Innovative Field Screening Tools for a Reliable and Cost-effective Site Characterization

2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-125
Author(s):  
Katrin Batereau ◽  
Martin Müller ◽  
Norbert Klaas ◽  
Baldur Barczewski
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Site Characterization ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Field Screening ◽  
Effective Site

scholarly journals Evaluation of the effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the zebrafish touch-evoked response: quantitative vs. qualitative assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Guzman ◽  
Gisela Besa ◽  
Daniela Linares ◽  
Lara González ◽  
Caterina Pont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Evoked Response ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Toxicity Screening ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Ache Inhibitors

Abstract Background The difficulty of finding new treatments for neurological diseases with great impact in our society like Alzheimer’s disease can be ascribed in part to the complexity of the nervous system and the lack of quick and cost-effective screening tools. Such tools could not only help to identify potential novel treatments, but could also be used to test environmental contaminants for their potential to cause neurotoxicity. It has been estimated that 5–10% of the anthropogenic chemicals are developmental neurotoxic (DNT) and exposure to DNT compounds has been linked to several neurological diseases. Within this study we were testing the applicability of a quick and cost-effective behavioural test using zebrafish embryos: the touch-evoked response assay, in this case, an assay evaluating the swimming response to a tap in the tail. Two acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors positive controls (paraoxon and huprine Y), as well as 10 huprine-derivative compounds were tested and the results were evaluated using 2 different methods, a quantitative and a qualitative one. Results We could show that the methodology presented is able to detect behavioural effects of AChE inhibitors. A good correlation between the results obtained with the quantitative and the qualitative method was obtained (R2 = 0.84). Conclusions Our proposed method enables combination of screening for new drugs with toxicity screening in a whole embryo model alternative to animal experimentation, thereby merging 2 drug development steps into one.

scholarly journals Biosensors and nanomaterials and their application for mycotoxin determination

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Tothill
Keyword(s):  
Food Quality ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Field Analysis ◽  
Quality And Safety ◽  
Site Testing ◽  
Food Quality And Safety ◽  
Mycotoxin Analysis

Mycotoxin analysis and detection in food and drinks is vital for ensuring food quality and safety, eliminating and controlling the risk of consuming contaminated foods, and complying with the legislative limits set by food authorities worldwide. Most analysis of these toxins is still conducted using conventional methods; however, biosensor methods are currently being developed as screening tools for use in field analysis. Biosensors have demonstrated their ability to provide rapid, sensitive, robust and cost-effective quantitative methods for on-site testing. The development of biosensor devices for different mycotoxins has attracted much research interest in recent years with a range of devices being designed and reported in the scientific literature. However, with the advent of nanotechnology and its impact on the evolution of ultrasensitive devices, mycotoxin analysis is also benefiting from the advances taking place in applying nanomaterials in sensors development. This paper reviews the developments in the area of biosensors and their applications for mycotoxin analysis, as well as the development of micro/nanoarray transducers and nanoparticles and their use in the development of new rapid devices.

Creutzfeldt - Jakob Disease in South West Sydney 2014-2020: An Unusually High Incidence of a Rare Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namraj Goire ◽  
Leon Edwards ◽  
Peter Thomas ◽  
Sonu M.M. Bhaskar ◽  
Dennis Cordato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Health Information Exchange ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellular Prion Protein ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
World Health ◽  
Spongiform Encephalopathy ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Jakob Disease

Introduction Creutzfeldt - Jakob Disease (CJD), a spongiform encephalopathy, caused by a transmissible misfolded cellular prion protein is a rapidly progressive, debilitating neuro-degenerative disorder with no effective treatment. The estimated global incidence is at 1/ million inhabitants. This retrospective study examined the incidence of CJD in South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) from 2014 to 2020. Background SWSLHD had an estimated population of 1,038,534 in 2020, with CJD data being limited. Methods New South Wealth (NSW) Health-Information-Exchange (HIE) database, for all admissions with CJD diagnoses in SWSLHD, between 2014–2020, was reviewed according to World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria, consistent with the Australian national CJD registry. Only probable CJD cases were included. Incidence was calculated based on the projected SWSLHD population. Results 35 patients, diagnosed with CJD, were identified. Each was evaluated by two independent investigators, including clinical presentation; MRI; EEGs; 14-3-3; and RT-QUIC results, before assigning CJD-probable status. Four failed the CJD criteria and were excluded. Of the 31 CJD-probable cases, most (59%) were male and older (37% range 61-70 years). The incidence rate peaked at 9/million in 2017 and was above 2/million, throughout the seven years, with an average of 4.859/million/year. Conclusions The incidence of CJD, in SWSLHD, exceeds the national average of 1/million. Cost-effective, adequate diagnostic and screening tools, implementable over a large population, will become increasingly essential.  

