scholarly journals One score to rule them all: severity assessment in laboratory mice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Talbot ◽  
Birgitta Struve ◽  
Laura Wassermann ◽  
Miriam Heider ◽  
Nora Weegh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Restraint Stress ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Postoperative Recovery ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Severity Assessment ◽  
Severity Levels ◽  
Individual Variables

AbstractAnimal welfare and the refinement of experimental procedures are fundamental aspects of biomedical research. They provide the basis for robust experimental designs and reproducibility of results. In many countries, the determination of welfare is a mandatory legal requirement and implies the assessment of the degree of the severity that an animal experiences during an experiment. However, for an effective severity assessment, an objective and exact approach/system/strategy is needed. In light of these demands, we have developed the Relative Severity Assessment (RELSA) score.This comprehensive composite score was established on the basis of physiological and behavioral data from a surgical mouse study. Body weight, the Mouse Grimace Scale score, burrowing behavior, and the telemetry-derived parameters heart rate, heart rate variability, temperature, and general activity were used to investigate the quality of indicating severity during postoperative recovery. The RELSA scores not only revealed individual severity levels but also allowed a comparison of severity in distinct mouse models addressing colitis, sepsis, and restraint stress using a k-means clustering approach with the maximum achieved RELSA scores.We discriminated and classified data from sepsis nonsurvivors into the highest relative severity level. Data from mice after intraperitoneal transmitter implantation and sepsis survivor al were located in the next lower cluster, while data from mice subjected to colitis and restraint stress were placed in the lowest severity cluster. Analysis of individual variables and their combinations revealed model- and time-dependent contributions to severity levels.In conclusion, we propose the RELSA score as a validated tool for objective real-time applicability in severity assessment and as a first step towards a unified and accessible risk assessment tool in biomedical research. As an effective severity assessment system, it will fundamentally improve animal welfare, as well as data quality and reproducibility.

Development of a Digitalized Bangla Autism Assessment System in Bangladesh (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanjir Rashid Soron ◽  
Helal Uddin Ahmed ◽  
Golam Robbani ◽  
Smita Neelkanth Deshpande ◽  
Satabdi Chakraborty
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Application ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Assessment Scale ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Severity Assessment ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Forward Translation ◽  
Autism Assessment

BACKGROUND The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder is increasing due to various biopsychosocial and environmental factors that demands prompt and holistic initiatives for early diagnosis and appropriate interventions. However, most of the developing countries are in severe scarcity of culturally adapted and validated cost-effective tools and trained professionals. Bangladesh has established as one of the leading countries in autism care and awareness. However, the country also lacks valid, easily available and low-cost assessment tool that can be used from different part of the country OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop a digitalized autism assessment system based on Bangla Autism Assessment Scale by translating, adapting and validating Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism in Bangladesh METHODS This multi staged mixed method study was conducted from 2018 to 2019. At first Bangla Autism Assessment Scale was developed from Indian Scale for Autism Assessment stepwise: forward translation, backward translation, expert committee review, pretesting. In the second stage a mobile application and website was developed following the user centered designing principles. In the third stage the usefulness of the mobile application and psychometric properties of the scale were assessed with 100 children from two special education schools in the Dhaka: Proyash Special School and Autism Welfare Foundation School. The diagnostic accuracy was measured against the diagnosis and severity assessment of a multi-disciplinary team using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5). Data was analyzed using SPSS-24. RESULTS More than 90% professionals considered the mobile application was helpful for them by reducing the total time for completing the assessment about 50% and also helped in error prevention such as missing any item or error in manual calculation of the test score. The tool revealed about 88% children were suffering from Autism among them 32% were suffering with Mild, 51% Moderate and 5% Severe level of Autism. We found the tool was 98% sensitive and 94% Specific in consideration of the Gold Standard of DSM-5 applied by expert professionals that was very satisfactory to use. CONCLUSIONS The Bangla autism assessment scale is a valid instrument for autism assessment and mobile application was useful. However, we recommend that the tool should be used by appropriate professionals after the first line screening to confirm the diagnosis and severity assessment.

