PA during the COVID-19 outbreak in China: a cross-sectional study.

COVID-19 has undergone several mutations and is still spreading in most countries now. PA has positive benefits in the prevention of COVID-19 infection and counteracting the negative physical and mental effects caused by COVID-19. However, relevant evidence has indicated a high prevalence of physical inactivity among the general population, which has worsened due to the outbreak of the pandemic, and there is a severe lack of exercise guidance and mitigation strategies to advance the knowledge and role of PA to improve physical and mental health in most countries during the epidemic. This study surveyed the effects of COVID-19 on PA in Chinese residents during the pandemic and provided important reference and evidence to inform policymakers and formulate policies and planning for health promotion and strengthening residents' PA during periods of public health emergencies. ANOVA, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, the chi-square test and Spearman correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. A total of 14,715 participants were included. The results show that nearly 70% of Chinese residents had inadequate PA (95%CI 58.0%-82.19%) during the COVID-19 outbreak, which was more than double the global level (27.5%, 95%CI 25.0%-32.2%). The content, intensity, duration, and frequency of PA were all affected during the period of home isolation, and the types of PA may vary among different ages. The lack of physical facilities and cultural environment is the main factor affecting PA. However, there was no significant correlation between insufficient PA and the infection rate. During the period of home isolation and social distance of epidemic prevention, it is necessary to strengthen the scientific remote network monitoring and guidance for the process of PA in China.

The Hidden Cost of COVID-19: Focus on Antimicrobial Resistance in Bloodstream Infections.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest growing public health threats and a worldwide priority. According to the WHO, drug-resistant diseases may cause 10 million deaths a year by 2050 and have a substantial impact on the global economy, driving up to 24 million people into poverty. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fallacies and vulnerability of healthcare systems worldwide, displacing resources from existing programs and reducing funding for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) fighting efforts. Moreover, as already seen for other respiratory viruses, such as flu, COVID-19 is often associated with superinfections, prolonged hospital stays, and increased ICU admissions, further aggravating healthcare disruption. These events are accompanied by widespread antibiotic use, misuse, and inappropriate compliance with standard procedures with a potential long-term impact on AMR. Still, COVID-19-related measures such as increasing personal and environmental hygiene, social distancing, and decreasing hospital admissions could theoretically help the AMR cause. However, several reports have shown increased antimicrobial resistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. This narrative review focuses on this "twindemic", assessing the current knowledge of antimicrobial resistance in the COVID-19 era with a focus on bloodstream infections and provides insights into the lessons learned in the COVID-19 field that could be applied to antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.

Efficiency of application of sorbed probiotics in the complex therapy of pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2. Quality of life in the short term COVID-19

Aim. To determine the clinical efficacy and safety of the immobilized (sorbed) probiotics Bifidobacterium bifidum 1 (5x108 CFU) and B. bifidum 1 (5x107 CFU) in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum 8P-A3 (5x107 CFU) in the complex therapy of pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 in adult patients without severe risk factors and their impact on health-related quality of life (QoL). Material and methods. An open, randomized prospective study included 100 patients (45 males, 55 females), aged from18 to 60 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19, with pneumonia confirmed by computed tomography and an area of lung lesion no more than 75% (moderate forms). SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasal and oropharyngeal swabs (RT-PCR) was detected in 72% of the participants, in the rest it was highiy probable in terms of the aggregate parameters. The publication presents the results of self-assessment (94 respondents) of working capacity limitations, shortness of breath, intestinal disorders since the end of the probiotic regimen (PR: hospitalization period - B. bifidum 1, 3 capsules 2 times a day for 10 days, then after hospitalization - B. bifidum 1 in combination with L. plantarum 8P-A3 2 powders 3 times a day for 14 days) and QoL (Short Form Medical Outcomes Study: SF-36) 1 month after hospitalization. Results. At the end of PR, the ability to engage in daily activities was higher by 23.1% [95% confidence interval 5.3-37.3, OR 0.08 (0.08-0.77)]. Difficulty of breathing during exercise was less common by 29.7% [15.1-44.5%], OR 0.09 [0.02-0.40], hard stools and no bowel movements were recorded less often by 21.3% [8.5-34, 1] for 1-3 days. One month after hospitalization, the QoL of the patients receiving standard treatment was significantly reduced relative to population indicators in Russia. It was more significantly due to the psychological component of health [total measurement 38.1 (36.2-40.0)] and less significantly due to the physical component [49.5 (48.3-50.8)]. The main reasons limiting daily activities [Role Emotional (RE): 39.4 (37.4-41.4)] were decreased vitality [VT: 40.2 (38.9-041.5)], emotional depression [Mental Health (MH): 41.2 (39.4-43.0)], deficit of social contacts [Social Functioning (SF): 45.1 (43.7-46.6)]. The patients who received PR had a higher ability to carry out daily activities [RE: 57.7 (55.6-59.7)], the severity of psychological problems associated with fatigue, anxiety and depression was lower [MH: 59.8 (58.7-60.9), p<0,001]. The effect of the PR on negative perceptions of social isolation was comparatively less [SF: 53.9 (52.2-55.4)]. The QoL of the patients who additionally suffered from diarrhea in the acute period of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia was worse in comparison with the patients without diarrhea (due to pain and inability to endure physical activity). The effects of immobilized (sorbed) probiotics to the QoL of the patients with diarrhea during the acute period of COVID-19 were most significant. Conclusion. PR had a significant positive effect on the QoL within a month after hospitalization, increasing working capacity and improving mental health, reducing the severity of psychological problems and fatigue. Additional researches are needed on the possible relationship of organic and functional gastrointestinal diseases with the progression of diarrhea in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. No side effects of the sorbed probiotics regimen have been identified.Copyright © Eco-Vector, 2022.

