scholarly journals Comparative study of colour Doppler vs. FNNAC findings in WHO grade II thyroid enlargement in adult females

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 1025
Author(s):  
Sudhakar Rao M. S. ◽  
Navneeth T. P. ◽  
John C. J.
Keyword(s):  
Pulsatility Index ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Resistive Index ◽  
Colour Doppler ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Thyroid gland disorders form one of the most common endocrinal and surgical problems encountered in clinical practice. FNNAC is widely accepted as the primary and better method than FNAC for investigation but has its disadvantages. Colour Doppler is a non-invasive, low cost, easily available and repeatable investigation with least patient discomfort and can be valuable in detection of benign and malignant thyroid enlargements.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Forty cases of adult females with WHO grade 2 thyroid enlargement attending the department of otorhinolaryngology selected on simple random basis were included in this study. Following written consent, Colour Doppler scanning and FNNAC test were done on the thyroid swelling and the results were analysed.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of patients was 32.44 years. The mean age of malignancy was 44.66 years and showed statistically significant association. The Resistive and Pulsatility index and combination of both were found to have statistically significant results in detecting malignant and benign lesions The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of RI and PI were 83.33%, 94.12%, 71.43%, 96.97% and 50%, 94.12%, 60% and 91.43% respectively. On combining both the indices, the sensitivity was 91.67% and the positive predictive value was 97.06%.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Colour Doppler can differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid enlargements using Resistive index (of&gt;0.75) and Pulsatility Index (of&gt;1.5) and can be a complementary diagnostic tool in the thyroid enlargement lesions, considering its accuracy, cost-effectiveness, easy availability and non-invasive repeatable nature.</p>

Validity of hearTest Smartphone-Based Audiometry for Hearing Screening in Workers Exposed to Noise

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luma Cordeiro Rodrigues ◽  
Silvia Ferrite ◽  
Ana Paula Corona
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Hearing Level ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Auditory Thresholds ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Purpose This article investigates the validity of a smartphone-based audiometry for hearing screening to identify hearing loss in workers exposed to noise. Research Design This is a validation study comparing hearing screening with the hearTest to conventional audiometry. The study population included all workers who attended the Brazilian Social Service of Industry to undergo periodic examinations. Sensitivity, specificity, the Youden index, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) for hearing screening obtained by the hearTest were estimated according to three definitions of hearing loss: any threshold greater than 25 dB hearing level (HL), the mean auditory thresholds for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz greater than 25 dB HL, and the mean thresholds for 3, 4, and 6 kHz greater than 25 dB HL. Note that 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all measurements. Results A total of 232 workers participated in the study. Hearing screening with the hearTest presented good sensitivity (93.8%), specificity (83.9%), and Youden index (77.7%) values, a NPV (97.2%), and a low PPV (69.0%) for the identification of hearing loss defined as any auditory threshold greater than 25 dB HL. For the other definitions of hearing loss, we observed high specificity, PPV and NPV, as well as low sensitivity and Youden index. Conclusion The hearTest is an accurate hearing screening tool to identify hearing loss in workers exposed to noise, including those with noise-induced hearing loss, although it does not replace conventional audiometry.

scholarly journals Method for auxiliary use of thermography in diagnosing inflammation in the coxofemoral joint in dogs

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1565
Author(s):  
Fernanda Lúcia Passos Fukahori ◽  
Daniela Maria Bastos de Souza ◽  
Eduardo Alberto Tudury ◽  
George Chaves Jimenez ◽  
José Ferreira da Silva Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Joint Inflammation ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
The Body ◽  
Joint Diseases ◽  
Infrared Images ◽  
Infrared Thermometry ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Joint diseases are relatively common in domestic animals, such as dogs. The involved inflammation produces thermal emission, which can be imaged using specific sensors that allow capturing of infrared images. Given that there have been few reports on the use of thermography in the diagnosis of inflammation associated with diseases of the hip joint in dogs, we here propose a method for identification of inflammatory foci in dogs by using infrared thermometry. The present study aimed to find non-invasive and low-cost resources that couldfacilitate a clinical diagnosis in cases withinflammation in the coxofemoral joint of dogs.To this end, we developed a system in whichthe Flir Systems TG165 thermograph is coupled to a black PVC cannula with a 30-cm focus-to-animal distance.External effects of the environment on the temperature of the animalswere compared with the body temperature as measured by a conventional thermometer.Thirty-one dogs with and without inflammation in the coxofemoral joint underwent clinical evaluation.We verified that the temperature registered by the thermograph inthe animals with joint inflammation was significantlydifferentfrom that incontrol animals without inflammation, in the lateral projection.The method showed a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 87.5%, and accuracy of 83.87%. This standardized method of diagnosis of inflammatory foci in the coxofemoral articulation of dogs by way of thermography showed sensitivity, specificity, and satisfactory accuracy.

