Antibodies to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike mediate productive infection of primary human macrophages.

The role of myeloid cells in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 is well established, in particular as drivers of cytokine production and systemic inflammation characteristic of severe COVID-19. However, the potential for myeloid cells to act as bona fide targets of productive SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the specifics of entry, remain unclear. Using a panel of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) we performed a detailed assessment of antibody-mediated infection of monocytes/macrophages.

KCL TEST: an open-source inspired asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 surveillance programme in an academic institution.

Rapid and accessible testing was paramount in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our university established KCL TEST: a SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic testing programme that enabled sensitive and accessible PCR testing of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva. Here, we describe our learnings and provide our blueprint for launching diagnostic laboratories, particularly in low-resource settings.

The use of social media for reproductive health advocacy among physicians: a content analysis of tweets by physicians engaged in reproductive health care.

Background: Physician voices on social media are important for health policy advocacy. However, the extent to which physicians use best practices around health communications strategy is unknown.

Methods: We implemented a content analysis of 1373 tweets from 12 physicians who specialize in reproductive health care and participated in a reproductive health-related advocacy training program, to describe their reproductive health advocacy tweets in terms of levels of engagement, tone, framing and target audience.

Cytoskeletal rearrangement precedes nucleolar remodeling during adipogenesis.

Differentiation of adipose progenitor cells into mature adipocytes entails a dramatic reorganization of the cellular architecture to accommodate lipid storage into cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Lipid droplets occupy most of the adipocyte volume, compressing the nucleus beneath the plasma membrane. How this cellular remodeling affects sub-nuclear structure, including size and number of nucleoli, remains unclear.

From plaster casts to picket lines: Public support for industrial action in the National Health Service in England.

This paper explores public sentiment towards strike action among healthcare workers, as a result of their perceived inadequate pay. By analysing survey data collected in England between 2022 and 2023, the study focuses on NHS nurses and junior doctors, due to their critical role in delivering essential public services. Results indicate higher public support for strikes by nurses and junior doctors compared to other professions such as postal workers, teachers, rail workers, airport workers, civil servants and university lecturers.