[Research progress on the relationship between low-density neutrophils and infectious diseases]

Neutrophils play an important role in infectious diseases by clearing pathogens in the early stages of the disease and damaging the surrounding tissues along with the disease progress. Low-density neutrophils (LDNs) are a crucial and distinct subpopulation of neutrophils. They are a mixture of activated and degranulated normal mature neutrophils and a considerable number of immature neutrophils prematurely released from the bone marrow. Additionally, they may be involved in the occurrence and development of diseases through the changes in phagocytosis, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the enhancement of the ability to produce neutrophils extracellular traps and immunosuppression. We summarizes the role of LDNs in the pathogenesis and their correlation with the severity of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), AIDS, and tuberculosis.

Angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: An analysis of hospitalizations during the covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is based on the accumulation of bradykinin as a result of angiotensin-converting enzyme blockade. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, which may inhibit its production and thereby lead to an increase in bradykinin levels. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a likely trigger for the development of angioedema. AIMS: This study aimed to analyze cases of hospitalizations of patients with angioedema associated with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients admitted to the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital between May 2020 and December 2020 with isolated (without urticaria) angioedema while receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. In all patients, smears from the naso and oropharynx for COVID-19 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. RESULT(S): Fifteen inpatients (9 men and 6 women) aged 44-72 years were admitted because of emergent events, of which 53.6% had isolated angioedema. In two cases, a concomitant diagnosis of mild COVID-19 infection was established with predominant symptoms of angioedema, including edema localized in the face, tongue, sublingual area, and soft palate. All patients had favorable disease outcomes. CONCLUSION(S): Patients with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema may require hospitalization to monitor upper respiratory tract patency. There were cases of a combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema and mild COVID-19. Issues requiring additional research include the effect of SARS- CoV-2 infection on the levels of bradykinin and its metabolites, the triggering role of COVID-19 in the development of angioedema in patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, recommendations for the management of patients with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema, and a positive result for COVID-19.Copyright © 2020 Pharmarus Print Media All rights reserved.

[Research progress on the relationship between low-density neutrophils and infectious diseases]

Neutrophils play an important role in infectious diseases by clearing pathogens in the early stages of the disease and damaging the surrounding tissues along with the disease progress. Low-density neutrophils (LDNs) are a crucial and distinct subpopulation of neutrophils. They are a mixture of activated and degranulated normal mature neutrophils and a considerable number of immature neutrophils prematurely released from the bone marrow. Additionally, they may be involved in the occurrence and development of diseases through the changes in phagocytosis, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the enhancement of the ability to produce neutrophils extracellular traps and immunosuppression. We summarizes the role of LDNs in the pathogenesis and their correlation with the severity of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), AIDS, and tuberculosis.

Extended Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Delayed Primary Resection of Ewing Sarcoma During the COVID-19 Era: A Case Report

CASE: A 13-year-old adolescent boy visited our hospital with a growing mass on his left leg. Investigations and examinations were performed to obtain a final diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma in the head of the left fibula with lung metastasis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was extended to 11 courses with radiation before wide tumor resection could be performed. The final 3 adjuvant chemotherapy courses were administered to complete the original protocol while surgical resection complications were also treated. The pathological report revealed free margin resection with nonviable tumor cells. CONCLUSION: An extended neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen with additional radiation therapy for Ewing sarcoma provided extra local control and allowed limb salvage. Copyright © 2023 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated.

