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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1008585.].

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Even after over 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, research on rapid, inexpensive, and accurate tests remains essential for controlling and avoiding the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 across the planet during a potential reappearance in future global waves or regional outbreaks. Assessment of serological responses for COVID-19 can be beneficial for population-level surveillance purposes, supporting the development of novel vaccines and evaluating the efficacy of different immunization programs. This can be especially relevant for broadly used inactivated whole virus vaccines, such as CoronaVac, which produced lower titers of neutralizing antibodies. and showed lower efficacy for specific groups such as the elderly and immunocompromised. We developed an impedimetric biosensor based on the immobilization of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant trimeric spike protein (S protein) on zinc oxide nanorod (ZnONR)-modified fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates for COVID-19 serology testing. Due to electrostatic interactions, the negatively charged S protein was immobilized via physical adsorption. The electrochemical response of the immunosensor was measured at each modification step and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical techniques. We successfully evaluated the applicability of the modified ZnONR electrodes using serum samples from COVID-19 convalescent individuals, CoronaVac-vaccinated with or without positive results for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and pre-pandemic samples from healthy volunteers as controls. ELISA for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was performed for comparison, and ELISA for IgG anti-RBDs of seasonal coronavirus (HCoVs) was used to test the specificity of immunosensor detection. No cross-reactivity with HCoVs was detected using the ZnONR immunosensor, and more interestingly, the sensor presented higher sensitivity when compared to negative ELISA results. The results demonstrate that the ZnONRs/spike-modified electrode displayed sensitive results for convalescents and vaccinated samples and shows excellent potential as a tool for the population's assessment and monitoring of seroconversion and seroprevalence.

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CoronaVac is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that has been rolled out in several low and middle-income countries including Brazil, where it was the mainstay of the first wave of immunization of healthcare workers and the elderly population. We aimed to assess the T cell and antibody responses of vaccinated individuals as compared to convalescent patients. We detected IgG against SARS-CoV-2 antigens, neutralizing antibodies against the reference Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 strain and used SARS-CoV-2 peptides to detect IFN-g and IL-2 specific T cell responses in a group of CoronaVac vaccinated individuals (N = 101) and convalescent (N = 72) individuals. The frequency among vaccinated individuals, of whom 96% displayed T cell and/or antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2, is comparable to 98.5% responses of convalescent individuals. We observed that among vaccinated individuals, men and individuals 55 years or older developed significantly lower anti-RBD, anti-NP and neutralization titers against the Wuhan strain and antigen-induced IL-2 production by T cells. Neutralizing antibody responses for Gamma variant were even lower than for the Wuhan strain. Even though some studies indicated CoronaVac helped reduce mortality among elderly people, considering the appearance of novel variants of concern, CoronaVac vaccinated individuals above 55 years old are likely to benefit from a heterologous third dose/booster vaccine to increase immune response and likely protection.

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Introduction: Considering the likely need for the development of novel effective vaccines adapted to emerging relevant CoV-2 variants, the increasing knowledge of epitope recognition profile among convalescents and afterwards vaccinated with identification of immunodominant regions may provide important information. Methods: We used an RBD peptide microarray to identify IgG and IgA binding regions in serum of 71 COVID-19 convalescents and 18 vaccinated individuals. Results: We found a set of immunodominant RBD antibody epitopes, each recognized by more than 30% of the tested cohort, that differ among the two different groups and are within conserved regions among betacoronavirus. Of those, only one peptide, P44 (S415-429), recognized by 68% of convalescents, presented IgG and IgA antibody reactivity that positively correlated with nAb titers, suggesting that this is a relevant RBD region and a potential target of IgG/IgA neutralizing activity. Discussion: This peptide is localized within the area of contact with ACE-2 and harbors the mutation hotspot site K417 present in gamma (K417T), beta (K417N), and omicron (K417N) variants of concern. The epitope profile of vaccinated individuals differed from convalescents, with a more diverse repertoire of immunodominant peptides, recognized by more than 30% of the cohort. Noteworthy, immunodominant regions of recognition by vaccinated coincide with mutation sites at Omicron BA.1, an important variant emerging after massive vaccination. Together, our data show that immune pressure induced by dominant antibody responses may favor hotspot mutation sites and the selection of variants capable of evading humoral response.

