SARS-CoV-2 screening in patients in need of urgent inpatient treatment in the Emergency Department (ED) by digitally integrated point-of-care PCR: A clinical cohort study

Patients in need of urgent inpatient treatment were recruited prospectively. A rapid point of care PCR test (POC-PCR; Liat) for SARS-CoV2 was conducted in the ED and a second PCR-test from the same swab was ordered in the central laboratory (CL-PCR). POC-PCR analyzers were digitally integrated in the laboratory information system. Overall, 160 ED patients were included. A valid POC-PCR-test result was available in 96.3% (n=154) of patients. N=16 patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (10.0%). The POC PCR test results were available within 102 minutes (median, IQR: 56-211), which was significantly earlier compared to the CL PCR (811 minutes; IQR: 533-1289, p < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of the POC- PCR test was 100%. The implementation and digital LIS integration was successfully done. Staff satisfaction with the POC process was high. The POC-PCR testing in the emergency department is feasible and shows a very high diagnostic performance. Trial registration: DRKS00019207

Prominent seasonality of 25(OH)D vitamin deficiency in Latvia: Age and gender-related variations and testing regimen

Seasonality of 25(OH)D deficiency rate is a factor of major clinical and social impact and should be considered when planning for appropriate testing and tailored correction. We present retrospective cross-sectional analysis of over a million 25(OH)D tests performed in two leading Latvian laboratories – Central Laboratory and E.Gulbja Laboratory. Both series of tests demonstrated prominent seasonal variability of 25(OH)D deficiency rate (<20 ng/ml) and critical deficiency rate (<12 ng/ml): the lowest percentage of deficient tests was in August, while a significant peak was found in March-April. This trend was present at all ages and in both genders, variations were pronounced even for a high-latitude country and more prominent for critical deficiency, in younger age groups and in males. Analysis of testing regimens of both laboratories revealed that schedule was not optimal, period of higher testing intensity being far removed from the 25(OH)D deficiency peak.

Effect of the Addition Tilapia Skin Collagen Concentration to Lotion Characteristics

The purpose of this research was to determine the best concentration of the tilapia skin collagen addition to obtain the characteristics of the lotion in accordance with the established standards. The research was carried out at the Fishery Product Processing Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University, Central Laboratory of Padjadjaran University and Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Laboratory of Padjadjaran University between March 2021 - June 2021. The method used in this research was experimental with a completely randomized design consisted of 5 treatments with 4 replications added the concentration of the tilapia skin collagen (0%, 4%, 5%, 6% and 7%) based on lotion formulations. Parameters observed included pH, viscosity, spreadability, weight loss, homogeneity and the organoleptic (appearance, color, scent, texture). The conclusion from this research was that the addition of 7% the tilapia skin collagen concentration was the best treatment with a homogeneous appearance, a slightly yellowish white color, a slightly lavender scent and a slightly thick texture. The lotion had pH value of 6.35, viscosity of 7,197 cP, 5.74 cm spreadability and a weight loss of 2.8%.

Genetic Distance of Four Strains of Guppy Fish (Poecilia reticulata) Using RAPD PCR Method

Guppies are one type of organism that can live well, especially in the tropics. The kinship between species that have genetic similarities can be identified through genotypic mapping, one of which is molecular analysis using. RAPD method with PCR technique. This study aims to determine the genetic relationship of four guppy poecilia reticulata strains, respectively are Albino Full Red (AFP), Brazilian Fan Tail (BFT), Koi Guppy Tuxedo (KGT), and Platinum Red Tail Big Ears (PRTB) with the RAPD-PCR method. The genetic relationship data obtained is used as a guide for mating between the four strains. This research was conducted from September 2020 to November 2020. The process were carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University and the Central Laboratory, Padjadjaran University. OPA-03 primer (AGTCAGCCAC) is used as a standard parameter to interpret genetic diversity among the four guppy strains. Based on the results, amplification with primer OPA-03 visualized 21 bands consisting of seven polymorphic bands and 13 monomorphic bands. The results of the phylogenetic tree showed that there were two groups. The first group is AFR and BFT a similarity index of 69.5%. The second group is KGT and PRTB a similarity index of 71.5%.

Impact of the introduction of chikungunya and zika viruses on the incidence of dengue in endemic zones of Mexico

Background With the arrival of chikungunya (CHIKV) and zika (ZIKV) viruses in Mexico, there was a decrease in diagnosed dengue virus (DENV) cases. During the first years of cocirculation (2015–2017), the algorithms established by epidemiological surveillance systems and the installed capacity limited us to one diagnostic test per sample, so there was an underestimation of cases until September 2017, when a multiplex algorithm was implemented. Therefore, the objective of this study was determine the impact of the introduction of CHIKV and ZIKV on the incidence of diagnosed DENV in endemic areas of Mexico, when performing the rediagnosis, using the multiplex algorithm, in samples from the first three years of co-circulation of these arboviruses. Methodology and principal findings For this, 1038 samples received by the Central Laboratory of Epidemiology between 2015 and 2017 were selected for this work. Viruses were identified by multiplex RT-qPCR, and the χ2 test was used to compare categorical variables. With the new multiplex algorithm, we identified 2.4 times the rate of arbovirosis as originally reported, evidencing an underestimation of the incidence of the three viruses. Even so, significantly less dengue was observed than in previous years. The high incidence rates of chikungunya and Zika coincided with periods of dengue decline. The endemic channel showed that the cases caused by DENV rose again after the circulation of CHIKV and ZIKV decreased. In addition, 23 cases of coinfection were identified, with combinations between all viruses. Conclusions and significance The results obtained in this study show for the first time the real impact on the detected incidence of dengue after the introduction of CHIKV and ZIKV in Mexico, the degree of underestimation of these arboviruses in the country, as well as the co-infections between these viruses, whose importance clinical and epidemiological are still unknown.

Digital Pathology Transformation in a Supraregional Germ Cell Tumour Network

Background: In this article we share our experience of creating a digital pathology (DP) supraregional germ cell tumour service, including full digitisation of the central laboratory. Methods: DP infrastructure (Philips) was deployed across our hospital network to allow full central digitisation with partial digitisation of two peripheral sites in the supraregional testis germ cell tumour network. We used a survey-based approach to capture the quantitative and qualitative experiences of the multidisciplinary teams involved. Results: The deployment enabled case sharing for the purposes of diagnostic reporting, second opinion, and supraregional review. DP was seen as a positive step forward for the departments involved, and for the wider germ cell tumour network, and was completed without significant issues. Whilst there were challenges, the transition to DP was regarded as worthwhile, and examples of benefits to patients are already recognised. Conclusion: Pathology networks, including highly specialised services, such as in this study, are ideally suited to be digitised. We highlight many of the benefits but also the challenges that must be overcome for such clinical transformation. Overall, from the survey, the change was seen as universally positive for our service and highlights the importance of engagement of the whole team to achieve success.

Alpha Emitter Concentration in Blood of Iraqi Museum Workers

The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of alpha emitter’s concentrations and measure it in human blood. The current study was done in the central laboratory and archaeologist employees of the Iraqi museum; likewise, the study also involved employees in State board of antiquities and heritage and Abd al-karim qasim museum that are located in Baghdad, Iraq. CR-39 Detector was used to measure alpha emitters track density. 60 participants Blood samples were collected in total (30 people in workers and 30 people in controls that were collected from general population). The maximum obtained values of alpha track density were (213.16±7.58 tracks/ mm2) and minimum obtained values (32.61±3.70 tracks/ mm2) in workers group with average of (81.36±3.78 No. of tracks/mm2) and the maximum obtained values of alpha track density were (219.37±6.75 tracks/ mm2) and minimum obtained values (3.02±0.37 tracks/ mm2) in control group with average of (28.45± 2.10 tracks/mm2). The result showed higher alpha emitter concentration in workers compared to the control group. Based on these results, high alpha concentrations to museum workers and archaeologists may have increased risk to DNA damage and cancer compared to non-occupational workers.

Comparison of central laboratory HbA1c measurements obtained from a capillary collection versus a standard venous whole blood collection in the GRADE and EDIC studies

Background We compared HbA1c values obtained from capillary blood collection kits versus venous whole blood collections in study participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 122 subjects, 64 with type 2 diabetes participating in the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness (GRADE) Study and 58 with type 1 diabetes from the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) Study, participated in the validation study. Capillary tubes were filled by fingerstick by the participants on the same day as the collection of venous whole blood samples in EDTA-containing test tubes and were mailed to the central laboratory. HbA1c in all samples was measured with the same high-performance liquid chromatography. GRADE participants also completed a questionnaire on the ease of performing capillary collections. Results Participants from 22 clinical centers (GRADE n = 5, EDIC n = 17) were between 35 and 86 years of age, with 52% male and diverse race/ethnicities. Venous HbA1c results ranged between 5.4–11.9% (35.5–106.6 mmol/mol) with corresponding capillary results ranging between 4.2–11.9% (22.4–106.6 mmol/mol). The venous and capillary results were highly correlated (R2 = 0.993) and 96.7% differed by ≤0.2% (2.2 mmol/mol). Of participants surveyed, 69% indicated that the instructions and collection were easy to follow and 97% felt the collection method would be easy to do at home. Conclusions The capillary blood HbA1c results compared well with the conventional venous whole blood results. The capillary kits can be employed in other studies to reduce interruption of critical data collection and potentially to augment clinical care when in-person visits are not possible.

Hematological status and egg production of laying hen with probiotic powder as feed supplements

The study aimed to observe the effect of adding probiotic powder on the hematological status and egg production in layer-phase laying hens. This research was conducted for 30 days, located in a layer farms in Sumedang Regency, West Java. The production of probiotic powder was carried out at the Central Laboratory, Padjadjaran University. The blood was analyzed at the Multitest Commercial Laboratory, Margahayu Raya, Bandung City. The variables observed in this study were the levels of erythrocytes, leukocytes, hematocrit, and egg production in layer-phase laying hens. This study used an experimental method with statistical analysis using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four levels of probiotics (0%, 2%, 3%, 4%) and five replications. The research data were analyzed using the 0.05% Variety Print Test. The result of this research showed that the addition of probiotic powder gave the same effect on the levels of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and hematocrits of laying hens. However, probiotic powder increased egg production along with the addition of the dose of probiotic powder. It can be seen that 2%, 3% and 4% probiotic powder increased 64.1%, 41.5% and 118% egg production compared to control.