Apropos of menstrual changes and abnormal uterine bleeding after COVID-19 vaccination.

It is news of 28 October 2022 that the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency has recommended to add heavy menstrual bleeding among the side effects of unknown frequency inside the package insert of nucleoside-modified messenger ribonucleic acid vaccines to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The decision has been made in the light of the numerous reports of unexpected menstrual changes or abnormal uterine bleeding following COVID-19 vaccination. Here we advance a possible involvement of the particular adenohypophyseal microcirculation in these strange and still unexplained events.

[Research progress on the relationship between low-density neutrophils and infectious diseases]

Neutrophils play an important role in infectious diseases by clearing pathogens in the early stages of the disease and damaging the surrounding tissues along with the disease progress. Low-density neutrophils (LDNs) are a crucial and distinct subpopulation of neutrophils. They are a mixture of activated and degranulated normal mature neutrophils and a considerable number of immature neutrophils prematurely released from the bone marrow. Additionally, they may be involved in the occurrence and development of diseases through the changes in phagocytosis, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the enhancement of the ability to produce neutrophils extracellular traps and immunosuppression. We summarizes the role of LDNs in the pathogenesis and their correlation with the severity of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), AIDS, and tuberculosis.

Oxygenated right ventricular assist device as part of veno-venopulmonary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to support the right ventricle and pulmonary vasculature.

COVID-19 infection can lead to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), right ventricular (RV) failure and pulmonary hypertension. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) has been used for patients with refractory hypoxemia. More recently dual-lumen right atrium to pulmonary artery oxygenated right ventricular assist devices (Oxy-RVAD) have been utilized in the severe medical refractory COVID ARDS setting. Historically, animal data has demonstrated that high continuous non-pulsatile RVAD flows, leading to unregulated and unprotected circulation through the pulmonary vessels is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary hemorrhage and increased amount of extravascular lung water. These risks are heightened in the setting of ARDS with fragile capillaries, left ventricular (LV) diastolic failure, COVID cardiomyopathy, and anticoagulation. Concurrently, due to infection, tachycardia, and refractory hypoxemia, high V-V ECMO flows to match high cardiac output are often necessary to maintain systemic oxygenation. Increase in cardiac output without a concurrent increase in VV ECMO flow will result in a higher fraction of deoxygenated blood returning to the right heart and therefore resulting in hypoxemia. Several groups have suggested using a RVAD only strategy in COVID ARDS; however, this exposes the patients to the risk of pulmonary hemorrhage. We present one of the first known cases using an RV mechanical support, partial flow pulmonary circulation, oxygenated Veno-venopulmonary (V-VP) strategy resulting in RV recovery, total renal recovery, awake rehabilitation, and recovery.

Pituitary apoplexy following adenoviral vector-based COVID-19 vaccination

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) may complicate the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), posing a potential threat to life. Among vaccines designed to prevent COVID-19, there are those adenoviral vector-based, such as Vaxzevria® (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca). The product insert states that it can cause very rare coagulation disorders, in particular thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome in some cases accompanied by bleeding, cerebrovascular venous or sinus thrombosis, and thrombocytopenia, including immune thrombocytopenia, also associated with bleeding. Here, we report the onset of PA after Vaxzevria® in a 28-year-old healthy Caucasian female, who experienced long-lasting tension-type headache, hyperprolactinemia and menstrual changes, without thrombocytopenia or thrombosis.

Perceptions on Nordic Walking in women post COVID-19 pandemic: motivations and future intentions

