scholarly journals Appraisal of Interpretation Criteria for the Comparative Intradermal Tuberculin Test for Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Cattle in Central Ethiopia

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1272-1276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gobena Ameni ◽  
Glyn Hewinson ◽  
Abraham Aseffa ◽  
Douglas Young ◽  
Martin Vordermeier
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Cutoff Point ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Central Ethiopia ◽  
Test Sensitivity ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Interpretation Criteria ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cidt Test

ABSTRACT Accurate detection and removal of infected cattle, using immunodiagnostic tests such as the comparative intradermal tuberculin (CIDT) test, are the basis of control strategies for bovine tuberculosis (TB). According to the Office des Internationale Epizooties recommendation, the cutoff point for positivity of the CIDT test, calculated as the difference between skin thicknesses after bovine tuberculin (B) and avian tuberculin (A) injections (B − A), is >4 mm. This cutoff point is used worldwide, although it is likely that local conditions influence test performance. Thus, this study was formulated to determine CIDT test cutoff points applicable to cattle in central Ethiopia. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for the CIDT test, using data from 186 Bos indicus (zebu) and Bos taurus (Holstein) cattle. Detailed postmortem examination for the presence of TB lesions was used to define disease status. At a cutoff of >2 mm, CIDT test sensitivity was 69% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 58.5 to 79%), while it was 59% (95% CI, 49 to 69%) at a cutoff of >4 mm. In contrast, specificities of the CIDT test at these two cutoff values were identical, at 97% (95% CI, 89 to 100%). Thus, the maximum sensitivity of the CIDT test can be realized using a >2-mm cutoff without affecting specificity. The apparent prevalence was significantly (χ2 = 13.56; P < 0.001) higher at a cutoff of >2 mm (16.0%; n = 5,424) than at a >4-mm cutoff (13.5%; n = 5,424). Nonetheless, no significant difference (χ2 = 2.15; P = 0.14) in true prevalence was observed at a cutoff of >2 mm (19.6%) and at a cutoff of >4 mm (18.5%). Thus, our study demonstrates the importance of defining local, relevant cutoff values to maximize test sensitivity, and we suggest the application of the >2-mm cutoff for testing of cattle in central Ethiopia.

scholarly journals Comparison of 2 ELISAs for detecting exposure to Brucella ovis

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 700-705
Author(s):  
Molly J. Elderbrook ◽  
Brant A. Schumaker ◽  
Massaro W. Ueti ◽  
Meila Bastos de Almeida ◽  
Thallitha S. W. J. Vieira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Operating Characteristic ◽  
Relative Sensitivity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Cutoff Value ◽  
Brucella Ovis ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
Significant Difference

Control of Brucella ovis infection in sheep flocks in the United States depends on early detection of B. ovis antibodies via serologic testing. We used 2,276 sheep sera and various cutoff values to compare seroprevalence and agreement between 2 ELISAs: the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) B. ovis indirect ELISA and the IDEXX B. ovis ELISA kit. A subset of 295 sera was used to compare agreement and evaluate relative sensitivity and specificity of the 2 ELISAs with an agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test kit. There was no significant difference in B. ovis seroprevalence between the ELISAs; however, there was poor agreement between them. When the AGID test was used as the reference test, the IDEXX ELISA with a moderate cutoff value (S/P ratio = 45%) had the highest relative sensitivity of 38.1% and specificity of 92.0%. The NVSL ELISA with a lax cutoff value (S/P ratio = 0.75) had relative sensitivity of 19.1% and specificity of 94.6%. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that optimal cutoff values for the NVSL and IDEXX ELISAs were 0.091 and 16.5%, respectively. This results in sensitivity and specificity of 85.7% and 31.8% for the NVSL ELISA, and sensitivity and specificity of 81.0% and 53.6% for the IDEXX ELISA, respectively.

scholarly journals The Clinical Accuracy and Risk Stratification in End of Therapy 18F-FDG PET/CT in Burkitt Lymphoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Wen Mo ◽  
Zi Zheng Xiao ◽  
Yuan Wei ◽  
Xin Ling Li ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Burkitt Lymphoma ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Cutoff Point ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Clinical Accuracy ◽  
Fdg Pet Ct

