RESUMEN
Face-to-face communication during on-site monitoring is important for clinical trial quality assurance. However, with the coronavirus disease early 2020 pandemic, medical institutions placed restrictions on hospital visits to secure their medical systems. Asahikawa Medical University Hospital similarly established restrictions on outpatient and inpatient visits and legal restrictions on outside vendors. Therefore, the frequency of on-site monitoring of clinical trials conducted at our hospital was reduced. Since there was no sign of convergence at the infection units even after 2 years, we investigated the frequency of on-site monitoring and the frequency of clinical trial deviations in the review of the system. In addition, although a clinical trial deviation report form (previous form)was prepared in the fiscal year 2019, there were many free descriptions, and many deviation reports were difficult to understand. Similarly, there were cases where deviations were not recorded on the deviation report form but only on article records (source documents), such as electronic medical records after consultation with the sponsor, and deviations were not recorded in a uniform format. Thus, the hospital experienced difficulty tabulating and classifying the number of deviation occurrences. Based on this experience, this report describes the progress of revising the clinical trial deviation report, clarifying the items to be included in the report, and establishing a system to clarify the process related to clinical trial deviation occurrences.Copyright: © 2023 the Japanese Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (JSCPT).
RESUMEN
Japan is rich in cultural properties of great historical and artistic value, of which the most important are protected as nationally designated cultural properties. Intangible cultural properties are techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation, such as theater, music, and craft techniques. In Japan, where the population is aging rapidly, digital archiving is essential for the transmission of intangible cultural assets. In this study, we focused on the musical accompaniment of the Kanuma Imamiya Shrine Festival (Kanuma Autumn Festival), which is designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Although the Kanuma Autumn Festival had to be canceled last year due to the emergency declaration requested by the spread of coronavirus infection, the festival is still being carried on. In this study, we have developed multi-viewpoint viewing system for ohayashi content with the cooperation of the Kamifukatsu Music Preservation Society and evaluated the system through experiments with participants. As a result, we obtained positive feedback from the participants, while those who had experience with musical performances pointed out points that needed to be improved. The controller was used as a method of interaction with the contents, but other methods have not yet been compared. Therefore, we aim to support the inheritance of tradition and examine the most user-friendly interaction method in terms of operability. © 2023 SPIE.
RESUMEN
Face-to-face communication during on-site monitoring is important for clinical trial quality assurance. However, with the coronavirus disease early 2020 pandemic, medical institutions placed restrictions on hospital visits to secure their medical systems. Asahikawa Medical University Hospital similarly established restrictions on outpatient and inpatient visits and legal restrictions on outside vendors. Therefore, the frequency of on-site monitoring of clinical trials conducted at our hospital was reduced. Since there was no sign of convergence at the infection units even after 2 years, we investigated the frequency of on-site monitoring and the frequency of clinical trial deviations in the review of the system. In addition, although a clinical trial deviation report form (previous form)was prepared in the fiscal year 2019, there were many free descriptions, and many deviation reports were difficult to understand. Similarly, there were cases where deviations were not recorded on the deviation report form but only on article records (source documents), such as electronic medical records after consultation with the sponsor, and deviations were not recorded in a uniform format. Thus, the hospital experienced difficulty tabulating and classifying the number of deviation occurrences. Based on this experience, this report describes the progress of revising the clinical trial deviation report, clarifying the items to be included in the report, and establishing a system to clarify the process related to clinical trial deviation occurrences.Copyright: © 2023 the Japanese Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (JSCPT).
RESUMEN
Face-to-face communication during on-site monitoring is important for clinical trial quality assurance. However, with the coronavirus disease early 2020 pandemic, medical institutions placed restrictions on hospital visits to secure their medical systems. Asahikawa Medical University Hospital similarly established restrictions on outpatient and inpatient visits and legal restrictions on outside vendors. Therefore, the frequency of on-site monitoring of clinical trials conducted at our hospital was reduced. Since there was no sign of convergence at the infection units even after 2 years, we investigated the frequency of on-site monitoring and the frequency of clinical trial deviations in the review of the system. In addition, although a clinical trial deviation report form (previous form)was prepared in the fiscal year 2019, there were many free descriptions, and many deviation reports were difficult to understand. Similarly, there were cases where deviations were not recorded on the deviation report form but only on article records (source documents), such as electronic medical records after consultation with the sponsor, and deviations were not recorded in a uniform format. Thus, the hospital experienced difficulty tabulating and classifying the number of deviation occurrences. Based on this experience, this report describes the progress of revising the clinical trial deviation report, clarifying the items to be included in the report, and establishing a system to clarify the process related to clinical trial deviation occurrences.Copyright: © 2023 the Japanese Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (JSCPT).
