ABSTRACT
Immunocompromised patients are susceptible to complications from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The mRNA vaccines BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 are effective in immunocompetent adults, but have diminished activity in immunocompromised patients. We measured anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 antibody (anti-S) response, avidity, and surrogate neutralizing antibody activity in COVID-19 vaccinated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Anti-S was induced in 89% of AML and 88% of MDS patients, but median levels were significantly lower than in healthy controls. SARS-CoV-2 antibody avidity and neutralizing activity from AML patients were significantly lower than controls. Antibody avidity was significantly greater in patients after mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2; there were trends toward higher anti-S levels and greater neutralizing antibody activity after mRNA-1273 vaccination. Patients with AML and MDS are likely to respond to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, but differences in anti-S levels, avidity, and neutralizing antibody activity may affect clinical outcomes and require further study.
ABSTRACT
This article explores the evolving trajectory of the Teaching Practicum (TP) models within a selected South African teacher education institution (TEI) to accommodate the localised challenges of shifting from face-to-face support of professional learning towards online modes of delivery during Covid-19 times. The study draws on the ethnographic tradition of celebrating participants' lived experiences within the feld of teacher education by capturing how a teaching practicum coordinator attempted to deal with complex and multiple challenges to enact and sustain a re-imagined TP programme. Keywords: teaching practicum models, under-served teacher education institution, transformation, conversational ethnodrama analysis and representation. 1. The ethnodrama created represents the teachers' responses to the national curriculum reform initiatives led largely by a governmental-directed professional development strategy methodologically, analytically and representationally The approach in ethnographic research extends research possibilities to develop theoretical insights from the fieldwork (data-driven analysis).
ABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative viral pathogen driving the COVID-19 pandemic that prompted an immediate global response to the development of vaccines and antiviral therapeutics. For antiviral therapeutics, drug repurposing allowed for rapid movement of existing clinical candidates and therapies into human clinical trials to be tested as COVID-19 therapies. One effective antiviral treatment strategy used early in symptom onset is to prevent viral entry. SARS-CoV-2 enters ACE2-expressing cells when the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 followed by cleavage at two cut sites on the spike protein. TMPRSS2 has a protease domain capable of cleaving the two cut sites; therefore, a molecule capable of inhibiting the protease activity of TMPRSS2 could be a valuable antiviral therapy. Initially, we used a fluorogenic high-throughput screening assay for the biochemical screening of 6030 compounds in NCATS annotated libraries. Then, we developed an orthogonal biochemical assay that uses mass spectrometry detection of product formation to ensure that hits from the primary screen are not assay artifacts from the fluorescent detection of product formation. Finally, we assessed the hits from the biochemical screening in a cell-based SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped particle entry assay. Of the six molecules advanced for further studies, two are approved drugs in Japan (camostat and nafamostat), two have entered clinical trials (PCI-27483 and otamixaban), while the other two molecules are peptidomimetic inhibitors of TMPRSS2 taken from the literature that have not advanced into clinical trials (compounds 92 and 114). This work demonstrates a suite of assays for the discovery and development of new inhibitors of TMPRSS2.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
As curriculum designers and facilitators of doctoral education pedagogy at one South African higher education institution, we critically reflect on the transitioning of a traditional face-toface supervisor-led PhD community of practice (communal research supervision) to a fully online 'model', a reimagining brought on by the vicissitudes of the COVID-19 pandemic. This reflection responds to the erroneous tendency to critique online pedagogies in preference for inperson contact deliveries. The article suggests that establishing unique communities of practice are required for sustaining the new modes of delivery to counteract nostalgia for past operations. A forthcoming online engagement is likely to be characteristic of all higher education institutions irrespective of their former dominant methods of pedagogy. We invoke key social practice constructs, namely 'domain', 'community' and 'practice' (Wenger, 1999;Wenger, McDermott & Snyder, 2002) as theoretical heuristics in our contemplation of sustaining community vibrance and continuity. We consider the tensions that present as they relate to, firstly, developing a continually (re)negotiated joint enterprise, secondly, enabling mutual engagement, and thirdly, facilitating a shared repertoire of the community's resources in an evolving, technologically mediated mode of operation. We argue that the key enterprise of this community, namely affordances of participation (research supervision and research learning) by both core and peripheral members of the community are likely to continue to accrue in the online space, despite challenges presented by video-conferencing technologies. We contend that given the strength of its leadership, the community as a social space of academic interaction/engagement can mutate into productive new assemblages. Shared communal resources are important for anchoring the community in COVID-19 era and beyond.
ABSTRACT
A 61-year-old man with no significant medical history developed fever, headache and mild shortness of breath. He tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and self-isolated at home, not requiring hospital admission. One week after testing positive, he developed acute severe burning pain affecting his whole body, subsequently localised distally in the limbs. There was no ataxia or autonomic failure. Neurological examination was unremarkable. Electrophysiological tests were unremarkable. Skin biopsy, lumbar puncture, enhanced MRI of the brachial plexus and MRI of the neuroaxis were normal. His pain was inadequately controlled with pregabalin but improved while on a weaning regimen of steroids. This case highlights the variety of possible symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Neuralgia , Fever , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neuralgia/diagnosis , Neuralgia/drug therapy , Neuralgia/etiology , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
The world is still worried about the COVID-19 virus pandemic until now. This virus has caused various problems in the world, such as the economy, the world of education, and several other sectors. The government has tried to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our country Indonesia. The obstacle faced by the government is the large number of people so that the control process becomes difficult to implement in full. The technology that can be utilized is to collaborate with computer vision, LBS, and body temperature sensors placed on smart cameras. Smart camera will identify and track people who are still active despite the symptoms of COVID-19. In this research, a prototype design was conducted which collaborated with computer vision, LBS, and body temperature sensors placed on the smart camera. The prototype will then be analyzed regarding the feasibility and impact that can be caused by the implementation of the prototype in the community. The prototype is expected to be used by the government to monitor community activities quickly so that the spread of COVID-19 can be controlled properly.