ABSTRACT
The rapid emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants raises a number of public health questions including the capability of diagnostic tests to detect new strains, the efficacy of vaccines, and how to map the geographical distribution of variants to better understand patterns of transmission and possible load on healthcare resources. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is the primary method for detecting and tracing the emergence of new variants, but it is expensive, and it can take weeks before sequence data is available in public repositories. Here, we describe a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based genotyping approach that is significantly less expensive, accelerates reporting on SARS-CoV-2 variants, and can be implemented in any testing lab performing PCR. Specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels are identified that have high positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) compared to NGS for the major genotypes that circulated in 2021. Using a 48-marker panel, testing on 1,128 retrospective samples yielded a PPA and NPA in the 96.3 to 100% and 99.2 to 100% range, respectively, for the top 10 most prevalent lineages. The effect on PPA and NPA of reducing the number of panel markers was also explored. In addition, with the emergence of Omicron, we also developed an Omicron genotyping panel that distinguishes the Delta and Omicron variants using four (4) highly specific SNPs. Data from testing demonstrates the capability to use the panel to rapidly track the growing prevalence of the Omicron variant in the United States in December 2021.
ABSTRACT
Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery represents one of the most advanced applications for laparoscopic surgery currently in use.In the past,minimally invasive techniques in pancreatic surgery were only used for diagnostic laparoscopy,staging of pancreatic cancer and palliative procedures for unresectable pancreatic cancer.A growing number of case series and multi-institutional reports on safety and efficacy of minimally invasive pancreatic resection have been published.Current knowledge on minimally invasive pancreatic resection is based mainly on short-term outcomes from a small number of centers with cohorts too small to make strong arguments for or against its use.In carefully selected patients,minimally invasive pancreatic resection is safe and feasible.However,the procedure should only be attempted by surgeons who are experienced in open pancreatic surgery and in laparoscopic surgery.The role and oncologic safety of minimally invasive approach for pancreatic resection for pancreatic cancer remain unknown.