A Mixed-Studies Systematic Review on the Impact of COVID-19 on Body Image, Disordered Eating, and Eating Disorders -
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+Objectives. This review assessed the impact of COVID-19 and restrictions related to the pandemic (e.g., social distancing and lockdown) on body image, disordered eating, and eating disorder outcomes. Method. After registration on PROSPERO, a systematic search was conducted for papers published between 1 December 2019 and 1 August 2021, using the databases PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, CINAHL Plus, AMED, MEDLINE, ERIC, EMBASE, Wiley, and ProQuest. Results. A final sample of 74 reports, describing 75 studies, was included, and data from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies were synthesized using a convergent integrated approach. Four themes were generated: (1) disruptions due to COVID-19;
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variability in the improvement or exacerbation of symptoms; (3) risk and protective factors; and (4) unique challenges for marginalized and underrepresented groups. Findings across studies showed variation in individuals’ responses to, and experiences of, the current pandemic. Discussion. There is large variability in how individuals respond to COVID-19 and limited research exploring the effect of the pandemic on body image, disordered eating, and eating disorder outcomes using longitudinal and experimental study designs. Based on the findings of this review, we recommend that individuals reduce time spent on social media, maintain contact with family and friends, make time for self-care, and keep daily routines. Additionally, researchers should target more diverse participant samples and conduct longitudinal research on risk and protective factors of COVID-19 and long-term outcomes. Finally, clinicians should consider adopting flexible treatment practices, taking into account COVID-19 restrictions, patient preferences, and unique participant needs.
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Factors Mediating the Psychological Well-Being of Healthcare Workers Responding to Global Pandemics: A Systematic Review -
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+The worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the likelihood of future pandemics has raised the attention to the effects of pandemics on the psychological well-being of individuals. Given their indispensable role in such situations, healthcare workers are at greater risk of mental health issues. This paper aimed to review the mediators of psychological well-being among healthcare workers responding to global pandemics. After registration on PROSPERO, a systematic review was performed in four databases. Following study selection (PRISMA guidelines), inclusion criteria and analysis methods were assessed. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the EPHPP criteria. Out of 1467 references, 39 studies were included in this review. In most studies, worse well-being outcomes, such as stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and burnout were related to demographic characteristics, direct contact with infected patients, and poor perceived support. In turn, self-efficacy, coping ability, altruism, and support from employers and organisations were found to be protective factors. Despite some limitations in the quality of the available evidence, this review highlights the prevalence of poor mental health outcomes in healthcare workers responding to global pandemics. Future interventions should target the identified mediators to promote psychological well-being among this population, particularly social and organisational support, which may improve workers’ mental health and reduce burnout and turnover.
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Self-assembling SARS-CoV-2 nanoparticle vaccines targeting the S protein induces protective immunity in mice -
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+The spike (S), a homotrimer glycoprotein, is the most important antigen target in the research and development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. There is no doubt that fully simulating the advanced structure of this homotrimer in the subunit vaccine development strategy is the most likely way to improve the immune protective effect of the vaccine. In this study, the preparation strategies of S protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) trimer, S1 region trimer, and ectodomain (ECD) trimer nanoparticles were designed based on ferritin nanoparticle self-assembly technology. The Bombyx mori baculovirus expression system was used to prepare these three nanoparticle vaccines with high expression levels in the silkworm. The immune results of mice show that the nanoparticle vaccine prepared by this strategy can not only induce an immune response by subcutaneous administration but also effective by oral administration. Given the stability of these ferritin-based nanoparticles vaccine, easy-to-use and low-cost oral immunization strategy can make up for the vaccination blind areas caused by the shortage of ultralow-temperature equipment and medical resources in underdeveloped areas. And the oral vaccine is also a very potential candidate to cut off the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic and farmed animals, especially in stray and wild animals.
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Risk of death following SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination in young people in England: a self-controlled case series study -
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+Objectives: To assess whether there is a change in the incidence of cardiac and all-cause death in young people following COVID-19 vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated individuals. Design: Self-controlled case series. Setting: National, linked electronic health record data in England. Study population: Individuals aged 12-29 who had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination and died between 8 December 2020 and 2 February 2022 and registered by 16 February 2022 within 12 weeks of COVID-19 vaccination; Individuals aged 12-29 who died within 12 weeks of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Main outcome measures: Cardiac and all-cause deaths occurring within 12 weeks of vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: Compared to the baseline period, there was no evidence of a change in the incidence of cardiac death in the six weeks after vaccination, whether for each of weeks 1 to 6 or the whole six-week period. There was a decrease in the risk of all-cause death in the first week after vaccination and no change in each of weeks 2 to 6 after vaccination or whole six-week period after vaccination. Subgroup analyses by sex, age, vaccine type, and last dose also showed no change in the risk of death in the first six weeks after vaccination. There was a large increase in the incidence of cardiac and all-cause death in the overall risk period after SARS-CoV-2 infection among the unvaccinated. Conclusion: There is no evidence of an association between COVID-19 vaccination and an increased risk of death in young people. By contrast, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with substantially higher risk of cardiac related death and all-cause death.
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Waning effectiveness of BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccines over six months since second dose: a cohort study using linked electronic health records -
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+Background The rate at which COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness wanes over time is crucial for vaccination policies, but is incompletely understood with conflicting results from different studies. Methods This cohort study, using the OpenSAFELY-TPP database and approved by NHS England, included individuals without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection assigned to vaccines priority groups 2-12 defined by the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. We compared individuals who had received two doses of BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 with unvaccinated individuals during six 4-week comparison periods, separately for subgroups aged 65+ years; 16-64 years and clinically vulnerable; 40-64 years and 18-39 years. We used Cox regression, stratified by first dose eligibility and geographical region and controlled for calendar time, to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) comparing vaccinated with unvaccinated individuals, and quantified waning vaccine effectiveness as ratios of aHRs per-4-week period. The outcomes were COVID-19 hospitalisation, COVID-19 death, positive SARS-CoV-2 test, and non-COVID-19 death. Findings The BNT162b2, ChAdOx1 and unvaccinated groups comprised 1,773,970, 2,961,011 and 2,433,988 individuals, respectively. Waning of vaccine effectiveness was similar across outcomes and vaccine brands: e.g. in the 65+ years subgroup ratios of aHRs versus unvaccinated for COVID-19 hospitalisation, COVID-19 death and positive SARS-CoV-2 test ranged from 1.23 (95% CI 1.15-1.32) to 1.27 (1.20-1.34) for BNT162b2 and 1.16 (0.98-1.37) to 1.20 (1.14-1.27) for ChAdOx1. Despite waning, rates of COVID-19 hospitalisation and COVID-19 death were substantially lower among vaccinated individuals compared to unvaccinated individuals up to 26 weeks after second dose, with estimated aHRs <0.20 (>80% vaccine effectiveness) for BNT162b2, and <0.26 (>74%) for ChAdOx1. By weeks 23-26, rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in fully vaccinated individuals were similar to or higher than those in unvaccinated individuals: aHRs ranged from 0.85 (0.78-0.92) to 1.53 (1.07-2.18) for BNT162b2, and 1.21 (1.13-1.30) to 1.99 (1.94-2.05) for ChAdOx1. Interpretation The rate at which estimated vaccine effectiveness waned was strikingly consistent for COVID-19 hospitalisation, COVID-19 death and positive SARS-CoV-2 test, and similar across subgroups defined by age and clinical vulnerability. If sustained to outcomes of infection with the Omicron variant and to booster vaccination, these findings will facilitate scheduling of booster vaccination doses.
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Research on the Emotions of Uninfected People during the COVID-19 Epidemic in China -
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+Background: The negative emotions induced by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic are affecting people9s health. In order to identify emotional problems and promote early intervention to reduce the risk of disease, we studied the emotional states of Chinese people during the epidemic. Method: We adopted the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics mood scale and prepared an online questionnaire. Then, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis of the effective responses of 567 participants from 31 provinces and cities in China. Finally, we analyzed the characteristics of the distribution of different types of emotions and compared them via several statistical methods. Results: The original scale was modified to have six dimensions that yielded reliable internal consistency values ranging from 0.898 to 0.965 and explained 74.96% of the total variance. We found that a total of 33.9% of respondents felt negative emotions more strongly, were less happy and had less energy than other respondents (p<0.001). People with these traits had relatively serious emotional problems and were typically over 60 years old, doctoral degree holders, enterprise personnel and residents in an outbreak area. Conclusion: Thirty-three percent of people without COVID-19 had emotional problems. Psychotherapy should be provided as early as possible for people with emotional problems caused by the epidemic, and the modified scale could be used to survey the public9s mood during public health events to detect problems and facilitate early intervention.
