Resolving phytosterols in microalgae using offline two-dimensional reversed phase liquid chromatography-supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Sterols are unsaponifiable lipids resulting from plant metabolism that exhibit interesting bioactive properties. Microalgae are a major source of specific phytosterols, most of which are still not fully characterized. The similarity in sterol structures and the existence of positional isomers make the separation of phytosterols challenging. A method was developed based on an offline two-dimensional (2D) system, reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)-supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC)/quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-ToF) mass spectrometry, for the identification of sterols in microalgae. Subsequent positive-mode MS/MS was used to confirm the identified phytosterols. The 2D chromatogram exhibited a pattern related to the positions of the double bonds, which were confirmed by standard injection, enabling structural elucidation. The analysis of the unsaponifiable fraction of two algae, namely Scenedesmus obliquus, a freshwater microalgae, and Padina pavonica, a marine macroalgae, highlighted the ability of the method to distinguish a large number of sterol isomers.

A powerful two-dimensional chromatography method for the non-target analysis of depolymerised lignin.

BACKGROUND: Lignin is an abundant natural polymer obtained as a by-product from the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass. In the name of a circular economy, lignin should be valorised into valuable chemicals or biomaterials and utilised instead of petrochemicals. For the development of efficient valorisation processes, the structural characterisation of lignin can be highly beneficial. However, this is an arduous task, as the isolated (and sometimes processed) lignin mainly consists of various neutral monomers but also oligomers. In addition, the material contains isomers, which can be especially problematic to separate and identify. RESULTS: We present a powerful off-line comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) chromatography method combining liquid chromatography (LC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), and high-resolution mass spectrometry for the non-target analysis of depolymerised lignin. The implementation of a 1-aminoanthracene column in the second dimension enabled a class separation of potential lignin monomers, dimers, trimers, and tetramers with an additional separation based on the number of hydroxyl groups and steric effects. The pentafluorophenyl column in the first dimension additionally improved the separation based on hydrophobicity. The comparison of off-line 2D LC × SFC to 1D SFC showed that besides the overall improved performance, the first method is also superior for the separation of isomers. Advanced data analysis methods (MS-DIAL, SIRIUS, and Feature-Based Molecular Network) were integrated into the non-target workflow to rapidly visualise and study the detected compounds, which proved to be especially beneficial for the characterisation of the separated isomers. SIGNIFICANCE: The method yielded the first 2D LC plot demonstrating a classification of lignin compounds, which can be applied to compare various lignin sources and processing methods. In addition, the technique demonstrated improved separation of compounds, including isomers, which was especially beneficial as 77 % of the detected compounds had at least one isomer in the same lignin sample.

Two-dimensional chromatography for the analysis of valorisable biowaste: A review.

Various everyday areas such as agriculture, wood industry, and wastewater treatment yield residual biowastes in large amounts that can be utilised for the purpose of sustainability and circular economy. Depending on the type of biowaste, they can be used to extract valuable chemicals or converted into alternative fuels. However, for efficient valorisation, these processes need to be monitored, for which thorough chemical characterisation can be highly beneficial. For this aim, two-dimensional (2D) chromatography can be favourable, as it has a higher peak capacity and sensitivity than one-dimensional (1D) chromatography. Therefore, here we review the studies published since 2010 involving gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC) as one of the dimensions. For the first time, we present the 2D chromatographic characterisation of various biowastes valorised for different purposes (chemical, fuels), together with future prospects and challenges. The aspects related to the 2D chromatographic analysis of polar, poorly volatile, and thermally unstable compounds are highlighted. In addition, it is demonstrated how different 2D setups can be applied for monitoring the biowaste conversion processes.

Reliability of QuantiFERON®-CMV in predicting CMV recurrence in heart transplant recipients: A single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence after Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in heart transplant recipients is difficult to predict, in spite of its high incidence. Secondary prophylaxis could reduce this burden; however, its duration remains unestablished. We evaluated the QuantiFERON®-CMV test to see if it could predict CMV recurrence and help optimize the duration of secondary prophylaxis. METHODS: This observational retrospective single center study included all heart transplant recipients who developed CMV infection between 2019 and 2021, with the CD8+ T-cell-mediated CMV immunity QuantiFERON®-CMV test assessed at the time of (val)ganciclovir curative treatment completion. The main outcomes were CMV recurrence and duration of secondary prophylaxis. Secondary outcomes included immunosuppressive regimen, rejection, lymphocyte count, CMV viral load, infection type, and duration as possible confounding factors for recurrence. RESULTS: Among the 15 patients included, five (33%) experienced recurrence, of whom three (60%) had a positive QuantiFERON®-CMV test. The duration of secondary prophylaxis was similar regardless of QF-CMV positivity. No confounding factor was significantly associated with CMV recurrence; however, it occurred in only 1/7 (14%) of the patients receiving an everolimus-containing immunosuppressive regimen. CONCLUSION: In the population of heart transplant recipients, most of whom received ATG-based induction, the QuantiFERON®-CMV assay may not accurately predict CMV recurrence and would have not helped refining the duration of secondary prophylaxis in our patients. Other cell-mediated immunity tests and strategies in this specific population, including everolimus-containing regimens, may help predict and manage CMV recurrence.

