Implementation of a Rapid RT-LAMP Saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 Testing Program in the Workplace

Rising SARS-CoV-2 cases, testing delays and the risk of pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission provided the impetus for an in-house rapid testing pro-gram. Employees and their household contacts were encouraged to self-collect saliva samples which were pooled for routine testing using an established colorimetric reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay. In brief, individual or a maximum of four saliva samples were pooled, heat-inactivated to render microorganisms, especially SARS-CoV-2, non-infectious prior to being added to RT-LAMP assay tubes containing either human sample control gene, RNase P or a region of the SARS-CoV-2 gene, ORF1ab. During the second wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in November 2020, two samples from an employee and a member of their household tested positive via RT-LAMP within two days of each other. A delayed clinical qRT-PCR test confirmation of both individuals 5 days later underscores the power of routine rapid testing with within-the-hour turnaround times. Workplace rapid testing programs using RT-LAMP are flexible in their design, have a reduced cost compared to qRT-PCR, may involve non-invasive self-saliva collection for increased safety for the testing personnel, and can be performed with minimal training.

A multiplex molecular assay for detection of six penA codons to predict decreased susceptibility to cephalosporins in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The emerging cephalosporin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae poses an urgent threat to the continued efficacy of the last-line monotherapy for gonorrhea. Consequently, high-throughput, accurate, and reasonable molecular assays are urgently needed for strengthening antimicrobial-resistance surveillance in N. gonorrhoeae . In this study, we designed a high-throughput multiplex method that incorporates high-resolution melting technology and is based on a 6-codon assay (among the most parsimonious assays) developed following comprehensive and systematic reviews. The results showed that our method can precisely distinguish specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in resistance-associated genes with a specificity and sensitivity of 100% and a detection limit as low as 10 copies per reaction. This method can be directly applied to clinical samples without cumbersome culture and successfully predicted all cephalosporin-resistant isolates (sensitivity: 100%). The method presented here represents a technique for rapid testing of antimicrobial resistance and will serve as a valuable tool for tailor-made antimicrobial therapy and for monitoring the transmission of cephalosporin-resistant strains.

Nurses’ perceptions of counseling and rapid testing for sexually transmitted infections

Objective: to understand Family Health Strategy nurses’ perceptions on counseling and rapid testing for sexually transmitted infections. Methods: this is a qualitative study, with data triangulation. Data collection was conducted through a semi-structured interview with seven nurses from Family Health Strategy. For systematization and data processing, content analysis was adopted in the thematic modality. Results: after analysis, four categories emerged: Rapid test training; Counseling conduction; Ease in rapid testing offer; and Challenges offering rapid testing. Conclusion: nurses’ perceptions were related to difficulties in the face of pre and posttest counseling, requiring improvement, permanent education and training for professional preparation, and the logistics of inputs and materials, in addition to changes in the physical structure of the units.

Rapid COVID-19 Test: Investigating the Willingness to Take a Rapid Test Based on Multiple Factors

The COVID-19 Pandemic has had a significant impact on society. Due to the large lose of life, scientists have attempted to develop various rapid testing methods. Several methods have been developed among them, an inexpensive paper test. The researcher has endeavored to determine what factors will influence a person’s willing to take a daily covid-19 test. Via a survey instrument that was disseminated we received a response of N=546 participants. We performed many standard statistical tests, t-tests, and one way ANOVA’s as well as Chi Squared tests and Linear by linear associations. Via this analysis were able to determine that there is a statistical significance between willingness to take daily rapid covid-19 test (p <0.05 and, washing your hand (p <0.001), being cautious of your actions (p <0.001), being concerned about covid-19 (p <0.001) and preventing things before they happen (p <0.001). Risk averse people more likely to take preventative measures to take actions to protect themselves and others around them. The lack of basic knowledge regarding the replication of SAR-CoV-2, has led people to underestimate the rapid spread of the virus. Thus, people are coming in contact with others during the most virulent state of the virus.

FlockAI: A Testing Suite for ML-Driven Drone Applications

Machine Learning (ML) is now becoming a key driver empowering the next generation of drone technology and extending its reach to applications never envisioned before. Examples include precision agriculture, crowd detection, and even aerial supply transportation. Testing drone projects before actual deployment is usually performed via robotic simulators. However, extending testing to include the assessment of on-board ML algorithms is a daunting task. ML practitioners are now required to dedicate vast amounts of time for the development and configuration of the benchmarking infrastructure through a mixture of use-cases coded over the simulator to evaluate various key performance indicators. These indicators extend well beyond the accuracy of the ML algorithm and must capture drone-relevant data including flight performance, resource utilization, communication overhead and energy consumption. As most ML practitioners are not accustomed with all these demanding requirements, the evaluation of ML-driven drone applications can lead to sub-optimal, costly, and error-prone deployments. In this article we introduce FlockAI, an open and modular by design framework supporting ML practitioners with the rapid deployment and repeatable testing of ML-driven drone applications over the Webots simulator. To show the wide applicability of rapid testing with FlockAI, we introduce a proof-of-concept use-case encompassing different scenarios, ML algorithms and KPIs for pinpointing crowded areas in an urban environment.

The Monthly Variation Tendency of Microcystin-LR Levels in The Huangpu River (China) by Applications of ELISA and HPLC

In this study, the contents of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) of Microcystis aeruginosa cultures in the laboratory and natural water samples from the Huangpu River in different seasons were detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Excellent correlation between the two methods was obtained (R2 > 0.99). ELISA was a reliable and simple method with high reproducibility (coefficient of variation < 25%) and satisfactory recovery for the monitoring of low levels of MC-LR. MC-LR concentrations in Huangpu River varied with the seasonal variation,which peaked in August with the temperature over 30°C and then gradually declined with the decreasing temperature after August. The highest MC-LR concentration in the Huangpu River was below the WHO drinking water quality standard (1 ug/L). These results indicated that warm temperature accelerated the MC-LR synthesis and release, and it is necessary to regularly monitor the MC-LR levels, especially during the high algae period in summer. ELISA can be applied to detect the low levels of MC-LR in the field without complex treatment, avoiding the samples from denaturation and degradation during the transportation. Hence, ELISA is a better alternative of HPLC when HPLC is unavailable, especially when rapid testing is required in routine MC-LR analysis.

Test and evaluation method for greases in grease-sealing rotary shaft seals

Grease-lubricated sealing systems show starved lubrication much more frequently than oil lubricated sealing systems. Different greases provide different lubricity to the sealing system. A test and evaluation method was developed that allows to assess the lubricity of different greases and to compare them with each other. The test and evaluation method consists of a test run and a subsequent analysis of the test components. The test run comprises a 24-hour speed collective and is performed on a test rig using real sealing system components. For the evaluation method, eight criteria are analysed, which are rated suitable for evaluating starved lubrication. The criteria include parameters measured during the test run, such as friction torque and temperature, as well as parameters inspected in the subsequent examination of all test components. All criteria are assessed and combined to an overall score, that allows to directly compare different greases with each other. The test and evaluation method developed reveals significant differences between 23 greases examined. Thus, the lubricity of greases in sealing systems can be analysed and compared much more quickly than in the past. Thanks to the rapid testing and focused evaluation of the relevant criteria, greases can be tested much more cost- and resource-efficiently than before.

VULNERABILITY AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN WITH POSITIVE RAPID TESTING FOR SYPHILIS: A DOCUMENTARY STUDY

Introduction: Syphilis has a high prevalence in the population of men who have sex with men and, as a sexually transmitted infection, is extremely associated with acquired immunodeficiency virus infection. Objective: To investigate the factors related to vulnerability, behavior, and sexual practice among men who have sex with men with rapid testing for syphilis. Outline: This is a documentary study, approved with registration no. 963,805, conducted from January to July 2015. It presents data from medical records of men who have sex with men, diagnosed with syphilis between 2013 and 2014. A standard form was used as a data source. Results: Among the 137 medical records, (61.3%) are single, (26.3%) with 12 years of schooling or more. A majority (80%) of the population that acquired infection continued the exposure through sexual intercourse and claimed to know the service through friends/professionals of the service, (88.6%) said that their partners had an infection, and (29.2%) declared using condoms. Implications: The data reinforce the need for disease control actions, as well as the dialogue with health policies, as the risks and vulnerable behaviors presented are the same as described in other studies.Descriptors: Vulnerability in Health; Treponema infections; Male Homosexuality; Sexual Behavior.