scholarly journals A retrospective observational study of the impact of 16s and 18s ribosomal RNA PCR on antimicrobial treatment over seven years: A tertiary hospital experience

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258552
Author(s):  
TeeKeat Teoh ◽  
Rachel McNamara ◽  
James Powell ◽  
Nuala H. O’Connell ◽  
Colum P. Dunne
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Enrichment Culture ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
18S Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Turn Around Time ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Results

Background Although culture-based methods remain a staple element of microbiology analysis, advanced molecular methods increasingly supplement the testing repertoire. Since the advent of 16s and 18s ribosomal RNA PCR in the 2000s, there has been interest in its utility for pathogen detection. Nonetheless, studies assessing the impact on antimicrobial prescribing are limited. We report a single-centre experience of the influence of 16s and 18s PCR testing on antimicrobial treatment, including a cost-analysis. Methods Data were collected retrospectively for all samples sent for 16s and 18s PCR testing between January 2014 and December 2020. Results were compared to any culture-based result. Assessment focused on any change of antimicrobial treatment based on PCR result, or use of the result as supportive evidence for microbiological diagnosis. Results 310 samples relevant to 268 patients were referred for 16s/18s rRNA PCR testing during the period. Culture was performed for 234 samples. Enrichment culture was performed for 83 samples. 82 of 300 samples sent for 16s PCR had positive results (20.8%). When culture was performed, enrichment reduced the outcome of 16s PCR only positive results (4/36 [11.1%] versus 14/35 [40.0%], p = 0.030 where a pathogen found). 18s PCR yielded 9 positive results from 67 samples. The 16s PCR result influenced antimicrobial change for 6 patients (2.2%). We estimated the cost for 16s PCR testing to result in one significant change in antimicrobial therapy to be €3,340. 18s PCR did not alter antimicrobial treatment. Conclusion There was limited impact of 16s PCR results on antimicrobial treatments. Relevance to practice was affected by relatively long turn-around-time for results. Utility may be increased in specialised surgical centres, or by reducing turn-around-time. Enrichment culture should be considered on samples where 16s PCR is requested. There remains limited evidence for use of 18s PCR in clinical management, and further studies in this area are likely warranted.

scholarly journals Visual multiple cross displacement amplification for the rapid identification of S. agalactiae immediately from vaginal and rectal swabs

AMB Express ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueqin Cheng ◽  
Zhiqian Dou ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Dexi Liu ◽  
Yulong Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Clinical Specimen ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Special Equipment ◽  
Multiple Cross ◽  
Rectal Swabs ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Positive Results

AbstractStreptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) is an important pathogen that can lead to neonatus and mother infection. The current existing techniques for the identification of S. agalactiae are limited by accuracy, speed and high-cost. Therefore, a new multiple cross displacement amplification (MCDA) assay was developed for test of the target pathogen immediately from vaginal and rectal swabs. MCDA primers screening were conducted targeting S. agalactiae pcsB gene, and one set of MCDA primers with better rapidity and efficiency was selected for establishing the S. agalactiae-MCDA assay. As a result, the MCDA method could be completed at a constant temperature of 61 °C, without the requirement of special equipment. The detection limit is 250 fg (31.5 copies) per reaction, all S. agalactiae strains displayed positive results, but not for non-S. agalactiae strains. The visual MCDA assay detected 16 positive samples from 200 clinical specimen, which were also detected positive by enrichment/qPCR. While the CHROMagar culture detected 6 positive samples. Thus, the MCDA assay is prefer to enrichment/qPCR and culture for detecting S. agalactiae from clinical specimen. Particularly, the whole test of MCDA takes about 63.1 min, including sample collection (3 min), DNA preparation (15 min), MCDA reaction (45 min) and result reporting (6 s). In addition, the cost was very economic, with only US$ 4.9. These results indicated that our S. agalaciae-MCDA assay is a rapid, sensitive and cost-efficient technique for target pathogen detection, and is more suitable than conventional assays for an urgent detection, especially for 'on-site' laboratories and resource-constrained settings.

Microfinance: Methods, Models and its Impact on Economic Development

2022 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 144-151
Author(s):  
Tetiana Kulinich ◽  
Nataliia Dobizha ◽  
Oksana Demchenko ◽  
Olena Bodnar ◽  
Viltoriia Myronchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Average Salary ◽  
Correlation And Regression Analysis ◽  
Academic Paper ◽  
Net Profit ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Results

The main purpose of the academic paper is to analyze the dynamics of microfinance services and assess their impact on the entrepreneurial activity of small and medium-sized enterprises and the consequences for the population. Methods of generalization, analysis, comparison, correlation and regression analysis have been used in order to achieve the purpose outlined. The academic paper considers the impact of microfinance services on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in the form of net profit. The results have showed that the impact of the cost of microfinance services on the development of financial activities of small and medium-sized businesses have a positive result, and, when using the proposed regression equation, the company will receive positive results in 2020-2024. The conducted correlation analysis of the impact of microfinance services on the level of the average salary of the population of Ukraine has revealed a high level of dependence of citizens on loans obtained. This is confirmed by the high correlation coefficient.

