ABSTRACT
In response to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, which effectively shut down fieldwork, laboratory and herbarium-based studies, an evaluation was made of the effectiveness and limitations of undertaking a virtual taxonomic study using only online herbarium specimen resources related to the genus Madhuca (Sapotaceae) for the Flora of Singapore. The study demonstrated the immense value of digital images to basic taxonomic research but also found that diagnostic micro-morphological characters, often critical in defining species boundaries, cannot be seen in many digital images, even at high resolution. Several recommendations are made on how to maximise the utility of online herbarium specimen images to help facilitate future taxonomic research, though it is clear that physical access to herbarium specimens remains essential.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Dexamethasone/administration & dosage , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Glycemic Control/methods , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Dexamethasone/adverse effects , Humans , Hypoglycemia/chemically induced , Hypoglycemia/prevention & control , Insulin, Isophane/administration & dosageABSTRACT
The UK National Diabetes Inpatient COVID Response Group was formed at the end of March 2020 to support the provision of diabetes inpatient care during the COVID pandemic. It was formed in response to two emerging needs. First to ensure that basic diabetes services are secured and maintained at a time when there was a call for re-deployment to support the need for general medical expertise across secondary care services. The second was to provide simple safe diabetes guidelines for use by specialists and non-specialists treating inpatients with or suspected of COVID-19 infection. To date the group, comprising UK-based specialists in diabetes, pharmacy and psychology, have produced two sets of guidelines which will be continually revised as new evidence emerges. It is supported by Diabetes UK, the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists and NHS England.