RESUMEN
The inactivation ability of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was examined using two types of transparent Cu2O thin films with different crystallinities on a Na-free glass substrate. The low-crystallinity Cu2O thin film, which was fabricated by irradiating 254 nm ultraviolet (UV)-light with an intensity of 6.72 mW cm(-2) onto a spin-coated precursor film involving Cu2+ complexes at room temperature, exhibited an outstanding COVID-19 inactivation ability to reduce 99.999% of the virus after 1 h of incubation. The X-ray diffraction results of the UV-irradiated thin film indicated a cubic Cu2O lattice with a small crystallite size of 2 +/- 1 nm. Conversely, the high-crystallinity Cu2O thin film with a crystallite size of 16 +/- 3 nm, obtained by heating a spin-coated precursor film containing another Cu2+ complex, showed a negligibly low inactivation activity at the same level as the Na-free glass substrate. The eluted concentrations of Cu ions from both Cu2O thin films were analyzed after immersion in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) for 0.25-2 h. The eluted Cu-ion concentration of 1.16 ppm was observed for the UV-irradiated thin film by DMEM immersion after 1 h, but that of 0.04 ppm was observed for the heat-treated thin film. This indicated that an important factor of virus inactivation on Cu2O thin films is highly related to the elution of Cu ions that occurred from the surface in the medium.
RESUMEN
TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i is a reagent for transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction (TRC) to detect SARS-CoV-2 N2 gene, used with the automated rapid isothermal nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) analyzer TRCReady®-80. Sensitivity and specificity of TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i was assessed by comparison with the results of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using nasopharyngeal swab samples. From November 2020 to March 2021, a total of 441 nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained and analyzed both with TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i and RT-PCR. Sensitivity and specificity of TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i were 94.6% (53/56) and 99.2% (382/385), respectively. Reaction time to positivity of TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i ranged from 1.166 to 9.805 (median: 2.887) min, and minimum detection sensitivity of TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i was 9 copies per test, with reaction time as 5.014 min. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 gene from nasopharyngeal swab sample using TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i shows comparative diagnostic test accuracy with RT-PCR, and can be used as a useful test to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection. © 2022 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases
RESUMEN
The inactivation ability of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was examined using two types of transparent Cu2O thin films with different crystallinities on a Na-free glass substrate. The low-crystallinity Cu2O thin film, which was fabricated by irradiating 254 nm ultraviolet (UV)-light with an intensity of 6.72 mW cm(-2) onto a spin-coated precursor film involving Cu2+ complexes at room temperature, exhibited an outstanding COVID-19 inactivation ability to reduce 99.999% of the virus after 1 h of incubation. The X-ray diffraction results of the UV-irradiated thin film indicated a cubic Cu2O lattice with a small crystallite size of 2 +/- 1 nm. Conversely, the high-crystallinity Cu2O thin film with a crystallite size of 16 +/- 3 nm, obtained by heating a spin-coated precursor film containing another Cu2+ complex, showed a negligibly low inactivation activity at the same level as the Na-free glass substrate. The eluted concentrations of Cu ions from both Cu2O thin films were analyzed after immersion in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) for 0.25-2 h. The eluted Cu-ion concentration of 1.16 ppm was observed for the UV-irradiated thin film by DMEM immersion after 1 h, but that of 0.04 ppm was observed for the heat-treated thin film. This indicated that an important factor of virus inactivation on Cu2O thin films is highly related to the elution of Cu ions that occurred from the surface in the medium.
