Comparison of Morphological Similarities and Differences between Liquid-Based Cytology and Conventional Techniques of Serous Effusion Cytology Specimens

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Nurhan Baykus ◽  
Selver Özekinci ◽  
Zeynep Betul Erdem ◽  
Eren Vurgun ◽  
Fetin Rustu Yildiz

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The aim of this study is to discover a fast and efficient method for the diagnosis of serous effusion cytology specimens by comparing the cytomorphological features of SurePath (SP) smears and smears prepared by cytospin. After the macroscopic features of the incoming material were recorded, it was divided into 2 for conventional technique (CT) and liquid-based technique. Cytospin was used for CT and SurePath for liquid-based technique in this study. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> 243 serous effusions (33 thoracentesis and 92 paracentesis fluids, 118 peritoneal lavage fluids) were investigated. After shaking the effusion gently, it was centrifuged for 5 min at 1,250 rpm for cytospin smear. SP smear was prepared according to the “BD PrepStain slide processor”. Two smears were prepared with these 2 methods and then stained with Papanicolaou. The smears were examined under a light microscope in terms of fixation, background, cellularity, nucleus, and structural features. All statistical analysis of the data was performed using the SPSS 17.0 software. For each microscopic feature, the χ<sup>2</sup> test was used to assess the significance of the relationship between cytospin and SP, and level of agreement in between the methods was assessed using the kappa statistic. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 methods in background (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), cellularity (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), nucleus features (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), and structural features (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). There was no significant difference in fixation. Low level of agreement was observed with the kappa statistic in fixation, background, and cellularity. Moderate level of agreement was observed in the nucleus and structural feature groups with the kappa statistic. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Although there are advantages of liquid-based technique such as standardized fixation and cleaner background, since the cellular and background components required for morphological analysis and diagnosis are better preserved in cytospin, it is considered to be better to use liquid-based technique not alone but together with CT.

Author(s):  
Marcos Maldonado-Díaz ◽  
Patricia Vargas ◽  
Ricardo Vasquez ◽  
Felipe Gonzalez-Seguel ◽  
Betel Rivero ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Balance disorders are common in patients with neurological or vestibular diseases. Telerehabilitation program is a treatment to be as safe as conventional treatment. One of the most used methods to perform telerehabilitation is the incorporation of Virtual Reality. In general, rehabilitation programs train predictive postural control, so the patient does not always acquire the necessary autonomy to react to situations of instability. On the other hand, the objective and systematic supervision and measurement of these programs is limited, making it necessary to create clinical protocols with precise and measurable rehabilitation objectives. This study present the training selection methodology and clinical protocol for patients with balance disorders inserted in a Telerehabilitation Program based on Virtual Reality. Methods Descriptive study where physiotherapists were trained to use RehaMetrics®. To evaluate their level of agreement in the selection of the exercise clusters developed, the Interobserver Reliability was measured through the kappa statistic. Subsequently, the exercises were applied to a group of patients recruited with sedentary trunk control (Berg Balance Scale = 3 points in item 3), mild or normal cognitive level (Montreal Cognitive Assessment> 21 points), and prescribed for tele-rehabilitation by a doctor. Results The agreement among the expert physiotherapists irrespective of the cluster exceeds 80%, which indicates a very good strength of agreement, while the novices reached a level of agreement of 45%, which suggests a moderate strength of agreement. All clinical outcomes showed statistically significant differences between the median times, as did the Maximum Width Left Side (MWLS) (cm). The average number of minutes of training was 485.81 (SD 246.49 min), and the number of sessions performed during the 4 weeks of intervention was 17 (SD 7.15 sessions). Conclusions This analysis what had excellent interobserver reliability with trained physiotherapists. Regarding the second phase of the study, the results show a statistically significant difference between the initial and final evaluation of the clinical tests, which could result in better performance in aspects such as: balance, gait functionality, meter walked and cognition. Telerehabilitation Program based on Virtual Reality is an excellent alternative to provide continuity of treatment to patients with balance disorders.


Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athos Trecroci ◽  
Tindaro Bongiovanni ◽  
Luca Cavaggioni ◽  
Giulio Pasta ◽  
Damiano Formenti ◽  
...  