Addiction Severity Assessment Tool

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen F. Butler ◽  
Simon H. Budman ◽  
Michael D. McGee ◽  
Michael Sean Davis ◽  
Rebecca Cornelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Severity Assessment ◽  
Addiction Severity

scholarly journals Severity assessment in maximally treated ICH patients

Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 423-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen A. Sembill ◽  
Stefan T. Gerner ◽  
Bastian Volbers ◽  
Tobias Bobinger ◽  
Hannes Lücking ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Scale Score ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Favorable Outcome ◽  
Severity Assessment ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
Ich Score

Objective:As common prognostication models in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are developed variably including patients with early (<24 hours) care limitations (ECL), we investigated its interaction with prognostication in maximally treated patients and sought to provide a new unbiased severity assessment tool.Methods:This observational cohort study analyzed consecutive ICH patients (n = 583) from a prospective registry over 5 years. We characterized the influence of ECL on overall outcome by propensity score matching and on conventional prognostication using receiver operating characteristic analyses. We established the max-ICH score based on independent predictors of 12-month functional outcome in maximally treated patients and compared it to existing models.Results:Prevalence of ECL was 19.2% (n = 112/583) and all of these patients died. Yet propensity score matching displayed that 50.7% (n = 35/69) theoretically could have survived, with 18.8% (n = 13/69) possibly reaching favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–3). Conventional prognostication seemed to be confounded by ECL, documented by a decreased predictive validity (area under the curve [AUC] 0.67, confidence interval [CI] 0.61–0.73 vs AUC 0.80, CI 0.76–0.83; p < 0.01), overestimating poor outcome (mortality by 44.8%, unfavorable outcome by 10.1%) in maximally treated patients. In these patients, the novel max-ICH score (0–10) integrates strength-adjusted predictors, i.e., NIH Stroke Scale score, age, intraventricular hemorrhage, anticoagulation, and ICH volume (lobar and nonlobar), demonstrating improved predictive accuracy for functional outcome (12 months: AUC 0.81, CI 0.77–0.85; p < 0.01). The max-ICH score may more accurately delineate potentials of aggressive care, showing favorable outcome in 45.4% (n = 214/471) and a long-term mortality rate of only 30.1% (n = 142/471).Conclusions:Care limitations significantly influenced the validity of common prognostication models resulting in overestimation of poor outcome. The max-ICH score demonstrated increased predictive validity with minimized confounding by care limitations, making it a useful tool for severity assessment in ICH patients.

scholarly journals Clinical Utility of the 6-Item CTS, Boston-CTS, and Hand-Diagram for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Gregor Schulze ◽  
Kristian Bernhard Nilsen ◽  
Rikke Munk Killingmo ◽  
John Anker Zwart ◽  
Margreth Grotle
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Severity Assessment ◽  
Discriminative Ability ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Severity Levels

Background: Self-reported measures are often used in research and clinical practice to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and guide therapeutic choices. We aimed to assess the clinical utility of the Norwegian versions of two self-reported outcome measures for symptom severity assessment, the 6-item CTS (CTS-6), and Boston-CTS (BCTQ), and of one diagnostic measure, the hand-diagram, by evaluating measurement properties including discriminative ability for severity assessment (CTS-6, BCTQ), and diagnosis of CTS (hand-diagram).Methods: We performed forward and backward translation and cultural adaptation of the Norwegian CTS-6 and BCTQ. Following COSMIN guidelines, we investigated internal consistency, reliability, construct validity, and discriminative ability for distinguishing between severity levels of CTS in patients with confirmed CTS for the CTS-6 and BCTQ and reliability and discriminative ability for diagnosing CTS for the hand-diagram.Results: Two hundred and fifty-one patients referred for diagnostic work-up for CTS with nerve conduction studies (NCS) participated. The CTS-6 and BCTQ had acceptable internal consistency (Crohnbach's α = 0.82 and 0.86, respectively), reliability (ICC = 0.86 and 0.90; SEM = 0.24 and 0.20; SDC95% = 0.68 and 0.55, respectively), construct validity (all eight pre-defined hypotheses confirmed) and discriminative ability to distinguish between severity levels of CTS [Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.75, 95% CI 0.64–0.85]. The hand-diagram had acceptable reliability (Cohen's kappa = 0.69) and discriminative ability to diagnose CTS (sensitivity = 0.72, specificity = 0.90).Conclusion: Our findings support the clinical utility of the CTS-6 and BCTQ for symptom severity assessment and of the hand-diagram for diagnostic screening.

