scholarly journals Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal: A Lockdown Scenario Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kusum Sharma ◽  
Amrit Banstola ◽  
Rishi Ram Parajuli
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Economic Education ◽  
Entry And Exit ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The Government

AbstractThe Government of Nepal issued a nationwide lockdown from 24 March to 21 July 2020. Here we present the overall scenario of COVID-19, government efforts, impact on socio-economic, education, and health care, and prevailing challenges when the lockdown was lifted. We collated and analysed data provided by the Nepalese Ministry of Health and Population. There were only two confirmed cases from 610 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests and no fatalities when the government introduced nationwide lockdown. Nepal had performed 7791 RT-PCR tests for COVID-19, the highest number of tests during the lockdown. It has recorded its highest daily rise in coronavirus infections with a total of 740 new cases from the total of 4483 RT-PCR tests performed on a single day. Nepal had reported a total of 17994 positive cases and 40 deaths at the end of lockdown. The spatial distribution clearly shows that the cases were rapidly spreading from the southern part of the country where most points of entry and exit from India are located. The government needs to allocate more resources, increase its capacity to test and trace, establish dedicated isolation and quarantine facilities, and impose local restrictions to manage potential COVID-19 outbreaks after easing lockdown.

scholarly journals Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal: A Lockdown Scenario Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kusum Sharma ◽  
Amrit Banstola ◽  
Rishi Ram Parajuli
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Entry And Exit ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Essential Services ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The Government ◽  
Economy And Education

The Government of Nepal issued a nationwide lockdown from 24 March to 21 July 2020, prohibiting domestic and international travels, closure of the border and non-essential services. There were only two confirmed cases from 610 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests and no fatalities when the government introduced nationwide lockdown. This study aimed to explore the overall scenario of COVID-19 including spatial distribution of cases; government efforts, and impact on public health, socio-economy, and education during the lockdown in Nepal. We collated and analyzed data using official figures from the Nepalese Ministry of Health and Population. Nepal had performed 7,791 RT-PCR tests for COVID-19, the highest number of tests during the lockdown. It has recorded its highest daily rise in coronavirus infections with a total of 740 new cases from the total of 4,483 RT-PCR tests performed on a single day. Nepal had reported a total of 17,994 positive cases and 40 deaths at the end of lockdown. The spatial distribution clearly shows that the cases were rapidly spreading from the southern part of the country where most points of entry and exit from India are located. To contain the spread of the virus, the government has also initiated various preventive measures and strategies during the lockdown. The Government of Nepal needs to allocate more resources, increase its capacity to test and trace, establish dedicated isolation and quarantine facility and impose local restrictions such as a local lockdown based on risk assessment rather than a nationwide lockdown.

scholarly journals Is a stable positive rate of <0.1% an indication of a fresh outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Boretti
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The Government

This letter gives a short analysis of the rate of positive SARS-CoV-2 tests in New Zealand and the restrictions that were implemented in response to these rates changing. Concerned about the growth of the number of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the New Zealand government introduced stricter lockdown measures on August 16, 2020, and on August 18, 2020, it postponed elections planned for September. Growth in the number of positive cases was an artifact of the number of tests growing at a higher rate than the number of positive cases. The positive rate on August 16 was 0.05% (13 positive cases from 26,014 tests). On August 2, the positive rate was higher at 0.18% (three positive cases from 1,692 tests), despite the government considering that the virus was eradicated at this time. A better approach to this pandemic would be the development of policies based on the positive rate, not solely on positive case numbers, and to include viral load using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests with an appropriate cycle threshold to properly identify infectious cases. It is also advised to protect vulnerable populations and avoid unnecessary limitations to the healthy population. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic will last longer than several months, and the sooner life gets back to nearly normal, the better.

