The Impact of Post Embryo Transfer SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Pregnancy in In Vitro Fertilization: A Prospective Cohort Study (preprint)

ImportanceLimited knowledge exists on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection after embryo transfer, despite an increasing number of studies exploring the impact of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection on IVF outcomes. ObjectiveThis prospective cohort study aimed to assess the influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at various time stages after embryo transfer on pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing conventional in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI) treatment. DesignThe study was conducted at a single public IVF center in China. SettingThis was a population-based prospective cohort study. ParticipantsFemale patients aged 20 to 39 years, with a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kg/m2, undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment, were enrolled from September 2022 to December 2022, with follow-up until March 2023. ExposureThe pregnancy outcome of patients was compared between those SARS-CoV-2-infected after embryo transfer and those noninfected during the follow-up period. Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe pregnancy outcomes included biochemical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and early miscarriage rate. ResultsA total of 857 female patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment were included in the analysis. We observed the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection within 10 weeks after embryo transfer. The biochemical pregnancy rate and implantation rate were lower in the infected group than the uninfected group (58.1% vs 65.9%; 36.6% vs 44.0%, respectively), but no statistically significant. Although, the clinical pregnancy rate was significant lower in the infection group when compared with the uninfected group (49.1%vs 58.2%, p < 0.05), after adjustment for confounders, this increased risk was no longer significant between the two groups (adjusted OR, 0.736, 95% CI, 0.518-1.046). With continued follow-up, a slightly higher risk of early miscarriage in the infected group compared to the uninfected group (9.3% vs 8.8%), but it was not significant (adjusted OR, 0.907, 95% CI, 0.414-1.986). Conclusions and RelevanceThe studys findings suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection within 10 weeks after embryo transfer may have not significantly affect pregnancy outcomes. This evidence allays concerns and provides valuable insights for assisted reproduction practices. Key pointsO_ST_ABSQuestionC_ST_ABSDid the infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after embryo transfer affect pregnancy outcomes? FindingsIn this prospective cohort study involving 857 patients, we made a pioneering discovery that SARS-CoV-2 infection following embryo transfer did not exhibit adverse impact on the biochemical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and early miscarriage rate. MeaningThe evidence from this study alleviates existing concerns and offers new insights into the actual risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection after embryo transfer in assisted reproduction.

Examining continuance intention of online learning during COVID-19 pandemic: Incorporating the theory of planned behavior into the expectation–confirmation model

COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously affected many industries in the world, including higher education. To cope with changes in the pandemic, online learning has become a prevalent means for university students to receive education. Based on the expectation-confirmation model (ECM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study aims to develop an integrated model, consisting of confirmation, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, perceived enjoyment, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and continuance intention instruments, to predict Chinese university students’ continuance intention toward online learning. Using convenience sampling, we enrolled full-time university students who have used online-learning platforms in November 2020. Data collected from 493 Chinese university students were analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation model (SEM) to test the model and hypotheses. All measurements of constructs used in this study are adapted by previous studies. The results show that perceived satisfaction, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were significantly associated with the continuance intention of online learning. Furthermore, the two components of the expectation–confirmation model (ECM), perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment, have a significant impact on the satisfaction of online learning. Notably, although confirmation of expectations had no direct impact on satisfaction, it was positively associated with perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment. Implications and limitations were discussed.

Application of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) specific antibody detection for suspected cases screening

Comparing the accuracy of antibody detection reagents which based on different principles by the diagnosis of suspected cases of new crown, propose an efficient screening plan for suspected cases, and further provide a scientific basis for establishing a clinical screening path for high-risk populations. For 76 suspected cases of COVID-19 that were transferred to designated hospitals for isolation and observation due to the initial IgM antibody test, nasopharyngeal swab nucleic acid tests, serum trace virus neutralizing antibodies and three commercially available antibody test reagents with different principles were tested, combined with lung CT and the examination and clinical symptoms or other information, comprehensively judge the diagnosis or exclusion of the new crown, and compare the three kinds of serological antibody detection reagents with the clinical judgment results to compare the detection rates of the three detection methods. Through comprehensive judgment, 3 suspected cases are confirmed cases, and 73 suspected cases are excluded cases. Compared with the clinical diagnosis/exclusion results, among the three serological antibody detection methods, the chemiluminescence total antibody kit detect positive for all the 9 serums collected from the 3 confirmed cases in different time points, the detection specificity is 97.26% for 73 excluded cases, it's significantly higher than that of the chemiluminescence method IgM/IgG and the colloidal gold method IgM/IgG Separate testing (the specificity is 73.97% on the first day of admission). The chemiluminescence method for the detection of total antibodies to the 2019-nCoV has high sensitivity and high specificity, and can be used for preliminary screening of antibody detection in suspected cases. For the screening of target populations, the 2019-nCoV nucleic acid test should be performed first. If the nucleic acid test is negative, the screening path with the detection of serum total antibodies as the main indicator should be adopted.