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System: A narrative review of a standardized symptom assessment tool in head and neck oncology

Oral Oncology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
pp. 105595
Author(s):  
Christopher W. Noel ◽  
David Forner ◽  
Douglas B. Chepeha ◽  
Elif Baran ◽  
Kelvin K.W. Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Symptom Assessment ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Head And Neck Oncology ◽  
Edmonton Symptom Assessment System ◽  
System A

scholarly journals Effects of Clonidine on Withdrawal From Long-term Dexmedetomidine in the Pediatric Patient

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison B. Lardieri ◽  
Nicholas M. Fusco ◽  
Shari Simone ◽  
L. Kyle Walker ◽  
Jill A. Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Withdrawal Symptoms ◽  
Intensive Care Patients ◽  
Blood Pressures ◽  
Secondary Objective ◽  
The Mean

OBJECTIVE: To compare withdrawal symptoms among pediatric intensive care patients receiving clonidine to those not receiving clonidine while being weaned from long-term dexmedetomidine. METHODS: This retrospective analysis evaluated Withdrawal Assessment Tool-1 (WAT-1) scores and hemodynamic parameters in pediatric patients on dexmedetomidine for 5 days or longer between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2012. The primary objective was to compare withdrawal symptoms based on the number of elevated WAT-1 scores among patients on clonidine to those not on clonidine, while being weaned from long-term dexmedetomidine. The secondary objective was to describe withdrawal symptoms associated with long-term dexmedetomidine use. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (median age, 1.5 years; interquartile range [IQR], 0.67–3.3) received 20 treatment courses of dexmedetomidine for at least 5 days. Clonidine was received by patients during 12 of the treatment courses. The patients in the clonidine group had an average of 0.8 (range, 0–6) elevated WAT-1 scores 24 hours post wean compared to an average of 3.2 (0–8) elevated WAT-1 scores in the no clonidine group (p = 0.49). There were no significant difierences between prewean and postwean systolic or diastolic blood pressures among the 2 groups. The average heart rate during the postwean period was 112 beats per minute (bpm) (range, 88.5–151.5) in the clonidine group compared to 138.4 bpm (range, 117.8–168.3) in the no clonidine group (p = 0.003). In the clonidine group, the mean change in heart rate postwean compared to prewean was an increase of 3.6 bpm (range, −39.6 to 47.5), compared to a mean increase of 29.9 bpm (range, 5.5–74.7) in the no clonidine group (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difierence in WAT-1 scores between groups, with the clonidine group displaying a trend towards fewer elevated WAT-1 scores during the 24 hours post dexmedetomidine wean. Patients who received clonidine had significantly lower heart rates than the no clonidine group.

scholarly journals A Framework of Building Sustainability Assessment System for the Commercial Buildings in Kazakhstan

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 4754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhanova ◽  
Nadeem ◽  
Kim ◽  
Azhar
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Economic Perspectives

: Many building assessment tools exist for guiding building facilities toward sustainability. Some tools are internationally recognized while others are for specific countries based on local needs. This study endeavored to develop a building sustainability assessment framework for Kazakhstan. The framework was developed based on the review of building performance assessment methods such as leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED), building research establishment environmental assessment methodology (BREEAM), comprehensive assessment system for building environmental efficiency (CASBEE), and international initiative for sustainable built environment (SBTool), and considering the local conditions in Kazakhstan. A two-round Delphi survey was employed to develop the assessment categories and indicators by local experts from the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Mean and standard deviation values were used to analyze the survey data and to make the decision on the level of agreement amongst the Delphi panelists. The proposed framework consists of nine assessment categories, 46 assessment indicators, and 142 parameters covering the four climatic regions in Kazakhstan and considering the environmental, social, and economic perspectives of the country’s sustainable development goals. The introduction of the framework is expected to serve as a reference for establishing the regional building sustainability assessment tool that will aid to increase the awareness of the public and help policymakers to solve sustainability-related issues in Kazakhstan.

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