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Gene expression analysis using the qPCR method requires an oligonucleotide pair to prime the amplification process. Supporting the widely used qPCR method, variety of qPCR reagents and primer options are available. This infers to the importance of in silico and laboratory experimental validation approach considering SYBR Green optimum annealing temperature to validate the most suitable primer for prior use. Several genes are suspected to be involved in the BM-MSCs migration and differentiation into Cancer-associated Fibroblast Cells in Rattus norvegicus. This article aims to provide in silico analysis with the case of the suspected genes namely actin alpha-2 smooth muscle (ACTA2), fibroblast activation protein (FAP), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase-1 (HPRT1), platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGFB), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit-1 (PIK3R1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) qPCR primer with qPCR and electrophoresis validation. The procedure used in this approach was in silico analysis of primer from published articles and newly designed primer. The analysis was done with Primer-BLAST for gene specificity, Primer-Dimer, OligoCalc for hairpin formation, BLAST Nucleotide for identical sequence screening, and Clustal Omega for product length validation. Experimental validation was done using qPCR for optimal annealing temperature, priming ability, amplicon specificity, and electrophoresis for product length validation. This assessment resulted in in silico and laboratory experimental validation of ACTA2, FAP, HPRT1, PDGFB, PIK3R1, and VCAM1 primer pairs producing suitable amplicon for qPCR using Rattus norvegicus cDNA with SYBR annealing temperature range of 60-65° C with three mM MgCl2. The primer pairs can be used for further qPCR analysis under similar conditions and the procedure stated can be used as starting point for qPCR Primer preparation accounting for fluorophore optimum annealing temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 causes a high death toll, illness, and economic losses. Transmission of the virus occurs from human to human and has spread to more than 200 countries. This research aims to determine the relationship between close contact and the COVID-19 incident in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Methods: This research used an observational analysis with a cross-sectional design. The population in this study were all COVID-19 patients and those who had close contact with COVID-19 patients in South Sumatra. The data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate tests. The bivariate analysis uses the chi-square test, while the multivariate analysis uses the logistic regression test. Results: The results show that close contact was related to the incidence of COVID-19 with a P value of 0.00 and an odds ratio adjusted (ORAdj) of 3.59 (95% CI: 2.93-4.39) after the variables of record of visiting local transmission areas, the record of visiting health facilities, the record of contact with suspected cases, and record of contact with confirmed cases were controlled. Conclusion: The transmission of close contact within families, such as households, was very high. A transmission could occur between a husband and wife and people who lived in the same house and shared plates while eating. To prevent a broader transmission, people who had close contact with COVID-19 needed to be quarantined. Based on these results, we could carry out public health interventions globally to fight against the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]