Consensus of Chinese experts on the work and demonstration of online Balint groups working committee on doctor-patient relationship, Chinese psychiatrist association, Chinese medical doctor association.

Balint group helps health professionals to get emotional support and different perspectives of feedback, inspire reflection, and alleviate job burnout. During the outbreak of COVID-19, it was difficult for medical staff to carry out the traditional form of in person Balint group. Referring to the work of international pilot online Balint group, leaders of Balint group all over China have accumulated some experience and encountered new problems by using the internet to carry out discussion. In order to assist and standardize the work of online Balint group and enrich the ways of expanding Balint work, the Working Committee on Doctor-patient Relationship, Chinese Psychiatrist Association, Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to have two rounds of discussion, and developed the consensus on: Principles and forms of online Balint group, the way of using web platforms for demonstration and learning, matters needing attention, the future development, and so on.Copyright © 2021, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All rights reserved.

Boosting Low-Resource Biomedical QA via Entity-Aware Masking Strategies

Biomedical question-answering (QA) has gained increased attention for its capability to provide users with high-quality information from a vast scientific literature. Although an increasing number of biomedical QA datasets has been recently made available, those resources are still rather limited and expensive to produce. Transfer learning via pre-trained language models (LMs) has been shown as a promising approach to leverage existing general-purpose knowledge. However, fine-tuning these large models can be costly and time consuming, often yielding limited benefits when adapting to specific themes of specialised domains, such as the COVID-19 literature. To bootstrap further their domain adaptation, we propose a simple yet unexplored approach, which we call biomedical entity-aware masking (BEM). We encourage masked language models to learn entity-centric knowledge based on the pivotal entities characterizing the domain at hand, and employ those entities to drive the LM fine-tuning. The resulting strategy is a downstream process applicable to a wide variety of masked LMs, not requiring additional memory or components in the neural architectures. Experimental results show performance on par with state-of-the-art models on several biomedical QA datasets.

Natural Language Inference with Self-Attention for Veracity Assessment of Pandemic Claims

We present a comprehensive work on automated veracity assessment from dataset creation to developing novel methods based on Natural Language Inference (NLI), focusing on misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We first describe the construction of the novel PANACEA dataset consisting of heterogeneous claims on COVID-19 and their respective information sources. The dataset construction includes work on retrieval techniques and similarity measurements to ensure a unique set of claims. We then propose novel techniques for automated veracity assessment based on Natural Language Inference including graph convolutional networks and attention based approaches. We have carried out experiments on evidence retrieval and veracity assessment on the dataset using the proposed techniques and found them competitive with SOTA methods, and provided a detailed discussion.

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.

Consensus of Chinese experts on the work and demonstration of online Balint groups working committee on doctor-patient relationship, Chinese psychiatrist association, Chinese medical doctor association

Balint group helps health professionals to get emotional support and different perspectives of feedback, inspire reflection, and alleviate job burnout. During the outbreak of COVID-19, it was difficult for medical staff to carry out the traditional form of in person Balint group. Referring to the work of international pilot online Balint group, leaders of Balint group all over China have accumulated some experience and encountered new problems by using the internet to carry out discussion. In order to assist and standardize the work of online Balint group and enrich the ways of expanding Balint work, the Working Committee on Doctor-patient Relationship, Chinese Psychiatrist Association, Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to have two rounds of discussion, and developed the consensus on: Principles and forms of online Balint group, the way of using web platforms for demonstration and learning, matters needing attention, the future development, and so on. © 2021, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All rights reserved.

Application of sars-cov-2 antibody sample panel in quality evaluation of test cassettes for colloidal gold lateral flow assay

Objective To establish a SARS-CoV-2 antibody sample panel and apply to the quality evaluation of test cassettes for colloidal gold lateral flow assay. Methods SARS-CoV-2 antibody sample panel was established with the convalescent plasma samples from patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and optimized. Suggestions for modification were put forward on the sample panels from three manufacturers (S, L and H), and the test cassettes after modification were analyzed and compared. Results The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and Youden index of cassette from manufacturer S were 92. 54%, 90. 78%, 100% and 0. 908 respectively, while the positive test region was light in color and not easy to be recognized. However, after modification, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were 95. 35%, 98. 91%, 97. 19% and 0. 943 respectively, while the color of positive test region was developed obviously and easy to be recognized. The sensitivity of cassette from manufacturer L was only 14. 28% before modification, while the positive test region was unobvious in color, indicating a high missed detection rate. However, after modification, the sensitivity for IgM was 98. 63% , while the color of positive test region was developed obviously and rapidly. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Youden index were 98. 08%, 100. 00%, 98. 90% and 0. 981 for IgG, while were 84. 50%, 86. 49%, 85. 71% and 0. 710 for IgM, respectively. Conclusion The developed sample panel may be used for the quality evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antiobdy detection reagents. © 2021 Changchun Institute of Biological Products. All rights reserved.

