• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.18
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• 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an inflammatory and infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus with a complex pathophysiology. While COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available, treatment of the disease is primarily supportive and symptomatic. Several research have suggested the potential of herbal medicines as an adjunctive treatment for the disease. A popular herbal medicine approved in the Philippines for the treatment of acute respiratory disease is Vitex negundo L. In fact, the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines has funded a clinical trial to establish its potential as an adjunctive treatment for COVID-19. Here, we utilized network pharmacology and molecular docking in determining pivotal targets of Vitex negundo compounds against COVID-19. The results showed that significant targets of Vitex negundo compounds in COVID-19 are CSB, SERPINE1, and PLG which code for cathepsin B, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and plasminogen, respectively. Molecular docking revealed that α-terpinyl acetate and geranyl acetate have good binding affinity in cathepsin B; 6,7,4-trimethoxyflavanone, 5,6,7,8,3',4',5'-heptamethoxyflavone, artemetin, demethylnobiletin, gardenin A, geranyl acetate in plasminogen; and 7,8,4-trimethoxyflavanone in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. While the results are promising, these are bound to the limitations of computational methods and further experimentation are needed to completely establish the molecular mechanisms of Vitex negundo against COVID-19.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.216-225
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• 2023

Background: Tuberculosis (TB)-related stigma has been well-documented. Since the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), different organizations have been alerted to the fact that stigma could arise again. Due to stigma's negative effects, this qualitative study aimed to explore the stigma felt by patients by evaluating the following: COVID-19 stigma and its temporal progression through the pandemic; stigma perceived by different patients with TB before and during COVID-19 pandemic; and difference perceived by individuals who contracted both diseases. Methods: A semi-structured interview was developed according to the available literature on the theme. It was performed individually in 2022 upon receiving signed informed consent. Participants were recruited with a purposive sampling approach by searching medical records. Those who currently or previously had pulmonary TB and/or COVID-19 were included. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Nine patients were interviewed, including six (66.7%) females. The median age of patients was 51±14.7 years. Four participants (44.4%) had completed high school and four (44.4%) were never smokers. Three had both TB and COVID-19. Four only had TB and two only had COVID-19. Interviews identified eight main themes: knowledge and beliefs, with several misconceptions identified; attitudes towards the disease, varying from social support to exclusion; knowledge and education, assumed as of extreme importance; internalized stigma, with self-rejection; experienced stigma, with discrimination episodes; anticipated stigma, modifying actions for avoiding stigma; perceived stigma, with judgment by others prevailed; and temporal evolution of stigma. Conclusion: Individuals expressed strong stigma for both diseases. De-stigmatization of respiratory infectious diseases is crucial for limiting stigma's negative impact.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2023

Objectives: This study explored the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on psychosocial stress in prime working-age individuals in Korea, focusing on gender inequalities. We hypothesized that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health would differ by age and gender, with younger women potentially demonstrating heightened vulnerability relative to men. Methods: The study involved data from the Korea Community Health Survey and included 319 592 adults aged 30 years to 49 years. We employed log-binomial regression analysis, controlling for variables including age, education, employment status, marital status, and the presence of children. The study period included 3 phases: the period prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (pre-COVID-19), the early pandemic, and the period following the introduction of vaccinations (post-vaccination). Results: The findings indicated that women were at a heightened risk of psychosocial stress during the early pandemic (relative risk [RR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.05) and post-vaccination period (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.10) compared to men. This pattern was prominent in urban women aged 30-34 years (pre-COVID-19: RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10; early pandemic: RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.25; post-vaccination period, RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.31). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted unequal impacts on psychosocial stress among prime working-age individuals in Korea, with women, particularly those in urban areas, experiencing a heightened risk. The findings highlight the importance of addressing gender-specific needs and implementing appropriate interventions to mitigate the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.216-222
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• 2024

