Multicenter post-marketing clinical evaluation on the clinical performance of the five domestic fast nucleic acid detection reagents for 2019-nCoV

Objective This multicenter clinical evaluation analyzed the clinical performance of five fast nucleic acid detection systems for 2019-nCoV. Methods Clinical performance of the five fast nucleic acid detection reagents approved in China was evaluated in the present study. Fifty-seven throat swabs samples from COVID-19 patients and fifteen throat swabs samples from healthy people were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University school of Medicine, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of HUST, and National Institute of Viral Disease Control and Prevention of CDC to evaluate the positive coincidence rate, negative coincidence rate, total coincidence rate, the detection time and retest rate as well as the relation between positive intensity and positive coincidence rate of the five fast nucleic acid detection systems in November 2020. Results The positive coincidence rates of the five kits were 92.59% (50/54), 83.64% (46/55), 98.25% (56/57), 94.44% (51/54) and 98.18% (54/55);and the negative coincidence rates were 93.33% (14/15), 93.33% (14/15), 86.67% (13/15), 100% (14/14) and 93.33% (14/15);and the total coincidence rates were 92.75% (64/69), 85.71% (60/70), 95.83% (69/72), 94.20% (65/69) and 97.14% (68/70), respectively. The positive coincidence rate of the five kits reached 100% for the strong-positive (90/90) and medium-positive samples (84/84), but only 82.18% (83/101) for weak-positive samples (cycle threshold value>33), and the retest rate of two kits were 15.28% (11/72) and 12.50% (9/72), which were both higher than 10%. Total time from sample extraction to amplification was between 32.33-65.33 minutes for these five kits. Conclusion The five fast nucleic acid detection reagents have good performance and can be used as a supplement to routine nucleic acid detection reagents.

Pandemic Nationalism: Use of Government Social Media for Political Information and Belief in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories in China

The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed a torrent of conspiracy theories across different social media platforms. Parallel to this conspiracy wave was a heightened sense of nationalism, which manifested through both in-group solidarity and perceived out-group threats. In this study, we examine how individuals' use of government social media to gather political information correlated with nation-related conspiracy beliefs during the pandemic. Data were collected from 745 subjects in China and analyzed through path analyses, which allowed us to examine the direct association with political information consumption from government social media and the indirect association with nationalism on conspiracy beliefs. The results indicated that the use of government social media to gather political information was associated with greater beliefs in nation-variant COVID-19 conspiracies, both directly and through different mediations of nationalism. Our findings highlight the importance of examining government social media use and how nationalism can have differentiated mediation effects on beliefs in conspiracy theories. © The Author(s) 2023.

Simulation analysis of passengers' rescheduling strategies in metro station under COVID-19

The spread of COVID-19 has a great impact on public transport which is closely related to social life. As an essential carrier of the cities, metro has become an important object of concern during the epidemic. Due to the high infection risk of COVID-19 in public space, it is necessary to quantitatively evaluate and perform corresponding epidemic control measures on reducing public health risks in metro station. In this paper, three strategies of passenger rescheduling, i.e. controlling the flows of inbound and outbound passengers in the station, setting route guidance in the crucial areas and shortening the interval time of train, are simulated and analyzed based on Anylogic. The performances of different strategies are characterized and evaluated by the important parameters, which include local passengers' density, inbound and outbound time. Finally, the optimization experiments based on an objective function are carried out to obtain the best strategy combination considering passengers' health safety and travel efficiency. The crucial areas with high density are obtained from the simulation results of the initial model. The three independent strategies are helpful in reducing the maximum passengers' density and average travel time. The optimization results of strategy combination and the specific parameters of each strategy are obtained by the final simulation experiment. The research findings are important reference to enhance the present health risk management level and provide specific measures of passenger organization in metro station under COVID-19. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

Bioinformatics and system biology approach to identify the influences of COVID-19 on primary sjogren's syndrome patients

