Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells and Engineering: HEMATOPOIETIC STEM/PROGENITOR CELLS (HPC-A) CRYOPRESERVATION PROCESS VALIDATION USING CRYOSTOR CS10 FREEZE MEDIA

Background & Aim: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we performed HPC-A cryopreservation process validation using the CryoStor CS10 freeze media to replace the current 10% DMSO cryoprotectant (Control), which encountered severe backorder. Methods, Results & Conclusion(s): This process validation included phase I, phase II, and follow-up studies. Ten HPC-A collection cell product samples were cryopreserved in the phase I study using CS10 and Control (1:1) post-plasma depletion. Post-thaw viability tests using the 7-AAD method were performed on the cryopreserved samples for parallel comparison. In phase II, each of three patient HPC-A cell products was split evenly into CS10 and Control cryopreservation. The CS10 cryopreserved HPC-A cell products only were used for infusion. The recipients' engraftment outcomes of white blood cells (WBC), granulocytes (ANC), and platelets (Plts) were monitored. Post-thaw viability test was performed on the quality control samples from both groups. In the follow-up study, engraftment outcomes of WBC, ANC, and Plts were evaluated from ten recipients who received the CS10 cryopreserved HPC-A. In the phase I study, the post-thaw viability of the CS10 group was significantly higher than the Control group (p=0.002). All post-thaw viability results were above 60%, the current lab release criteria. In the phase II study, all cryopreserved cell products met cell product release criteria (> 60%). All engraftment results were within our center-established ranges except for the Pt b's platelet engraftment. Three recipients had not had any cell product infusion-related adverse events post infusion. Both CD34 and CD45 post-thaw viability results in the CS10 group were remarkably higher than the Control group, except for the patient c's CD34 viability. In the follow-up study, the total infused cell product volume ranged from 60 ml to 118 ml, and the WBC concentration in the cryopreserved cell products ranged from 134 to 440 (x10

KAP Study Regarding COVID-19 Amongst Pregnant Women, in Central India

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of preventive measures against COVID-19 infection among pregnant women. It is our understanding that assessing healthcare needs and healthcare education form the pillars for better healthcare thereby this study was conducted. Methodology: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in which 150 antenatal women were included. Face-to-face interview was conducted by using a self-developed internally validated semi-structured questionnaire based on 3 major domains, Knowledge (10), Attitude (10) and Practice (4), with close ended questions. Each response-correct was allotted score 1 & incorrect allotted score of 0. The responses were described as frequencies and percentages. Scoring system-Poor score<60%, Fair score 60-75%, Good score > 75% of total score in each domain. Result(s): 103(68.7%) had good knowledge and 121(80.7%) had poor attitude, regarding COVID affecting their pregnancy, antenatal visits and unborn baby. 113(75.3%) were practicing preventive habits. Conclusion(s): Our study showed the anxiety and fear related to Covid-19 affected mental health of women and their adherence to antenatal care which needs to be addressed in providing antenatal care services.Copyright © 2023, Dr Yashwant Research Labs Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.

Validation of myocarditis diagnoses in the Swedish patient register for analyses of potential adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines are associated with an increased risk of myocarditis using hospital discharge diagnoses as an outcome. The validity of these register-based diagnoses is uncertain. Methods: Patient records for subjects < 40 years of age and a diagnosis of myocarditis in the Swedish National Patient Register were manually reviewed. Brighton Collaboration diagnosis criteria for myocarditis were applied based on patient history, clinical examination, laboratory data, electrocardiograms, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging and myocardial biopsy. Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence rate ratios, comparing the register-based outcome variable to validated outcomes. Interrater reliability was assessed by a blinded re-evaluation. Results: Overall, 95.6% (327/342) of cases registered as myocarditis were confirmed (definite, probable or possible myocarditis according to Brighton Collaboration diagnosis criteria, positive predictive value 0.96 [95% CI 0.93-0.98]). Of the 4.4% (15/342) cases reclassified as no myocarditis or as insufficient information, two cases had been exposed to the COVID-19 vaccine no more than 28 days before the myocarditis diagnosis, two cases were exposed >28 days before admission and 11 cases were unexposed to the vaccine. The reclassification had only minor impact on incidence rate ratios for myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. In total, 51 cases were sampled for a blinded re-evaluation. Of the 30 randomly sampled cases initially classified as either definite or probably myocarditis, none were re-classified after re-evaluation. Of the in all 15 cases initially classified as no myocarditis or insufficient information, 7 were after re-evaluation re-classified as probable or possible myocarditis. This re-classification was mostly due to substantial variability in electrocardiogram interpretation. Conclusion: This validation of register-based diagnoses of myocarditis by manual patient record review confirmed the register diagnosis in 96% of cases and had high interrater reliability. Reclassification had only a minor impact on the incidence rate ratios for myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination.

