Mehrere Witze, teils unlustig, und Änderungen – Der Herdnerd

905.000 Euro für Verschönerung: Weg durch Park in Chorweiler wird verkleinert und instand gesetzt

Nur die Kreuzungen und Platzflächen sollen neu gepflastert, der übrige Weg asphaltiert werden, wovon sich die Verwaltung Verbesserungen für Fußgänger und Radfahrer verspricht. Während des anstehenden Sommers wird der Weg als Verbindung jedoch erstmal ausfallen, denn aufgrund der Länge der Fläche werden die Arbeiten in Teilabschnitten durchgeführt. Für den Fuß- und Radverkehr sollen in der...

Hoge Raad: veroordeling Thijs H. blijft in stand

De Hoge Raad heeft geoordeeld dat de eerdere veroordeling van Thijs H. (32) in stand kan blijven. H. kreeg 22 jaar cel en tbs met dwangverpleging voor drie moorden in mei 2019. Eén in de Scheveningse Bosjes en twee op de Brunssumerheide in Limburg. Na de uitspraak van de Hoge Raad is geen beroep meer mogelijk.

Correlation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and nucleocapsid concentrations in samples used in INSTAND external quality assessment schemes - BMC Research Notes

Objective In routine clinical laboratories, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection is determined by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). In the COVID pandemic, a wide range of antigen detection tests were also in high demand. We investigated the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 NCap antigen and N gene concentration by analyzing samples from several INSTAND external quality assessment (EQA) schemes starting in March 2021. The absolute N gene concentration was measured using reverse transcriptase digital PCR (RT-dPCR) as reference value. Moreover, the performance of five commercial ELISA tests using an EQA inactivated SARS-CoV-2 sample at different concentrations was assessed on the basis of these reference values. Results Quantitative ELISA and RT-dPCR results showed a good correlation between SARS-CoV-2 NCap antigen and RNA concentration, but this correlation varies among SARS-CoV-2 isolates. A direct correlation between SARS-CoV-2 NCap antigen concentration and genome concentration should not be generally assumed. Conclusion Further correlation studies between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and NCap antigen concentrations are needed, particularly in clinical samples and for emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, to support the monitoring and improvement of antigen testing.

Results of German external quality assessment schemes for SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection - Scientific Reports

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the important role of diagnostic tests, including lateral flow tests (LFTs), in identifying patients and their contacts to slow the spread of infections. INSTAND performed external quality assessments (EQA) for SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection with lyophilized and chemically inactivated cell culture supernatant of SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero cells. A pre-study demonstrated the suitability of the material. Participants reported qualitative and/or quantitative antigen results using either LFTs or automated immunoassays for five EQA samples per survey. 711 data sets were reported for LFT detection in three surveys in 2021. This evaluation focused on the analytical sensitivity of different LFTs and automated immunoassays. The inter-laboratory results showed at least 94% correct results for non-variant of concern (VOC) SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection for viral loads of ≥ 4.75 × 106 copies/mL and SARS-CoV-2 negative samples. Up to 85% had success for a non-VOC viral load of ~ 1.60 × 106 copies/mL. A viral load of ~ 1.42 × 107 copies/mL of the Delta VOC was reported positive in > 96% of results. A high specificity was found with almost 100% negative SARS-CoV-2 antigen results for HCoV 229E and HCoV NL63 positive samples. Quantitative results correlated with increasing SARS-CoV-2 viral load but showed a broad scatter. This study shows promising SARS-CoV-2 antigen test performance of the participating laboratories, but further investigations with the now predominant Omicron VOC are needed.