Partial comparison of the NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel Assay with the Luminex xTAG Respiratory Panel Fast Assay V2 and singleplex real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection of respiratory pathogens

In this study, 185 nasopharyngeal swabs were tested to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the Luminex NxTAG (NxTAG) Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) Assay with those of the Luminex Respiratory Virus Panel (RVP) Fast Assay v2 and singleplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The NxTAG Assay identified at least one infectious agent in 164 (88.7%) of the swabs. In 91 (6.2%) tests with negative results with the RVP Fast Assay v2, a virus was identified by the NxTAG (P < 0.001). With the NxTAG Assay, the detection rates were significantly higher for respiratory syncytial virus (P = 0.003), human metapneumovirus (P < 0.001), human rhinovirus/human enterovirus (P = 0.009) and human adenovirus (P < 0.001). Finally, the NxTAG Assay identified M. pneumoniae in 32 of 44 (72.7%) PCR-positive samples. However, the concordance with real-time PCR results was low for both assays. In conclusion, the results indicate that the NxTAG Assay overcomes some of the limitations of previous Luminex assays, although further studies are needed for a more complete evaluation of the new assay

Crescimento de mudas de gipsofila em diferentes substratos Development of young plants of gypsophila in different substrates

Dentro da horticultura um dos ramos que tem se expandido nos últimos anos é a floricultura, em função de sua rentabilidade. Neste sentido, o estudo e uso dos substratos para produção de mudas torna-se de grande importância, pois da qualidade da muda depende o resultado do produto final. Considerando que a qualidade de um substrato é o resultado de suas propriedades químicas e físicas, efetuou-se a caracterização dos mesmos. Este experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o crescimento de plantas de Gypsophila paniculata cv. Bristol Fairy em diferentes substratos. Os tratamentos (seis substratos) foram dispostos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com parcelas subdivididas no tempo, com quatro repetições. Cada parcela constou de 22 plantas, totalizando 588 mudas. Nos substratos, foram efetuadas as análises físico-químicas: densidade seca, porosidade total, espaço de aeração, água disponível, água facilmente disponível, pH, condutividade elétrica e capacidade de troca de cátions. As avaliações nas plantas foram realizadas semanalmente (7-35 dias) e constituíram-se da taxa de sobrevivência, volume de raízes, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea e da raiz. Os resultados indicaram que a característica disponibilidade de água otimiza a aclimatização de Gypsophila paniculata. Os melhores resultados para produção de mudas foram obtidos com os substratos FE1 (perlita + turfa) e FE4 (casca de pinus + perlita + turfa).<br>Floriculture is one of the branches in horticulture that has expanded in the last years because of its profitability. The study and the use of substrates for producing young plants are important, once the gypsophila production depends on young plants quality. Considering that the quality of a substrate is the result of its chemical and physical properties, the characterisation of these properties was made. This trial was carried out to evaluate the growth of Gypsophila paniculala cv. Bristol Fairy plants in different substrates. The experimental design was a randomised complete blocking split-plot scheme with six treatments (substrates) and four replicates. Each plot consisted of 22 plants, totalizing 588 young plants. The following physical chemical analyses were performed: dry density, total porosity, aeration space, available water, water easily available, pH, electric conductivity and cations capacity change. Plant development was evaluated on a weekly basis and the following parameters were measured: survival rate, root volume, fresh and dry matter of aerial part and root. Substrates with higher levels of water easily available optimised the Gypsophila paniculata acclimatization. The best results for young plants production were obtained with the substrates FE1(perlite + peat) and FE4 (pine of husks + perlite + peat)