Cutting corners: The impact of storage and DNA extraction on quality and quantity of DNA in honeybee (Apis mellifera) spermatheca

The purpose of our study was to investigate methods of short-term storage that allow preservation, transport and retrieval of genetic information contained in honeybee queen's spermatheca. Genotyping of the honeybee colony requires well ahead planned sample collection, depending on the type of data to be acquired. Sampling and genotyping of spermatheca's content instead of individual offspring is timesaving, allowing answers to the questions related to patriline composition immediately after mating. Such procedure is also cheaper and less error prone. For preservation either Allprotect Tissue Reagent (Qiagen) or absolute ethanol were used. Conditions during transportation were simulated by keeping samples 6-8 days at room temperature. Six different storing conditions of spermathecas were tested, complemented with two DNA extraction methods. We have analysed the concentration of DNA, RNA, and proteins in DNA extracts. We also analysed how strongly the DNA is subjected to fragmentation (through amplification of genetic markers ANT2 and tRNA^leu-COX2) and whether the quality of the extracted DNA is suitable for microsatellite (MS) analysis. Then, we tested the usage of spermatheca as a source of patriline composition in an experiment with three instrumentally inseminated virgin queens and performed MS analysis of the extracted DNA from each spermatheca, as well as queens' and drones' tissue. Our results show that median DNA concentration from spermathecas excised prior the storage, regardless of the storing condition and DNA extraction method, were generally lower than median DNA concentration obtained from spermathecas dissected from the whole queens after the storage. Despite the differences in DNA yield from the samples subjected to different storing conditions there was no significant effect of storage method or the DNA extraction method on the amplification success, although fewer samples stored in EtOH amplified successfully in comparison to ATR storing reagent. However, we recommend EtOH as a storing reagent due to its availability, low price, simplicity in usage in the field and in the laboratory, and capability of good preservation of the samples for DNA analysis during transport at room temperature.

1077 ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF A 7-DAY EXTENDED HOURS NURSE PRACTITIONER LED FRONT-DOOR FRAILTY SERVICE

Older frail patients have a demonstrable risk of adverse outcomes following attendance to the emergency department (ED), such as functional decline, delirium, institutionalisation, and death.

With an increasing number of frail patients within the population, it is important to have a system of identification of these patients at the ‘front door’; with Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and direction to most appropriate place of care, whilst simultaneously minimising impact on flow within ED departments that are under increasing amounts of pressure.

Northumbria’s Frailty Assessment Service (FAS) operates 7 days a week, 12 hours/day into the ED. It identifies, within an hour of arrival, those frail patients >65 and delivers Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and ‘ward level’ care within 4 hours, using a peripatetic model. It aims to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and therefore potentially adverse outcomes within this group, whilst minimising impact of flow within the ED, and directs the patients towards the most appropriate place of care.

It is Geriatric Specialist Nurse Practitioner led, with Consultant and MDT support, such that it has a workforce that has been able to increase to match demand over the last few years.

Over the course of 12 months (Jan—Dec 2021), the service saw 3,430 patients. 2,962 patients were planned by ED for admission, and following FAS review, only 1,169 were admitted acutely, demonstrating a reduction in admission rate of 39.5% across the year. 17.2% of patients were seen on a Saturday or Sunday demonstrating the need for a 7-day service. Average time patients spent with FAS within the ED was 1 h12 minutes. The service demonstrates the sustainability and effectiveness of an extended hours, non-Consultant led ‘front door frailty’ service, without significant impact on the flow within the Emergency Department.