The type—token ratio in schizophrenic disorders: clinical and research value

1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theo C. Manschreck ◽  
Brendan A. Maher ◽  
Toni M. Hoover ◽  
Donna Ames
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Thought Disorder ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Clinical Sensitivity ◽  
Normal Controls

SynopsisPrior research has indicated that the type-token ratio (TTR), a measure of repetition in language, correlates with clinical judgements of thought disorder when spoken language was examined, and differentiates statistically thought-disordered from non-thought-disordered schizophrenics and psychiatric and normal controls. We replicated this finding and examined the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the TTR measure in the diagnosis and in the assessment of thought disorder. The current clinical value of the TTR is limited, but further investigations of the nature of repetition in schizophrenic language are warranted.

Formal Thought Disorder, the Type-Token Ratio, and Disturbed Voluntary Motor Movement in Schizophrenia

1981 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theo C. Manschreck ◽  
Brendan A. Maher ◽  
Deborah N. Ader
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Thought Disorder ◽  
Clinical Judgments ◽  
Formal Thought Disorder ◽  
Motor Disturbance ◽  
Motor Movement ◽  
Motor Abnormalities ◽  
Normal Controls ◽  
Motor Disturbances

SummaryLittle work has been done to determine objective, reliable differences in formal characteristics of the actual utterances of thought-disordered and non-thought-disordered subjects. The type-token ratio (TTR), a quantitative measure of repetition in language, correlated highly with clinical judgments of thought disorder when spoken language was examined, and statistically differentiated thought-disordered from non-thought-disordered schizophrenics and psychiatric and normal controls. Elicited and spontaneous motor abnormalities were associated with reduced TTRs both in schizophrenics and in affective subjects with motor disturbance. The TTR is a reliable, objective indicator of language deviance and thought disorder, and strongly associated with motor disturbances.

Detection of early occlusal caries of the first permanent molar using different techniques (An in vivo study)

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Samah F. Al-Qazzaz ◽  
Abeer M. Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Caries Detection ◽  
Occlusal Caries ◽  
Clinical Sensitivity ◽  
Permanent Molar ◽  
Permanent Molars ◽  
Early Caries ◽  
First Permanent Molars ◽  
Better Than

Background: Molars and premolars are considered as the most vulnerable teeth of caries attack, which is related to the morphology of their occlusal surfaces along with the difficulty of plaque removal. different methods were used for early caries detection that provide sensitive, accurate preoperative diagnosis of caries depths to establish adequate preventive measures and avoid premature tooth treatment by restoration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical sensitivity and specificity rates of DIAGNOdent and visual inspection as opposed to the ICDAS for the detection of initial occlusal caries in noncavitated first permanent molars. Materials and Methods: This study examined 139 occlusal surface of the first permanent molar pooled from fifty patients aged 8-9 years by three methods. The selected criteria include one occlusal site per tooth (first permanent molars) with carious lesions range from 0 to 3 according to ICDASII (gold standard) visual criteria then the clinical sensitivity and specificity of visual inspection according to Ekstrand et al.in 1997 and DIAGNOdent were performed. . Results: the highest correlation was found between the ICDASII and DIAGNOdent. The sensitivity of the DIAGNOdent for the enamel caries detection (D1) was better than that of visual inspection. The sensitivity and the specificity for the DIAGNOdent at D3 threshold were better than the D1 threshold and the visual inspection method. Conclusion: DIAGNOden pen can be used as a tool for early caries detection in cases of difficult diagnosis that provide good additional sensitivity to the visual inspection.

Language Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

1981 ◽  
Vol 139 (6) ◽  
pp. 519-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Faber ◽  
Michele Bierenbaum Reichstein
Keyword(s):  
Language Comprehension ◽  
Picture Naming ◽  
Language Disorders ◽  
Thought Disorder ◽  
Formal Thought Disorder ◽  
Token Test ◽  
Naming Test ◽  
Normal Controls

SummarySimilarities between language disorders in aphasia and formal thought disorder in schizophrenia are explored in 24 schizophrenic, 5 manic and 5 depressed psychiatric in-patients, and 28 normal controls. Eight sub-tests from the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, a picture naming test and the Token Test were administered. Schizophrenics with formal thought disorder showed significant abnormalities compared to all other groups, particularly on the Token Test and the repetition of phrases test. These deficits are suggestive of language comprehension and repetition dysfunctions in a substantial minority of rigorously defined schizophrenics.

scholarly journals Colorimetric Reverse Transcription–Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Yee Lai ◽  
Soo Nee Tang ◽  
Yee Ling Lau
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
Lamp Assay ◽  
Isothermal Amplification ◽  
Clinical Sensitivity ◽  
Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Detection Technology ◽  
Simple Detection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been spreading rapidly all over the world. In the absence of effective treatments or a vaccine, there is an urgent need to develop a more rapid and simple detection technology of COVID-19. We describe a WarmStart colorimetric reverse transcription–loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The detection limit for this assay was 1 copy/µL SARS-CoV-2. To test the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay, 37 positive and 20 negative samples were used. The WarmStart colorimetric RT-LAMP had 100% sensitivity and specificity. End products were detected by direct observation, thereby eliminating the need for post-amplification processing steps. WarmStart colorimetric RT-LAMP provides an opportunity to facilitate virus detection in resource-limited settings without a sophisticated diagnostic infrastructure.

