Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Latin America and Its Related Thinking

The pandemic’s huge impact on all countries and regions is the biggest black swan event in 2020 and the biggest gray rhino event in 2021.Though Latin America was the last continent attacked by COVID-19,it became in 2020 the designated epicenter of infection,surpassing Europe and catching up with the United States.The rapidity of spread in Latin America,the wide range and high incidence of infections,and the death toll were larger than in other places.The pandemic has resulted in the largest economic recession in Latin American history.It also has a significant impact on China-Latin America relations.When the pandemic in Latin American will end depends on large-scale,wide application of vaccines,strict prevention and control,and international cooperation.丁he pandemic reveals the fierce contradiction between society and nature.

Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19: Insights in pathogenesis and clinical management

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection has been a major challenge to be faced in recent years.While adults suffered the highest morbidity and mortality rates of coronavirus disease 2019,children were thought to be exclusively asymptomatic or to present with mild conditions.However,around April 2020,there was an outbreak of a new clinical syndrome related to SARS-CoV-2 in children-multisystemic inflam-matory syndrome in children(MIS-C)-which comprises a severe and uncon-trolled hyperinflammatory response with multiorgan involvement.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers a suspected case of MIS-C an individual aged<21 years presenting with fever,high inflammatory markers levels,and evidence of clinically severe illness,with multisystem(>2)organ involvement,no alternative plausible diagnoses,and positive for recent SARS-CoV-2 infection.Despite its severity,there are no definitive disease management guidelines for this condition.Conversely,the complex pathogenesis of MIS-C is still not completely understood,although it seems to rely upon immune dysregu-lation.Hence,in this study,we aim to bring together current evidence regarding the pathogenic mechanisms of MIS-C,clinical picture and management,in order to provide insights for clinical practice and implications for future research directions.

Associations between Continuing Symptoms and Quality of Life in Post-COVID-19 Patients (2023)

COVID-19 is a multisystem disease that can cause various symptoms which last even after the acute stage and negatively impact the quality of life of patients. It is of utmost importance to comprehensively evaluate how COVID-19 affects not only patients’ physical and mental health, but also their family and social life. This knowledge plays a significant role in the creation of effective ways to assist those suffering from long COVID to address health-related quality of life issues in a timely manner.

Why Are There So Many Puzzles in Fighting against COVID-19 Pandemic?

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its variety that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have had a great impact on human health and society since it was epidemic in 2019. The traditional immunological theories believe that human body resists the invasion of exogenous substances, such as different kinds of pathogenic microorganisms, through natural immunity and acquired immunity. We have greatly understood the underlying mechanisms of these two kinds of immunities, which are achieved through cellular and humoral immunity. Immune cells mainly include B and T cells. B cells produce specific antibodies and participate in the humoral immune response, while T cells have more extensive immune effects related to the cellular immune response. Therefore, such traditional immunological theories allow us habitually believe that the human body can resist the attack of virus as long as we have established the so-called normal cellular and humoral immune functions, however, in fact, this is not the case. The traditional ideas make us ignore the most critical, but simple and important defense system in our body to fight against the attack of foreign microorganisms, and that is the intracellular potassium ions (K+) and extracellular sodium ions (Na+), in particular, the intracellular potassium ions, called “K+/Na+ natural immune system”. The abnormality of this system, in particular, the intracellular relative deficiency of potassium ions, may have a very important relationship with the susceptibility and pathogenesis of the body to viral infection, and could explain a series of confusing phenomena that appeared during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Ready or Not: Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Her Crisis Response Strategy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Using Situational Crisis Communication Theory(SCCT)by Coombs(2007),this study analyses the case of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s CoViD-19 Crisis and her crisis response strategy to address the situation.The study looks at the crisis communication of Quezon City on issues stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.The SCCT provides a framework for the organization facing a different complex case of crisis to protect the reputational organization’s assets.The organization’s ability to select the most appropriate and beneficial response helps them deal with an emergency and crisis(Coombs,2007).Simultaneously,in this paper,SCCT was used to examine the stakeholder’s perceptions about the organization’s action and response by Mayor Belmonte on the crisis.This paper concludes Mayor Belmonte did not follow the recommendations of SCCT by combining Deny,such as Attacks the Accuser,Deny and Scapegoat tactics,and Diminish strategies such as Excuse and Justice tactics,to respond to the wide variety of stakeholder’s groups.Mayor Belmonte’s crisis response strategies and tactics do not align with the SCCT.The theory recommends corrective action and response such as Rebuild as well as Bolstering strategies are“considered as the most effective communication of crisis response strategy when an organization perceived a strong attribution of crisis responsibility and results in a severe reputational threat”(Coombs,2007).By reviewing the situation that Mayor Belmonte faced,this paper concludes that she was under severe threat.Mayor Belmonte’s CoViD-19 crisis is the preventable cluster based on the overall stakeholder’s perception of the crisis.The preventable cluster considered her primary,secondary,and additional stakeholders.It depicted an organizational misdeed with and without injuries,and the appropriate responses to adapt to re-establish the organization’s reputation is a Rebuild strategy because interventions such as Compensation and Apology should work to improve the organization’s reputation.Conversely,Mayor Belmonte chose to frequently employ Deny strategy(Attacks the Accuser and Scapegoat)and Diminish strategy(Excuse and Justice)to respond to various stakeholders.

