Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 virus detection on nasopharyngeal specimens to infected individuals has become a challenge for the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. We aim at comparing the performance of antigenic detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal samples via an immunochromatographic method to molecular detection via qRT-PCR. Materials and Methods: 47 nasopharyngeal exudates were collected from suspicious COVID-19 cases. The samples were performed both via the qualitative immuno-chromatographic method for S protein detection in the SARS-CoV-2 structure, using fluorescent labelled anti-protein S antibodies and via qRT-PCR test for the qualitative detection of the screening gene E and the specific ORF1ab region of the RNA-SARS-CoV-2. Results: There was a fair correlation between the positive antigen tests and the positive PCR assays measured through threshold cycle ORF1ab region (Ct orf). A better correlation was obtained between the antigen test results and the Ct orf when including patients with Ct orf below 25. Conclusions: Using antigen tests as screening tests is useful on symptomatic persons during the viral replication period, therefore during the contagious period. A positive test shows a high predictive value for infection, while a negative antigen test result via immuno-chromatography must be confirmed by a qRT-PCR test.

The general perception is that the COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges for the health system. While touching every aspect of life, the COVID-19 pandemic has requested a prompt response from the health system and other structures and coordination systems that intervene in daily activity. The data presented were obtained following the application of a questionnaire to the average care staff of the Pascani Municipal Emergency Hospital, which monitored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their professional activity and emotional state. The results revealed not only feelings of panic, fear, and worry but also determination and stubbornness in the fight against the disease. The results of the study indicated the adherence of the medical staff to initiatives that promote a holistic approach to the patient, addressing all the patient’s sufferings (physical, psychological, social, or spiritual), as well as finding new ways of relieving, treating, and healing them. The therapeutic act was difficult to fulfill because it had to consider the COVID-19 protocols, modified in dynamics, and applied to patients and staff. The use of complete protective equipment, as well as other adjustments to the working conditions, were perceived as an additional effort. To achieve this desideratum, teamwork, continuous medical education of the medical staff, and efficient communication between the medical assistant-nurse team with the patient and their relatives were of particular importance. Clear, transparent communication on the patient’s actual clinical condition and prognosis to his family members is essential to avoid and overcome possible conflictual situations.

Complications of the SARS-CoV-2 infection have significantly impacted the affected people’s quality of life and professional activity. Neurological manifestations may be present from the onset of infection but also in the course of the disease. The most common neurological symptoms are headache, anosmia/hyposmia, ageusia/dysgeusia, and myalgia. The studies also mention severe complications such as stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, meningitis, encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, acute transverse myelitis, convulsions, and movement disorders, as the infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is affecting both central and peripheral nervous systems. SARS-CoV-2 can worsen the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, increasing the mortality rate in patients with advanced disease. The potential risk of inducing Parkinson’s disease has also been suggested, with the virus penetrating the brain where it can trigger cellular processes involved in neurodegeneration. We present you with the case of a nurse in the medical field, without comorbidities, who developed Parkinson’s disease after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between the onset of Parkinson’s disease and viral infection may be possible, but the mechanisms by which it affects the nervous system and the involvement of the immune system in the pathogenesis of these manifestations are still under study. The progression of the disease, functional status, and ability to work can have a negative impact on professional activity.

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Minimally invasive surgery techniques such as laparoscopic, endoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures became current practice and recently have revolutionized the specialty of vascular surgery. However, the practice and skills of surgeons are crucial to perform correctly the numerous highly sophisticated and delicate procedures of this surgical specialty. Normally for training are used simulators, which have a known limitations. Sometimes, there are also using very expensive and not always available fresh cadavers, due to the importance of biomechanical properties of arteries for the training. The use of embalmed cadavers assumes the better results in the surgeon comprehension of complex anatomic and vascular exposures and can improves their operative confidence. However, a traditional formaldehydeembalming method cannot preserve the structure and properties of the vascular system. In order to remove these limitations we have developed a new embalming perfusion method aiming to satisfy the needs to support the embalmed bodies as true simulator for vascular surgery. In this study, we present results of histological analysis and evaluation of mechanical properties of the arteries, achieved with our perfusion system, and its comparison with formaldehyde-embalming method. Other important features, such as the authenticity of colour, tissue consistency and elasticity (flexibility) of the vascular vessels, are also discussed. P8.8 APELIN/APJ RECEPTOR SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT IN OBESITY-RELATED VASCULAR REACTIVITY CHANGESBackground: Obesity associated changes of vascular reactivity could be related to inadequate secretion of adipokines. Apelin is an adipokine with cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic actions. We aimed to investigate the possible modulator actions of apelin on obesity induced changes of vascular reactivity. Methods: Obese prone (OP-CD) rats and obese resistant (OR-CD) rats were fed high-fat diets. After 4 weeks the pulmonary and mesenteric arteries were used to comparatively analyse the contractile (induced by phenylephrine -Phe) and relaxant (induced by acetylcholine ACh) responses. Localization of apelin and its APJ receptor was determined using immunohistochemistry. Results: The Phe -induced contraction was amplified on PA and ACh -induced relaxation was reduced on both PA (with 62%) and MA (with almost a half) in OP-CD as compare with OR-CD. Pre-treatment with apelin 13 (AP13) improve ACh effect on PA rings form OP-CD. Administration of apelin-13(F13A) receptor antagonist increase the Emax of Phe MA from OP-CD (with 26%) and decreased the ACh effect on all rings from both OP-CD and OR-CD rats. IHC demonstrate a decrease of apelin on PA endothelium but no differences on MA for either AP or APJ receptor. In conclusion, the apelin/APJ peptidergic system could be involved in obesity related reactivity alteration of arteries from both pulmonary and systemic circulation.