There is an ongoing need for high-precision serological assays for the quantitation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Here, a trimeric SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein was used to develop an ELISA to quantify specific IgG antibodies present in serum, plasma, and dried blood spots (DBS) collected from infected patients or vaccine recipients. The quantitative S-ELISA was calibrated with international anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin standards to provide test results in binding antibody units per mL (BAU/mL). The assay showed excellent linearity, precision, and accuracy. A sensitivity of 100% was shown for samples collected from 54 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection more than 14 days after symptom onset or disease confirmation by RT-PCR and 58 vaccine recipients more than 14 days after vaccination. The assay specificity was 98.3%. Furthermore, antibody responses were measured in follow-up samples from vaccine recipients and infected patients. Most mRNA vaccine recipients had a similar response, with antibody generation starting 2–3 weeks after the first vaccination and maintaining positive for at least six months after a second vaccination. For most infected patients, the antibody titers increased during the second week after PCR confirmation. This S-ELISA can be used to quantify the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the population exposed to the virus or vaccinated.

No description available.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected regular health care for patients with chronic diseases. However, the impact of the pandemic on primary care for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who are enrolled in a structured disease management program (DMP) in Germany is not clear. We investigated whether the pandemic affected primary care and health outcomes of DMP-CAD patients (n = 750) by using a questionnaire assessing patients’ utilization of medical care, CAD symptoms, as well as health behavior and mental health since March 2020. We found that out of concern about getting infected with COVID-19, 9.1% of the patients did not consult a medical practitioner despite having CAD symptoms. Perceived own influence on infection risk was lower and anxiety was higher in these patients compared to symptomatic CAD patients who consulted a physician. Among the patients who reported chest pain lasting longer than 30 min, one third did not consult a medical practitioner subsequently. These patients were generally more worried about COVID-19. Patients with at least one worsening CAD symptom (chest pain, dyspnea, perspiration, or nausea without apparent reason) since the pandemic showed more depressive symptoms, higher anxiety scores, and were less likely to consult a doctor despite having CAD symptoms out of fear of infection. Our results provide evidence that the majority of patients received sufficient medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. However, one in ten patients could be considered particularly at risk for medical undersupply and adverse health outcomes. The perceived infection risk with COVID-19 might have facilitated the decision not to consult a medical doctor.

Background: Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC, also known as long COVID and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19) is a major public health concern with severe and pervasive impacts on physical and mental health. PCC is highly heterogeneous and may manifest as different clusters of symptoms of varying intensity and duration. The etiology of PCC remains uncertain, though several underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, such as cellular damage, inflammatory cytokines, and a hypercoagulable state, are thought to contribute to PCC inception and trajectory. Examination of potential serological markers of PCC, accounting for clinical covariates, may yield emergent pathophysiological insights. Objectives: Primary objectives of this thesis are to 1) Identify key clinical and potential serological predictors of PCC; 2) Acquire clinical and serological data in a large-scale prospective observational study; 3) Assess relationships between PCC and serological markers, accounting for clinical covariates; 4) Systematically review evidence to date on primary observational studies comparing serological response between people with and without persistent symptoms post COVID-19 recovery; 5) Discuss persisting gaps in knowledge and data quality, and propose strategies for resolve. Methods: This thesis is framed around three core efforts: 1) The design of survey questions and study materials, recruitment of participants, and data collection in a large-scale prospective cohort study launched in 2020; 2) The assessment of relationships between pre-defined serological predictors and PCC, accounting for clinical covariates; and 3) A robust rapid review of PCC onset and phenotype as functions of serological markers. Expert opinion was sought to define serological predictors. Clinical predictors were defined a priori based on systematic reviews meeting AMSTAR 2 guidelines. Conclusions: To address objectives, we described efforts to collect clinical and serological data from a large-scale prospective cohort study; identify PCC-cases and infected-controls; assess associations between pre-defined serological predictors (IgG titres targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike (S), nucleocapsid (N), and receiver binding domain (RBD) antigens, and efficient neutralization) and PCC; and synthesized findings from an extensive rapid review on PCC as a function of serological markers. Our multivariate analysis using Stop the Spread Ottawa data is, to our knowledge, the first Canadian study to report the direction and magnitude of association between selected serological predictors (anti-IgG response to S, N, and RBD SARS-CoV-2 antigens, and neutralizing efficiency) and PCC status and impact on quality of life. Finally, we described five potential strategies which may improve the accessibility, quality, and amalgamation of data pertaining to PCC: 1) Fostering comparability between studies to enable synthesis of multiple datasets; 2) Advancing the characterization and consensus on PCC phenotypes; 3) Employing innovative modelling strategies that could potentially yield novel insights; 4) Promoting robust collaboration and knowledge sharing among research teams; and 5) Engaging people with lived experience at all stages of research.