Molecular Docking Based in-Silico Approach Reveals the Potential Inhibitory Activity of Nsaids against Sars-Cov-2 Proteins

The rapid rate of mutation of the RNA genome of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the emergence of viral variants, leading to the enhanced survivability of the virus. Hence, searching for new drugs that can restrict new viral infections by interacting with wild-type and mutated viral proteins is important. However, new drug development's economic and time-constraining nature makes drug repurposing a more viable solution to address the problem. In this work, we conducted a computational study to screen 23 Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) interactions with 5 major viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2 that are mainly involved in host infection. Our in-silico results establish a database that shows that different NSAID ligands interact with the different viral proteins with good binding affinities. Stabilizing point mutations were introduced within the conserved amino acids involved in ligand-protein interactions. Redocking the NSAID ligands with these mutated viral proteins showed that the NSAID ligands could bind with the mutated and wild-type viral proteins with comparable binding affinities. We conclude that the NSAID ligands could be repurposed as therapeutic drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Additionally, our work generated a repository that includes binding affinities, possible modes of interaction, and specific interacting residues of the protein (wild-type and mutated) ligand complexes that could be used for future validation studies. Further, our results point to the potential of these drugs to treat other viral infections with similar disease etiology.Copyright All © 2023 are reserved by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research.

[Validation of a symptom scale for COVID-19 patients in ambulatory care]

Background: A symptom scale can be useful for the standardization of clinical evaluations and follow-up of COVID-19 patients in ambultaroy care. Scale development should be accompanied by an assessment of its reliablility and validity. Objective: To develop and measure the psychometric characteristics of a COVID-19 symptom scale to be answered by either healthcare personnel or adult patients in ambulatory care. Material and methods: The scale was developed by an expert panel using the Delphi method. We evaluated inter-rater reliability, where we defined a good correlation if Spearman's Rho was >= 0.8;test-retest, where we defined a good correlation if Spearman's Rho was >= 0.7;factor analysis using principal component methodology;and discriminant validity using Mann-Whitney's U test. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We obtained an 8 symptom scale, each symptom is scored from 0-4, with a total minimum score of 0 and a maximum of 32 points. Inter-rater reliability was 0.995 (n = 31), test-retest showed correlation of 0.88 (n = 22), factor analysis detected 4 factors (n = 40) and discriminant capacity of healthy versus sick adults was significant (p < 0.0001, n = 60). Conclusions: We obtained a reliable and valid Spanish (from Mexico) symptom scale for COVID-19 ambulatory care, answerable by patients and health care staff. Copyright © 2023 Revista Medica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.

A one-enzyme rt-qpcr assay for sars-cov-2, and procedures for reagent production

Given the scale of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the need for reliable, scalable testing, and the likelihood of reagent shortages, especially in resource-poor settings, we have developed an RTqPCR assay that relies on an alternative to conventional viral reverse transcriptases, a thermostable reverse transcriptase/DNA polymerase (RTX) (Ellefson et al., 2016). Here we show that RTX performs comparably to the other assays sanctioned by the CDC and validated in kit format. We demonstrate two modes of RTX use - (i) dye-based RT-qPCR assays that require only RTX polymerase, and (ii) TaqMan RT-qPCR assays that use a combination of RTX and Taq DNA polymerases (as the RTX exonuclease does not degrade a TaqMan probe). We also provide straightforward recipes for the purification of this alternative reagent RTX. We anticipate that in low resource or point-of-need settings researchers could obtain the available constructs and begin to develop their own assays, within whatever regulatory framework exists for them.Copyright © 2021 Bio-protocol LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Validation of the russian version of the 4C Mortality Score and prediction of outcomes of severe COVID-19