Objectives: To compare the levels of anxiety on GAD-7 scale among undergraduates of dental, medical and engineering students during COVID-19. The secondary objectives were to correlate the factors influencing level of anxiety and to assess the coping strategies practiced by undergraduates' students of Karachi duri.ng COVID-19 outbreak. Methodology: The cross-sectional based survey was conducted online among the medical, dental and engineering undergraduates' university students of private sector in Karachi through purposive sampling technique during COVID-19 lock down period. The GAD-7 validated tool was used along with the demographic variables, related stress factors and the coping skills practiced during this outbreak. Total 571 questionnaires were found completed in all sections. The data was analyzed on SPSS version 23. P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mental health of the students was assessed on GADS-7 scale as normal, mild, moderate and severe levels. From the total (n=18-3.2%) were normal, (n=132-23.1%) had mild, (n=343-60.1%) had moderate and (n=78-13.7%) had severe anxiety level on GADS-7. The levels of anxiety on GAD-7 scale were all positively associated with the related stressors at p-value of 0.000. Moreover the results depicted that there was a moderate and positive correlation found (0.456, 0.447, 0.512 and 0.452) for all related stressors and GAD-7 scale. Taking breaks from watching, reading news regarding the outbreak of COVID-19, meditation and engaging in some other activities were the most frequently used coping strategies for all levels of anxiety among three cohorts of undergraduates'. Conclusion: Undergraduates has shown 96.9% drastically increased level of anxiety during the outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic. Taking breaks from watching, reading news regarding the outbreak of COVID-19 was the most frequent behavior practiced by the students.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.479-488
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• 2021

This study was attempted to investigate the effect of the first clinical practice on the image of nurse and nursing professionalism of nursing students in the COVID-19 situation. The data were collected from 36 nursing college students using a structured questionnaire from June to July 2020 and analyzed by PASW 22.0. After the first clinical practice in the COVID-19 pandemic, the nurse image (t=-2.219, p=.034) and nursing professionalism(t=-3.444, p=.002) increased significantly compared to before practice. Social image (t=-3.113, p=.004), self-concept of the profession(t=-2.442, p=.021), social awareness(t=-3.829, p=.001) and professionalism of nursing(t=-2.299, p=.028) significantly increased after the first clinical practice. After the first clinical practice, nursing professionalism showed a significant positive correlation with image of nurse(r=.831, p<.001). The attitude of nurses to cope with COVID-19 positively influenced nursing students' nurse image and nursing professionalism. Therefore, it is expected that will be used as basic data for preparing educational strategies after COVID-19.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the viral load dynamics in children with underlying malignancies diagnosed with symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This was a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of patients <19 years old with underlying hemato-oncologic malignancies that were diagnosed with their first symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 infection during March 1 to August 30, 2022. Review of electronic medical records and telephone surveys were undertaken to assess the clinical presentations and transmission route of the patients. Thresholds of negligible likelihood of infectious virus was defined as E gene reverse transcription (RT)-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value ≥25. Results: During the 6-month study period, a total of 43 children with 44 episodes of COVID-19 were included. Of the 44 episodes, the median age of the patients included was 8 years old (interquartile range [IQR], 4.9-10.5), and the most common underlying disease was acute lymphoid leukemia (n=30, 68.2%), followed by patients post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n=8, 18.2%). Majority of the patients had mild COVID-19 (n=32, 72.7%), and three patients (7.0%) had severe/critical COVID-19. Furthermore, 2.3% (n=1) died of COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. The largest percentage of the patients showed E gene RT-PCR Ct value ≥25 between 15-21 days (n=13, 39.4%), followed by 22-28 days (n=10, 30.3%). In 15.2% (n=5), E gene RT-PCR Ct value remained <25 beyond 28 days after initial positive PCR. Refractory malignancy status (β, 67.0; 95% confidence interval, 7.0-17.0; P=0.030) was significantly associated with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR <25. A patient with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR Ct value <25 was suspected to have infectivity shown by the transmission of the virus to his mother at day 86 after his initial positive test. Conclusions: Children that acquire symptomatic COVID-19 during refractory malignancy state are at a high risk for prolonged shedding warranting PCR-based transmission precautions in this cohort of patients.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.14-25
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• 2021

