The Fastest Test for Covid-19 with 5 Minutes Result - Virus 7

T he new fastest test PCR machine based technology

(credit to Abbott)

We talked about one of test kits at previous post: Is there Affordable Kit to Detect Corona Virus? - Virus 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Now, one of giant American health care companies, Abbot Laboratories developed new test devices called “ID Now Covid-19” for detection of Covid-19 infection.

The device is based on “real-time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.” The technology is widely used for nucleic acids detection from virus.

Actually, two approaches to detect Covid-19:

- immuno-assays, test by detecting protein which is contained by virus

- moleculer (nucleic acid) tests to recognize genetic code of virus.

The “ID Now Covid-19” test is a machine with technology of nucleic acids to detect virus genetic code, especially for SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The size is quite small, like toaster with weight of 6.6 pound (3 kg). Since it is small size and portable, then, every physician offices may have one in the near future.

Sample from nasal or throat passages

The simple procedures are following:

- A sample from passages of throat or nasal

- A sample then inserted into Abbot “ID Now Covid-19” test machine

- wait for several minutes.

The accuracy of test is higher compared to previous machines. Result may be known for several minutes:

- 5 minutes for a positive test

- 15 minutes for a negative test.

Hope, this kind of machine could provide the tests for who needs, not only in the USA but also all over the world.

Previous posts related to virus:

- How to Know Someone Infected by Wuhan Virus? - Virus 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Older, Men and Preexisting conditions are Vulnerable to Covid-19 – Virus 3 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Why Small Lawn Mower Produces Smoke?

Smoke comes out from machine

When I cut grass on my yard with my small lawn mower, the problems always the same:

- smokes come out

- when I stop the engine, then machine oil was leaking into filter or prime bulb

In case of cloud (smokes), it is said (from internet searching) few possibilities:

- Oil in the chamber is too much.

- Oil leaking when tilting the lawn mower to the filter or prime bulb

- engine is too hot.

Previously, whatever possibilities, I always face with two choices: bring it to a repairman or just simply buy a new one.

Since cost to fix machine almost equal to new one, I usually buy new one for several times.

My front yard

Recently, I found the answer why my lawn mower produces cloud, it is related to over full oil and leaking oil. 

I used to run the smoked engine until it stops, then re-start, stop, re-start it up and stop totally. 

But now, after stopping the smoked engine, I let the engine cooling down for a while. Draining some oil out. Check the oil level by available dipstick.

Drying the lawn mower under the sun for 15 minutes. Push red prime button for several times, and start the engine. It works. 

I am happy with my yard lawn mower now. I fixed the problem. Hope, it would work well at least for this year.

Will We Have Hantavirus Outbreaks or Pandemic? - Virus 6

A case of Hantavirus infection in China

People was quite “hysteria” when knew there is another virus, Hantavirus infection in addition to Covid-19.

The news was spread around the globe by Chinese English newspaper, Global Times about two weeks ago, exactly in the middle of Coronavirus pandemic.

The question then, Will We Have Hantavirus Outbreaks or Pandemic? Before answer the question, let’s know the first infection history.

We knew Hantavirus during Korean war, 1951 – 1953. The virus caused:

- dead to 190 American soldiers

- infected other 3,000 American soldiers

The infection was transmitted from rodents to human through:

- less likely by biting

- feces

- saliva

- urine

Hantavirus transmission from mouse to human

(credit to Herald journalism)

A reported said that fatality rate due to Hantavirus is about 38%, very much higher compared to Covid-19, around 3% to close to 10% in many places.

Yes, it is serious and dangerous. However, there is “little” possibility to be outbreaks or pandemic with at least 5 reasons:

1) No infection through human to human recorded until recently.

2) Not all mice carry Hantavirus

3) house mice and roof rats have never known to infect people with Hantavirus

4) limited people only contact to mouse that carries Hantavirus

5) Early infected persons can be treated better and likely cured in the intensive care

Hope, one dead case of Hantavirus infection in Yunnan province, China on March 2020 will not spark to all over the world.

Solvang is One of Danish Towns in America

One side of Solvang town

I knew Danes have settled in northern parts of America. They are easily found in the states such as:

- North and South Dakota

- Illinois

- Iowa

- Wisconsin

- Michigan

It is interesting to know that Solvang is Danish town in Santa Ynez valley, Santa Barbara, California. The reason to live in California was to avoid harsh winter in northern part.

Solvang is Danish word for sunny field, the town has 5,900 population with European tastes and influences.

This beautiful “little village” is a kind of gateway to see Danish early settlement in California.

The town is small enough to walk around for two or three hours, especially at the weekend, and enjoy peaceful setting of historic Denmark heritages.

