Children picturing their own worlds: Using photovoice to amplify children's voice in sociological research.

This research note highlights an emerging transdisciplinary research method-photovoice-and why it is particularly suited for sociological studies of children and youth. Traditional social science data collection methods can be limited in their ability to capture both the depth and breadth of childhood experiences and children's perceptions of their experiences. We describe an emerging method, photovoice, that is used more frequently in other disciplines, and its suitability for sociologically studying youth and children. We describe the limitations of traditional social science methods and how photovoice can help overcome some of these limitations. Photovoice engages participants as lived experts who contribute to both the data collection and analysis in an individual and collective manner. Through taking photos and discussing their meaning, participants can share abstract feelings and discuss sensitive topics in an imaginative format and express themselves creatively. We describe how previous research has used photovoice to work with youth from vulnerable circumstances and those who have experienced trauma as well as demonstrate how photovoice is well situated to bolster the tenets of sociological research.

Impact of parity and delivery mode on pelvic floor function in young women: a 3D ultrasound evaluation.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objectives were to evaluate clinical and anatomical parameters assessed by three-dimensional pelvic floor ultrasound (3D ultrasound) in parous and nulliparous women of childbearing age and to assess underreported symptoms of sexual dysfunction (SD), urinary incontinence (UI) and flatus incontinence (FI). METHODS: Women without complaints of pelvic floor dysfunction, aged 20-50 years, were eligible for this prospective cross-sectional study. They completed the King's Health Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index and St Mark's Incontinence Score adapted for this study. Next, a physical examination and 3D ultrasound were performed. The scores obtained in the questionnaires were compared with the 3D ultrasound data. RESULTS: In total, 326 women were invited to participate. Of these, 203 women met the inclusion criteria, and their cases were classified as nulliparity (NU, 59), vaginal delivery (VD, 80), forceps delivery (FD, 18) and caesarean section (CS, 48). These groups were homogeneous regarding age (p=0.096), parity (p=0.051) and body mass index (p=0.06). The hiatal dimension (HD; p=0.003) and transverse diameter (TD) (p=0.001) were significantly different among the groups. Compared with the NU and CS groups, the VD and FD groups had an increased HD and TD. The frequencies of underreported symptoms identified by questionnaires were as follows: SD (46.3%), UI (35%) and FI (28%). After VD and FD, women were more likely to present UI (p<0.001), FI (p<0.001) and SD (p=0.002) than the women with NU and those who had undergone a CS. UI was related to a greater HD (p=0.002) and anteroposterior diameter (p=0.022), FI was associated with a thinner left pubovisceral muscle (p=0.013), and SD was related to a greater HD (p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional ultrasound can identify mild morphological changes in young women with apparently normal physical examinations, mainly after VD and FD. In such individuals, these findings are associated with higher incidences of underreported sexual, urinary and anal symptoms.

Impact of maternal social vulnerability and timing of prenatal care on outcome of prenatally detected congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: Early prenatal detection of congenital heart disease (CHD) allows mothers to plan for their pregnancy and delivery; however, the effect of certain sociodemographic and fetal factors on prenatal care has not been investigated thoroughly. This study evaluated the impact of maternal and fetal characteristics on the timing of prenatal diagnosis of CHD and fetal and postnatal outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study included women with a fetal echocardiographic diagnosis of CHD between 2010 and 2019. Women were grouped into quartiles of social vulnerability (quartiles 1-4; low-high) using the 2014 social vulnerability index (SVI) provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A fetal disease severity score (range, 1-7) was calculated based on a combination of CHD severity (mild = 1; moderate = 2; severe, two ventricles = 3; severe, single ventricle = 4 points) and prenatally diagnosed genetic abnormality, non-cardiac abnormality and fetal hydrops (1 point each). Late diagnosis was defined as a fetal echocardiographic diagnosis of CHD after 24 weeks' gestation. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with late diagnosis, termination of pregnancy (TOP), postnatal death, prenatal-postnatal discordance in CHD diagnosis and severity and, for liveborn infants, to identify which prenatal variables were associated with postnatal death or heart transplant. RESULTS: Among 441 pregnancies included, 94 (21%) had a late diagnosis of CHD. Late diagnosis was more common in the most socially vulnerable quartile, 38% of women in this group having diagnosis > 24 weeks, compared with 14-18% in the other three quartile groups. Late diagnosis was also associated with Catholic or other Christian religion vs non-denominational or other religion and with a lower fetal disease severity score. There were 93 (21%) TOP and 26 (6%) in-utero fetal demises. Factors associated with TOP included early diagnosis and greater fetal disease severity. Compared with the other quartiles, the most socially vulnerable quartile had a higher incidence of in-utero fetal demise and a lower incidence of TOP. Among the 322 liveborn infants, 49 (15%) died or underwent heart transplant during the follow-up period (range, 0-16 months). Factors associated with postnatal death or heart transplant included longer delay between obstetric ultrasound examination at which CHD was first suspected and fetal echocardiogram at which CHD was confirmed and greater fetal disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: High social vulnerability, Catholic or other Christian religion and low fetal disease severity are associated with late prenatal CHD diagnosis. Delays in CHD diagnosis are associated with fewer TOPs and worse postnatal outcome. Therefore, efforts to expedite fetal echocardiography following abnormal obstetric screening, particularly for at-risk women (e.g. those with high SVI), have the potential to impact pregnancy and postnatal outcome among the prenatally diagnosed CHD population. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke at a primary stroke center: First results of the Perpignan center.