Clinical profile of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients:A retrospective observational study from Dubai

Background:We did a retrospective analysis of critical coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients admitted to our intensive care unit(ICU).The objective was to evaluate the outcome,risk factors and effect of prone position in critically ill patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation(IMV).Patients and methods:The data were collected regarding demographics,comorbidities,laboratory parameters and treatment.Logistic regression was used for analysis of the association of risk factors to the outcome.Results:From 15 March to 30 May 2020,35(59.3%)out of 59 critical COVID-19 requiring IMV were admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Dubai.The day-28 ICU mortality was 28.8% and 48.6% in patients requiring IMV.Prone position(PP)was used in 17(48.6%)patients for median duration of 19(5-20)hours with significant PaO_(2)/FiO_(2) improvement.Acute kidney injury was common(30.5%),and half of the patients required renal replacement therapy(RRT)with higher mortality(77.8%).Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)odd ratio(OR)-1.006[95%CI-1.00-1.01],D-dimer(OR-1.003[1.000-1.000]),low total leucocyte count(OR-1.135[1.01-1.28]),and lymphopenia(OR-0.909[0.84-0.98])were independently associated with increased risk of IMV.Conclusions:IMV requirement in patients with COVID-19 is associated with higher mortality.Inflammatory markers like LDH,D-dimer,and lymphopenia can be used to predict the prognosis.The patients with COVID-19 on IMV respond significantly with prone position,and it should be considered early with a longer duration.

US-China Relations:Nationalism,the Trade War,and COVID-19

The trade war between the USA and China has shocked many across the world.A disruption to the interdependence of the two largest economies seemed unfathomable.However,in an effort to thwart China’s economic practices and boost the US economy,President Trump’s administration levied tariffs on Chinese imports shortly after taking office,moving US foreign economic policy from liberalism,practiced for decades,to protectionism.China has retaliated,and the trade war continues today.With conceptual insights from the nationalism literature,we explore the nationalist roots of the trade war from both the US and Chinese perspectives.In the USA,the Trump administration’s plan to achieve energy autonomy,decrease reliance on foreign resources,and reinvigorate the manufacturing sector has led to protectionist policies,the othering of China,and hence the trade war.Although reluctant to enter the conflict,China has rebuffed the USA,resisting and counterattacking US actions,owing to a long-felt sense of persecution in the global space and an eagerness to participate fully,and lead in some issue areas,in international affairs.The conflict continues into the COVID-19 era,marked by US scapegoating of China and hits to economic performance.Until both sides are convinced they have achieved their goals,or the USA undergoes an administration change,the conflict will likely continue.