The aim of the study is to validate the Russian version of the 4C Mortality Score scale and evaluate its accuracy in predicting the outcomes of severe COVID-19. Material and methods. The staff of the Center for Validation of International Scales and Questionnaires of the Research Center of Neurology received official permission from the authors to conduct a validation study of the 4C Mortality Score scale in Russia. In the course of the work, the linguistic and cultural ratification of the scale was carried out and its Russian-language version was prepared. Psychometric properties (reliability and validity) The Russian-language version was evaluated on a group of 78 patients (37 of whom were men, aged 34 to 88 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, hospitalized in the City Clinical Hospital No. 15 named after O.M. Filatov (Moscow) in the period from June to August 2021. Results. The linguocultural adaptation of the 4C Mortality Score scale was successfully carried out. High levels of reliability were obtained (Spearman correlation coefficient rho=0.91, p<0.0001;Cronbach's alpha alpha=0.73, p=0.0002;Cohen's kappa kappa=0.85, p<0.0001). It is shown that the 4C Mortality Score scores have a significant correlation with the COVID-GRAM scores (r=0.72, p=0.002) and NEWS2 (r=0.54, p=0.004). Conclusion. As a result of the validation study, the official Russian version of the 4C Mortality Score scale was developed. It is recommended for use by medical professionals of various specialties at all stages of providing medical care to patients with COVID-19. The scale is available for download on the website of the Center for Validation of International Scales and Questionnaires of the Research Center of Neurology (https://www.neurology.ru/reabilitaciya/centr-validacii-mezhdunarodnyh-shkal-i-oprosnikov).Copyright © 2022 by the authors.

[Instrument validation that measures disruptive education on clinical training]

Background: During the contingency derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no instruments assessing the aspects of clinical training, which is why it is necessary to have a questionnaire that let us know the opinion of medical students about the disruptive education. Objective: To validate a questionnaire designed to know the opinion of medical students about disruptive education in their clinical training. Material and methods: Validation cross-sectional study which was developed in three phases: 1) Elaboration of the questionnaire aimed at undergraduate medical students who include clinical science subjects in their curricular program;2) validation of content by Aiken's V test with 7 expert judges and reliability estimation with Cronbach's alpha coefficient in a pre-sample test with 48 students;3) analysis of the information through descriptive statistics, where the following results were observed: Aiken's V index of V = 0.816;Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.966. A total of 54 items were incorporated in the questionnaire after the pre-sampling test. Conclusions: We can rely on a valid and reliable instrument that objectively measures disruptive education in the clinical training of medical students. Copyright © 2023 Revista Medica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.

Validation of the Barthel Index as a Predictor of In-Hospital Mortality among COVID-19 Patients.

In order to predict the high mortality due to COVID-19, simple, useful and remote instruments are required. To assess the validity of the baseline Barthel Index score as a predictor of in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients, a validation study of a clinical prediction tool in a cohort of patients with COVID-19 was conducted. The primary variable was mortality and the Barthel Index was the main explanatory variable. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were collected. Other mortality predictor scores were also assessed: Pneumonia Severity Index, CURB-65 and A-DROP. The Receiver Operating Characteristic Area under the Curve (ROC AUC), sensitivity and specificity were calculated for both the Barthel Index and the other predictor scores. An analysis of the association between the main variables was conducted, adjusting by means of three multivariate models. Three hundred and twelve patients were studied. Mortality was 16.4%. A mortality Odds Ratio (OR) of 5.95 was associated with patients with a Barthel Index ≤ 90. The model number 3 was developed to predict in-hospital mortality before COVID-19 infection occurs. It exhibits an OR of 3.44, a ROC AUC of 0.792, a sensitivity of 74.5% and a specificity of 73.9%. The Baseline Barthel Index proved useful in our population as a predictor of in-hospital mortality due to COVID-19.

Spanish psychometric properties of the moral distress scale-revised: a study in healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Moral distress appears when a healthcare professional is not able to carry out actions in accordance with their professional ethical standards. The Moral Distress Scale-Revised is the most widely used to assess levels of moral distress, but it is not validated in Spanish. The aim of the study is to validate the Spanish version of the Moral Distress Scale - utilised within a sample of Spanish healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients. METHODS: The original (english) and the portuguese and french versions of the scale were translated into spanish by native or bilingual researchers and reviewed by an academic expert in ethics and moral philosophy as well as by a clinical expert. RESEARCH DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out using a self-reporting online survey. The data was collected between June- November 2020. A total of 661 professionals responded to the survey (N = 2873). PARTICIPANTS: healthcare professionals with more than two weeks of experience treating COVID-19 patients at the end of their life and working in the public sector of the Balearic Islands Health Service (Spain). Analyses included descriptive statistics, competitive confirmatory factor analysis, evidence on criterion-related validity and estimates of reliability. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at the University of Balearic Islands. RESULTS: An unidimensional model in which a general factor of moral distress explained by 11 items of the Spanish version of the MDS-R scale was an adequate representation of the data: χ2(44) = 113.492 (p 0.001); Comparative Fit Index = 0.965; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.079[0.062,0.097]; and Standarized Root Mean-Square = 0.037. Evidence of reliability was excellent: Cronbach's alpha = 0.886 and McDonald's omega = 0.910. Moral distress was related to discipline, with nurses having statistically significant higher levels than physicians. Additionally, moral distress successfully predicted professional quality of life, with higher levels of moral distress being related to poorer quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of Moral Distress Scale-Revised can be used as a reliable and valid measurement tool for the evaluation of moral distress experienced by health professionals. This tool will be highly useful for managers and applicable to a variety of healthcare professionals and settings.