Lung Ultrasound Findings Compared to Chest CT Scan in Patients with COVID-19 Associated Pneumonia: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Hatamabadi ◽  
Majid Shojaee ◽  
Mohammad Bagheri ◽  
Masoomeh Raoufi
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Lung Ultrasound ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Ground Glass Opacity ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Ultrasound Evaluation ◽  
Chest Ct Scan

Introduction: Lung US has been reported to be as useful as a chest CT scan and much better than a chest x-ray for the evaluation of pneumonia. Objective: This study aimed to compare the findings of lung ultrasound (US) and chest CT scan of patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia in the Emergency Department (ED). Methods: This retrospective observational pilot study was carried out on confirmed COVID-19 patients in the isolation corona ward of the Imam Hussein Hospital ED from March 15 to March 22, 2020. After obtaining demographic data, the patients underwent a pulmonary bedside US examination, with the patients in the sitting position, turning their back to the examiner. A 10-point lung US was performed. Each lung was divided into two areas: posterior (three zones) and lateral (two zones). The patients’ lung ultrasound and chest CT scan as the standard imaging were blindly reviewed and recorded. The clinical value of ultrasound was evaluated with different severity of lung involvement according to CT severity score. Results: Nineteen patients (38 zones), including 13 males, were evaluated with a mean age of 62.5±16.8 years. B2 lines and consolidation observed in the US examinations were significantly correlated with ground-glass opacity and consolidation observed in CT scan examinations, respectively (p <0.0001). US sensitivity and specificity of finding B2 lines were 90% and 100%, respectively. Also, the sensitivity and specificity of US in identifying consolidation were 82% and 100%, respectively. In the lungs with moderate and severe lobar involvement, US findings were significantly correlated (p <0.05) with CT scan findings. Conclusions: Ultrasound evaluation is a safe, fast, and rapid technique for the evaluation of patients with moderate to severe COVID-19-associated pneumonia. It is a reproducible procedure and can be implemented by the operator after a short course of training.

Blood amyloid β oligomerization as a biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease: a blinded validation study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Chul Youn ◽  
Byoung Sub Lee ◽  
Gwang Je Kim ◽  
Ji Sun Ryu ◽  
Kuntaek Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Clinical Sensitivity ◽  
Aβ Oligomerization ◽  
Normal Cognition

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Oligomeric amyloid ß (Aß) is one of the major contributors to the pathomechanism of AD; Aß oligomerization in plasma can be measured using a Multimer Detection System-Oligomeric Aß (MDS-OAß) after incubation with spiked synthetic Aß. METHODS: We evaluated the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the MDS-OAß values by inBlood TM OAß test using heparin-treated plasma samples from 52 AD patients in comparison with 52 community-based subjects with normal cognition (NC). The inclusion criterion was proposed by the NINCDS-ADRDA and additionally required for the least 6 months of follow-up from the initial clinical diagnosis in the course of AD. RESULTS: The MDS-OAβ values were 1.43 ± 0.30 ng/ml in AD and 0.45 ± 0.19 ( p <0.001) in NC, respectively. Using a cut-off value of 0.78 ng/ml, the results revealed that 100% sensitivity 92.31% specificity. DISCUSSION: MDS-OAß to measure plasma Aβ oligomerization is a valuable blood-based biomarker for clinical diagnosis of AD, with high sensitivity and specificity.

scholarly journals Performance of the Molecular Alere i Influenza A&B Test Compared to That of the Xpert Flu A/B Assay

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 706-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberle C. Chapin ◽  
Estefany J. Flores-Cortez
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Type A ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Clinical Sensitivity ◽  
Transport Medium ◽  
The Poor ◽  
B Test

Data on the performance of rapid molecular point-of-care use platforms for diagnosis of influenza are lacking. We validated nasopharyngeal (NP) flocked specimens in universal transport medium (UTM) and evaluated the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the Alere i influenza A&B test compared to those of the Xpert flu A/B assay. The Alere i influenza A&B test had an overall sensitivity and specificity of 93.8% and 62.5% for influenza A, respectively, and of 91.8% and 53.6% for influenza B, respectively. The poor specificity was due to influenza virus samples determined positive for both type A and B.