scholarly journals A Large Cohort Study of SARS-CoV-2 Detection in Saliva: A Non-Invasive Alternative Diagnostic Test for Patients with Bleeding Disorders

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2361
Author(s):  
Josiane Iole França Lopes ◽  
Carlos Alexandre da Costa Silva ◽  
Rodrigo Guimarães Cunha ◽  
Alexandra Martins Soares ◽  
Maria Esther Duarte Lopes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Bleeding Disorders ◽  
Hematological Diseases ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Large Cohort Study ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Higher Sensitivity

Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections is mostly based on the nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS). However, this collection is invasive and uncomfortable, especially for children and patients with coagulopathies, whose NPS collection often causes bleeding. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of saliva for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in patients presenting bleeding disorders. Samples of NPS, oropharyngeal swabs (OPS), and saliva were collected simultaneously from 1159 hospitalized patients with hematological diseases and from 524 healthcare workers, both symptomatic and asymptomatic for SARS-CoV-2. All samples were evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 by qRT-PCR. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in NPS, OPS and saliva from 16.9%, 14.4% and 15.6% individuals, respectively. Tests in saliva showed sensitivity, specificity, and overall agreement of 73.3%, 96.9% and 92.7% (=0.74), respectively. Salivary tests had good accuracy (AUC = 0.7) for discriminating negative and positive qRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Higher sensitivity was observed in symptomatic than in non-symptomatic patients, as well as in healthy subjects than in patients with hematological disease, in both OPS and saliva. The mean viral load in NPS was significantly higher than in OPS and in saliva samples (p < 0.001). Saliva is a good diagnostic tool to detect SARS-CoV-2, especially among patients symptomatic for COVID-19, and is a valuable specimen for mass screening of hospitalized patients with hematological diseases, especially for those that with bleeding disorders.

Development of a Semiautomated Search Tool to Identify Grading From Pathology Reports for Tumors of the CNS and Prostate Cancers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1189-1196
Author(s):  
Diana Echeverria ◽  
Kristen R. Rossi ◽  
Anna Carroll ◽  
Tina Luse ◽  
Christopher Rennix
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Surveillance ◽  
Cns Tumors ◽  
Quality Initiatives ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Military Health ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Diagnostic Codes ◽  
Pathology Reports ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

PURPOSE This study demonstrates the functionality of semiautomated algorithms to classify cancer-specific grading from electronic pathology reports generated from military treatment facilities. Two Perl-based algorithms are validated to classify WHO grade for tumors of the CNS and Gleason grades for prostate cancer. METHODS Case-finding cohorts were developed using diagnostic codes and matched by unique identifiers to obtain pathology records generated in the Military Health System for active duty service members from 2013 to 2018. Perl-based algorithms were applied to classify document-based pathology reports to identify malignant CNS tumors and prostate cancer, followed by a hand-review process to determine accuracy of the algorithm classifications. Inter-rater reliability, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPVs), and negative predictive values were computed following abstractor adjudication. RESULTS The high PPV for the Perl-based algorithms to classify CNS tumors (PPV > 98%) and prostate cancer (PPV > 99%) supports this approach to classify malignancies for cancer surveillance operations, mediated by a hand-reviewed semiautomated process to increase sensitivity by capturing ungraded cancers. Early detection was pronounced where 33.6% and 50.7% of malignant records retained a CNS WHO grade of II or a Gleason score of 6, respectively. Sensitivity metrics met criteria (> 75%) for brain (79.9%, 95% CI, 73.0 to 85.7) and prostate (96.7%, 95% CI, 94.9 to 98.0) cancers. CONCLUSION Semiautomated, document-based text classification using Perl coding successfully leveraged identification of WHO and Gleason grades to classify pathology records for CNS tumors and prostate cancer. The process is recommended for data quality initiatives to support cancer reporting functions, epidemiology, and research.

scholarly journals A Non-Invasive Medical Device for Parkinson’s Patients with Episodes of Freezing of Gait

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catalina Punin ◽  
Boris Barzallo ◽  
Roger Clotet ◽  
Alexander Bermeo ◽  
Marco Bravo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wavelet Transform ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Discrete Wavelet ◽  
Vibratory Stimulation ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Gait Monitoring ◽  
Stimulation Of

