Ambient fine particulate matter exposures and oxidative protein damage in early pregnant women

The association between oxidative protein damage in early pregnant women and ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is unknown. We estimated the effect of PM2.5 exposures within seven days before blood collection on serum 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in 100 women with normal early pregnancy (NEP) and 100 women with clinically recognized early pregnancy loss (CREPL). Temporally-adjusted land use regression model was applied for estimation of maternal daily PM2.5 exposure. Daily nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure of each participant was estimated using city-level concentrations of NO2. Single-day lag effect of PM2.5 was analyzed using multivariable linear regression model. Net cumulative effect and distributed lag effect of PM2.5 and NO2 within seven days were analyzed using distributed lag non-linear model. In all 200 subjects, the serum 3-NT were significantly increased with the single-day lag effects (4.72%–8.04% increased at lag 0–2), distributed lag effects (2.32%–3.49% increased at lag 0–2), and cumulative effect within seven days (16.91% increased). The single-day lag effects (7.41%–10.48% increased at lag 0–1), distributed lag effects (3.42%–5.52% increased at lag 0–2), and cumulative effect within seven days (24.51% increased) of PM2.5 significantly increased serum 3-NT in CREPL group but not in NEP group. The distributed lag effects (2.62%–4.54% increased at lag 0–2) and cumulative effect within seven days (20.25% increased) of PM2.5 significantly increased serum AOPP in early pregnant women before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic but not after that, similarly to the effects of NO2 exposures. In conclusion, PM2.5 exposures were associated with oxidative stress to protein in pregnant women in the first trimester, especially in CREPL women. Analysis of NO2 exposures suggested that combustion PM2.5 was the crucial PM2.5 component. Wearing masks may be potentially preventive in PM2.5 exposure and its related oxidative protein damage. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Free energy perturbation–based large-scale virtual screening for effective drug discovery against COVID-19

As a theoretically rigorous and accurate method, FEP-ABFE (Free Energy Perturbation-Absolute Binding Free Energy) calculations showed great potential in drug discovery, but its practical application was difficult due to high computational cost. To rapidly discover antiviral drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and TMPRSS2, we performed FEP-ABFE–based virtual screening for ∼12,000 protein-ligand binding systems on a new generation of Tianhe supercomputer. A task management tool was specifically developed for automating the whole process involving more than 500,000 MD tasks. In further experimental validation, 50 out of 98 tested compounds showed significant inhibitory activity towards Mpro, and one representative inhibitor, dipyridamole, showed remarkable outcomes in subsequent clinical trials. This work not only demonstrates the potential of FEP-ABFE in drug discovery but also provides an excellent starting point for further development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. Besides, ∼500 TB of data generated in this work will also accelerate the further development of FEP-related methods. © The Author(s) 2022.

Walkie-Talkie Maps – A Novel Method to Conduct and Visualize Remote Ethnography

The COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions, and social distancing measures have made it difficult to observe, monitor, or manage urban life. To capture the experience of being in New York City during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we used a novel method of remote ethnography to interview people who were walking the city. We developed the Walkie-Talkie Map to collect and present these interviews, enabling website visitors to see what the subject saw as they walked the route of their choice. Visitors can interactively scroll through the interview and have access to additional visualizations and imagery that contextualize the main narrative. Visitors are thus able to vicariously experience what it was like to be in New York City at the outset of the COVID-19 epidemic. This work provides a case study on how to perform observational research when geographic and bodily distance has become the norm. We discuss the advantages and limitations of our method and conclude with its contributions to the study of cities and for others looking to conduct remote observational research in different fields of knowledge. The Walkie-Talkie maps can be found on this url: https://www.socialdistancing.tech.cornell.edu/what-is-a-walike-talkie © The Author(s) 2022.

Free energy perturbation-based large-scale virtual screening for effective drug discovery against COVID-19

As a theoretically rigorous and accurate method, FEP-ABFE (Free Energy Perturbation-Absolute Binding Free Energy) calculations showed great potential in drug discovery, but its practical application was difficult due to high computational cost. To rapidly discover antiviral drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 M- pro and TMPRSS2, we performed FEP-ABFE-based virtual screening for similar to 12,000 protein-ligand binding systems on a new generation of Tianhe supercomputer. A task management tool was specifically developed for automating the whole process involving more than 500,000 MD tasks. In further experimental validation, 50 out of 98 tested compounds showed significant inhibitory activity towards M- pro , and one representative inhibitor, dipyridamole, showed remarkable outcomes in subsequent clinical trials. This work not only demonstrates the potential of FEP-ABFE in drug discovery but also provides an excellent starting point for further development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. Besides, similar to 500 TB of data generated in this work will also accelerate the further development of FEP-related methods.

