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Wang F, Lui J, Wang JD. Losses of Life Expectancy and Productivity Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada: Policy Implication for Future Communicable Disease Control. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2419. [PMID: 36767785 PMCID: PMC9916087 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This research examines whether the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) did harm to the population's health through comparing the changes in the life expectancy of Canadians with those of Australians over the period from March 2019 to February 2021 by using a difference-in-differences (DID) estimation method. We found that the pandemic did cause differences in life expectancies between Canada and Australia, probably because of different initial control policies for COVID-19. This study uses the indicator of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to measure the societal health burden, which was corroborated by estimating temporal productivity loss (TPL) and permanent productivity loss (PPL) based on the human capital approach (HCA) using data from Health Canada. The societal health burden in Canada amounted to 6.493 DALYs per 1000 male persons and 5.316 DALYs per 1000 female persons. The economy's permanent productivity loss was around USD 5.3 billion, while the temporary productivity loss was around USD 3 billion from February 2020 to April 2022. The sum of the above two losses amounted to 0.477% of the GDP in 2019. Swift and decisive decisions at the very early stage of a pandemic can nip contagions in the bud before numbers get out of hand and would be less damaging to people's health and the economy, as seen in Australia, in contrast to what happened in Canada. We thus recommend that such policies plus telecommunication systems in healthcare services be implemented early on to cope with the future outbreak of any emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuhmei Wang
- Department of Economics, College of Social Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Jinwei Lui
- Department of Economics, College of Social Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Der Wang
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
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2
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Cheng S, Xu X, Kong X, Jiang Y, Mo L, Li M, Jin Y, Han Y, Li XL, Jin T, Min JZ. Monitoring of salicylic acid content in human saliva and its relationship with plasma concentrations. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 219:114961. [PMID: 35907319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Aspirin is a widely used anti-inflammatory drug. It is reported that a relationship may exist between salicylic acid content in plasma and saliva after taking aspirin. This study established a rapid, convenient, and safe method to assess salicylic acid concentration in human saliva. A novel HPLC-ultraviolet detector was used to measure salicylic acid concentrations in human saliva and plasma. A C18 reversed-phase column with an aqueous solution of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)-acetonitrile mobile phase was used, and drug peaks were recorded at 303 nm. Salicylic acid was completely separated in saliva and plasma. Excellent linearity and correlation (r2 ≥ 0.9999) was observed between 0.1 and 2.0 μg/mL. The detection limit (S/N = 3) was 33 ng/mL, and intra- and inter-day recoveries were 103.5-113.3% and 101.1-109.5%, respectively. Salicylic acid was measured within nine hours after administration of acetylsalicylic acid tablets. A positive correlation between salicylic acid content in saliva and plasma was found (r = 0.867, p < 0.001). The proposed method was used successfully to measure salicylic acid concentration in human saliva. Meanwhile, we explored the relationship between salicylic acid levels in plasma and saliva. Saliva might replace blood for monitoring aspirin treatment. In addition, the research provides a reference for application to saliva samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyu Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xianglin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xinxin Kong
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yudi Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Luxuan Mo
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Mingxia Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yueying Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yu Han
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xi-Ling Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Toufeng Jin
- Department of General Surgery Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Jun Zhe Min
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China.
