3D interior hotspots embedded with viral lysates for rapid and label-free identification of infectious diseases

In recent decades, biomedical sensors based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which reveals unique spectral features corresponding to individual molecular vibrational states, have attracted intensive attention. However, the lack of a system for precisely guiding biomolecules to active hotspot regions has impeded the broad application of SERS techniques. Herein, we demonstrate the irreversible active engineering of three-dimensional (3D) interior organo-hotspots via electrochemical (EC) deposition onto metal nanodimple (ECOMD) platforms with viral lysates. This approach enables organic seed-programmable Au growth and the spontaneous bottom-up formation of 3D interior organo-hotspots simultaneously. Because of the net charge effect on the participation rate of viral lysates, the number of interior organo-hotspots in the ECOMDs increases with increasingly positive polarity. The viral lysates embedded in the ECOMDs function as both a dielectric medium for field confinement and an analyte, enabling the highly specific and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 lysates (SLs) at concentrations as low as 10-2 plaque forming unit/mL. The ECOMD platform was used to trace and detect the SLs in human saliva and diagnose of the delta-type SARS-CoV-2 in clinical environments;the results indicate that the proposed platform can provide point-of-care diagnoses of infectious diseases.

The 12-hour shift: radiographers' perspectives and its applicability during a pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, shift work for radiographers at our institution comprised of three shift patterns - morning (8am-2pm), afternoon (2pm-9pm) and night (9pm-8am). However, when COVID-19 was first detected in Singapore in January 2020, the 12-h shift was introduced for better team segregation and deployment to meet the service needs of the Emergency Department. The 12-h shift consisted of the day (9am-9pm) and night (9pm-9am) shifts. While the 12-h shift is common to nursing practices, it is new to the radiography profession within the study centre. This study explores the radiographers' perspectives of the new shift and the impact of shift patterns on radiographers' wellness and work performance compared to the original three shift patterns. METHODS: A mixed-methods design study was adopted for this single-centre evaluation. An anonymous online questionnaire was administered to radiographers who had experienced both shift types. Additionally, the number of radiographers who had taken sick leave, and images rejected and accepted from the X-ray consoles were retrospectively collected to measure the impact of the new shift. RESULTS: Radiographers experienced fatigue and appreciated the longer rest days associated with the 12-h shift. Additionally, the sick leave rates and image reject counts were more favourable with the 12-h shift pattern. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the extended shift hours are effective during a pandemic but may result in radiographer burnout during a prolonged outbreak. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Studying these variables will provide an effective starting point in understanding the efficacy and applicability of a 12-h shift system during pandemic periods.

Overview of rapid mitigating strategies in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article describes the rapid mitigation strategies in addressing the rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Singapore. Learning from the severe acute respiratory syndrome experience in 2003, early preparation started in January 2020 when Wuhan was declared as the epicentre of the epidemic. The government had constructed a three-pronged approach which includes travel, healthcare and community measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.