MultiSero: An Open-Source Multiplex-ELISA Platform for Measuring Antibody Responses to Infection

A multiplexed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that simultaneously measures antibody binding to multiple antigens can extend the impact of serosurveillance studies, particularly if the assay approaches the simplicity, robustness, and accuracy of a conventional single-antigen ELISA. Here, we report on the development of multiSero, an open-source multiplex ELISA platform for measuring antibody responses to viral infection. Our assay consists of three parts: (1) an ELISA against an array of proteins in a 96-well format; (2) automated imaging of each well of the ELISA array using an open-source plate reader; and (3) automated measurement of optical densities for each protein within the array using an open-source analysis pipeline. We validated the platform by comparing antibody binding to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens in 217 human sera samples, showing high sensitivity (0.978), specificity (0.977), positive predictive value (0.978), and negative predictive value (0.977) for classifying seropositivity, a high correlation of multiSero determined antibody titers with commercially available SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests, and antigen-specific changes in antibody titer dynamics upon vaccination. The open-source format and accessibility of our multiSero platform can contribute to the adoption of multiplexed ELISA arrays for serosurveillance studies, for SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens of significance.

Diversity under the microscope: lessons for building belonging in interdisciplinary spaces from the Women in Imaging + Industry bootcamp

As scientific projects and labs benefit from increasingly interdisciplinary expertise, students and trainees find themselves navigating a myriad of academic spaces, each with its own workplace culture and demographics. A clear example is the interdisciplinary field of optics and biological microscopy which bridges biology, physics, and engineering. While Biology PhDs are now >50% women, men in physics and engineering fields still significantly outnumber women, resulting in an imbalance of gender representation among microscopists and other "tool innovators" in the interdisciplinary field of biological microscopy and biomedical optics. In addition to the cultural and cognitive whiplash that results from disparate representation between fields such as Biology, Engineering, and Physics, indifference from institutional leaders to implement equity-focused initiatives further contributes to cultures of exclusion, rather than belonging, for women. Here we elaborate on the motivation, structure, and outcomes of building a specific affinity-based bootcamp as an intervention to create an inclusive, welcoming learning environment for women in optics. Considering the presence of nonbinary, trans, and other gender minoritized scientists, we recognize that women are not the only gender group underrepresented in biological microscopy and biomedical optics; still, we focus our attention on women in this specific intervention to improve gender parity in biological microscopy and biomedical optics. We hope that these strategies exemplify concrete paths forward for increasing belonging in interdisciplinary fields, a key step towards improving and diversifying graduate education. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

What factors impact student performance in introductory physics?

In a previous study, we found that students' incoming preparation in physics—crudely measured by concept inventory prescores and math SAT or ACT scores—explains 34% of the variation in Physics 1 final exam scores at Stanford University. In this study, we sought to understand the large variation in exam scores not explained by these measures of incoming preparation. Why are some students’ successful in physics 1 independent of their preparation? To answer this question, we interviewed 34 students with particularly low concept inventory prescores and math SAT/ACT scores about their experiences in the course. We unexpectedly found a set of common practices and attitudes. We found that students’ use of instructional resources had relatively little impact on course performance, while student characteristics, student attitudes, and students’ interactions outside the classroom all had a more substantial impact on course performance. These results offer some guidance as to how instructors might help all students succeed in introductory physics courses.

Computerized Nursery Discharge Summary

Expansion of a computerized obstetric medical record to include newborn nursery information is described. Data sheets are entered for each infant discharged, and a computer-typed discharge summary is generated which abstracts information originally gathered by both obstetric and pediatric medical personnel. The system has improved communication with medical providers who administer follow-up care after discharge and has replaced some physician dictation effort, especially in the Full Term Nursery. In the Intensive Care Nursery the summary has not been successful because data collected is not felt adequate to describe the chronology of a long hospitalization. Comparison of the computer record and manual discharge diagnosis sheet is presented.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely low birth weight infants in Maryland