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3
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Diniz FC, Hipkiss AR, Ferreira GC. The Potential Use of Carnosine in Diabetes and Other Afflictions Reported in Long COVID Patients. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:898735. [PMID: 35812220 PMCID: PMC9257001 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.898735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Carnosine is a dipeptide expressed in both the central nervous system and periphery. Several biological functions have been attributed to carnosine, including as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, and as a modulator of mitochondrial metabolism. Some of these mechanisms have been implicated in the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The clinical manifestation and recovery time for COVID-19 are variable. Some patients are severely affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and may experience respiratory failure, thromboembolic disease, neurological symptoms, kidney damage, acute pancreatitis, and even death. COVID-19 patients with comorbidities, including diabetes, are at higher risk of death. Mechanisms underlying the dysfunction of the afflicted organs in COVID-19 patients have been discussed, the most common being the so-called cytokine storm. Given the biological effects attributed to carnosine, adjuvant therapy with this dipeptide could be considered as supportive treatment in patients with either COVID-19 or long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Cardoso Diniz
- Laboratório de Erros Inatos do Metabolismo, Programa de Bioquímica e Biofísica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Biofísica, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Alan Roger Hipkiss
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gustavo Costa Ferreira
- Laboratório de Erros Inatos do Metabolismo, Programa de Bioquímica e Biofísica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Biofísica, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química Biológica, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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4
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Bennet S, Kaufmann M, Takami K, Sjaarda C, Douchant K, Moslinger E, Wong H, Reed DE, Ellis AK, Vanner S, Colautti RI, Sheth PM. Small-molecule metabolome identifies potential therapeutic targets against COVID-19. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10029. [PMID: 35705626 PMCID: PMC9200216 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14050-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory viruses are transmitted and acquired via the nasal mucosa, and thereby may influence the nasal metabolome composed of biochemical products produced by both host cells and microbes. Studies of the nasal metabolome demonstrate virus-specific changes that sometimes correlate with viral load and disease severity. Here, we evaluate the nasopharyngeal metabolome of COVID-19 infected individuals and report several small molecules that may be used as potential therapeutic targets. Specimens were tested by qRT-PCR with target primers for three viruses: Influenza A (INFA), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2, along with unaffected controls. The nasopharyngeal metabolome was characterized using an LC–MS/MS-based screening kit capable of quantifying 141 analytes. A machine learning model identified 28 discriminating analytes and correctly categorized patients with a viral infection with an accuracy of 96% (R2 = 0.771, Q2 = 0.72). A second model identified 5 analytes to differentiate COVID19-infected patients from those with INFA or RSV with an accuracy of 85% (R2 = 0.442, Q2 = 0.301). Specifically, Lysophosphatidylcholines-a-C18:2 (LysoPCaC18:2) concentration was significantly increased in COVID19 patients (P < 0.0001), whereas beta-hydroxybutyric acid, Methionine sulfoxide, succinic acid, and carnosine concentrations were significantly decreased (P < 0.0001). This study demonstrates that COVID19 infection results in a unique nasopharyngeal metabolomic signature with carnosine and LysoPCaC18:2 as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Bennet
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit (GIDRU), Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 76 Stuart St., Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Martin Kaufmann
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit (GIDRU), Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 76 Stuart St., Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Kaede Takami
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit (GIDRU), Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 76 Stuart St., Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Calvin Sjaarda
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Katya Douchant
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit (GIDRU), Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 76 Stuart St., Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Emily Moslinger
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit (GIDRU), Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 76 Stuart St., Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Henry Wong
- Division of Microbiology, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - David E Reed
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit (GIDRU), Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 76 Stuart St., Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Anne K Ellis
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen Vanner
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit (GIDRU), Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 76 Stuart St., Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | | | - Prameet M Sheth
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit (GIDRU), Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 76 Stuart St., Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada. .,Division of Microbiology, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada. .,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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5
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An attempt to valorize the only black meat chicken breed of India by delineating superior functional attributes of its meat. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3555. [PMID: 35241766 PMCID: PMC8894494 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07575-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Kadaknath, the only black chicken indigenous to India, faces the threat of extinction due to declining numbers. Its meat is used in tribal medicine for invigorating and health-promoting properties. Expectations of immune-boosting and therapeutic properties in its meat are creating a buzz these days. Thus, Kadaknath meat was explored and further compared with the commercial Cobb 400 broiler (Cobb) for the functional traits that might be contributing towards proclaimed pharmacological benefits. Birds (n = 20/ group) were raised under similar management conditions and the two primal chicken meat cuts (breast and thigh) were collected at the marketing age. Kadaknath meat was found to be an enriched source of functional biomolecules (carnosine, anserine, creatine). Its breast meat carnosine content was more than double of the Cobb broiler, 6.10 ± 0.13 and 2.73 ± 0.1 mg/ g of wet tissue, respectively. Similarly, the thigh meat of Kadaknath was a significantly (P < 0.05) richer source of carnosine. The genetic background was a key determinant for muscle carnosine content as a significant abundance of CARNS1 and SLC36A1 expression was identified in the Kadaknath breast. The superior functional property of Kadaknath meat was established by the antioxidant capacity established by the Oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay and a stronger ability to inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The identification of fairly unknown nutritional and functional advantages of Kadaknath meat could potentially change the paradigm with its meat consumption. It will help in developing a brand name for Kadaknath products that will propel an increase in its market share and ultimately conservation of this unique but endangered poultry germplasm.
