Asymmetric volatility spillover among global oil, gold, and Chinese sectors in the presence of major emergencies

The volatility of international crude oil and gold markets has affected stock markets through several economic channels, and the impact tends to be more evident with the appearance of emergencies. However, the volatility linkages between commodities and Chinese sector stocks in the presence of emergencies are understudied. To examine the asymmetric relationship and time-varying connectedness between commodities and Chinese sector stocks, this paper first employs GJR-GARCH to capture the realized volatility of international oil, gold, and Chinese sector stocks. Secondly, we decompose the realized volatility of international oil and gold into bad and good volatility and then employ the TVP-VAR-DY approach to obtain the connectedness index. The final result shows asymmetric volatility spillover among oil, gold, and Chinese sector stocks. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the gold good volatility transmission is intenser than bad volatility. Thirdly, the analysis is also carried out under different subperiods. They include three international events: the global financial crisis and the European debt crisis, the oil crisis, and COVID-19. The result reveals heterogeneity exists in the impact of international oil and gold on the Chinese sector stocks under different emergencies. These findings are of great significance for policymakers to improve the sector management under the impact of different emergencies and for investors to design diversified portfolios according to the commodity-sector risk spillover effects. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

Investigating the effect of wearing masks on office work in indoor environments during a pandemic using physiological sensing

The spread of pandemics has adverse effects on the lives of people in various ways. For people who need to work in the office and other indoor environments, wearing a mask has become an essential precaution to reduce the spread of the virus and thereby the risk of disease transmission. Therefore, it is important to understand how wearing a mask will affect people while they are performing daily office work. This paper aims to investigate the effect of wearing a mask on the physiological responses and task performance of those who work in office environments during the pandemic period. The two most commonly used masks (i.e., cloth and surgical masks) are chosen for evaluation. The work engagement, mental workload, skin conductance level (SCL), heart rate (HR), as well as the overall performance of 20 subjects while they are completing simulated office tasks are collected and analyzed. Although the results vary across different individuals, they reveal that wearing a mask during a pandemic period will potentially reduce the mental workload and SCL of people for specific types of tasks. In addition, the task performance (correct number and correct rate) of the subjects is worse when wearing a mask, which is highly correlated to the results of the mental workload and SCL. However, there is no one-size-fits-all pattern to conclude the effect of wearing masks on work engagement and HR. This study provides a valuable reference for those who need to wear a mask while working. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Defibrotide Protects Endothelium from Radiation Induced Injury: A Potential New Strategy in the Armamentarium against Radiation Toxicity

