Combined Point-of-Care Nucleic Acid and Antibody Testing for SARS-CoV-2 following Emergence of D614G Spike Variant

Rapid COVID-19 diagnosis in the hospital is essential, although this is complicated by 30%–50% of nose/throat swabs being negative by SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). Furthermore, the D614G spike mutant dominates the pandemic and it is unclear how serological tests designed to detect anti-spike antibodies perform against this variant. We assess the diagnostic accuracy of combined rapid antibody point of care (POC) and nucleic acid assays for suspected COVID-19 disease due to either wild-type or the D614G spike mutant SARS-CoV-2. The overall detection rate for COVID-19 is 79.2% (95% CI 57.8–92.9) by rapid NAAT alone. The combined point of care antibody test and rapid NAAT is not affected by D614G and results in very high sensitivity for COVID-19 diagnosis with very high specificity

Combined point of care nucleic acid and antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 following emergence of D614G Spike Variant

Rapid COVID-19 diagnosis in hospital is essential, though complicated by 30-50% of nose/throat swabs being negative by SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). Furthermore, the D614G spike mutant now dominates the pandemic and it is unclear how serological tests designed to detect anti-Spike antibodies perform against this variant. We assess the diagnostic accuracy of combined rapid antibody point of care (POC) and nucleic acid assays for suspected COVID-19 disease due to either wild type or the D614G spike mutant SARS-CoV-2. The overall detection rate for COVID-19 is 79.2% (95CI 57.8-92.9%) by rapid NAAT alone. Combined point of care antibody test and rapid NAAT is not impacted by D614G and results in very high sensitivity for COVID-19 diagnosis with very high specificity

Trade of marine turtles along the Southwestern Coast of the Gulf of Venezuela

Abstract Background Marine turtles play an important role in the culture and economy of numerous coastal communities around the world. However, the legal framework that regulates the consumptive use of these reptiles varies among countries.For example, the consumption of these reptiles has been regarded as common in several rural areas of Venezuela, especially in the eastern coast of the Guajira Peninsula. Methods To assess the scale and cultural component of this use, we interviewed 35 residents from the southwestern coast of the Gulf of Venezuela (Venezuelan part of the Guajira Peninsula), using a combination of in-depth and semi-structured interviews. We carried out a field and detailed market-based observations on the Guajira Peninsula to detect the sale and use of marine turtle products. We focused on three main categories of use; the type of product, routes of trade, and the price of products. Results All of the marine turtle species reported from the Gulf of Venezuela were used, and the prices of products varied among their type, species of origin, and the distance from the capture area to a marketplace. We obtained evidence connecting Wayuú Indigenous people's traditions and beliefs with marine turtle use, and also they are used as traditional products such as medicine, and as an economic resource to sustain their communities. Conclusion It is probable that trade of marine turtle products is placing pressure on populations in the Gulf of Venezuela. We recommend the implementation of an inter-institutional conservation-portfolio be developed for the Peninsula to evaluate actions related to this concern

La idea de corporeidad analizada en pacientes trasplantados de corazón

Introduction: Heart transplant in Spain is a frequent and raising technique with big personal, social and financial impact to those who get involved. However, the corporeity analysis, although it is a key constituent element in the integral definition of the human being, is poorly approached in the process. Objective: This work seeks to analyse the heart transplanted patient’s own corporeity perception through himself/herself as well as through his/her closest relatives. Method: We will approach the study from the phenomenological paradigm consisting of fully describing the lived experiences as well as the consequent perceptions in order to obtain a holistic and deep knowledge of reality. So that we will make a descriptive research work with qualitative approach. Sound recorded open interviews will be carried out to fellows who had been heart transplanted in Transplants Unit of Puerta de Hierro Hospital in Madrid. Initial informants’ selection criteria will be: 1. Older than eighteen years old patients who had been heart transplanted within the last two years. 2. Interviews to relatives who normally live together with the transplanted patients. Individual and social perception o corporeity from each subject will be analysed as well as that perception in function of genre. Data will be obtained from the interviews generated information and they will be analysed through the qualitative technique called “speech analysis”.Introducción: El trasplante cardíaco en España es una técnica frecuente y en alza con gran impacto personal, social y económico para todos los que forman parte de ella. Sin embargo el análisis de la corporeidad, siendo un elemento constitutivo clave de la definición integral de la persona, es escasamente abordado en este proceso. Objetivo: Este estudio pretende analizar la percepción de la propia corporeidad del paciente trasplantado de corazón a través tanto de él mismo como de sus familiares más cercanos. Métodos: Abordaremos el estudio desde el paradigma fenomenológico que consiste en describir plenamente la experiencia vivida y las percepciones a que dan lugar con el fin de obtener un conocimiento holístico y profundo de la realidad. Para ello realizaremos un trabajo de investigación descriptivo con abordaje cualitativo. Se llevarán a cabo entrevistas abiertas que serán grabadas con sistema de audio a sujetos que han sido trasplantados de corazón en la Unidad de Trasplantes del Hospital Puerta de Hierro de Madrid. Los criterios iniciales de selección de los informantes serán: 1. Pacientes mayores de edad trasplantados de corazón en los últimos 2 años 2. Entrevistas a familiares directos que convivan habitualmente con el paciente trasplantado. Se analizarán la percepción individual y social de la corporeidad de cada sujeto así como dicha percepción en función al género. Los datos se obtendrán de la información generada en las entrevistas y se analizarán a través de la técnica cualitativa de “análisis del discurso”

Marine turtle mortality in a southern Caribbean artisanal fishery: a threat for immature green turtles

The impact of artisanal fisheries on marine turtle populations is still understudied in the southern Caribbean. In the Venezuelan Guajira Peninsula, artisanal fishing of marine turtles by the indigenous Wayuú people has occurred for generations. Nevertheless, understanding the issues regarding turtle take is challenging. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were carried out at eight landing sites located in three different zones in Kazuzain village, Middle Guajira. Carapaces or plastrons were recorded to estimate take level, and measured to determine life stage. Minimum take was 167 marine turtles over 53 weeks, or 3.15 turtles/week on average (estimated 163.8/yr). Most records encountered were from green turtles (n=154; 92.2%), and the majority of these were immature (n=76; 89.4%). Key-informants reported that marine turtles were not the target catch. However, most interviewees affirmed that take of marine turtles in Kazuzain is not only for traditional purposes, but also to meet economic shortfalls. They also stated that trade of marine turtles has increased over the last ten years due to the Venezuelan economic crisis. This is the first assessment of marine turtle take in this village and fills an information gap that can aid resource managers to mitigate the impacts of take, and develop potential conservation solutions for marine turtle aggregations and the people that depend on them