Duration of respiratory sample stability at -80ºC for SARS-CoV-2 PCR

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (ICON-2022) ◽  
Author(s):  
Javeria Aijaz ◽  
Fouzia Naseer ◽  
Maqboola Dojki ◽  
Saba Jamal
Keyword(s):  
Standard Laboratory ◽  
Respiratory Sample ◽  
Repeat Testing ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Sample Stability ◽  
Duration Of Storage ◽  
Consistent Increase ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Respiratory Specimens ◽  
Open Access Article

Objective: To determine the stability of respiratory samples for SARS-CoV-2 PCR at standard laboratory ultra-freezer temperatures (-80°C). Methods: Five hundred and sixty-five archived, SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive patient specimens received at the Pathology Department of the Indus Hospital & Health Network between January 2021 and June 2021 were retested in June 2021. Samples had been stored at -70°C or below throughout this duration. Sample integrity following storage was assessed as the percentage of samples with reproducible results, and as consistency of cycle threshold (Ct) values between the original testing and the repeat testing. Results: Of the 565 samples evaluated in this study, 86% gave reproducible results upon retesting. However, there was no correlation between the duration of storage and result reproducibility, though the majority (69% for PCR Target-I and 78% for PCR Target-II respectively) of non-reproducible results had Ct values above 30. Similarly, there was a consistent increase of Ct values upon storage at ultra-freezer temperatures, though the effect again was more contingent upon freezing the sample in the ultra-freezer rather than the duration of storage. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 positive respiratory specimens for PCR can be stored for up to six months at -70°C or below without loss of sample integrity, though there is some loss of PCR-detected viral targets as evidenced by an immediate increased in the PCR-generated Ct values. In addition, samples with initial Ct values above 30 are more likely to give non-reproducible results. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5777 How to cite this:Aijaz J, Naseer F, Dojki M, Jamal S. Duration of respiratory sample stability at -80ºC for SARS-CoV-2 PCR. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(2):393-398. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.ICON-2022.5777 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals Parametric Analysis of Slope Stability for River Embankment

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
Dhrubo Haque ◽  
Md Isteak Reza
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Soil Property ◽  
Failure Surface ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Stability Of Slope ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Underlying Soil ◽  
Open Access Article ◽  
Stiff Soil

This paper has aimed to investigate the slope stability for various conditions like embankment geometry, water level and soil property. The analysis has been performed by using the XSTABL program for different slope heights, slope angles and flood conditions with a fixed soil cohesion value. Since the rapid drawdown is the worst case for a particular embankment therefore, the analysis has been further performed with different cohesion values. From this investigation it has been noticed that the increase of cohesion of soil can increase the stability to a great extent. All the analysises have been performed for twenty bore logs. It has been found that the underlying soil affects the stability of slope as the failure surface intersects the soil of this region. It has been also observed that the loose, liquefiable sandy soil decreases the stability while the stiff soil with sufficient cohesion value stabilizes the slope of embankment.  This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited. 

scholarly journals An Initial Value Problem Involving Caputo-Hadamard Fractional Derivative: The Extremal Solutions and Stabilization

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
O'Regan Donal ◽  
Ngo Van Hoa
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Fractional Derivative ◽  
Original Work ◽  
Extremal Solutions ◽  
Sufficient Condition ◽  
Initial Value ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Fractional Differential ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Open Access Article

In this paper, the existence of extremal solutions of Caputo-Hadamard-type fractional differential equations (CHFDEs) with order $\alpha \in (1,2)$ is established by employing the method of lower and upper solutions. Moreover, sufficient condition that ensures the stability of a class of CHFDE is also provided. Some examples are given to illustrate our main results. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals Application of Lipid Class Ratios for Sample Stability Monitoring—Evaluation of Murine Tissue Homogenates and SDS as a Stabilizer

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 277
Author(s):  
Sabrina Krautbauer ◽  
Raquel Blazquez ◽  
Gerhard Liebisch ◽  
Marcus Hoering ◽  
Philip Neubert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Lipid Class ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Lipolytic Activity ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Lipid Profiles ◽  
Lipolytic Action ◽  
Sample Stability ◽  
Tissue Homogenates ◽  
The Stability