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The World Health Organization’s Disease Outbreak News: a retrospective database -
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+The World Health Organization (WHO) notifies the global community about disease outbreaks through the Disease Outbreak News (DON). These online reports tell important stories about both outbreaks themselves and the high-level decision making that governs information sharing during public health emergencies. However, they have been used only minimally in global health scholarship to date. Here, we collate all 2,789 of these reports from their first use through the start of the Covid-19 pandemic (January 1996 to December 2019), and develop an annotated database of the subjective and often inconsistent information they contain. We find that these reports are dominated by a mix of persistent worldwide threats (particularly influenza and cholera) and persistent epidemics (like Ebola virus disease in Africa or MERS-CoV in the Middle East), but also document important periods in history like the anthrax bioterrorist attacks at the turn of the century, the spread of chikungunya and Zika virus to the Americas, or even recent lapses in progress towards polio elimination. We present three simple vignettes that show how researchers can use these data to answer both qualitative and quantitative questions about global outbreak dynamics and public health response. However, we also find that the retrospective value of these reports is visibly limited by inconsistent reporting (e.g., of disease names, case totals, mortality, and actions taken to curtail spread). We conclude that sharing a transparent rubric for which outbreaks are considered reportable, and adopting more standardized formats for sharing epidemiological metadata, might help make the DON more useful to researchers and policymakers.
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Association of COVID-19 with risks of hospitalization and mortality from other disorders post-infection: A study of the UK Biobank -
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+Background More than 0.4 billion cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide. The sequalae of COVID-19 remains unclear, especially whether it may be associated with increased hospitalization and mortality from other diseases. Methods We leveraged a large prospective cohort of the UK biobank (UKBB) (N=412,096; current age 50-87) to identify associations of COVID-19 with hospitalization and mortality due to different diseases post-infection. We conducted a comprehensive survey on disorders from all systems (up to 135 disease categories). Multivariable Cox and Poisson regression was conducted controlling for main confounders. For sensitivity analysis, we also conducted separate analysis for new-onset and recurrent cases, and other sensitivity analysis such as the prior event rate adjustment (PERR) approach to minimize effects of unmeasured confounders. Results Compared to individuals with no known history of COVID-19, those with severe COVID-19 (requiring hospitalization) exhibited higher hazards of hospitalization and/or mortality due to multiple disorders (median follow-up=608 days), including disorders of respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and musculoskeletal systems. Increased hazards of hospitalizations and/or mortality were also observed for injuries due to fractures, various infections and other non-specific symptoms. These results remained largely consistent after sensitivity analyses. Severe COVID-19 was also associated with increased all- cause mortality (HR=14.700, 95% CI: 13.835-15.619). Mild (non-hospitalized) COVID-19 was associated with modestly increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.237, 95% CI 1.037-1.476) and mortality from neurocognitive disorders (HR=9.100, 95% CI: 5.590-14.816), as well as hospital admission from a few disorders such as aspiration pneumonitis, musculoskeletal pain and other general signs/symptoms. Conclusions In conclusion, this study revealed increased risk of hospitalization and mortality from a wide variety of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary diseases after COVID-19, especially for severe infections. Mild disease was also associated with increased all-cause mortality. Further studies are required to replicate our findings.
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The efficacy, safety and immunogenicity Nanocovax: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial. -
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+Background Nanocovax is a recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 subunit vaccine composed of full-length prefusion stabilized recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins (S-2P) and aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. In a Phase 1 and 2 studies, (NCT04683484) the vaccine was found to be safe and induce a robust immune response in healthy adult participants. Methods We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy of the Nanocovax vaccine against Covid-19 in approximately 13,007 volunteers aged 18 years and over. The immunogenicity was assessed based on Anti-S IgG antibody response, surrogate virus neutralization, wild-type SARS-CoV-2 neutralization and the types of helper T-cell response by intracellular staining (ICS) for interferon gamma (IFNg) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). The vaccine efficacy (VE) was calculated basing on serologically confirmed cases of Covid-19. Findings Up to day 180, incidences of solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AE) were similar between vaccine and placebo groups. 100 serious adverse events (SAE) were observed in both vaccine and placebo groups (out of total 13007 participants). 96 out of these 100 SAEs were determined to be unrelated to the investigational products. 4 SAEs were possibly related, as determined by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) and investigators. Reactogenicity was absent or mild in the majority of participants and of short duration. These findings highlight the excellent safety profile of Nanocovax. Regarding immunogenicity, Nanocovax induced robust IgG and neutralizing antibody responses. Importantly, Anti S-IgG levels and neutralizing antibody titers on day 42 were higher than those of natural infected cases. Nanocovax was found to induce Th2 polarization rather than Th1. Post-hoc analysis showed that the VE against symptomatic disease was 51.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] was [34.4%-64.1%]. VE against severe illness and death were 93.3% [62.2- 98.1]. Notably, the dominant strain during the period of this study was Delta variant. Interpretation Nanocovax 25 microgram (mcg) was found to be safe with the efficacy against symptomatic infection of Delta variant of 51.5%.
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Performance of Gazelle COVID-19 point-of-care test for detection of nucleocapsid antigen from SARS-CoV-2 -
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+SARS-CoV-2 antigen assays offer simplicity and rapidity in diagnosing COVID-19. We assessed the clinical performance of Gazelle COVID-19 test, a fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay with an accompanying Reader utilizing image-recognition software for detection of nucleocapsid antigen from SARS-CoV-2. We performed a prospective, operator- blinded, observational study at 2 point-of-care (POC) sites. Nasal swab specimens from symptomatic patients were tested with Gazelle COVID-19 test and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-P CR) assay. Overall, data from 1524 subjects was analyzed, and 133 were positive by RT-PCR. Mean (range) age of participants was 34.7 (2-94) years and 570 (37.4%) were female. The sensitivity and the specificity of the Gazelle COVID-19 test were 96.3% and 99.7%. The PPV of Gazelle COVID-19 test was 97.0%, NPV 99.6%, and accuracy 99.4%. In POC settings, Gazelle COVID-19 test had high diagnostic accuracy for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swab samples of symptomatic subjects suspected of COVID-19.
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Mathematical modelling of COVID-19 transmission dynamics with vaccination: A case study in Ethiopia -
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+In this paper, we consider a mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission with vaccination where the total population was subdivided into nine disjoint compartments, namely, Susceptible(S), Vaccinated with the first dose(V1), Vaccinated with the second dose(V2), Exposed (E), Asymptomatic infectious (I), Symptomatic infectious (I), Quarantine (Q), Hospitalized (H) and Recovered (R). We computed a reproduction parameter, Rv, using the next generation matrix. Analytical and numerical approach is used to investigate the results. In the analytical study of the model: we showed the local and global stability of disease-free equilibrium, the existence of the endemic equilibrium and its local stability, positivity of the solution, invariant region of the solution, transcritical bifurcation of equilibrium and conducted sensitivity analysis of the model. From these analysis, we found that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable for Rv < 1 and unstable for Rv > 1. A locally stable endemic equilibrium exists for Rv > 1, which shows persistence of the disease if the reproduction parameter is greater than unity. The model is fitted to cumulative daily infected cases and vaccinated individuals data of Ethiopia from May 01, 2021 to January 31, 2022. The unknown parameters are estimated using the least square method with built-in MATLAB function 9lsqcurvefit9. Finally, we performed different simulations using MATLAB and predicted the vaccine dose that will be administered at the end of two years. From the simulation results, we found that it is important to reduce the transmission rate, infectivity factor of asymptomatic cases and increase the vaccination rate, quarantine rate to control the disease transmission. Predictions show that the vaccination rate has to be increased from the current rate to achieve a reasonable vaccination coverage in the next two years.
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Risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by fomites: a clinical observational study in highly infectious COVID-19 patients -
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+Background: The contribution of droplet-contaminated surfaces for virus transmission has been discussed controversially in the context of the current Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Importantly, the risk of fomite-based transmission has not been systematically addressed. Methods: We initiated this single-center observational study to evaluate whether hospitalized COVID-19 patients can contaminate stainless steel carriers by coughing or intensive moistening with saliva and to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission upon detection of viral loads and infectious virus in cell culture. Fifteen hospitalized patients with a high baseline viral load (CT value ≤ 25) shortly after admission were included. We documented clinical and laboratory parameters and used patient samples to perform virus culture, quantitative PCR and virus sequencing. Results: Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs of all patients were positive for viral RNA on the day of the study. Infectious SARS-CoV-2 could be isolated from 6 patient swabs (46.2 %). While after coughing, no infectious virus could be recovered, intensive moistening with saliva resulted in successful viral recovery from steel carriers of 5 patients (38.5 %). Conclusions: Transmission of infectious SARS-CoV-2 via fomites is possible upon extensive moistening, but unlikely to occur in real- life scenarios and from droplet-contaminated fomites.
