Rapid quantitation of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in clinical samples with an electrochemical sensor.

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by several variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 virus (SARS-CoV-2). With the roll-out of vaccines and development of new therapeutics that may be targeted to distinct viral molecules, there is a need to screen populations for viral antigen-specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Here, we report a rapid, multiplexed, electrochemical (EC) device with on-chip control that enables detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in less than 10 min using 1.5 µL of a patient sample. The EC biosensor demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 1, when evaluated using 93 clinical samples, including plasma and dried blood spot samples from 54 SARS-CoV-2 positive and 39 negative patients. This EC biosensor platform enables simple, cost-effective, sensitive, and rapid detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in complex clinical samples, which is convenient for evaluating humoral-responses to vaccination or infection in population-wide testing, including applications in point-of-care settings. We also demonstrate the feasibility of using dried blood spot samples that can be collected locally and transported to distant clinical laboratories at ambient temperature for detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies which may be utilized for serological surveillance and demonstrate the utility of remote sampling.

Security Access Control System Enhanced with Face Mask Detection and Temperature Monitoring for Pandemic Trauma

COVID-19 has affected the livelihood of millions around the world. Pass-infection of the virus between the personnel is a large threat factor. During this pandemic, it's mandatory to wear a mask to prevent the spread of the COVID19. Biometrics and face detection are commonly used to track individual employees' attendance but face recognition methods are ineffective because wearing mask obscures a portion of the face. This biometric can be a medium for the transmission of viruses. The proposed system implements COVID preventive measures such as mask detection and monitors body temperature. In addition, the proposed system checks for authorized persons using RFID technology and employs fingerprint verification application via individual mobile phones for attendance purposes. The system predominantly inspects presence of face masks, then keeps track of body temperature and ultimately controls the automatic door associated with it using RFID technology and android app based fingerprint recognition to allow access to people with authorization. © 2022 IEEE.

An epidemiological study of COVID-19 cases during first wave in a remote block of Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh

Human to human transmission through droplets as well as through contact with fomites seems to be critical route of the virus spread. Since 80% of the infected population are either asymptomatic or have mild disease, they are the main connecting link for transmitting the viral infection to others. Despite concern of social attribute to urban population was there, very little information has examined the effect on rural population which are the among nations most vulnerable population. [...]rural populations are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms, they have lower access to health-care professionals and critical care resources. [4] Any person with a recent history of international travel (14 days), domestic travel from high burden states and anyone within the state with symptom of influenza-like illness, and severe acute respiratory infection as well as known high-risk contacts of confirmed COVID-19 patients were included in the study. Calculation Regarding Health Facility, COVID Sampling, and Positivity Rate a. Total Population - 234580 (As per Census 2011) * Rural-182120 * Urban - 52460 b. Health Facility available at block - 3 PHC * Civil Hospital * C.C.C. (COVID Care Centre) -At polytechnic college c. Total Sample sent - 961 Samples sent per thousand population - 961/234580 ÷ 1000 = 4 per thousand population [Total samples sent during the duration of 4 months (3.4.2020-3.8.2020)] Average samples sent/day = 961/122 = 7.8 samples/day Maximum sample sent in a day = 50, Minimum sample sent in a day = 01 d. Total Positive cases - 132 Positive cases per 1 lakh population = 57.39 cases/ Lakh population Sample positivity Rate = 132/961 ÷ 100 = 13.73%.

Role of Statins in the Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in the Population with Mean Cholesterol in the Near-Optimal to Borderline High Range: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to analyze the benefits and harms of treating the population with statins in those having mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the near-optimal (100 to 129 mg/dl) to borderline high (130 to 159 mg/dl) range and free of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: We searched PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1994 and July 2020. We included RCTs with greater than 90% of participants free of CVD. Two reviewers independently screened the articles using the Covidence software, assessed the methodological quality using the risk of bias 2 tool, and analyzed the data using the RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: Eleven trials were included. Statin therapy was associated with a decreased risk of myocardial infarction (RR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.67), major cerebrovascular events (RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.96), major coronary events (RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.80), composite cardiovascular outcome (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.82), revascularizations (RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.74), angina (RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.92), and hospitalization for cardiovascular causes (RR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.86). There was no benefit associated with statin therapy for cardiovascular mortality and coronary heart disease mortality. All-cause mortality benefit with statin therapy was seen in the population with diabetes and increased risk of CVD. Statin therapy was associated with no significant increased risk of myalgia, creatine kinase elevation, rhabdomyolysis, myopathy, incidence of any cancer, incidence of diabetes, withdrawal of the drug due to adverse events, serious adverse events, fatal cancer, and liver enzyme abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Statin therapy was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and procedures without increased risk of harm in populations with mean LDL-C in the near-optimal to the borderline high range and without prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Telemedicine in Neurosurgery: Standardizing the Spinal Physical Examination Using A Modified Delphi Method.