This study aimed to examine the agreement between asymmetries of dribble and change of direction (COD) deficits and to determine their potential difference to each other. Sixteen young elite football players were recruited and tested for sprint (over 10 m), dribbling (90°CODdribbling) and COD (90°CODrunning) performance in dominant (fastest) and non-dominant (slowest) directions. Dribble and COD deficits were computed to express dribbling and COD ability without the influence of acceleration. The asymmetric index (AI%) of both dribble and COD deficits were obtained for both directions. The level of agreement between dribble and COD deficits was assessed by Cohen’s kappa statistic (κ). Results showed that AI% measured by dribble and COD deficits presented a poor level of agreement (κ = −0.159), indicating their imbalance did not favor the same direction. Moreover, AI% of the dribble deficit was significantly higher than those of the COD deficit. This study demonstrated that asymmetries in dribbling and change of direction performance (measured by dribble and COD deficit) were not in agreement to favor the same direction, also displaying a significant difference to each other. Practitioners should consider the task-specificity of asymmetry to reduce the imbalance in dribbling and COD performance.


Author(s):  
D. F. Blake ◽  
L. F. Allard ◽  
D. R. Peacor

Echinodermata is a phylum of marine invertebrates which has been extant since Cambrian time (c.a. 500 m.y. before the present). Modern examples of echinoderms include sea urchins, sea stars, and sea lilies (crinoids). The endoskeletons of echinoderms are composed of plates or ossicles (Fig. 1) which are with few exceptions, porous, single crystals of high-magnesian calcite. Despite their single crystal nature, fracture surfaces do not exhibit the near-perfect {10.4} cleavage characteristic of inorganic calcite. This paradoxical mix of biogenic and inorganic features has prompted much recent work on echinoderm skeletal crystallography. Furthermore, fossil echinoderm hard parts comprise a volumetrically significant portion of some marine limestones sequences. The ultrastructural and microchemical characterization of modern skeletal material should lend insight into: 1). The nature of the biogenic processes involved, for example, the relationship of Mg heterogeneity to morphological and structural features in modern echinoderm material, and 2). The nature of the diagenetic changes undergone by their ancient, fossilized counterparts. In this study, high resolution TEM (HRTEM), high voltage TEM (HVTEM), and STEM microanalysis are used to characterize tha ultrastructural and microchemical composition of skeletal elements of the modern crinoid Neocrinus blakei.


2000 ◽  
Vol 39 (01) ◽  
pp. 10-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Müller ◽  
Ch. Reiners ◽  
A. Bockisch ◽  
Katja Brandt-Mainz

Summary Aim: Tumor scintigraphy with 201-TICI is an established diagnostic method in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer. We investigated the relationship between thyroglobulin (Tg) level and tumor detectability. Subject and methods: We analyzed the scans of 122 patients (66 patients with proven tumor). The patient population was divided into groups with Tg above (N = 33) and below (N = 33) 5 ng/ml under TSH suppression or above (N = 33) and below (N = 33) 50 ng/ml under TSH stimulation. Tumor detectability was compared by ROC-analysis (True-Positive-Fraction test, specificity 90%). Results: There was no significant difference (sensitivity 75% versus 64%; p = 0.55) for patients above and below 5 ng/ml under TSH suppression and a just significant difference (sensitivity 80% versus 58%; p = 0.04) for patients above and below 50 ng/ml under TSH stimulation. In 18 patients from our sample with tumor, Tg under TSH suppression was negative, but 201-TICI-scan was able to detect tumor in 12 patients. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate only a moderate dependence of tumor detectability on Tg level, probably without significant clinical relevance. Even in patients with slight Tg elevation 201-TICI scintigraphy is justified.


Author(s):  
Ma. Dulce C. Guillena

Gonado-somatic index and fecundity are tools for measuring the sexual maturity and ability of animals to reproduce.  This study investigates the reproduction of Trichiurus lepturus. Specifically, this aimed to determine the sex ratio, the GSI, the relationship between fecundity and total length, fecundity and total weight, fecundity and ovary weight. The Descriptive Method of research was used.  Percentage and chi-square was utilized in determining the percentage of occurrence and sex ratio respectively.   Pearson r Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation was used to determine the relationships of the parameters. The study revealed that females outnumbered males and the sex ratio for different month showed significant difference.  Spawning season was observed to occur in November and December as revealed in its GSI values and it synchronized with the full and new moon phases.  Fecundity is positively correlated with body weight, body size, and ovary weight where ovary weight is observed to be the best index for fecundity.  The results of this study could be used further for formal stock assessment of cutlassfish fishery.