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People with HIV receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy show typical antibody durability after dual COVID-19 vaccination, and strong third dose responses -
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+Background: Longer-term humoral responses to two-dose COVID-19 vaccines remain incompletely characterized in people living with HIV (PLWH), as do initial responses to a third dose. Methods: We measured antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain, ACE2 displacement and viral neutralization against wild-type and Omicron strains up to six months following two-dose vaccination, and one month following the third dose, in 99 PLWH receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy, and 152 controls. Results: Though humoral responses naturally decline following two-dose vaccination, we found no evidence of lower antibody concentrations nor faster rates of antibody decline in PLWH compared to controls after accounting for sociodemographic, health and vaccine-related factors. We also found no evidence of poorer viral neutralization in PLWH after two doses, nor evidence that a low nadir CD4+ T-cell count compromised responses. Post-third-dose humoral responses substantially exceeded post-second-dose levels, though anti-Omicron responses were consistently weaker than against wild-type. Nevertheless, post-third-dose responses in PLWH were comparable to or higher than controls. An mRNA-1273 third dose was the strongest consistent correlate of higher post-third-dose responses. Conclusion: PLWH receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy mount strong antibody responses after two- and three-dose COVID-19 vaccination. Results underscore the immune benefits of third doses in light of Omicron.
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SCENTinel 1.1 rapidly screens for COVID-19 related olfactory disorders -
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+The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of people suffering from olfactory disorders. In the absence of quick, population-wide olfactory tests, we developed SCENTinel, a rapid, inexpensive smell test to assess odor detection, intensity, and identification ability, which can discriminate anosmia (e.g., total smell loss) from normosmia (e.g., normal sense of smell) using a single odor. A new version, SCENTinel 1.1, extends the original test with one of four possible odors and a hedonic subtest (how pleasant is the odor). The purpose of this study was to determine if SCENTinel 1.1 can discriminate other types of olfactory disorders common to COVID-19, such as hyposmia (e.g., reduced sense of smell), parosmia (e.g., distorted odor perception), and phantosmia (e.g., odor sensation without an odor source). Participants (N=381) were divided into three groups based on their self-reported olfactory function: quantitative smell disorder (anosmia or hyposmia, N=135), qualitative smell disorder (parosmia and/or phantosmia; n=86), and normosmia (N=66). SCENTinel 1.1 classifies anosmia and normosmia groups with high sensitivity (AUC=0.94), similar to SCENTinel 1.0 (AUC=0.95). SCENTinel 1.1 also accurately discriminates quantitative from qualitative (AUC=0.76), and normosmia (AUC=0.84), and normosmia from qualitative (AUC=0.73) groups. We also considered a subset of participants who only reported one type of olfactory disorder. SCENTinel 1.1 discriminates hyposmia from parosmia (AUC=0.89), and anosmia (AUC=0.78); as well as parosmia from anosmia (AUC=0.82). Participants with parosmia had a significantly lower hedonic score than those without parosmia, indicating odor distortions are unpleasant. SCENTinel 1.1 is a rapid smell test that can discriminate quantitative (anosmia, hyposmia) and qualitative (parosmia, phantosmia) olfactory disorders, and it is among the only direct tests to rapidly screen for parosmia.
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A CNN model for predicting binding affinity changes between SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD variants and ACE2 homologues -
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+The cellular entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) involves the association of its receptor binding domain (RBD) with human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) as the first crucial step. Efficient and reliable prediction of RBD-hACE2 binding affinity changes upon amino acid substitutions can be valuable for public health surveillance and monitoring potential spillover and adaptation into non-human species. Here, we introduce a convolutional neural network (CNN) model trained on protein sequence and structural features to predict experimental RBD-hACE2 binding affinities of 8,440 variants upon single and multiple amino acid substitutions in the RBD or ACE2. The model achieves a classification accuracy of 83.28% and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.85 between predicted and experimentally calculated binding affinities in five-fold cross-validation tests and predicts improved binding affinity for most circulating variants. We pro-actively used the CNN model to exhaustively screen for novel RBD variants with combinations of up to four single amino acid substitutions and suggested candidates with the highest improvements in RBD-ACE2 binding affinity for human and animal ACE2 receptors. We found that the binding affinity of RBD variants against animal ACE2s follows similar trends as those against human ACE2. White-tailed deer ACE2 binds to RBD almost as tightly as human ACE2 while cattle, pig, and chicken ACE2s bind weakly. The model allows testing whether adaptation of the virus for increased binding with other animals would cause concomitant increases in binding with hACE2 or decreased fitness due to adaptation to other hosts.
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A Clinical Trial on Sequential Immunization of Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (CHO Cell, NVSI-06-09) and Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell) - Condition: COVID-19 Interventions: Biological: Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (CHO cell，NVSI-06-09); Biological: Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (Vero cells) Sponsors:
+National Vaccine and Serum Institute, China; China National Biotec Group Company Limited; Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd; Beijing Insitute of Biological Products Co., Ltd Not yet recruiting
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Effect of Bronchipret on Antiviral Immune Response in Patients With Mild COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19 Intervention: Drug: Bronchipret Sponsors: Dr. Frank Behrens; Bionorica SE Recruiting
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A Community-based Study of Spikogen®, a Protein-subunit Covid-19 Vaccine - Condition: COVID-19 Intervention: Biological: Advax-CpG55.2 adjuvanted recombinant spike protein Sponsors: Professor Nikolai Petrovsky; Australian Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Institute; Tasmanian Eye Institute Not yet recruiting
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COVID-19 Volumetric Quantification on Computer Tomography Using Computer Aided Diagnostics - Condition: COVID-19 Intervention: Diagnostic Test: CAD analysis Sponsors:
+Bogdan Bercean; Pius Brinzeu Timisoara County Emergency Hospital Not yet recruiting
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Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Black and Latino Youth - Condition: COVID-19 Interventions: Behavioral: Culturally-Tailored COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Intervention; Behavioral: Standard Care Sponsors: Nemours Children’s Health System; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS); University of Delaware; ChristianaCare Active, not recruiting
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Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Impacts of COVID-19 on Young Adults - Condition: Post COVID-19 Intervention: Other: Evaluation of Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Impacts of COVID-19 on Young Adults Sponsor: Istanbul Arel University Not yet recruiting
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ApTOLL for the Treatment of COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19 Interventions: Drug: ApTOLL; Other: Saline Sponsors:
+Macarena Hernández Jiménez; Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial Recruiting
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Platform Trial to Compare Homologous Boost of Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines and Heterologous Boost With UB-612 Vaccine - Condition: COVID-19 Vaccines Interventions: Biological: UB-612; Biological: BNT162b2 vaccine; Biological: ChAdOx1-S vaccine; Biological: Sinopharm BIBP Sponsors: Vaxxinity, Inc.; Syneos Health Recruiting
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Nitrate-based Nutritional Formula for Oxygen Saturation and Patient-reported Outcomes in Covid-19 - Condition: COVID-19 Interventions: Dietary Supplement: NITRATE; Dietary Supplement: PLACEBO Sponsor: University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education Completed
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COVID-19 Variant Immunologic Landscape Trial (COVAIL Trial) - Condition: COVID-19 Interventions: Biological: mRNA-1273; Biological: mRNA-1273.351; Other: Sodium Chloride, 0.9% Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Not yet recruiting
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Efficacy of TCM Capsules Lian Hua Qing Wen Jiao Nang in Mild COVID-19 Patients - Condition: COVID-19 Interventions: Other: TCM intervention; Other: Placebo intervention Sponsor: Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution Not yet recruiting
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Trial to Study the Efficacy and Safety of BEJO Red Ginger in COVID-19 Patients With Mild Symptoms - Condition: COVID-19 Interventions: Dietary Supplement: BEJO Red Ginger Extract; Other: Placebo Sponsors: Research Center for Chemistry, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia; National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia; RSDC Wisma Atlet; PT. Bintang Toedjoe Recruiting
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Safety and Pharmacokinetics of FBR-002 for the Treatment of Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 in Need of Supplemental Oxygen and at Risk of Severe Outcome - Condition: COVID-19 Interventions: Drug: FBR-002; Drug: Placebo Sponsor:
+Fab’entech Not yet recruiting
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PROSPECTIVE OPEN LABEL CLINICAL TRIAL TO ADMINISTER A BOOSTER DOSE OF PFIZER/BIONTECH OR MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINE IN HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS - Conditions: SARS CoV 2 Infection; COVID-19 Interventions:
+Biological: Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2); Biological: Moderna Sponsor:
+DHR Health Institute for Research and Development Recruiting
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Early Treatment Strategy With High-dose Dexamethasone in Patients With SARS-CoV-2 - Conditions: Covid19; Dexamethasone Intervention: Drug: Dexamethasone Sponsor:
+Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor Not yet recruiting
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From PubMed
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VIP plasma levels associate with survival in severe COVID-19 patients, correlating with protective effects in SARS- CoV-2-infected cells - Infection by SARS-CoV-2 may elicit uncontrolled and damaging inflammatory responses. Thus, it is critical to identify compounds able to inhibit virus replication and thwart the inflammatory reaction. Here, we show that the plasma levels of the immunoregulatory neuropeptide VIP are elevated in patients with severe COVID-19, correlating with reduced inflammatory mediators and with survival on those patients. In vitro, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating…
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Pentosan polysulfate inhibits attachment and infection by SARS-CoV-2 in vitro: insights into structural requirements for binding - Two years since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there remain few clinically effective drugs to complement vaccines. One is the anticoagulant, heparin, which in 2004 was found able to inhibit invasion of SARS CoV (CoV-1) and which has been employed during the current pandemic to prevent thromboembolic complications and moderate potentially damaging inflammation. Heparin has also been shown experimentally to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 attachment and infection in susceptible…
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Serum neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages BA.1 and BA.2 in patients receiving monoclonal antibodies - The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 sublineage has been supplanted in many countries by the BA.2 sublineage. BA.2 differs from BA.1 by about 21 mutations in its spike. Here, we first compared the sensitivity of BA.1 and BA.2 to neutralization by 9 therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In contrast to BA.1, BA.2 was sensitive to Cilgavimab, partly inhibited by Imdevimab and resistant to Adintrevimab and Sotrovimab. We then analyzed sera from 29 immunocompromised individuals up to one month after…
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Impact of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition on mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients with pre- existing hypertension: a prospective cohort study - CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill COVID-19 patients with comorbid hypertension, use of ACEi/ARBs prior to ICU admission was associated with a reduced risk of in-hospital mortality following adjustment for baseline characteristics although patients with ACEi/ARB showed longer length of hospital stay. Clinical trial registration The registration number: ACTRN12620000421932; The date of registration: 30, March 2020; The URL of the registration:…
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SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein 1 Activates Microvascular Endothelial Cells and Complement System Leading to Platelet Aggregation - Microvascular thrombosis is associated with multiorgan failure and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although thrombotic complications may be ascribed to the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect and replicate in endothelial cells, it has been poorly investigated whether, in the complexity of viral infection in the human host, specific viral elements alone can induce endothelial damage. Detection of circulating spike protein in the sera of severe COVID-19 patients was evaluated by…
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Low Dose Radiation Therapy Attenuates ACE2 Depression and Inflammatory Cytokines Induction by COVID-19 Viral Spike Protein in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells - Purpose: Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) is an evidence-based anti-inflammatory treatment. In anti-COVID-19, our study suggests that low to moderate dose radiation of <1.5Gy can inhibit the induction of inflammatory cytokine and attenuate the ACE2 depression induced by spike protein in human bronchial epithelial cells in COVID-19 infection. Our study provided further mechanistic evidence to support LDRT as a cost-effective treatment for COVID-19 to relieve the severe inflammatory reaction and…
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Scavenger Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Viral Infections - Scavenger receptors (SR) are not only pattern recognition receptors involved in the immune response against pathogens but are also important receptors exploited by different virus to enter host cells, and thus represent targets for antiviral therapy. The high mutation rates of viruses, as well as their small genomes are partly responsible for the high rates of virus resistance and effective treatments remain a challenge. Most currently approved formulations target viral-encoded factors….
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Angiopathic activity of LRG1 is induced by the IL-6/STAT3 pathway - Leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) is a secreted glycoprotein that under physiological conditions is produced predominantly by the liver. In disease, its local induction promotes pathogenic neovascularisation while its inhibition leads to reduced dysfunctional angiogenesis. Here we examine the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in defective angiogenesis mediated by LRG1. IL-6 treatment induced LRG1 expression in endothelial cells and ex vivo angiogenesis cultures and promoted vascular growth with…
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SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 helicase suppresses interferon signaling by perturbing JAK1 phosphorylation of STAT1 - CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 helicase broadly suppresses IFN signaling by targeting JAK1 phosphorylation of STAT1.
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COVID-19 microthrombosis: unusually large VWF multimers are a platform for activation of the alternative complement pathway under cytokine storm - ADAMTS13, a metalloproteinase, specifically cleaves unusually large multimers of von Willebrand factor (VWF), newly released from vascular endothelial cells. The ratio of ADAMTS13 activity to VWF antigen (ADAMTS13/VWF) and indicators of the alternative complement pathway (C3a and sC5b-9) are both related to the severity of COVID-19. The ADAMTS13/VWF ratio is generally moderately decreased (0.18-0.35) in patients with severe COVID-19. When these patients experience cytokine storms, both…
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Molnupiravir: a lethal mutagenic drug against rapidly mutating SARS-CoV-2 - A narrative review - Broad-spectrum antiviral agents targeting viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) are expected to be a key therapeutic strategy in the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its future variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. Molnupiravir is a nucleoside analog that in vivo experiments have been reported to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Clinical trials of molnupiravir as…
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Efficacy and Safety of Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine in Patients with Severe COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial - During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, unauthorized drugs were widely used. Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are drugs that inhibit viral replication in vitro and that have been used in several medical centers. This clinical trial analyzes their efficacy in hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19. Methods: This a controlled, clinical, randomized, double-blind trial that included hospitalized patients with COVID-19-induced pneumonia, without severe respiratory failure. Patients…
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Characterization, molecular modeling and pharmacology of some 2-hydroxychalcone derivatives as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor - This work presented the microwave assisted synthesis of six new 2́-hydroxychalcones and their characterization based on FTIR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR, and mass spectral analysis. Quantum chemical studies confirmed the structures of prepared chalcones. Antioxidant, in vitro antimicrobial and in silico antiviral studies have been performed to evaluate their biological performance. Results of molecular docking of prepared 2́-hydroxychalcones against SARS-CoV-2 (7BQY) main protease disclosed their inhibition…
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3D-printed graphene polylactic acid devices resistant to SARS-CoV-2: Sunlight-mediated sterilization of additive manufactured objects - Additive manufacturing has played a crucial role in the COVID-19 global emergency allowing for rapid production of medical devices, indispensable tools for hospitals, or personal protection equipment. However, medical devices, especially in nosocomial environments, represent high touch surfaces prone to viral infection and currently used filaments for 3D printing can’t inhibit transmission of virus [1]. Graphene-family materials are capable of reinforcing mechanical, optical and thermal…
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Parsing the role of NSP1 in SARS-CoV-2 infection - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the ongoing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite its urgency, we still do not fully understand the molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and its ability to antagonize innate immune responses. SARS-CoV-2 leads to shutoff of cellular protein synthesis and over-expression of nsp1, a central shutoff factor in coronaviruses, inhibits cellular gene translation. However, the diverse molecular mechanisms…
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From Patent Search
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MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUE TO ANALYZE THE WORK PRESSURE OF PARAMEDICAL STAFF DURING COVID 19 - Machine learning technique to analyse the work pressure of paramedical staff during covid 19 is the proposed invention that focuses on identifying the stress levels of paramedical staff. The invention focuses on analysing the level of stress that is induced on the paramedical staff especially during pandemic. - link