Impact of corticosteroids use on midterm sequelae in survivors of COVID-19 admitted to hospital: A prospective cohort study.

An understanding of the midterm sequelae in COVID-19 and their association with corticosteroids use are needed. Between March and July 2020, we evaluated 1227 survivors of COVID-19, 3 months posthospitalization, of whom 213 had received corticosteroids within 7 days of admission. Main outcome was any midterm sequelae (oxygen therapy, shortness of breath, one major clinical sign, two minor clinical signs or three minor symptoms). Association between corticosteroids use and midterm sequelae was assessed using inverse propensity-score weighting models. Our sample included 753 (61%) male patients, and 512 (42%) were older than 65 years. We found a higher rate of sequelae among users than nonusers of corticosteroids (42% vs. 35%, odds ratio [OR] 1.40 [1.16-1.69]). Midterm sequelae were more frequent in users of low-dose corticosteroids than nonusers (64% vs. 51%, OR 1.60 [1.10-2.32]), whereas no association between higher doses (≥20 mg/day equivalent of dexamethasone) and sequelae was evidenced (OR 0.95 [0.56-1.61]). Higher risk of sequelae with corticosteroids use was observed among subjects with propensity score below the 90th percentile. Our study suggest that corticosteroids use during hospitalization for COVID-19 is associated with higher risk of midterm sequelae.

Assessment of Droplet Digital PCR for the Detection and Absolute Quantification of Toxoplasma gondii: A Comparative Retrospective Study.

Accurate tools for Toxoplasma gondii detection and quantification can be valuable for the early and effective management of toxoplasmosis. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a next-generation end-point PCR technique with high performance. The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of ddPCR for the detection and absolute quantification of T. gondii. From January 2019 to October 2020, DNA samples collected at the Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology of Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris were retrospectively analyzed by ddPCR and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). To detect T. gondii with the best sensitivity possible, the REP-529 multicopy target was used. For absolute quantification of T. gondii, a specific single-copy target of α-tubulin was designed. T. gondii detection by ddPCR and qPCR was strongly correlated (R2 = 0.93), with a total concordance of 96.7% (n = 145/150). Quantification of T. gondii using ddPCR was successful for 15 of 35 samples showing a parasite load ≥170 copies/mL of DNA eluate using the α-tubulin target. The qPCR REP-529 quantification based on a standard curve was approximate and dependent on the strain genotype, which led to an estimate of parasite copy number 14- to 160-fold superior to the ddPCR result. In total, ddPCR is an effective molecular method for T. gondii detection that shows equivalent performance to qPCR. For robust T. gondii quantification, ddPCR is clearly more accurate than semiquantitative qPCR methods.

Off-line two-dimensional separation involving supercritical fluid chromatography for the characterization of the wastewater from algae hydrothermal liquefaction.

An off-line multidimensional method involving liquid chromatography combined with supercritical fluid chromatography was developed for the characterization of the wastewater of hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana. The first dimension consisted of a phenyl hexyl column operated in reversed-phase mode, whereas the second dimension was performed on a diol stationary phase. Optimization of the kinetic parameters of the first and second dimensions were performed, taking into account the fraction collection system. The beneficial effect of working at high flow rate in both dimensions, as well as the need to work with short columns (50 mm) in the second dimension was evidenced. Injection volume was also optimized in both dimensions. The first dimension benefited from on-column focusing, while in the second dimension, untreated water-rich fractions could be injected without peak deformation. The performances of offline LCxSFC were compared to LC-HRMS, SFC-HRMS and LCxLC-HRMS for the analysis of the wastewater. Despite a long analysis time of 3.3h, the off-line separation coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry exhibited a very large orthogonality with 75 % occupation rate of the separation space, reaching an effective peak capacity of 1050. While other evaluated techniques were faster, one-dimensional techniques failed to separate the numerous isomers while LCxLC exhibited lower orthogonality (45% occupation rate).

