We present a net-shaped DNA nanostructure (called “DNA Net” herein) design strategy for selective recognition and high-affinity capture of the intact SARS-CoV-2 virions through spatial pattern-matching and multivalent interactions between the aptamers (targeting wild type spike-RBD) positioned on the DNA Net and the trimeric spike glycoproteins displayed on the viral outer surface. Carrying a designer nanoswitch, the DNA Net-aptamers releases fluorescent signal upon virus binding that is easily read by a hand-held fluorimeter for a rapid (in 10 mins), simple (mix- and-read), sensitive (PCR equivalent), room temperature compatible, and inexpensive (∼ $1.26/test) COVID-19 test assay. The DNA Net-aptamers also impede authentic wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture with a near 1×103-fold enhancement of the monomeric aptamer. Furthermore, our DNA Net design principle and strategy can be customized to tackle other life-threatening and economically influential viruses like influenza and HIV, whose surfaces carry class-I viral envelope glycoproteins like the SARS-CoV-2 spikes in trimeric forms.

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Net-Shaped DNA Nanostructures Designed for Rapid/Sensitive Detection and Potential Inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus

We present a net-shaped DNA nanostructure (called “DNA Net” herein) design strategy for selective recognition and high-affinity capture of intact SARS-CoV-2 virions through spatial pattern-matching and multivalent interactions between the aptamers (targeting wild-type spike-RBD) positioned on the DNA Net and the trimeric spike glycoproteins displayed on the viral outer surface. Carrying a designer nanoswitch, the DNA Net-aptamers release fluorescence signals upon virus binding that are easily read with a handheld fluorimeter for a rapid (in 10 min), simple (mix-and-read), sensitive (PCR equivalent), room temperature compatible, and inexpensive (∼$1.26/test) COVID-19 test assay. The DNA Net-aptamers also impede authentic wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture with a near 1 × 103-fold enhancement of the monomeric aptamer. Furthermore, our DNA Net design principle and strategy can be customized to tackle other life-threatening and economically influential viruses like influenza and HIV, whose surfaces carry class-I viral envelope glycoproteins like the SARS-CoV-2 spikes in trimeric forms. 

We aimed to review the existing literature on the different types of neutralization assays and international standards for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We comprehensively summarized the serological assays for detecting neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and demonstrated the importance of an international standard for calibrating the measurement of neutralizing antibodies. Following the coronavirus disease outbreak in December 2019, there was an urgent demand to detect neutralizing antibodies in patients or vaccinated people to monitor disease outcomes and determine vaccine efficacy. Therefore, many approaches were developed to detect neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, such as microneutralization assay, SARS-CoV-2 pseudotype virus assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and rapid lateral flow assay. Given the many types of serological assays for quantifying the neutralizing antibody titer, the comparison of different assay results is a challenge. In 2020, the World Health Organization proposed the first international standard as a common unit to define neutralizing antibody titer and antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2. These standards are useful for comparing the results of different assays and laboratories.

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Overview of Neutralization Assays and International Standard for Detecting SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has emphasized the need for development of a rapid diagnostic device for the effective treatment and its mitigation. Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) belongs to a class of diagnostic devices, which has the benefit of providing quick results, easy to handle, low cost, and on‐site applicable. So far, several LFIA has been developed for the detection of infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), however, only a few of them are antigen (Ag)‐based. Here, we describe an antibody (Ab)‐labeled gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)‐based LFIA (AuNPs‐LFIA) for the detection of Receptor‐Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS‐CoV‐2. For this, RBD Ab of SARS‐CoV‐2 was conjugated with the AuNPs, which served as a detecting probe. The fabricated LFIA strip was optimized for different parameters such as membrane pore size, blocking conditions, Ab coating concentration, and conjugate incubation. The optimized LFIA strips were validated in spiked buffer samples and the optimal limit of detection was found to be 1 ng/ml, which was confirmed by a smartphone‐based application. Moreover, the developed AuNPs‐LFIA strips effectively detected RBD Ag in 100 clinical samples with 94.3% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity in clinical samples when compared with the gold standard (RT‐PCR). The fabricated LFIAs are reported to have storage stability of up to 21 days at 4°C and room temperature (RT). Hence, the developed LFIA can be used as a portable, cost‐effective diagnostic device for rapid detection of SARS‐CoV‐2.

Gold nanoparticle conjugate‐based lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for rapid detection of RBD antigen of SARS‐CoV‐2 in clinical samples using a smartphone‐based application

Point-of-care (POC) tests for the diagnosis of diseases are critical to the improvement of the standard of living, especially for resource-limited areas or countries. In recent years, nanobiosensors based on noble metal nanoparticles (NM NPs) have emerged as a class of effective and versatile POC testing technology. The unique features of NM NPs ensure great performance of associated POC nanobiosensors. In particular, NM NPs offer various signal transduction principles, such as plasmonics, catalysis, photothermal effect, and so on. Significantly, the detectable signal from NM NPs can be tuned and optimized by controlling the physicochemical parameters (e.g., size, shape, and elemental composition) of NPs. In this article, we introduce the inherent merits of NM NPs that make them attractive for POC testing, discuss recent advancement of NM NPs-based POC tests, highlight their social impacts, and provide perspectives on challenges and opportunities in the field. We hope the review and insights provided in this article can inspire new fundamental and applied research in this emerging field.

