Effect of timing of casirivimab and imdevimab administration relative to mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccination on vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody responses: a prospective, open-label, phase 2, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Deeper insight is needed on how monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) affect vaccine-mediated immune responses when targeting the same protein. We describe the first prospective randomised trial designed to understand mAb-mediated alterations in vaccine-induced immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein epitopes.

Methods: This randomised, open-label, parallel-group study assessed the potential interaction of a mAb combination, casirivimab and imdevimab, with a vaccine, Moderna's mRNA-1273, in healthy SARS-CoV-2 immunologically naive, seronegative adults at six centres in the USA.

Collection optics of JT-60SA edge Thomson scattering diagnostic.

The mission of the JT-60SA project is to complement ITER's capabilities by addressing the fundamental physics and engineering challenges necessary to develop a practical and reliable fusion power plant. Diagnostics play a pivotal role in achieving this mission, especially the Thomson Scattering (TS) diagnostic systems developed by a collaborative Japan-EU team. The edge Thomson scattering of JT-60SA is tailored to measure the low field side outer region of the plasma, in particular, to resolve the electron temperature Te and density ne.

Progress and challenges in the design of ITER's polarimetric Thomson scattering diagnostic system.

Polarimetric Thomson scattering (PTS) is a technique that allows for accurate measurements of electron temperature (Te) in very hot plasmas (Te > 10 keV, a condition expected to be regularly achieved in ITER). Under such conditions, the spectral region spanned by the TS spectrum is large and extends to low wavelengths, where the transmission of the collection optics decreases, available detectors are less efficient, and the high level of plasma background light perturbs the measurements. This work presents the recent developments in the design of a PTS system for ITER, along with the challenges posed by the complex machine design.

Etiologic and Anti-microbial Susceptibility Profiles of Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection and Bacterial Enteritis among Children at a Private Multi-Specialty Healthcare Facility in Abuja, Nigeria: A 5-Year Separate and Comparative Review.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) and enteritis are major causes of morbidity and mortality in children. A combined profiling of UTI and enteritis could be helpful since stool plays a major role in the etiopathogenesis of UTI.

Aim: This study aimed to examine and compare bacterial UTI and bacterial enteritis in respect of their etiology and anti-microbial susceptibility (AMS) in children aged 0 to 17 years at Alliance Hospital, Abuja.

Nasopharyngeal Viral Load Is the Major Driver of Incident Antibody Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Background: Virologic determinants of seroconversion to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were defined in a post hoc analysis of prospectively studied vaccine- and infection-naïve individuals at high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: This phase 3 COVID-19 prevention trial (NCT04452318) with casirivimab and imdevimab was conducted in July 2020-February 2021, before widespread vaccine availability. Placebo-treated participants who were uninfected (SARS-CoV-2 quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-qPCR] negative) and seronegative were assessed weekly for 28 days (efficacy assessment period [EAP]) for COVID-19 symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-qPCR of nasopharyngeal swab samples and for serostatus by antinucleocapsid immunoglobulin (Ig) G.

Structural and optical properties of micro-diamonds with SiVcolor centers.

Isolated, micro-metre sized diamonds are grown by micro-wave plasma chemical vapour deposition technique on Si(001) substrates. Each diamond is uniquely identified by markers milled in the Si substrate by Gafocused ion beam. The morphology and micro-grain structure analysis, indicates that the diamonds are icosahedral or bi-crystals.

A Prospective Study of Key Correlates for Household Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.

Background: Randomized controlled trials evaluated monoclonal antibodies for the treatment (Study 2067) and prevention (Study 2069) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Household contacts of the infected index case in Study 2067 were enrolled in Study 2069 and prospectively followed; these cohorts provided a unique opportunity to evaluate correlates of transmission, specifically viral load.

Methods: This post hoc analysis was designed to identify and evaluate correlates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, adjusting for potential confounding factors related to source SARS-CoV-2 viral load and risk of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition in this population.

Examining protective effects of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies after vaccination or monoclonal antibody administration.

While new vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 are authorized based on neutralizing antibody (nAb) titer against emerging variants of concern, an analogous pathway does not exist for preventative monoclonal antibodies. In this work, nAb titers were assessed as correlates of protection against COVID-19 in the casirivimab + imdevimab monoclonal antibody (mAb) prevention trial (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT4452318) and in the mRNA-1273 vaccine trial (ClinicalTrials.

The Radon transform as a tool for 3D reciprocal-space mapping of epitaxial microcrystals.

This work presents a new approach suitable for mapping reciprocal space in three dimensions with standard laboratory equipment and a typical X-ray diffraction setup. The method is based on symmetric and coplanar high-resolution X-ray diffraction, ideally realized using 2D X-ray pixel detectors. The processing of experimental data exploits the Radon transform commonly used in medical and materials science.

Efficacy and safety of a single dose of casirivimab and imdevimab for the prevention of COVID-19 over an 8-month period: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: There is an unmet need for COVID-19 prevention in patient populations who have not mounted or are not expected to mount an adequate immune response to complete COVID-19 vaccination. We previously reported that a single subcutaneous 1200 mg dose of the monoclonal antibody combination casirivimab and imdevimab (CAS + IMD) prevented symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections by 81·4% in generally healthy household contacts of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals over a 1-month efficacy assessment period. Here we present additional results, including the 7-month follow-up period (months 2-8), providing additional insights about the potential for efficacy in pre-exposure prophylaxis settings.

