Interlaboratory evaluation of Mucorales PCR assays for testing serum specimens: A study by the fungal PCR Initiative and the Modimucor study group

Abstract Interlaboratory evaluations of Mucorales qPCR assays were developed to assess the reproducibility and performance of methods currently used. The participants comprised 12 laboratories from French university hospitals (nine of them participating in the Modimucor study) and 11 laboratories participating in the Fungal PCR Initiative. For panel 1, three sera were each spiked with DNA from three different species (Rhizomucor pusillus, Lichtheimia corymbifera, Rhizopus oryzae). For panel 2, six sera with three concentrations of R. pusillus and L. corymbifera (1, 10, and 100 genomes/ml) were prepared. Each panel included a blind negative-control serum. A form was distributed with each panel to collect results and required technical information, including DNA extraction method, sample volume used, DNA elution volume, qPCR method, qPCR template input volume, qPCR total reaction volume, qPCR platform, and qPCR reagents used. For panel 1, assessing 18 different protocols, qualitative results (positive or negative) were correct in 97% of cases (70/72). A very low interlaboratory variability in Cq values (SD = 1.89 cycles) were observed. For panel 2 assessing 26 different protocols, the detection rates were high (77–100%) for 5/6 of spiked serum. There was a significant association between the qPCR platform and performance. However, certain technical steps and optimal combinations of factors may also impact performance. The good reproducibility and performance demonstrated in this study support the use of Mucorales qPCR as part of the diagnostic strategy for mucormycosis.

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A Very Low CP Level Reduced Diarrhoea and Productivity in Weaner Pigs, but No Differences between Post-Weaning Diets Including Soybean Meal or Soy Protein Concentrate Were Found

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030678 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 678

Author(s):

Julie C. Lynegaard ◽

Niels J. Kjeldsen ◽

Julie K. Bache ◽

Nicolai R. Weber ◽

Christian F. Hansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Soy Protein ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Nutrient Utilization ◽

Positive Control ◽

Negative Control ◽

Soy Protein Concentrate ◽

Protein Concentrate ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

And Performance

Soy protein concentrate improves nutrient utilization and growth performance compared to soybean meal, and diets with a low crude protein (CP) level decreases diarrhoea. The objectives were to (1) test a low CP diet based on different soy products, and (2) to test a very-low CP diet (15.1%) with amino acids (AA) on diarrhoea and productivity. A total of 5,635 weaned pigs (~28 days), were assigned to five dietary treatments; PC (positive control): Standard CP levels (192, 189, 191 g/kg CP) with 2500 ppm ZnO; NC (negative control): Same as PC without ZnO; SP (Soy protein concentrate): Low CP levels (176, 174, 191 g/kg CP); SB (Soybean meal): Low CP levels (177, 176, 191 g/kg CP); and XLA (X-low CP + AA): Very low CP levels (154, 151, 191 g/kg CP) with AA. The PC and XLA diets reduced diarrhoea by 41 and 61%, respectively, compared to the NC group, while no difference between SB and SP were observed. The XLA diet reduced feed intake and daily gain compared with PC and NC, where SP, SB, and XLA had a poorer feed conversion compared with PC. Conclusively, the SP and SB low-protein diets did not reduce diarrhoea or growth performance, whereas the XLA diet decreased both diarrhoea and performance.

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Night-Time Vehicle Sensing in Far Infrared Image with Deep Learning

Journal of Sensors ◽

10.1155/2016/3403451 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Hai Wang ◽

Yingfeng Cai ◽

Xiaobo Chen ◽

Long Chen

Keyword(s):

Detection Rate ◽

False Positive Rate ◽

Infrared Image ◽

Far Infrared ◽

Night Vision ◽

Infrared Sensors ◽

Night Time ◽

Detection Rates ◽

Positive Rate ◽

And Performance

The use of night vision systems in vehicles is becoming increasingly common. Several approaches using infrared sensors have been proposed in the literature to detect vehicles in far infrared (FIR) images. However, these systems still have low vehicle detection rates and performance could be improved. This paper presents a novel method to detect vehicles using a far infrared automotive sensor. Firstly, vehicle candidates are generated using a constant threshold from the infrared frame. Contours are then generated by using a local adaptive threshold based on maximum distance, which decreases the number of processing regions for classification and reduces the false positive rate. Finally, vehicle candidates are verified using a deep belief network (DBN) based classifier. The detection rate is 93.9% which is achieved on a database of 5000 images and video streams. This result is approximately a 2.5% improvement on previously reported methods and the false detection rate is also the lowest among them.