scholarly journals Droplet-based microfluidics as a future tool for strain improvement in lactic acid bacteria

2018 ◽  
Vol 366 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i10-i16
Author(s):  
Jun Chen ◽  
Mike Vestergaard ◽  
Jing Shen ◽  
Christian Solem ◽  
Martin Dufva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Lactic Acid Bacteria ◽  
Strain Improvement ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Strain Development ◽  
Mutant Selection ◽  
Mutagenesis Screen ◽  
Microbial Strain ◽  
Potential Use

ABSTRACT Strain development is frequently used to improve the performance and functionality of industrially important microbes. As traditional mutagenesis screen is especially utilized by the food industry to improve strains used in food fermentation, high-throughput and cost-effective screening tools are important in mutant selection. The emerging droplet-based microfluidics technology miniaturizes the volume for cell cultivation and phenotype interrogation down to the picoliter scales, which facilitates screening of microbes for improved phenotypical properties tremendously. In this mini review, we present recent application of the droplet-based microfluidics in microbial strain improvement with a focus on its potential use in the screening of lactic acid bacteria.

Evaluation of Two Field Screening Test Kits for the Detection of PCBs in Soil by Immunoassay

1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 1664-1671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry C Waters ◽  
Rob R Smith ◽  
Joe H Stewart ◽  
Roger A Jenkins ◽  
Richard W Counts
Keyword(s):  
False Negative ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Effective Field ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Laboratory Methods ◽  
Rigorous Evaluation ◽  
Field Screening ◽  
Hazardous Waste Sites ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Antigen Antibody

Abstract Effective field screening methods could minimize the time and reduce the cost of characterizing and remediating hazardous waste sites. Rigorous evaluation of novel field screening methods is required before they can be considered as replacements for, or adjuncts to, currently used laboratory methods. Alternatives to standard laboratory analytical methods should be rapid, analyte-specific, cost-effective, accurate, and sensitive in the range at which the analyte is regulated. In this study, 2 immunoassay- based field test kits for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil were evaluated with reference to those criteria. PCBs were analyzed in both spiked and field soil samples. Based on laboratory performance, we estimate that 20 to 40 samples can be analyzed in the field per day. Sensitivity of the assay is in the 1 ppm range. Because the assay is based on the specificity of the antigen/antibody reaction, interferences are practically negligible. The method is accurate; the false-negative and false-positive results that were observed can be explained by differences in the immunoreactivities of the Aroclors present in the test samples and the Aroclors used as standards in the assay. The savings in time and expense to analyze PCBs in soil with the immunoassay-based test kits over conventional laboratory methods should be substantial.

scholarly journals Tuberculosis screening costs and cost-effectiveness in high-risk groups: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Alsdurf ◽  
B. Empringham ◽  
C. Miller ◽  
A. Zwerling
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Systematic Screening ◽  
Structural Risk

Abstract Background Systematic screening for active tuberculosis (TB) is a strategy which requires the health system to seek out individuals, rather than waiting for individuals to self-present with symptoms (i.e., passive case finding). Our review aimed to summarize the current economic evidence and understand the costs and cost-effectiveness of systematic screening approaches among high-risk groups and settings. Methods We conducted a systematic review on economic evaluations of screening for TB disease targeting persons with clinical and/or structural risk factors, such as persons living with HIV (PLHIV) or persons experiencing homelessness. We searched three databases for studies published between January 1, 2010 and February 1, 2020. Studies were included if they reported cost and a key outcome measure. Owing to considerable heterogeneity in settings and type of screening strategy, we synthesized data descriptively. Results A total of 27 articles were included in our review; 19/27 (70%) took place in high TB burden countries. Seventeen studies took place among persons with clinical risk factors, including 14 among PLHIV, while 13 studies were among persons with structural risk factors. Nine studies reported incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) ranging from US$51 to $1980 per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted. Screening was most cost-effective among PLHIV. Among persons with clinical and structural risk factors there was limited evidence, but screening was generally not shown to be cost-effective. Conclusions Studies showed that screening is most likely to be cost-effective in a high TB prevalence population. Our review highlights that to reach the “missing millions” TB programmes should focus on simple, cheaper initial screening tools (i.e., symptom screen and CXR) followed by molecular diagnostic tools (i.e., Xpert®) among the highest risk groups in the local setting (i.e., PLHIV, urban slums). Programmatic costs greatly impact cost-effectiveness thus future research should provide both fixed and variable costs of screening interventions to improve comparability.