INTRODUCTION: Converting a high-volume primary stroke center (PSC) into a stroke center that can perform emergency endovascular treatment (EVT) could reduce the time to thrombectomy. We report the first results of a newly established EVT facility at the Perpignan PSC and their comparison with the targets defined by the established guidelines. PATIENTS AND METHOD: For this comprehensive observational study, data of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to proximal large vessel occlusion (LVO) and treated by EVT at the Perpignan PSC from December 5, 2019 to September 15, 2020 were extracted from an ongoing prospective database. RESULTS: During the study period, 37 patients underwent EVT at the Perpignan PSC. The median (range) symptom-onset to recanalization time was 262min (100-485min). The median (range) intra-hospital times were: 20min (2-58min) for door-to-imaging, 57min (30-155min) for imaging-to-puncture, 55min (15-180min) for puncture-to-recanalization, and 137min (59-319min) for door-to-recanalization. At 3 months post-AIS, the favorable outcome (modified Ranking Score: 0-2) rate was 50% and the mortality rate was 19.4%. These results are comparable to those of previous clinical trials, and meet the targets defined by the current consensus statements for EVT. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our results show the feasibility and safety of EVT in a PSC for patients with AIS due to LVO. The implementation of this strategy may be important for shortening the time to thrombectomy.

Is off-label thrombolysis safe and effective in a real-life primary stroke center? A retrospective analysis of data from a 5-year prospective database.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) use for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) varies among countries, partly due to guidelines and product labeling changes. The study aim was to identify the characteristics of patients with AIS treated with off-label IVT and to determine its safety when performed in a primary stroke center (PSC). METHODS: This observational, single-center study included all consecutive patients admitted to Perpignan PSC for AIS and treated with IVT and patients transferred for EVT, between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. Data of patients treated with IVT according to ("in-label group") or outside ("off-label") the initial guidelines and manufacturer's product specification were compared. Safety was assessed using symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SIH) as the main adverse event. RESULTS: Among the 892 patients in the database (834 screened by MRI, 93.5%), 746 were treated by IVT: 185 (24.8%) "in-label" and 561 (75.2%) "off-label". In the "off-label" group, 316 (42.4% of the cohort) had a single criterion for "off-label" use, 197 (26.4%) had two, and 48 (6.4%) had three or more criteria, without any difference in IVT safety pattern among them. SIH rates were comparable between the "off-label" and "in-label" groups (2.7% vs. 1.1%, P=0.21); early neurological deterioration and systematic adverse event due to IVT treatment were similar in the 2 groups. "Off-label" patients had higher in-hospital (8.7% vs. 3.8%, P=0.05) and 3-month mortality rates (12.1% vs 5.4%, P<0.01), but this is explained by confounding factors as they were older (76 vs 67 years, P<0.0001) and more dependent (median modified Rankin scale score 0.4 vs 0.1, P<0.0001) at admission. CONCLUSIONS: "Off-label" thrombolysis for AIS seems to be safe and effective in the routine setting of a primary stroke center.