PurposeBurkitt lymphoma (BL) is an invasive lymphoma subtype with FDG avid at 18F-FDG PET/CT, but there is currently no validated criterion in treatment evaluation and prognosis prediction. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Burkitt lymphoma in end of therapy PET/CT (EOT-PET) to assess the treatment response in BL and conduct a survival analysis with different Deauville 5-point score (DS) cutoff values.Materials and MethodsA total of 189 patients were retrospectively included: 97 underwent baseline PET/CT and all underwent EOT-PET. Survival curves were plotted according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Different DS cutoff values in EOT-PET were evaluated for risk stratification in Burkitt lymphoma.ResultsThe median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 52 and 53 months, respectively. Applying the conventional DS 4 to 5, there was significant difference in outcome between EOT-PET negative and positive patients. However, the positive predictive value (PPV) (28.3% for PFS and 26.4% for OS) is low despite a high negative predictive value (NPV) (94.1% for OS and 94.9% for OS). When we moved the cutoff point to DS 5, the PPV was improved evidently (88.2% for PFS and 82.3% for OS) with the satisfactory NPV simultaneously (95.3% for PFS and 95.9% for OS).ConclusionsEOT-PET results using DS significantly related with PFS and OS. DS of 5 may be a better cutoff point at the end of treatment to determine whether patients have a significant risk of recurrence or progress.

A Comparison of Four Adolescent Language Tests

1987 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Jane Lieberman ◽  
Ann Marie C. Heffron ◽  
Stephanie J. West ◽  
Edward C. Hutchinson ◽  
Thomas W. Swem
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Significant Discrepancy ◽  
Language Impaired ◽  
Language Functions ◽  
Language Tests ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sixth Grade Students ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Selection Of

Four recently developed adolescent language tests, the Fullerton Test for Adolescents (FLTA), the Test of Adolescent Language (TOAL), the Clinical Evaluation of Language Functions (CELF), and the Screening Test of Adolescent Language (STAL), were compared to determine: (a) whether they measured the same language skills (content) in the same way (procedures); and (b) whether students performed similarly on each of the tests. First, respective manuals were reviewed to compare selection of subtest content areas and subtest procedures. Then, each of the tests was administered according to standardized procedures to 30 unselected sixth-grade students. Despite apparent differences in test content and procedures, there was no significant difference in students' performance on three of the four tests, and correlations among test performance were moderate to high. A comparison of the pass/fail rates for overall performance on the tests, however, revealed a significant discrepancy between the proportions of students identified in need of further evaluation on the STAL (20%) and the proportion diagnosed as language impaired on the three diagnostic tests (60-73%). Clinical implications are discussed.

Clinicopathological correlation of pre-biopsy quantitative PSMA uptake in patients with persistently raised serum PSA: initial experience in 74 patients with simultaneous 68-Ga PSMA PET/MRI

2020 ◽  
pp. 205141582095640
Author(s):  
Malik A Rouf ◽  
Rajesh Taneja ◽  
Venkatesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Digital Rectal Examination ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Psma Pet ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Normal Urine ◽  
Delayed Phase

Objective: To analyze 68-Ga prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) uptake pattern of the prostate and its correlation with prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE), and Gleason’s score in the diagnosis of carcinoma of the prostate (CaP). Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted between June 2015 and August 2017. Patients who had undergone whole body 68-Ga PSMA HBED-CC simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis or staging of CaP were eligible. Patients who presented with persistently raised serum PSA (>4 ng/mL) and normal urine routine and negative culture were included in the study. Results: A total of 74 patients were included in the study. Significant positive correlation was observed between PSMA delayed uptake with the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score ( p<0.001, ρ=0.750), PSA level ( p<0.001, ρ=0.414), DRE ( p<0.002, ρ=0.400), and Gleason’s score ( p<0.300, ρ=0.02). There was a significant difference between early and delayed phase of PSMA uptake in malignant prostatic lesions ( p<0.001). Delayed phase of PSMA uptake was able to characterize prostate lesions with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.91. Combined receiver operating characteristic analysis of PI-RADS score derived from multiparametric MRI and differential PSMA uptake to characterize prostatic lesions improved AUC to 0.94. Conclusion: Results demonstrated that the correlation with clinicopathological features (PSA, DRE, and Gleason’s score) could be used in prognostication of prostatic lesion along with PSMA PET/MRI.

scholarly journals The Epidemiological Characteristics of Late-Onset Hypogonadism in Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Men: Two Cross-Sectional Studies in the Same Community