Analysis and evaluation of 670 convalescent plasma samples from patients with COVID-19 infection

Objective: To systematically analyze the 670 convalescent plasma (CP) samples from patients with coro-navirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: The plasma samples were analyzed and evaluated for routine test items including hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-l/HI V-2 antibody, Treponema pallidum (TP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as blood group, nucleic acid of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), IgG antibody, methylene blue residue and sterility. Results: A total of 121 substandard plasma samples were detected from 670 convalescent plasma samples, of which substandard IgG antibody titer accounted for the highest proportion of 7. 91%. In the turn of proportions, the blood groups were A (32. 52%), B (29. 94%), 0 (28. 886%) and AB (8. 66%). Ml the test results of nucleic acids of SARS-CoV-2 were negative. A total of 485 samples were from Wuhan, of which the highest proportion (21. 95%) were from the donors at ages of > 30 ∼ 35 years, including 264 males and 221 females. Of the high titer plasma, those at titers of not less than 1: 640 accounted for the highest proportion (77. 43%). Most of the IgG titers in plasma of common patients were not less than 1: 640 > 10 - 20 d, while were less than 1: 160 3 ∼ 10 d, after hospitalization. However, 35 plasma samples were negative for IgG antibody (at titers of less than 1: 80), in 9 of which other pathogens were detected. Conclusion: Unqualified IgG titer was the main reason for unqualified CP. The proportion of CP of group O was lower than that of the group in healthy population. The highest proportion of plasma donors in Wuhan was in the populations at ages of > 30 ∼ 35 years, which was higher in males than in females. Satisfactory immune responses were induced in most of patients in convalescence period, which removed the virus in vivo effectively. High antibody titers were induced > 10 ~ 20 d after hospitalization, making the common cases were not easy to change into severe ones. It was speculated that patients negative for IgG antibody might be infected with other pathogens. © 2020 Changchun Institute of Biological Products. All rights reserved.

Safety and efficacy of oral lopinavir/ritonavir in pediatric patients with coronavirus disease: a nationwide comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Because of the limited treatment options available, oral lopinavir/ritonavir (LPR) was used for treating coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in pediatric patients. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of LPR in COVID-19 pediatric patients with mild symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective multicenter analysis included hospitalized children with mild COVID-19 who received LPR at one of 13 hospitals in China from January 1, 2020, to June 1, 2020. Patients treated with LPR were matched with patients not treated with LPR (1:4) according to age, sex, and length of symptom onset and hospitalization. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were applied to compare differences between groups. Kaplan-Meier probability curves and Cox regression models were used to analyze nasal swab turning negative time (recovery time) and hospital discharge days. RESULTS: In total, 23 patients treated with LPR were matched with 92 untreated controls. The median age of patients was 6 years, and 56.52% of them were male. All patients were discharged from the hospital after being cured. The treatment group had a longer nasal swab turning negative time (hazard ratio [HR] 5.33; 95% CI: 1.94-14.67; p = 0.001) than the control group. LPR treatment was also associated with a longer hospitalization time (HR 2.01; 95% CI: 1.24-3.29; p = 0.005). After adjusting for the influence of LPR treatment, adverse drug reaction events were associated with a longer nasopharyngeal swab negative time (HR 4.67; 95% CI 1.35-16.11; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: For children with mild COVID-19, LPR is inferior to conventional treatment in reducing virus shedding time and hospitalization duration and is associated with increased adverse reactions.

[Impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on anxiety among the elderly in community].

Objective: To compare the prevalence of anxiety among old people before and during the COVID-19 epidemic in China, and to provide scientific evidence for psychological intervention of the elderly during public health emergencies. Methods: In 2019, the National Psychological Care Project for the Elderly was launched, covering 818 communities across the country, and 188 407 subjects received psychological assessment. In April and May 2020, a convenient sample of 6 467 aged 65 and above subjects were followed up on the anxiety status and its influencing factors during the epidemic period by using structurized questionnaire. Data collection and management were carried out using the national elderly psychological care project data collection platform. McNemar test was used to compare the difference of the prevalence of anxiety among elderly before (October 2019 to January 23, 2020) and during the epidemic (April-May 2020). The difference of the prevalence of anxiety among elderly with different characteristics was compared by chi square test. The influencing factors of anxiety before and during the epidemic situation were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms in the elderly population was 4.95% (95%CI: 4.42%-5.48%) before the outbreak of COVID-19, and 10.10% (95%CI: 9.36%-10.83%) during the epidemic which was twice as high as before the outbreak. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of anxiety symptoms before the outbreak were with one underlying disease (OR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.05-2.37), with two or more underlying diseases (OR=3.10, 95%CI: 2.13-4.51), and the protective factors were with hobbies, good relationship between children, good relationship with spouse, positive aging attitude and good psychological resilience (all P<0.05). The risk factors of developing anxiety symptoms during the epidemic were living in rural areas (OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.42-2.20), participating in social activities regularly (OR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.02-1.48), having a good relationship with friends (OR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.11-1.82) and were quarantined or people around were quarantined for medical observation (OR=2.80, 95% CI: 1.90-4.13). Conclusion: The COVID-19 epidemic leads to a double increase in anxiety among the elderly. We should pay more attention to the psychological state of the elderly in rural area and who is being quarantined or people around being quarantined for medical observation.