Measuring confidence in physician: Adaptation and validation of TPS in HIV individuals from Mexico / Evaluar confianza en el médico: Adaptación y validación del Trust in Physician Scale (TPS) en personas mexicanas que viven con VIH

Abstract Introduction Patient-physician relationship is associated with ART adherence and medical follow-up in people living with HIV (PLWH). Patient's trust in their doctor is a key component of patient-physician relationship, so adequate and reliable instruments to measure this component are important to evaluate its impact on health outcomes. Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of a translated and adapted version of Trust in Physician Scale (TPS) in Mexican PLWH. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out in PLWH. Scale was translated to Spanish and culturally adapted. Sociodemographic and TPS data were collected online due to COVID-19 pandemic. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analysis were carried out in two different samples. Results Data from 215 participants was used to EFA. Five items were eliminated due to low correlation with total scale. Final Cronbach's alpha was .93. A single-factor structure explained 68.8% of the variance. CFA in a sample of 140 participants confirmed adequate fit indices (χ2[7] = 13.015 p = .072, CFI = .997, RMSEA = .057, SMRS = .0015). Discussion and conclusion The final scale was unifactorial and it is made up of six items instead of 11. It seems to be a valid and reliable scale to measure patient's trust in doctors in Mexican PLWH. Further studies are recommended to provide evidence of convergent validity to the instrument.

Resumen Introducción La relación médico-paciente está asociada a la adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral y al seguimiento médico en las personas que viven con VIH (PVVS). La confianza de los pacientes en sus médicos es un componente clave de la relación médico-paciente, por lo que es importante disponer de instrumentos adecuados y fiables para medir este componente y evaluar su impacto en los resultados de salud. Objetivo Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de una versión traducida y adaptada de la Trust in Physician Scale (TPS) en PVVS mexicanas. Método Se realizó un estudio transversal en adultos con VIH. La escala fue traducida al español y adaptada culturalmente. Los datos sociodemográficos y de la TPS se recogieron en línea debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. Se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios (AFE) y confirmatorios (AFC) en dos muestras diferentes. Resultados Se utilizaron los datos de 215 participantes para el AFE. Se eliminaron cinco ítems debido a la baja correlación con la escala total. El alfa de Cronbach final fue de .93. Una estructura unifactorial explicó el 68.8% de la varianza. El AFC en una muestra de 140 participantes confirmó la adecuación del modelo mostrando índices de ajuste adecuados (χ2[7] = 13.015 p = .072, CFI = .997, RMSEA =.057, SMRS = .0015). Discusión y conclusión La escala final fue unifactorial y se compuso de seis ítems en lugar de 11. Parece ser una escala válida y fiable para medir la confianza del paciente en los médicos en PVVS mexicanas. Se recomiendan más estudios para buscar evidencia de validez convergente del instrumento.

Adapting the COVID Stress Scale (CSS) to investigate the level of stress among Hong Kong Chinese people 1 year after the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Stress is a crucial driver that affects hygiene behavior. The Hong Kong population lacks a COVID-19 or pandemic related stress measure investigating the COVID-19 related stress after one year of outbreak. DESIGN AND METHODS: The original COVID Stress Scale (CSS) was translated and culturally adapted into the Chinese (Cantonese) version (CSS-C). Six hundred and twenty-four participants were recruited from the general public to examine the internal consistency, and concurrent and convergent validity of the CSS-C. The test-retest reliability of CSS-C was examined using 39 university students. RESULTS: People with old age, women, single, low educational level and borderline and abnormal levels of anxiety and depression were likely to perceive high level of COVID-19 related stress. All CSS-C subscales demonstrated good internal consistency, moderate to good test-retest reliability, and weak to moderate correlations with various mental health-related measures. DISCUSSION: The CSS could help monitor the stress associated the current and potential future pandemics.

