scholarly journals Tracking down the White Plague. Chapter three: Revision of endocranial abnormally pronounced digital impressions as paleopathological diagnostic criteria for tuberculous meningitis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0249020
Author(s):  
Olga Spekker ◽  
David R. Hunt ◽  
William Berthon ◽  
László Paja ◽  
Erika Molnár ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Tuberculous Meningitis ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Digital Impressions ◽  
White Plague ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Terry Collection ◽  
First Time

Abnormally pronounced digital impressions (APDIs) on the endocranial surface develop secondary to a prolonged rise in the intracranial pressure. This can result from a number of pathological conditions, including hydrocephalus due to tuberculous meningitis (TBM). APDIs have been described with relation to TBM not only in the modern medical literature but also in several paleopathological studies. However, APDIs are not pathognomonic for TBM and their diagnostic value for identifying TBM in past human populations has not been evaluated in identified pre-antibiotic era skeletons. To assess the diagnostic value of APDIs for the first time, a macroscopic investigation was performed on skeletons from the Terry Collection (Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA). Our material consisted of 234 skeletons with tuberculosis (TB) as the cause of death (TB group) and 193 skeletons with non-tuberculous (NTB) causes of death (NTB group). The macroscopic examination focused on the stage of the prominence and frequency of APDIs in the TB group and NTB group. To determine the significance of difference (if any) in the frequency of APDIs between the two groups, χ2 testing of our data was conducted. We found that APDIs were twice as common in the TB group than in the NTB group. The χ2 comparison of the frequencies of APDIs revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. In addition, APDIs with more pronounced stages were recorded more frequently in the TB group. Our results indicate that APDIs can be considered as diagnostic criteria for TBM in the paleopathological practice. With suitable circumspection, their utilization provides paleopathologists with a stronger basis for identifying TB and consequently, with a more sensitive means of assessing TB frequency in past human populations.

scholarly journals Diagnostic value of urea, creatinine and blood parameters in patients with pneumonia diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seha Akduman
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
First Time

Background: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of urea, creatinine and other blood parameters in patients with pneumonia diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for the first time. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who had been diagnosed with COPD for the first time and were diagnosed with pneumonia were included. A total of 193 patients were divided into three groups as COPD + pneumonia (n=123), COPD (n=36) and pneumonia (n=34). Results: In total, 59 women (48.0%) and 64 men (52.0%) from the COPD + pneumonia group, 13 women (36.1%) and 23 men (63.9%) from the COPD group, 21 women (61.8%) and 13 men (38.2%) from the pneumonia group were assessed. The mean age of the COPD + pneumonia group was 69.58±13.62, 66.28±12.55 for the COPD group and 53.97±19.72 for the pneumonia group. The highest values of C-reactive protein (CRP), urea, creatinine, white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, eosinophils and hemoglobin were the highest in COPD + pneumonia group. CRP levels were significantly different between COPD + pneumonia group (p<0.05). The parameters urea, WBC and neutrophils were significantly different between COPD + pneumonia group and pneumonia group (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between COPD and pneumonia groups in terms of neutrophils and eosinophils values (p<0.05). According to the results of receiver operating characteristic analysis, the diagnostic value of the urea parameter in determining the COPD + pneumonia group was not statistically significant (p>0.05). On the other hand, the diagnostic value of CRP, WBC and neutrophils values were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Elevation in WBC and neutrophil values in patients diagnosed with pneumonia have an important role in diagnosis of COPD.

Criteria positive and criteria negative anaphylaxis, with a focus on undifferentiated somatoform idiopathic anaphylaxis: A review and case series

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 436-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Rosloff ◽  
Kunal Patel ◽  
Paul J. Feustel ◽  
Jocelyn Celestin
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Subjective Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Physical Findings ◽  
Idiopathic Anaphylaxis

Background: Undifferentiated somatoform (US) idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA) is considered a psychogenic disorder characterized by a lack of observable physical findings and poor response to treatment. Although failure to diagnose true anaphylaxis can have disastrous consequences, identification of US-IA is crucial to limit unnecessary expenses and use of health care resources. Objective: To better define the presentation and understand the potential relationship between US-IA and underlying psychiatric comorbidities. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 110 visits by 107 patients to our institution for evaluation and management of anaphylaxis over a 1-year period. The patients were classified as having either criteria positive (CP) or criteria negative (CN) anaphylaxis based on whether they met Second National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Symposium criteria for the clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Patient characteristics, including objective and subjective signs and symptoms, and the presence of psychiatric diagnoses were collected and analyzed. Statistical significance was assessed by using the Fisher exact test. A literature review of US-IA and other psychogenic forms of anaphylaxis was performed. Results: Patients with CP anaphylaxis were more likely to present with hypotension, wheezing, urticaria, and vomiting than were patients with CN anaphylaxis. The patients with CN anaphylaxis were more likely to present with subjective symptoms of sensory throat tightness or swelling compared with patients with CP anaphylaxis. No significant difference was detected in the prevalence of psychiatric conditions between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients who met previously established diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis were more likely to present with objective physical findings than those who did not meet criteria for true anaphylaxis. CN patients who presented for treatment of anaphylaxis were more likely to present with subjective symptoms. Formal diagnostic criteria should be used by clinicians when evaluating patients with suspected anaphylaxis.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection and Phylogeny of Anaplasmaphagocytophilum and Related Variants in Small Ruminants from Turkey