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AIM: Aim of this study is to identify signs and symptoms associated with identifying critically ill patients by rapid triage assessment performed by nurses in an emergency department. BACKGROUND: In some emergency services, the immediate assessment of critically ill patients occurs before opening the hospital formal registration and it is based on the nurse's experience. Studies on the topic are essential to improve this process. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study. METHODS: This study was conducted in a Brazilian emergency department in 2017. Adult patients who presented potentially life-threatening symptoms underwent rapid triage to determine the medical urgency. Those identified as being critically ill were classified as high priority and streamed to the emergency room. RESULTS: A total of 154 (84.6%) patients were classified as high priority from the total of 182 evaluations. Altered state of consciousness (35.2%) and altered skin perfusion (25.3%) were frequently identified. Signs and symptoms associated with identifying critically ill patients by rapid triage were alterations in ventilation (OR 6.09; p = 0.028), neurological dysfunction (OR 44.96; p < 0.001) and pain (OR 5.80; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Nurses should value neurological and ventilation alterations and pain in patients during rapid triage, since these signs and symptoms are associated with high care priority.

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OBJETIVOS: Preparar a criança pré-escolar para punção venosa por meio do Brinquedo Terapêutico Instrucional (BTI) e conhecer a percepção dos familiares quanto a esse preparo. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo qualitativo realizado na unidade de emergência de um hospital universitário da cidade de São Paulo. Os sujeitos foram cinco crianças pré-escolares e seus familiares. RESULTADOS: O BTI permitiu à criança saber o que deve esperar e como pode participar da punção venosa; compreender sua finalidade; envolver-se na situação; manipular o material e estabelecer relação de confiança com o profissional; os familiares reconheceram seu benefício no preparo da criança e proporcionaram a ela importante fonte de apoio e proteção. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: A utilização do BTI deve integrar o cuidado de enfermagem prestado à criança nas unidades de emergência, assegurando uma assistência humanizada e de qualidade.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the usefulness of therapeutic instructional toy (TIT) in preparing preschool children for intravenous placement and to describe family member's perception of the children preparation. METHODS: Descriptive qualitative study with 5 children and their family receiving care in an emergency room of a university teaching hospital in São Paulo city. RESULTS: The use of TIT was a useful strategy to teach children what to expect and how to participate and collaborate during intravenous placement procedure, how to understand its objective, and how to get involved during the procedure. Children had the opportunity to manipulate the materials and establish trust in the health care provider. Family members recognized the benefits of therapeutic play and provided support and protection to the children during the intravenous placement procedure. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The use of TIT to prepare children for intravenous placement must be an integral part of nursing practice in emergency rooms to guarantee quality and humanized nursing care to children.

OBJETIVOS: Preparar al niño pre-escolar para la punción venosa por medio del Juego Terapéutico Instruccional (JTI) y conocer la percepción de los familiares en cuanto a esa preparación. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo cualitativo realizado en el servicio de emergencia de un hospital universitario de la ciudad de Sao Paulo. Los sujetos fueron cinco niños pre-escolares y sus familiares. RESULTADOS: El JTI permitió al niño saber lo que debe esperar y cómo puede participar de la punción venosa; comprender su finalidad; involucrarse en la situación; manipular el material y establecer relación de confianza con el profesional; los familiares reconocieron su benefício en la preparación del niño proporcionándole una importante fuente de apoyo y protección. CONSIDERACIONES FINALES: La utilización del JTI debe integrar el cuidado de enfermería prestado al niño en los servicios de emergencia, asegurando una asistencia humanizada y de calidad.