A potential risk assessment tool to monitor pathogens circulation in coastal waters.

The present study reports data on a 20 months campaign monitoring enteric viruses (hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, sapovirus, and aichivirus) and bacteria (Salmonella spp.) in seawater. The aim of this work was to assess the potential correlation among the presence of viruses/bacteria and different environmental factors like seasonality, water discharge sources (treated and untreated wastewater, mixed waters and raw water) as well as influence of the Italian lockdown measure against COVID-19 pandemic. Results showed different prevalence of the investigated viruses with values equal to 16 % for norovirus GI, 15.1 % for norovirus GII, followed by 13.8 % for astrovirus, and 13.3 % for sapovirus. Rotavirus was detected in the 8.4 % of samples and aichivirus was detected with the lowest prevalence of 3.5 %. Hepatitis A virus was never identified in the monitoring campaign. Salmonella spp. was detected with a prevalence of 36.6 %. Statistical analysis displayed a high correlation for the two noroviruses simultaneous detection (NGI and NGII) while a lower correlation was found for co-presence of noroviruses with astrovirus, sapovirus or Salmonella spp. A significant decrease of enteric pathogens in seawater was observed during the restrictions period. Results on seasonality highlighted a higher viral prevalence correlated to the wet season for all the pathogens but rotavirus and aichivirus, which instead showed an opposite trend and a higher incidence in the dry season. With respect to discharge typology, some viruses displayed a higher prevalence in treated waters (astrovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus and aichivirus) while the other investigated pathogens (noroviruses and Salmonella spp.) showed a higher prevalence in mixed waters. The main observations of this work were used to define a potential monitoring strategy that could be useful for sanitary Authorities to implement surveillance plans aimed at preventing possible sanitary outbreaks and/or environmental quality deterioration.

Current emerging SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: Potential direct/indirect negative impacts of virus persistence and related therapeutic drugs on the aquatic compartments.

The purpose of the present work is to provide a complete overview of possible direct/indirect implications on the quality of aquatic compartments due to the recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. With this aim, the environmental impacts are mainly related to i) the virus persistence in sewage and wastewaters, and ii) possible fate in aquatic compartments of drugs tested and administered to SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Because SARS-CoV-2 spread is very recent, and there is a lack of specific studies on this strain, the virus persistence in wastewaters, the parameters influencing the persistence, as well as the detection methodologies are referenced to the general coronaviruses group. However, the present detailed report of up-to-date knowledge on this topic can provide a useful source for further studies focusing on more deepened investigations of SARS-CoV-2 behaviour in the environment. Such a perspective is significant not only for the control of virus diffusion but also represents a crucial point for the identification of produced alteration to the environmental quality.

Simultaneous removal of Cr(III) from high contaminated soil and recovery of lactic acid from the spent solution.

It is proposed a closed-loop treatment cycle for Cr(III) removal from contaminated soils (2080 mg/kg). The treatment includes the use of lactic acid as washing agent, and the recovery of both Cr(II) and lactic acid from the spent solution. Results indicate that Cr(III) removal efficiency can be very high, passing 70% in all tested operative conditions. The metal forms strong complexes with lactic acid, and therefore cannot be eliminated through direct precipitation simply increasing the pH value. Therefore, lactic acid is preliminarily extracted from the solution using n-butanol at very acidic pH. The obtained extraction degree is generally high, varying between 0.5 and 1 according to the amount of used n-butanol solution. After lactic acid extraction, almost 100% of chromium can be recovered through precipitation in alkaline conditions. Lactic acid, in turns, can be purified and reused for a new washing treatment, separating it from n-butanol solution through water extraction. The extraction efficiency is once more satisfying (around 0.5), and not dependent on the operative pH.

Ultrahigh-quality factor resonant dielectric metasurfaces based on hollow nanocuboids.