1504: Molecular Diagnosis and Staging of Prostate Cancer Using Clusterin in Real Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (4S) ◽  
pp. 485-486
Author(s):  
Sabarinath B. Nair ◽  
Christodoulos Pipinikas ◽  
Roger Kirby ◽  
Nick Carter ◽  
Christiane Fenske
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Molecular Diagnosis ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Polymerase chain reaction amplification and typing of rotavirus in environmental samples

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 371-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Gajardo ◽  
R. M. Pintó ◽  
A. Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Group A ◽  
Reaction Amplification ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Polymerase Chain

A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay is described that has been developed for the detection and serotyping of group A rotavirus in stool specimens and concentrated and non-concentrated sewage specimens.

scholarly journals Machine Learning Prediction of SARS-CoV-2 Polymerase Chain Reaction Results with Routine Blood Tests

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Tschoellitsch ◽  
Martin Dünser ◽  
Carl Böck ◽  
Karin Schwarzbauer ◽  
Jens Meier
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Blood Tests ◽  
Routine Blood ◽  
Machine Learning Model ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Objective The diagnosis of COVID-19 is based on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory secretions, blood, or stool. Currently, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the most commonly used method to test for SARS-CoV-2. Methods In this retrospective cohort analysis, we evaluated whether machine learning could exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection using routinely available laboratory values. A Random Forests algorithm with 1353 unique features was trained to predict the RT-PCR results. Results Out of 12,848 patients undergoing SARS-CoV-2 testing, routine blood tests were simultaneously performed in 1528 patients. The machine learning model could predict SARS-CoV-2 test results with an accuracy of 86% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.90. Conclusion Machine learning methods can reliably predict a negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test result using standard blood tests.

scholarly journals A meta-analysis of accuracy and sensitivity of chest CT and RT-PCR in COVID-19 diagnosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Khatami ◽  
Mohammad Saatchi ◽  
Seyed Saeed Tamehri Zadeh ◽  
Zahra Sadat Aghamir ◽  
Alireza Namazi Shabestari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Chest Ct Scan

AbstractNowadays there is an ongoing acute respiratory outbreak caused by the novel highly contagious coronavirus (COVID-19). The diagnostic protocol is based on quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and chests CT scan, with uncertain accuracy. This meta-analysis study determines the diagnostic value of an initial chest CT scan in patients with COVID-19 infection in comparison with RT-PCR. Three main databases; PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and EMBASE were systematically searched for all published literature from January 1st, 2019, to the 21st May 2020 with the keywords "COVID19 virus", "2019 novel coronavirus", "Wuhan coronavirus", "2019-nCoV", "X-Ray Computed Tomography", "Polymerase Chain Reaction", "Reverse Transcriptase PCR", and "PCR Reverse Transcriptase". All relevant case-series, cross-sectional, and cohort studies were selected. Data extraction and analysis were performed using STATA v.14.0SE (College Station, TX, USA) and RevMan 5. Among 1022 articles, 60 studies were eligible for totalizing 5744 patients. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of chest CT scan compared to RT-PCR were 87% (95% CI 85–90%), 46% (95% CI 29–63%), 69% (95% CI 56–72%), and 89% (95% CI 82–96%), respectively. It is important to rely on the repeated RT-PCR three times to give 99% accuracy, especially in negative samples. Regarding the overall diagnostic sensitivity of 87% for chest CT, the RT-PCR testing is essential and should be repeated to escape misdiagnosis.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Intervirology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Salman Khan ◽  
Syed Asad Ali Shah ◽  
Syed Muhammad Jamal
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Viral Genome ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Kappa Value ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Level Of Agreement

