Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic Research Articles

Our algorithms for organizing and performing tracheostomy of COVID-19 patients who are put on a prolonged invasive artificial ventilation

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, caused by virus SARS-CoV-2, is the greatest challenge of modern healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the common medical and surgical approaches to the general procedures, some of them are radically modified to facilitate safety and minimize the risk of viral spread. So, there is great controversy around the role of tracheostomy as a part of the treatment process of COVID-19 patients. Severe acute respiratory infection, caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is characterized by the rapid respiratory decompensation. Statistical calculation shows that 3-17% of hospitalized patients need endotracheal intubation and a ventilator. According to the operational data of the Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine on pandemic situation of outbreaks of COVID-19 in Ukraine by May, 7, 2020 (the date when the article was written), on average, 1,89-4,17% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 have been in the past, are at present and will be in future potential candidates for tracheostomy. Surgical (open) tracheostomy is an aerosol generating procedure and carries a very high risk of contamination by exposing the airway secretions to the clinical staff involved. That’s why, this procedure should be thoroughly and appropriately planned and carefully executed to minimize the risk of viral spread and to ensure clinical staff safety. For this reason, drawing on the experience of our colleagues, taking into consideration “Recommendations for examination and treatment of patients with ENT pathology during the COVID-19 pandemic” developed by State Institution «O.S. Kolomiychenko Institute of otolaryngology of National academy of medical sciences of Ukraine», guidance of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and ENT UK’s Recommendations regarding tracheostomy in a COVID-19 patient and taking into account the realities of our life and medicine in COVID-19 pandemic we developed our own rules and algorithm of performance of tracheostomy for COVID-19 patients who are put on prolonged invasive artificial ventilation. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed us as personalities and professionals, made us adapt to different work environments. The need for surgical tracheostomies will be increasing for the next weeks or even months. That’s why, we should execute them confidently and observe safety rules. Our experience has let us detect some critical moments and weaknesses and take them into consideration to ensure clinical staff safety since low staff number in hospitals because of self-isolation can be really tangible and the need for clinical staff is constantly increasing.

Resocialization and Readaptation as a Social Need of Post-Corona Period

Pandemic of Coronavirus COVID19 faced the world with a new social phenomena: worldwide quarantine and self-isolation of countries and regions as well as families and individuals. Prolongation of this situation has already led to disappearance or global transformation of subjects` interaction old forms (absolutely of all forms and at all the levels), rapid emergence of new types of communication (in particular) and being (in general) and the need for the world to be adapted to new realities when the post-Corona period comes. The authors of the article make the assumption that the old ways and principles of life will no longer fit the post-quarantine realities. People and countries will have to re-develop the rules of interaction in society (both at local and global levels) urgently. To have the society as a monolithic concept again, countries will have to conduct their population through the processes of re-socialization (in cases of new priciples` development ) or social re-adaptation (in cases when it is still possible to apply the pre-Corona social algorithms to post-Corona conditions). The other assumption made is that in post-Corona period (at least, at the beginning) we shall deal with new forms of subject-subject intersection where the subjects stand for expanded personal space with clearer boundaries.

Prehabilitation Telemedicine in Neoadjuvant Surgical Oncology Patients During the Novel COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Prehabilitation Telemedicine in Neoadjuvant Surgical Oncology Patients During the Novel COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Genomic Biomarker Surveillance in the Care of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: An Update for the General Clinician during the Coronavirus (CoVid-19) Pandemic

Biomarker surveillance after solid organ transplant is an advancing field with promise for further elucidation through high-throughput analyses and “omics” technologies. To date, Gene Expression Profiling (GEP; AlloMapâ) is the only FDA-cleared genomic assay as surveillance for moderate-severe TCMR versus allograft quiescence after heart transplantation. Clinical validity and utility, however, have been recently established after kidney and heart transplantation, for analysis of donor-derived cell-free DNA in the assessment for potential “Allograft Tissue Injury” that may occur during diverse processes such as T-Lymphocyte mediated (TCMR) or Antibody-mediated (ABMR) allograft rejection or allograft-associated infection. These genomic analytes are currently being explored and evaluated across the spectrum of solid organ transplantation and the focus of numerous robust clinical transplant study registries. “Multi-Modality Surveillance” is currently firmly established within the armamentarium and practice algorithms of the transplant center specialist. However, such diagnostics which are performed on peripheral blood samples obtained during routine laboratory surveillance are now available and widely applicable during the inevitable clinical transition in care that is increasingly relegated to the General Practitioner. Noninvasive Biomarker assessment may prove invaluable for surveillance to thereby avoid the predominance of invasive protocol biopsy procedures. Further, during times of increased risk of infectious contagion exposure, such as the SARS-CoV-2 (CoVid-19) pandemic, laboratory Biomarker surveillance may prove invaluable in deferring routine scheduled office or clinic appointments and the inherent exposures.