A critical symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the occurrence of Freezing of Gait (FOG), an episodic disorder that causes frequent falls and consequential injuries in PD patients. There are various auditory, visual, tactile, and other types of stimulation interventions that can be used to induce PD patients to escape FOG episodes. In this article, we describe a low cost wearable system for non-invasive gait monitoring and external delivery of superficial vibratory stimulation to the lower extremities triggered by FOG episodes. The intended purpose is to reduce the duration of the FOG episode, thus allowing prompt resumption of gait to prevent major injuries. The system, based on an Android mobile application, uses a tri-axial accelerometer device for gait data acquisition. Gathered data is processed via a discrete wavelet transform-based algorithm that precisely detects FOG episodes in real time. Detection activates external vibratory stimulation of the legs to reduce FOG time. The integration of detection and stimulation in one low cost device is the chief novel contribution of this work. We present analyses of sensitivity, specificity and effectiveness of the proposed system to validate its usefulness.

scholarly journals Cyclomodulins and Hemolysis in E. coli as Potential Low-Cost Non-Invasive Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1165
Author(s):  
Kristýna Mezerová ◽  
Lubomír Starý ◽  
Pavel Zbořil ◽  
Ivo Klementa ◽  
Martin Stašek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Crc Screening ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Detection Approach ◽  
Gene Assay ◽  
Immunochemical Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Performance

The frequent occurrence of E. coli positive for cyclomodulins such as colibactin (CLB), the cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF), and the cytolethal distending factor (CDT) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients published so far provides the opportunity to use them as CRC screening markers. We examined the practicability and performance of a low-cost detection approach that relied on culture followed by simplified DNA extraction and PCR in E. coli isolates recovered from 130 CRC patients and 111 controls. Our results showed a statistically significant association between CRC and the presence of colibactin genes clbB and clbN, the cnf gene, and newly, the hemolytic phenotype of E. coli isolates. We also observed a significant increase in the mean number of morphologically distinct E. coli isolates per patient in the CRC cohort compared to controls, indicating that the cyclomodulin-producing E. coli strains may represent potentially preventable harmful newcomers in CRC patients. A colibactin gene assay showed the highest detection rate (45.4%), and males would benefit from the screening more than females. However, because of the high number of false positives, practical use of this marker must be explored. In our opinion, it may serve as an auxiliary marker to increase the specificity and/or sensitivity of the well-established fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in CRC screening.

scholarly journals Enhanced Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosisComplex in Positive BACTEC 12B Broth Cultures of Respiratory Specimens

1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 2099-2101 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Bergmann ◽  
Gail L. Woods
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Direct Test ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Usual Laboratory ◽  
Respiratory Specimens ◽  
Laboratory Protocol

The reliability of the Gen-Probe enhanced Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test (MTD) for identification ofMycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in BACTEC 12B broth cultures of respiratory specimens was evaluated by testing aliquots from 268 bottles with a growth index of ≥50. MTD results were compared to those obtained by usual laboratory protocol, whereby MTBC was identified by DNA probe (Gen-Probe, Inc.) testing sediment from broth samples or colonies on a solid medium. For the first 134 cultures, from which 68 mycobacterial isolates (including 27 MTBC isolates) were recovered, both fresh and frozen aliquots were tested. MTD results for the frozen aliquots agreed with the identification by usual protocol in all cases, whereas there was one false-negative MTD result with fresh aliquots. For the remaining 134 cultures, only frozen aliquots were tested. Of the total 268 broth cultures (from 210 patients) evaluated, 137 (51.1%) grew mycobacteria, including 60 MTBC isolates. All 60 isolates were MTD positive, as was one additional culture that grew Mycobacterium gordonae. The latter culture was from a patient who was diagnosed with tuberculosis a few months earlier and was on therapy; therefore, the MTD result was considered a true positive. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of MTD were 100%. The mean times from specimen receipt to identification of MTBC were 15 (±1) days (range, 4 to 27 days) for BACTEC plus MTD and 19 (±1) days (range, 6 to 36 days) for the usual protocol (P < 0.001). These data indicate that the MTD is a rapid, reliable method for identification of MTBC in fresh or frozen aliquots of broth from positive BACTEC 12B cultures of respiratory specimens.

scholarly journals Changes in Doppler indices throughout pregnancy in queens

2020 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-67
Author(s):  
Melih Uçmak ◽  
Ozge Turna ◽  
Gamze Evkuran Dal ◽  
Zeynep Günay Uçmak ◽  
Mehmet Can Gündüz
Keyword(s):  
Pulsatility Index ◽  
Doppler Ultrasonography ◽  
Umbilical Artery ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Resistance Index ◽  
Invasive Technique ◽  
Delivery Time ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Doppler Indices

