scholarly journals Saliva for COVID-19 Testing: Simple but Useless or an Undervalued Resource?

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Pijuan-Galito ◽  
Francesco Saverio Tarantini ◽  
Hannah Tomlin ◽  
Harry Jenkins ◽  
Jamie Louise Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Invasive Test ◽  
New Variant ◽  
The University ◽  
Flow Devices

During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries with robust population-based asymptomatic testing were generally successful in controlling virus spread, hence reducing hospitalizations and deaths. This effectiveness inspired widespread asymptomatic surveillance for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 globally. Polarized vaccination programs, coupled with the relatively short-lived immunity vaccines provide, mean that reciprocal cross-border exchanges of each new variant are likely, as evidenced by Delta and Gamma, and asymptomatic testing will be required for the foreseeable future. Reliance on nasopharyngeal swabs contributes to “testing fatigue” arising due to difficulties in standardizing administration, unpleasantness, and inappropriateness of use in younger people or individuals with special needs. There has also been erosion in confidence of testing due to variable and/or poor accuracy of lateral flow devices to detect COVID-19. Here, we question why saliva-based PCR assays are not being used more widely, given that standardization is easy and this non-invasive test is suitable for everyone, providing high sensitivity and accuracy. We reflect on our experience with the University of Nottingham COVID-19 Asymptomatic Testing, where (as of October 2021) 96,317 samples have been processed by RT-qPCR from 23,740 repeat saliva donors, yielding 465 positive cases. We challenge myths that saliva is difficult to process, concluding that it is an undervalued resource for both asymptomatic and symptomatic detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomes to an accuracy of >99% and a sensitivity of 1–10 viral copies/μl. In July 2021, our data enabled Nottingham to become the first UK University to gain accreditation and the first UK institute to gain this accolade for saliva.

Implementation of a novel non-invasive test for monitoring control in individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Bacila ◽  
Carlo L Acerini ◽  
Ruth E Krone ◽  
Leena Patel ◽  
Sabah Alvi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽  
Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Test

Working at the Crossroads: A Guide for Border Crossing

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Mckiernan-González
Keyword(s):  
American Studies ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
Border Crossing ◽  
Keynote Address ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Academic Labor ◽  
Boyle Heights ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

This article discusses the impact of George J. Sánchez’s keynote address “Working at the Crossroads” in making collaborative cross-border projects more academically legitimate in American studies and associated disciplines. The keynote and his ongoing administrative labor model the power of public collaborative work to shift research narratives. “Working at the Crossroads” demonstrated how historians can be involved—as historians—in a variety of social movements, and pointed to the ways these interactions can, and maybe should, shape research trajectories. It provided a key blueprint and key examples for doing historically informed Latina/o studies scholarship with people working outside the university. Judging by the success of Sánchez’s work with Boyle Heights and East LA, projects need to establish multiple entry points, reward participants at all levels, and connect people across generations.I then discuss how I sought to emulate George Sánchez’s proposals in my own work through partnering with labor organizations, developing biographical public art projects with students, and archiving social and cultural histories. His keynote address made a back-and-forth movement between home communities and academic labor seem easy and professionally rewarding as well as politically necessary, especially in public universities. 

Fractional Flow Reserve: Does a Cut-off Value add Value?

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Shah R Mohdnazri ◽  
◽  
◽  
◽  
Thomas R Keeble ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractional Flow Reserve ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Grey Zone ◽  
Fractional Flow ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Test ◽  
Flow Reserve ◽  
A Value ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary ◽  
Value Add

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been shown to improve outcomes when used to guide percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There have been two proposed cut-off points for FFR. The first was derived by comparing FFR against a series of non-invasive tests, with a value of ≤0.75 shown to predict a positive ischaemia test. It was then shown in the DEFER study that a vessel FFR value of ≥0.75 was associated with safe deferral of PCI. During the validation phase, a ‘grey zone’ for FFR values of between 0.76 and 0.80 was demonstrated, where a positive non-invasive test may still occur, but sensitivity and specificity were sub-optimal. Clinical judgement was therefore advised for values in this range. The FAME studies then moved the FFR cut-off point to ≤0.80, with a view to predicting outcomes. The ≤0.80 cut-off point has been adopted into clinical practice guidelines, whereas the lower value of ≤0.75 is no longer widely used. Here, the authors discuss the data underpinning these cut-off values and the practical implications for their use when using FFR guidance in PCI.