Radiation induced toxicity (RIT) has long been a notorious limit of radiotherapy. RIT can only be circumvented by patient selection or dose de-escalation. No effective treatment of RIT is available. Endothelium injury (EnI) has been recognized as the key pathogenesis in radiotoxicity. EnI initiates the vicious cascade and propagates to various RIT. Defibrotide (DF), a mixture of oligonucleotides, is a potent endothelium protector and is the only medication approved for the treatment of post-HSCT severe hepatic sinusoid obstructive syndrome (SOS), with survival benefits and minimal toxicity. The protective effect of DF has been exhibited in chemo-toxicity, hypoxia, physical injury and infection, but not yet in radiation (RT). We hypothesize that DF alleviates RIT through a similar mechanism. Here, we present the first report and primitive results of an in vitro study of DF in RT setting. Primary human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HHSEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured and RT for a single 4Gy or 8Gy with or without DF at the final concentration of 300ug/ml. Assays for cell viability, survival and proliferation were evaluated. Molecule expression pattern was analyzed by rt-PCR. All the assays were replicated 3 times. After RT, HHSECs became sparse and deformed under the microscope. In contrast, HHSECs cultured with DF before RT generally appeared normal. In accordance, a cell counting kit assay showed that viability of HHSECs was preserved after RT at the presence of DF, while it was dramatically reduced by RT alone (p<0.001). Flow cytometry analysis of programed cell death 48h post-RT confirmed that DF significantly reduced both early and late apoptosis (8.9% vs 14.6%, p<0.05). In the proliferation assay, RT alone almost quartered the number of HUVEC clones, while DF co-treatment partially prevented the extermination. DF alone had no deleterious effect compared with control groups, in concordance with published studies. RT-PCR revealed elevated expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant molecules. In detail, raised mRNA levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a and eNOS were detected after RT, which were down regulated by DF. DNA break assay by γ-H2AX formation was performed, which showed no drastic difference of γ-H2AX staining after RT with or without DF, implicating other mechanisms. Besides, DF prophylaxis before RT rather than salvage after RT revealed better endothelium protection. We then built a rat model of radiation induced endothelium injury (RIEI) by whole liver exposure. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak and temporary un-availability of DF, further study is in waiting. Effective therapy of RIT is a huge unmet medical need. DF, an approved, well-tolerated orphan drug for post-HSCT SOS, exhibited definitive protective effect in RIEI as well. Further studies, not only pre-clinically but also in clinical scenarios are warranted and in eager expectation. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Clinical Significance of Total Radiation Dose for Patients With Treatment Delays in Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Delays during definitive radiation treatment are not uncommon, as highlighted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and are associated with worse survival. We aim to utilize the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to determine whether prolonged chemoradiation (CRT) treatment time in stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be compensated for by an increase in total radiation dose. We identified 26,101 patients who were treated curatively with CRT using standard doses (59.4-66.6 Gy) and fractionation for stage III NSCLC between 2004-2017. Treatments were classified as non-prolonged or prolonged. The total number of days allowed for non-prolonged treatment for each dose/fractionation was calculated by adding number of fractions, weekend days (to accommodate any weekday start), and 2 additional days. Any treatment exceeding this number of days was prolonged. Multivariable Cox proportional regression was used to assess the association between specific doses and treatment durations and OS while adjusting for age, gender, race, comorbidity score, insurance status, facility type, urban/rural location, education, clinical T and N category. Of 26,101 patients, 57% were male and the median age was 67. The most common T and N stage were T2 (31%) and N2 (64%), respectively. The majority of patients (62%) did not have prolonged treatment. For those who had prolonged treatment, the median prolongation was 4 days and survival was worse (HR 1.256, P = < 0.0001). Comparison of non-prolonged and prolonged treatment was then limited to two dose levels: 60 Gy and 66 Gy, both delivered in 2 Gy fractions (13,189 patients). Both doses resulted in similar survival for non-prolonged treatment (HR for 60 Gy non-prolonged: reference;HR for 66 Gy non-prolonged: 1.01, P = 0.633) and worse survival if treatment was prolonged (HR for 60 Gy prolonged: 1.294, P = < 0.0001;HR for 66 Gy prolonged: 1.216, P = < 0.0001). Direct comparison of the prolonged groups for 60 Gy and 66 Gy is tabulated below. For prolongation of 1-3 days, 66 Gy and 60 Gy were equivalent. If treatment was prolonged for 4 days or longer, survival was improved for higher total radiation dose. Prolonged CRT in stage III NSCLC is associated with worse survival. Alteration of total dose should be considered for prolonged treatment time, especially as the number of missed days increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Adult and pediatric emergency department visits for dermatological conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicenter analysis

During the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, many emergency departments (EDs) across the United States experienced significant declines in patient volumes. The aim of this study was to quantify the degree to which COVID-19 impacted ED visits for adult and pediatric dermatologic conditions. A descriptive study was performed using TriNetX, a national federated real time database of 69 million records. Common dermatologic conditions were identified a priori via ICD-10 codes. The prevalence of adult and pediatric ED encounters (EDE) with each skin condition was assessed from 3/20/2020 to 3/19/2021 and compared to the preceding year. The number of EDE for any dermatological condition (ICD10: L00-L99) decreased 23% overall from 19,705 to 15,218 per 100,000 of all healthcare encounters (HCE). All dermatological disease categories assessed in both adult and pediatric patients showed a significant decrease in total EDE compared to the prior year. Diagnoses assessed included cellulitis (-38% and -53% for adult and pediatrics, respectively), other skin infections (-38%, -56%), bullous skin disorders (-46%, -53%), dermatitis/eczema (-40%, -61%), papulosquamous disorders (-35%, -64%), urticaria/erythema (-46%, -64%), radiation-related skin disorders (-44%, -38%), skin appendages disorders (-43%, -54%), and other skin disorders (-39%, -53%). Adult and pediatric ED visits for dermatological conditions significantly decreased during the pandemic compared to the prior year with decreases in pediatric ED visits being more notable. Further studies are necessary to determine if these patients received care in other settings (i.e. outpatient offices, telehealth), and associated outcomes. Future studies are also needed to examine the degree to which ED visits for dermatologic conditions resume and if COVID-19 has lasting impacts on the setting in which skin care is sought.