Evaluation of Urine L-FABP Point of Care Kit in the Philippines as Predictive Marker of Clinical Severity of COVID-19 (EPOCH COVID study)

Background: The search for simple clinical and laboratory markers to help predict the clinical severity of patients presenting with COVID-19 has prompted this study to look at the predictive value of urine L-FABP (Liver Type-Fatty Acid Binding Protein) point-of-care test kit at the initial presentation of COVID-19 patients to the hospital. Method(s): The validation study prospectively included 109 consecutive patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, mean age of 52.2 years (range 19-84) presenting at the Emergency Rooms of 4 participating Metro-Manila hospitals from February to April 2021, with available data for analysis for 103 patients. Urine L-FABP POC (Point-of-Care) test and other clinical parameters and the level of severity of COVID-19 were determined at Day 0, Day 4 and Day 7. Computations for Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive and Negative Predictive values and Likelihood ratios were performed Results: Twenty-three patients tested positive for urine L-FABP, out of the 103 patients analyzed, while 80 tested negative. Of the 23 patients who tested positive for urine L-FABP, 6 has progressed in severity, while 17 did not progressed. Of the 80 patients who tested negative for urine L-FABP, 13 progressed, while 67 did not progressed in severity. Giving a Sensitivity of 31.58%, Specificity of 79.76%, Positive predictive value of 26.09%, Negative predictive value of 83.75%. Combining urine L-FABP and initial clinical parameters like SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) criteria to predict progression of severity yielded a higher Specificity of 91.67 % and Negative Predictive value of 84.62%. Conclusion(s): The study shows the utility of initial urine L-FABP POC test as a negative screening test in triaging adult patients presenting to the ER with mild to moderate COVID-19. Patients at the ER with a negative urine L-FABP test, will most likely not progressed to severe COVID-19. Combining clinical parameters like SIRS Criteria with the urine L-FABP result can increase the negative predictive value.Copyright © The PHILIPPINE JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE is a peer reviewed journal and a copyrighted publication of the Philippine College of Physicians.

Augmented reality visualisation and interaction for COVID-19 Ct-scan NN automated segmentation: A validation study

Although medical imaging technology has persisted in evolving over the last decades, the techniques and technologies used for analytical and visualisation purposes have remained constant. Manual or semi-automatic segmentation is, in many cases, complicated. It requires the intervention of a specialist and is time-consuming, especially during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has had devastating medical and economic consequences. Processing and visualising medical images with advanced techniques represent medical professionals’breakthroughs. This paper studies how augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) can transform medical practice during COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 pandemic. Here we report an augmented reality visualisation and interaction platform;it covers the whole process from uploading chest Ct-scan images to automatic segmentation-based deep learning, 3D reconstruction, 3D visualisation, and manipulation. AR provides a more realistic 3D visualisation system, allowing doctors to effectively interact with the generated 3D model of segmented lungs and COVID-19 lesions. We use the U-Net Neural Network (NN) for automated segmentation. The statistical measures obtained using the Dice score, pixel accuracy, sensitivity, G-mean, and specificity are 0.749, 0.949, 0.956, 0.955, and 0.954, respectively. The user-friendliness and usability are objectified by a formal user study that compared our augmented reality-assisted design to the standard diagnosis setup. One hundred and six doctors and medical students, including eight senior medical lecturers, volunteered to assess our platform. The platform could be used as an aid diagnosis tool to identify and analyse the COVID-19 infectious or as a training tool for residents and medical students. The prototype can be extended to other pulmonary pathologies. IEEE

Prediction model of intention to use digital fitness services for health promotion during the COVID-19 pandemic: a gender-based multi-group analysis

