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Background During a fast-moving epidemic, timely monitoring of case counts and other key indicators of disease spread is critical to an effective public policy response. Methods We describe a nonparametric statistical method, originally applied to the reporting of AIDS cases in the 1980s, to estimate the distribution of reporting delays of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York City during the late summer and early fall of 2020. Results During August 15–September 26, the estimated mean delay in reporting was 3.3 days, with 87% of cases reported by 5 days from diagnosis. Relying upon the estimated reporting-delay distribution, we projected COVID-19 incidence during the most recent 3 weeks as if each case had instead been reported on the same day that the underlying diagnostic test had been performed. Applying our delay-corrected estimates to case counts reported as of September 26, we projected a surge in new diagnoses that had already occurred but had yet to be reported. Our projections were consistent with counts of confirmed cases subsequently reported by November 7. Conclusion The projected estimate of recently diagnosed cases could have had an impact on timely policy decisions to tighten social distancing measures. While the recent advent of widespread rapid antigen testing has changed the diagnostic testing landscape considerably, delays in public reporting of SARS-CoV-2 case counts remain an important barrier to effective public health policy.

Summary At the end of 2019, the novel coronavirus infection outbroke in Wuhan, Hubei Province. On Feb. 2, 2020, Wuhan, as the worst-hit region, began to build “shelter hospital” rapidly to treat patients with mild illness. The shelter hospital has multiple functions such as emergency treatment, surgical treatment and clinical test, which can adapt to emergency medical rescue tasks. Based on the characteristics that shelter hospital only treats patients with mild illness, tests of shelter laboratory, including coronavirus nucleic acid detection, IgM/IgG antibody serology detection, monitoring and auxiliary diagnosis and/or a required blood routine, urine routine, C-reactive protein, calcitonin original, biochemical indicators (liver enzymes, myocardial enzymes, renal function, etc.) and blood coagulation function test etc, were used to provide important basis for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In order to ensure laboratory biosafety, it is necessary to first evaluate the harm level of various specimens. In the laboratory biosafety management, the harm level assessment of microorganisms is the core work of biosafety, which is of great significance to guarantee biosafety. As an emergency deployment affected by the environment, shelter laboratory must possess strong mobility. This paper will explore how to combine the biosafety model of traditional laboratory with the particularity of shelter laboratory to carry out effective work in response to the current epidemic.

Sentinel lymphadenectomy has replaced axillary lymph node dissection as a staging tool in early breast cancer. To be accepted as a standard of care, it had to pass successfully through a long journey which started in the early 1990s. We carried out a comprehensive literature review focusing on the journey of the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer from its start until its current station, including the variable clinical applications, the current debates, and the future issues. Adoption of sentinel lymph node biopsy as a standard axillary staging procedure was a marvelous trend that helped to decrease the complications of axillary dissection and significantly improve the quality of life of patients with breast cancer. Various mapping techniques can be used for SLN localization, rendering oncology centers that have variable capabilities and preparations able to perform the procedure. This applies to specimen processing techniques as well. Many debates faced the researchers throughout the SLNB journey. They are all explained in the current article, in addition to the ongoing trials and the future aspects of SLNB in breast cancer. Further research should be conducted to help resolve the clinical issues which are still debatable and to provide bases for improving the future trends which are progressing towards limiting the role of axillary dissection and axillary surgery to the minimum required level.

The purpose of this ISRM Suggested Method is to introduce a guideline on determining deformation and failure characteristics of rocks subjected to true triaxial compression on different stress path. The true triaxial testing apparatus was reviewed by means of the function and engineering application. Some key techniques, such as stress and strain measurements, and reduction of end effect between specimen and metal platens, preventing metal platens interference, were stated and suggested in detail. Methodology of specimen processing, specimen shape, and testing procedure are characterized. There is an explanation of the experimental data processing on stress–strain curves, strength, and fracture mode.