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an infectious and highly contagious disease of cloven-hoofed domestic and wild animals, causing heavy economic losses to the livestock industry. Rapid and reliable diagnosis of the disease is essential for the implementation of effective control measures. This study compared sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (S-ELISA) and conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the diagnosis of FMD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 60 epithelial samples from suspected cases of FMD were tested using both S-ELISA and RT-PCR assays. The level of agreement between the assays was assessed by calculating the Kappa value. <b><i>Results:</i></b> S-ELISA detected 38 (63%) samples positive for FMD virus (FMDV). Being predominant, serotype O was detected in 22 (57.9%) of the total samples tested positive, whereas 9 (23.7%) and 7 (18.4%) samples were found positive for serotypes A and Asia-1, respectively. RT-PCR detected viral genome in 51 (85%) of the samples using pan-FMDV primers set, 1F/1R. Thirty-six samples were found positive and 7 negative by both the tests. The level of agreement between the tests was assessed by calculating the Kappa value, which was found to be fair (Kappa value = 0.303 and 95% CI = 0.089; 0.517) and significant (<i>p</i> = 0.009). However, 2 samples, which were found positive on S-ELISA tested negative on RT-PCR. This may be attributed to the presence of nucleotide mismatch(es) in the primer-binding sites that may have resulted in failure of amplification of the viral genome. The serotype-specific RT-PCR assays not only confirmed serotyping results of S-ELISA but were also able to establish serotype in 9 S-ELISA-negative but pan-FMDV RT-PCR-positive samples. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The RT-PCR assay contributes significantly to establishing a quick, sensitive, and definitive diagnosis of FMD in resource-constrained countries. Samples giving negative results in S-ELISA should be tested in RT-PCR for the disease detection and virus typing.

Detection of specific mRNAs in single nephron segments by use of the polymerase chain reaction

1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (5) ◽  
pp. F1470-F1474 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Moriyama ◽  
H. R. Murphy ◽  
B. M. Martin ◽  
A. Garcia-Perez
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Aldose Reductase ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Nephron Segments ◽  
Single Nephron ◽  
Specific Mrnas ◽  
Polymerase Chain

We have developed a procedure to detect specific mRNAs in single renal nephron segments. This approach combines microdissection, reverse transcription (RT) of the target mRNA, and amplification of the resulting cDNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After microdissection, the sample is placed in a tube where it is permeabilized and where all reactions are performed directly without the need for isolation of the RNA. Our model target was the mRNA for aldose reductase. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of glucose to sorbitol. Its expression is modulated by changes in extracellular osmolality in the renal medulla. RT-PCR of inner medullary collecting duct (1 mm) and glomeruli (6-10) yielded a product of the predicted length (670 base pairs) defined by the PCR primers. Its identity was confirmed by a specific oligonucleotide probe that differed from the primers. RT-PCR of proximal tubules (1 mm) resulted in no aldose reductase-specific amplification product. RT-PCR is generally applicable for measuring specific gene expression in single nephron segments or small numbers of cultured cells. Utility, limitations, and refinements of this approach are discussed.

Expression of hyaluronan synthase-3 in porcine oviducal epithelium during oestrus

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paisan Tienthai ◽  
Naoko Kimura ◽  
Paraskevi Heldin ◽  
Eimei Sato ◽  
Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Hyaluronan Synthase ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Sperm Reservoir ◽  
Oviduct Fluid

Hyaluronan (HA) has been related to fertilization and embryo development in the pig. Furthermore, HA is present in pig oviduct fluid and the lining epithelium, particularly of the pre-ovulatory sperm reservoir. Because the mechanisms that regulate HA synthesis have not yet been clarified, semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to assess the expression of mRNAs of two HA-synthesizing enzymes (has2 and has3) in the oviduct epithelium (uterotubal junction, isthmus, ampullary–isthmic junction and ampulla segments) of non-inseminated (control) and inseminated (treatment) sows at pre-, peri- and post-ovulatory oestrus. Only has3 mRNA was detected; it was present in all tubal segments of both control and treatment samples. The level of has3 expression did not vary significantly between non-inseminated and inseminated specimens, but there was a tendency (NS) for increased mean values during the peri- and post-ovulatory stages compared with pre-ovulation. It is concluded that has3 is expressed by the porcine endosalpinx epithelium and the levels of expression do not vary during the critical periods of sperm transport and fertilization, despite fluctuating levels of HA in the tubal fluid at corresponding periods.

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