In this work, a dielectric metasurface consisting of hollow dielectric nanocuboids, with ultrahigh quality factor, is theoretically proposed and demonstrated. The variation of the hole size of the cuboid allows for the tuning of the resonant anapole mode in the nanoparticles. The metasurface is designed to operate in two complementary modes, namely electromagnetically induced transparency and narrowband selective reflection. Thanks to the non-radiative nature of the anapole resonances, the minimal absorption losses of the dielectric materials, and the near-field coupling among the metasurface nanoparticles, a very high quality factor of Q=2.5×106 is achieved. The resonators are characterized by a simple bulk geometry and the subwavelength dimensions of the metasurface permit operation in the non-diffractive regime. The high quality factors and strong energy confinement of the proposed devices open new avenues of research on light-matter interactions, which may find direct applications, e.g., in non-linear devices, biological sensors, laser cavities, and optical communications.

Guided mode resonance flat-top bandpass filter for terahertz telecom applications.

In this work, we design and experimentally demonstrate a novel terahertz (THz) filter exhibiting a flattened spectral response in the atmospheric transmission window around the central frequency of 300 GHz. The innovative concept behind this filter is the coupling of Fabry-Perot and guided mode resonances. The latter arise from a two-dimensional patch array patterned on an aluminum layer deposited on a low loss cyclo-olefin polymer. The filter experimental performance shows high transmittance in the flat-top band, with less than 3 dB losses, and high out-of-band rejection, as theoretically expected. This kind of component provides a cost-effective, functional solution for narrowband filtering in emerging THz devices and systems with possible applications in wireless telecommunications.

Experimental Determination of Irreversible Entropy Production in out-of-Equilibrium Mesoscopic Quantum Systems.

By making use of a recently proposed framework for the inference of thermodynamic irreversibility in bosonic quantum systems, we experimentally measure and characterize the entropy production rates in the nonequilibrium steady state of two different physical systems-a micromechanical resonator and a Bose-Einstein condensate-each coupled to a high finesse cavity and hence also subject to optical loss. Key features of our setups, such as the cooling of the mechanical resonator and signatures of a structural quantum phase transition in the condensate, are reflected in the entropy production rates. Our work demonstrates the possibility to explore irreversibility in driven mesoscopic quantum systems and paves the way to a systematic experimental assessment of entropy production beyond the microscopic limit.

Flexible terahertz wire grid polarizer with high extinction ratio and low loss.

An aluminum-based terahertz (THz) wire grid polarizer is theoretically investigated and experimentally demonstrated on a subwavelength thin flexible and conformal foil of the cyclo-olefin Zeonor polymer. THz time-domain spectroscopy characterization, performed on both flat and curved configurations, reveals a high extinction ratio between 40 and 45 dB in the 0.3-1 THz range and in excess of 30 dB up to 2.5 THz. The insertion losses are lower than 1 dB and are almost exclusively due to moderate Fabry-Perot reflections, which vanish at targeted frequencies. The polarizer can be easily fabricated with low-cost techniques such as roll-to-roll and/or large-area electronics processes and promises to open the way for a new class of flexible and conformal THz devices.

Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the Parent-Child Assistance Program: a case management and home visiting program for people using substances during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal substance use can have significant adverse effects on maternal and child health and family stability. Few interventions are specifically designed to address this significant public health problem. The Parent-Child Assistance Program (PCAP) is a 3-year case management and home-visiting intervention that seeks to help birthing persons with at-risk substance use during pregnancy to achieve and maintain substance use disorder recovery and avoid exposing future children to substances prenatally. At-risk refers to a level of substance use that creates problems in the individuals' lives or puts them or their children at risk of harm either prenatally or postnatally. Although the program has consistently shown substantial pre- to post-intervention improvements in its participants, PCAP remains to be tested with a rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT). This study protocol describes a randomized controlled trial that aims to examine the effectiveness of the intervention compared to services as usual in affecting primary outcomes related to substance use and family planning. Secondary outcomes will concern connection to recovery support services and family preservation. METHODS: Using an intent-to-treat design, the study will recruit from two metro areas in Oklahoma and enroll 200 birthing individuals who are pregnant or up to 24 months postpartum with at-risk substance use during their current or most recent pregnancy. Participants will be randomly assigned, stratified by location, to receive either PCAP or services as usual for 3 years. Participants in the PCAP condition will meet with their case manager approximately biweekly over the course of the intervention period, in their local communities or in their own homes whenever possible. Case managers will assist with goal setting and provide practical assistance in support of participants' goals. Primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline and 12, 24, and 36 months post-baseline using the Addiction Severity Index interview and a self-administered survey. DISCUSSION: Results from this trial will help to gauge the effectiveness of PCAP in improving parent and child well-being. Results will be reviewed by federal clearinghouses on home-visiting and foster care prevention to determine the strength of evidence of effectiveness with implications for federal financing of this program model at the state level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05534568. Registered on 6/8/2022.

