Electrochemical Biosensor for Sensitive Detection of Hepatitis B in Human Plasma.

In this work, we report the construction of a novel electrochemical device for molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B virus in the blood plasma of infected patients, using graphite electrodes functionalized with poly(4-aminophenol) and sensitized with a specific DNA probe. The recognition of genomic DNA was evaluated by electrochemical techniques (DPV and EIS) and scanning electron microscopy. The genosensor was efficient in detecting genomic DNA with a linear range from 1.176 to 4.825 µg mL-1 and detection limit of 35.69 ng mL-1 (4.63 IU ml-1 or 25.93 copies.ml-1), which is better than the 10.00 IU ml-1 limit of reference method, real-time PCR, used in point of care. EIS analysis shows that the genosensor resistance increased exponentially with the concentration of the genomic DNA target. This novel platform has advantages to its applicability in real samples, such as good sensitivity, selectivity, low sample volume, and fast assay time (36 min), thus interesting for application in the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus in blood plasma. Also, the ease of synthesis of the low-cost polymer by electrosynthesis directly on the electrode surface allows the translation of the platform to portable devices.

Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and other psychiatric disorders among health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Studies carried out during previous pandemics revealed an increase in the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and other psychiatric disorders among health professionals. A high prevalence of psychiatric disorders is also observed in some health categories, during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review/meta-analysis study aims to assess the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and other psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia) among health care professionals and other support professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Observational studies published from December 2019, without language restrictions in which the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and other psychiatric disorders among health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic will be assessed. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHAL, PsycINFO, LILACS, SCOPUS, and The Cochrane Library will be searched for eligible studies. Two reviewers will independently screen and select studies, assess methodological quality, and extract data. A meta-analysis will be performed, if possible, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE). ETHICS AND DISCLOSURE: This study will use secondary data. Thus, there is no need for submission to the ethics committee. The results of this systematic review will be published in a journal after a peer-review process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Systematic review registration number: CRD42020212036.

Potential impact of the COVID-19 in HIV-infected individuals: a systematic review Impact of the COVID-19 in HIV-Infected Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Although much has been studied about the SARS-Cov-2 virus, its effects, and the effectiveness of possible treatments, little is known about its interaction with other infectious diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to study its clinical features and morbidity, and mortality outcomes of COVID-19 patients with HIV/AIDS coinfection. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Atudies in any language, published after 2019, were describing COVID-19 patients with HIV/AIDS. STUDY APPRAISAL: JBI Levels of Evidence, Joanna Briggs Institute. SYNTHESIS METHODS: As shown in the PRISMA flow diagram, two authors separately screened the search results from the obtained titles and abstracts. RESULTS: Chest CT was observed in patients with pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2 with findings of multiple ground-glass opacities (GGO) in the lungs, there is a need for supplemental oxygenation. One patient developed encephalopathy and complicated tonic-clonic seizures; four patients were transplanted (two, liver; two, kidneys), one patient developed severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and 30 patients died (mortality rate, 11%). CONCLUSION: HIV did not show any relevance directly with the occurrence of COVID-19. Some studies suggest that HIV-1 infection through induction levels of IFN-I, may to some extent, stop the apparent SARS-CoV-2 infection, thus leading to undetectable RNA. Moreover, some authors suggest retroviral therapy routinely used to control HIV infection could be used to prevent COVID-19 infection.

Potential impact of the COVID-19 in HIV-infected individuals: a systematic review Impact of the COVID-19 in HIV-Infected Individuals

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Although much has been studied about the SARS-Cov-2 virus, its effects, and the effectiveness of possible treatments, little is known about its interaction with other infectious diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to study its clinical features and morbidity, and mortality outcomes of COVID-19 patients with HIV/AIDS coinfection. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Atudies in any language, published after 2019, were describing COVID-19 patients with HIV/AIDS. STUDY APPRAISAL: JBI Levels of Evidence, Joanna Briggs Institute. SYNTHESIS METHODS: As shown in the PRISMA flow diagram, two authors separately screened the search results from the obtained titles and abstracts. RESULTS: Chest CT was observed in patients with pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2 with findings of multiple ground-glass opacities (GGO) in the lungs, there is a need for supplemental oxygenation. One patient developed encephalopathy and complicated tonic-clonic seizures; four patients were transplanted (two, liver; two, kidneys), one patient developed severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and 30 patients died (mortality rate, 11%). CONCLUSION: HIV did not show any relevance directly with the occurrence of COVID-19. Some studies suggest that HIV-1 infection through induction levels of IFN-I, may to some extent, stop the apparent SARS-CoV-2 infection, thus leading to undetectable RNA. Moreover, some authors suggest retroviral therapy routinely used to control HIV infection could be used to prevent COVID-19 infection.

A DNA-electrochemical biosensor for screening environmental damage caused by s-triazine derivatives.

An electrochemical DNA-biosensor has been used to investigate the interactions between DNA and members of a group of ten derivatives of 1,3,5-triazine herbicides: chloro-s-triazines (atrazine, propazine, terbutylazin, and cyanazin), thiomethyl-s-triazines (ametryn, prometryn, terbutryn, and simetryn), and methoxy-s-triazines (prometon and terbumeton). A UV spectrophotometric study of this group of herbicides was also undertaken. Of this group only cyanazin could be oxidized in aqueous solution using a glassy carbon electrode. Use of the electrochemical DNA-biosensor revealed the occurrence of a time-dependent interaction of all the herbicides with DNA, via the appearance of guanine, guanosine, and adenosine oxidation signals that correspond to DNA damage. Adduct formation between the herbicide and the DNA purine bases guanine and adenine is suggested as a mechanism.