Search

Viral persistence is one of the main hypotheses explaining the presence of post-COVID symptoms. This systematic review investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in plasma, stool, urine, and nasal/oral swab samples in individuals with post-COVID symptomatology. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science databases, as well as medRxiv/bioRxiv preprint servers were searched up to November 25th, 2023. Articles investigating the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in plasma, stool, urine or nasal/oral swab samples in patients with post-COVID symptoms were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale or Cochrane's Risk of Bias (Rob) tool. From 322 studies identified, six studies met all inclusion criteria. The sample included 678 COVID-19 survivors (52 % female, aged from 29 to 66 years). The methodological quality was moderate in 88 % of the studies (n=5/6). Three papers investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in plasma, three studies in nasal/oral swabs, two studies in stool samples, one in urine and one in saliva. The follow-up was shorter than two months (<60 days after) in 66 % of the studies (n=4/6). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA ranged from 5 to 59 % in patients with post-COVID symptoms the first two months after infection, depending on the sample tested, however, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was also identified in COVID-19 survivors without post-COVID symptoms (one study). Available evidence can suggest the presence of persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA in post-COVID patients in the short term, although the biases within the studies do not permit us to make firm assumptions. The association between post-COVID symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the samples tested is also conflicting. The lack of comparative group without post-COVID symptoms limits the generalizability of viral persistence in post-COVID-19 condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has infected over 600 million individuals and caused nearly 7 million deaths worldwide (10 January 2023). Patients with renal disease undergoing hemodialysis are among those most adversely affected, with an increased predisposition to SARS-CoV-2 infection and death. This systematic review aimed to pool evidence assessing the humoral response of hemodialysis patients (HDP) post-mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. A systematic search of the literature was performed through MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases, as well as medRxiv and bioRxiv preprint servers up to 10 January 2023. Cohort and case-control studies were included if they reported an immune response in one group of patients undergoing hemodialysis who received mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination compared with another group of patients receiving the same vaccine but not on hemodialysis. The methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was not deemed appropriate due to the high heterogeneity between studies. From the 120 studies identified, nine (n = 1969 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (n = 8/9, 88%) were of high or medium methodological quality (≥6/9 stars). The results revealed that HDP developed lower antibody levels across all timepoints post-vaccination when compared with controls. Patients with chronic kidney disease elicited the highest antibody immune response, followed by HDP and, lastly, kidney transplant recipients. Overall, post-vaccination antibody titers were comparatively lower than in the healthy population. Current results imply that robust vaccination strategies are needed to address waning immune responses in vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippines is among the most threatened biodiversity hotspots. Developing effective conservation requires science-based evidence from field data and observations. Yet, many important biodiversity information remain unpublished, particularly from academic institutions and NGOs. Here, we synthesized 34-year data from biodiversity studies from Bicol University in Luzon Island, Philippines. We found a large number of studies that increased in the post-2000 period with the majority of the studies focused on community surveys and animal and wildlife studies. While there is a massive number of studies, we found clear disproportionate distribution in terms of geographic and thematic areas. Our results may be based on a regional level, but if taken carefully, it has important implications and applications to other higher education institutions in the Philippines in promoting biodiversity studies and conservation in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal endophytes were isolated from the leaves of the 10 most frequently used medicinal plants in the province of Albay, Philippines at three different locations: upland, lowland, and coastal areas. Their occurrence, frequency, and isolation rates were compared. A total of 120 isolates belonging to 17 species were identif ied. Glomerella cingulata (Stoneman) Spauld. & H. Schrenk and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides M.B. Dickman were the most frequent fungi occurring in 10 and nine plants, respectively. No signif icant difference in the total number of isolates, as well as the total number of unique species from among sampling sites, was detected. Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC harbored the most endophytes with 16 isolates, while banana leaves yielded the least with eight isolates. There were species of fungi that cut across all sampling sites, while a few occurred only in one site. The collection of additional samples from other sites within the province and the testing of the biological properties of the isolates are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A biorisk assessment of natural science laboratories in Bicol University was conducted as an initial step towards improvement of laboratories and contributing to a culture of safety in the university. Survey among laboratory workers and ocular inspection of natural science labs was done. Results showed that gaps exist in the safety knowledge and practices of laboratory workers. Microbial assets pose the lowest risk, while equipment and the use of chemicals in biological assays pose the highest risk. The likelihood that such events will occur ranges from low to moderate while consequences range from moderate to high. The research recommends that a policy on biological safety be formulated and be integrated in the overall safety guidelines of the university, that existing guidelines and SOPs be improved and that their implementation be monitored, to introduce a course for undergraduates that will tackle the basics of safety and security in the laboratory, and that the equipment and physical design be improved to reduce the risks to acceptable levels. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]