Persistent physical symptoms after COVID-19 infection and the risk of Somatic Symptom Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence shows that many patients with COVID-19 present persistent symptoms after the acute infection. Some patients may be at a high risk of developing Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), in which persistent symptoms are accompanied by excessive and disproportionate health-related thoughts, feelings and behaviors regarding these symptoms. This study assessed the frequency of persistent physical symptoms and SSD and their associated factors in patients with confirmed COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal retrospective study after the first two French lockdowns at the Lille University Hospital (France), including all patients with confirmed COVID-19. Persistent physical symptoms and excessive preoccupations for these symptoms were measured 8 to 10 months after the onset of COVID-19. The combination of the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale was used to identify the individuals likely to present with SSD. Two linear regression models were performed to identify sociodemographic and medical risk factors of SSD. RESULTS: Among the 377 patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis, 220 (58.4%) completed the questionnaires. Sixty-five percent of the 220 included patients required hospitalization, 53.6% presented at least one persistent physical symptom and 10.4% were considered to present SSD. Female sex, older age, infection during the second wave and having probable PTSD were significantly associated with the severity of SSD and SSD was associated with a significantly higher healthcare use. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of SSD should encourage clinicians to move beyond the artificial somatic/psychiatric dualism and contribute to a better alliance based on multi-disciplinary care.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep from Romania.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Limited epidemiological information is available about the prevalence of T. gondii in sheep in Romania, and a high incidence would have implications for both the economy and public health. To our knowledge, no studies are available about the T. gondii strains circulating in lambs. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of T. gondii in sheep (serology), lambs (serology, bioassay, PCR) and sheep abortions (PCR) in Romania. Moreover, the study aimed to perform the genetic characterization of T. gondii isolates from lambs. METHODS: Serum samples collected from 2650 sheep (2067 adults and 583 lambs) were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG) using a commercial ELISA kit. Likewise, 328 pairs of diaphragmatic muscle-serum samples were collected from lambs aged between 2 and 4 months. Lamb serum samples were analyzed using MAT for anti-T. gondii antibody detection. The diaphragm tissue samples from MAT-positive lambs (at a dilution ≥ 1:25) were bioassayed in mice. The T. gondii strains were genotyped using 15 microsatellites markers. Additionally, brain and heart samples from 76 sheep abortions were analyzed for T. gondii DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 529-bp repeat region (REP529). RESULTS: The results showed that more than half of the tested sheep were T. gondii seropositive (53.5%). The seroprevalence was significantly higher in adults (61.1%) than in lambs (26.4%). The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in slaughtered lambs, by MAT, was 37.5% (123/328). There were bioassayed in mice 56 diaphragmatic tissues from 123 seropositive lambs. Toxoplasma gondii strains were isolated from 18 (32.1%) lambs intended for human consumption. All T. gondii strains were confirmed by PCR. Six strains were genotyped using 15 microsatellite markers and belonged to genotype II. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 11.8% (9/76) of sheep abortions. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed the presence of T. gondii in sheep in all the regions considered in the study. The high prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and lambs, demonstrated by serology, molecular analysis and bioassay, highlighted that there is an important risk of human infection in consuming raw or undercooked sheep/lamb meat.

Effect of medical staff training on vaccination coverage in outpatients with cancer: An interventional multicenter before-and-after study.

Purpose: Despite widely disseminated guidelines, pneumococcal and influenza vaccination coverage (VC) remains insufficient in patients with cancer receiving cancer treatment. We performed an interventional study to evaluate VC in patients with cancer treated at the medical oncology departments of three North-of-France hospitals and to assess the effect of medical staff training on VC in these patients. Methods: A standardized questionnaire assessed VC in adult patients with cancer receiving anticancer treatment at three day hospitals during December 2-7, 2019. Subsequently (January 2020), we organized educational training sessions for medical staff from each hospital to discuss the current vaccination guidelines. To assess the impact of training on pneumococcal and influenza VC, we re-administered the same questionnaire in March 2020. Because there are no specific guidelines on Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) vaccination and no improvement was expected, DTP VC acted as an internal control. Results: In total, 272 patients from all three hospitals were enrolled in the "before study"; 156 patients from only two hospitals were enrolled in the "after study" as medical training and data collection at the third were impossible because of administrative reasons and COVID-19 pandemic. The predictors were age for DTP VC; treatment center for pneumococcal VC; and age, sex, and tumor histology (adenocarcinoma vs. others) for influenza VC. Neither influenza VC (42.6% vs. 55.1%, p = 0.08), nor pneumococcal VC were significantly improved post-intervention (11.8% vs. 15.4%, p = 1). There seems to be a small effect in the most fragile for influenza VC. Conclusion: As expected, VC was very low in patients with cancer, consistent with the literature. There was no impact of the intervention for pneumococcal and influenza VC.