OBJECTIVE: The use of telemedicine has dramatically increased due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Many neurosurgeons are now using telemedicine technologies for preoperative evaluations and routine outpatient visits. Our goal was to standardize the telemedicine motor neurologic examination, summarize the evidence surrounding clinical use of telehealth technologies, and discuss financial and legal considerations. METHODS: We identified a 12-member panel composed of spine surgeons, fellows, and senior residents at a single institution. We created an initial telehealth strength examination protocol based on published data and developed 10 agree/disagree statements summarizing the protocol. A blinded Delphi method was utilized to build consensus for each statement, defined as > 80% agreement and no significant disagreement using a 2-way binomial test (significance threshold of p < 0.05). Any statement that did not meet consensus was edited and iteratively resubmitted to the panel until consensus was achieved. In the final round, the panel was unblinded and the protocol was finalized. RESULTS: After the first round, 4/10 statements failed to meet consensus ( < 80% agreement, and p = 0.031, p = 0.031, p = 0.003, and p = 0.031 statistical disagreement, respectively). The disagreement pertained to grading of strength of the upper (3/10 statements) and lower extremities (1/10 statement). The amended statements clarified strength grading, achieved consensus ( > 80% agreement, p > 0.05 disagreement), and were used to create the final telehealth strength examination protocol. CONCLUSION: The resulting protocol was used in our clinic to standardize the telehealth strength examination. This protocol, as well as our summary of telehealth clinical practice, should aid neurosurgical clinics in integrating telemedicine modalities into their practice.

Pancreatic cancer in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: Which one is the lesser of two evils?

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains one of the deadliest malignancies affecting the older population. We are experiencing a paradigm shift in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Utilizing neoadjuvant treatment and further conducting a safe surgery while protecting patients in a controlled environment can improve oncological outcomes. On the other hand, an optimal oncologic procedure performed in a hazardous setting could shorten patient survival if recovery is complicated by COVID-19 infection. We believe that oncological treatment protocols must adapt to this new health threat, and pancreatic cancer is not unique in this regard. Although survival may not be as optimistic as most other malignancies, as caregivers and researchers, we are committed to innovating and reshaping the treatment algorithms to minimize morbidity and maximize survival as caregivers and researchers.

COVID-19 pulmonary pathology: a multi-institutional autopsy cohort from Italy and New York City.

SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent of COVID-19, is a global pandemic with substantial mortality dominated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. We systematically evaluated lungs of 68 autopsies from 3 institutions in heavily hit areas (2 USA, 1 Italy). Detailed evaluation of several compartments (airways, alveolar walls, airspaces, and vasculature) was performed to determine the range of histologic features. The cohort consisted of 47 males and 21 females with a median age of 73 years (range 30-96). Co-morbidities were present in most patients with 60% reporting at least three conditions. Tracheobronchitis was frequently present, independent from intubation or superimposed pneumonia. Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was seen in 87% of cases. Later phases of DAD were less frequent and correlated with longer duration of disease. Large vessel thrombi were seen in 42% of cases but platelet (CD61 positive) and/or fibrin microthrombi were present at least focally in 84%. Ultrastructurally, small vessels showed basal membrane reduplication and significant endothelial swelling with cytoplasmic vacuolization. In a subset of cases, virus was detected using different tools (immunohistochemistry for SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein, RNA in situ hybridization, lung viral culture, and electron microscopy). Virus was seen in airway epithelium and type 2 pneumocytes. IHC or in situ detection, as well as viable form (lung culture positive) was associated with the presence of hyaline membranes, usually within 2 weeks but up to 4 weeks after initial diagnosis. COVID-19 pneumonia is a heterogeneous disease (tracheobronchitis, DAD, and vascular injury), but with consistent features in three centers. The pulmonary vasculature, with capillary microthrombi and inflammation, as well as macrothrombi, is commonly involved. Viral infection in areas of ongoing active injury contributes to persistent and temporally heterogeneous lung damage.