RESUMEN
TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i is a reagent for transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction (TRC) to detect SARS-CoV-2 N2 gene, used with the automated rapid isothermal nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) analyzer TRCReady®-80. Sensitivity and specificity of TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i was assessed by comparison with the results of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using nasopharyngeal swab samples. From November 2020 to March 2021, a total of 441 nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained and analyzed both with TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i and RT-PCR. Sensitivity and specificity of TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i were 94.6% (53/56) and 99.2% (382/385), respectively. Reaction time to positivity of TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i ranged from 1.166 to 9.805 (median: 2.887) minutes, and minimum detection sensitivity of TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i was 9 copies per test, with reaction time as 5.014 minutes. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 gene from nasopharyngeal swab sample using TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i shows comparative diagnostic test accuracy with RT-PCR, and can be used as a useful test to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection.
RESUMEN
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected global economies including food industry. The food service industry is unable to operate normally and faces issues such as frequent leave requests, shortened business hours and reduction in the number of seats in restaurants to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a result, several restaurants have been forced to close. Therefore, this study proposes a game system that applies the mechanism of the prediction market to solicit ideas from employees for recovery of sales in small restaurants and effective use of ingredients (including reduction of food waste) under the business scenario in COVID-19. In such a game, routine restaurant operations can be understood, current issues can be analyzed and the deductions from these can be used as a reference for subsequent business opportunities. The game will improve communication between owners and employees. Understanding the contents of food waste will be beneficial to employees and consumers. © 2022, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
RESUMEN
Sterilization of medical equipment in isolation wards is essential to prevent the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Particularly, the radiographic console of portable X-ray machines requires frequent disinfection because it is regularly moved;this requires considerable infection control effort as the number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases. To evaluate the application of a system facilitating noncontact operation of radiographic consoles for patients with COVID-19 to reduce the need for frequent disinfection. We developed a noncontact operation system for radiographic consoles that used a common eye tracker. We compared calibration errors between with and without face shield conditions. Moreover, the use of console operation among 41 participants was investigated. The calibration error of the eye tracker between with and without face shield conditions did not significantly differ. All (n = 41) observers completed the console operation. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis showed a strong correlation (r = 0.92, P < 0.001) between the average operation time and the average number of misoperations. Our system that used an eye tracker can be applied even if the operator uses a face shield. Thus, its application is important in preventing the transmission of infection. © 2022 International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO). All rights reserved.
RESUMEN
A Cu film with the ability to rapidly inactivate the COVID-19 virus was easily fabricated at approximately 23°C on a Na-free glass substrate. The well-adhered Cu films with thickness of approximately 16 μm and surface area of 8.71 10-3 m2 g-1 were obtained by immersion of the glass substrate into an aqueous solution with dissolved Cu (II) complex of ammonia and ascorbic acid. The interface bonded between the film and glass substrate was very strong, such that the film did not peel off even when it was exposed to an ultrasonic wave of 100 mW (42 kHz) in water. The anti-COVID-19 activity in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) is effective within 2 h and is faster than that of commercial copper plates. The changes in the relative abundance of Cu2O and CuO crystallines on the Cu film due to DMEM treatment and those in surface morphology were examined by X-ray diffraction peak analysis and field emission-scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The flame atomic absorption analyses of the recovered solutions after DMEM treatment indicated that the Cu ions from the Cu film with DMEM treatment for 1 hour at a concentration of 0.64 ± 0.03 ppm were eluted 2.3 times faster than those from the Cu plate. The rapid elution of Cu ions from Cu2O crystallines on the film in the early stage is the primary factor in the inactivation of the COVID-19 virus, as elucidated from the time dependence of eluted Cu ions by DMEM treatment. Results from thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) of the powder scratched from the Cu film suggested that a trace amount of organic residues remaining in the Cu film was important in the rapid activity. © 2022 World Scientific Publishing Company.
RESUMEN
In recent years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread use of technology, the Internet and food and beverage websites are often used for take-out and food and beverage reservations, and information such as reviews and photos on these platforms has a significant impact on revenue. In this study, to develop an appetite-enhancing application, we focus on food images that strongly influences appetite and analyze what image features stimulate appetite. Then, based on the results of the analysis, we generate appetizing images using GAN (Generative Adversarial Network). © 2022 SPIE.