scholarly journals Role of MRI evaluation in acute secondary inability to walk in children

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Sedeek ◽  
K. Aboualfotouh ◽  
S. M. Hassanein ◽  
N. M. Osman ◽  
M. H. Shalaby
Keyword(s):  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Limb Weakness ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Bilateral Lower Limb ◽  
Severity Of The Disease

Abstract Background Acute bilateral lower limb weakness is a common problem in children which necessitates a rapid method for diagnosis. MRI is a non-invasive imaging technique that produces high-quality images of the internal structure of the brain and spinal cord. Results MRI was very helpful in reaching rapid and prompt diagnosis in children with acute inability to walk. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), and acute transverse myelitis (ATM) were the most common causes in our study. MRI proved to be of high sensitivity in detecting the lesions and reaching the diagnosis in ADEM and GBS; however, there was no significant relation between the lesions’ size, enhancement pattern, and severity of the disease or prognosis, yet in ATM the site of the lesion and number of cord segment affection were significantly related to the severity of the disease and prognosis. Conclusion MRI is a quick tool to reach the diagnosis of children with acute secondary inability to walk, and to eliminate other differential diagnosis which is essential for proper treatment and rapid full recovery. It is highly sensitive in detecting the lesions, their site and size.

scholarly journals Through thick and thin: Diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis through non-invasive multimodality imaging

2021 ◽  
pp. 201010582110061
Author(s):  
Raja Ezman Raja Shariff ◽  
Hafisyatul Aiza Zainal Abidin ◽  
Sazzli Kasim
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Amyloidosis ◽  
Troponin T ◽  
Multimodality Imaging ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Dark Blood ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Doppler Study ◽  
Alternative Means ◽  
High Sensitivity Troponin T

Cardiac amyloidosis is a severely underdiagnosed cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. We report a case of highly probable transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) diagnosed through the assistance of non-invasive multimodality imaging. An 81-year-old man presented with worsening dyspnoea, reduced effort tolerance and limb swelling. Examination and bedside investigations demonstrated congestive cardiac failure. On arrival, N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide was 2400 ng/L, and high-sensitivity troponin T was 78 mmol/L. Echocardiography showed severe left and right ventricular hypertrophy, and a Doppler study revealed diastolic dysfunction. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed on non-conventional dark blood sequence an abnormal inversion time for nulling myocardium suggestive of infiltrative disease, including amyloidosis. The patient was referred for nuclear-based studies involving technetium-99m pyrophosphate which demonstrated changes highly diagnostic of ATTR-CA. Early diagnosis of ATTR-CA remains paramount due to the increasing availability of disease-modifying therapies. Current guidelines recognise the role of multimodality imaging in confidently recognising the disease without the need for histological evidence in the appropriate context, providing an alternative means of diagnosis.

scholarly journals From Multiplex Serology to Serolomics—A Novel Approach to the Antibody Response against the SARS-CoV-2 Proteome

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 749
Author(s):  
Julia Butt ◽  
Rajagopal Murugan ◽  
Theresa Hippchen ◽  
Sylvia Olberg ◽  
Monique van Straaten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Response ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Large Population ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Assay Performance ◽  
Multiplex Serology