As the number of people infected with COVID-19 in Korea is increasing, several measures have been implemented to gradually restrict outdoor activities and indoor gatherings while promoting a non-face-to-face social culture. In this study, we performed a gender-based multi-group analysis using a technology acceptance model (TAM) as an external variable for COVID-19 risk perception to verify the model's predictive ability to increase participation behavior toward digital fitness services. We analyzed the data of 433 Koreans using an online survey consisting of 23 items. A structural equation model was used to verify the perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), intention to use and exercise participation behavior of the TAM with COVID-19 risk perception as an external variable. First, our results showed that COVID-19 risk perception had a statistically higher significant and positive effect on PEOU (beta = 0.170, t = 3.296, p < 0.001) than on PU (beta = 0.130, t = 2.848, p = 0.004) of digital fitness services. Second, the PEOU of the digital fitness service was found to have a statistically higher significant positive effect on PU (beta = 0.512, t = 9.728, p < 0.001) than on intention to use (beta = 0.130, t = -2.774, p = 0.006). Third, the PU of digital fitness services was found to have a statistically significant positive effect on the intention to use (beta = 0.684, t = 12.909, p < 0.001). Fourth, the intention to use the digital fitness service was found to have a statistically significant positive effect on exercise participation behavior (beta = 0.796, t = 16.248, p < 0.001). Lastly, we observed a significant difference between men and women in COVID-19 risk perception and PEOU among the six paths established. Digital environments that encourage participation in exercises could promote health during a pandemic. This study highlighted the need to consider digital environments that encourage exercise participation in creating physical exercise contents as there was no significant difference in the intention to use digital fitness services between men and women.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s).

A novel isothermal digital amplification system and its application for absolute quantification of respiratory infectious virus

Herein, we establish a novel isothermal digital amplification system termed digital nicking and extension chain reaction system-based amplification (dNESBA) by utilizing the isothermal NESBA technique and the newly developed miniaturized fluorescence monitoring system (mFMS). dNESBA enables parallel isothermal NESBA reactions in more than 10,000 localized droplet microreactors and read the fluorescence signals rapidly in 150 s by mFMS. This system could identify the genomic RNA (gRNA) extracted from target respiratory syncytial virus A (RSV A) as low as 10 copies with remarkable specificity. The practical applicability of dNESBA was also successfully verified by reliably detecting the gRNA in the artificial sputum samples with excellent reproducibility and accuracy. Due to the intrinsic advantages of isothermal amplifying technique including the elimination of the requirement of thermocycling device and the enhanced portability of the miniaturized read-out equipment, the dNESBA technique equipped with mFMS could serve as a promising platform system to achieve point-of-care (POC) digital molecular diagnostics, enabling absolute and ultra-sensitive quantification of various infectious pathogens even in an early stage.Copyright © 2023

Psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the COVID Stress Scales in Hong Kong.

Introduction: The COVID Stress Scales (CSS) assess six domains of COVID-19-related stress, including (a) COVID danger, (b) COVID socioeconomic consequences, (c) COVID xenophobia, (d) COVID contamination, (e) COVID traumatic stress symptoms, and (f) COVID compulsive checking. Although the CSS have been validated in various cultural contexts, their psychometric properties in Hong Kong have not been examined. This study endeavors to validate the traditional Chinese version of the 36-item CSS (CSS-36) and the 18-item CSS (CSS-18) in Hong Kong. Method: Participants were 521 Hong Kong undergraduate students (61% female) aged from 18 to 26 years (M = 20.65, SD = 1.56). An online questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The results of confirmatory factor analyses supported a six-factor structure for both the CSS-36 and the CSS-18. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses established the gender invariance of the six-factor model for both the CSS-36 and the CSS-18. The CSS-36 and the CSS-18 exhibited good internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity with fear of COVID-19 and negative emotional states. Discussion: The findings offer evidence for the psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the CSS-36 and the CSS-18 in the Hong Kong context.

Should rapid antigen tests be first-line for COVID-19 testing? Results of a prospective urban cohort study.