A multicenter analysis of patients using telemedicine for dermatological conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused medical facilities to modify healthcare delivery and incorporate more telemedicine to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Multicenter studies assessing the impact of telemedicine in dermatology remains sparse. The aim of this study was to quantify the national impact of the pandemic on telemedicine utilization for common dermatologic conditions. A descriptive study was done using TriNetX, a national federated real time database of 69 million records. ICD-10 codes of the most common dermatologic diagnoses were determined a priori. The prevalence of common dermatologic conditions diagnosed via telemedicine encounters (TME) was assessed from 3/20/2020 to 3/19/2021 and compared to the preceding year. The number of TME across all dermatological conditions (ICD10:L00-L99) increased 805% from 150 to 1,358 per 100,000 of all healthcare encounters (HCE). Every dermatological disease assessed had a significant increase in TME when compared to the prior year. This increase was most significant for acne vulgaris (808%), psoriasis (792%), malignant skin neoplasms (716%), atopic dermatitis (609%), rosacea (566%) and contact dermatitis (529%). Others with increased TME include viral warts (497%), follicular cysts (415%), seborrheic keratosis (365%), actinic keratosis (351%), and benign skin neoplasms (275%). The most common dermatologic conditions seen via TME were seborrheic keratosis (146/100,000 HCE), actinic keratosis (106), malignant skin neoplasms (103), contact dermatitis (82), psoriasis (75), acne vulgaris (57), follicular cysts (48), benign skin neoplasms (42), atopic dermatitis (39), rosacea (39), and viral warts (31). Common dermatological diagnoses saw a drastic increase in telemedicine utilization from 2020 to 2021 compared to the prior year. Further research is warranted to determine whether these trends persist.

Prevalence and adverse events of special interest among COVID19-vaccinated patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases: An early look

Despite increasing rates of COVID-19 vaccination among those living in the United States, there is little known about the prevalence of vaccination among patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases and if any significant adverse reactions have occurred within these specific groups. The goal of this study was to further analyze these trends. A retrospective analysis was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 using TriNetX, a national federated, real time database of 69 million records. The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination among patients with inflammatory skin diseases including psoriasis (Pso), atopic dermatitis (AD), and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) was calculated. A 1:1 matched propensity score analysis was then conducted, adjusting for comorbidities and demographics, to generate adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% CI. The outcome was any adverse event of special interest (AESI), as defined by the CDC and FDA, that occurred at any point after vaccination. In a sample of 301,878 patients who were vaccinated,1.5% had Pso, 1.4% had AD, and 0.3% had HS. After matching, cases had no significant differences compared to controls for any AESIs after either the first dose (Pso: 1.1[0.5-2.3], AD: 1.4[0.7-2.8], HS:1.0[0.4-2.4]) or second dose of vaccine (Pso: 1.4[0.7-2.7], AD: 1.0[0.6-1.7], HS: 1.0[0.4-2.4]). Matched subgroup analysis among the two major COVID-19 vaccine brands also revealed no differences in AESIs among Pso, AD, and HS patients. While preliminary, the current data reveals that patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases are not at higher risk of any AESIs after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Further studies are warranted to continuously evaluate the trends in side effect profiles of these vaccines.

An anomaly detection approach from spatio distributions of epidemic based on adjacency constraints in flow space

In view of the limitations of existing methods for detecting potential epidemic spatial anomalies caused by multiple driving factors, this paper proposes a spatial anomaly detection approach for epidemic distributions constrained by crowd flow similarities. Firstly, those epidemic attributes that are significantly associated with crowd outflow intensity from the spread center are identified using the geographic detector. Then, considering all pairs of spatial units, a spatial weight matrix is adaptively constructed by measuring the similarity of crowd outflow intensities from the spread center. Finally, each spatial unit is characterized using the local variation gradient of epidemic attribute values, based on which both global and local Moran's I are modified to statistically discriminate the distribution patterns and detect local anomalous regions in flow space. Through performing comparative experiments on the spatio-temporal sequence of COVID-19, it illustrates that the proposed method can effectively detect the spatial anomalies caused by a variety of multiple potential factors. These findings can support the targeted epidemic prevention and control in different stages. © 2021, Surveying and Mapping Press. All right reserved.

Prediction of potential therapeutic drugs against SARS-CoV-2 by using Connectivity Map based on transcriptome data.