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING IMPROVED GENERALIZED FUZZY PEER GROUP WITH MODIFIED TRILATERAL FILTER TO REMOVE MIXED IMPULSE AND ADAPTIVE WHITE GAUSSIAN NOISE FROM COLOR IMAGES - ABSTRACTMETHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING IMPROVED GENERALIZED FUZZY PEER GROUP WITH MODIFIED TRILATERAL FILTER TO REMOVE MIXED IMPULSE AND ADAPTIVE WHITE GAUSSIAN NOISE FROM COLOR IMAGESThe present invention provides a new approach is proposed that includes fuzzy-based approach and similarity function for filtering the mixed noise. In a peer group, the similarity function was adaptive to edge information and local noise level, which was utilized for detecting the similarity among pixels. In addition, a new filtering method Modified Trilateral Filter (MTF) with Improved Generalized Fuzzy Peer Group (IGFPG) is proposed to remove mixed impulse and Adaptive White Gaussian Noise from Color Images. The modified trilateral filter includes Kikuchi algorithm and loopy belief propagation to solve the inference issues on the basis of passing local message. In this research work, the images were collected from KODAK dataset and a few real time multimedia images like Lena were also used for testing the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. - link
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A STUDY ON MENTAL HEALTH, STRESS AND ANXIETY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 - SARS-Cov-2 virus causes an infectious disease coronavirus(COVID-19).The Students life is made harder by COVID-19.The human reaction that happens normally to everyone through physical or emotional tension is stress. Feeling of angry, nervous and frustration caused through any thought or events leads to stress. As college closures and cancelled events, students are missing out on some of the biggest moments of their young lives as well as everyday moments like chatting with friend, participating in class and cultural programme. For students facing life changes due to the outbreak are feeling anxious, isolated and disappointed which lead them to feel all alone. We like to take the help of expert adolescent psychologist to find out the techniques to practice self-care and look after their mental health. We would like to find out whether techniques used reduce the anxiety and stress among Engineering Students. - link
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A METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS WITH PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE - - link
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CONNECTING A TUTOR WITH A STUDENT - A system and a method for connecting a tutor with a student in real time. Initially, the system receives a student profile. Further, the system receives a question from the student. Furthermore, the system synthesizes the question based on a set of predefined machine learning model. Subsequently, the system determines a cohort of the students from the set of the cohort of the students. The cohort of the students is determined based on the one or more parameters related to the question. Further, the system identifies a tutor assigned to the cohort of the students. Subsequently, the system notifies the tutor in real time. Further, the system receives an acknowledgement from the tutor within a predefined time. Finally, the system connects the tutor with the student in real time when the acknowledgement is the positive acknowledgement. - link
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A CENTRAL TRANSACTION AUTHENTIC SYSTEM FOR OTP VERIFICATION - The present invention relates to a central transaction authentic system (100) for OTP verification. The system (100) comprises one or more user display units (102), one or more financial units (104), an account deposit unit (106), an OTP authentication unit (108) and a service server unit (110). The central transaction authentic system (100) for OTP verification work as Anti-money laundering measure. The system (100) also helpful for minimizing rate of cybercrime. The central transaction authentic system (100) for OTP verification that can neutralize digital financial fraud. The present invention provides a central transaction authentic system (100) for OTP verification that can monitor and analyze every transaction and customer interaction across its customer base for suspicious and potentially criminal activity. - link
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人源抗新冠病毒中和性抗体D2及其应用 - 本发明公开了人源抗新冠病毒中和性抗体D2及其应用。本发明利用噬菌体抗体库技术，成功获得一株特异性针对新型冠状病毒表面抗原的人源中和性抗体D2；且其在体外具有阻止新型冠状病毒感染敏感细胞的中和功能，在宿主中表达量高，对抗原亲和力高。利用上述方法获得的人源中和性抗新型冠状病毒表面抗原基因工程抗体可变区基因、Fab抗体基因以及上述每个抗体基因特征下的全抗体基因，可以在原核细胞、酵母细胞、真核细胞及任何重组系统中表达和生产此抗体或以此为基础的改建后的含有此抗体基因的任何其他基因，获得具有中和新型冠状病毒感染的抗体产物，制成临床上用于预防和治疗新型冠状病毒肺炎的特异性抗体药物。 - link
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雾化吸入型糖皮质激素纳米药物及其制备方法和应用 - 本发明公开了一种雾化吸入型糖皮质激素纳米药物及其制备方法和应用。该纳米药物包括：纳米级细胞膜囊泡；以及加载在纳米级细胞膜囊泡中的糖皮质激素。本发明的雾化吸入型糖皮质激素纳米药物可以在炎症肺部的滞留增强，并改善对激活的巨噬细胞和树突状细胞的靶向性，从而促进糖皮质激素细胞因子的下调作用，抑制新冠病毒SARS‑CoV‑2感染引起的新冠肺炎COVID‑19炎性细胞浸润和肺组织损伤；纳米糖皮质激素依靠中性粒细胞膜囊泡上丰富的细胞因子受体，中和广谱细胞因子，有效缓解肺部炎症。此外，中性粒细胞膜囊泡显示出了更好的体内安全性，并且雾化吸入型糖皮质激素纳米药物吸入递送后能有效地减轻糖皮质激素引起的骨质疏松症。 - link
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检测新型冠状病毒及其Omicron突变株的试剂盒和方法 - 本发明公开了一种检测新型冠状病毒及其Omicron突变株的试剂盒和方法。本发明通过对新冠ORF1ab、N、S三靶标基因进行联合检测对新型冠状病毒进行定性检测，同时S基因检测靶标区域覆盖Omicron变异株的特异性突变位点，如若新型冠状病毒为Omicron变异株，因突变位点的发生会导致S基因丢失无信号，从而对Omicron变异株与非Omicron变异株进行鉴别。本发明的检测试剂，能够高效率、高特异性、高稳定性、低成本的对新型冠状病毒及其Omicron突变株感染患者进行检测。 - link
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The Complexities of the Ukraine Dilemma - The aid offered by the West may help, but it cannot relieve Volodymyr Zelensky of the terrible predicaments he must manage in the weeks ahead. - link
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Radio Ukraine - A visit to Kraina FM, Ukraine’s “radio station of national resistance.” Plus, how some Black workers feel about returning to the office. - link
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In a World on Fire, Stop Burning Things - The truth is new and counterintuitive: we have the technology necessary to rapidly ditch fossil fuels. - link
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The Disillusionment of a Rikers Island Doctor - As a physician who cared for the oldest and sickest people in New York’s jails, I thought the pandemic might create a portal to a better world. Two years later, I wonder if we missed our chance. - link
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Can Anyone Unseat Marjorie Taylor Greene? - Whatever hope remains for the Georgia congresswoman’s many detractors seems to depend on either a new lawsuit or a candidate who’s been called “Marjorie with a brain.” - link
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From Vox
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Why community matters so much — and how to find yours -
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+A community can serve as a social safety net, but finding one and becoming a part of it is different from simply making friends.
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+Sam Zeff had always considered himself a pseudo-runner — a guy who’d go for a jog somewhat consistently but who never signed up for a race. There was always a part of him that was afraid he wouldn’t be accepted among other runners. Finally, Zeff, now 31, embraced the fear head-on and joined the Philadelphia chapter of November Project, a community-oriented fitness group. Instead of rejection, Zeff found a supportive group of athletes of all levels whose hard work inspired him to finish his first marathon in 2019.
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+Since then, Zeff has joined other organizations based on his values: a group for men to discuss their emotions, and a virtual mentorship program where members of all ages from across the world offered insight and advice on how to live more authentically. Not only have these communities empowered him to explore different parts of himself, but he entered into a mutually beneficial relationship with people who celebrated him just as he celebrated them. “I always felt like I was too much and like I was doing things to get attention,” Zeff says. “The people in this group have been fanning my flames rather than trying to put them out.”
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+Now, as he plans a move across the country from Philadelphia to San Clemente, California, he’s relying on his ability to find community once more. He’s reaching out to other members of his groups who’ve moved to California and also mining his interests, like yoga and meditation, to figure out which classes he should take in his new city. Community, he says, is proof he’s an essential gear in a larger social machine. “You’re part of a bigger picture that really wants to see everyone succeed,” Zeff says.
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+As social creatures, humans need interpersonal contact to survive. These connections range from your inner circle of family and close friends to the outer rungs of your social network — other pet parents at the dog park, for example — and it’s important to have this variety. “To try and count on one person to fill all of your emotional and psychological needs is not a good thing,” says Gillian Sandstrom, a senior lecturer in the psychology of kindness at the University of Sussex. “There’s research showing that you thrive more when you have lots of people to fill up various emotional needs.” Becoming a member of communities helps build this social diversity. However, finding community is much different from just making friends.
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+According to clinical and community psychologist David McMillan, a community is defined by four criteria: membership, influence, integration and fulfillment of needs, and shared emotional connection. To be part of a community, you must feel a sense of belonging (membership), feel like you make a difference to the group and that the group makes a difference to you (influence), feel like your needs will be met by other group members (integration and fulfillment of needs), and feel that you share history, similar experiences, time, and space together (shared emotional connection). High school, college, and retirement communities, McMillan says, are examples of community: “In college, the world is organized around satisfying you,” he says. From extracurricular activities to communal living, the entire experience centers around group collaboration and satisfaction. While a community can consist of pairs or small groups of friends — and help foster those connections — community members don’t necessarily need to be friends.