Repeat subcutaneous administration of casirivimab and imdevimab in adults is well-tolerated and prevents the occurrence of COVID-19.

Objectives: A phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and exploratory efficacy of repeat monthly doses of subcutaneous (SC) casirivimab and imdevimab (CAS+IMD) in uninfected adult volunteers.

Methods: Participants were randomized (3:1) to SC CAS+IMD 1200 mg or placebo every 4 weeks for up to six doses. Primary and secondary end points evaluated safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity.

CO Removal via an Environmental Green Solvent, KCO-Glycine (PCGLY): Investigative Analysis of a Dynamic and Control Study.

Promoted potassium carbonate with glycine has been actively investigated as a chemical solvent for the removal of CO. Though a vast number of studies have been reported for potassium carbonate, dynamic studies regarding this promoted solvent are not yet extensively reported in the literature. In this work, a steady-state simulation has been performed via an equilibrium stage model in Aspen Plus V10 using the experimental data of an absorber from the bench scale pilot plant (MINI CHAS) located in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS.

Subcutaneous REGEN-COV Antibody Combination to Prevent Covid-19.

Background: REGEN-COV (previously known as REGN-COV2), a combination of the monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab, has been shown to markedly reduce the risk of hospitalization or death among high-risk persons with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Whether subcutaneous REGEN-COV prevents severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and subsequent Covid-19 in persons at high risk for infection because of household exposure to a person with SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown.

Methods: We randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, participants (≥12 years of age) who were enrolled within 96 hours after a household contact received a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to receive a total dose of 1200 mg of REGEN-COV or matching placebo administered by means of subcutaneous injection.

Subcutaneous REGEN-COV Antibody Combination for Covid-19 Prevention.

Background: Casirivimab and imdevimab (REGEN-COV™) markedly reduces risk of hospitalization or death in high-risk individuals with Covid-19. Here we explore the possibility that subcutaneous REGEN-COV prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent Covid-19 in individuals at high risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 by close exposure in a household with a documented SARS-CoV-2-infected individual.

Methods: Individuals ≥12 years were enrolled within 96 hours of a household contact being diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 and randomized 1:1 to receive 1200 mg REGEN-COV or placebo via subcutaneous injection.

Subcutaneous REGEN-COV Antibody Combination in Early Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Easy-to-administer antiviral treatments may be used to prevent progression from asymptomatic infection to COVID-19 and to reduce viral carriage.

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous casirivimab and imdevimab antibody combination (REGEN-COV) to prevent progression from early asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection to COVID-19.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study that enrolled asymptomatic close contacts living with a SARS-CoV-2-infected household member (index case).

Application of Plasma-Printed Paper-Based SERS Substrate for Cocaine Detection.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology is an attractive method for the prompt and accurate on-site screening of illicit drugs. As portable Raman systems are available for on-site screening, the readiness of SERS technology for sensing applications is predominantly dependent on the accuracy, stability and cost-effectiveness of the SERS strip. An atmospheric-pressure plasma-assisted chemical deposition process that can deposit an even distribution of nanogold particles in a one-step process has been developed.

Quantitative gas composition analysis method for a wide pressure range up to atmospheric pressure-CO plasma case study.

A mass spectrometer with a custom sampling system comprising one fixed and one variable orifice is presented. The custom sampling system allows the determination of the gas composition in the pressure range from 5 mbar to 1000 mbar, with low gas-demixing (<1.5%).

Advanced RuO Thin Films for pH Sensing Application.

RuO thin films were prepared using magnetron sputtering under different deposition conditions, including direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) discharges, metallic/oxide cathodes, different substrate temperatures, pressures, and deposition times. The surface morphology, residual stress, composition, crystal structure, mechanical properties, and pH performances of these RuO thin films were investigated. The RuO thin films RF sputtered from a metallic cathode at 250 °C exhibited good pH sensitivity of 56.

Urinary biomarkers of mycobacterial load and treatment response in pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUNDControl of the tuberculosis (TB) pandemic remains hindered in part by a lack of simple and accurate measures of treatment efficacy, as current gold standard markers rely on sputum-based assays that are slow and challenging to implement. However, previous work identified urinary N1, N12-diacetylspermine (DiAcSpm), neopterin, hydroxykynurenine, N-acetylhexosamine, ureidopropionic acid, sialic acid, and mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 241.0903 as potential biomarkers of active pulmonary TB (ATB).

Patient and clinician opinions of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the management of patients with rare diseases: a qualitative study.

Background: Rare diseases may be life-threatening or chronically debilitating conditions. Patient care needs are often complex and challenging to coordinate and deliver effectively. Rare diseases and their clinical management may therefore substantially impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

iRAPs curb antisense transcription in E. coli.

RNA polymerase-binding RNA aptamers (RAPs) are natural RNA elements that control transcription in cis by directly contacting RNA polymerase. Many RAPs inhibit transcription by inducing Rho-dependent termination in Escherichia coli. Here, we studied the role of inhibitory RAPs (iRAPs) in modulation of antisense transcription (AT) using in silico and in vivo approaches.