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A Model for Competency Assessment of the Faculty in Islamic Azad University

International Education Studies ◽

10.5539/ies.v10n3p76 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 76

Author(s):

Aliasghar Mashinchi ◽

Seyed Ahmad Hashemi ◽

Kamran Mohammad Khani

Keyword(s):

Evaluation Method ◽

Research Society ◽

Sample Volume ◽

Competency Assessment ◽

Fars Province ◽

Evaluation Indexes ◽

Performance Dimensions ◽

Main Dimension ◽

And Performance ◽

Competency Evaluation

Today country success in economic, social, political, cultural tendencies etc. … is approved to be the hostages and pawns of coherent and dynamic didactic system. The education and didactic programs for qualification improvement and dynamism need to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluation and scrutiny. Current study started with the goal of presenting faculty competency evaluation for the reason of qualitative improvement of Islamic Azad University. Research in terms of to the way of collecting and compiling the details descriptive- survey and in terms of the goal and target type is so practical that by conducting general scrutiny in literature and subject history and past, we drawn the theoretical frame and conceptual model in this study. Nominee educational members’ opinions faculty members (self-assessment), supervisors (superiors), students of (clients) Fars province different Islamic Azad Universities are as the research society. In this research, with researcher evaluation in 24 active units in Fars province, approximately 125000 persons were examined. That sample volume was selected equal to 380 persons by using the clustered random sampling method (Krejcie and Morgan formulas). For collecting data, we used a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by the specialists and its stability was calculated by using the Cronbach’s alpha method equal to 0.84. Researcher-made questionnaire includes effective component in competency in five general axes for collecting the data. Then, with using 360-degree evaluation method, it was executed. For the data analysis, we used the descriptive statistic method and elicitation statistic (fact oral analysis, Wilcoxon and Friedman) and the results of the study are as follows: 1. drawing the model of competency evaluation of faculty (main dimension of evaluation indexes of faculty competencies), and 2. In the field of evaluation of the current situation from the dimensions and competence skill parameters, the ethical values, role, personal, and favorable statuses are evaluated. But in the performance and functional dimensions, and its subcomponents unfavorable status and lower than average level evaluated and the results of ranking of evaluation of dimensions of competencies of faculty in order to select the most priority is related to skill dimension, and the least priority is related to the functional and performance dimensions.

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Penggunaan Kulit Nanas Fermentasi dalam Ransum yang Mengandung Gulma Berkhasiat Obat Terhadap Konsumsi Nutrient Ayam Broiler

Jurnal Agripet ◽

10.17969/agripet.v16i2.4142 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 76

Author(s):

Wasir Ibrahim ◽

Rita Mutia ◽

Nurhayati Nurhayati ◽

Nelwida Nelwida ◽

Berliana Berliana

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Intake ◽

Broiler Chicken ◽

Positive Control ◽

Negative Control ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Pineapple Peel ◽

Nutrient Consumption ◽

Before And After ◽

Completely Randomized Design ◽

And Performance

ABSTRAK. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui penggunaan kulit nanas fermentasi ke dalam ransum yang mengandung gulma berkhasiat obat terhadap konsumsi nutrient ayam broiler. Penelitian ini menggunakan DOC jantan strain cob umur 2 hari sebanyak 200 ekor yang dipelihara selama 42 hari. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan 5 perlakuan dan 5 ulangan. P0 = 0% tepung kulit nanas fermentasi (TKNF) dalam ransum mengandung 0% gulma obat(GO), (kontrol positif), P1 = 0% TKNF dalam ransum mengandung 2 % gulma obat (GO),(kontrol negatif), P2 = 7.5% TKNF dalam ransum mengandung 2 % gulma berkhasiat obat, P3 = 15% TKNF dalam ransum mengandung 2 % gulma berkhasiat obat, P4 = 22.5% TKNF dalam ransum mengandung 2 % gulma berkhasiat obat. Parameter yang diamati kandungan gizi kulit nanas sebelum dan sesudah fermentasi dan konsumsi nutrient. Pengaruh yang nyata terhadap parameter yang diamati dilanjutkan dengan Uji Jarak Berganda Duncan, Data yang diperoleh dari setiap parameter dianalisis ragam (ANOVA) menggunakan bantuan software SPSS 16.0. Dari hasil penelitian disimpulkan bahwa penggunaan kulit nanas yang fermentasi dengan yoghurt dalam ransum yang mengandung gulma berkhasiat obat pada taraf 15% memberikan hasil terbaik pada konsumsi nutrient ayam broiler. (Fermented pineapple peel supplementation with addition of medicinal weeds on nutrient intake consumption of broiler chicken) ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of using fermented pineapple peel in the ration containing medicinal weeds on nutrient consumption and performance of broiler . Two hundred 2 days male broiler chicken cob strain were used in this study and kept for 42 days. Completely randomized design (CRD)was applied with 5 treatments and 5 replicates. Treatments consisted of P0 = 0% of fermented pineapple peels meal (FPPM) in ration containing 0% medicinal weed (MW), positive control). P1 = 0% of fermented pineapple peels meal (FPPM) in the ration containing 2 % medicinal weed (MW), negative control). P2 = 7.5% of FPPM in the ration containing 2 % medicinal weed (MW). P3 = 15% of FPPM in the ration containing 2 % medicinal weed (MW). P4 = 22,5% of FPPM in the ration containing 2 % medicinal weed (MW). The parameters measured was nutrien intake before and after fermented peel and consumption. The observed data were analyzed by statistical product and service solution (SPSS 16.0). Results showed that use of fermented pineapple peel meal up to 15% with addition medicinal weeds was the best on nutrient consumption of broiler chicken.