Coronavirus Pandemic-Therapy and Vaccines.

The current coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China, has raised significant social, psychological and economic concerns in addition to direct medical issues. The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 to almost every country on the globe and the failure to contain the infections have contributed to fear and panic worldwide. The lack of available and efficient antiviral drugs or vaccines has further worsened the situation. For these reasons, it cannot be overstated that an accelerated effort for the development of novel drugs and vaccines is needed. In this context, novel approaches in both gene therapy and vaccine development are essential. Previous experience from SARS- and MERS-coronavirus vaccine and drug development projects have targeted glycoprotein epitopes, monoclonal antibodies, angiotensin receptor blockers and gene silencing technologies, which may be useful for COVID-19 too. Moreover, existing antivirals used for other types of viral infections have been considered as urgent action is necessary. This review aims at providing a background of coronavirus genetics and biology, examples of therapeutic and vaccine strategies taken and potential innovative novel approaches in progress.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic: Information Sources Channels for the Public Health Awareness.

The main purpose of this paper is to highlight the important information sources of the Public Health awareness used by the library and information sources in this Pandemic situation. Social distancing phase Information professional used a different medium to connect with their patron and try to serve the best manner. The role of the information professional in health information and health literacy is very vital. Information professional public health awareness information with the library patrons and the general public. In this paper, the researchers provide a brief introduction to different information channel support in information dissemination.

Social Media Data Analytics on Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Physical distancing during the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic has brought telehealth to the forefront to keep up with patient care amidst an international crisis that is exhausting healthcare resources. Understanding and managing health-related concerns resulting from physical distancing measures are of utmost importance.Objectives: To describe and analyze the volume, content, and geospatial distribution of tweets associated with telehealth during the Covid-19 pandemic.Methods: We inquired Twitter public data to access tweets related to telehealth from March 30, 2020 to April 6, 2020. We analyzed tweets using natural language processing (NLP) and unsupervised learning methods. Clustering analysis was performed to classify tweets. Geographic tweet distribution was correlated with Covid-19 confirmed cases in the United States. All analyses were carried on the Google Cloud computing service “Google Colab” using Python libraries (Python Software Foundation).Results: A total of 41,329 tweets containing the term “telehealth” were retrieved. The most common terms appearing alongside ‘telehealth’ were “covid”, “health”, “care”, “services”, “patients”, and “pandemic”. Mental health was the most common health-related topic that appeared in our search reflecting a high need for mental healthcare during the pandemic. Similarly, Medicare was the most common appearing health plan mirroring the accelerated access to telehealth and change in coverage policies. The geographic distribution of tweets related to telehealth and having a specific location within the United States (n=19,367) was significantly associated with the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases reported in each state (p<0.001).Conclusion: Social media activity is an accurate reflection of disease burden during the Covid-19 pandemic. Widespread adoption of telehealth-favoring policies is necessary and mostly needed to address mental health problems that may arise in areas of high infection and death rates.

The Lives or Livelihoods? The Coronavirus Dilemma for Administrations

The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has fomented a moral crisis for administrations struggling to choose between “lives” and “livelihoods”, i e between mitigat

The COVID-19 pandemic: how can risk science help?

This paper reflects on how risk science, with its concepts, principles, approaches, methods and models, can support the actual assessments, communication and handling of the vulnerabilities and risks related to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. We highlight the importance of acknowledging uncertainty as a main component of risk, in order to properly characterize and communicate risk, as well as to understand the difference between professional risk judgements and risk perception. We challenge the use of the commonly referred to phrase that the policies adopted are science-based, in a situation like this characterized by fundamental uncertainties about the underlying phenomena and the effects of possible interventions. Arguments are provided for a ‘balanced’ use of precaution, combined with adaptive management and learning.

Understanding the Nature of Variations in Structural Sequences coding for Coronavirus Spike, Envelope, Membrane and Nucleocapsid Proteins of SARS-CoV-2

Context: Given the worldwide acceleration of the Coronavirus CoVID-19 pandemic, it now mandates an absolute need for therapeutic remedies or vaccines to contain its further spread and to halt its progress. In this context, our attempt is to find using a novel technique, a possible solution to detect and identify the nature of mutations occurring in the viral genome to design and develop potential agents that might act as vaccines. Objectives: (i) To understand and delineate the nature of variations and mutations in coronaviral genome, and (ii) To use the knowledge thus available for designing putative vaccine element against coronavirus CoVID-19 infection using genomic materials derived from the ORFs and other structural CDS sequences of this virus. Data Sources: The sequence data of coronavirus have been accessed from the NCBI Genbank. Conclusions: This paper reports study of the nature of structural proteins encoded by the genomic sequences and delineates the variations or mutations found to have occured in the most unstable sequences. This might help researchers to design and develope putative candidates against SARS-CoV-2 virus by designing oligopeptides which can be derived from the sequences that codes for structural coronavirus proteins or Open Reading Frames (ORFs) of the novel Coronaviral genome (previously 2019 nCoV).