Quality of surgery and neoadjuvant combined therapy in the ISG-GEIS trial on soft tissue sarcomas of limbs and trunk wall.

BACKGROUND: To explore correlation between the quality of surgery and outcome in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients treated within a phase III randomized trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the trial, all patients received three cycles of preoperative chemotherapy (CT) with epirubicin 120 mg/m(2) and ifosfamide 9 g/m(2) and were randomly assigned to receive two further postoperative cycles. Radiotherapy (RT) could be delivered in the preoperative or postoperative setting. The association between surgical margins and overall survival (OS) was studied in a univariate and multivariate fashion. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-two patients completed the whole treatment and were operated conservatively. At a median follow-up of 60 months (IQR, 45-74 months), the 5-year OS was 0.73, even in patients with positive and negative margins. The 5-year cumulative incidence (CI) of local recurrence (LR) in patients with positive and negative microscopic margins was 0.17 (standard error, SE, 0.08) and 0.03 (SE, 0.01), respectively. In the subgroup of patients receiving combined preoperative CT-RT and with positive surgical margins, the CI of LR was 0. CONCLUSIONS: In this setting of high-risk STS treated by preoperative CT or CT-RT, the negative impact of positive margins on the outcome was limited. When close margins can be anticipated preoperative CT-RT may be a reasonable option to maximize the chance of cure.

Diagnostic value of two-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of the pulmonary artery diameter and the pulmonary artery distensibility index to detect pulmonary hypertension in horses.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in horses is usually based on Doppler interrogation of tricuspid (TR) or pulmonic regurgitation (PR). This study aimed at investigating two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) variables, including pulmonary artery diameter (PAD) and pulmonary artery distensibility index (PADI), to diagnose PH. ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: 41 healthy horses; 82 horses with TR or PR and normal intracardiac pressure gradients; and 35 horses with TR or PR velocities indicating PH. The 2DE variables were compared between groups, cut-offs for the diagnosis of PH were determined, and conditional inference trees served to identify the variable best predicting PH in the absence of TR or PR. RESULTS: Horses with PH had larger end-diastolic cross-sectional (short-axis) PAD (PADed-sx) (5.8 ± 1.0 cm; mean ± SD) and smaller PADI[/PADps] (15.4 ± 7.7%) than healthy horses (5.0 ± 0.6 cm, P<0.0001; 20.5 ± 4.4%, P<0.001) and horses with TR or PR but no PH (5.3 ± 0.6 cm, P=0.003; 18.8 ± 4.2%, P=0.005). PADed-sx predicted PH with sensitivity (Se) = 36% and specificity (Sp) = 94% (cut-off 6.0 cm, AUC = 0.668, P=0.002), while PADI[/PADps] predicted PH with Se = 43% and Sp = 92% (cut-off 13.7%, AUC = 0.662, P=0.004). In the absence of TR, PADed-sx and the end-diastolic long-axis aortic diameter-to-PADed-sx ratio (AoDed-lx/PADed-sx) were most suitable to diagnose PH. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary artery crosssectional (short-axis) diameter at end-diastole measured in a right-parasternal long axis view of the left ventricular outflow tract and Pulmonary artery distensibility index were moderately specific but not very sensitive to diagnosing PH. Nonetheless, they may be used as complementary indices suggesting PH in the absence of TR or PR.

Anatomical inferences on aerial bud protection of three Eugenia shrub species from the Cerrado.