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Design and Performance of a Miniaturized High-Speed Continuous-Flow Analyzer

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1093/clinchem/20.4.424 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 424-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

William E Neeley ◽

Stephen C Wardlaw ◽

Helen C Sing

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Continuous Flow ◽

High Speed ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Small Animal ◽

Sample Volume ◽

Small Sample ◽

Reagent Consumption ◽

And Performance ◽

Made In

Abstract Design features and performance of a miniaturized high-speed continuous-flow analyzer are described. Special emphasis is made in the design towards a system that is free from the operational and mechanical complexities found in most of today’s advanced systems. Depending on the particular analyses, sample size varies from 3 to 25 µl and reagent consumption is less than 180 µl per sample. Analyses are performed under steady-state conditions at sampling rates of 150 samples per hour with a 2:1 or 3:1 sample-to-wash ratio. The marked reduction in sample size makes the system ideal for microanalyses, especially in the pediatric clinical laboratory, in small animal research, and in any other cases where small sample volume is especially important.

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Hypoglycaemic Property of Nutraceuticals

Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.3329/dujps.v6i2.684 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 105-107

Author(s):

Mohammad Emdadul Haque ◽

Quazi Safayetullah ◽

Monira Ahsan ◽

Sheikh Nazrul Islam

Keyword(s):

Glucose Level ◽

Day Treatment ◽

Positive Control ◽

Serum Glucose ◽

Negative Control ◽

Diabetic Rats ◽

Serum Glucose Level ◽

Diabetic Rat ◽

Black Cumin ◽

Control Serum

Hypoglycemic property of four nutraceuticals named - black cumin, garlic, methi and karela has been investigated on an alloxan induced diabetic rat model. Glibenclamide was used as positive control and normal saline was used as negative control. Serum glucose levels of normal and diabetic induced rats were estimated by Glucose Oxidase method using a kit, and it were 4.33 ± 0.43 mmol/L and 8.27 ± 0.45mmol/L respectively. The alloxan induced diabetic rats were grouped into six, which were then treated with the four nutraceuticals and two controls. Treatment was given orally everyday for 28 days. Serum glucose level was analysed every 7 day intervals. It was observed that lowering of glucose level was significant (P = 0.01) for every 7 day treatment period. All of the nutraceuticals reduced the serum glucose level nearly to the normal value within 28 days. The rate of lowering of the glucose level was found to vary with the nutraceuticals. Garlic was found to be most active like the glibenclamide. The next active one was black cumin followed by methi and karela. The study conclude that nutraceuticals possess significant hypoglycemic property. Key words: Hypoglycaemia; Nutraceuticals; Black cumin; Garlic; Methi; Karela. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 6(2): 105-107, 2007 (December)

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Dark Immunofluorescence: Correlation with Serum Immunoglobulin Abnormalities

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00218-06 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 1294-1295

Author(s):

J. List ◽

M. S. Buckland ◽

B. Thobhani ◽

C. J. Sheed ◽

J. C. Mann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽

Retrospective Review ◽

Negative Control ◽

Serum Immunoglobulin ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Serum Immunoglobulins ◽

Control Serum ◽

Negative Control Serum

ABSTRACT Occasional serum samples (<0.5%) tested by indirect immunofluorescence showed less fluorescence than did negative-control serum. A retrospective review of these patients' serum immunoglobulins revealed a high percentage of abnormalities (71%, versus 22% of controls). We suggest that this observation should be reported when seen and that the clinician should be alerted to an association with immunoglobulin abnormalities.