Impact of the Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic on Tourism in the Regions of Slovakia

Impact of the Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic on Tourism in the Regions of Slovakia

Пандемії як загрози нового типу для економічної безпеки в умовах глобалізації

In the article, the authors actualize the issues related to the problems of ensuring economic security from the position of growth of global integration processes in the world economy. It is specified that the formation of the global world is connected with the emergence of new global threats in the field of economic security, as exemplified by the coronavirus pandemic COVID-19. This creates the need to review some of the negative effects of globalization in order to provide greater control over global processes, making them more conscious, focused on both comprehensive security and sustainable development of countries. In the course of the research, the authors analyze the consequences for the economic activity of countries as result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research draws attention to the pandemic-detected breaches in the economic security of countries related to some aspects of globalization. The results of the carried out research allow to identify the sectors most affected by economic pressure and consider possible directions and tendencies of further economic recovery. It is also assumed that in the future stress tests of all levels of economic security will have to take into account and analyze a wider range of possible scenarios and risks associated with the threat of pandemics and the impact of the related effects on the public interest. Prospect for further research in this direction may be the study on the relationship and possible consequences that arise in the social and political spheres in connection with global threats to economic security.

Metaanálisis dimensional de la confianza: implicaciones para la comunicación social de la covid-19

The objective of this work is to review citizen trust in the face of government action in risk and contingency situations such as the coronavirus covid-19 pandemic. A documentary, meta-analytical and retrospective study was carried out with a selection of sources indexed to international repositories, considering the period from 2010 to 2020, although the research design limited the results to the research scenario, suggesting the extension of the work towards the relationship between trust and microfinance within the framework of local development.

Research on investment process dynamics taking into consideration stochasticity of world and national economies’ crisis phenomena

Purpose. To analyze the flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ukraine, countries of the OECD, the G-20, the EU, and the World, as well as the impact of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on investment activity in the World; to identify problems and threats for investment activity in modern conditions, to identify relationship between FDI in Ukraine, the level of exports and imports of goods and services in Ukraine, to forecast these indicators. Methodology. In the process of research, general logical methods and research techniques were applied: analysis, synthesis, generalization, analogy, modeling, probabilistic (statistical) methods. The materials of the official analytical reports of the OECD, the European Commission, and the State Statistics Service of Ukraine were used to achieve the tasks of the investigation. The statistical data for the period 20112019 was analyzed. Forecast of foreign direct investment in Ukraine for the period 20202023 was implemented using the theory of Markov chains. Findings. The study indicates a significant decline in investment activity since the beginning of 2020 due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Almost all economies in the world witnessed the impact of the crisis. There was a drop in investment activity in Ukraine output flows tended to decrease during 20092019. Taking into account the stochasticity of the processes taking place in the world economy, on the basis of the theory of Markov chains, forecasting of FDI in Ukraine was carried out. The modeling showed that in 2023 the situation with FDI in Ukraine would stabilize. Taking into account the predicted scenarios, the authors suggested that enterprises must focus on domestic investment and government support to overcome the crisis in the economy caused by the situation with COVID-19. Originality. The scientific novelty is in the use of the theory of Markov chains, which was adapted by the authors for research and forecasting of FDI in Ukraine till 2023. This theory makes it possible to take into account the stochasticity and instability of the processes occurring in the global and national economies. Practical value. The analysis of incoming and outcoming FDI flows and the identified threats to investment activity makes it possible to assess the dynamics of world economic processes and global competitiveness in the period 20112020. Using the tools of economic and mathematical analysis based on the regression influence, the degree of influence of direct investments in Ukraine on the dynamics of the GDP of the national economy and the level of exports and imports of goods were investigated. The forecasting of the dynamics of direct investments in Ukraine in the near future was carried out using the theory of Markov chains, which will allow working out appropriate decisions on the strategic development of the state.

A Conceptual Model for Multichannel Interaction in Healthcare Services

Multichannel interaction services have grown and evolved a lot in many sectors and their potential has been demonstrated in terms of monitoring and engaging with customers. In healthcare, has a tremendous impact on health organization as well to patients. In a multichannel interaction, environment patients can interact with health professionals across many channels without losing previous interactions, i.e. patients have a continuity of services across different channels. This paper aims to introduce a conceptual model of multichannel interaction in healthcare services. The model addresses all main actors involved in the process of multichannel interaction. The model proposed was validated through a proof of concept with a proposed artefact designed during the pandemic of new coronavirus COVID-19.