Total laboratory automation (TLA) has the potential to reduce specimen processing time, improve standardization of cultures, and decrease turnaround time (TAT). The objective of this study was to perform a detailed interrogation of the impact of TLA implementation in all aspects of the workflow for routine culture of urine specimens. Using a detailed motion capture study, the time required for major steps of processing and result reporting were prospectively assessed for urine samples prior to (n = 215) and after (n = 203) implementation of the BD Kiestra TLA system. Specimens were plated on all shifts, but cultures were read only during the day shift for both time periods. Significant increases were noted in the time from receipt to inoculation (23.0 min versus 32.0 min, p

Tissue biopsy evaluation in the clinic is in need of quantitative disease markers for diagnosis and, most importantly, prognosis. Among the new technologies, quantitative phase imaging (QPI) has demonstrated promise for histopathology because it reveals intrinsic tissue nanoarchitecture through the refractive index. However, a vast majority of past QPI investigations have relied on imaging unstained tissues, which disrupts the established specimen processing. Here we present color spatial light interference microscopy (cSLIM) as a new whole-slide imaging modality that performs interferometric imaging on stained tissue, with a color detector array. As a result, cSLIM yields in a single scan both the intrinsic tissue phase map and the standard color bright-field image, familiar to the pathologist. Our results on 196 breast cancer patients indicate that cSLIM can provide stain-independent prognostic information from the alignment of collagen fibers in the tumor microenvironment. The effects of staining on the tissue phase maps were corrected by a mathematical normalization. These characteristics are likely to reduce barriers to clinical translation for the new cSLIM technology.

The ability of physicians to diagnose tuberculosis is impacted by the use of smear and culture techniques combined with specimen processing methods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of specimen processing on smear and culture sensitivity by comparing the specimen processing method that uses C(18)-carboxypropylbetaine with the method that combines sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium hydroxide. A total of 1,201 specimens were entered into this study. Specimens were split approximately equally such that one-half of each specimen was processed with sodium dodecyl sulfate-sodium hydroxide, while the other half was processed with C(18)-carboxypropylbetaine. All sediments were subjected to acid-fast staining and then analyzed using the MB/BacT liquid culture system (bioMérieux, France) and solid media. The sensitivity of smear following processing with sodium dodecyl sulfate-sodium hydroxide and C(18)-carboxypropylbetaine was 61.2% and 58.6% (P0.05), respectively, while the specificities were identical (99.7%). The sensitivity of culture was 84.2% and 96.1% (P0.05), respectively. The time to detection in the MB/BacT liquid culture system was 13.2+/-5.6 and 15.0+/-8.8 days (P0.05), respectively, and 20.0+/-7.6 and 15.7+/-8.9 days (P0.05), respectively, on solid media. The contamination rates in the MB/BacT system were 0.8% and 8.7%, respectively, whereas the contamination rates on solid media were 2.6% and 4.3%, respectively. C(18)-carboxypropylbetaine specimen processing was less labor-intensive than sodium dodecyl sulfate-sodium hydroxide processing and improved the ability of laboratory staff to detect the presence of mycobacteria by culture.

A simple and convenient method is described to aid the processing of minute tissue specimens and isolated single cells for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The technique employs an inexpensive, disposable carrier fashioned from common Beem capsules and Nitex nylon screen. This method avoids excessive handling, transfers or centrifugation steps that may damage delicate specimens. Specimens processed by this method show excellent preservation of cell surface fine structure.

Eine neue, einfache Maschine zur automatischen Entwasserung und Einbettung elektronen-mikroskopischer Praparate wird beschrieben. Bis zu 24 Praparate werden gleichzeitig in einer Wanne bewegt, deren Inhalt bis 29mal aus 10 verschiedenen Behaltern entsprechend einem vorwahlbaren Programm ausgewechselt wird. Die Maschine reproduziert zuverlassig und genau zahlreiche bisher von Hand ausgefuhrte Verfahren. Sie ist klein, einfach zu bedienen, kann uber Nacht arbeiten und spart so viel Zeit.