Long-COVID and the practice of oral medicine

A sensor-actuator-coupled gustatory interface chemically connecting virtual and real environments for remote tasting

Recent advancements in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have strengthened the bridge between virtual and real worlds via human-machine interfaces. Despite extensive research into biophysical signals, gustation, a fundamental component of the five senses, has experienced limited progress. This work reports a bio-integrated gustatory interface, "e-Taste," to address the underrepresented chemical dimension in current VR/AR technologies. This system facilitates remote perception and replication of taste sensations through the coupling of physically separated sensors and actuators with wireless communication modules. By using chemicals representing five basic tastes, systematic codesign of key functional components yields reliable performance including tunability, versatility, safety, and mechanical robustness. Field testing involving human subjects focusing on user perception confirms its proficiency in digitally simulating a range of taste intensities and combinations. Overall, this investigation pioneers a chemical dimension in AR/VR technology, paving the way for users to transcend visual and auditory virtual engagements by integrating the taste sensation into virtual environment for enhanced digital experiences.

Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Post-COVID-19 Condition in Korea

OBJECTIVES

Numerous studies have explored the causes and spread of outbreaks, yet there is a lack of research on post-coronavirus disease 2019 condition (PCC) in Korea. The goal of this study was to identify the various types of PCC and associated factors in discharged patients and to provide directions for the ongoing health management of confirmed patients.

METHODS

A telephone survey was conducted among 680 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients diagnosed between July 7, 2021 and August 26, 2021, in Dangjin, Chungnam, Korea. A descriptive analysis of characteristics, univariate analysis, and regression were performed using data from basic epidemiological surveys conducted at the time of diagnosis and post-discharge questionnaires.

RESULTS

Of the 585 patients who responded, 159 (27.2%) developed PCC. Of the 211 patients with no initial symptoms, 27 (12.8%) developed PCC, versus 132 (35.3%) of the 374 patients with initial symptoms. Among the initial symptoms, fever or chills, cough or sputum, loss of smell, and sore throat were associated with PCC. Compared to patients with less than 10 days of hospitalization, those with a hospitalization period of 21 days to 30 days (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 5.2) and 31 days or more (OR, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.9 to 18.1) had a higher risk of PCC.

CONCLUSIONS

More than a quarter of COVID-19 patients, including those who had no initial symptoms, experienced PCC in Korea. People with the initial symptoms of fever, chills, and respiratory symptoms and those who had prolonged hospital stays had a high risk of PCC.