Respiratory virus detection in returning travelers and pilgrims from the Middle East.

BACKGROUND: Pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia are commonly infected with respiratory viruses. Since the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012, patients with acute respiratory symptoms returning from an endemic area can be suspected to be infected by this virus. METHODS: 98 patients suspected to have MERS-CoV infection from 2014 to 2019 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Upper and lower respiratory tract samples were tested by real-time RT-PCR for the detection of MERS-CoV and other respiratory viruses. Routine microbiological analyses were also performed. Patient data were retrieved from laboratory and hospital databases retrospectively. RESULTS: All patients with suspected MERS-CoV infection travelled before their hospitalization. Most frequent symptoms were cough (94.4%) and fever (69.4%). 98 specimens were tested for MERS-CoV RNA and none of them was positive. Most frequently detected viruses were Enterovirus/Rhinovirus (40/83; 48.2%), Influenzavirus A (34/90; 37.8%) and B (11/90; 12.2%), H-CoV (229E and OC43 10/83; 12% and 7/83; 8.4%, respectively). CONCLUSION: From 2014 to 2019, none of 98 patients returning from endemic areas was MERS-CoV infected. However, infections with other respiratory viruses were frequent, especially with Enterovirus/Rhinoviruses and Influenzaviruses.

Serum neutralization of SARS coronavirus 2 Omicron sublineages BA.1 and BA.2 and cellular immune responses 3 months after booster vaccination.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated serum neutralizing activity against BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron sublineages and T cell response before and 3 months after administration of the booster vaccine in healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS: HCWs aged 18-65 years who were vaccinated and received booster doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine were included. Anti-SARS coronavirus 2 IgG levels and cellular response (through interferon γ ELISpot assay) were evaluated in all participants, and neutralizing antibodies against Delta, BA.1, and BA.2 were evaluated in participants with at least one follow-up visit 1 or 3 months after the administration of the booster dose. RESULTS: Among 118 HCWs who received the booster dose, 102 and 84 participants attended the 1-month and 3-month visits, respectively. Before the booster vaccine dose, a low serum neutralizing activity against Delta, BA.1, and BA.2 was detectable in only 39/102 (38.2%), 8/102 (7.8%), and 12/102 (11.8%) participants, respectively. At 3 months, neutralizing antibodies against Delta, BA.1, and BA.2 were detected in 84/84 (100%), 79/84 (94%), and 77/84 (92%) participants, respectively. Geometric mean titres of neutralizing antibodies against BA.1 and BA.2 were 2.2-fold and 2.8-fold reduced compared with those for Delta. From 1 to 3 months after the administration of the booster dose, participants with a recent history of SARS coronavirus 2 infection (n = 21/84) had persistent levels of S1 reactive specific T cells and neutralizing antibodies against Delta and BA.2 and 2.2-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against BA.1 (p 0.014). Conversely, neutralizing antibody titres against Delta (2.5-fold decrease, p < 0.0001), BA.1 (1.5-fold, p 0.02), and BA.2 (2-fold, p < 0.0001) declined from 1 to 3 months after the administration of the booster dose in individuals without any recent infection. DISCUSSION: The booster vaccine dose provided significant and similar response against BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron sublineages; however, the immune response declined in the absence of recent infection.