With the spread of COVID-19 and the government policy of social distancing, the demand for subways and buses is decreasing, whereas the demand for public bicycles and personal transportation is increasing. Hence, research is needed to understand the characteristics of this phenomenon and to prove the statistical reliability of the correlation between the subway and shared bicycle demands. In this study, the correlation between the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and the replacement rate of subway and public bicycle demands was examined, but the statistical significance was not significant. However, during the period of September to December 2020, in which the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Seoul started to increase rapidly, there was a correlation between the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and the replacement ratio. If the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increases by more than a certain number, public bicycles are expected to play a significant role as alternates to the subways. It is expected that the role of public bicycles will increase, and that it is possible to suggest the direction of transportation operation and policy establishment for the continuation of COVID-19 countermeasures in field demonstration after elementary technology development. It is also expected that this study will suggest a direction for future development and policymaking.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.281-289
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge, preventive health behavior of the COVID-19 among nursing students. Data were collected from 190 nursing female students in B city and analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS/WIN 22.0. The degree of knowledge about COVID-19 in nursing female students was 9.18±1.95. The degree of preventive health behaviors on COVID-19 in nursing female students was 3.62±0.30. There were significant differences in knowledge about COVID-19 with respect to age(F=5.981, p=.001), grade(r=6.376, p<.001), college life satisfaction(F=3.632, p=.007). There were significant differences in preventive health behavior of the COVID-19 with respect to age(F=4.018, p=.008), grade(F=2.719, p=.046), health state(F=3.845, p=.005) college life satisfaction(F=3.875, p=.005), clinical experience satisfaction/expectation(F=4.337, p=.002), necessity COVID 19(t=2.801, p=.006). Through this research can be used as basic data by COVID 19 infection control education of nursing students.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.375-388
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• 2021

This study aims to contribute to the understanding of consumer behavior during the COVID-19 by comparing blog reviews of an over-the-top (OTT) online video service from before and during the pandemic. We anticipate that the COVID-19 outbreak prompts the use of the OTT service as part of an emotion-focused coping strategy derived from the loss of personal control and the subsequent avoidance motivation. We also posit that a strong yearning for life before COVID-19 will increase interest in the content that fulfills a need for nostalgia. Our analysis of Netflix reviews provides empirical evidence of the effects of an emotion-focused coping strategy and nostalgia on OTT service usage. First, the titles of the reviews posted during COVID-19 indicate that consumers were less likely to mention OTT services other than Netflix, more interested in domestic content, and used OTT services as an avoidance-denial strategy. Second, the blog content demonstrates that while pre-COVID reviews tend to focus on the practical benefits of OTT services, those posted during the pandemic focus on mood, emotions, and dialogue. In addition, interest in comedy and romance genres increased during COVID-19. Third, we identified a greater preference for realistic or everyday content that depicted the pre-pandemic era. This is the first empirical study to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on video streaming usage in Korea. In addition, this research contributes to the field of marketing by expanding our understanding of online video service users during COVID-19 and identifies practical implications for OTT services in the midst of a pandemic.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2018-2043
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• 2022

Nowadays, COVID-19 infections are influencing our daily lives which have spread globally. The major symptoms' of COVID-19 are dry cough, sore throat, and fever which in turn to critical complications like multi organs failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, etc. Therefore, to hinder the spread of COVID-19, a Computerized Doughty Predictor Framework (CDPF) is developed to yield benefits in monitoring the progression of disease from Chest CT images which will reduce the mortality rates significantly. The proposed framework CDPF employs Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) as a feature extractor to extract the features from CT images. Subsequently, the extracted features are fed into the Adaptive Dragonfly Algorithm (ADA) to extract the most significant features which will smoothly drive the diagnosing of the COVID and Non-COVID cases with the support of Doughty Learners (DL). This paper uses the publicly available SARS-CoV-2 and Github COVID CT dataset which contains 2482 and 812 CT images with two class labels COVID⁺ and COVI^-. The performance of CDPF is evaluated against existing state of art approaches, which shows the superiority of CDPF with the diagnosis accuracy of about 99.76%.