No description available.

Coronavirus eller SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrom coronavirus 2) som fick utbrott i december 2019 har väckt en stor uppmärksamhet och påverkat mänskligheten världen runt och inte minst påverkat den socioekonomiska balansen. Viruset som har ursprung i staden Wuhan i Kina sprider sig snabbt mellan människorna genom frekvent rekombination av det genetiska materialet. Redan efter ett år från utbrottet beräknades antal fall till 98 miljoner och dödsfallen till 2 miljoner globalt. Förutom lunginflammation leder infektionen till högre halter av proinflammatoriska markörer som CRP och höga nivåer av cytokiner som IL-6 som i slutändan kan resultera i en cytokinstorm. Därför anses en blockering av IL6 produktionen och/eller blockering av receptorbindningen vara en terapeutisk lösning för att begränsa patogenicitet. Tocilizumab som är den första immunmodulator som introducerades och testades mot covid-19 pneumoni har i flera studier gett upphov till heterogent resultat angående dess effekt på sjukdomen. Syftet med detta litteraturabete är att studera tocilizumabs effekt på covid-19 sjuka patienter med pneumoni och med måttlig till svår sjukdom. Genom sökning på databasen PubMed hittades sex randomiserade kliniska studier som valdes för att undersökas i detta arbete. Studierna jämförde effekten av standardbehandling med och utan tocilizumab. Resultatet blev heterogent men en signifikant förbättring observerades för tocilizumab vad gäller överlevnad, sjukdomsprogression och hälsostatus. Trots att tocilizumabs fördelar överväger dess nackdelar krävs det dock mer forskning kring läkemedlet för att kunna dra bättre samband mellan tocilizumab och dess effekter.

COVID-19 pandemic has exposed both strengths and weaknesses in world communities and particularly put a severe strain on health care. It is widely accepted that lifestyle factors are an important piece of the puzzle in preventive work against infectious diseases. One of these lifestyle factors is physical activity (FA) that positively affects people's well-being and has a strengthening effect on, among other things, the immune system. The purpose of the study was to investigate how people that have had SARS-CoV-2 infection describe their FA level and general state of health before the illness and how they feel that it has affected their disease course. A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted during the period FebruaryMarch, which were then interpreted using content analysis as a tool. During the analysis work three main categories were identified: Well-balanced FA level, Relatively good general health, Experience of COVID-19 and FA significance. Most respondents perceived themselves as physically active to a greater or lesser extent. Respondents' perception indicates that FA has an important role in facing COVID-19 disease. Results indicate an increasingly accepted view in research that FA can act as a protective factor against SARS-CoV-2 virus / <p>Betyg i Ladok 220613.</p>