Doppler ultrasonography (D-USG) is a non-invasive technique that has become an increasingly essential tool in veterinary theriogenology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of Doppler indices in the foetal aorta (FA), foetal vena cava (FVC), umbilical artery (UA), and uteroplacental artery (UPA) in pregnant queens, thereby advancing knowledge about Doppler findings in normal feline pregnancy. The study was conducted with 10 pregnant queens with known gestational age. Doppler ultrasonography was performed every three days beginning from the 21st day to the 60th day of pregnancy. The pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of FA, FVC, UA and UPA were recorded during the D-USG examinations. Although a declining trend was seen in the mean RI of FA, a comparison with earlier sampling periods revealed that significant decreases (P < 0.05) did not occur until Days 30 and 60. While PI of FVC was relatively constant, RI varied througout pregnancy. The PI and RI of UPA values were significantly lower (P < 0.05) on Day 60 when compared to the first five sampling periods for PI and the first six sampling periods for RI. The study concludes that the decrease in UA indices is a precursor for delivery time in queens. However, there is a need for further comparative studies involving impaired pregnancies.

scholarly journals Vertebral Heart Scale for the Brittany Spaniel: Breed-Specific Range and Its Correlation with Heart Disease Assessed by Clinical and Echocardiographic Findings

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
Anthony Kallassy ◽  
Elodie Calendrier ◽  
Nora Bouhsina ◽  
Marion Fusellier
Keyword(s):  
Mitral Valve ◽  
Mitral Valve Disease ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Lateral View ◽  
Valve Disease ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Heart Size ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Echocardiographic Findings

The vertebral heart scale (VHS) was proposed by Buchanan and Bucheler as an objective method for estimating heart size in dogs. However, several studies have reported significant variation between breeds. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the VHS and to suggest a useful upper limit for normal heart size in Brittany Spaniels. The VHS was measured using a right lateral view in twenty-eight normal dogs and fifteen dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease. The mean ± SD (standard deviation) VHS was 10.6 ± 0.2 vertebrae (v) in the normal dogs, which differs significantly from the mean VHS of 9.7 ± 0.5 v in Buchanan’s original study with dogs of various breeds. The VHS in the dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease was 11.9 ± 1.1 v. With a threshold value of 11.1 vertebrae, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for diagnosing a cardiomegaly are 90%, 72%, 53% and 96%, respectively.

scholarly journals Diffusion tensor imaging of dorsal stream language areas in patients with post-stroke aphasia

2022 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azza Elmongui ◽  
Ahmed AbdelRazek ◽  
Tamer Abou-Elsaad ◽  
Tamer Belal ◽  
Noha Ibrahim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Dorsal Stream ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Language Areas

Abstract Background Aphasia complicating stroke occurs due to language deficits that decrease communication abilities and functional independence. Our study aims to assess fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) parameters of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the dorsal stream language areas in patients with post-stroke aphasia. It was conducted on 27 patients with post-stroke aphasia and 27 age- and sex-matched controls who underwent DTI of the brain. FA and MD values of Broca's area (BA), Wernick's area (WA), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and arcuate fasciculus (AF), and number of tract fibers (TF) of AF and SLF were calculated. Results were correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Arabic version of Comprehensive Aphasia Test (Arabic CAT), and Mansoura Arabic Screening Aphasia Test (MASAT). Results FA of AF and SLF in patients was significantly lower (P = 0.001) than controls. MD of AF and SLF in patients was significantly higher (P = 0.001) than controls. The mean volume TF of AF and SLF in patients was significantly (P = 0.001) lower than the mean volume in controls for AF and SLF. FA cutoff for AF was 0.34 and for SLF, it was 0.35 with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (85.2%, 62.1%, 73.2%) for AF, (74.1%, 69%, 71.4%) for SLF, respectively. MD cutoff value for AF was 0.87, and 0.84 for SLF with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (63%, 72.4%, 67.8%) for AF, (81.5%, 79.3%, 80.4%) for SLF, respectively. Cutoff TF of AF was 1728 and for SLF it was 601 with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (88.9%, 72.4%, 80.4%) for AF and (85.2%, 85.2%, 78.6%) for SLF, respectively. Conclusions DTI is a non-invasive promising method that can be used to assess language areas in patients with post-stroke aphasia.

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