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 814
Author(s):  
Münir Aktaş ◽  
Sezayi Özübek ◽  
Mehmet Can Uluçeşme
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
First Time ◽  
Japan And China ◽  
Apparently Healthy

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes tick-borne fever in small ruminants. Recently, novel Anaplasma variants related to A. phagocytophilum have been reported in ruminants from Tunisia, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and China. Based on 16S rRNA and groEL genes and sequencing, we screened the frequency of A. phagocytophilum and related variants in 433 apparently healthy small ruminants in Turkey. Anaplasma spp. overall infection rates were 27.9% (121/433 analyzed samples). The frequency of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like 1 infections was 1.4% and 26.5%, respectively. No A. phagocytophilum-like 2 was detected in the tested animals. The prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was comparable in species, and no significant difference was detected between sheep and goats, whereas the prevalence significantly increased with tick infestation. Sequencing confirmed PCR-RFLP data and showed the presence of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like-1 variant in the sampled animals. Phylogeny-based on 16S rRNA gene revealed the A. phagocytophilum-like 1 in a separate clade together with the previous isolates detected in small ruminants and ticks. In this work, A. phagocytophilum-like 1 has been detected for the first time in sheep and goats from Turkey. This finding revealed that the variant should be considered in the diagnosis of caprine and ovine anaplasmosis.

Patients Who Attend Alone at a First Memory Consultation: Are They a Specific Population,or Is It an Instance of Confounding Bias?

2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
Pierre Koskas ◽  
Mouna Romdhani ◽  
Olivier Drunat
Keyword(s):  
Selection Bias ◽  
Confounding Bias ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
State Examination ◽  
Group 1

As commonly happens in epidemiological research, none of the reported studies were totally free of methodological problems. Studies have considered the influence of social relationships on dementia, but the mechanisms underlying these associations are not perfectly understood. We look at the possible impact of selection bias. For their first memory consultation, patients may come alone or accompanied by a relative. Our objective is to better understand the impact of this factor by retrospective follow-up of geriatric memory outpatients over several years. All patients over 70 who were referred to Bretonneau Memory Clinic for the first time, between January 2006 and 2018, were included in the study. The patients who came alone formed group 1, the others, whatever type of relative accompanied them, formed group 2. We compared the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores of patients; and for all patients who came twice for consultation with at least a 60-day interval, we compared their first MMSE with the MMSE performed at the second consultation. In total, 2,935 patients were included, aged 79.7 ± 8.4 years. Six hundred and twenty-five formed group 1 and 2,310 group 2. We found a significant difference in MMSE scores between the 2 groups of patients; and upon second consultation in group 2, but that difference was minor in group 1. Our finding of a possible confounding factor underlines the complexity of choosing comparison groups in order to minimize selection bias while maintaining clinical relevance.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Value of Telomerase Activity in Patients With Bladder Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Peng ◽  
Jinze Li ◽  
Chunyang Meng ◽  
Jinming Li ◽  
Dandan Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Telomerase Activity ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Significant Difference

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of telomerase activity (TA) for bladder cancer (BC) by meta-analysis.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of studies published on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to June 1, 2019. We used Stata 15 and Review Manager 5.3 for calculations and statistical analysis.ResultsTo evaluate the diagnostic value of TA for BC, we performed a meta-analysis on 22 studies, with a total of 2,867 individuals, including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR, NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The pooled parameters were calculated from all studies, and we found a sensitivity of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84), a specificity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87–0.94), a PLR of 8.91 (95% CI: 5.91–13.43), an NLR of 0.24 (95% CI: 0.15–0.37), a DOR of 37.90 (95% CI: 23.32–61.59), and an AUC of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90–0.94). We also conducted a subgroup analysis based on the different stages and grades of BC. Results from the subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in TA in either high and low stages of BC, but that low-grade tumors had a lower TA than high-grade tumours.ConclusionsTA can be used as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of bladder cancer with its high specificity. Rigorous and high-quality prospective studies are required to verify our conclusion.

scholarly journals 0588 Ring Pulse Oximeter for Screening of Moderate to Severe OSA: A Pilot Study