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+In contrast, friendship “is an invested, dedicated, platonic relationship where two people who are friends with each other are committed to the growth, the well-being, the support, the thriving of each other,” explains Kat Vellos, a connection coach, speaker, and author of the book We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships.
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+Fellow community members can lend a hand in unique and surprising ways. A neighbor can lend you the oddly specific pan you need to try a new recipe. An older person in your book club may have valuable insight into how to handle a conflict with your in-laws. You could find the résumé proofreader you’ve been looking for in another student in your cooking class. “When people talk about a 401(k) or insurance, community is that for your social life,” says Adam Smiley Poswolsky, a workplace-belonging speaker and author of Friendship in the Age of Loneliness. Think of it as a group of people who uplift one another and form a safety net for all of life’s moments.
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+Crucially, community is not strictly a collection of people who have a similar affiliation, interest, or shared experience with each other, Vellos says. While fans of certain shows or musicians — or even consumers of specific products, like Peloton — may feel they are members of a community, they are not always invested in other members’ lives and well-being. (Fans or followers would be more appropriate terms for many of these groups, Vellos says.) While many communities exist online, there must be an element of reciprocity — all parties contributing information and support equally — for the group to thrive.
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+Finding and becoming ingrained in a community doesn’t need to be an arduous task, but it does require time and self-reflection. Vox spoke with four experts who provided tips on how to identify and find your place in a community.
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+Prioritize your values and interests
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+One of the easiest ways to find a group you’d mesh with is to figure out where you wouldn’t mind spending a few hours of your time. Consider your talents and interests or a skill you’d like to learn, and seek out places to do those activities. If you love dancing, do some Googling to find dance clubs, studios, or meetup dance groups in your town. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn to throw clay; a pottery class will put you in contact with others who value art, working with their hands, or learning a new skill — and you could specifically seek out a studio that hosts social events or otherwise attempts to facilitate wider connections.
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+Poswolsky suggests seeking out groups that create together; the act of making something as a group facilitates closeness and brings you into contact with people of different ages, backgrounds, and stages of life. Whether it’s a performance or a neighborhood coat drive, anything you’re creating together “is a beautiful way to build community,” Poswolsky says.
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+Neighborhood associations, religious and spiritual groups, and charitable organizations typically hold frequent meetings you can attend to learn about the group’s mission, meet others, and volunteer at future events. Knowing what your values are is crucial to finding a community where you truly fit, Poswolsky says, and that can take work and soul-searching. If you’re not religious but have strong political views, joining a political organization can help you find a community where you and others are working to promote change that aligns with your collective values.
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+While it’s easier to join an already established group, you could also start one yourself based on your interests. If you want to build a community around hiking, for example, McMillan suggests posting online (say in a neighborhood Facebook group or retirement community portal) mentioning you’ll be hiking in a nearby park on Saturday if anyone would like to join. Others looking to make connections and get outside may take you up on the offer. Start small: Your budding community doesn’t have to be hundreds deep. “Real nurturing community starts in small groups,” McMillan says. “It doesn’t start with 100 people, it happens with a few. Finding those people and cultivating their interests and your interests … that’s harder in a big group.” And don’t panic if the first people who show up differ from you in terms of age, background, or ability. Part of the beauty of community is its ability to draw people from varying stages of life who can help open your eyes to new points of view and wisdom.
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+Make it a habit
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+To forge a true connection with the group — and vice versa — you’ll need to continually show up and add value. “You’ll develop closeness more quickly if you have that regularity and you don’t have to agonize over scheduling,” Vellos says. Immediately add the next meeting date to your calendar and make it a point to consistently attend. Coming early with a snack or staying late to stack the chairs shows you’re invested in the community.
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+Humans have more positive feelings toward familiar people, so seeing the same people on a repeated basis helps you both ingratiate with an already established group and with people you see regularly in your day-to-day life. Even if you don’t interact with the baristas or other patrons at your neighborhood coffee shop, there is an unspoken sense of camaraderie. “You can feel like you know someone even if you’ve never talked to them if you’ve seen them enough times,” Sandstrom says. Focusing on your already established routines and the people you encounter while doing them — like walking the dog — can be the basis for community. “If you go at the same time to the same place, you’re going to see the same people over and over again,” Sandstrom says. Even learning the names of fellow dog walkers and striking up a casual conversation can be enough to improve your mood.
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+Put energy into others
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+Because communities are made up of lots of people with varying opinions and life experiences, being an active member means regularly interacting with others in the group. But don’t expect other members to immediately support you in your endeavors, want to do you a favor, or even engage in conversation with you. Forging these connections takes time and effort, and you risk rejection, McMillan notes — but to fully integrate into a community, you can’t be a wallflower. “It’s my job toput energy into other people and not just wait for them to put energy into me,” he says.
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+When Sandstrom joined a community orchestra, she made a point of talking to a different person each time the group took a break in order to ease her way into the group. She’s also a fan of eavesdropping. “It’s okay to admit that you overheard people talking,” she says. If you catch a few people at yoga class discussing your favorite podcast, take that as an opportunity to jump into the conversation and meet a few people in the process.
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+Poswolsky suggests identifying one or two community members you’re interested in getting to know better and asking if they’d like to have coffee. “Those simple gestures of reaching out create intention, they put out what you’re looking for, and they don’t overwhelm you,” he says. “Suddenly, other people are going to be inviting you to things because you’re saying, ‘I’m going to take the time to have a conversation with someone.’”
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+But don’t exhaust yourself
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+You don’t need to join a dozen clubs or societies or introduce yourself to every neighbor on the block to have a community. Consider the time you’re able to commit and how much energy you’re able to bring to each meeting. Maybe becoming the organizer of a weekly canoeing group is too great a responsibility, but a monthly movie club where you can sit back and watch and discuss films is more your speed.
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+Each new person you meet at your local mutual aid organization might not blossom into a deep friendship — and that’s okay. The goal of community building isn’t necessarily to make new friends (though that definitely can happen), but to build a network. The people who are a part of that network can remain acquaintances, Sandstrom says.
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+This is Sam Zeff’s approach as he considers his community- building plan in California: focusing his energy toward worthy people and causes. The rest will come naturally. “I’m not married to having to be everyone’s friend,” he says. “I’m going to be intentional with my time and make sure that the people that I am investing my time with are the individuals that I see as part of my future who can not only help me grow, but people who are willing to be helped as well.”
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One Good Thing: The movie you have to see if you loved Drive My Car -
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+Kotone Furukawa in Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy. | Film Movement
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+Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy explores the startling role of pure luck in our lives.
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+Drive My Car, written and directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, is the stealth awards powerhouse of the year, an unusual berth for a long, quiet Japanese drama but certainly a deserving one. But if you were standing in line or sitting at a bar during a fall film festival in 2021, you might have found yourself in an unusual conversation: Which Hamaguchi film did you prefer?
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+Not which of Hamaguchi’s films — the director has made many celebrated ones, often very long (2015’s Happy Hour runs over five hours) — but which of his films that was currently making the rounds, because there were two. Drive My Car premiered in July at Cannes, beginning its long road to the Oscars. But months earlier, during the much wintrier (and mostly remote) Berlin Film Festival, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy had nabbed the Silver Bear, the festival’s second-place award, and had been winding its way around the world ever since.
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+They’re both great, but on balance, I enjoy watching Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy a hair more. It clocks in at two hours to Drive My Car’s three, which doesn’t hurt. But I also love how, structurally and thematically, it encourages the audience to lean in and listen, to connect the dots themselves — and how it shows the vibrant possibilities in the mostly ignored form of the short film.
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+Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is, in fact, three short films that play one after another. They’re not linked by characters, settings, or plots. Instead, the link is in the title. All three films explore the strange surprises and chance encounters that can radically change us, the startling role of pure luck in our lives. Spin the wheel. See what happens.
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+ Film Movement
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+Kotone Furukawa and Ayumu Nakajima in Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy.
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+The first film, “Magic (or Something Less Assuring),” centers on Meiko (Kotone Furukawa), a model who shares a cab back from a shoot with her friend Tsugumi (Hyunri). Tsugumi met a new guy recently, and she excitedly tells Meiko all about their unexpected first date. Meiko listens placidly and with interest, but after she drops Tsugumi off, she heads straight for a surprising confrontation at a downtown office. An open-ended tale, we’re left wondering what’s really happening here and what Meiko is planning for her future.
