Urgent care study of the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test for rapid diagnosis of COVID-19

Background Testing individuals suspected of severe acute respiratory syndrome–like coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is essential to reduce the spread of disease. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the false negativity rate of the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test when utilized for testing individuals suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Concurrent swab samples were collected from patients suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection by their healthcare provider within two different urgent care centers located in Easton, MA, USA and East Bridgewater, MA, USA. One swab was tested using the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test. Negative results in patients considered at moderate to high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection were confirmed at a regional reference laboratory by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the additional swab sample. The data included in this study was collected retrospectively as an analysis of routine clinical practice. Results From October 19, 2020 to January 3, 2021, a total of 2241 tests were performed using the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test, with 549 (24.5%) testing positive and 1692 (75.5%) testing negative. A subset (800) of the samples rendering a negative LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test was also tested using a PCR-based test for SARS-CoV-2. Of this subset, 770 (96.3%) tested negative, and 30 (3.8%) tested positive. Negative results obtained with the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag test demonstrated 96.3% agreement with PCR-based tests (CI 95%, 94.7–97.4%). A cycle threshold (CT) was available for 17 of the 30 specimens that yielded discordant results, with an average CT value of 31.2, an SD of 3.0, and a range of 25.2–36.3. CT was > 30.0 in 11/17 specimens (64.7%). Conclusions This study demonstrates that the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test had a low false-negative rate of 3.8% when used in a community-based setting.

Energy Balance in Wastewater Systems with Energy Recovery: A Portuguese Case Study

This paper presents and discusses the application of a novel energy balance scheme for assessing energy efficiency in wastewater systems. The energy balance is demonstrated with a Portuguese real-life case study, using mathematical modelling to estimate the different energy components and to compute two energy efficiency indices. The total inflow intrinsic energy can represent a significant amount (>95%) of the total energy used in systems mainly composed of gravity sewers. The total input energy is significantly (four-times) higher in the wet season than in the dry season, mostly due to undue inflows (e.g., direct rainfall and infiltration). The potential for energy recovery strongly depends on the available head and flow rate at the delivery point, being 0.01 kWh/m3 in the current case, with a project payback period of 4 years. The energy balance components and the respective energy efficiency indices strongly depend on the considered reference elevation. Thus, a unique regional reference elevation is recommended in the calculations.

Urgent Care Study of the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test for Rapid Diagnosis of COVID-19

BackgroundTesting individuals suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential to reduce the spread of disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the false negativity rate of the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test when utilized for testing individuals suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection within 12 days of symptom onset. MethodsConcurrent swab samples were collected from patients suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection by their healthcare provider within two different urgent care centers. One swab was tested using the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test. Negative results in patients considered at moderate to high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection were confirmed at a regional reference laboratory by PCR using the additional swab sample. ResultsFrom October 19, 2020 – January 3, 2021, a total of 2241 tests were performed using the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test, with 549 (24.5%) testing positive and 1692 (75.5%) testing negative. A subset (800) of the samples rendering a negative LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test were also tested using a PCR-based test for SARS-CoV-2. Of this subset, 770 (96.3%) tested negative, and 30 (3.8%) tested positive. A cycle threshold (CT) was available for 17 of the 30 specimens that yielded discordant results, with an average CT value of 31.2, an SD of 3.0, and a range of 25.2–36.3. CT was >30.0 in 11/17 specimens (64.7%). ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that negative results obtained with the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test had 96.3% agreement with PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 tests, with a low false negative rate of 3.8% when used in a community-based setting.

Method for Determining Regional Reference Values of Metal Content in Biological Substrates and Their Intake into the Body via Drinking Water

Natural and manmade flows of matter form complex metal associations in the body of residents living in certain territories, which leads to functional disorders in their bodies and the depletion of adaptive reserves. It is possible to assess the distribution of metals in the body only taking into account its biogeochemical localization. The question arises about the methodological approach to the determination of regional reference values of the concentrations of metals in biosubstrates of residents of different territories, to which this study was devoted. A designed and trained neural network was used, reflecting the relationship between the concentrations of metals in consumed drinking water and biosubstrates of the body, taking into account the physiological characteristics of the tested group of children and adolescents, based on the regional reference values obtained. Neural network regression methods allowed the calculation of nonlinear dependences of indicators of the state of the internal environment of an organism with external factors, and localized reference values determined in such calculations the indicators of the base state, being guided by the intensity of external factors, which should be assessed. The results of this study are intended for patient-oriented diagnosis and the treatment of eco-conditioned microelementosis in individual locations.