Agrometeoros ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronaldo Matzenauer ◽  
Bernadete Radin ◽  
Alberto Cargnelutti Filho

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a relação entre o fenômeno El Niño Oscilação Sul - ENOS e o rendimento de grãos de soja e de milho no Rio Grande do Sul e verificar a hipótese de que os eventos El Niño são favoráveis e os eventos La Niña são prejudiciais ao rendimento de grãos das culturas. Foram utilizados dados de rendimento de grãos dos anos agrícolas de 1974/75 a 2016/17, e relacionados com as ocorrências de eventos ENOS. Foram analisados os dados de rendimento observados na colheita e os dados estimados com a remoção da tendência tecnológica. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença significativa do rendimento médio de grãos de soja e de milho na comparação entre os eventos ENOS. Palavras-chave: El Niño, La Niña, safras agrícolas. Abstract – The objective of this work was to evaluate the relationship between the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon with the grain yield of soybean and maize in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil and to verify the hypothesis that the El Niño events are favorable and the La Niña events are harmful to the culture’s grain yields. Were used data from the agricultural years of 1974/75 to 2016/17, and related to the occurrence of ENOS events. We analyzed income data observed at harvest and estimated data with technological tendency was removed. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the average yield of soybeans and corn in the comparison between events.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siddharth Garg

Objective: The aim of this paper was to examine the relationship between income, subjective wellbeing, and culture among people from a higher socio-economic class across the world. Rationale: Ed Diener proposed the law of diminishing marginal utility as an explanation for differences in subjective wellbeing among different income groups across different countries (Diener, Ng, &amp; Tov, Balance in life and declining marginal utility of diverse resources, 2009). Thus, people with higher incomes would experience less subjective wellbeing due to income, and culture should emerge as a significant predictor. Method: Data from this study came from another study (https://siddharthgargblog.wordpress.com/2019/07/14/love-for-money/). I used an online survey to collect data on annual income in US dollars, subjective wellbeing (WHO-5), and country of residence (Indicator of Culture). 96 responses (Indians = 24, Foreigners = 72) were entered in IBM SPSS and a regression analysis was conducted. The raw dataset used in this study can be found at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.8869040.v1Results: ANOVA showed a significant difference (p &lt; 0.05) between Indians and foreigners on levels of subjective wellbeing. Linear regression shows the regression coefficient of culture to be significant (Beta = -.254, p = .014) but the regression coefficient of income was not found to be significant. The overall model was found to explain 8.2% of the variance in wellbeing.Conclusion: The sample of this study is too small to make any kind of generalization; it does lend a little bit of support to the idea of diminishing marginal utility of income on subjective wellbeing and provides a rationale for further research.


2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Igic ◽  
Nebojsa Krunic ◽  
Ljiljana Aleksov ◽  
Milena Kostic ◽  
Aleksandra Igic ◽  
...  

Background/Aim. The vertical dimension of occlusion is a very important parameter for proper reconstruction of the relationship between the jaws. The literature describes many methods for its finding, from the simple, easily applicable clinically, to quite complicated, with the use of one or more devices for determination. The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of determining the vertical dimension of occlusion using the vocals ?O? and ?E? with the control of values o btained by applying cognitive functions. Methods. This investigation was performed with the two groups of patients. The first group consisted of 50 females and 50 males, aged 18 to 30 years. In this group the distance between the reference points (on top of the nose and chin) was measured in the position of the mandible in the vertical dimension of occlusion, the vertical dimension at rest and the pronunciation of the words ?OLO? and ?ELE?. Checking the correctness of the particular value for the word ?OLO? was also performed by the phonetic method with the application of cognitive exercises when the patients counted from 89 to 80. The obtained difference in the average values i n determining the vertical dimension of occlusion and the ?OLO? and ?ELE? in the first group was used as the reference for determining the vertical dimension of occlusion in the second group of patients. The second group comprised of 31 edentulous persons (14 females and 17 males), aged from 54 to 85 years who had been made a complete denture. Results. The average value obtained for the vertical dimension of rest for the entire sample was 2.16 mm, for the word ?OLO? for the entire sample was 5.51 mm and for the word ?ELE? for the entire sample was 7.47 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between the genders for the value of the vertical dimension at rest, ?ELE? and ?OLO?. There was a statistically significant difference between the values f or the vertical dimension at rest, ?OLO? and ?ELE? for both genders. There was a statistically significant correlation between the value for the vertical dimension at rest, ?OLO? and ?ELE?, for both groups of subjects. Conclusion. Determining the vertical dimension of occlusion requires 5.5 mm subtraction from the position of the mandible in pronunciation of the word ?OLO? or 7.5 mm in pronunciation of the word ?ELE?.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mustafa Avcu ◽  
Mehmet Metin ◽  
Raşit Kılıç ◽  
Muhammed Alpaslan

