A simple, sensitive and quantitative FACS-based test for SARS-CoV-2 serology in humans and animals

Serological tests are important for understanding the physiopathology and following the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic. Assays based on flow cytometry (FACS) of tissue culture cells expressing the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 have repeatedly proven to perform slightly better than the plate-based assays ELISA and CLIA (chemiluminescent immuno-assay), and markedly better than lateral flow immuno-assays (LFIA). Here, we describe an optimized and very simple FACS assay based on staining a mix of two Jurkat cell lines, expressing either high levels of the S protein (Jurkat-S) or a fluorescent protein (Jurkat-R expressing m-Cherry, or Jurkat-G, expressing GFP, which serve as an internal negative control). We show that the Jurkat-S&R-flow test has a much broader dynamic range than a commercial ELISA test and performs at least as well in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Also, it is more sensitive and quantitative than the hemagglutination-based test HAT, which we described recently. The Jurkat-flow test requires only a few microliters of blood; thus, it can be used to quantify various Ig isotypes in capillary blood collected from a finger prick. It can be used also to evaluate serological responses in mice, hamsters, cats and dogs. FACS tests offer a very attractive solution for laboratories with access to tissue culture and flow cytometry who want to monitor serological responses in humans or in animals, and how these relate to susceptibility to infection, or re-infection, by the virus, and to protection against Covid-19

Foto de familia. Un estudio descriptivo de los recursos de información científica en las bibliotecas virtuales del sistema sanitario público español

Objective: To identify and quantify scientific information resources, and to describe the present situation of libraries in the Spanish public health system. Methods and Materials: A survey sent to the heads of the health science libraries in the public health system and the virtual libraries in each Health Council. Variables: number of centres, number of users and their distribution by type, number of libraries and their staff, and shared scientific information resources. Results: 14 of the 17 Autonomous Communities have responded. All except Canarias, La Rioja and Comunidad Valenciana. In 14 communities are 201 specialized libraries, with 295 librarians, that serve more than 130.000 professionals in the public health system. The Health Councils have started the development of virtual libraries, which are in different development phases. On 2006 the libraries have subscribed, via shared access through virtual libraries, more than 17 000 journals in electronic format and 36 bibliographic databases. The presence of bibliographic management programs, meta-search engines and linksolvers is still low. Conclusions: The libraries in the public health system are subscribed to a significant volume of scientific information resources, based on the number of centers and users they give service to. A first approximation reveals that most resources overlap between the different communities. A more detailed study could corroborate those results and suggest cooperation systems between communities. The recent development of virtual libraries in the counties is promoting the access for all the health professionals to electronic resources, but would be necessary to evaluate the use of those resources. In spite of these advances, there is still reluctance to subscribe to "next generation" resources, such as meta-search engines or linksolvers

A parallel CORBA component model

Theme 1 - Reseaux et systemes - Projet PARISSIGLEAvailable from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : 22588, issue : a.2002 n.1482 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

PADICO : a component-based software infrastructure for grid computing

Theme 1 - Reseaux et systemes - Projet PARISSIGLEAvailable from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : 22588, issue : a.2003 n.1566 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc