Evaluation of the analytical and clinical performance of two RT-PCR based point-of-care tests; Cepheid Xpert® Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus and SD BioSensor STANDARD™ M10 Flu/RSV/SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Rapid and accurate detection of viral respiratory infections is important for infection control measures. This study compares the analytical and clinical performance of the Xpert® Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus test ("Xpert", Cepheid) and the STANDARD™ M10 Flu/RSV/SARS-CoV-2 test ("M10", SD Biosensor). Both tests are quadruplex RT-PCR assays for rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B and RSV.

A nationwide analytical and clinical evaluation of 44 rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 compared to RT-qPCR.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in massive testing by Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) without solid independent data regarding clinical performance being available. Thus, decision on purchase of a specific RAT may rely on manufacturer-provided data and limited peer-reviewed data.

Methods: This study consists of two parts.

A major outbreak of COVID-19 at aresidential care home.

Introduction SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks at care homes are associated with a high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to study the molecular epidemiology of a major care home outbreak in Denmark. Methods After a staff member had been tested positive on 16 November 2020, a bundle approach programme was initiated including frequent surveillance screenings of residents and staff, isolation and cohorting procedures.

Development of potent fluorescent polyamine toxins and application in labeling of ionotropic glutamate receptors in hippocampal neurons.

The natural product argiotoxin-636 (ArgTX-636) found in the venom of the Argiope lobata spider is a potent open-channel blocker of ionotropic glutamate (iGlu) receptors, and recently, two analogues, ArgTX-75 and ArgTX-48, were identified with increased potency and selectivity for iGlu receptor subtypes. Here, we have exploited these analogues as templates in the development of fluorescent iGlu receptor ligands to be employed as unique tools for dynamic studies. Eighteen fluorescent analogues were designed and synthesized, and subsequently pharmacologically evaluated at three iGlu receptor subtypes, which resulted in the discovery of highly potent fluorescent iGlu receptor antagonists with IC50 values as low as 11 nM.

Structure-activity relationship studies of argiotoxins: selective and potent inhibitors of ionotropic glutamate receptors.

Argiotoxin-636 (ArgTX-636), a natural product from the spider Argiope lobata, is a potent but nonselective open-channel blocker of ionotropic glutamate (iGlu) receptors. Here, three series of analogues were designed to exploit selectivity among iGlu receptors, taking advantage of a recently developed solid-phase synthetic methodology for the synthesis of ArgTX-636 and analogues. Initially, the importance of secondary amino groups in the polyamine chain was studied by the synthesis of systematically modified ArgTX-636 analogues, which were evaluated for pharmacological activity at NMDA and AMPA receptors.