Background: In this study, optic coherence tomography (OCT) examination was performed to check whether there was any interaction between ophthalmic axonal structures in unilateral tinnitus patients, and the relationship between optic nerve thickness and cochlear nerve thickness was evaluated. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relatioship between hearing loss, tinnitus, and nerve thicknesses. Study Design: Prospective study. Setting: Tertiary referral university hospital. Patients: The study included 88 patients with unilateral tinnitus, for which no organic cause could be found in physical examination, psychiatric evaluation, or with imaging methods. Study groups were formed of the tinnitus side and control groups were formed of the healthy side as follows: Group 1 (Non-tinnitus side normal hearing values – n = 30), Group 2 (non-tinnitus side minimal hearing loss – n = 27), Group 3 (non-tinnitus side moderate hearing loss – n = 31), Group 4 (tinnitus side normal hearing values – n = 25), Group 5 (tinnitus side minimal hearing loss – n = 25), and Group 6 (tinnitus side moderate hearing loss – n = 38). Intervention: Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was evaluated with OCT, and the cochlear nerve cross-sectional area was evaluated with MRI. Main Outcome Measures: RNFL measurements were taken with OCT from the subfoveal area (RNFL-SF) and 1.5 mm temporal to the fovea (RNFL-T µm) and nasal (RNFL-N µm) sectors. On MRI, 3 measurements were taken along the nerve from the cerebellopontine angle as far as the internal auditory canal, and the mean value of these 3 measurements was calculated. Results: When the groups were evaluated in respect of cochlear nerve thickness, a significant difference was seen between Group 1 and both the groups with hearing loss and the tinnitus groups. In the subgroup analysis, a statistically significant difference was determined between Group 1 and Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 (p = 0.013, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). When the groups were evaluated in respect of the RNFL-SF (µm), RNFL-T (µm), and RNFL-N (µm) values, the differences were determined to be statistically significant (p < 0.001 for all). In the correlation analysis, a negative correlation was determined between hearing loss and cochlear nerve diameter (r: −0.184, p = 0.014), and RNFL-N (r: −0.272, p < 0.001) and between tinnitus and cochlear nerve diameter (r: −0.536, p < 0.001), and RNFL-T (r: −0.222, p < 0.009). Conclusion: The study results clearly showed a relationship between cochlear nerve fiber thickness and hearing loss and the severity of tinnitus in cases with unilateral tinnitus and that there could be neurodegenerative factors in the disease etiology. A similar relationship seen with the RNFL supports the study hypothesis.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Emre Erdem ◽  
Ahmet Karatas ◽  
Tevfik Ecder

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The effect of high serum ferritin levels on long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients is unknown. The relationship between serum ferritin levels and 5-year all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients was investigated in this study. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 173 prevalent hemodialysis patients were included in this study. The patients were followed for up to 5 years and divided into 3 groups according to time-averaged serum ferritin levels (group 1: serum ferritin &#x3c;800 ng/mL, group 2: serum ferritin 800–1,500 ng/mL, and group 3: serum ferritin &#x3e;1,500 ng/mL). Along with the serum ferritin levels, other clinical and laboratory variables that may affect mortality were also included in the Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Eighty-one (47%) patients died during the 5-year follow-up period. The median follow-up time was 38 (17.5–60) months. The 5-year survival rates of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 44, 64, and 27%, respectively. In group 3, the survival was lower than in groups 1 and 2 (log-rank test, <i>p</i> = 0.002). In group 1, the mortality was significantly lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.16 [0.05–0.49]; <i>p</i> = 0.001). In group 2, the mortality was also lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.32 [0.12–0.88]; <i>p</i> = 0.026). No significant difference in mortality between groups 1 and 2 was found (HR [95% CI]: 0.49 [0.23–1.04]; <i>p</i> = 0.063). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Time-averaged serum ferritin levels &#x3e;1,500 ng/mL in hemodialysis patients are associated with an increased 5-year all-cause mortality risk.


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