Background: Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disease in which existing studies have found the presence of pSS-specific antibodies anti-SSA/ Ro in acute infection with COVID-19.1 The emergence of this phenomenon makes us aware that in the context of the long-term epidemic of COVID-19, it is necessary to further study the molecular mechanisms of the high susceptibility of pSS patients to COVID-19. Method(s): The gene expression profiles of 8 COVID-19 datasets and 5 pSS datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between COVID-19 and PSS were identified using the limma software package and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). A Venn diagram was used to discover common upregulated DEGs. To explore the possible pathogenesis of both diseases, common signaling pathways were explored by enriching DEGs using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) pathway. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were established to identify hub genes and key modules. The analysis of key gene expression characteristics by The Connectivity Map was used to predict potentially effective drugs. Finally, the CIBERSORT method was used to comprehensively evaluate the immune infiltrates of patients with COVID-19 and PSS to study the mechanisms that may have a common immune response or immune cell infiltration. Result(s): A total of 82 upregulated DEGs were identified in both COVID-19 and PSS (Figure 1 A-E). Functional enrichment analysis illustrated the important role of enhanced signaling pathways in response to virus defense and interferon-alpha in both diseases (Figure 1F).Three key modules including 25 hub genes were identified (Figure 1G). The correlation analysis of immune cell infiltration showed the expression of B cells memory resting decreased and NK cells resting increased significantly in the two diseases (Figure 1H, I). Finally, estradiol in drug prediction outcomes has been shown to reduce susceptibility to COVID-19 and its severity through its involvement in regulating immune cells, while the most common manifestation of dry eye in pSS patients is strongly associated with low estrogen. Conclusion(s): High defense response to virus and response to interferon-alpha in pSS patients might be a crucial susceptible factor for COVID-19 and predictive drugs such as estradiol, suggested by susceptibility genes common to COVID-19 and pSS, may help in the clinical treatment of both diseases.

Longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on SMEs: follow-up research in Sichuan Province, China

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are continuing to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as it moves into its third year. The 'dynamic COVID-zero' policy adopted in China from August 2021 to the end of 2022 has inevitably put pressure on local SMEs, which makes the situation in Chinese SMEs not only different from the situation during the initial outbreak, but also unique in the world. In July 2022, an online follow-up questionnaire was conducted on SMEs in Sichuan Province to assess their performances, pressures, and requirements in this particular period of time and compare the results with our findings from 2020 to reveal the longer-term impacts of COVID-19. It was found that: (1) most SMEs had poorer revenue and profit performances;(2) while the pressure of increasing production cost and declining market demand has increased significantly, normal productions and operations are no longer as strongly disturbed;(3) SMEs require more financial support but less operating and employment subsidies;(4) and the SMEs' overall confidence has recovered and the willingness to invest is rising. The situation in different sectors was also analysed and compared, with the results revealing problems within the tertiary industrial sector (wholesale and retail businesses).

Study on acquired infection of patients in waiting space of fever clinic

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, high numbers of patients with respiratory symptoms flock to fever clinic, cause overcrowding. Due to relatively densely populated space and the existing ventilation strategy, lead to space environment bearing capacity lose efficacy. The patients in waiting space are faced a high risk of cross infection. Thus, it must be strictly controlling the personnel density and fresh air dilution level, prevent SARS-COV-2 transmission though aerosols. This study takes the fever clinic of 3A Grade Hospital case, based on the monitoring results of CO2 concentration and the transport of exhaled pathogenic aerosols, predict the waiting patient's cross infection risk in crowded space. Computational fluid dynamics simulations and agent social force behaviour model were used. When the number of fever clinic reaches the upper limit of theoretical capacity, under the three ventilation types, average exposure risk in different areas of waiting space were studied. Results show that when the infector is located at the front of the waiting corridor (upwind direction of natural ventilation), when there is only natural ventilation, the difference of average intake fraction in the three areas of waiting space is small, that is, the correlation between distance and exposure is small. Our results also show that when ceiling air conditioner ventilation and natural ventilation are coupled, the dilution effect is significantly lower than that of natural ventilation in the front and rear area, and higher than only run mechanical ventilation. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Application of XOLAIR® (Omalizumab) in adolescent refractory chest tightness variant asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma can manifest in a variety of clinical phenotypes like cough variant asthma, chest tightness variant asthma (CTVA), and masked asthma. Patients with CTVA usually have a singular or primary complaint of chest tightness, which is often overlooked or misdiagnosed due to the lack of characteristic asthma symptoms. We hereby report a case of CTVA managed by omalizumab. CASE REPORT: A 15-year-old female patient reported to us with repeated coughing persisting for 3 weeks. Initial treatment with standard asthma drugs had minimal effect. Later during the disease, chest tightness became the primary symptom, and she was managed with steroids, ß2 receptor agonists, and leukotriene receptor agonists but without complete relief. Based on clinical signs and symptoms, the response to baseline drugs, and results of bronchial provocation test, the diagnosis was revised to CTVA, and the patient was started on Omalizumab in addition to baseline drugs, which significantly improved her condition. CONCLUSIONS: CTVA is difficult to diagnose due to its insidious symptoms and poor characteristics. Improper treatment can lead to uncontrolled disease, negative psychological issues, and reduced quality of life. Comprehensive assessment of children's airway inflammation level, lung function, bronchial provocation test, and responsiveness to drug therapy should be performed for accurate diagnosis. Omalizumab in combination with standard drugs can significantly improve the outcomes of CTVA.