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6
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Wang F, Wang JD. Estimating US Earnings Loss Associated with COVID-19 Based on Human Capital Calculation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:1015. [PMID: 35055834 PMCID: PMC8775690 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19021015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Infection with COVID-19 could result in lockdown, quarantine of contacts, absenteeism from work, and temporary productivity loss. This research aims to calculate (1) how the pandemic affects on-the-job probability and earnings for the working population, and (2) how much productivity loss is associated with self or a family member sick with COVID-19. Based on data collected from the U.S Research and Development Survey (RANDS), this research projects the relationship between on-the-job possibility and age of the index group and calculates the employment possibilities of the index group relative to the healthy group, namely the employment ratio. The weekly loss of productivity, presented by earnings, associated with COVID-19 for groups aged 18-44 years and 45-64 years was calculated, since the 18- to 64-year-old population is an economy's active workforce. Analytical results indicate that the older the age group, the lower the on-the-job possibility, and the higher the weekly productivity loss due to self or a family member being sick from COVID-19. For the group aged 45-64 years, the employment ratio of the index group relative to the healthy group dropped from 0.863 to 0.39, corresponding to a weekly productivity loss of 136-590 US dollars. The overall impact would be about a 9% loss in GDP. Infected or quarantined people would be confined to working in relatively isolated offices or places to allow for social distancing. Proactive health promotion in the workplace plus reactive work through telecommunication systems would reduce such losses. Such preparedness needs to be implemented early for more vulnerable workers who are of middle or old age and/or those comorbid with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuhmei Wang
- Department of Economics, College of Social Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Der Wang
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
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7
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Cárdenas-Rodríguez N, Bandala C, Vanoye-Carlo A, Ignacio-Mejía I, Gómez-Manzo S, Hernández-Cruz EY, Pedraza-Chaverri J, Carmona-Aparicio L, Hernández-Ochoa B. Use of Antioxidants for the Neuro-Therapeutic Management of COVID-19. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:971. [PMID: 34204362 PMCID: PMC8235474 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10060971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an emergent infectious disease that has caused millions of deaths throughout the world. COVID-19 infection's main symptoms are fever, cough, fatigue, and neurological manifestations such as headache, myalgias, anosmia, ageusia, impaired consciousness, seizures, and even neuromuscular junctions' disorders. In addition, it is known that this disease causes a series of systemic complications such as adverse respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac injury, acute kidney injury, and liver dysfunction. Due to the neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19, damage in the central nervous system has been suggested as well as the neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2. It is known that CoV infections are associated with an inflammation process related to the imbalance of the antioxidant system; cellular changes caused by oxidative stress contribute to brain tissue damage. Although anti-COVID-19 vaccines are under development, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 and its clinical manifestations and complications; only supportive treatments with immunomodulators, anti-vascular endothelial growth factors, modulating drugs, statins, or nutritional supplements have been used. In the present work, we analyzed the potential of antioxidants as adjuvants for the treatment of COVID-19 and specifically their possible role in preventing or decreasing the neurological manifestations and neurological complications present in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí Cárdenas-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secreatría de Salud, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico; (A.V.-C.); (L.C.-A.)
| | - Cindy Bandala
- Division de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico;
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - América Vanoye-Carlo
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secreatría de Salud, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico; (A.V.-C.); (L.C.-A.)
| | - Iván Ignacio-Mejía
- Laboratorio de Medicina Traslacional, Escuela Militar de Graduados de Sanidad, SEDENA, Ciudad de México 11200, Mexico;
| | - Saúl Gómez-Manzo
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Genética, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico;
| | | | - José Pedraza-Chaverri
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, UNAM, Ciudad de México 04150, Mexico; (E.Y.H.-C.); (J.P.-C.)
| | - Liliana Carmona-Aparicio
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secreatría de Salud, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico; (A.V.-C.); (L.C.-A.)