We may found authentic Danish products if stop by in the:

- bakeries (sell Danish pasteries, bread and decorated cakes)

- souvenir shops

- antique shops

- museums

- candle shops

- many small shops

- a lot of restaurants

In specific days, we may “watch” parades and shows such as car show, include classic cars.

Have you visited Solvang or any Danish town in America?

The Roles of Incretin Hormones for Diabetes Patients - Diabetes 22

Fig 01- Incretin hormone in the body (credit to Wiley Online Library)

We just mentioned little bit about Incretin Hormones in the previou post, How Lipotoxicity Relate to Diabetes? - Diabetes 6 | Tanza Erlambang Update

This hormone is created to trigger our body to respond to food intake. Our body has two kind of Incretin Hormones:

- GLP 1 (Glucagon Like Peptide 1)

- GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Peptide)

When we are eating foods, our gut produce GLP 1 to stimulate beta cells in pancreas to produce insulin and our body to decrease appetite.

In case of appetite decreasing, there is involvement of the mechanisms of brain – gut responses. The responses include by increasing of energy expenditure.

Scientists may exploit this mechanism by designing specific drugs and foods to treat metabolic diseases and over weight people.

Other roles of GLP 1:

- influence gut motility

- inhibit secretion of gastric acid

- inhibit secretion of glucagon.

Fig 02- Bell peppers. Spicy vegetable

Fig 03- Cheese in the grocery. Illustration

In respect to diabetes, GLP 1 has several functions:

- inhibit releasing of post-prandial glucagon

- slow down the stomach emptying

- the most important is increasing insulin sensitivity.

We will discuss little bit about GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Peptide) by next post.

Other diabetes relate posts:

- What is Hypoxia and How Its Relates to Diabetes? - Diabetes 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Can Abnormal Blood Sugar Lead to Seizure? - Diabetes 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Can Diabetic Ketone-acidosis Lead to Death? - Diabetes 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Is there Relationship between Coffee and Type 2 Diabetes? - Diabetes 10 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Could Green Tea Improve Insulin Sensitivity? - Diabetes 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

An Affordable Battery for Electric Bicycle

The Alizeti 300c Battery.

We bike just for health purposes, usually on Saturday or Sunday, the distance less than 10 km (6.2 miles). Our bike is a traditional one.

Electrical bike (e-bike) could reach between 32 km (20 miles) to 200 km (124 miles), depend on battery sizes, with single charge:

- 500 watt could reach 60 km (37 mile)

- 3,000 watt will be ride up to 200 km (124 miles)

This type of bike (e-bike) is quite popular recently, especially for these customers:

1) Tourists

Tour operators in many tourists destinations around the globe, provide e-bike for tourists who enjoy cycling, but not have perfect fitness to up the hills and reach medium distance, around 60 km.

2) General public

Several advantages for general public, even without physical training to ride e-bike are:

- easy

- faster speed

- longer distances

- more functionality

- save time

Alizeti 300c is one of affordable batteries available in the market. The 500 watt battery can be installed in any e-bike. The price is US$ 580, quite reasonable.

Then, we might ride with speed of 32 km per hour (20 mile per hour) with 64 km (40 miles) distance.

Do you like to ride bike? Traditional or e-bike?

Homemade Face Masks to Combat Spread of Covid-19 – Virus 5

Sewing own face masks (credit to NBC Connecticut)

We might all knew that many hospitals are facing shortage of protective gears (health supplies) for health care workers or Covid-19 patients or general public across America.

Some of important supplies are:

- testing kits

- eye protection

- gloves

- gown

- face masks (surgical and N95 type respirator)

In case of face masks, these disposable items which cost less than 75 cents are ran out as well. Un-believable for rich country such as America.

One hospital may need 5,000 to 15,000 face masks: surgical face masks to patients and N95 respirators for medical workers.

Designs of homemade face masks (credit to Dr Monique Tello)

Luckily, sewing people (mom, nanny and kids) step up to supply the homemade face masks to hospital in many states.

You may ask a question: could homemade masks protect us from Covid-19?

Before answer this question, I posted article: Can Face Masks Contain Wuhan Coronavirus?

The commercial face masks, I quote from my own post: “The surgical mask is effective to block big droplets, but we may inhale very small droplets from the sides of filters.”

Moreover, “N95 respirator is able to block from 95% to 99% airborne pathogens, germs or virus. It is good for health care workers who handle Coronavirus patients (suspected or infected).”

The homemade face mask effectiveness is depend very much on the materials. The following material effectiveness to block 0.02 micron particles (less than Corona virus size):

- scarf is 49% effective

- silk is 54% effective

- linen is 62% effective

- cotton blend is 70% effective

- vacuum cleaner bag is 86% effective.

Thus, at least, homemade face masks are suitable to halt spreading of droplets from infected patients or preventing dispersion of coughing particles.