ABSTRACT
The new coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) shows structural similarity with SARS COV, which emerged in China in the early 2019. SARS-COV-2 has been declared a pandemic by the WHO (World Health Organization) as it imposed a threat to the world in various aspects. There is no specific drug therapy or vaccine to treat or prevent this disease because of the limited knowledge regarding the pathogenesis and proliferation pathways involved in disease progression. The virus penetrates the human body through ACE2 receptor by interacting with Spike(S) protein and it is assumed that viral entry can be inhibited by targeting the protein-protein interaction. Different drugs have been repurposed for their potential effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2, such as ivermectin, digitoxin, and polyenes. Polyene antibiotics are characterized by the presence of a macrocyclic ring. Furthermore, this group has been known for pharmacological activities, for example, antifungal, antihuman immunodeficiency virus, immunomodulating, and antiprion. Polyene antibiotics inhibit the binding of the virus to the ACE2 receptor. Further investigation should be done to assess the relationship between polyenes and SARS-CoV-2 in considering the development of a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of COVID-19. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global health pandemic. The rapid spread and high fatalities associated with COVID-19 have increased interest in assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) toward this illness among the general population in comparison to specific subgroups. Most publications to date have explored KAP among the general public, healthcare providers, and people with chronic conditions, but not amongst those with mental illness. Yet, research has shown patients with mental illness are at higher risk of poor outcomes related to infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The objective of this study is to compare KAP toward COVID-19 between people with mental illness and the general public. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study, done over 3°months in 2020, to compare KAP during the COVID-19 pandemic in three groups: outpatients from outpatient Psychiatry clinics (N = 165), inpatients admitted to a Psychiatry ward (N = 100), and the general public (N = 345). KAP parameters were assessed through online surveys. Results: The proportion of subjects in the public group (84.8%) giving the correct responses to most Knowledge questions was significantly higher than those in the inpatient and outpatient groups. Compared to the public and inpatient groups, subjects in the outpatient group (92.7%) were significantly more optimistic and confident that COVID-19 would be brought under control. A higher proportion of subjects from the general public (82.9%) indicated that they attended crowded places and were more compliant in wearing masks. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that poorer COVID-19 knowledge was associated with being single and having a young age (18-29), with both inpatients and outpatients and with primary-or secondary-level education. Conclusion: Patient populations, both inpatients and outpatients, had inadequate Knowledge, more positive attitudes and confidence regarding the outcome of COVID-19, and less safe practices than the public. This highlights the need for targeted approaches around COVID-19 and pandemics in general in this vulnerable population.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has devastated the entire globe in a short period of time and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11th, 2020. It rapidly increased in fatality rate and has become an international public health crisis, culminating in social and economic calamity. However, mobile applications are being introduced globally to minimize the coronavirus's continuous spread by tracing people's circulation or mobility using digital software and smartphones. There is no digitally equipped tool that monitors the movement of the people, particularly in the public places. This work on Smarter Movement Control Application (SMCApp) aims to develop methods that will assist Malaysian people to move around with the aid of mobile tracing application. Therefore, the SMCApp was designed and developed as a mobile application software which stands to improve compliance with the mandated SOP measures across the country, as well as to provide digital support to those who wish to travel to various parts of the country. As a result, it is concluded that the usage of Smarter Movement Control Application (SMCApp) is hoped to bring about safe and effective movement of people throughout these two regions, as it will constantly alert individuals of any suspicious close-contact or the state of the location. Once the application is in effect, with at least 90% of users installing the App on their smartphones, it is projected to increase tranquility and elevate compliance with SOP measures. © 2022 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
Background In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global health pandemic. The rapid spread and high fatalities associated with COVID-19 have increased interest in assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) toward this illness among the general population in comparison to specific subgroups. Most publications to date have explored KAP among the general public, healthcare providers, and people with chronic conditions, but not amongst those with mental illness. Yet, research has shown patients with mental illness are at higher risk of poor outcomes related to infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The objective of this study is to compare KAP toward COVID-19 between people with mental illness and the general public. Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional study, done over 3°months in 2020, to compare KAP during the COVID-19 pandemic in three groups: outpatients from outpatient Psychiatry clinics (N = 165), inpatients admitted to a Psychiatry ward (N = 100), and the general public (N = 345). KAP parameters were assessed through online surveys. Results The proportion of subjects in the public group (84.8%) giving the correct responses to most Knowledge questions was significantly higher than those in the inpatient and outpatient groups. Compared to the public and inpatient groups, subjects in the outpatient group (92.7%) were significantly more optimistic and confident that COVID-19 would be brought under control. A higher proportion of subjects from the general public (82.9%) indicated that they attended crowded places and were more compliant in wearing masks. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that poorer COVID-19 knowledge was associated with being single and having a young age (18–29), with both inpatients and outpatients and with primary-or secondary-level education. Conclusion Patient populations, both inpatients and outpatients, had inadequate Knowledge, more positive attitudes and confidence regarding the outcome of COVID-19, and less safe practices than the public. This highlights the need for targeted approaches around COVID-19 and pandemics in general in this vulnerable population.