High Frequency of Specific Polysaccharide Antibody Deficiency in Adults With Unexplained, Recurrent and/or Severe Infections With Encapsulated Bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) in adults are mainly revealed by recurrent and/or severe bacterial infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate a systematic research strategy of PIDs in adults with unexplained bacterial infections, with a special focus on specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency (SPAD). METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study, inclusion criteria were recurrent benign upper and lower respiratory tract infections (RTIs) for at least two years (group 1), at least one upper or lower RTI requiring hospitalization (group 2), and/or at least one invasive infection documented with encapsulated bacteria (group 3). Main exclusion criteria were all local and general conditions that could explain infections. If no PID diagnosis was made, response to polysaccharide antigens was assessed using a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. RESULTS: From March 2015 to March 2020, 118 patients were included (37 males, median age of 41 years): 73, 17, and 28 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Forty-seven PIDs were diagnosed, giving an estimated frequency of 39.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] [30.4, 48.8]). SPAD was the most frequent diagnosis by far (n = 37/47, 78.7%), and was made in 23, 5, and 9 patients from groups 1 to 3, respectively. All SPAD patients received conjugate vaccines and, according to their infectious history, were on surveillance or treated with preventive antibiotics (n = 6) and/or with immunoglobulins replacement therapy (n = 10), the latter being dramatically efficient in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Considering its high prevalence among adults with unexplained recurrent and/or severe bacterial infections, SPAD should be screened in those patients. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02972281.

The promising efficacy of a risk-based letermovir use strategy in CMV-positive allogeneic hematopoietic cell recipients.

Letermovir is the first approved drug for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection prophylaxis in adult patients who are CMV positive undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Because CMV infection risk varies from patient to patient, we evaluated whether a risk-based strategy could be effective. In this single-center study, all consecutive adult patients who were CMV positive and underwent allo-HCT between 2015 and 2021 were included. During period 1 (2015-2017), letermovir was not used, whereas during period 2 (2018-2021), letermovir was used in patients at high risk but not in patients at low risk, except in those receiving corticosteroids. In patients at high risk, the incidence of clinically significant CMV infection (csCMVi) in period 2 was lower than that in period 1 (P < .001) by week 14 (10.5% vs 51.6%) and week 24 (16.9% vs 52.7%). In patients at low risk, although only 28.6% of patients received letermovir in period 2, csCMVi incidence was also significantly lower (P = .003) by week 14 (7.9% vs 29.0%) and week 24 (11.2% vs 33.3%). Among patients at low risk who did not receive letermovir (n = 45), 23 patients (51.1%) experienced transient positive CMV DNA without csCMVi, whereas 17 patients (37.8%) experienced negative results. In both risk groups, the 2 periods were comparable for CMV disease, overall survival, progression-free survival, relapse, and nonrelapse mortality. We concluded that a risk-based strategy for letermovir use is an effective strategy which maintains the high efficacy of letermovir in patients at high risk but allows some patients at low risk to not use letermovir.

Prevalence of post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms twelve months after hospitalization in participants retained in follow-up: analyses stratified by gender from a large prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVES: Persistent post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms (PACSs) have been reported up to 6 months after hospital discharge. Herein we assessed the symptoms that persisted 12 months (M12) after admission for COVID-19 in the longitudinal prospective national French coronavirus disease cohort. METHODS: Hospitalized patients with a confirmed virological diagnosis of COVID-19 were enrolled. Follow-up was planned until M12 after admission. Associations between persistence of ≥3 PACSs at M12 and clinical characteristics at admission were assessed through logistic regression according to gender. RESULTS: We focused on participants enrolled between 24 January 2020 and 15 July 2020, to allow M12 follow-up. The M12 data were available for 737 participants. Median age was 61 years, 475 (64%) were men and 242/647 (37%) were admitted to intensive care units during the acute phase. At M12, 27% (194/710) of the participants had ≥3 persistent PACS, mostly fatigue, dyspnoea and joint pain. Among those who had a professional occupation before the acute phase, 91 out of 339 (27%) were still on sick leave at M12. Presence of ≥3 persistent PACS was associated with female gender, both anxiety and depression, impaired health-related quality of life and Medical Muscle Research Council Scale <57. Compared with men, women more often reported presence of ≥3 persistent PACSs (98/253, 39% vs. 96/457, 21%), depression and anxiety (18/152, 12% vs. 17/268, 6% and 33/156, 21% vs. 26/264, 10%, respectively), impaired physical health-related quality of life (76/141, 54% vs. 120/261, 46%). Women had less often returned to work than men (77/116, 66% vs. 171/223, 77%). CONCLUSIONS: One fourth of the individuals admitted to hospital for COVID-19 still had ≥3 persistent PACSs at M12 post-discharge. Women reported more often ≥3 persistent PACSs, suffered more from anxiety and depression and had less often returned to work than men.

