suggesting human bone marrow cells may be sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, human bone marrow cells could be strongly infected by SARS-CoV-2, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. These findings provide a deeper understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection routes, thus contributing to the treatment of COVID-19.

Clinical features, laboratory findings and persistence of virus in 10 children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

BACKGROUND: A pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has rapidly spread across the globe. Although many articles have established the clinical characteristics of adult COVID-19 patients so far, limited data are available for children. The aim of this study was to reveal the clinical features, laboratory findings and nucleic acid test results of ten pediatric cases. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center cohort study, pediatric cases with COVID-19 infection were consecutively enrolled in one hospital in Huangshi, China from January 1 to March 11, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 10 children with COVID-19 were recruited. Of them, four were the asymptomatic type, one was the mild type, and five were the moderate type (including two subclinical ones). All patients were from family clusters. Only fever, nasal discharge and nasal congestion were observed. Lymphopenia and leukopenia were uncommon in our sample but elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (alpha-HBDH) were observed frequently. Of these laboratory test variables, no statistical difference was identified between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. Abnormalities in radiological data were detected in five patients, and representative findings of chest CT images were patchy shadows and ground-glass opacities. There were two cases whose oropharyngeal nucleic acid tests reversed to positive after one negative result, and two patients whose oropharyngeal swabs tested negative but rectal swabs showed positive. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical symptoms were mild in children with COVID-19. Increased levels of LDH and alpha-HBDH were potential clinical biomarkers for pediatric cases. More attention should be paid to the SARS-CoV-2 viral assessment of rectal swabs before patients are discharged.

Association of radiologic findings with mortality of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China

We retrospective studied 27 consecutive patients who were confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infected pneumonia. 27 patients included 12 men and 17 women, with median age of 60 years (IQR 47-69). 17 patients discharged in recovered condition and 10 patients died in hospital. The median age of mortality group was higher compared to survival group (68 (IQR 63-73) vs 55 (IQR 35-60), P = 0.003). The comorbidity rate in mortality group was significantly higher than in survival group (80% vs 29%, P = 0.018), especially comorbid hypertension, diabetes, and cardiac disease. The predominant CT characteristics consisted of ground glass opacity (67%), bilateral sides involved (86%), both peripheral and central distribution (74%), and lower zone involvement (96%). A simple CT scoring method described before (Feng F, et al PloS one. 2014;9:e93885) was used. The median CT score of mortality group was higher compared to survival group (30 (IQR 7-13) vs 12 (IQR 11-43), P = 0.021), with more frequency of consolidation (40% vs 6%, P = 0.047) and air bronchogram (60% vs 12%, P = 0.025). Comparison of CT images between survival group (A-C) and mortality group (D-F) was shown in Fig1. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, an optimal cutoff value of a CT score of 24.5 had a sensitivity of 85.6% and a specificity of 84.5% for the prediction of mortality.

[Preliminary analysis on COVID-19 case spectrum and spread intensity in different provinces in China except Hubei province].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of COVID-19 case spectrum and spread intensity in different provinces in China except Hubei province. Methods: The daily incidence data and case information of COVID-19 were collected from the official websites of provincial and municipal health commissions. The morbidity rate, severity rate, case-fatality rate, and spread ratio of COVID-19 were calculated. Results: As of 20 March, 2020, a total of 12 941 cases of COVID-19 had been conformed, including 116 deaths, and the average morbidity rate, severity rate and case-fatality rate were 0.97/100 000, 13.5% and 0.90%, respectively. The morbidity rates in Zhejiang (2.12/100 000), Jiangxi (2.01/100 000) and Beijing (1.93/100 000) ranked top three. The characteristics of COVID-19 case spectrum varied from province to province. The first three provinces (autonomous region, municipality) with high severity rates were Tianjin (45.6%), Xinjiang (35.5%) and Heilongjiang (29.5%). The case-fatality rate was highest in Xinjiang (3.95%), followed by Hainan (3.57%) and Heilongjiang (2.70%). The average spread ratio was 0.98 and the spread intensity varied from province to province. Tibet had the lowest spread ratio (0), followed by Qinghai (0.20) and Guangdong (0.23). Conclusion: The intervention measures were effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and improved treatment effect in China. However, there were significant differences among different regions in severity, case-fatality rate and spread ratio.