Problem statement. The COVID-19 pandemic effect led to a reduction in psychological, social, and physical wellbeing, due to social isolation and sedentariness. Interventions are needed to prevent and improve wellbeing, especially among adult women, for whom the greatest health problems arisen. Ecological exercise can produce greater health benefits than indoor training, including improved humor, self-esteem, physical fitness and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. Nordic Walking (NW) is an ecological activity, whose beneficial effects can be extended to both healthy people and those with diseases. However, we had to try to understand the motivations that make an individual, especially in adulthood, choose to engage in physical activity (PA), using the push-pull motivational framework. Purpose. The aim of the study was to investigate the adult women's motivations to practice PA post-COVID-19, the relationship among the variables analyzed, and their perceptions about the intention to practice NW in the future, to improve their physical, social, and mental wellbeing. Methods. A convenience sample of 65 women (50.07 ± 7.85 years old) was recruited for the study. A structured questionnaire was formulated, based on a thorough literature review, consisting of three sections: demographic characteristics, pull-push motivational factors to PA and future intention to perform NW. Results. Most adult women did not perform PA because of the boredom caused by the repetition of exercises and for fear of infection. However, they would prefer to practice outdoor activities in the future, including NW, through a teaching method different from the prescriptive one, the solution to which could be the heuristic learning. Motivations to take part in PA course varied according to the age: the younger ones had the need to improve their mental and physical state, while the older ones the need for social and autonomy. Conclusions. Future studies should focus on implementing an original and innovative protocol, that is not performance-oriented, but also aimed to improve social and mental wellbeing. The utility of the study is to provide more information to wellness instructors to attract potential customers to participate in PA courses. © JPES.

Apple in My Eyes (AIME): Liveness Detection for Mobile Security Using Corneal Specular Reflections

The demand for contactless biometric authentication has significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. The global pandemic unexpectedly affords a greater opportunity for contactless authentication, but iris and facial recognition biometrics have many usability, security, and privacy challenges, including mask-wearing and presentation attacks (PAs). Mainly, liveness detection against spoofing is notably a challenging task as various biometric authentication methods cannot efficiently assess the real user's physical presence in unsupervised environments. Although several face anti-spoofing methods have been proposed using add-on sensors, dynamic facial texture features, and 3-D mapping, most of them require expensive sensors and substantial computational resources, or fail to detect sophisticated 3-D face spoofing. This article presents a software-based facial liveness detection method named Apple in My Eyes (AIME). AIME is intended to detect the liveness against spoofing for mobile device security using challenge-response testing. AIME generates various screen patterns as authentication challenges, then passively detects corneal-specular reflection responses from human eyes using a frontal camera and analyzes the detected reflections using lightweight machine learning techniques. AIME system components include challenge and pattern detection, feature extraction and classification, and data augmentation and training. We have implemented AIME as a cross-platform application compatible with Android, iOS, and the Web. Our comprehensive experimental results reveal that AIME detects liveness with high accuracy at around 200-ms against different types of sophisticated PAs. AIME can also efficiently detect liveness in multiple contactless biometric authentications without any costly extra sensors nor involving users' active responses.

Electrospun PVB/AVE NMs as mask filter layer for win-win effects of filtration and antibacterial activity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused serious social and public health problems. In the field of personal protection, the facial masks can prevent infectious respiratory diseases, safeguard human health, and promote public safety. Herein, we focused on preparing a core filter layer for masks using electrospun polyvinyl butyral/apocynum venetum extract nanofibrous membranes (PVB/AVE NMs), with durable interception efficiency and antibacterial properties. In the spinning solution, AVE acted as a salt to improve electrical conductivity, and achieve long-lasting interception efficiency with adjustable pore size. It also played the role of an antibacterial agent in PVB/AVE NMs to achieve win-win effects. The hydrophobicity of PVB-AVE-6% was 120.9° whereas its filterability reached 98.3% when the pressure drop resistance was 142 Pa. PVB-AVE-6% exhibited intriguing properties with great antibacterial rates of 99.38% and 98.96% against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. After a prolonged usability test of 8 h, the filtration efficiency of the PVB/AVE masks remained stable at over 97.7%. Furthermore, the antibacterial rates of the PVB/AVE masks on S. aureus and E. coli were 96.87% and 96.20% respectively, after using for 2 d. These results indicate that PVB/AVE NMs improve the protective performance of ordinary disposable masks, which has certain application in air filtration.

Food security and PNAE: what changed during the pandemic?

The topic of food insecurity returned to the debate in society during the Covid-19 pandemic. The PNAE is an important instrument to promote rights related to food, in addition to contributing to the strengthening of the local economy and generating income for family farmers. This article aims to carry out a qualitative analysis on the execution of the PNAE in the Municipality of Sao Joao d'Alianca -GO, especially on its contribution to local family farming and the impacts and alternatives adopted during the period of suspension of school activities during the period of Covid-19 pandemic. To achieve the intended objective, the case study was carried out through a qualitative approach, the techniques of literature review, semi-structured interview and observation were also employed. Thus, guaranteeing the triangulation of the data obtained and greater confidence in the research. In the period prior to the pandemic, the municipality exceeded the minimum amount of acquisitions from family farming (30%), especially due to the articulation between local public agents and the local farmers' cooperative. During the pandemic period, this articulation continued with the distribution of food kits to families in situations of food insecurity, overcoming challenges and opening new possibilities.

