scholarly journals Pneumococcal Serotype Identification by Capsular Sequence Typing (CST): A Modified Novel Approach for Serotyping Directly in Clinical Samples

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2353
Author(s):  
Nektarios Marmaras ◽  
Athanasia Xirogianni ◽  
Anastasia Papandreou ◽  
Efthymia Petinaki ◽  
Vana Papaevangelou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Pneumococcal Serotypes ◽  
Conjugate Vaccines ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Epidemiological Monitoring ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Serotype Identification

As almost 60–70% of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) is identified by nonculture methods in Greece, serotyping is of high importance for the better monitoring of pneumococcal serotypes due to the availability of conjugate vaccines. The aim of the study was the modification and direct application of the Capsular Sequence Typing (CST) assay in clinical samples in order to serotype Streptococcus pneumoniae culture-negative, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR_-positive samples, followed by CST group specific single-tube PCR assays. A two-step PCR modified assay was applied on a total of 306 samples (such as CSF, blood, pleural and middle ear fluids, isolates) obtained from 283 patients with IPD. The overall performance permits a rapid, accurate and cost-effective method for nonculture pneumococcal serotyping. As the management of IPD is closely related to the continuous monitoring of pneumococcal serotypes, the proposed approach proved to be a valuable tool for the typing and epidemiological monitoring of S. pneumoniae, for the evaluation of the overall impact of vaccination programs in the era of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, in order to initiate the appropriate vaccination strategy.

scholarly journals Computer-supported Detection of M-Components and Evaluation of Immunoglobulins after Capillary Electrophoresis

2001 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Jonsson ◽  
Joyce Carlson ◽  
Jan-Olof Jeppsson ◽  
Per Simonsson
Keyword(s):  
Capillary Electrophoresis ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Protein Separation ◽  
Serum Proteins ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Computerized Decision Support ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Mathematical Algorithms

Abstract Background: Electrophoresis of serum samples allows detection of monoclonal gammopathies indicative of multiple myeloma, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and amyloidosis. Present methods of high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis (HRAGE) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) are manual and labor-intensive. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) allows rapid automated protein separation and produces digital absorbance data, appropriate as input for a computerized decision support system. Methods: Using the Beckman Paragon CZE 2000 instrument, we analyzed 711 routine clinical samples, including 95 monoclonal components (MCs) and 9 cases of Bence Jones myeloma, in both the CZE and HRAGE systems. Mathematical algorithms developed for the detection of monoclonal immunoglobulins (MCs) in the γ- and β-regions of the electropherogram were tested on the entire material. Additional algorithms evaluating oligoclonality and polyclonal concentrations of immunoglobulins were also tested. Results: CZE electropherograms corresponded well with HRAGE. Only one IgG MC of 1 g/L, visible on HRAGE, was not visible after CZE. Algorithms detected 94 of 95 MCs (98.9%) and 100% of those visible after CZE. Of 607 samples lacking an MC on HRAGE, only 3 were identified by the algorithms (specificity, 99%). Algorithms evaluating total gammaglobulinemia and oligoclonality also identified several cases of Bence Jones myeloma. Conclusions: The use of capillary electrophoresis provides a modern, rapid, and cost-effective method of analyzing serum proteins. The additional option of computerized decision support, which provides rapid and standardized interpretations, should increase the clinical availability and usefulness of protein analyses in the future.

scholarly journals A Novel Approach for Fully Automated, Personalized Health Coaching for Adults with Prediabetes: Pilot Clinical Trial (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estelle Everett ◽  
Brian Kane ◽  
Ashley Yoo ◽  
Adrian Dobs ◽  
Nestoras Mathioudakis
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Metabolic Equivalent Of Task