新冠疫情下的欧洲战略困境与中欧关系

The COVID-19 pandemic has both posed challenges and brought about opportunities for Sino-European relations.While the ongoing fight against the pandemic has highlighted the importance of cooperation for both China and the EU,the two major economies are faced with the uncertainties in the recovery of industrial chain and supply chain.Meanwhile,the post-pandemic scenario will further cast new impacts on the China-European relations.

Iran’s Covid-19 Fight:Domestic and External Implications

Iran has been one of the most seriously hit victims of the COVID-19 pandemic,and its fight against the virus is one critical part of the global fight against the disease.The internal and external implications of the fight are very complicated,and some of them are already visible,though these implications depend on how soon and how effectively Iran finally brings the disease under control.Iran is economically in a very serious situation due to covid-19 and domestic and international shutdowns.But compared with other major oil producers,Iran could potentially be less affected by the global depression as sanctions had already made it less dependent on oil revenue.Furthermore Iran might become a centre of production of medical materials and facilities.Politically,the virus fight has created an opportunity for the temporary soft landing of the political tensions as a result of a series of accidents in the last two years and particularly in the first two months of 2020,though the crisis did produce new political pressures.The pandemic has also produced opportunities for Iran to temporarily improve its neighbouring security environment and its standing in the nuclear issue by criticising inhumane US sanctions.Finally,the fight against the virus has witnessed the joint efforts of Iran and China,which has contributed to a maturing of the Iran-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

疫情背景下日本的国际秩序观与对外政策调整

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated transformation of the international order.In Japan,views on the future of the international order are diverse,which are manifested most clearly among senior government officials,economic experts,think tank elites,and scholars.In order to adapt to the changing international order,Japan has adjusted its foreign policy surrounding the Japan-US relations.In a bid to maximize its own interests,Japan is trying to improve preparedness for the future of the international order with the premise that Japan-US alliance will be strengthened.Japan’s policy toward China has been deeply impacted by the pandemic,as evidenced by the significant volatility during the pandemic.Faced with the adjustments in Japan’s foreign policy and the growth of its intention to contain China’s development,China should respond with an open,rational,and confident attitude.

Impact of Coronavirus Anxiety on Depressive Tendencies among Emerging and Young Adults

Coronavirus,our new chemical enemy,have become successful in chang­ing our lives to an extent that now we have to think twice before stepping out of house.It has impacted negatively on not only our physical health but also psychological health.The current study was done to see the im­pact of coronavirus related anxiety on depressive tendencies.Further,it was assessed whether there is any interaction between gender and coro­navirus anxiety on depressive tendencies.The linear regression indicated that coronavirus anxiety is strongly related to depressive tendencies and that the coronavirus anxiety is a predictor of depressive tendency.How­ever,two-way ANOVA indicated that there is an insignificant difference as to how males and females face depressive tendencies.Finally,there is insignificant interaction between gender and coronavirus anxiety on de­pressive tendencies.The implications,limitations and future suggestions are also given on the basis of the findings so obtained.

兼义辞格特性研究:语法-语用互动视角

汉语修辞研究热点逐渐从辞格转向一般语言的修辞问题,对辞格的共性研究关注不足。而辞格共性研究对于其机制和分类研究具有重要意义。沿用归结主义方法析出兼义辞格,文章发现兼义体现了语法、语用与修辞的互动。语法提供兼义的结构基础并制约兼义点的位置和数量,语用提供规则制约与意义压制。语法与语用洽商会产生独特的修辞效果。以疫情相关仿拟为语料发现兼义点常激活认知警觉,并产生评价意义。语料还显示,与疫情相关仿拟具有去幽默化、情绪体验多样化等效果。