The emerging SARS-CoV-2 pandemic entails an urgent need for specific and sensitive high-throughput serological assays to assess SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology. We, therefore, aimed at developing a fluorescent-bead based SARS-CoV-2 multiplex serology assay for detection of antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 proteome. Proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 proteome and protein N of SARS-CoV-1 and common cold Coronaviruses (ccCoVs) were recombinantly expressed in E. coli or HEK293 cells. Assay performance was assessed in a COVID-19 case cohort (n = 48 hospitalized patients from Heidelberg) as well as n = 85 age- and sex-matched pre-pandemic controls from the ESTHER study. Assay validation included comparison with home-made immunofluorescence and commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays. A sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 86–100%) was achieved in COVID-19 patients 14 days post symptom onset with dual sero-positivity to SARS-CoV-2 N and the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein. The specificity obtained with this algorithm was 100% (95% CI: 96–100%). Antibody responses to ccCoVs N were abundantly high and did not correlate with those to SARS-CoV-2 N. Inclusion of additional SARS-CoV-2 proteins as well as separate assessment of immunoglobulin (Ig) classes M, A, and G allowed for explorative analyses regarding disease progression and course of antibody response. This newly developed SARS-CoV-2 multiplex serology assay achieved high sensitivity and specificity to determine SARS-CoV-2 sero-positivity. Its high throughput ability allows epidemiologic SARS-CoV-2 research in large population-based studies. Inclusion of additional pathogens into the panel as well as separate assessment of Ig isotypes will furthermore allow addressing research questions beyond SARS-CoV-2 sero-prevalence.

scholarly journals Fluorescent Probes for Live Cell Thiol Detection

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3575
Author(s):  
Shenggang Wang ◽  
Yue Huang ◽  
Xiangming Guan
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Probes ◽  
Biological System ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Intracellular Distribution ◽  
Live Cell ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Non Invasive

Thiols play vital and irreplaceable roles in the biological system. Abnormality of thiol levels has been linked with various diseases and biological disorders. Thiols are known to distribute unevenly and change dynamically in the biological system. Methods that can determine thiols’ concentration and distribution in live cells are in high demand. In the last two decades, fluorescent probes have emerged as a powerful tool for achieving that goal for the simplicity, high sensitivity, and capability of visualizing the analytes in live cells in a non-invasive way. They also enable the determination of intracellular distribution and dynamitic movement of thiols in the intact native environments. This review focuses on some of the major strategies/mechanisms being used for detecting GSH, Cys/Hcy, and other thiols in live cells via fluorescent probes, and how they are applied at the cellular and subcellular levels. The sensing mechanisms (for GSH and Cys/Hcy) and bio-applications of the probes are illustrated followed by a summary of probes for selectively detecting cellular and subcellular thiols.

scholarly journals Elevated circulating FABP4 concentration predicts cardiovascular death in a general population: a 12-year prospective study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norie Saito ◽  
Masato Furuhashi ◽  
Masayuki Koyama ◽  
Yukimura Higashiura ◽  
Hiroshi Akasaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Cardiovascular Death ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Fatty Acid Binding ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractFatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is secreted from adipose tissue and acts as an adipokine, and an elevated circulating FABP4 level is associated with metabolic disorders and atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the causal link between circulating FABP4 level and mortality in a general population. We investigated the relationship between FABP4 concentration and mortality including cardiovascular death during a 12-year period in subjects of the Tanno-Sobetsu Study, a population-based cohort (n = 721, male/female: 302/419). FABP4 concentration at baseline was significantly higher in female subjects than in male subjects. All-cause death occurred in 123 (male/female: 74/49) subjects, and 34 (male/female: 20/14) and 42 (male/female: 26/16) subjects died of cardiovascular events and cancer, respectively. When divided into 3 groups according to tertiles of FABP4 level at baseline by sex (T1–T3), Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that there were significant differences in rates of all-cause death and cardiovascular death, but not cancer death, among the groups. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard model analysis with a restricted cubic spline showed that hazard ratio (HR) for cardiovascular death, but not that for all-cause death, significantly increased with a higher FABP4 level at baseline after adjustment of age and sex. The risk of cardiovascular death after adjustment of age, sex, body mass index and levels of brain natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the 3rd tertile (T3) group (HR: 4.96, 95% confidence interval: 1.20–22.3) was significantly higher than that in the 1st tertile (T1) group as the reference. In conclusion, elevated circulating FABP4 concentration predicts cardiovascular death in a general population.

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