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Noble Metal Nanoparticles for Point-of-Care Testing: Recent Advancements and Social Impacts

Rapid testing, generally refers to the paper-based diagnostic platform known as “lateral flow assay” (LFA), has emerged as a critical asset to the containment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) around the world. LFA technology stands out amongst peer platforms due to its cost-effective design, user-friendly interface, and low sample-to-readout times. This article aims to introduce its design, use, and practicality for the purpose of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. A connection is made from the normal COVID-19 immune response to the design and efficacy of rapid testing. Interference in test results is a challenge shared by most diagnostic platforms and can be rooted in various underlying issues. The current knowledge and situation about interference in rapid COVID-19 tests due to variant strains as well as vaccination are discussed. The cost and societal impact are reviewed as they play important roles in determining how to properly implement public testing practices. Perspectives on improving the performance, especially detection sensitivity, of LFA for COVID-19 are provided.

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Rapid testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the physical and mental health of many. It remains unclear whether such impacts differ across diverse races or age groups, or along the course of the pandemic. This study assessed trends in levels of depression and anxiety symptoms among U.S. adults during COVID-19 and whether differences emerged across race and age. Data were drawn from the Understanding America Study (UAS) COVID-19 survey, a longitudinal panel survey of a nationally representative sample of over 6,000 individuals. A mixed effect linear model was conducted to assess the influence of race and age on the level of depression and anxiety over time during the pandemic, controlling for covariates such as marital status, employment status, and household income. Results indicate that greater age was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety. Additionally, trends in levels of depression and anxiety vary across races (e.g., minority populations generally reported lower or comparable levels of depression and anxiety comparing to the White). Findings further suggest significant interactions between age and race, especially among minoritized adults. Study findings underscore the importance of future research and tailored strategies to improve culturally sensitive and age-appropriate mental health services targeting diverse populations.

Race and age differences in depression and anxiety during covid-19: a longitudinal study

Recent preclinical studies have linked antidepressants (AD) to their potential anticancer effects in multiple cancers, but the impact on lung cancer remains unclear. This meta-analysis examined the associations between ADs and lung cancer incidence and survival. The Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched to identify eligible studies published by June 2022. We conducted a meta-analysis using a random-effects model to compare the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in those treated with or without ADs. Heterogeneity was examined using Cochran Q test and inconsistency I2 statistics. The methodologic quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Our analysis, including 11 publications involving 1,200,885 participants, showed that AD use increased lung cancer risk by 11% (RR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.02–1.20; I2 = 65.03%; n = 6) but was not associated with overall survival (RR = 1.04; 95% CI = 0.75–1.45; I2 = 83.40%; n = 4). One study examined cancer-specific survival. Subgroup analysis showed that serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) were associated with an increased lung cancer risk by 38% (RR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.07–1.78; n = 2). The quality of selected studies was good (n = 5) to fair (n = 6). Our data analysis suggests that SNRIs were associated with an elevated risk of lung cancer, raising concerns regarding the use of AD treatment in patients vulnerable to lung cancer. The effects of ADs—particularly SNRIs—and their interplay with cigarette use and lung cancer risk in vulnerable patients merits further study. Significance: In this meta-analysis of 11 observational studies, we found evidence of a statistically significant association between the use of certain ADs and lung cancer risk. This effect merits further study, particularly as it relates to known environmental and behavioral drivers of lung cancer risk, such as air pollution and cigarette smoke.

https://doi.org/10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0003

Antidepressant Use and Lung Cancer Risk and Survival: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Abstract Suicide is a major public health concern. Suicide rates have increased steadily in the U.S. and are highest among middle-aged (ages 45-64) and older (age 75+) adults. Help-seeking represents an important coping behavior that can mitigate suicide risk. However, research on this topic is sparse, especially among older adults. To address this gap, a systematic review of the existing literature describing help-seeking for suicide risk among middle- to old-age adults was conducted. Using PRISMA guidelines, we searched electronic databases (e.g., ProQuest, EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, PubMed, Medline) and key journals with suicide and/or gerontology focuses for peer-reviewed publications in English between 2010-2020. The search yielded 4,732 unduplicated publications. After screening articles for relevance based on titles and abstracts, 52 articles were reviewed in full text. A total of 24 articles met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The articles reviewed included a range of topics, including prevalence of service utilization, service use prior to suicide-related behaviors, and correlates of help-seeking. Overall, prevalence of service utilization was generally low and varied by suicidal history (e.g., greater prevalence among those with a history of suicide attempt, as compared to those with suicide ideation but no attempts). The systematic review also identified key service use facilitators (e.g., higher suicide literacy, previous or current suicidality) and barriers (e.g., stigma). Results of this systematic review highlight the need for future research and tailored services to improve suicide prevention and intervention strategies for middle-aged and older adults.

Help-seeking for suicide risk among middle- to old-age adults

ABSTRACT Social workers have been at the forefront of research and advocacy to improve nursing home care for several decades. However, United States (U.S.) regulations have not kept pace with professional standards, as nursing home social services workers are still not required to have a degree in social work and many are assigned caseloads that are untenable for providing quality psychosocial and behavioral health care. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)’s recently published interdisciplinary consensus report, The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality: Honoring our Commitment to Residents, Families, and Staff (NASEM, 2022) makes recommendations for changing these regulations, reflecting years of social work scholarship and policy advocacy. In this commentary, we highlight the NASEM report recommendations for social work and chart a course for continuing scholarship and policy advocacy to improve resident outcomes.

Xiaochuan Wang

Papers

Rapid testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Race and age differences in depression and anxiety during covid-19: a longitudinal study

Antidepressant Use and Lung Cancer Risk and Survival: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Help-seeking for suicide risk among middle- to old-age adults

Social Workers Critical to Honoring Commitments to Residents and Families in Long-Term Care