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+“Door Wide Open” — the second film, and the longest — opens with a university class interrupted by the voice of a desperate student begging a professor to save his grade. That professor, Segawa (Kiyohiko Shibukawa), refuses. Sometime later, Segawa wins a prize, and two of his students watch on TV after a liaison. They are Nao (Katsuki Mori), a married mother of a toddler, and her younger boyfriend Sasaki (Shouma Kai), the student Segawa refused. Sasaki convinces Nao to act as a honeypot lure and take his revenge on Segawa by proxy, but things do not work out as planned.
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+ Film Movement
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+Kiyohiko Shibukawa and Katsuki Mori in Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy.
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+The final segment, “Once Again,” is ostensibly set in a very near future (or perhaps alternate present), after some kind of virus exposed the world’s email and messaging data to everyone. Now, telegrams and snail mail are how people communicate. But that sci-fi setup recedes into the background of the story, in which Natsuko (Fusako Urabe), who was a bit of a loner in high school, travels to her high school reunion hoping to see an old flame. The attempt fails, but the next day she spots her by chance on a set of escalators. The woman (Aoba Kawai) invites Natsuko to her house for tea, but all is not as it seems.
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+In all three stories, Hamaguchi is spinning a web of uncertainty for his characters and for his audience. The women at the center of each story feel out of place, alienated from their families and desires and the people around them. Meiko keeps a secret from Tsugumi, but she’s also aching for a love she once had and rejected. Nao has tried every life path available to her and found ways to live without commitment, but an encounter with a man who knows who he is undoes her. And Natsuko, hunting for the only happiness she’s ever known in the midst of a miserable life, is pushed by fate into feeling emotions she isn’t sure how to process.
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+ Film Movement
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+Fusako Urabe and Aoba Kawai in Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy.
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+Hamaguchi’s films often feature characters locked into long, surprising conversations, where motivations and feelings lie buried beneath placid surfaces. But listening to them, we’re kept guessing, wondering what’s really going on in their hearts. Then their tales take unexpected left turns, and the result, for those of us paying attention, is the catharsis that comes with a good story.
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+I’ve said that I like Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy a little more than Drive My Car. On repeat watchings, though, I’ve come to believe that they’re both brilliant in their own way, showing Hamaguchi’s unusually deft touch with lengthy tales as well as shorter ones. For those who haven’t yet watched Drive My Car, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy acts like an accessible introduction to a master’s work. But even if you have seen the longer film — or if you just want to dive into three engrossing stories that leave you wanting more — Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is a brilliant, beautiful, deceptive meditation on the forces that move us all.
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+Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is available to rent or purchase on digital platforms. For more recommendations from the world of culture, check out the One Good Thing archives.
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Car dealers are charging buyers more because that’s capitalism, baby -
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+If you want a new car right now, it’s going to cost you. | DigitalVision via Getty Images
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+Car dealers are charging way over sticker price — and consumers are paying.
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+It’s a wild time out there in the car market. Wild in a good way if you’re a car dealer trying to sell a car. Wild in a less good way if you’re a consumer looking to buy, which is the spot Richie Iglar recently found himself in.
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+In the fall, he and his wife were in the market for an SUV and made an appointment at a Mercedes dealer in New Jersey. The salesman was “super nice” throughout most of the process, Iglar explained … until it came to the price. The dealership wanted to charge them $20,000 over the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (or MSRP).
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+“We were both shocked and politely declined, saying while we would like to have the car, we can’t justify over-spending for it,” he said. Iglar emailed another dealer trying to get a sense of what their markups were, and a week later they responded they were adding on $15,000. He decided to put a pause on buying. “I can’t justify spending that much over sticker.”
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+Iglar is hardly alone. Tens of thousands of dollars over the sticker is something of an outlier, but across the country, people on the hunt for a new vehicle are being met with significant dealer markups, thanks to supply shortages and high consumer demand. New car dealers have the upper hand at the moment, and some of them are willing to use it.
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+“At the end of the day, it’s saying, ‘Look, if you don’t buy this, the guy right behind you or the gal three people behind you is going to, and they’re going to pay me $1,000, $2,000 more than you’re willing to, so I have to go with them.’ It’s one of the first times in history where the dealer has so much demand that they can actually do that,” said Ivan Drury, senior manager of insights at Edmunds, a consumer research company. “If there are five people raising their hand to buy the exact same product, you just go with whoever is bidding the highest.”
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+According to Kelley Blue Book, the average new car price in the United States was $46,085 in February, $5,000 more than it was a year ago. Going by the Consumer Price Index, which measures what consumers pay for goods and services, new vehicle prices are <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t02.htm">up 12.4 percent</a> over the past year. (<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2022/02/13/used-cars-cost-more/6778705001/">Used car prices are up a ton</a>, too, but for this story, we’re focusing on new ones.)</p> <p id="XSsAqJ">How much are dealer markups contributing to this average price increase? The answer is certainly not all of it, or maybe even most of it. But they’re not helping, either. “It comes down to if someone’s willing to pay it, and they can sell it and keep selling it, I think they’re going to ride that train as long as they can,” Iglar said.</p> <p id="ooglNc">Amid the current inflationary environment, there’s a broader debate going on about what’s causing prices to rise. Some Democrats and economists <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/inflation-price-gouging/">argue</a> that corporate greed is playing a role, basically saying that companies are taking advantage of the moment to boost their profits even when it’s not necessary, and contributing to higher inflation overall. Other economists have <a href="https://apricitas.substack.com/p/are-rising-corporate-profit-margins?s=r">dismissed this</a>, saying it’s a flimsy excuse, and that other factors, among them supply chain problems, increased demand, and commodity prices, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/10/1085846628/corporate-greed-or-just-pandemic-pricing">have much more of an impact</a>. After all, corporate greed wasn’t invented in the pandemic.</p> <p id="0IL9iT">I am not going to litigate whether profiteering — which is generally legal in the US — is driving up inflation. But it’s hard not to recognize that in some corners, businesses and CEOs and salespeople are likely looking at the current economic landscape and thinking, “Eh, why not bump that price tag up a little more?” And who can blame them? That’s capitalism.</p> <p id="cpgehA">“Are they taking advantage of the situation? Yeah,” Drury said with regard to dealers. “I think they’re doing exactly what anyone else would if they were selling something too.”</p> <h3 id="IQGOWR">This is capitalism. Welcome.</h3> <p id="YOAyZd">In an environment where goods are scarce, intermediaries can push up the prices to pocket the money. We are in an environment where goods are scarce, and where, because of inflation, people sort of expect prices to go up anyway, and so in some corners, there’s a little bit of padding going on.</p> <p id="fyI7Yi">Even in a moment like this, with inflation on the rise, the point of companies is to make money. Many executives have been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/big-companies-keep-bragging-to-investors-about-price-hikes-2021-11">pretty open</a> that they’re able to pass on price increases to consumers and keep their margins up, or do a little bit better. Procter & Gamble, for example, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/procter-gamble-says-shoppers-are-unbowed-by- higher-prices-11642593626">has hiked prices on a variety of items</a> over the past year, including diapers, razors, and feminine care products. It has helped them deal with rising costs but also has helped them increase revenue.</p> <p id="xVy324">Are these price increases along the margins creating broad-based inflation across the economy? Many economists say probably not. But in the system we live in, when businesses big and small are in a position of power, they use it, and that’s certainly not helping. </p> <p id="Tn7Tmt">“We need to be honest that price changes are complex, and I don’t think it’s fair to boil it down to a single cause. Saying that profiteering is playing a role and profiteering is driving inflation are two different arguments,” said Mark Paul, an assistant professor of economics and environmental studies at New College of Florida. “The degree of price increases we’ve seen today are absolutely in line with a story where car companies are charging consumers above and beyond what should be considered a reasonable markup due to these market disruptions.”</p> <p id="WNiUtU">Eventually — and hopefully — the current supply/demand mismatch the automotive industry is seeing will sort itself out. The semiconductor shortage will subside, other production and supply chain bottlenecks will settle, there will be more new cars available, which should also help the used car market settle down. And that, again eventually and hopefully, will help cool inflation down. (New and used cars are a pretty significant factor in current inflation numbers.)</p> <p id="xhYDgp">In the meantime, consumers like Iglar can bide their time and wait for things to settle back down. Or they can bite the bullet and pay much more than they’d like to for a new car.</p> <h3 id="8ALvfu">If you want a new car right now, you have to really ($$$) want it
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+Previously, it’s been pretty rare for shoppers to pay above sticker price for new cars. Now, it’s pretty common.