Location and degree of protection of aerial buds are important functional traits in disturbance- or stress-prone environments since aerial buds ensure the development of new organs under favourable growing conditions. This study was carried out in a Brazilian Cerrado area under regeneration after long-term Pinus cultivation, where the trees were clear-cut in 2012 and the remaining material was burned in 2014. After the fire treatment, several species resprouted from belowground organs and their aboveground organs were directly exposed to full sunlight. We collected 15 terminal branches with fully expanded leaves from three individuals of each of three Eugenia species to investigate if those with well-developed belowground organs invest in bark for aboveground bud protection. The samples were analysed using light and electron microscopy. In addition to terminal and axillary buds, all species presented accessory buds, and the number varied according to the node analysed. None of the aerial buds were protected by bark, but all were well protected by cataphylls and densely pubescent leaf primordia. There were also inter- and intra-petiolar colleters that released a mucilaginous protein exudate. The distance between the shoot apical meristem and the outer surface was longer in the terminal bud than in axillary buds. The bud leaf primordia covering the shoot apical meristem had a thick cuticle, unicellular non-glandular trichomes that accumulate phenolic and lipophilic compounds, and secretory cavities. Our study shows that all three Eugenia species studied here had highly protected aerial buds allocated from belowground organs. These morphological traits may improve the chances of the species' persistence in areas subjected to frost events, low relative humidity, high irradiance and harmful UV levels.

Commercial characteristics of coffee seedlings produced with different sources of phosphorus and plant growth-promoting bacteria.

Considered the economic engine of many countries, the coffee culture represents an important component of the agricultural chain in Brazil. The growing values of commercialization, planting areas, and crop productivity require the acquisition of quality seedlings, which must receive adequate nutritional support through efficient fertilizers. Slow and controlled-release fertilizers, such as organominerals, gain prominence when it comes to increasing efficiency in the use of phosphorus, as well as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) with phosphate solubilizing characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different sources of mineral and organomineral fertilizers, inoculated and non-inoculated with PGPB on the quality parameters of coffee seedlings. In general, the P sources used in the experiment positively interfered with the development of coffee seedlings. This proves that there is a need for nutritional supplementation for the good development of the seedlings. Among the sources used, the organomineral in granulated form showed better performance in coffee seedlings' growth and physiological parameters, proving to be a viable alternative to commonly used fertilizers. The addition of PGPB showed a significant advantage for seedling quality variables.

[Study on the efficacy of personal protective equipment for skin against nicotine absorption through the skin route in tobacco workers]. / Verifica dell'efficacia protettiva dei dispositivi di protezione individuale per la cute, nei confronti dell'esposizione per via cutanea a nicotina, in operatori addetti alla lavorazione del tabacco.

During a previous assessment on the efficacy of some recently installed general dust extraction systems in a tuscan cigar manufacture line, both environmental and biologic monitoring were performed. Although the analysis of environmental samples supported the efficacy of the new general protection implant, these data did not parallel the results from the biologic monitoring, suggesting that nicotine skin absorption needed to be further investigated. We, therefore, carried out a study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of three different kind of PPE for skin (two nitrile gloves of different thickness and one latex glove), to be used by tobacco workers. The results of this study showed that the performance of these three materials in stopping nicotine transfer through the gloves was significantly different. The 0.22 mm thick nicotine gloves resulted, by far, the best gloves in protecting the workers' skin against nicotine exposure.

ACE2-based capacitance sensor for rapid native SARS-CoV-2 detection in biological fluids and its correlation with real-time PCR.

The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 and its increasing threat to human health worldwide have necessitated the development of new technological tools to combat the virus. Particular emphasis is given to the development of diagnostic methods that monitor the spread of the virus rapidly and effectively. In this study, we report the development and testing of an antibody-free biosensor, based on the immobilization of ACE2 protein on the surface of gold interdigitated electrode. When the sensor was used in laboratory conditions for targeting the virus' structural spike protein, it showed a limit of detection [LOD] of 750 pg/µL/mm2. Thereafter, the response of the sensor to swab and saliva samples from hospitalized patients was examined. The virus presence in the samples was confirmed by electrical effective capacitance measurements executed on the biosensor, and correlated with real-time PCR results. We verified that the biosensor can distinguish samples that are positive for the virus from those that are negative in a total of 7 positive and 16 negative samples. In addition, the biosensor can be used for semi-quantitative measurement, since its measurements are divided into 3 areas, the negative samples, the weakly positive and the positive samples. Reproducibility of the experiments was demonstrated with at least 3 replicates and stability was tested by keeping the sensor standby for 7 days at 4 °C before repeating the experiment. This work presents a biosensor that can be used as a fast-screening test at point of care detection of SARS-CoV-2 since it needs less than 2 min to provide results and is of simple operation.