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A225-A225
Author(s):  
J Xue ◽  
R Zhao ◽  
J Li ◽  
L Zhao ◽  
B Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Pulse Oximeter ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve ◽  
Oxygen Desaturation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Acceptance Range ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Two Parameters

Abstract Introduction To evaluate the utility of the ring pulse oximeter for screening of OSA in adults. Methods 87 adults were monitored by a ring pulse oximeter and PSG simultaneously during a nocturnal in-lab sleep testing. 3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI3); Mean oxygen saturation(MSpO2), Saturation impair time below 90% (SIT90) derived from an automated algorithm of the ring pulse oximeter. Meanwhile, the parameters of PSG were scored manually according to the AASM Manual. Correlation and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis were used to measure the accuracy of ring pulse oximeter and its diagnostic value for moderate to severe OSA (AHI≥15). Results Among the 87 participants, 18 cases were AHI&lt;5, 17 cases were diagnosed with mild OSA (AHI:5-14.9), 25 cases were diagnosed with moderate OSA (AHI:15-29.9) and 27 cases were diagnosed with severe OSA (AHI≥30). There was no significant difference between PSG and ring pulse oximeter in regard to ODI3 (23.4±23.5 vs 24.7 ± 21.7), and SIT90 (1.54%, range 0.14%-8.99% vs. 3.20%, range 0.60%, 12.30%) (P&gt;0.05], Further analysis indicated that two parameters from the oximeter correlated well with that derived from PSG (r=0.889, 0.567, respectively, both p&lt;0.05). Although MSpO2 correlated significantly (r=0.448, P&lt;0.05), the difference was remarkable [95.9%, range 94.0% to 97.0% vs. 94.5%, range 93.3% to 95.7%, p&lt;0.05]. Bland-Altman plots showed that the agreement of these three parameters was within the clinical acceptance range. The ROC curve showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the ring pulse oximeter when the oximeter derived ODI3 ≥12.5 in the diagnosis of moderate to severe OSA were 82.7% and 74.3%, respectively. Conclusion The pilot study indicated that ring pulse oximeter can detect oxygen desaturation events accurately, therefore to be used as a screening tool for moderate to severe OSA. Support The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81420108002 and NO. 81570083).

scholarly journals Diagnostic Value of C-Reactive Protein in Discrimination between Uncomplicated and Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 829
Author(s):  
Yana Kogan ◽  
Edmond Sabo ◽  
Majed Odeh
Keyword(s):  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Parapneumonic Effusion ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Diagnostic Efficacy ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion

Objectives: The role of serum C-reactive protein (CRPs) and pleural fluid CRP (CRPpf) in discriminating uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion (UCPPE) from complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE) is yet to be validated since most of the previous studies were on small cohorts and with variable results. The role of CRPs and CRPpf gradient (CRPg) and of their ratio (CRPr) in this discrimination has not been previously reported. The study aims to assess the diagnostic efficacy of CRPs, CRPpf, CRPr, and CRPg in discriminating UCPPE from CPPE in a relatively large cohort. Methods: The study population included 146 patients with PPE, 86 with UCPPE and 60 with CPPE. Levels of CRPs and CRPpf were measured, and the CRPg and CRPr were calculated. The values are presented as mean ± SD. Results: Mean levels of CRPs, CRPpf, CRPg, and CRPr of the UCPPE group were 145.3 ± 67.6 mg/L, 58.5 ± 38.5 mg/L, 86.8 ± 37.3 mg/L, and 0.39 ± 0.11, respectively, and for the CPPE group were 302.2 ± 75.6 mg/L, 112 ± 65 mg/L, 188.3 ± 62.3 mg/L, and 0.36 ± 0.19, respectively. Levels of CRPs, CRPpf, and CRPg were significantly higher in the CPPE than in the UCPPE group (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was found between the two groups for levels of CRPr (p = 0.26). The best cut-off value calculated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for discriminating UCPPE from CPPE was for CRPs, 211.5 mg/L with area under the curve (AUC) = 94% and p < 0.0001, for CRPpf, 90.5 mg/L with AUC = 76.3% and p < 0.0001, and for CRPg, 142 mg/L with AUC = 91% and p < 0.0001. Conclusions: CRPs, CRPpf, and CRPg are strong markers for discrimination between UCPPE and CPPE, while CRPr has no role in this discrimination.

