Summary

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, and the disease now affects nearly every country and region. Caused by SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 continues nearly 18 months later to present significant challenges to health systems and public health in both hemispheres, as well as the economies of every country. The morbidity and mortality of the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been significant, and various waves of disease outbreaks initially overwhelmed many hospitals and clinics and continue to do so in many countries. This influences everyone, and public health countermeasures have been dramatic in terms of their impact on employment, social systems, and mental health. This entry collection aims to gather diverse fields about COVID-19, including in epidemiology, public health, medicine, genetics, systems biology, informatics, data science, engineering, sociology, anthropology, nursing, environmental studies, statistics, and psychology.

Expand All
Entries
Topic Review
Digital Media Technology Applied in Self-Guided Learning
This research adopts Keller’s ARCS motivation theory as a method to create a teaching experiment by integrating augmented reality (AR) into teaching in order to enhance learning interest and learning effectiveness in a digital media design course. The purpose of this research is to examine the application of AR in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereby students can enhance their learning interest, learning satisfaction, and learning performance. Augmented reality acts as a tool for this research, wherein it is applied with the course of a 3D model-based interface and built-in learning contexts for the “digital media design” of the learning topics.The contribution of this research is proving that AR teaching materials are suitable for normal learning programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. At present, it appears as though online learning and self-study at home will become the norm for the students all over the world. Digital media design was the research field, and the coding program and the project development as professional domain knowledge of the Unity platform were found suitable for AR teaching materials for online learning solutions. However, the limitations of the research are that for successful AR teaching experiences, teachers must devote substantial additional time to work on AR-based textbooks,in contrast to other teaching models, which represents a major impediment for educators.
  • 365
  • 05 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Entrectinib—An Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry
This entry describes entrectinib as an antiviral drug.
  • 584
  • 20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines against Delta (B.1.617.2) Variant
The high transmissibility, mortality, and morbidity rate of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant have raised concerns regarding vaccine effectiveness (VE). The short-term effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Bharat Biotech, and CoronaVac vaccines for the prevention of infection and the reduction in the severity of illness and hospitalizations associated with the Delta variant are supported. 
  • 421
  • 06 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Virucidal Activity of Different Mouthwashes
This entry describes the effect of mouthwash on the stability of the viral envelope and its ability to reduce the viral load.
  • 833
  • 31 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Prothrombotic Phenotype in COVID-19
COVID-19 infection is associated with a broad spectrum of presentations, but alveolar capillary microthrombi have been described as a common finding in COVID-19 patients, appearing as a consequence of a severe endothelial injury with endothelial cell membrane disruption. These observations clearly point to the identification of a COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, which may contribute to thrombosis, multi-organ damage, and cause of severity and fatality. One significant finding that emerges in prothrombotic abnormalities observed in COVID-19 patients is that the coagulation alterations are mainly mediated by the activation of platelets and intrinsically related to viral-mediated endothelial inflammation. Beyond the well-known role in hemostasis, the ability of platelets to also release various potent cytokines and chemokines has elevated these small cells from simple cell fragments to crucial modulators in the blood, including their inflammatory functions, that have a large influence on the immune response during infectious disease. Indeed, platelets are involved in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury also by promoting NET formation and affecting vascular permeability. Specifically, the deposition by activated platelets of the chemokine platelet factor 4 at sites of inflammation promotes adhesion of neutrophils on endothelial cells and thrombogenesis, and it seems deeply involved in the phenomenon of vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. Importantly, the hyperactivated platelet phenotype along with evidence of cytokine storm, high levels of P-selectin, D-dimer, and, on the other hand, decreased levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and thrombocytopenia may be considered suitable biomarkers that distinguish the late stage of COVID-19 progression in critically ill patients. 
  • 360
  • 30 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Vitamin D against COVID-19
Many studies suggest that vitamin D improves immune function, reducing susceptibility to infection. In contrast, an extensive number of scientific studies highlight its immunosuppressive effects. Thus, it seems that vitamin D supports immune response under physiological conditions, but it also has an active role in autoimmunity prevention. In short, its effects would depend on the immunological situation of the patient.
  • 431
  • 30 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Vitamin C against COVID-19
Vitamin C is a nutrient required as a cofactor for multiple enzymatic reactions, such us norepinephrine biosynthesis, collagen hydroxylation, or amidation of peptide hormones. Additionally, it exerts a wide range of properties that could come in handy for the prevention and treatment of infections, including antioxidant, immunomodulating, as well as antiviral and antithrombotic functions.
  • 441
  • 10 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Usage of Antibiotics by COVID-19 Patients with Comorbidities
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health issue that plays a significant role in morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients. It also becomes a serious threat to the successful treatment of many bacterial infections. The widespread and irrelevant use of antibiotics in hospitals and local clinics is the leading cause of AMR.
  • 476
  • 31 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Safety of Anti-COVID-19 Nutraceuticals for Patients with Cancer
Dietary supplement use has increased more than 35% globally since the COVID-19 outbreak. While some nutraceuticals are potentially efficacious against severe disease from COVID-19, their indiscriminate use by patients with cancer without medical supervision is concerning. The use of vitamin C, vitamin D, and selenium supplements is likely safe and even potentially beneficial at typically recommended doses. However, caution is advised regarding the use of omega-3 fatty acids and zinc, as risks from their use may outweigh the benefits.
  • 384
  • 29 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Immune Escape Variants from Antibody-Based Therapeutics against COVID-19
The accelerated SARS-CoV-2 evolution under selective pressure by massive deployment of neutralizing antibody-based therapeutics is a concern with potentially severe implications for public health. Escape variants associated with mAb and COVID-19-convalescent plasma (CCP) therapy manifest different type of mutations. For monoclonal antibodies (mAb), most mutations are single amino acid replacements in the receptor binding domain (RBD) domain, while most variants eliciited in patients treated with CCP exhibited amino acid deletions. In fact, it is noteworthy that RBD mutations were relatively rare in CCP escape variants. 
  • 506
  • 29 Dec 2021
  • Page
  • of
  • 74
>>