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Detection of Botulinum Type E Toxin in Channel Catfish with Visceral Toxicosis Syndrome Using Catfish Bioassay and Endopep Mass Spectrometry

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/104063870701900402 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 349-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Patricia S. Gaunt ◽

Suzanne R. Kalb ◽

John R. Barr

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Ictalurus Punctatus ◽

Magnetic Beads ◽

Neutralization Assay ◽

Negative Control ◽

Control Serum ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Negative Control Serum ◽

Exact Quantification ◽

Positive Controls

Visceral toxicosis of catfish (VTC) is a syndrome characterized by sudden mortality in apparently healthy market- and brooder-sized catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus). This paper reports the design of a catfish neutralization assay to detect botulinum in catfish with VTC and verification by Endopep mass spectrometry (Endopep-MS). Sera from 6 affected catfish were incubated with botulinum antitoxin serotypes A, B, C, D, E, or F. For each serum sample, 3 experimental fingerlings were injected intracoelomically with each serotype-serum mixture and placed separately in an aquarium. Three fish were injected with VTC-affected serum only, and 3 fish were injected with unaffected serum only and also placed in separate aquaria. Signs of morbidity and mortality were seen in fish injected with sera combined with serotype A, B, C, or D, as well as in positive controls. No morbidity or mortality was seen in fish injected with sera combined with antitoxin serotypes E or F or negative control serum. Sera from affected and unaffected catfish were sent to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for detection and differentiation of botulinum neurotoxin. Aliquots of 0.5 ml of sera were incubated with magnetic beads coated with antibodies to botulinum, and the beads were subjected to the Endopep-MS reaction. Sera from affected catfish tested positive for botulinum E. Sera from 34 unaffected catfish tested negative for botulinum. Although there was not enough botulinum present in affected samples to obtain exact quantification, the estimated quantity of botulinum E in these sera samples was between 0.01 and 0.5 mouse LD50/ml.

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Molecular epidemiology of zygomycosis and their related factors in tertiary referral centers in southern Iran

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.12997 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 1424-1430

Author(s):

Parisa Badiee ◽

Hadis Jafarian ◽

Fatemeh Ghasemi

Keyword(s):

Antifungal Therapy ◽

Rhizopus Oryzae ◽

Underlying Disease ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Rhizopus Microsporus ◽

Related Factors ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Southern Iran ◽

Etiologic Agents

Introduction: For the best management of the zygomycosis in immunocompromised patients, the present study aims to detect and identify the etiologic agents by DNA sequencing method and their related factors in clinical samples of patients. Methodology: Clinical samples from 1,058 patients admitted in 11 university hospitals in Shiraz, Southern Iran were collected between July 2015 and July 2018. All samples (bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, blood, tissue) were examined by routine microscopic and culture tests for zygomycetes. The etiologic agents were identified by the molecular method and sequencing. Results: Direct microscopic examinations or pathology smear, culture, and PCR were positive in 61 (5.8%), 15 (1.4%), and 103 (9.7%) patients, respectively. According to EORTC/MSG criteria, the rates of proven, probable, and possible zygomycosis were 59.2% (61/103), 14.6% (15/103), and 26.2% (27/103 patients), respectively. The most prevalent etiologic agents according to sequencing were Rhizopus oryzae (44 cases), Rhizopus microsporus (31 cases), Rhizopus stolonifer (15 cases). Twenty-two patients (21.4%) with positive PCR died. There were significant relations between zygomycosis and the underlying disease (p = 0.043) and prior antifungal therapy (p = 0.023). White blood cell count was in the normal range in 14.1% of patients, and the means of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C reactive protein (CRP) were 65 mm/hour and 57 mg/L, respectively. Conclusions: Molecular methods and sequencing may have considered as suitable tools to diagnose zygomycosis. Identification of the etiologic agents may be considered as the future antifungal therapy and management of the respective patients.

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Perception of Patient Safety Risk Factors and Performance Level of Safety Care Activities among Hospital Nurses

The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education ◽

10.5977/jkasne.2018.24.2.190 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 190-200

Author(s):

Young Shin Son ◽

Young Whee Lee ◽

Young Shin Kim ◽

Eun Jeong Song ◽

Hye Ryun Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Patient Safety ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Violence Risk ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Safety Risk ◽

Perception Of Safety ◽

Management Measures ◽

And Performance ◽

Medical Teams

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the level of perception of safety risk factors and the degree of performance of safety nursing activities in order to develop an education program to improve the safety of patients. Methods: The subjects were 217 nurses from 3 university hospitals in Incheon. Data were collected with structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, and ANOVA using SPSS 22.0. Results: The level of perception of patient's safety risk factors and safety care activities was 2.93 and 4.68, respectively. Perception of patient safety risk factors which belonging to the risk type of therapeutic devices, equipment, service and infrastructure all scored below average; also in addition, behavior, performance, and violence risk type and work system, information and communication risk type showed relatively low perception levels. Safety nursing activities showed a low level of performance in accurate communication among medical teams, management of fire and disaster, security management, use of restraints, identification of patients, and correct performance of operations and procedures. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is necessary to improve the safety of patients by taking proper management measures along with education.

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