Lipids are a ubiquitous class of structurally complex molecules involved in various biological processes. In the fast-growing field of lipidomics, preanalytical issues are frequently neglected. Here, we investigated the stability of lipid profiles of murine liver, brain, lung, heart, and spleen homogenates by quantitative flow injection analysis using tandem mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Storage of tissue homogenates at room temperature showed substantial alterations of the lipid profiles reflecting lipolytic action. Therefore, ratios of ceramide to sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylcholine, and diglyceride to triglyceride were applied to monitor sample stability and the effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a potential stabilizing agent. The addition of SDS led to a concentration-dependent stabilization of lipid profiles in liver, brain, and heart homogenates, while in lung and spleen homogenates, in particular, the lysophosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylethanolamine ratio increased upon addition of SDS. In conclusion, we demonstrated that lipid class ratios reflecting lipolytic activity could be applied to evaluate both the stability of samples and the influence of stabilizers.

scholarly journals Research on the Correlation of Serum PCT and Plasma GSN Levels with the Prognosis of Urosepsis Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Cui ◽  
Zhanbiao Yu ◽  
Zhi Chen ◽  
Ning Chen
Keyword(s):  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Original Work ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Good Prognosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Prognosis Group ◽  
Good Prognosis Group ◽  
Open Access Article

Objective: To explore the correlation of procalcitonin (PCT) and gelsolin (GSN) with the prognosis of urosepsis patients. Method: The data of 71 urosepsis patients from March 2015 to April 2019 who were admitted to and treated in Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University were analyzed and compared with those of 92 healthy persons. Serum PCT and plasma GSN levels at different times after treatment were detected. According to prognosis, patients were classified into the good prognosis group or the poor prognosis group. The serum PCT and plasma GSN levels of both groups were compared. Result: The serum PCT level of the urosepsis group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days was obviously higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The plasma GSN levels of the urosepsis group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days were obviously lower than those of the control group (P<0.05).The serum PCT level of the poor prognosis group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days was obviously higher than that of the good prognosis group (P<0.05). The plasma GSN level of the poor prognosis group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days was obviously lower than that of the good prognosis group (P<0.05). PCT was an independent risk factor influencing the prognosis of urosepsis patients and that GSN was a protective factor (P<0.05). Conclusion: The serum PCT and plasma GSN levels can accurately predict the severity and prognosis of urosepsis patients and reflect the disease state of early urosepsis patients. High PCT levels and low GSN levels indicate poor prognosis, and clinicians should consider these values. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.5.2143 How to cite this:Cui N, Yu Z, Chen Z, Chen N. Research on the Correlation of Serum PCT and Plasma GSN Levels with the Prognosis of Urosepsis Patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.5.2143 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals Promoting Research Culture at Indus Health Network

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (ICON-Suppl) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaukat Ali Jawaid
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Original Work ◽  
Research Culture ◽  
Health Network ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Special Supplement ◽  
Open Access Article

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1861 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Promoting Research Culture at Indus Health Network. Pak J Med Sci. Special Supplement ICON 2020. 2020;36(1):S2. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1861 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals Malaria and the climate in Karachi: An eight year review

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (ICON-Suppl) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fivzia Herekar ◽  
Sundus Iftikhar ◽  
Ahsana Nazish ◽  
Sabeen Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Chart Review ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Medical Chart Review ◽  
Special Supplement ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Open Access Article

Background and Objective: Malaria is an arthropod-borne infectious disease transmitted by the mosquito Anopheles and claims millions of lives globally every year. Reasons for failure to eradicate this disease are multifactorial. The seasonality of the malaria is principally determined by climatic factors conducive for breeding of the vector. We aimed to study the relationship between climatic variability and the seasonality of malaria over an eight-year duration. Methods: This was a retrospective medical chart review of 8,844 confirmed cases of malaria which presented to The Indus Hospital, Karachi from January 2008 to November 2015. Cases were plotted against meteorological data for Karachi to elicit monthly variation. Results: A secular incline and seasonality in malaria cases over the duration of 8 years was seen. More cases were reported in the summer, rainy season compared with the other three seasons in each year. There was significant association with specific climate variables such as temperature, moisture, and humidity. Conclusion: There is a marked seasonal variation of malaria in Karachi, influenced by various environmental factors. Identification of the ‘the concentrated period’ of malaria can be helpful for policymakers to deploy malaria control interventions. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1712 How to cite this:Herekar F, Iftikhar S, Nazish A, Rehman S. Malaria and the climate in Karachi: An eight year review. Pak J Med Sci. Special Supplement ICON 2020. 2020;36(1):S33-S37. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1712 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals Comparison of Tooth Widths, Arch Widths and Arch Lengths in Class-I Normal Dentition to Class-I and II Crowded Dentitions