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 155798832097799
Author(s):  
Shan-Jie Zhou ◽  
Ming-Jia Zhao ◽  
Yi-Hong Yang ◽  
Di Guan ◽  
Zhi-Guang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Late Onset ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
Late Onset Hypogonadism ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted at 5-year intervals in community-dwelling men living in the same area. A total of 1472 (Study 1, S1) and 944 (Study 2, S2) men aged 40–69 years old were recruited as subjects. Subjects were evaluated through combining serum reproductive hormone levels with the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) questionnaire and the Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) scale. A significant difference was found in mean testosterone deficiency (TD) prevalence between S1 and S2, using either serum total testosterone (TT; 14.02% vs. 6.36%) or serum calculated free testosterone (cFT; 43.69% vs. 16.53%) cutoff values. According to the S1 or S2 data, the mean prevalence of LOH was 37.85%/15.47% in the positive ADAM test and 15.42%/9.43% in the positive AMS test ( p < .01). According to classifications of TD based on gonadal status, the prevalence of secondary TD (27.34%) was higher than the primary (16.36%) and compensated (15.42%) TD in S1 ( p < .01). However, there were significant differences among the prevalence of primary (6.89%), secondary (9.64%), and compensated (27.65%) TD in S2 ( p < .05). Different types of testosterone levels, TD cutoff values, and questionnaires influenced the prevalence of TD and LOH. The serum FT cutoff value was an optimal threshold for evaluating and diagnosing TD and LOH, whose prevalence increased gradually with male aging.

Effect of CT digital image compression on detection of coronary artery calcification

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.-M. Zheng ◽  
S. Sone ◽  
Y. Itani ◽  
Q. Wang ◽  
K. Hanamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Coronary Artery Calcification ◽  
Image Data ◽  
Spiral Ct ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Ct Images ◽  
Detection Accuracy ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
High Attenuation ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose: To test the effect of digital compression of CT images on the detection of small linear or spotted high attenuation lesions such as coronary artery calcification (CAC). Material and Methods: Fifty cases with and 50 without CAC were randomly selected from a population that had undergone spiral CT of the thorax for screening lung cancer. CT image data were compressed using JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or wavelet algorithms at ratios of 10:1, 20:1 or 40:1. Five radiologists reviewed the uncompressed and compressed images on a cathode-ray-tube. Observer performance was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: CT images compressed at a ratio as high as 20:1 were acceptable for primary diagnosis of CAC. There was no significant difference in the detection accuracy for CAC between JPEG and wavelet algorithms at the compression ratios up to 20:1. CT images were more vulnerable to image blurring on the wavelet compression at relatively lower ratios, and "blocking" artifacts occurred on the JPEG compression at relatively higher ratios. Conclusion: JPEG and wavelet algorithms allow compression of CT images without compromising their diagnostic value at ratios up to 20:1 in detecting small linear or spotted high attenuation lesions such as CAC, and there was no difference between the two algorithms in diagnostic accuracy.

scholarly journals Assessment of in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 105-114
Author(s):  
Sarah Alaa Mohsen ◽  
Fatma Ahmed El Deeb ◽  
Ehab Sayed Ramadan ◽  
Mai Abd El-Raouf Eissa
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Group I ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and potentially debilitating disorder. Neuropsychological assessment provides unique complementary information that is critical for evaluating higher cortical abilities. This study aimed to assess the neuropsychological functions in OCD patients which can then point to the brain structures or pathways and to study the correlation between these assessments and different clinical variables. Methods: This cross-sectional case control study had included sixty patients who were divided into two groups, Group I: thirty OCD patients diagnosed by DSM-IV and Group II: thirty healthy controls who were recruited from the community, matched with patients’ age, gender, and education. Results: The age of onset in our study was 19.13 ± 0.35 years, the mean duration was 7.44 ± 3.88 years, 40% of the studied cases had severe OCD symptoms and 33.3% of them were compulsive cleaners. There was a high significant difference between the two groups regarding WCST in favor of the control group. There was a high significant difference between the two groups regarding ROCF where the control group showed better results than the OCD patients. Conclusions: Neuropsychological test performance remains an informative and objective means of investigation, especially when applied to psychiatric disorders. The executive functions in OCD patients were impaired in comparison to the normal study subjects.

scholarly journals The Virtual Field Trip: Investigating How to Optimize Immersive Virtual Learning in Climate Change Education

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustav B. Petersen ◽  
Sara Klingenberg ◽  
Richard E. Mayer ◽  
Guido Makransky
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Transfer Test ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Change Behavior ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Virtual Field

Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) is being used for educational virtual field trips (VFTs) involving scenarios that may be too difficult, dangerous, or expensive to experience in real life. We implemented an immersive VFT within the investigation phase of an inquiry-based learning (IBL) climate change intervention. Students investigated the consequences of climate change by virtually travelling to Greenland and exploring albedo and greenhouse effects first hand. A total of 102 7th and 8th grade students were randomly assigned to one of two instructional conditions: 1) narrated pre-training followed by IVR exploration or 2) the same narrated training material integrated within the IVR exploration. Students in both conditions showed significant increases in declarative knowledge, self-efficacy, interest, STEM intentions, outcome expectations, and intentions to change behavior from the pre- to post-assessment. However, there was a significant difference between conditions favoring the pre-training group on a transfer test consisting of an oral presentation to a fictitious UN panel. The findings suggest that educators can choose to present important prerequisite learning content before or during a VFT. However, adding pre-training may lead to better transfer test performance, presumably because it helps reduce cognitive load while learning in IVR.

scholarly journals Is Postural Control Different in Boys and Girls? Comparison Between Sex

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-391
Author(s):  
Jessica Caroliny de Jesus Neves ◽  
Aryane Karoline Vital Souza ◽  
Dirce Shizuko Fujisawa
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Lateral Velocity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pressure Area

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to compare the postural control between eight-year-old boys and girls, considering the nutritional classification and level of physical activity. This was a cross-sectional study, with a sample of 346 participants, classified by the WHO AnthroPlus software, evaluated on the force platform and the Questionnaire Physical Activity for Children. The results demonstrated that girls showed lower values in relation to the opposite sex (p<0.001), in the center of pressure area (COP) (girls: 11.88 vs boys: 15.86cm2), Antero-posterior Amplitude (girl: 5.40 vs boy: 6.05cm), Medial-lateral Amplitude (girl: 3.97 vs boy: 4.40cm), Antero-posterior velocity (girl: 3.98 vs boy: 4.94cm/s), Medial-lateral velocity (girl: 3.98 vs boy: 4.59cm/s), Antero-posterior frequency (girl: 0.70 vs boy: 0.84Hz). Physical activity was associated with male sex (p=0.001; X2=11.195; odds ratio=0.372). In relation to the center of pressure of sedentary children, girls showed better postural control (p<0.001), but when we analyzed the center of pressure of both sexes who were active there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.112). The Z score of both sexes presented no difference in the center of pressure area (p=0.809 and p=0.785 respectively). Girls showed better postural control, while boys are more active; when both sexes performed physical activity COP area was similar. Therefore, special care should be taken when assessing postural control in boys and girls due to their differences in test performance and stage of development. As for interventions, exercise should be considered for better performance of the COP.

scholarly journals Use of F-18 FDG PET/CT Through Delayed Diuretic Imaging for Preoperative Evaluation of Upper Urinary Tract-Occupying Lesions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Liang Zhang ◽  
Jian Guo Wu ◽  
Ruohua Chen ◽  
Jia lin Shen
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Upper Urinary Tract ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fdg Pet Ct

PurposeTo evaluate the value of F-18 FDG PET/CT in the differentiation of malignant and benign upper urinary tract-occupying lesions.Patients and Methods64 patients with upper urinary tract-occupying lesions underwent F-18 FDG PET/CT at RenJi Hospital from January 2015 to February 2019 in this retrospective study. Of the 64 patients, 50 patients received nephroureterectomy or partial ureterectomy; 14 patients received ureteroscopy and biopsy. The comparisons of PET/CT parameters and clinical characteristics between malignant and benign upper urinary tract-occupying lesions were investigated.ResultsOf the 64 patients, 49 were found to have malignant tumors. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined the lesion SUVmax value of 6.75 as the threshold for predicting malignant tumors. There were significant associations between malignant and benign upper urinary tract-occupying lesions and SUVmax of lesion (P&lt;0.001), lesion size (P&lt;0.001), and patient age (P=0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that SUVmax of lesion (P=0.042) and patient age (P=0.009) as independent predictors for differentiation of malignant from benign upper urinary tract-occupying lesions. There was a significant difference in tumor size between the positive (SUVmax &gt;6.75) and negative (SUVmax ≤6.75) PET groups in 38 of the 49 patients with malignant tumors.ConclusionThe SUVmax of lesion and patient age is associated with the nature of upper urinary tract-occupying lesions. F-18 FDG PET/CT may be useful to distinguish between malignant and benign upper urinary tract-occupying lesions and determine a suitable therapeutic strategy.

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