ABSTRACT
Background: Occupational hazards and risks are a common public health issue, especially when healthcare workers safety is concerned;they are on high risk of catching infections such like COVID-19. The possibility of cross-infection between dental practitioners and patients is significantly higher due to the close exposure of dental staff to patient oral environment. Aim(s): To assess the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies in dental workers working in the Peshawar Dental College and Hospital, Peshawar. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthodontics, Peshawar Dental College & Hospital, Peshawar from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020. Methodology: One hundred and thirty three dental workers were enrolled. The investigation was run to detect immunoglobulin G and M antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2-2. The aspirated aerosol and air was evacuated and dissipated into the atmosphere. Result(s): Mean age was 29.4+/-1.4 years and males were dominant 74 (55.6%) and male workers found greater with positive antibodies. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 33.0%. Proportionately dental assistants (20.5% vs 16.9%) and ancillary staff (20.5% vs 10.1%) had higher prevalence. Sore throat and body aches were more common in positive antibodies cases while travel history was found significantly associated with it (40.9% vs 25.0%, p-value, 0.05). Conclusion(s): High frequency of SARS-COV-2 antibodies was found in dental workers showing a high infection rate of COVID-19 in healthcare workers in local settings. Copyright © 2022 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Physical store atmospherics make up an important dimension of retailing. They shape consumer perception, cognitive and affective reactions, and a variety of behaviors. The literature on exterior atmospherics is scant. However, recent trends suggest that exterior atmospherics can provide value-added services and play a role in providing phygital touchpoints that contribute to consumers' perceptions of safety, seamlessness, and entertainment. This article seeks to examine the strategic potential of exterior atmospherics in shopping experiences and their role in providing competitive advantage in physical retailing in the post-COVID era. This paper is the first to provide a systematic literature review of exterior brick-and-mortar atmospheric variables. The results show that the theoretical frameworks in the extant literature are insufficient in explaining the complex interrelationships that make up a shopping experience. In response to this shortcoming, this paper provides a managerially oriented research agenda through complexity theory and the 'customer journey' framework.
ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a dire need for novel effective antivirals to treat COVID-19, as the only approved direct-acting antiviral to date is remdesivir, targeting the viral polymerase complex. A potential alternate target in the viral life cycle is the main SARS-CoV-2 protease 3CLpro (Mpro). The drug candidate PF-00835231 is the active compound of the first anti-3CLpro regimen in clinical trials. Here, we perform a comparative analysis of PF-00835231, the pre-clinical 3CLpro inhibitor GC-376, and the polymerase inhibitor remdesivir, in alveolar basal epithelial cells modified to express ACE2 (A549+ACE2 cells). We find PF-00835231 with at least similar or higher potency than remdesivir or GC-376. A time-of-drug-addition approach delineates the timing of early SARS-CoV-2 life cycle steps in A549+ACE2 cells and validates PF-00835231's early time of action. In a model of the human polarized airway epithelium, both PF-00835231 and remdesivir potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 at low micromolar concentrations. Finally, we show that the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, which was previously suggested to diminish PF-00835231's efficacy based on experiments in monkey kidney Vero E6 cells, does not negatively impact PF-00835231 efficacy in either A549+ACE2 cells or human polarized airway epithelial cultures. Thus, our study provides in vitro evidence for the potential of PF-00835231 as an effective SARS-CoV-2 antiviral and addresses concerns that emerged based on prior studies in non-human in vitro models.Importance:The arsenal of SARS-CoV-2 specific antiviral drugs is extremely limited. Only one direct-acting antiviral drug is currently approved, the viral polymerase inhibitor remdesivir, and it has limited efficacy. Thus, there is a substantial need to develop additional antiviral compounds with minimal side effects and alternate viral targets. One such alternate target is its main protease, 3CLpro (Mpro), an essential component of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle processing the viral polyprotein into the components of the viral polymerase complex. In this study, we characterize a novel antiviral drug, PF-00835231, which is the active component of the first-in-class 3CLpro-targeting regimen in clinical trials. Using 3D in vitro models of the human airway epithelium, we demonstrate the antiviral potential of PF-00835231 for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.