Demonstrating Nutrient Cost Gradients: A Brooklyn Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 244-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Karp ◽  
Gary Wong ◽  
Marguerite Orsi
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Caloric Density ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Introduction: Foods dense in micronutrients are generally more expensive than those with higher energy content. These cost-differentials may put low-income families at risk of diminished micronutrient intake. Objectives: We sought to determine differences in the cost for iron, folate, and choline in foods available for purchase in a low-income community when assessed for energy content and serving size. Methods: Sixty-nine foods listed in the menu plans provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for low-income families were considered, in 10 domains. The cost and micronutrient content for-energy and per-serving of these foods were determined for the three micronutrients. Exact Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons of energy costs; Spearman rho tests for comparisons of micronutrient content. Ninety families were interviewed in a pediatric clinic to assess the impact of food cost on food selection. Results: Significant differences between domains were shown for energy density with both cost-for-energy (p < 0.001) and cost-per-serving (p < 0.05) comparisons. All three micronutrient contents were significantly correlated with cost-for-energy (p < 0.01). Both iron and choline contents were significantly correlated with cost-per-serving (p < 0.05). Of the 90 families, 38 (42 %) worried about food costs; 40 (44 %) had chosen foods of high caloric density in response to that fear, and 29 of 40 families experiencing both worry and making such food selection. Conclusion: Adjustments to USDA meal plans using cost-for-energy analysis showed differentials for both energy and micronutrients. These differentials were reduced using cost-per-serving analysis, but were not eliminated. A substantial proportion of low-income families are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies.

TRANSFER FİYATLAMA UYGULAMASININ İŞLETME PERFORMANSINA ETKİSİ VE VERGİSEL AÇIDAN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
Serdar KUZU
Keyword(s):  
Business Performance ◽  
Transfer Pricing ◽  
Tax Law ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Tax System ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Tax Legislation ◽  
International Transactions ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

The size of international trade continues to extend rapidly from day to day as a result of the globalization process. This situation causes an increase in the economic activities of businesses in the trading area. One of the main objectives of the cost system applied in businesses is to be able to monitor the competitors and the changes that can be occured as a result of the developments in the sector. Thus, making cost accounting that is proper according to IAS / IFRS and tax legislation has become one of the strategic targets of the companies in most countries. In this respect, businesses should form their cost and pricing systems according to new regulations. Transfer pricing practice is usefull in setting the most proper price for goods that are subject to the transaction, in evaluating the performance of the responsibility centers of business, and in determining if the inter-departmental pricing system is consistent with targets of the business. The taxing powers of different countries and also the taxing powers of different institutions in a country did not overlap. Because of this reason, bringing new regulations to the tax system has become essential. The transfer pricing practice that has been incorporated into the Turkish Tax System is one of the these regulations. The transfer pricing practice which includes national and international transactions has been included in the Corporate Tax Law and Income Tax Law. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of goods and services transfer that will occur between departments of businesses on the responsibility center and business performance, and also the impact of transfer pricing practice on the business performance on the basis of tax-related matters. As a result of the study, it can be said that transfer pricing practice has an impact on business performance in terms of both price and tax-related matters.

The Effect of Internal Corporate Social Responsibility on Job Satisfaction: An Empirical Study on Jordanian Pharmaceutical Companies

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Sura Altheeb ◽  
Kholoud Sudqi Al-Louzi
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Results

The current research investigates the impact of internal corporate social responsibility on job satisfaction in Jordanian pharmaceutical companies. Quantitative research design and regression analysis were applied on a total of 302 valid returns that were obtained in a questionnaire based survey from 14 pharmaceutical companies among employees, supervisors and managers. The results showed that internal corporate social responsibility was significantly related to job satisfaction and three of its dimensions, namely working conditions, work life balance and empowerment contributed significantly to job satisfaction, whereas employment stability and skills development had no contribution. This study implies that Jordanian pharmaceutical companies have to try their best to promote and facilitate internal corporate social responsibility among their employees in an effort to improve their job satisfaction, which will eventually yield positive results for the company as a whole. In light of these results, the research presented many recommendations for future research; the most important ones were the application of this study in other sectors, cultures, and countries, and using of multi method for collecting data.

Return on Invesment (ROI) of Software Product: A Systematic Literature Review

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
Rizqa Raaiqa Bintana ◽  
Putri Aisyiyah Rakhma Devi ◽  
Umi Laili Yuhana
Keyword(s):  
Return On Investment ◽  
Assessment Criteria ◽  
Software Product ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Rational Consideration ◽  
Actual Return ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Investment Models ◽  
The Impact

The quality of the software can be measured by its return on investment. Factors which may affect the return on investment (ROI) is the tangible factors (such as the cost) dan intangible factors (such as the impact of software to the users or stakeholder). The factor of the software itself are assessed through reviewing, testing, process audit, and performance of software. This paper discusses the consideration of return on investment (ROI) assessment criteria derived from the software and its users. These criteria indicate that the approach may support a rational consideration of all relevant criteria when evaluating software, and shows examples of actual return on investment models. Conducted an analysis of the assessment criteria that affect the return on investment if these criteria have a disproportionate effort that resulted in a return on investment of a software decreased. Index Terms - Assessment criteria, Quality assurance, Return on Investment, Software product

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