RESUMEN
Introdução: A pandemia mundial causada pelo novo coronavírus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) teve impacto importante nos serviços de hemoterapia. O início da pandemia levou a diminuição tanto da demanda transfusional quanto do total de doações de sangue. Entretanto, a manutenção de estoque adequado de hemocomponentes tornou-se crítica quando o aumento no total de unidades transfundidas não ocorreu também no número de doações de sangue. A percepção de risco potencial de contaminação pela COVID-19 levou a uma queda significativa nas doações de sangue. A pandemia teve papel crucial no crescimento exponencial da telemedicina, com o sancionamento, em caráter emergencial, de novas leis regulatórias e expansão das áreas de atuação. No Brasil, a triagem clínica do candidato a doação de sangue é feita de forma presencial, face-a-face. Historicamente, o índice de inaptidão clínica no nosso serviço varia de 18% a 23%. A entrevista feita a distância (teletriagem) evitaria o deslocamento do doador com inaptidão clínica até o banco de sangue. A teletriagem, além de ser uma conveniência bem-vinda ao doador, traz a possibilidade de diminuir o tempo de sua permanência no banco de sangue. Objetivos: Avaliar a viabilidade do uso da teletriagem (triagem por telemedicina) como alternativa a triagem presencial na seleção de doadores de sangue. Materiais e métodos: A data e o horário do atendimento virtual por videoconferência foram agendados pelo candidato a doação e ele foi orientado sobre a necessidade de estar em local com privacidade durante a entrevista clínica. O questionário foi aplicado pelo profissional do banco de sangue também num local com privacidade. O candidato com inaptidão clínica não necessitaria comparecer ao banco de sangue e o candidato apto deveria realizar a sua doação até 7 dias após a teletriagem. No dia da doação, um questionário clínico reduzido foi aplicado, além da aferição dos sinais vitais e determinação do nível de hemoglobina para confirmar a aptidão para a doação. Resultados: Um total de 288 agendamentos para teletriagem foi feito de junho de 2020 a julho de 2021, sendo 153 candidatos a doação de sangue (ST) e 135 a doação de plaquetas por aférese (PQA). A teletriagem não foi realizada por problemas técnicos (áudio ou vídeo) ou ausência de 35 (12%) candidatos. Ao término da triagem clínica, 213/253 (84%) candidatos foram considerados aptos e 40/253 (16%) inaptos a doação. Neste último grupo, 36 eram candidatos a doação de ST e 4 de PQA. Dentre os 213 candidatos aptos pela teletriagem, 190 (89%) compareceram ao banco de sangue e 184 realizaram a doação. O tempo na triagem clínica no dia da doação teve redução de 36% para o doador de ST e 42% para PQA. A experiência com a teletriagem foi considerada positiva e seria indicada por 90% dos participantes. Discussão: O índice de inaptidão entre os candidatos aprovados na teletriagem foi baixo, 6/190 (3%) quando comparado ao índice de 18–23% observado no nosso serviço com a triagem presencial. Portanto, a teletriagem se mostrou eficaz em identificar candidatos com inaptidão clínica e evitar o seu deslocamento até o banco de sangue. Além disso, houve redução no tempo de triagem clínica presencial, o que contribuiu para diminuir o tempo total de permanência do doador no banco de sangue. A taxa de não comparecimento dos candidatos considerados aptos na teletriagem foi de 11% e representa uma oportunidade de melhorar a conscientização do candidato à doação. Conclusão: A teletriagem pode ser uma alternativa viável e uma conveniência bem vinda ao candidato a doação para evitar deslocamento desnecessário e reduzir o tempo de permanência do doador no banco de sangue.
RESUMEN
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can generate a respiratory and systemic disease known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, at least to the best of our knowledge, only a limited number of studies have identified SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Due to the lack of knowledge of the long-term effects of COVID-19, the present study presents the hematological alterations in a patient with SCD during hospitalization due to COVID-19 and for up to 180 days following SARS-CoV-2 clearance and hospital discharge. The present study describes the case of a patient with SCD who was diagnosed with moderate COVID-19 infection, without the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Following SARS-CoV-2 clearance, long-term (6 months) follow-up identified an increase in the reticulocyte frequency, creatinine and D-dimer levels. On the whole, the present study manuscript presents the case of a patient with moderate COVID-19 infection with long-term laboratory alterations at even 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 clearance. Further investigations are required however, to focus on the long-term evaluations in patients who have recovered from COVID-19, in order to fully determine the extension of possible sequelae. © 2021 CELOM. All rights reserved.