Contextual Constraint and the Recall of Verbal Material in Schizophrenia: The Effect of Thought Disorder

1980 ◽  
Vol 137 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan A. Maher ◽  
Theo C. Manschreck ◽  
Mary E. Rucklos
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Material ◽  
Thought Disorder ◽  
Experimental Task ◽  
Psychiatric Interview ◽  
Contextual Constraint ◽  
Language Perception ◽  
Research Criteria ◽  
Normal Controls

SummarySome research indicates that thought-disordered schizophrenics produce language utterances that are less predictable than those of non-thought-disordered schizophrenics and controls. We examined the hypothesis that thought-disordered schizophrenics would have a parallel deficiency in the ability to use the predictabilities provided by contextual constraint to improve recall of heard language passages. Subjects were seventeen schizophrenics, ten normal controls, and twelve psychiatric controls, evaluated by standardized psychiatric interview and diagnosed according to research criteria. The data obtained supported the hypothesis and non-thought-disordered schizophrenics performed similarly to controls in the experimental task.Failure to classify schizophrenic subjects on the dimension of thought disorder may result in misleading comparisons of general samples of schizophrenics with controls on tasks requiring language perception and production.

scholarly journals OC 8173 RAPID DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM ULCERANS BY RECOMBINASE POLYMERASE AMPLIFICATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A2.1-A2
Author(s):  
Michael Frimpong ◽  
Hubert Ahor ◽  
Francisca Sarpong ◽  
Ken Laing ◽  
Mark Wansbrough-Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Current Control ◽  
Mycobacterium Ulcerans ◽  
Recombinase Polymerase Amplification ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Clinical Sensitivity

BackgroundThere are no primary measures to prevent people from contracting Buruli ulcer, mainly due to poor understanding of its epidemiology. The current control strategy emphasises early diagnosis and prompt treatment, with the goal of avoiding the complications associated with advanced stages of the disease. There is no diagnostic test for the disease appropriate for use at the primary health care level where most cases are detected and treated. Diagnosis based on clinical signs is unreliable in inexperienced hands and complicated by infections that have similar presentations. This study was to develop and evaluate the use of recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay for the detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans at the point of patient care.MethodsA specific fragment of IS2404 of M. ulcerans was amplified in 15 min at a constant temperature of 42°C, using the RPA assay and analysed on a portable fluorometre. The’method was tested for sensitivity and specificity with molecular standard of IS2404 DNA fragment, various M.’ulcerans strains, other mycobacteria and environmentally associated bacteria. Additionally, the assay performance as a diagnostic tool was tested with archived DNA from symptomatic patients. All results were compared with that of a highly sensitive IS2404 PCR.ResultsThe detection limit was 50 copies of IS2404 in 15 min using plasmid standard and 125 fg with genomic Mu DNA equivalent 25 genomic copies. The assay was highly specific in detecting all strains of M. ulcerans with no observed cross reactivity with other mycobacteria and common skin colonising bacteria. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of the BU-RPA assay using clinical samples was 86% and 100% respectively.ConclusionWe have developed a real-time isothermal RPA assay for the detection of M. ulcerans as a cheaper alternative to PCR. Combining this assay with a simple extraction protocol will maximise its use as point-of-care test for Buruli ulcer.

scholarly journals 244. Development, Qualification, and Clinical Validation of an Immunodiagnostic assay for the Detection of 11 Additional S. pneumoniae Serotype-Specific Polysaccharides in Human Urine

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S138-S138
Author(s):  
Warren Vincent. Kalina ◽  
Victor Souza ◽  
Kangjian Wu ◽  
Peter Giardina ◽  
Andrew McKeen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Pneumococcal Disease ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Clinical Validation ◽  
Assay Sensitivity ◽  
Clinical Sensitivity ◽  
Luminex Technology ◽  
Urinary Antigen Detection

Abstract Background Identifying Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) serotypes by urinary antigen detection assay (UAD) is the most sensitive and specific way to evaluate the changing epidemiology of non-bacteremic community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and efficacy of pneumococcal vaccines. We first described an UAD to detect the Sp serotypes 1,-3,-4,-5,-6A,-6B,-7F,-9V,-14,-18C,-19A,-19F,-23F covered by the 13-valent Sp conjugate vaccine PCV13. To assess the pneumococcal disease burden of additional serotypes, a UAD-2 assay was developed to diagnose 11 additional Sp serotypes (-2,-8,-9N,-10A,-11A,-12F,-15B,-17F,-20,-22F,-33F). Methods UAD-2 specificity was achieved by capturing highly purified pneumococcal polysaccharides with serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies using Luminex technology. Assay qualification assessed accuracy, precision, and sample linearity. Serotype positivity was based on cutoffs determined by non-parametric statistical evaluation of urine samples from individuals without pneumococcal disease. Clinical sensitivity and specificity of the positivity cutoffs were assessed in a clinical validation. Results The UAD-2 was shown to be specific and reproducible. Clinical validation using urine samples from invasive disease patients demonstrated assay sensitivity and specificity of 92.2% and 95.9%, respectively compared with a gold standard of isolating and typing (by Quellung) Sp bacteria from patient samples. Analysis of 11,087 CAP patients showed a UAD-2 and UAD-1 serotype prevalence of 4.33% and 4.60%, respectively (bacteremic and non-bacteremic CAP combined). Conclusion The qualified/clinically validated UAD-2 method has applicability in understanding the epidemiology of nonbacteremic Sp CAP as well as assessing vaccine efficacy of future pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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