Effects of non-drug interventions on depression, anxiety and sleep in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) suffer from anxiety, depression and sleep disorders due to isolation treatment, among other reasons. Whether non-drug interventions can be alternative therapies for COVID-19 patients with anxiety, depression and sleep disorders is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review to evaluate the effects of non-drug interventions on anxiety, depression and sleep in patients with COVID-19 to provide guidance for clinical application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the following databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from December 2019 to July 2020: China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), Wanfang, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase. Two investigators independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 5 articles with 768 subjects were included. Meta-analysis results indicated that non-drug interventions can reduce anxiety [SMD=-1.40, 95% CI (-1.62, -1.17), p<0.00001] and depression [SMD=-1.22, 95% CI (-2.01, -0.43), p=0.002] scores in patients with COVID-19. Descriptive analysis indicated that non-drug interventions can improve the sleep status of COVID-19 patients. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the meta-analysis results were stable. Egger's test and Begg's test showed no publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis found that non-drug interventions can reduce the anxiety and depression scores of patients with COVID-19. Due to the limitations of this study, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the findings, especially the effect of non-drug interventions on improving the sleep status of COVID-19 patients.

[Expanding the pandemic influenza preparedness framework to the epidemic of COVID-19].

On March 11, 2020, WHO officially declared that COVID-19 had become Pandemic. As of March 31, the epidemic had affected more than 178 countries and regions, with more than 780 000 confirmed cases. The Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework for the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits (the 'PIP Framework' or 'Framework') is an international arrangement adopted by the World Health Organization in May 2011 to improve global pandemic influenza preparedness and response. Since the transmission route and transmission capacity of COVID-19 are similar to that of influenza A (H1N1) in 2009, which conforms to the basic elements of "human pandemic", and the epidemic scale has exceeded that of influenza A (H1N1)， it is probable to incorporate COVID-19 epidemic response into PIPF, and at the same time to verify and improve PIPF in practice. It is recommended that WHO, other international organizations and relevant countries make full use of the PIPF system to respond to the epidemic and better coordinate national actions at the global level. At the same time, China should also make the planning and deploy of domestic epidemic prevention and control and international epidemic cooperation under the framework.

[Nursing strategies for the facial skin injuries caused by wearing medical-grade protective equipment].

For effective resistance to virus attack and infection and reducing virus transmission chance, it is extremely important for the medical staff and related workers to have their own safe protection. The paper summarizes the occurrence causes, common locations, and prevention ways about the device related pressure ulcers on the face resulted from wearing medical-grade protective equipment for a long working time. The paper proposes the prevention and nursing strategies for device related pressure ulcers and other related skin injuries during application of medical-grade protective equipment. The paper aims to provide reference for the prevention and nursing of device related pressure ulcers and related skin diseases for clinical medical staff, especially to the respectable personnel in front line of fighting against coronavirus disease 2019.

Clinical characteristics and radiological features of children infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus.

AIM: To identify and summarise the common findings from 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infections in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical characteristics and radiological findings (chest radiography and chest computed tomography [CT]) of nine children infected with the 2019-nCoV were reviewed in this retrospective case series. RESULTS: Among the children, six had fever (including two children with cough), one had only cough, one had a stuffy nose when initially diagnosed, and one was an asymptomatic carrier. Chest radiographs seemed mostly normal in six cases whereas increased and/or disordered bilateral bronchovascular shadows and dense hilar shadows were seen in three cases. Chest CT exhibited no obvious abnormal signs in four cases. Typical CT findings included patchy, peripheral ground-grass opacities, subpleural lamellar dense shadows, and parenchymal bands. Pleural effusions, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, cavitation, and pleural thickening were absent. CONCLUSION: The clinical manifestations and radiological findings of the 2019-nCoV-infected children were mild and lacked a typical pattern.

Successful treatment of COVID-19 using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a case report.

Since the end of 2019, COVID-19 has been prevalent in Wuhan, China, and has been rapidly spreading to mainland China. Currently, more than 80,000 people have been infected, of which over 10,000 were severely ill and had characteristics of dyspnea and hypoxemia about one week after onset. Severe patients had rapidly progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), causing multiple organ failures and even death, with a mortality rate of nearly 4.3%. The treatment of severe COVID-19 patients has been rarely reported. This study reported a successful example of a severe COVID-19 patient with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) technology in our hospital. This experience revealed that the early application of ECMO can dramatically promote the recovery of severe COVID-19 patients.