Quality of life in adolescents and young adults with CHD is not reduced: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Schrøder ◽  
Kirsten A. Boisen ◽  
Jesper Reimers ◽  
Grete Teilmann ◽  
Jesper Brok
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽  
First Time

AbstractPurposeWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies assessing quality of life in adolescents and young adults born with CHD compared with age-matched controls.MethodsWe carried out a systematic search of the literature published in Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library’s Database (1990–2013); two authors independently extracted data from the included studies. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for quality assessment of studies. A random effects meta-analysis model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2-test.ResultsWe included 18 studies with 1786 patients. The studies were of acceptable-to-good quality. The meta-analysis of six studies on quality of life showed no significant difference – mean difference: −1.31; 95% confidence intervals: −6.51 to +3.89, I2=90.9% – between adolescents and young adults with CHD and controls. Similar results were found in 10 studies not eligible for the meta-analysis. In subdomains, it seems that patients had reduced physical quality of life; however, social functioning was comparable or better compared with controls.ConclusionFor the first time in a meta-analysis, we have shown that quality of life in adolescents and young adults with CHD is not reduced when compared with age-matched controls.

scholarly journals The stress hyperglycaemia ratio is associated with left ventricular remodelling after first acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Meng ◽  
Yong Zhu ◽  
Kesen Liu ◽  
Ruofei Jia ◽  
Jing Nan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
St Segment Elevation ◽  
Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Stress Hyperglycaemia ◽  
St Segment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background Left ventricular negative remodelling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is considered as the major cause for the poor prognosis. But the predisposing factors and potential mechanisms of left ventricular negative remodelling after STEMI remain not fully understood. The present research mainly assessed the association between the stress hyperglycaemia ratio (SHR) and left ventricular negative remodelling. Methods We recruited 127 first-time, anterior, and acute STEMI patients in the present study. All enrolled patients were divided into 2 subgroups equally according to the median value of SHR level (1.191). Echocardiography was conducted within 24 h after admission and 6 months post-STEMI to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD). Changes in echocardiography parameters (δLVEF, δLVEDD, δLVESD) were calculated as LVEF, LVEDD, and LVESD at 6 months after infarction minus baseline LVEF, LVEDD and LVESD, respectively. Results In the present study, the mean SHR was 1.22 ± 0.25 and there was significant difference in SHR between the 2 subgroups (1.05 (0.95, 1.11) vs 1.39 (1.28, 1.50), p < 0.0001). The global LVEF at 6 months post-STEMI was significantly higher in the low SHR group than the high SHR group (59.37 ± 7.33 vs 54.03 ± 9.64, p  = 0.001). Additionally, the global LVEDD (49.84 ± 5.10 vs 51.81 ± 5.60, p  = 0.040) and LVESD (33.27 ± 5.03 vs 35.38 ± 6.05, p  = 0.035) at 6 months after STEMI were lower in the low SHR group. Most importantly, after adjusting through multivariable linear regression analysis, SHR remained associated with δLVEF (beta = −9.825, 95% CI −15.168 to −4.481, p  < 0.0001), δLVEDD (beta = 4.879, 95% CI 1.725 to 8.069, p  = 0.003), and δLVESD (beta = 5.079, 95% CI 1.421 to 8.738, p  = 0.007). Conclusions In the present research, we demonstrated for the first time that SHR is significantly correlated with left ventricular negative remodelling after STEMI.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Accuracy of Dual-Layer Spectral CT Using Electron Density Images to Detect Post-Traumatic Prevertebral Hematoma of the Cervical Spine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Sedaghat ◽  
Patrick Langguth ◽  
Naomi Larsen ◽  
Graeme Campbell ◽  
Marcus Both ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Minimum Thickness ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Conventional Ct

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) in detecting posttraumatic prevertebral hematoma of the cervical spine by including electron density images. Methods 38 patients with post-traumatic imaging of the cervical spine were included in this study and received both SDCT and MRI examinations. MRI was set as the reference and combined conventional/electron density (C + ED) images were compared to conventional CT (CCT) images alone. Results A total of 18 prevertebral hematomas were identified. Reader 1 identified 14 of 18 and reader 2 15 of 18 prevertebral hematomas by using C + ED reconstructions. Readers 1 and 2 detected 6 and 9 of 18 hematomas on CCT, respectively. CCT showed a sensitivity of 33–50 % and a specificity of 75–80 %, while for C + ED reconstructed images the sensitivity was 77–83 % and the specificity was 85–90 %. Accuracy increased from 55–66 % to 84 % by using C + ED images. The minimum thickness for detecting hematoma on C + ED images was 3 mm. The sizes of prevertebral hematoma on CCT/C + ED were not significantly under- or overestimated compared to the MRI reference. There was a significant difference between the two readers for measuring hematoma sizes on CCT (p = 0.04). Readers showed an excellent inter-rater reliability (kappa = 0.82) for C + ED images and a moderative inter-rater reliability (kappa = 0.44) for CCT. Conclusion With SDCT, the diagnostic accuracy for detecting post-traumatic prevertebral hematoma is improved by using combined conventional and electron density reconstructions compared to conventional images alone. Key Points:  Citation Format

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