ABSTRACT
To maximize access to SARS-CoV-2 serological (antibody) tests, point-of-care (PoC) options are necessary. PoC tests require sample-to-answer functionality, which is challenging with whole blood. Here we demonstrate a sample-to-answer SARS-CoV-2 antibody test from whole blood using automated thermally actuated valves. Higher-order alkanes serve as partitions between immunoassay zones (sample/bind, rinse, detection);upon warming, the partitions are liquified, enabling magnetic beads to be pulled through each zone while continuing to partition the reagents. We demonstrate a detection limit of 0.7 ng/mL SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, multiple orders of magnitude lower than clinically relevant concentrations. © 2021 MicroTAS 2021 - 25th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
This paper analyses Aotearoa-New Zealand’s “shovel-ready fund” to assess if, and how, blue–green infrastructure systems were present in bids from its largest city regions. Findings indicate a greater prevalence in areas with existing spatial plans, and while there was some consideration of climate resilience, there was no real acknowledgement of the pandemic or human health. More positively, there was some evidence of unique indigenous influences that have potential to develop more inclusive and holistic blue–green infrastructure initiatives. The overall response, however, demonstrates a disjointed approach to blue–green infrastructure-related projects, and a missed opportunity for a more transformative response to the climate crisis and human health emergencies. © 2022 Editorial Board, Urban Policy and Research.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Changes found on hematological examination are a helpful modality for assessing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, platelet index is a parameter that can help in assessing the COVID-19 disease prognosis. AIM: Objective of the study is to determine the difference in platelet index in nucleid acid amplification test (NAAT) confirmed COVID-19 patients, suspected COVID-19 with negative NAAT results, and non-COVID-19 controls. METHODS: This is an analytical observational study with 96 subjects;48 subjects with confirmed COVID-19, 23 subjects suspected COVID-19 with negative NAAT results, and 24 non-COVID-19 control subjects. First, NAAT examination was carried out using the GeneXpert tool with the target genes of the E and N2 genes. Then, the platelet index was compared between the three groups by the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the number of platelet (PLT), mean PLT volume (MPV), and PLT crit (PCT) between the three groups with p = 0.732, 0.741 and 0.483, respectively. In general, the number of PLT, MPV, and PCT in the three groups was within the normal reference value. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences observed in the number of PLT, MPV, and PCT between COVID-19 patients with positive NAAT, COVID-19 suspects with negative NAAT, and non-COVID-19 controls. Therefore, detecting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus by NAAT examination in COVID-19 patients has not altered the PLT index changes.
ABSTRACT
The science-society contract is broken. The climate is changing. Science demonstrates why this is occurring, that it is getting worse, the implications for human well-being and social-ecological systems, and substantiates action. Governments agree that the science is settled. The tragedy of climate change science is that at the same time as compelling evidence is gathered, fresh warnings issued, and novel methodologies developed, indicators of adverse global change rise year upon year. Meanwhile, global responses to Covid-19 have shown that even emergent scientific knowledge can bolster radical government action. We explore three options for the climate change science community. We find that two options are untenable and one is unpalatable. Given the urgency and criticality of climate change, we argue the time has come for scientists to agree to a moratorium on climate change research as a means to first expose, then renegotiate, the broken science-society contract.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was declared in the UK in February 2020, impacting significantly on healthcare. Delivery of systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) rapidly adapted to minimize patient exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The risks of SACT and concomitant COVID-19 infection are unknown. Here we report the patient/tumour characteristics of pts with any GYN cancer undergoing SACT during the first wave to understand risks of SACT and establish clinical guidelines for safe management in the ongoing SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Methods: Demographic and clinical characteristics of GYN cancer pts receiving at least one SACT between 1st March- 31st May 2020 (first wave COVID-19) were compared to the same three month timeframe in 2019. SARS-CoV2 infection was defined as a positive RT-PCR test for COVID-19. Pts with symptoms or radiological changes alone were not considered SARS-COV2 positive. As part of the Guy's Cancer Cohort we collected information on age, ethnicity, performance status (PS), cancer type, stage (Stg), treatment (SACT, surgery, radiotherapy) and COVID-19 infection. Results: There were no COVID-19 related deaths. 1 pt (0.5%) had SACT delay due to confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall mortality at 6 months in each timeframe was 6.9% in 2020 and 8.1% in 2019. In the comparative 3-month intervals, similar numbers of GYN cancer pts received SACT in 2020 compared to 2019: 170 patients (126 ovarian;44 non-ovarian) in 2020, 184 (131 ovarian;53 nonovarian) in 2019. Median age was 61y in both groups and BAME ethnicity was balanced. In 2020, more pts had Stg III/IV disease (93%) than 2019 (84%) and fewer had Stg I/II disease (7%) compared to 2019 (16%). PS was: 0-1 in 92% of patients in 2020 vs 85% in 2019. The average number of cycles of SACT delivered in each time frame was 3. In 2020 9% received neoadjuvant SACT of which 69% proceeded to planned surgery and 31% were deemed unfit. Comparatively, in 2019 7% received neoadjuvant SACT of whom 75% proceeded to surgery and 25% were deemed unfit. In 2020, 3 pt received chemoradiation compared to 8 in 2019. 40 of 170 pts (24%) had 1-5 week treatment delays in 2020 due to any aetiology with. In 2019 there were treatment delays in 63 of 184 pts (34%). The use of GCSF in support of all SACT regimens was 52% in 2020 vs 11% in 2019. Conclusions: There was no increase in mortality associated with SACT during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in GYN cancer pts. 0.5% of pts had confirmed SARS-COV2 infection. We were able to maintain full SACT delivery for all GYN cancer pts with average cycle number unchanged between 2019 and 2020. There was no significant reduction in surgical debulking rates. In contrast, there was a reduction in GYN cancer pts receiving chemoradiation. More pts presented with Stg III/IV disease in 2020. Increased use of GSCF may have contributed to the reduced chemotherapy delays in 2020. Further research will explore the impact of vaccination.
ABSTRACT
Initial Teacher Education (ITE) can be viewed as a formative space in professional teacher identity development. Practice plays a key role in shaping teacher identity, providing a window into the reality of school life, as well as nurturing professional autonomy. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, school life shifted suddenly and unrecognisably in March 2020. This paper focuses on the experiences of preservice teachers on an ITE programme (post-primary) in one Irish University during the period of sudden school closures. The data show the transition to be problematic, underscored by a chaotic pivot to virtual communication and a destabilising of the structures that normally provide consistency. Yet it also presented opportunities and responsibilities. We explore Victor Turner’s work to consider school placement as an ‘in between’ space for preservice teachers and to examine the extent to which sudden school closures heightened this sense of ‘in betweenness’. We argue that the pandemic and its lifting out of pervasive and predictable social structures, gave rise to a period of ‘anti-structure’. We view school closures as an example of anti-structure, which challenged preservice teachers’ identity formation yet also gave rise to ‘communitas’ through experimentation with different modes of being and doing. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.