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+According to Edmunds, 82 percent of customers paid above sticker price for a new car in January of this year. For some perspective, that figure was 2.8 percent in January 2021 and 0.3 percent in 2020. On average, transaction prices for a new car in January were $728 above the sticker price. In the same month in 2021 and 2020, they were more than $2,000 below it. For some higher-end vehicles, like the one Iglar was in the market for, dealers are charging tens of thousands of dollars above what manufacturers suggest.
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+In more normal times, it’s car dealers that are often trying to undercut one another on prices to attract customers and compete. Now, with inventories so low, it’s customers who are competing with each other for vehicles.
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+Bill Brunner, vice president and general manager at Paramus Chevrolet in New Jersey, told me that right now he has about 80 cars on his lot compared to what used to be 300, 400, or even 600 vehicles available. The scenario has created what he describes as a “balancing act” on pricing. “Our prices have definitely adjusted based on availability,” he said. “Having said that, we still need to be conscious of our customer base.” He knows some people have a budget. He also wants customers to come back next time their lease is up or they want to buy a new car.
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+Brunner said he’s starting to see some vehicles come through with more volume now, which will allow his dealership to be more competitive with the pricing. But it all really just depends on what they have. “There were some vehicles that we made better gross profits on than we would have if we had 100 of them in stock. It’s just supply and demand. If we had two of a particular model instead of 100, our pricing structure is different. It’s just the way it is,” he said. Brunner also noted the pandemic has been tough on dealerships, as it has been on a lot of businesses.
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+Still, some auto manufacturers aren’t loving the situation and have told dealers to knock it off on some egregious price hikes out of concern it will hurt their brands. (A lot of people don’t realize it’s the dealer that ultimately sets the price, not, say, GM or Ford.) Traditional auto manufacturers are also dealing with competition from companies such as Tesla, which sell direct to consumers. Plus, a number of car companies are launching electric vehicle products that they hope will expand their customer base, and many of those vehicles already come with long wait times.
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+“You figure somebody’s trying out your brand for the first time and it’s an EV product, you don’t want to ruin that relationship by saying, one, you’re going to wait, and two, you might pay more than you expected,” Drury said.
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+In a February earnings call, Ford CEO Jim Farley said that the automaker believes 10 percent of its dealers over the last year had charged above-MSRP prices and warned that “future allocation” of their models would be impacted by those policies, meaning the dealers in question might not be getting their most popular cars. The Wall Street Journal reported that GM also told dealers in a letter it might take action against a “small minority of bad actors” selling and leasing far above sticker price.
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+The Wall Street Journal has also reported that Toyota and Honda have talked to individual dealers about charging above MSRP, too. Jack Hollis, Toyota Motor North America’s senior vice president of auto operations, told the publication he thinks dealers thinking only about the short term are making a mistake. “If that customer experience is great during this time, they’ll be with you,” he said. The Journal noted that many dealers aren’t happy with the practice, either, because they worry it could damage the entire sector’s reputation.
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+To be sure, dealer markups are not the only thing contributing to price increases. “A whole slew of things” are making cars more expensive, said Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at IHS Markit. The pandemic has tossed the car industry into chaos over the past couple of years. Semiconductor shortages and supply chain woes have caused major setbacks in production, and the costs of making and moving the cars have gone up as well. Brinley pointed out that many consumers also want more, costlier features, which drives prices, too. “It’s a combination of trying to maintain margin and keep profitability up, but it can’t be done if consumers don’t want it,” she said.
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+Many of the vehicles with the highest markups are ones that are already pricey to begin with. “If you have $50,000 to spend on a car, how bad can someone feel for you when they can’t afford a $15,000 used car?” Drury said. “I don’t feel bad for certain people when they can bid up the price.”
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+Brinley pointed out it’s pretty easy to figure out what manufacturers suggest the price should be on a new car — the information is readily available on the internet. If you’re in the market for one, she suggests looking it up and then going from there. “Figure out what you’re willing to pay, and if you’ve got a dealership that is charging more than you might be willing to pay, you might not get a car in the next two hours, it might be a bit more complicated, but move on,” she said.
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+In the current landscape, you might have to be in “move on” mode for a while.
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+We live in a world that’s constantly trying to sucker us and trick us, where we’re always surrounded by scams big and small. It can feel impossible to navigate. Every two weeks, join Emily Stewart to look at all the little ways our economic systems control and manipulate the average person. Welcome to The Big Squeeze.
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Indian Premier League 2022: the teams, top players - The Twenty20 extravaganza begins on March 26.
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CSK's Moeen Ali gets visa, will be available from second game - CSK are scheduled to play Lucknow Super Giants in their second match on March 31
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Indian Premier League 2022 | Dhoni hands over CSK captaincy to Jadeja - Chennai Super Kings will begin their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai on March 26
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Gavaskar says Jadeja is ready to lead CSK if Dhoni takes a break - Dhoni, who has been the CSK captain since the league's inception in 2008, could be playing in his last IPL this season.
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Ashleigh Barty retires from tennis, resumes march to her own beat - The universally-loved Ashleigh Barty would have been chasing a career Slam at this year’s US Open
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From The Hindu: National News
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Both Houses of Maharashtra legislature pass Bill to make Marathi language mandatory in official works of local authorities - State Minister Subhash Desai said the introduction of the Bill was necessitated as the Maharashtra Official Language Act, 1964 did not make it mandatory for the local authorities to use Marathi in their official works
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Watch | How are Coimbatore’s onion puffs made? -
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Through prohibition, Nitish wants to keep caste-neutral women vote bank: experts - In last one year, 158 people have lost their lives by consuming spurious liquor in Bihar
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Disbursal of ration benefits - Beneficiaries of Udayam scheme to get aid
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CPI(M) will continue to oppose abrogation of Article 370: Yechury - ‘We appeal to all secular forces to close ranks in order to save India for a better future’
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From BBC: Europe
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Western leaders meet to discuss Ukraine support - President Joe Biden joins leaders of Nato, the EU and G7 in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
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Russian warship destroyed in occupied port of Berdyansk, says Ukraine - Ukraine’s navy says the Orsk, which was used to ferry Russian troops, was hit in Berdyansk.
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Ukraine war: Ukrainian fightback gains ground west of Kyiv - Authorities in the town of Makariv, near the capital, say Ukrainian flags are flying there again.
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Russian veteran reformer Chubais quits job as Putin envoy - Anatoly Chubais, who was a special international envoy of the president, is said to have left Russia.
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Ukraine war: Russian journalist Oksana Baulina killed in Kyiv shelling - Oksana Baulina died while filming destruction caused by Russian shelling in a Kyiv neighbourhood.
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From Ars Technica
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MSI challenges Lenovo, HP with Tile-tracking laptops - MSI refreshed its Summit laptops with Tile trackers and 12th Gen Intel CPUs. - link
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Wolfenstein 3D secrets revealed by John Romero in lengthy post-mortem chat - Admits id Software was nearly acquired by Sierra—and we get Ken Williams’ response. - link
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A new picture of the hot water beneath Yellowstone’s geysers - Hot, mineral-rich water creates changes in electric fields that can be mapped. - link
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AARP-backed social network looks to lure older users from Facebook - Platform focuses on shared interests, discourages off-topic political rants. - link
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How to make online games less toxic? GDC devs debate moderation - Artificial intelligence, verbalizing feelings, and massively multiplayer horse games. - link
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From Jokes Subreddit
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My girlfriend shouted at me, “You’re always acting like a detective. I want to split up!” Eyes growing wide, I replied… -
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+“Great idea! We can cover more ground that way!”
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A lady approaches a priest and shyly tells him, “Father, I have a problem. I have these two talking female parrots but, they only know how to say one thing… they keep saying ‘Hi, we’re hot… do you want to fuck us?’” -
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+“That’s terrible!” says the priest. “But, I have a solution to your problem. Bring your two parrots over to my house tomorrow. I will put them with my two male talking parrots… to whom I’ve taught to pray and read the bible. My parrots will then teach your parrots to stop saying that terrible filth, and your female parrots will learn to pray and worship the good Lord.” So the next day, the lady brings her two female parrots to the priest’s house. The priest’s two male parrots are holding rosary beads and praying in their cage. The lady puts her female talking parrots in with the male talking Parrots, and the female parrots say, “Hi, we’re hot. Do you want to fuck us?” One male parrot looks over at the other male parrot and screams, “put the bible away you idiot, our prayers have been answered!”
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