Can mild cognitive impairment with depression be improved merely by exercises of recall memories accompanying everyday conversation? A longitudinal study 2016-2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out a simple cognitive intervention method to use MCI and suffering people with depression. As the elderly society increases around the world, the number of elderly people with diseases and dementia is increasing rapidly. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a pre-stage to dementia, is a critical treatment time to slow disease progression. However, there is currently no appropriate medication. Furthermore, MCI patients with depression are more difficult to treat. Design/methodology/approach: To overcome these problems, the authors confirmed improvements and delayed effects in MCI patients in this study for three years through cognitive intervention, demonstrating its effectiveness. Cognitive interventions were conducted for memory retrieval and steadily stimulated the brain by performing tasks to solve problems during daily conversations. Findings: As a result, the intervention group retained mini-mental state examination and Montreal cognitive assessment scores on the domains of cognitive function and also instrumental activities of daily living in the domain of motion compared to the non-intervention group. Moreover, significant improvements in geriatric depression scales-15 and quality-of-life scales enabled the patients to maintain stable living compared to before the intervention. In addition, the intervention group showed a change in patterns that allowed them to voluntarily devote time to going out at the end of the study. Research limitations/implications: This study was originally planned to compare the rates of transmission from MCI to dementia by tracking over five years (2016–2021). However, due to the impact of COVID-19, which began to spread around the world in 2020, further face-to-face visits and cognitive intervention became impossible. Thus, only half of the data in the existing plans were collected. Although it is difficult to present accurate results for the rate of transmission from MCI to dementia, the tendency was confirmed, indicating sufficient implications as an intervention. Originality/value: This study was originally planned to compare the rates of transmission from MCI to dementia by tracking three years (2016–2019). The authors had studied for long-term effect. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Impact of COVID-19 on Health-Related Quality-of-Life in the United States, Sweden and Norway: A Cross-Country Comparison Using a Panel Survey

Objectives: To assess and compare the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in the United States, Sweden and Norway. Methods: Two waves of web-based survey were conducted in April 2020 and January 2021 to collect demographic data, COVID-19 status, behavior and employment changes related to COVID-19 in each country (EuroQol Grant: 246-2020RA). EQ-5D-5L was used to assess health status of respondents. Results were compared between the two waves to measure changes in HRQoL. One-way ANOVA was used to detect significant differences between countries, and t-tests for differences between waves. Results: We collected 2,734, 1,003 and 1,020 responses in Wave 1, and 2,252, 1,013 and 1,011 responses in Wave 2 for the US, Sweden, and Norway respectively. Corresponding mean (SD) EQ-VAS scores were 74.6 (±19.2), 68.7 (±21.4), and 69.2 (±20.8) in Wave 1 (p<0.001), and 76.4 (±18.6), 68.2 (±20.3), and 67.8 (±21.7) in Wave 2 (p<0.001). Between waves, only the VAS scores in the US were significantly different (p<0.001). Mean (SD) utility scores were 0.822 (±0.222), 0.768 (±0.260), and 0.808 (±0.248) in wave 1 (p<0.001), and 0.823 (±0.221), 0.783 (±0.237), and 0.777 (±0.271) in wave 2 (p<0.001);there were no significant differences between waves for all three countries. Anxiety/depression was consistently the most problematic EQ-5D-5L subdomain among Swedish and Americans (>50%), followed by pain/discomfort. >45% Norwegians also reported problems in anxiety/depression subdomain in both waves. The proportions reporting problems in anxiety/depression increased in wave 2 for Sweden and Norway, but decreased for the US. Conclusions: Population HRQoL in Sweden and Norway has been similar throughout the pandemic, while a rebound in population mean VAS was observed in the US. However, the large proportions reporting problems in anxiety/depression across waves in all 3 countries indicates that mental health issues resulting from the pandemic are a major concern.

Evaluating Preferences and the Effect of Altruism on COVID-19 Vaccine Decisions: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Objectives: To elucidate how Americans value COVID-19 vaccine characteristics, and determine whether their willingness to vaccinate is altered by the framing of the vaccination decision as altruistic or not. Methods: We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with Amazon MTurk participants randomized into a control group with standard DCE questions, versus a treatment group with questions framed altruistically. The survey consisted of demographic questions, an altruism index, and a DCE of 12 choice tasks with 3 profiles (Vaccine A, Vaccine B, and No Vaccination). Vaccine attributes included number of doses, efficacy in preventing infection, risk of severe disease, severe side effect type, risk of severe side effect, and subsidy. We estimated preference weights using multinomial logit models, controlling for framing, sex, age, political party, health status, race/ethnicity, and altruism score. Results: Sample included 2,014 respondents (control with no framing, n=1,037;altruism framing, n=977). Respondents preferred COVID-19 vaccines with allergic reactions vs neurological disorder as side effects (OR: 1.32;P <0.01), higher efficacy (OR: 1.03;P < 0.01), higher subsidies (OR: 1.00;P < 0.01), lower risk of side effects (OR: 0.99;P < 0.01), and lower risk of severe disease (OR: 0.99;P < 0.01). Preferences for single- vs double-dose formulations did not significantly differ (P > 0.01). Respondents with higher baseline altruism scores were more likely to prefer vaccination compared to those with lower altruism scores (RR: 1.83;P < 0.01). However, framing neither significantly affected preferences for vaccination nor modified the effect of baseline altruism on these preferences for vaccination. Conclusions: Preferences were strongest for vaccines with less severe side effects, suggesting that innovators should prioritize COVID-19 vaccines with these characteristics. More altruistic individuals were more likely to vaccinate, but framing did not modulate vaccination decisions, implying its limited nudging effects for vaccination.

