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Using a large consortium of undergraduate students in an organized program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), we have undertaken a functional genomic screen in the Drosophila eye. In addition to the educational value of discovery-based learning, this article presents the first comprehensive genomewide analysis of essential genes involved in eye development. The data reveal the surprising result that the X chromosome has almost twice the frequency of essential genes involved in eye development as that found on the autosomes.

Background The durability of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination remains unknown. Our objective was to evaluate a rapid SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibody detection kit as a qualitative screen for humoral response to vaccination. Methods Study participants (n=125) included pediatric healthcare workers (HCW) who received 2 doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273. Participants were tested on study entry 3/12/21-4/9/21. The mean number of days post 2nd dose was 22 (range: 17-36). Participants were tested for IgM/IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with the RightSign COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette. ELISA/Competitive Inhibition ELISA (CI-ELISA) were subsequently run to assess for neutralization effect and SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid IgM/IgG antibodies. Results 98.4% of participants were IgG+ and 0.8% were IgM+ on rapid RightSign testing. Of those with IgG+ results, 100% were anti-spike protein IgG+ on CI-ELISA; none who tested IgG− via the rapid test were IgG+ on CI-ELISA. All HCWs who tested RightSign positive demonstrated neutralizing capability on CI-ELISA. 1.6% demonstrated anti-nucleocapsid IgM antibodies; 5.6% demonstrated anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies. Conclusion The strong agreement between the rapid RightSign IgG results and confirmatory CI-ELISA testing suggests this test may be used to assess for positive, and neutralizing, antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.

The primary aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a population of pediatric healthcare workers (HCWs). This study was conducted 14 May–13 July 2020. Study participants included pediatric HCWs at a pediatric hospital with either direct patient contact or close proximity to patient-care areas. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were assessed via the Wytcote Superbio SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG Antibody Fast Detection Kit and the Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay. Participants underwent RT-PCR testing upon entry to the study and following rapid IgM+/IgG+ results; respiratory panel PCR (RP-PCR) was performed following IgM+ results. A total of 57 of 289 (19.7%) of participants demonstrated positive serology as assessed by the Wytcote rapid kit (12 on Day 1 and 45 throughout the study). However, only one of these participants demonstrated IgG+ serology via the Abbott assay. Two participants tested SARS-CoV-2+ via RT-PCR testing. One individual was adenovirus+ and enterovirus/rhinovirus+. In our study population, we observed a seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies of 0.35%. The lack of concordance between antibody tests suggests that the Wytcote rapid test kit may not be of use as a screening tool. However, the feasibility of the overall process indicates that a similar methodology may have potential for future epidemiologic surveillance.

Background Child maltreatment is distressingly prevalent yet remains under-recognized by healthcare providers. In 2015 the Ohio Children's Hospital Association developed the Timely Recognition of Abusive INjuries (TRAIN) collaborative in an effort to promote non-accidental trauma (NAT) screening. Our institution implemented the TRAIN initiative in 2019. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the TRAIN initiative at this institution. Methods In this retrospective chart review we recorded the incidence of sentinel injuries (SIS) in children presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of an independent level 2 pediatric trauma center. SIS were defined and identified by a diagnosis of ecchymosis, contusion, fracture, head injury, intracranial hemorrhage, abdominal trauma, open wound, laceration, abrasion, oropharyngeal injury, genital injury, intoxication, or burn in a child < 6.01 months of age. Patients were stratified into pre-TRAIN (PRE), 1/2017-9/2018, or post-TRAIN (POST), 10/2019-7/2020, periods. Repeat injury was defined as a subsequent visit for any of the previously mentioned diagnoses within 12 months of the initial visit. Demographics/visit characteristics were analyzed using Chi square analysis, Fischer’s exact test, and student’s paired t-test. Results In the PRE period, 12,812 ED visits were made by children < 6.01 months old; 2.8% of these visits were made by patients with SIS. In the POST period there were 5,372 ED visits, 2.6% involved SIS (p = .4). The rate of skeletal surveys performed on patients with SIS increased from 17.1% in the PRE period to 27.2% in the POST period (p = .01). The positivity rate of skeletal surveys in the PRE versus POST period was 18.9% and 26.3% respectively (p = .45). Repeat injury rates did not differ significantly in patients with SIS pre- versus post-TRAIN (p = .44). Conclusion Implementation of TRAIN at this institution appears to be associated with increased skeletal survey rates, suggestive of improved NAT evaluation.