scholarly journals Lateral throat form classification using a customized gauge and Neil’s method – a comparative study

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 54-57
Author(s):  
Sabina Poudel ◽  
Minu Dhungana ◽  
Rajani Karki ◽  
Prabhat Shrestha

Introduction: Lateral throat form (LTF) is the critical area which has to be recorded properly for obtaining proper retention and stability in complete denture especially in geriatric patients with resorbed ridges. Popular method used for determining LTF is Neil’s method which depends on the forces applied by the floor of mouth when the tongues protrude out. Since the perception of the forces differs among different operators, there are high chances of error in the classification. So, customized instrument was fabricated to prevent this inter-observer variation. The aim of the study was to compare the inter-observer accuracy between Neil’s method of classifi­cation and classification done by customized gauze. Methods and methodology: Total 30 edentulous patients were taken. Two observers measured the LTF depth by customized tool and also by Neil’s method. Cohen’s kappa test was used to evaluate the agreement between two operators in two different classifications. Result: The agreement between the two observers was evaluated by means of Cohen’s kappa value. There was good agreement between observers in proposed classification done by customized tool with kappa value 0.658 and fair inter-observer agreement with kappa value 0.0492. Conclusion: The method of measuring the depth of LTF with fabricated instrument was more accurate and reliable than Neil’s method.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Baronaite ◽  
Merete Engelhart ◽  
Troels Mørk Hansen ◽  
Gorm Thamsborg ◽  
Hanne Slott Jensen ◽  
...  

Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) have traditionally been evaluated using indirect fluorescence assays (IFA) with HEp-2 cells. Quantitative immunoassays (EIA) have replaced the use of HEp-2 cells in some laboratories. Here, we evaluated ANA in 400 consecutive and unselected routinely referred patients using IFA and automated EIA techniques. The IFA results generated by two independent laboratories were compared with the EIA results from antibodies against double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), from ANA screening, and from tests of the seven included subantigens. The final IFA and EIA results for 386 unique patients were compared. The majority of the results were the same between the two methods (n=325, 84%); however, 8% (n=30) yielded equivocal results (equivocal-negative and equivocal-positive) and 8% (n=31) yielded divergent results (positive-negative). The results showed fairly good agreement, with Cohen’s kappa value of 0.30 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.14–0.46), which decreased to 0.23 (95% CI = 0.06–0.40) when the results for dsDNA were omitted. The EIA method was less reliable for assessing nuclear and speckled reactivity patterns, whereas the IFA method presented difficulties detecting dsDNA and Ro activity. The automated EIA method was performed in a similar way to the conventional IFA method using HEp-2 cells; thus, automated EIA may be used as a screening test.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelle M. Gadowski ◽  
Tracy A. McCaffrey ◽  
Stephane Heritier ◽  
Andrea J. Curtis ◽  
Natalie Nanayakkara ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to assess the relative validity and reproducibility of a six-item Australian Short Dietary Screener (Aus-SDS). The Aus-SDS assessed the daily intake of core food groups (vegetables, fruits, legumes and beans, cereals, protein sources and dairy sources) in 100 Australians (52 males and 48 females) aged ≥70 years. Relative validity was assessed by comparing intakes from the Aus-SDS1 with an average of three 24-h recalls (24-HRs), and reproducibility using two administrations of the Aus-SDS (Aus-SDS1 and Aus-SDS2). Cohen’s kappa statistic between the Aus-SDS1 and 24-HRs showed moderate to good agreement, ranging from 0.44 for fruits and dairy to 0.64 for protein. There was poor agreement for legume intake (0.12). Bland–Altman plots demonstrated acceptable limits of agreement between the Aus-SDS1 and 24-HRs for all food groups. Median intakes obtained from Aus-SDS1 and Aus-SDS2 did not differ. For all food groups, Cohen’s kappa statistic ranged from 0.68 to 0.89, indicating acceptable agreement between the Aus-SDS1 and Aus-SDS2. Spearman’s correlation coefficient between Aus-SDS1 and 24-HRs across all food groups ranged from 0.64 for fruit to 0.83 for protein. We found the Aus-SDS to be a useful tool in assessing daily intake of core food groups in this population.