The survival rate of extremely low birth weight (ELBW; i.e. < 1001 grams) infants has significantly improved in the past 10 years secondary to the numerous advances in neonatology. There have been many favorable reports of the neurodevelopmental outcomes of survivors, but the studies often span several years to collect sufficient number of subjects. This study assesses the outcome of 100 ELBW infants born in Maryland in 1990 and analyzes factors that may have contributed to their outcomes at one year corrected age. Of this group, 72% had no evidence of severe disability (e.g., cerebral palsy (CP) or mental retardation (MR); however, 51% of the children had abnormal or suspect neurological examinations, and 24% had CP. Eighteen percent of the children were more than one standard deviation below the mean cognitively; 30% were below normal for motor abilities, and 33% were below normal for language abilities. Prior to this study, many of these children were not recognized by their primary physician as having any developmental problems. Many of these children were not followed in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) follow-up programs, and most were not receiving appropriate early intervention services (EIS). Previous studies have associated different neonatal events with the risk of developmental delay. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) accounted for most of the variance of this sample's developmental outcome. Of these 100 ELBW infants, 56 received surfactant. Analysis demonstrated no significant differences in developmental outcomes between those who received surfactant and those who did not. However, those who received rescue surfactant were more likely to acquire a diagnosis of BPD. As demonstrated by this study, ELBW infants are at risk for significant developmental problems. This supports the need for targeted outreach, developmental monitoring, early intervention services, and parent support and education.

Enteral theophylline and necrotizing enterocolitis in the low-birthweight infant

In a two-phased retrospective study, clinical factors associated with the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates were identified. The first phase found 13 infants with NEC who had been treated more frequently with enteral theophylline (P < .025) and fed higher volumes (> 150 mL/kg/day; P < .05) than controls of comparable birthweight and postnatal age. Seven of the 13 infants with NEC, weighing < 1,250 g at birth, had previously received intravenous aminophylline and been changed to enteral theophylline within six days before the onset of NEC. Prolonged rupture of membranes was more prevalent (P < .025) in infants with birthweight > 1,250 g who developed NEC in the first week of life. Maternal preeclampsia helped protect against the development of NEC (P < .05). In the second study phase, 59 infants with birthweights < 1,250 g were evaluated for gastrointestinal disturbance within five days of the introduction of any enteral medication. The frequencies of NEC, NEC scare, and feeding intolerance were greater in infants treated with enteral theophylline than in those treated with all other enteral medications combined (P < .05). This two-phased study confirms the multifactorial etiology of NEC and indicates that the administration of enteral theophylline to young infants < 1,250 g may be a predisposing factor to GI disturbances and NEC. These findings warrant a further prospective investigation.

Sudden infant death and home monitors

During a two-year period, ten infants died suddenly and unexpectedly with a home cardiorespiratory monitor available. We investigated the compliance with appropriate monitoring technique as well as the medical and demographic factors associated with these deaths (90% were due to sudden infant death syndrome). At least six and probably eight of these ten families were noncompliant with appropriate monitoring technique. The main comparison group consisted of 211 patients for whom care with home cardiorespiratory monitors was initiated and continued. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and severe, apparent life-threatening events were significantly increased in the subjects, as were the following characteristics: black race; lack of private medical insurance; unmarried mother; maternal age of less than 25 years; cigarette smoking by mother during pregnancy; and low Apgar scores. These diagnostic and demographic factors may be useful in predicting the infant at highest risk for sudden and unexpected death when a home monitor is prescribed. Noncompliance with proper monitoring technique patients; methods of educating parents of infants at high risk of sudden infant death syndrome with the necessity for compliance need to be developed.

Prematurity and the obstetrician. A regional neonatal intensive care nursery is not enough

Modern-day perinatal care has resulted in dramatically improved outcomes of premature infants, particularly those weighing 750 to 1,500 gm or of 27 to 32 weeks' gestational age. Assuming that the birth is not traumatic, the infant asphyxiated, or made hypothermic at birth, the chances of the very small premature baby developing normally are great. The delivery of an infant of less than or equal to 32 weeks' gestational age or weighing less than 1,500 gm should occur at a perinatal center when possible.

Severe combined immunodeficiency with leukopenia (reticular dysgenesis) in siblings: immunologic and histopathologic findings

The hematologic and histologic features of two, nontwin, male siblings with severe combined immunodeficiency and variable granulocytopenia are compared to the four previously reported cases of reticular dysgenesis. These sibs died at 50 and 3 days of age, respectively, with Pseudomonas sepsis and congenital cytomegalovirus infection, respectively. A maternal uncle has selective IgA deficiency. Cord blood from the second sib contained a normal percentage of E-rosetting lymphocytes; however, these lymphocytes failed to respond to mitogenic stimulation in vitro. Erythrocyte and lymphocyte levels of adenosine deaminase were elevated in the father and the second sib. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations were low in both siblings.