scholarly journals THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF DEPRESSION SCREENING FOR THE GENERAL ADULT POPULATION

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melike Yildirim ◽  
Bradley Gaynes ◽  
Pinar Keskinocak ◽  
Brian Pence ◽  
Julie L Swann
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Routine Screening ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Annual Screening ◽  
The Cost

Objective. Screening has an essential role in preventive medicine. Ideally, screening tools detect patients early enough to manage the disease and reduce symptoms. We aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of routine screening schedules. Methods. We used a discrete-time nonstationary Markov model to simulate the progression of depression. We adopted annual transition probabilities, which were dependent on patient histories, such as the number of previous episodes, treatment status, and time spent without treatment state based on the available data. We used Monte Carlo techniques to simulate the stochastic model for 20 years or during the lifetime of individuals. Baseline and screening scenario models with screening frequencies of annual, 2-year, and 5-year were compared based on incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). Results. In the general population, all screening strategies were cost-effective compared to the baseline. However, male and female populations differed based on cost over quality-adjusted life years (QALY). Females had lower ICERs, and annual screening had the highest ICER for females, with 11,134 $/QALY gained. In contrast, males had around three times higher ICER, with annual screening costs of 34,065$/QALY gained. Conclusions. Considering the high lifetime prevalence and recurrence rates of depression, detection and prevention efforts can be one critical cornerstone to support required care. Our analysis combined the expected benefits and costs of screening and assessed the effectiveness of screening scenarios. We conclude that routine screening is cost-effective for all age groups of females and young, middle-aged males. Male population results are sensitive to the higher costs of screening.

scholarly journals CHALLENGES AND IMPERFECT SOLUTIONS FOR COGNITIVE SCREENING WITH OLDER IMMIGRANTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S704-S705
Author(s):  
Lisa Willoughby ◽  
Chuleeporn Pusopa ◽  
Sattha Prakobchai ◽  
Paweena Meekanon ◽  
Spondita Goswami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Saint Louis ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
Intercultural Interactions ◽  
Adult Immigrants

Abstract Cultural diversity among older adults is increasing and with this comes challenges in health care needs, including the detection of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairments manifests in many ways, with early symptoms often difficult to detect. Detecting cognitive dysfunction is typically facilitated with brief, portable screening tools. Scores on screening tools may be influenced by culture, education, and verbal abilities; in particular, these are acute issues for screening older immigrants from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds. The consequences of improper screening are high and, as such, finding practical, cost-effective solutions is of critical importance. In this project, we qualitatively examined the usability of different cognitive screening tools with the ultimate goal of improving the detection and classification of cognitive dysfunction among older adult immigrants. We extended our previous work by piloting adaptation guidelines for the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) exam for use with linguistically and culturally diverse persons. We recruited 23 older immigrants (6 non-English speaking) and 14 U.S. born participants to explore the usability and test-retest reliability of the SLUMS exam administered with and without the adaptation guidelines. Our attempts to improve the flexibility of the SLUMS exam did not achieve the level of success as anticipated. Although this pilot work had low power, when coupled with our past work on developing adaptation guidelines, sheds critical light on the layered complexity that arises at the intersections of education, culture, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and intercultural interactions and the resulting potential directions for future work will be discussed.

Developing deep learning models to automate rosewood tree species identification for CITES designation and implementation

Holzforschung ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 1123-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuo He ◽  
Yang Lu ◽  
Lichao Jiao ◽  
Yonggang Zhang ◽  
Xiaomei Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Wood Species ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Timber Species ◽  
Learning Models ◽  
Field Screening ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Parameter Configuration ◽  
Feature Visualization

AbstractThe implementation of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to combat illegal logging and associated trade necessitates accurate and efficient field screening of wood species. In this study, a total of 10,237 images of 15 Dalbergia and 11 Pterocarpus species were collected from the transverse surfaces of 417 wood specimens. Three deep learning models were then constructed, trained, and tested with these images to discriminate between timber species. The optimal parameters of the deep learning model were analyzed, and the representative wood anatomical features that were activated by the deep learning models were visualized. The results demonstrated that the overall accuracies of the 26-class, 15-class, and 11-class models were 99.3, 93.7, and 88.4%, respectively. It is suggested that at least 100 high-quality images per species with minimum patch sizes of 1000 × 1000 from more than 10 wood specimens were needed to train reliable and applicable deep learning models. The feature visualization indicated that the vessel groupings and axial parenchyma were the main wood anatomical features activated by the deep learning models. The combination of the state-of-the-art deep learning models, parameter configuration, and feature visualization provide a time- and cost-effective tool for the field screening of wood species to support effective CITES designation and implementation.

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