Evaluation of a rapid semiquantitative lateral flow assay for the prediction of serum neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

BACKGROUND: Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 have been shown to correlate with protection against infection. Simple tools such as lateral flow assays (LFA) that can accurately measure NAbs may be useful for monitoring anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity in the future. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the performance of the ichroma™ COVID-19 nAb test, a rapid semiquantitative LFA, for the prediction of serum neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants. STUDY DESIGN: Serum samples were collected from COVID-19 recovered patients and vaccinated individuals. The result of the ichroma assay was provided as inhibition rate, and was compared to anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels, and NAbs against Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants. RESULTS: A total of 90 sera from recovered unvaccinated patients and 209 sera from the vaccine cohort were included in this study. In post-infection samples, the ichroma inhbition rate was found to be correlated with IgG levels (ρ = 0.83), and with anti-Alpha NAbs levels (ρ = 0.78). In the vaccine cohort, a good correlation was also observed between the ichroma inhibition rate and IgG levels (ρ = 0.84), as well as NAbs against Alpha (ρ = 0.62), Delta (ρ = 0.88) and Omicron (ρ = 0.74). An ichroma inhbition rate of 77.2%, 90.8% and 99.6% accurately predicted neutralization against Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ichroma™ COVID-19 nAb assay, with appropriate variant cut-offs, can be useful for the monitoring of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunization and may provide a rapid prediction of protection, especially in individuals with significant levels of NAbs.

Toxoplasmosis in patients with an autoimmune disease and immunosuppressive agents: A multicenter study and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Cases of Toxoplasma reactivation or more severe primary infection have been reported in patients receiving immunosuppressive (IS) treatment for autoimmune diseases (AID). The purpose of this study was to describe features of toxoplasmosis occurring in patients with AID treated by IS therapy, excluded HIV-positive and transplant patients. METHODS: A multicenter descriptive study was conducted using data from the French National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (NRCT) that received DNA extracts or strains isolated from patients, associated with clinical data. Other cases were retrieved through a questionnaire sent to all French parasitology and internal medicine departments. Furthermore, a systematic literature review was conducted. RESULTS: 61 cases were collected: 25 retrieved by the NRCT and by a call for observations and 36 from a literature review. Half of the cases were attributed to reactivation (50.9%), and most of cases (49.2%) were cerebral toxoplasmosis. The most common associated AID were rheumatoid arthritis (28%) and most frequent treatments were antimetabolites (44.3%). Corticosteroids were involved in 60.7% of cases. Patients had a favorable outcome (50.8%) but nine did not survive. For 12 cases, a successful Toxoplasma strain characterization suggested the possible role of this parasitic factor in ocular cases. CONCLUSION: Although this remains a rare condition, clinicians should be aware for the management of patients and for the choice of IS treatment.

Is clinical insight a determinant factor of subjective recovery in persons living with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders?

Good clinical insight is predictive of clinical recovery in schizophrenia (i.e. symptomatic remission and functional improvement). However, the recent subjective recovery paradigm (i.e. the self-identity reconstruction process with and beyond psychosis) questioned the relevance of seeking patients' awareness of their medically-defined illness. This study aimed to assess the relationship between clinical insight and subjective recovery in individuals with psychotic disorders. Sixty-seven outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were assessed for clinical insight using the Scale to assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD) and for self-rated subjective recovery using the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS). Among all dimensions of insight, only the unawareness of current symptoms was significantly associated with RAS total score, with illness duration as the only moderating factor. On the final regression model, unawareness of current symptoms was confirmed as the strongest of six factors explaining all together 44% of the subjective recovery variance, whereas clinical insight taken as an independent multidimensional construct did not significantly participate in explaining subjective recovery. Our study highlights the weak and only partial implication of clinical insight in subjective recovery, and invites clinicians to consider the patients' meaning making process of morbid experiences in order to build a self-directed and medically-supported recovery.

Effect of the injection of water-containing diluents on band broadening in analytical supercritical fluid chromatography.

In this study, the impact of introducing water in the sample solvent upon the injection in SFC is investigated. Adsorption of water on the stationary phase was indicated. Using a set of ten neutral test compounds and four ionizable test compounds, spread all along the co-solvent gradient, several parameters were scrutinized (i.e. water content in the sample diluent, nature of the sample diluent, nature of the co-solvent) in regards to peak broadening. From this systematic investigation, the competition for adsorption on the stationary phase between the analytes and the water molecules contained in the diluent was highlighted. The chromatographic peaks of neutral molecules eluting before water molecules were compressed and the ones eluting after were broadened. While the extent of this phenomenon was related to the peak position for neutral molecules, it was not observed on acidic molecules.