HEALTHY HABITS IN CSIC WORKERS DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN IN SPAIN

Aim: COVID-19 crisis has caused a deep change in citizen's lifestyle. Previous outbreaks have shown that people under confinement can develop mental health problems and cause effects on physical activity (PA) and changes in the diet habits. Subject and Methods: An online questionnaire about healthy habits during the Spanish lockdown was sent to workers from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). Results: A general improvement in the dietary patterns, except for the intake of snacks and bakery goods was observed. PA was subs-tantially reduced, mostly in men, unlike the emotional changes, which were greater in women, mainly observed as anxiety and sleep disorders. Additionally, emotional eating (EE) behaviors were detected mainly in women, although the intake related to boredom was observed in both genders. Conclusions: Ove-rall, the dietary patterns of CSIC workers followed the general recommendations for COVID-19 lockdown. However, half of the participants decreased their PA practice. Regarding to the emotional changes, emotional eating behaviors were associated with anxiety, especially in women, and boredom for both genders. © 2022, CSIC Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas. All rights reserved.

Self-Service Technology Service Quality and Brand Loyalty in Zimbabwe's Banking Sector: A SEM Approach

Purpose– This article examined the relationship between self-service technology service quality and brand loyalty in Zimbabwe`s banking sector with customer satisfaction and behaviour intentions playing the mediating role. The main objective was to develop a path analysis model for the banking industry in Zimbabwe. Approach– The study followed a deductive approach with an online survey used to collect primary data from more than 110 bank customers. The PLS-SEM algorithm was used to empirically test the path analysis model. Findings– The construct measures were confirmed reliable and valid with structural model showing goodness of fit based on the R2, Q2, SRMR, and path significance. The results further confirmed hypothesis H1, H2, H3, H4,and H7 whilst rejecting H5and H6. Practical implications– Self-service technologies have proven to be a critical enhancer of brand loyalty in the banking sector. The ‘FinTech' industry has gone under a critical test due to COVID-19 pandemic that has seen global restrictions nearly paralyzing a number of sectors. Technology developers, policymakers, researchers, and regulators will have a better understanding of self-service technologies and their impact on brand loyalty in the service industry. Originality/value– Literature has shown some knowledge gaps in this field especially in Zimbabwe where the ‘FinTech' industry is still in its infancy stages.

Functional dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease as a member of clan PA.

SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease (3CLpro), a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19, consists of a chymotrypsin fold and a C-terminal α-helical domain (domain III), the latter of which mediates dimerization required for catalytic activation. To gain further understanding of the functional dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro, this review extends the scope to the comparative study of many crystal structures of proteases having the chymotrypsin fold (clan PA of the MEROPS database). First, the close correspondence between the zymogen-enzyme transformation in chymotrypsin and the allosteric dimerization activation in SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro is illustrated. Then, it is shown that the 3C-like proteases of family Coronaviridae (the protease family C30), which are closely related to SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro, have the same homodimeric structure and common activation mechanism via domain III mediated dimerization. The survey extended to order Nidovirales reveals that all 3C-like proteases belonging to Nidovirales have domain III, but with various chain lengths, and 3CLpro of family Mesoniviridae (family C107) has the same homodimeric structure as that of C30, even though they have no sequence similarity. As a reference, monomeric 3C proteases belonging to the more distant family Picornaviridae (family C3) lacking domain III are compared with C30, and it is shown that the 3C proteases are rigid enough to maintain their structures in the active state. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12551-022-01020-x.

INTRODUCTION-COVID-19 in Asia: Governance and the Politics of the Pandemic

In this introduction to studies of the politics of the COVID-19 pandemic in four Asian states-India, Pakistan, Vietnam, and South Korea-we first discuss the difficulties in evaluating the performances of different countries, given the varying reliability of data and the different possible criteria that may be applied. In our studies we aim rather to illuminate the process of different state responses, and we go on to summarize evidence on different patterns of response across Asia, situating the four country studies in a comparative context. We then review arguments in the literature about the determinants of different responses, before presenting our framework for the analysis of the politics that underlie these differences. Political leadership has undoubtedly exercised a powerful influence, but in the structural context of the relationships of state and citizens. We argue that understanding of these relationships is advanced by an analytical framework that draws on state-in-society approaches developed in the work of Joel Migdal, Michael Mann, and Peter Evans.