Heparin-mediated PCR interference in SARS-CoV-2 assays and subsequent reversal with heparinase I.

Heparin is postulated to block the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with highly glycosylated proteins which are critical for binding the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), an essential mechanism for host-cell entry and viral replication. Intranasal heparin is under investigation for use as a SARS-CoV-2 preventative in the IntraNasal Heparin Trial (INHERIT, NCT05204550). Heparin directly interferes with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This study aimed to investigate the magnitude of heparin interference across various clinical laboratory testing platforms, and the reversal of any interference by degradation of heparin using the heparinase I enzyme in nasopharyngeal swab (NP) samples for SARS-CoV-2 analysis by RT-qPCR. Heparin-mediated PCR interference was evident at heparin concentrations as low as 10 IU/mL across all platforms tested, with the exclusion of the Hologic Panther Aptima SARS-CoV-2 assay. Rates of false negative or invalid results increased with increasing heparin concentrations on all platforms, except the Hologic Panther Aptima and Roche Cobas LIAT. Heparinase I reversed heparin-mediated PCR inhibition across in all samples tested, except those with initial Ct values >35. Our study shows that the use of heparin-containing nasal sprays interferes with the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in NP swab samples by RT-qPCR, a phenomenon that is not well recognised in the literature. Furthermore, this study has also demonstrated that heparin-mediated PCR inhibition can be prevented through heparinase I treatment, demonstrating restoration of clinically significant results with Ct values <35.

A case of KAT6A syndrome with a newly discovered mutation in the KAT6A gene, mainly manifested as bone marrow failure syndrome.

Objective: The clinical and genetic characteristics of a child with inherited bone marrow failure syndrome as prominent clinical manifestations and special facial features were analyzed, and the etiology and mechanism were explored in, combination with clinical practice. Methods: Blood samples and clinical information were collected separately from the proband and their biological parents. The pathogenic variant was verified using next-generation sequencing technology screening, and the candidate variable sites were confirmed by using Sanger sequencing among all members of the family. Results: A heterozygous nonsense mutation in exon 17 of KAT6A (NM_006766), c.4177G > T (p.E1393*) predicted to cause truncation within the acidic domain of the protein was identified. Pedigree analysis did not reveal any variation in this locus between the proband's father and mother. No report of this pathogenic variant was found in a literature search of domestic and foreign databases, indicating that it is a newly discovered mutation. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics, the variation was preliminarily determined to be a pathogenic. The newly discovered heterozygous mutation in KAT6A may be the cause of the disease in this child. Additionally, inherited bone marrow failure syndrome is a prominent manifestation. Conclusion: This study not only provides us with an in-depth understanding of this rare syndrome but also deepens our understanding of the function of KAT6A.

Qualitative Evaluation of the STOEMP Network in Ghent: An Intersectoral Approach to Make Healthy and Sustainable Food Available to All.

The STOEMP network is, to our knowledge, one of the first initiatives to bring different sectors together in a municipality so as to increase accessibility to healthy and sustainable foods for all, with particular attention for the disadvantaged population. This qualitative study aimed to gain an in-depth insight into how the STOEMP network aims to reach its goal of making healthy, sustainable food available to everyone, through an intersectoral, collaborative process, exploring the facilitators and challenges of taking a systems-oriented approach to achieving this. Interviews were conducted among 15 stakeholders of the STOEMP network between March-July 2019 in Ghent (Belgium). Factors that facilitated the development and work of the network are reported, including having an external, neutral process manager, shared values, multisector engagement, enthusiasm, resources, and sense of ownership, as well as the barriers that were faced, such as time issues, uncertainty regarding continuation and funding, and discrepancy in visions. These issues reflect the strengths and challenges of taking a systems approach that aims to formulate solutions to widening access to healthy and sustainable foods. STOEMP would like to influence policy and thereby strengthen its impact, but needs further discussions to collectively formulate exact needs.

Investigation Report on General Information of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To survey the current living situation, protection condition, suggestions and demands of protective items and inheritors of TCM intangible cultural heritage;To analyze existing problems and solutions of protection;To lay the foundation for further protection. Methods Survey was carried out through table investigation and meeting and convention from the aspects of item overview, situation of inheriting community, protection status, and demands and suggestions. Results TCM intangible cultural heritage is inherited through traditional teaching and learning between masters and apprentices, and family inheriting. Some inheriting communities are too small, and some inheritors are too old, which make the inheriting prospect quite gloomy. Protective levels of items of TCM intangible cultural heritage vary. Most items are protected by protective institutions, protective personnel, and learning-teaching sites. Some items are supported by protective fund;archive data about the items are filing;researches and work about propaganda and education are also carried out. Conclusion Protection of TCM intangible cultural heritage has made certain achievements. However, some problems about funds, inheriting, filing, training, and propagandizing should be solved.

Holding One's Own Essential Characteristic Inheriting and Developing the Traditional Chinese Medicine / 浙江中医药大学学报

Traditional Chinese medicine evolves from the historical environment of China's ancient civilization,regarding the holistic concept as the foundation stone of the thought,the image-knowing-thinking as the mode of thinking,syndrome differentiation and treatment as the clinical characteristic.Those are essential characteristics in traditional Chinese medicine.Nowadays,the difficulty that TCM meets,is not to handle affairs according to the rule of development of the traditional Chinese medicine oneself.It is proposed that we must insist on holding the essential characteristics of the traditional Chinese medicine oneself to inherit and develop traditional Chinese medicine;making succession a priority in the relation between inherition and innovation;combining the characteristics of the time,to utilize all human's civilization achievements that can be utilized.

Discussion on innovation and development of traditional Chinese medicine / 中华中医药杂志

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is the most original innovation science. The innovation and development of TCM is based on the precious treatment theory and copious clinic experience of predecessor. Combination of disease and syndrome is the important approach of innovation and development of traditional Chinese medicine.Establish of a perfect evaluation system of clinical effect which has special feature of TCM is the key of innovation and development of traditional Chinese medicine.