BACKGROUND Prediabetes is a high-risk state for the future development of type 2 diabetes, which may be prevented through physical activity (PA), adherence to a healthy diet, and weight loss. Mobile health (mHealth) technology is a practical and cost-effective method of delivering diabetes prevention programs in a real-world setting. Sweetch (Sweetch Health, Ltd) is a fully automated, personalized mHealth platform designed to promote adherence to PA and weight reduction in people with prediabetes.  OBJECTIVE The objective of this pilot study was to calibrate the Sweetch app and determine the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and effectiveness of the Sweetch app in combination with a digital body weight scale (DBWS) in adults with prediabetes. METHODS This was a 3-month prospective, single-arm, observational study of adults with a diagnosis of prediabetes and body mass index (BMI) between 24 kg/m2 and 40 kg/m2. Feasibility was assessed by study retention. Acceptability of the mobile platform and DBWS were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Effectiveness measures included change in PA, weight, BMI, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting blood glucose from baseline to 3-month visit. The significance of changes in outcome measures was evaluated using paired t test or Wilcoxon matched pairs test. RESULTS The study retention rate was 47 out of 55 (86%) participants. There was a high degree of acceptability of the Sweetch app, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) score of 78% (73%-80%) out of 100% on the validated System Usability Scale. Satisfaction regarding the DBWS was also high, with median (IQR) score of 93% (83%-100%). PA increased by 2.8 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)–hours per week (SD 6.8; P=.02), with mean weight loss of 1.6 kg (SD 2.5; P<.001) from baseline. The median change in A1c was −0.1% (IQR −0.2% to 0.1%; P=.04), with no significant change in fasting blood glucose (−1 mg/dL; P=.59). There were no adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS The Sweetch mobile intervention program is a safe and effective method of increasing PA and reducing weight and HbA1c in adults with prediabetes. If sustained over a longer period, this intervention would be expected to reduce diabetes risk in this population. CLINICALTRIAL ClincialTrials.gov NCT02896010; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02896010 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xJYxrgse)

scholarly journals Estimating the effectiveness of vaccine programs in dog populations

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M. Wallace ◽  
E.A. Undurraga ◽  
A. Gibson ◽  
J. Boone ◽  
E.G. Pieracci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Average Difference ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Vaccination Strategies ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

Abstract Dogs harbor numerous zoonotic pathogens, many of which are controlled through vaccination programs. The delivery of these programs can be difficult where resources are limited. We developed a dynamic model to estimate vaccination coverage and cost-per-dog vaccinated. The model considers the main factors that affect vaccination programs: dog demographics, effectiveness of strategies, efficacy of interventions and cost. The model was evaluated on data from 18 vaccination programs representing eight countries. Sensitivity analysis was performed for dog confinement and vaccination strategies. The average difference between modelled vaccination coverage and field data was 3.8% (2.3%–5.3%). Central point vaccination was the most cost-effective vaccination strategy when >88% of the dog population was confined. More active methods of vaccination, such as door-to-door or capture-vaccinate-release, achieved higher vaccination coverage in free-roaming dog populations but were more costly. This open-access tool can aid in planning more efficient vaccination campaigns in countries with limited resources.

CAD Of Anticorrosive Protection Of Steel Structures

2019 ◽  
pp. 18-23
Keyword(s):  
Protective Coating ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Steel Structures ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Computational Tool ◽  
Protection Method ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Aided Design

The choice of cost-effective method of anticorrosive protection of steel structures is an urgent and time consuming task, considering the significant number of protection ways, differing from each other in the complex of technological, physical, chemical and economic characteristics. To reduce the complexity of solving this problem, the author proposes a computational tool that can be considered as a subsystem of computer-aided design and used at the stage of variant and detailed design of steel structures. As a criterion of the effectiveness of the anti-corrosion protection method, the cost of the protective coating during the service life is accepted. The analysis of existing methods of steel protection against corrosion is performed, the possibility of their use for the protection of the most common steel structures is established, as well as the estimated period of effective operation of the coating. The developed computational tool makes it possible to choose the best method of protection of steel structures against corrosion, taking into account the operating conditions of the protected structure and the possibility of using a protective coating.