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafiza Zobia Shafique ◽  
Rumeesha Zaheer ◽  
Abdullah Jan ◽  
Ayesha Fazal
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Planning ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Class I ◽  
Permanent Teeth ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Normal Occlusion ◽  
Complete Set ◽  
Open Access Article

Background and Objective: Dental study casts play a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment planning of various orthodontic cases. This study was carried out to compare the tooth widths, arch widths, and arch lengths in Class-I normal dentition to those in Class-I and Class-II crowded dentition in an effort to improve treatment planning and to eventually reduce treatment duration. Methods: Total 170 patients, 12 to 40 years of age with a complete set of permanent teeth till 1st molars; who presented to the Orthodontics Department at Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry (A.F.I.D), Rawalpindi from Sep 2019 to Feb 2020, were included in the study. Non-probability purposive method of sampling was used. The dental casts obtained were used to measure tooth widths, arch widths, and arch lengths. Subjects were classified into Class-I normal and Class-I and Class-II crowded occlusion and comparison of the sum of tooth widths, arch widths, and arch length discrepancies were determined among the three occlusion groups. Data was analyzed in SPSS version 21 and independent samples t-test was used to differentiate the variables of interest. Results: Out of 170 subjects, 73 (42.9%) subjects had Class-I normal occlusion while 97 (57%) had Class-I and Class-II crowded occlusions. No statistical difference was found between the occlusal groups with regard to the sum of tooth widths, inter-canine widths, inter-first premolar widths, inter-second premolar widths and inter-molar widths. However, a remarkable difference was observed between the occlusal groups with respect to arch perimeters and arch length discrepancies (p = 0.000 and 0.000 respectively). Conclusions: Results of the current study indicate that crowding of teeth occurs as a consequence of decreased arch perimeters which may lead to increased arch length discrepancies. However, no prominent difference was noticed in the sum of tooth widths and arch widths among different occlusal groups. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3240 How to cite this:Shafique HZ, Zaheer R, Jan A, Fazal A. Comparison of Tooth Widths, Arch Widths and Arch Lengths in Class-I Normal Dentition to Class-I and II Crowded Dentitions. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3240 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals A Framework for Protecting Pregnant Women in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-112
Author(s):  
Deepa Dongarwar ◽  
Veronica Ajewole ◽  
Kiydra Harris ◽  
Emmanuella Oduguwa ◽  
Theresa Ofili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Original Work ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Work First ◽  
Open Access Article

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, highlighted and compounded problems while posing new challenges for the pregnant population. Although individual organizations have provided disparate information, guidance, and updates on managing the pregnant population during the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to develop a collective model that highlights all the best practices needed to protect the pregnant population during the pandemic. To establish a standard for ensuring safety during the pandemic, we present a framework that describes best practices for the management of the pregnant population during the ongoing COVID-19pandemic.   Copyright © 2021 Dongarwar, et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in this journal, is properly cited.

scholarly journals Problems faced by Researchers and pressure on Impact Factor Journal Editors

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaukat Ali Jawaid
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Impact Factor ◽  
Original Work ◽  
Impact Factor Journal ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Journal Editors ◽  
Open Access Article

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4296 How to cite this:Jawaid SA. Problems faced by Researchers and pressure on Impact Factor Journal Editors. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(3):616-620.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.4296 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccination Rates by Global Universal Health Care Coverage Status

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-36
Author(s):  
Deepa Dongarwar ◽  
Hamisu M. Salihu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Universal Health Care ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Universal Health Care Coverage ◽  
Universal Health ◽  
Open Access Article ◽  
Better Than

Healthcare coverage and the type of insurance have always played huge roles in public health outcomes. With coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccination now available across the world, we sought to determine vaccination rates across countries with Universal Health Care (UHC) coverage versus those without. We utilized the vaccination information from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations website, and calculated early vaccination rate for each country as of January, 13, 2021 by dividing the total number of vaccinations given to the total population of the country. We observed that the average early vaccination rate for countries with UHC was 1.55%, whereas that for countries without UHC was 0.51%. Countries with UHC are performing much better than those without UHC in this initial race for providing herd immunity across the globe.   Copyright © 2021 Dongarwar and Salihu. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.

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