Observation of Unconventional Charge Density Wave without Acoustic Phonon Anomaly in Kagome Superconductors AV(3)Sb(5) (A = Rb, Cs)

The combination of nontrivial band topology and symmetry-breaking phases gives rise to novel quantum states and phenomena such as topological superconductivity, quantum anomalous Hall effect, and axion electrodynamics. Evidence of intertwined charge density wave (CDW) and superconducting order parameters has recently been observed in a novel kagome material AV(3)Sb(5) (A = K, Rb, Cs) that features a Z(2) topological invariant in the electronic structure. However, the origin of the CDW and its intricate interplay with the topological state has yet to be determined. Here, using hard-x-ray scattering, we demonstrate a three-dimensional CDW with 2 x 2 x 2 superstructure in (Rb, Cs)V3Sb5. Unexpectedly, we find that the CDW fails to induce acoustic phonon anomalies at the CDW wave vector but yields a novel Raman mode that quickly damps into a broad continuum below the CDW transition temperature. Our observations exclude strong electron-phonon-coupling-driven CDW in AV(3)Sb(5) and support an unconventional CDW that was proposed in the kagome lattice at van Hove filling.

Night-time Light Imagery Reveals Chinas City Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period in Early 2020

The COVID-19 global pandemic has posed a serious impact on human life and health. Facing this unknown, unexpected, and devastating disease, China launched a resolute battle to prevent and control its spread. This study focused on assessing the recovery of city activity of 17 administrative regions in China around the COVID-19 pandemic period in early 2020. The night-time light (NTL) satellite remote sensing data, NPP-VIIRS dataset, was applied to evaluate the NTL changes during the coronavirus epidemic to understand the impact of the epidemic on city activity and the economy of China. A series of median composites was firstly constructed to analyze short-term NTL changes. Based on these median composites, the ratio map, difference map, wave index (WI), and recovery ratio (RR) were defined to indicate the NTL recovery pattern and its spatial distribution characteristics. The results show that: 1) the adopted median composites are able to describe the NTL changes in the short-term;2) the recovery of city activity could not be exactly described by RR of a single year but could be evaluated by the comparison of RR between two adjacent years;3) a partial and spatially heterogeneous recovery of city activity is observed after the 2020 holiday compared to 2019, 4) a better degree of recovery is observed after China announced its fully work resumption. CCBYNCND

Benefits of telephonic case management: Increased home dialysis and decreased hospitalizations

Background: Home dialysis has been noted to improve quality of life in patients receiving dialysis. Patients at risk for COVID-19 include those on dialysis. The pandemic has resulted in additional focus on social distancing and home dialysis offers this distinct advantage compared to in center hemodialysis. The ASN also similarly has supported advancing education around home dialysis, and COVID is being noted as a true catalyst to home dialysis care. Our study on a commerical poppulation analyzed cost of care with regards to home versus in center dialysis. Methods: The KRS Case Management program identified and educated commerical patients with this case management benefit regarding the options for home versus in center hemodialysis. Patients were enrolled in the program and educated on the benefits of home dialysis, the benefits of permanent access, and the benefits of transplantation. Cost of care analysis was conduted using claims paid until February 2020, and variables studied included in-patient cost, skilled nursing facility cost, professional cost for dialysis service, facility cost for dialysis service, non dialysis outpatient cost and professional cost for physician visits. Patients were educated telephonically of the benefits of home dialysis and permanent access placment, and demographics including age and gender were also calculated. Results: A total of 6692 members were analyzed. Of these patients 1793 members were attributed to home based dialysis. It as noted that when adjusting for per diseased member per month, there was a 62% decrease in cost of care for in-patient hospitalizations in the home dialysis group. In addition, there was a striking reduction of 247% in skilled nursing facility costs for the home dialysis group as well. After adjusting for all variables, there as a 5% cost savings in the home dialysis group as compared to in-center. Conclusions: There are cost of care benefits to home dialysis. Further studies are needed to help identify barriers to home dialysis, and given the advent of COVID-19, it is important to consider home dialysis for all patients more now than ever before.