Long Covid active case finding study protocol: A co-produced community-based pilot within the STIMULATE-ICP study (Symptoms, Trajectory, Inequalities and Management: Understanding Long-COVID to Address and Transform Existing Integrated Care Pathways)

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Long Covid is a significant public health concern with potentially negative implications for health inequalities. We know that those who are already socially disadvantaged in society are more exposed to COVID-19, experience the worst health outcomes and are more likely to suffer economically. We also know that these groups are more likely to experience stigma and have negative healthcare experiences even before the pandemic. However, little is known about disadvantaged groups' experiences of Long Covid, and preliminary evidence suggests they may be under-represented in those who access formal care. We will conduct a pilot study in a defined geographical area in London, United Kingdom to test the feasibility of a community-based approach of identifying Long Covid cases that have not been clinically diagnosed and have not been referred to Long Covid specialist services. We will explore the barriers to accessing recognition, care, and support, as well as experiences of stigma and perceived discrimination. METHODS: This protocol and study materials were co-produced with a Community Advisory Board (CAB) made up primarily of people living with Long Covid. Working with voluntary organisations, a study leaflet will be distributed in the local community to highlight Long Covid symptoms and invite those experiencing them to participate in the study if they are not formally diagnosed. Potential participants will be assessed according to the study's inclusion criteria and offered the opportunity to participate if they fit them. Awareness of Long Covid and associated symptoms, experiences of trying to access care, as well as stigma and discrimination will be explored through qualitative interviews with participants. Upon completion of the interviews, participants will be offered a referral to the local social prescribing team to receive support that is personalised to them potentially including, but not restricted to, liaising with their primary care provider and the regional Long Covid clinic

An evaluation of the infection control potential of a UV clinical podiatry unit

Background: Infection control is a key issue in podiatry as it is in all forms of clinical practice. Airborne contamination may be particularly important in podiatry due to the generation of particulates during treatment. Consequently, technologies that prevent contamination in podiatry settings may have a useful role. The aims of this investigation were twofold, firstly to determine the ability of a UV cabinet to protect instruments from airborne contamination and secondly to determine its ability to remove microbes from contaminated surfaces and instruments. Method: A UV instrument cabinet was installed in a University podiatry suite. Impact samplers and standard microbiological techniques were used to determine the nature and extent of microbial airborne contamination. Sterile filters were used to determine the ability of the UV cabinet to protect exposed surfaces. Artificially contaminated instruments were used to determine the ability of the cabinet to remove microbial contamination. Results: Airborne bacterial contamination was dominated by Gram positive cocci including Staphylococcus aureus. Airborne fungal levels were much lower than those observed for bacteria. The UV cabinet significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the observed levels of airborne contamination. When challenged with contaminated instruments the cabinet was able to reduce microbial levels by between 60% to 100% with more complex instruments e.g. clippers, remaining contaminated. Conclusions: Bacterial airborne contamination is a potential infection risk in podiatry settings due to the presence of S. aureus. The use of a UV instrument cabinet can reduce the risk of contamination by airborne microbes. The UV cabinet tested was unable to decontaminate instruments and as such could pose an infection risk if misused. Keywords: Infection control, UV, Bacteria, Fungi, Dermatophytes, Contaminatio

CONFORMATIONAL FLEXIBILITY of ANGIOTENSIN .2. C-13 SPIN-LATTICE RELAXATION STUDY

NATL RES COUNCIL CANADA,DIV BIOL SCI,OTTAWA K1A OR6,ONTARIO,CANADAESCOLA PAULISTA MED,DEPT BIOPHYS & PHYSIOL,04023 São Paulo,BRAZILESCOLA PAULISTA MED,DEPT BIOPHYS & PHYSIOL,04023 São Paulo,BRAZILWeb of Scienc

Metabolic profiling of urine by H-1-NMR spectroscopy - A critical assessment of interpreting metabolite concentrations for normal and diabetes groups

The metabolic profile of urine from a control group has been obtained by 1H-NMR spectroscopy at 400 MHz. Data have been processed both as absolute (mmol/L) and relative (mmol/mol of creatinine) concentrations. The normal values have been compared with data from type II diabetes mellitus (DM II). The average concentrations of various metabolites in urine for normal and DM II subjects are presented. Some of these values are not routinely obtained by classical urine analysis. Our data are in good agreement with some previously reported data but they are not identical. Possible explanations for the small variations are discussed in terms of NMR experimental parameters and lifestyle differences. Preliminary results indicate significant differences between the two groups for the averaged relative concentrations (mmol/mol creatinine) of valine (Val), lactate (Lac), g-aminobutyrate (GABA), pyruvate (Pyr), and alanine (Ala). However, the interval over which the individual values are spread is overlapping for all metabolites, excepting glucose. Keywords: NMR, MRS, Urine, Metabolites, Diabete

NMR methods for characterizing the state of the surfaces of complex mammalian cells

It is shown that narrow 1H NMR resonances may be observed in cancer cells, and that these belong to fatty acyl chains of membrane lipids. A variety of NMR techniques such as Gaussian-Lorentzian deconvolution, and T1 and T2 measurements, may be used to subdivide these resonances further. The results of these various methods require that in the membrane structures the observed lipids tumble isotropically and sufficiently rapidly to give motionally narrowed 1H NMR lines

Metabolic profiling of urine by \ub9H-NMR spectroscopy. A critical assessment of interpreting metabolite concentrations for normal and diabetes groups

NRC publication: Ye