Urgent Care Study of the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test for Rapid Diagnosis of COVID-19

BackgroundTesting individuals suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential to reduce the spread of disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the false negativity rate of the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test when utilized for testing individuals suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection within 12 days of symptom onset. MethodsConcurrent swab samples were collected from patients suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection by their healthcare provider within two different urgent care centers. One swab was tested using the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test. Negative results in patients considered at moderate to high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection were confirmed at a regional reference laboratory by PCR using the additional swab sample. ResultsFrom October 19, 2020 – January 3, 2021, a total of 2241 tests were performed using the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test, with 549 (24.5%) testing positive and 1692 (75.5%) testing negative. A subset (800) of the samples rendering a negative LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test were also tested using a PCR-based test for SARS-CoV-2. Of this subset, 770 (96.3%) tested negative, and 30 (3.8%) tested positive. A cycle threshold (CT) was available for 17 of the 30 specimens that yielded discordant results, with an average CT value of 31.2, an SD of 3.0, and a range of 25.2–36.3. CT was >30.0 in 11/17 specimens (64.7%). ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that negative results obtained with the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test had 96.3% agreement with PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 tests, with a low false negative rate of 3.8% when used in a community-based setting.

Descriptive Study about Bodyweight Status of Extremadura Adolescents. Are We Applying the Best Indicator as the Reference Parameter?

Background: There is no agreed criteria that establishes childhood obesity thresholds based on BMI, which may be used to assess adolescent overweight/obesity. This tool has been determined at the most practical and least costly in classifying bodyweight status in adolescents. However, it is an indicator of bodyweight and not adiposity. Aims: To assess bodyweight status of Extremadura adolescents by sex and age using international, national, and regional reference criteria and comparing the different diagnoses criteria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 4130 adolescents (12–17 years). Bodyweight and height were assessed. Results: Pairwise comparisons indicates that the World Health Organization (WHO) classified 542 individuals in a different category compared to Faustino Obergozo (FO), and 1028 individuals with respect to the Extremadura adolescents’ percentiles (EX). Moreover, FO classified 684 adolescents in a different category than EX. Despite the concordance in diagnostic criteria (by Cohen’s kappa test) reported between the WHO, FO, and EX for all bodyweight categories in both sexes and all age ranges, significant differences were found (assessed by Cochran Q test and McNemar test as post-hoc) between the WHO and FO for all bodyweight proportion except in the thinness category in girls (15–17 years) and boys (12–14 years). Meaningful differences were also obtained comparing WHO and EX for each bodyweight category in all ages and sexes. Comparisons between FO and EX revealed significant differences for all bodyweight categories in all participants except for overweight in girls (12–14 years) and boys (15–17 years) and normal weight and obesity in girls (15–17 years). Conclusions: the WHO, FO, and EX criteria present different outcomes estimating overweight and/or obesity prevalence in adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years. The change from Extremadura criteria to the WHO reference will result in more adolescents being diagnosed as overweight or obese.

Analysis of Cannabinoids Concentration in Cannabis Oil Galenic Preparations: Harmonization between Three Laboratories in Northern Italy

Medical cannabis is increasingly being used in the treatment and support of several diseases and syndromes. The quantitative determination of active ingredients (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, and cannabidiol, CBD) in galenic oily preparations is prescribed by law for each produced batch. The aim of this work is to describe the organization of the titration activity centralized at three regional reference laboratories in Northern Italy. Pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases have been defined in order to guarantee high quality standards. A cross-validation between laboratories allowed for the definition of the procedures that guarantee the interchangeability between reference laboratories. The risk management protocol adopted can be useful for others who need to undertake this activity.