Monitoring effluent quality in hypertrophic wastewater reservoirs using remote sensing

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Dor ◽  
N. Ben-Yosef
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Effluent Quality ◽  
Optical Images ◽  
Routine Monitoring ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Wastewater Quality

About one hundred and fifty wastewater reservoirs store effluents for irrigation in Israel. Effluent qualities differ according to the inflowing wastewater quality, the degree of pretreatment and the operational parameters. Certain aspects of water quality like concentration of organic matter, suspended solids and chlorophyll are significantly correlated with the water column transparency and colour. Accordingly optical images of the reservoirs obtained from the SPOT satellite demonstrate pronounced differences correlated with the water quality. The analysis of satellite multispectral images is based on a theoretical model. The model calculates, using the radiation transfer equation, the volume reflectance of the water body. Satellite images of 99 reservoirs were analyzed in the chromacity space in order to classify them according to water quality. Principal Component Analysis backed by the theoretical model increases the method sensitivity. Further elaboration of this approach will lead to the establishment of a time and cost effective method for the routine monitoring of these hypertrophic wastewater reservoirs.

A Cost-Effective Method to Prepare Pure Vildagliptin

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Peng ◽  
Yue Feng ◽  
Zhu Tao ◽  
Yingjie Chen ◽  
Xiangnan Hu
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cost Effective Method

scholarly journals Advances in Environmental Detection and Clinical Diagnostic Tests for Legionella Species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeshwari Vittal ◽  
Juliet Roshini Mohan Raj ◽  
Ballamoole Krishna Kumar ◽  
Indrani Karunasagar
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Detection Techniques ◽  
Conventional Culture ◽  
Legionella Species ◽  
Mild Fever

Abstract Legionella is a fastidious organism that is difficult to culture in the lab but is widely distributed in environmental, domestic, and hospital settings. The clinical manifestations due to Legionella infections range from mild fever to fatal pneumonia and multiorgan pathologies. Legionella outbreaks though prevalent globally are not reported in developing countries due to difficulties in isolating this organism and the lack of simple diagnostic protocols. Here, we review the literature from across countries to present various methods used to detect Legionella from environmental and clinical samples. We compare the sensitivity and the specificity of the conventional culture-based assays with the recent methods and discuss approaches to develop better detection and diagnostic tests. With better cost-effective detection techniques and regular monitoring of the susceptible sites, which may harbor Legionella colonies, most of the Legionella infections can be prevented. As a result, considerable burden, caused by Legionella infections, on the healthcare system, in especially economically weaker countries, can be mitigated.

scholarly journals CO$$_{2}$$ Convection in Hydrocarbon Under Flowing Conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trine S. Mykkeltvedt ◽  
Sarah E. Gasda ◽  
Tor Harald Sandve
Keyword(s):  
Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Fine Grid ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Gravity Effects ◽  
Petroleum Resources ◽  
Nearby Point ◽  
Diffusive Processes

AbstractCarbon-neutral oil production is one way to improve the sustainability of petroleum resources. The emissions from produced hydrocarbons can be offset by injecting capture CO$$_{2}$$ 2 from a nearby point source into a saline aquifer for storage or a producing oil reservoir. The latter is referred to as enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and would enhance the economic viability of CO$$_{2}$$ 2 sequestration. The injected CO$$_{2}$$ 2 will interact with the oil and cause it to flow more freely within the reservoir. Consequently, the overall recovery of oil from the reservoir will increase. This enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique is perceived as the most cost-effective method for disposing captured CO$$_{2}$$ 2 emissions and has been performed for many decades with the focus on oil recovery. The interaction between existing oil and injected CO$$_{2}$$ 2 needs to be fully understood to effectively manage CO$$_{2}$$ 2 migration and storage efficiency. When CO$$_{2}$$ 2 and oil mix in a fully miscible setting, the density can change non-linearly and cause density instabilities. These instabilities involve complex convective-diffusive processes, which are hard to model and simulate. The interactions occur at the sub-centimeter scale, and it is important to understand its implications for the field scale migration of CO$$_{2}$$ 2 and oil. In this work, we simulate gravity effects, namely gravity override and convective mixing, during miscible displacement of CO$$_{2}$$ 2 and oil. The flow behavior due to the competition between viscous and gravity effects is complex, and can only be accurately simulated with a very fine grid. We demonstrate that convection occurs rapidly, and has a strong effect on breakthrough of CO$$_{2}$$ 2 at the outlet. This work for the first time quantifies these effects for a simple system under realistic conditions.

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