This study examines the factors to consider in establishing an effective tax Ombudsman in South Africa. It seeks to establish how the democratic protection institutions such as the South African Public Protector and the South African Human Rights Commission and the Courts created in terms of the 1996 Constitution vis-à-vis the ways the South African Revenue Service‟ (hereinafter referred to as SARS) new court rules and Service Monitoring Offices safeguard and protect taxpayers rights against SARS‟ administrative abuses. The researcher reviews and analyses literature gathered from the following sources: the Australian and Canadian tax Ombudsman, the United Kingdom‟s tax adjudicator, the South African motor industry Ombudsman, the South African banking services Ombudsman, the South African Public Protector, the Tax Administration Act (28 of 2011) (hereinafter referred to as the TAA), the South African Constitution (108 of 1996), and other popular scientific articles and reports on the introduction of the tax Ombudsman in South Africa. The findings reveal the core factors that underscore the establishment of an effective tax Ombud in South Africa to include: independence, neutrality, credible review process and confidentiality. Other auxiliary factors with regard to the appointment of the tax Ombud are: leadership skills, honesty, integrity and courage. Furthermore, the provisions of the TAA, in relation to the appointment of the tax Ombud‟s funding, staffing, location, and powers with particular reference to cost recovery and disclosure of taxpayers‟ confidential information, impede on the tax Ombud‟s independence. It also emerged from this study that the independence of the tax Ombud‟s office is being over-emphasised, leaving other pertinent issues of equal importance, such as education and publicity, unattended to. The recommendations for this study revolve on the tax Ombud‟s appointment, budget and recruitment of its own staff, building a reputation of independence through public education and the power to recover costs. / MCom (South African and International Taxation), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study examines the factors to consider in establishing an effective tax Ombudsman in South Africa. It seeks to establish how the democratic protection institutions such as the South African Public Protector and the South African Human Rights Commission and the Courts created in terms of the 1996 Constitution vis-à-vis the ways the South African Revenue Service‟ (hereinafter referred to as SARS) new court rules and Service Monitoring Offices safeguard and protect taxpayers rights against SARS‟ administrative abuses. The researcher reviews and analyses literature gathered from the following sources: the Australian and Canadian tax Ombudsman, the United Kingdom‟s tax adjudicator, the South African motor industry Ombudsman, the South African banking services Ombudsman, the South African Public Protector, the Tax Administration Act (28 of 2011) (hereinafter referred to as the TAA), the South African Constitution (108 of 1996), and other popular scientific articles and reports on the introduction of the tax Ombudsman in South Africa. The findings reveal the core factors that underscore the establishment of an effective tax Ombud in South Africa to include: independence, neutrality, credible review process and confidentiality. Other auxiliary factors with regard to the appointment of the tax Ombud are: leadership skills, honesty, integrity and courage. Furthermore, the provisions of the TAA, in relation to the appointment of the tax Ombud‟s funding, staffing, location, and powers with particular reference to cost recovery and disclosure of taxpayers‟ confidential information, impede on the tax Ombud‟s independence. It also emerged from this study that the independence of the tax Ombud‟s office is being over-emphasised, leaving other pertinent issues of equal importance, such as education and publicity, unattended to. The recommendations for this study revolve on the tax Ombud‟s appointment, budget and recruitment of its own staff, building a reputation of independence through public education and the power to recover costs. / MCom (South African and International Taxation), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