| | - Beatriz Hernández-Ochoa
- Laboratorio de Inmunoquímica, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México 06720, Mexico;
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8
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Korneta P, Rostek K. The Impact of the SARS-CoV-19 Pandemic on the Global Gross Domestic Product. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5246. [PMID: 34069182 PMCID: PMC8155974 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The rapid, unexpected, and large-scale expansion of the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic has led to a global health and economy crisis. However, although the crisis itself is a worldwide phenomenon, there have been considerable differences between respective countries in terms of SARS-CoV-19 morbidities and fatalities as well as the GDP impact. The object of this paper was to study the influence of the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic on global gross domestic product. We analyzed data relating to 176 countries in the 11-month period from February 2020 to December 2020. We employed SARS-CoV-19 morbidity and fatality rates reported by different countries as proxies for the development of the pandemic. The analysis employed in our study was based on moving median and quartiles, Kendall tau-b coefficients, and multi-segment piecewise-linear approximation with Theil-Sen trend lines. In the study, we empirically confirmed and measured the negative impact of the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic on the respective national economies. The relationship between the pandemic and the economy is not uniform and depends on the extent of the pandemic's development. The more intense the pandemic, the more adaptive the economies of specific countries become.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Korneta
- Faculty of Management, Warsaw University of Technology, 02-524 Warszawa, Poland;
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9
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Yuan X, Li C, Zhao K, Xu X. The Changing Patterns of Consumers' Behavior in China: A Comparison during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2447. [PMID: 33801491 PMCID: PMC7967584 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper has an opportunity to collect questionnaire-based data regarding respondents' life choices in China at the peak of COVID-19 outbreak (i.e., around 9-11 March 2020) and in a relatively stable period where the national pandemic was over and the lockdown policy was halted (i.e., around 25-30 March 2020). Comparing respondents' answers about their most fundamental aspects of life during and after the pandemic, including income level, expenditure structure and level, purchase method, study method, food price and quality, and dining habit, both the descriptive and econometric models reveal that Chinese consumers' life patterns were not significantly changed. These findings may imply a "new normal" where consumers stick to their new living habits that were forged during the pandemic. Therefore, policy makers have to envisage such an implicative socio-economic change (cost) brought by the implementation of a lock down policy in a long run, in addition to direct and explicit economic losses. However, improving food quality and controlling food price appear to be the strong and stable safety signals to reassure consumers in this complicated environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kai Zhao
- School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China; (X.Y.); (C.L.)
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China; (X.Y.); (C.L.)
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10
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Saadah LM, Deiab GIA, Al-Balas Q, Basheti IA. Carnosine to Combat Novel Coronavirus (nCoV): Molecular Docking and Modeling to Cocrystallized Host Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Viral Spike Protein. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25235605. [PMID: 33260592 PMCID: PMC7730390 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays an important role in the entry of coronaviruses into host cells. The current paper described how carnosine, a naturally occurring supplement, can be an effective drug candidate for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the basis of molecular docking and modeling to host ACE2 cocrystallized with nCoV spike protein. Methods: First, the starting point was ACE2 inhibitors and their structure–activity relationship (SAR). Next, chemical similarity (or diversity) and PubMed searches made it possible to repurpose and assess approved or experimental drugs for COVID-19. Parallel, at all stages, the authors performed bioactivity scoring to assess potential repurposed inhibitors at ACE2. Finally, investigators performed molecular docking and modeling of the identified drug candidate to host ACE2 with nCoV spike protein. Results: Carnosine emerged as the best-known drug candidate to match ACE2 inhibitor structure. Preliminary docking was more optimal to ACE2 than the known typical angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) inhibitor (enalapril) and quite comparable to known or presumed ACE2 inhibitors. Viral spike protein elements binding to ACE2 were retained in the best carnosine pose in SwissDock at 1.75 Angstroms. Out of the three main areas of attachment expected to the protein–protein structure, carnosine bound with higher affinity to two compared to the known ACE2 active site. LibDock score was 92.40 for site 3, 90.88 for site 1, and inside the active site 85.49. Conclusion: Carnosine has promising inhibitory interactions with host ACE2 and nCoV spike protein and hence could offer a potential mitigating effect against the current COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loai M. Saadah
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, 11931 Amman, Jordan;
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +962-79-822-2044
| | | | - Qosay Al-Balas
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University for Science & Technology, 22110 Irbid, Jordan;
| | - Iman A. Basheti
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, 11931 Amman, Jordan;
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
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11
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Booz GW, Zouein FA. Science unites a troubled world: Lessons from the pandemic. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 890:173696. [PMID: 33130278 PMCID: PMC7598756 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
European Journal of Pharmacology has published a special issue entitled Therapeutic targets and pharmacological treatment of COVID-19 that contains more than 30 manuscripts. Scientists from around the world contributed both review articles and original manuscripts that are remarkable in their diversity. Each contribution offers a unique perspective on the current approaches of the discipline called pharmacology. Yet the contributions share an enthusiasm to put forward a fresh viewpoint and make a positive difference by the exchange of ideas during the troubled times of this pandemic. What other enterprise but science can unite so many diverse cultures and nationalities in global uncertainty and discord, and mobilize an effective response against a common enemy. The efforts of science are in stark contrast to those of populism that has introduced division and a self-serving attitude that are not simply ill-matched to tackle the pandemic, but foster its spread and severity. We trust that the readers of European Journal of Pharmacology will discover new ideas and concepts in our special COVID-19 series as members of the scientific community and shared world.
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Affiliation(s)
- George W Booz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Fouad A Zouein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon.
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