Управление высшим образованием в условиях больших вызовов и угроз, вызванных пандемией коронавируса COVID-19

Управление высшим образованием в условиях больших вызовов и угроз, вызванных пандемией коронавируса COVID-19

Food security in the time of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Argentine case

The context of pandemic of the human coronavirus COVID-19, preventive strategies based on mandatory social isolation (quarantine) were imposed by governments to reduce transmission in the community. However, they have had a strong impact on the economies of the countries and on the people as massive layoffs, decreased wages, uncertainty, inability to work formally, increasing precariousness and inequality and food insecurity. Without a doubt, the pandemic surprised Argentina without the necessary tools to amortize the attacks of the disease, and all the collateral consequences that emerge from it. The concept of food insecurity represents a situation or a process experienced by households in which there is a limited and uncertain availability of the quantity and quality of food that allow covering the nutritional requirements of people, thus as an also limited and uncertain availability of the ability to acquire them in an acceptable way from a social and cultural perspective. This work addresses household food insecurity at the micro-social level based on their own surveys and describes the strategies carried out by households in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires city, Argentina to withstand the effect. FI status was assessed among 200 adult university students a mean age of 28±6 years (57% female, 43% male) during isolation period in April -May 2020 using the food insecurity experience scale (FIES). The students responded affirmatively and with a higher percentage value to the items related to the lack of money to consume healthy and nutritious food. Food security status of the 200 students survey, 23.5 per cent (n = 47) were food secure. Food insecurity was reported by 76.5% (n = 153). Of these, 50% (n = 100) were mild food insecurity, 25.5% (n = 51) were moderate, while 1% (n = 2) were severe food insecurity. Food insecurity derived from access, as well as the difficulties of finding variety in food at affordable prices due to the obstacles imposed by the isolation affected food security. The changes on food intake during quarantine period was also analysed. In the current particular situation, it is advisable to improve the consumption of fresh food. Meat consumption has also been altered, shifting its consumption to cuts of less economic value. Among the reasons for this change in eating habits during this period, it is possible that the increase in stress, anxiety due to isolation, as well as the economic reasons and those that result from difficulties in accessing points of sale could explain these changes.

Learning Lessons From the Past in Combating the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic

Learning Lessons From the Past in Combating the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic

Response to Covid-19: How do schools support children following a crisis?

The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is a global health crisis which has resulted in mass disruption to daily life, extended school closures and quarantine measures. Research suggests that the pandemic is likely to negatively impact children’s mental health. Therefore, it is imperative to understand how to support children returning to school following Covid-19. The aim of this systematic review was to analyse existing empirical research focusing on methods of supporting children following a crisis to identify the most effective school-based supports in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Six databases were searched which initially identified 4301 articles. Through an iterative process, 18 articles were identified which met the inclusion criteria for review. This review highlighted the ecological nature of school-supports, with schools providing support to children across various levels such as direct support in the classroom in addition to indirect whole-school and community approaches. The role teachers play in supporting children’s wellbeing post-crisis through responsive teaching was also identified. Furthermore, results showed the effectiveness of universal strengths-based interventions to promote resilience and the role of peer support in enhancing children’s wellbeing. At a systemic level, findings also highlighted the importance of community-based school supports such as communication with families, the promotion of staff wellbeing and professional collaboration. Overall, this review identifies schools’ capacity to support children at various levels post-crisis. It also highlights the potential role of educational psychologists when children return to school post-Covid-19, whilst also establishing the need for more research on children’s mental health following Covid-19.

Социальное мошенничество «covid-19» и манипулятивные технологии социальной инженерии

One of the most significant negative socio-significant phenomena of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is the activation of a special kind of crime-fraud based on the conceptual position of social engineering – psychological manipulation of people in order to perform certain actions necessary for the manipulator. Statistical indicators of the spread of social fraud are presented, illustrating its sharply increasing trend. The relevance of the problem is justified by statistical data on the sharply increased number of cases of COVID-fraud, numerous data on individual losses of citizens, as well as the relentless information activity of the problem. The object of the study is social fraud during the pandemic, the pre-meth-manipulation of human behaviour by social engineering methods as a tool for achieving the goal of fraudsters. The goal is to substantiate the idea that social fraud is based on social engineering technologies aimed at manipulating human behavior. The methodology is based on two main principles of modern psychology: the principle of personal approach and the genetic (development principle), when all mental phenomena are considered as constantly developing and changing. Fraud is considered a type of crime against property. It is shown that the main qualifying feature of social fraud is the use of deception or abuse of a person’s trust. The psychology of fraud is considered it’s both participants: the potential victim and the criminal. Traditional types of social fraud that exist in Russia are given. It is shown that fraudsters quickly adapted to the situation of massive spread of the coronavirus epidemic: they repurposed and updated methods of action on a potential victim. The main technologies and types of COVID fraud are considered. Recommendations of experts on countering fraud that is parasitic on the COVID-19 pandemic are given