BACKGROUND: A highly accurate, rapid, and low-cost COVID-19 test is essential for guiding isolation measures. To date, the most widely used tests are either nucleic acid amplification tests or antigen tests. The objective of this study is to further assess the diagnostic performance of the Binax-CoV2 rapid antigen test in comparison to the current gold standard reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), with additional analysis of symptomatology and cycle threshold utility. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study performed between November and December 2020. Individuals who presented to COVID-19 testing events and received both RT-qPCR and a rapid antigent test were included. Testing occurred at the emergency department of an urban hospital and at a community mobile unit. No fees or appointments were required. Individuals self-reported the presence or absence of symptoms and history of positive COVID-19 test within the previous two weeks. Trained staff collected two subsequent nasopharyngeal swabs of both nares. One set of swabs underwent RT-qPCR and the other underwent Binax-CoV2 assay per manufacturer guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 390 patients were included, of which 302 were from the community site. Of these 302, 42 (14%) were RT-qPCR positive. Of the 42 RT-qPCR positive, 30 (71.4%) were also positive by Binax-CoV2. The Binax-CoV2 test had a sensitivity of 71.4% (95% CI: 55%-84%) and a specificity of 99.6% (95% CI: 98%-100%) in this population. Performance of the Binax-CoV2 test performed better in individuals with higher viral load. For symptomatic patients with cycle threshold < 20, sensitivity reached 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The Binax-CoV2 assay's specificity and sensitivity in individuals with high viral load makes it a suitable first-line test for detecting COVID-19. However, given the assay's measured sensitivity, a negative result on the Binax-CoV2 assay may warrant additional testing with more sensitive tests, such as the RT-qPCR. This is particularly the case with high clinical suspicion for an active SARS-CoV-2 infection even after a negative Binax-CoV2 result.

Reactive surveillance of suicides during the COVID-19 pandemic in France, 2020 to March 2022.

AIMS: Mitigation actions during the COVID-19 pandemic may impact mental health and suicide in general populations. We aimed to analyse the evolution in suicide deaths from 2020 to March 2022 in France. METHODS: Using free-text medical causes in death certificates, we built an algorithm, which aimed to identify suicide deaths. We measured its retrospective performances by comparing suicide deaths identified using the algorithm with deaths which had either a Tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) code for 'intentional self-harm' or for 'external cause of undetermined intent' as the underlying cause. The number of suicide deaths from January 2020 to March 2022 was then compared with the expected number estimated using a generalized additive model. The difference and the ratio between the observed and expected number of suicide deaths were calculated on the three lockdown periods and for periods between lockdowns and after the third one. The analysis was stratified by age group and gender. RESULTS: The free-text algorithm demonstrated high performances. From January 2020 to mid-2021, suicide mortality declined during France's three lockdowns, particularly in men. During the periods between and after the two first lockdowns, suicide mortality remained comparable to the expected values, except for men over 85 years old and in 65-84 year-old age group, where a small number of excess deaths was observed in the weeks following the end of first lockdown, and for men aged 45-64 years old, where the decline continued after the second lockdown ended. After the third lockdown until March 2022, an increase in suicide mortality was observed in 18-24 year-old age group for both genders and in men aged 65-84 years old, while a decrease was observed in the 25-44 year-old age group. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the absence of an increase in suicide mortality during France's COVID-19 pandemic and a substantial decline during lockdown periods, something already observed in other countries. The increase in suicide mortality observed in 18-24 year-old age group and in men aged 65-84 years old from mid-2021 to March 2022 suggests a prolonged impact of COVID-19 on mental health, also described on self-harm hospitalizations and emergency department's attendances in France. Further studies are required to explain the factors for this change. Reactive monitoring of suicide mortality needs to be continued since mental health consequences and the increase in suicide mortality may be continued in the future with the international context.

A fast point-of-care PCR test for infectious diseases, based on aerosol capturing

The COVID-19 pandemic quickly revealed the limitations of existing monitoring and diagnostic capabilities. While rapid antigen tests are not sufficiently reliable, PCR turn-around-time (TAT) typically ranges from hours to days. Standard swab-based tests are also cumbersome and invasive and, worse yet, they detect infection and not transmissibility. A reliable diagnostic test able to discern the infectious phase of COVID-19 could interrupt transmission while limiting isolation requirements. We developed a non-invasive, impaction-based method for capturing aerosols from human breath in one minute of sampling. A proof-of-principle system was used for the detection of viral RNA in breath samples from confirmed positive subjects (=29). A lab setup demonstrated compatibility with on-chip PCR, reducing the TAT to 15-20 minutes. Positive percentage agreement (PPA) between a breath- and nasopharyngeal PCR is 75% overall and 92% in the first 7 days of infection, after which the breath does not contain measurable virus anymore. Breath positivity corresponds to the infectious window. No false positives were noted. Diagnostic accuracy is superior to nasopharyngeal rapid antigen tests. This novel concept of aerosol capturing combined with ultra-fast PCR is proven to be effective to detect SARS-CoV-2 in breath, rivalling the standard nasopharyngeal PCR tests. Combined with a TAT on par with rapid antigen tests, the technology has the potential to become a standard test in the coming years, for COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. A validation study with an advanced setup is currently ongoing, first data should be available during the presentation.