OBJECTIVE: Transcriptome data related to severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (a novel coronavirus discovered in 2019, SARS-CoV-2) in GEO database were downloaded. Based on the data, influence of SARS-CoV-2 on human cells was analyzed and potential therapeutic compounds against the SARS-CoV-2 were screened. MATERIALS AND METHODS: R package "DESeq2" was used for differential gene analysis on the data of cells infected or non-infected with SARS-CoV-2. The "ClusterProfiler" package was used for GO functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed through STRING website, and the key subset in the PPI network was identified after visualization by Cytoscape software. Connectivity Map (CMap) database was used to screen known compounds that caused genomic change reverse to that caused by SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: By intersecting DEGs in two datasets, a total of 145 DEGs were screened out, among which 136 genes were upregulated and 9 genes were downregulated in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that these genes were mainly associated with the pathways involved in viral infection, inflammatory response, and immunity. The CMap research found that there were three compounds with a median_tau_score less than -90, namely triptolide, tivozanib and daunorubicin. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 can cause abnormal changes in a large number of molecules and related signaling pathways in human cells, among which IL-17 and TNF signaling pathways may play a key role in pathogenic process of SARS-CoV-2. Here, three compounds that may be effective for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 were screened, which would provide new options for improving treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

331 Trends and outcomes in patients with malignant skin cancers during the COVID pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced healthcare organizations to reduce the provision of non-emergent services leading to delays in diagnoses and treatment. There is scant literature regarding the impact of COVID in malignant skin cancer (MSC) patients. A retrospective analysis was done from Apr-July 2020 using TriNetX, a national federated database of 63 million records. The incidence of new MSC-related codes was estimated during the pandemic period and compared to a corresponding pre-pandemic period. Medical encounter visits utilized by MSC patients during the pandemic was also recorded. 30-day COVID complications were compared among COVID patients with and without history of confirmed MSC. 1:1 propensity score matching for comorbidities and demographics was performed to estimate adjusted risk ratios with 95% CI. Kaplan Meir’s (KM) analysis was done to calculate survival probability in 30 days among the matched cohorts. The incidence of malignant melanoma, malignant nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), and overall MSC dropped by 40%(p=0.001), 48%(p<0.001), and 53%(p=0.001) respectively when compared to a similar pre-pandemic period. Skin cancer screenings dropped by 37%(p=0.04). Telehealth services utilized by MSC patients increased from 100 encounters total in 2018 to 23279 encounters from Jan-July 2020. After matching, COVID-19 patients with a history of MSC had a significantly lower risk of hospitalization (RR [95%CI])=(0.8[0.71-0.90]) and severe outcomes=(0.8[0.64-0.98]) compared to COVID-19 patients without history of MSC. Matched KM analysis revealed MSC-COVID patients had a statistically significant lower cumulative probability of getting severe COVID compared to Non-MSC COVID patients (p=0.004). MSC related codes have decreased whereas telehealth visit has increased. COVID- 19 patients with a history of MSC demonstrated a significantly reduced risk of 30-day COVID complications compared to COVID-19 patients without MSC.

Value of multiparameter quantitative CT in evaluating the prognosis of COVID-19

Objective: To investigate the value of multi-parameter quantitative CT combining with HRCT in evaluating the prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: Sixty-nine cases were included in this retrospective study. All of the cases were primarily diagnosed with common type of COVID-19 when admitted to hospital. According to the clinical prognosis and the changes of image appearance, three groups were divided. Group A with decreasing extent of lesions (21 cases) and group B with increasing extent of lesions (25 cases) were both common type of COVID-19 without converting into severe type. Group C (23 cases) converted common type into severe type during hospitalization. Multiple CT parameters among the groups were compared. Results: The changes of the multiple parameters of CT after treatment, such as the total volume of lesions, GGO volume, and the volume of the consolidation and MLA, had a significant difference among the three groups. When the cut-off values for the increasing total volume, GGO volume, consolidation volume, and MLA were determined to be 231.46 cm3, 168.58 cm3, 74.46 cm3, and 57 Hu, the sensitivity (95.7%, 82.6%, 73.9%, and 78.3%) and specificity (91.3%, 91.3%, 93.5%, and 87%) of the diagnosis of common type converting into severe type were optimal and the areas under ROC curve were 0.961, 0.914, 0.885, and 0.885. Conclusion: The changes of the volumes of total lesions, GGO and consolidation and the change of MLA between follow-up CT and first CT are important prognostic factors in patients with COVID-19. Common type COVID-19 patients with total volume of lesions increasing >231.46 cm3, GGO volume increasing >168.58 cm3, consolidation volume increasing >74.46 cm3, or MLA increasing >57 Hu are more likely to convert into severe type. The multiparameter quantitative CT combined with HRCT has an effect on evaluating the prognosis of COVID-19. © 2021, Editorial Board of Medical Journal of Wuhan University. All right reserved.