【研究緣起與問題】2003年春季，SARS在全球造成一陣轟動，同時也重創全球的經濟，如今SARS會不會再來？政府如何因應？政府如何監測疫情？如何防治疫情？如果SARS等新興及再浮現感染症 （Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases）出現時，負責全國傳染病防治任務的行政院衛生署疾病管制局是如何作好全國傳染病防治工作呢？中央及地方主管機關之溝通，如何共同消除指責與誤會，發揮團隊精神，如何共同作好全國傳染病防疫任務，爭取公眾對政府之瞭解並加以支持，同時防止任何可能之攻擊，才是全民之福祉。故以「全國傳染病通報系統」的績效，其所仰賴之溝通通路之問題研究，是本研究的動機。了解「傳染病通報管理系統(WEB版)」最大的問題及新興傳染病（如SARS）防治通報的問題及「傳染病通報管理系統」最需要改進之的地方，是本研究的目的。 【研究方法與資料】本研究採取量化與質化並重的方法，以網路問卷方式的進行問卷調查，問卷對象為全國使用傳染病通報管理系統之相關人員，問卷問題內容的設計主要的型式含有開放式問卷（Open –Ended Question）、封閉式問卷（Close-Ended Question）及混合型問卷（Mixed Question）三種。同時以九十二年針對新興傳染病SARS期間為例，深度訪談當時任職於中央與地方負責傳染病防治權責具代表性者五位主管進行訪談，瞭解受訪者對新興傳染病如SARS防治的問題及「傳染病通報管理系統」最需要改進之的地方，以彌補問卷調查法無法深入瞭解到問題之缺點。 【研究結論與建議】 一、根據筆者初步研究經問卷的實證調查之後，從問卷分析資料顯示，使用者使用電腦的時間愈久，對以新版為溝通工具滿意度愈低；而愈瞭解通報系統的使用者，其以新版為溝通工具滿意度愈高，愈滿意新版改進之電腦網路溝通效果。顯示新版的通報系統在設計的操作介面與程序上，沒有人性化，作業內容繁多、需輸入的項目、資料太繁瑣、版面太繁瑣等，反而徒增使用者的困擾；而愈瞭解通報系統的使用者，其對新版的滿意度越高，表示對於使用者在操作上的教育訓練仍須加強，才能發揮新版通報系統的成效。 二、從敘述統計分析中發現： 受訪者對「訊息異動通知作業流程滿意」的使用滿意度的平均數最高，平均數為2.8095表示：較為滿意。「通報作業流程滿意嗎」的使用滿意度的平均數最低，平均數為2.3934，受訪者表示：較為滿意。以新版為溝通工具整體溝通滿意情形，平均數為2.558滿意。 三、開放式問卷分析資料顯示，花太多時間、速度太慢、網路的頻寬過窄又不穩定或無法登錄、作業內容繁多、作業流程問題、資訊管理問題及功能增添與建議等部分。 四、根據筆者初步研究深度訪談之後，彙整中央主管機關及地方主管機關的訪談核心二部分的問題與建議。 五、研究建議： 綜合問卷調查及深度訪談結果，提出政策層面、組織溝通層面、管理層面、實務操作層面等之建議。 【關鍵字】傳染病通報系統、嚴重急性呼吸道症候群(severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS)、組織溝通、溝通通路、行政院衛生署疾病管制局 / 【Background and Issues】 In the spring of 2003, SARS outbreaks devastated the whole world; they also heavily damaged the world economy. Will SARS come back? How can governments manage it? How can government monitor the epidemics? How can we control the infection? When emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases such as SARS appear, how can the Center for Disease Control of the Department of Health, an organization in charge of national disease control, plan and execute measures for the control of communicable diseases? Effective communication between the central and the local competent authorities to remove together blames and misunderstanding, to develop team spirit, to attain jointly the goal of disease control, to solicit understanding and support of the public to the government, and to prevent any likely attack are some of the considerations in improving the welfare of the public. The reason of the present study was to understand, through the achievements thus far of the National Communicable Disease Reporting System, issues involved in the communication channels. The purposes of the study were to understand the major problems of the Communicable Disease Reporting and Management System (the Web version), issues involved in the reporting of emerging infectious diseases, and areas of the Communicable Disease Reporting and Management System where improvement was most urgently needed. 【Method and Materials】 Both the quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Questionnaire interview was conducted through the web to persons using the Communicable Disease Reporting and Management System throughout the country. The questionnaire contained open-end questions, closed-end questions and questions of mixed types. At the same time, to understand in depth areas not properly covered by the questionnaire interview, five key persons responsible for disease control at the time of the SARS outbreaks in 2003 at the central and the local levels were interviewed to understand their attitudes toward the control of emerging infectious diseases such as SARS, and the improvement most urgently needed for the Communicable Disease Reporting and Management System. 【Results and Recommendations】 1. Preliminary findings from analysis of the questionnaire interview showed that users became less satisfied with the new version communication means the longer they were in use of computers. Users who knew more about the use of the reporting system were more satisfied with the new communication means, were at the same time, more satisfied with the communication effects of the improved version. These facts suggested that the new reporting system was less user-friendly in the designing of interface and procedures. The system required more work, more detailed inputs, and thus added additional burdens on the part of the users. The more the users understood the reporting system, their satisfaction was higher, indicating that, for the new version reporting system to function in full, training of the users in the use of the system should be strengthened. 2. From the descriptive analysis, it was found that the average score of user satisfaction on the “information change reporting procedures” was as high as 2.8095, suggesting that the users were fairly satisfied. The satisfaction score on “reporting procedures” was the lowest at 2.3934. The overall satisfaction score on the use of the new version as a communication means was 2.558. 3. Findings from the open-end questions gave the following recommendations: taking too much time, too slow, frequency of the web too narrow, unstable, and unable to load, too detailed, issues related to operational procedures, issues related to information management and additional functions, etc. 4. By analysis of the in-depth interview, some issues were raised and recommendations made to the central and the local competent authorities. 5. Through questionnaire survey and in-depth interview, some recommendations concerning policies, organizational communication, management and practical operation were made. 【Key Words】 Communicable Disease Reporting System, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), organizational communication, communication channels, Center for Disease Control, the Department of Health