2020 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-106658
Author(s):  
Mahée Gilbert-Ouimet ◽  
Xavier Trudel ◽  
Karine Aubé ◽  
Ruth Ndjaboue ◽  
Caroline S Duchaine ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThis study assesses the validity of a self-reported mental health problem (MHP) diagnosis as the reason for a work absence of 5 days or more compared with a physician-certified MHP diagnosis related to the same work absence. The potential modifying effect of absence duration on validity is also examined.MethodsA total of 709 participants (1031 sickness absence episodes) were selected and interviewed. Total per cent agreement, Cohen’s kappa, sensitivity and specificity values were calculated using the physician-certified MHP diagnosis related to a given work absence as the reference standard. Stratified analyses of total agreement, sensitivity and specificity values were also examined by duration of work absence (5–20 workdays,>20 workdays).ResultsTotal agreement value for self-reported MHP was 90%. Cohen’s kappa value was substantial (0.74). Sensitivity was 77% and specificity was 95%. Absences of more than 20 workdays had a better sensitivity than absences of shorter duration. A high specificity was observed for both short and longer absence episodes.ConclusionThis study showed high specificity and good sensitivity of self-reported MHP diagnosis compared with physician-certified MHP diagnosis for the same work absence. Absences of longer durations had a better sensitivity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktor Dalen ◽  
Anne-Sofie Vegsgaard Olsen ◽  
Claude-Pierre Jerome ◽  
Jonn-Terje Geitung ◽  
Anders E.A. Dahm

Skeletal disease is common in multiple myeloma. We investigated the inter-observer agreement and diagnostic accuracy of spinal fractures diagnosed by computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from 12 myeloma patients. Two radiologists independently assessed the images. CT, MRI, and other images were combined to a gold standard. The inter-observer agreement was assessed with Cohen’s kappa. Radiologist 1 diagnosed 20 malignant spinal fractures on CT and 26 on MRI, while radiologist 2 diagnosed 12 malignant spinal fractures on CT and 22 on MRI. In comparison the gold standard diagnosed 10 malignant spinal fractures. The sensitivity for malignant fractures varied from 0.5 to 1 for CT and MRI, and the specificity varied from 0.17 to 0.67. On MRI, the specificity for malignant spinal fractures was 0.17 for both radiologists. The inter-observer agreement for malignant spinal fractures on CT was -0.42 (Cohen’s kappa) and -0.13 for MRI, while for osteoporotic fractures it was -0.24 for CT and 0.53 for MRI. We conclude that malignant spinal fractures were over-diagnosed on CT and MRI. The inter-observer agreement was extremely poor.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Paisal Paisal ◽  
Mukhlis Zuardi ◽  
Reni Herman

<p style="text-align: justify;">The incidence of dengue disease in the world is estimated at 390 million cases per year. In Indonesia, during 2013 there were 35-40 cases per 100.000 population, with a mortality rate of 0.73%. This study aimed to determine the suitability and the percentage of RT-PCR, RDT NS1, and RDT IgM detection examination. Samples were obtained from hospitals in Aceh province during 2012. The research samples reached 100 collected samples, it was only 82 samples that fulfill the analysis criteria. Cohen’s Kappa test result showed there was moderate suitability between RT-PCR and RDT NS1 (K=0,404, p = 0,000), and weak suitability between RT-PCR began RDT IgM (K=0,139, p = 0,046). While the percentage of detection for RT-PCR, RDT NS1, dan RDT IgM were 16%, 10%, and 60%. RDT IgM is the best alternative for laboratory examination in the hospital.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-35
Author(s):  
Jun S Lai ◽  
Jason Loh ◽  
Jia Ying Toh ◽  
Ray Sugianto ◽  
Marjorelee T Colega ◽  
...  

Abstract Advances in technology enabled the development of a web-based, pictorial food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to collect parent-report dietary intakes of 7-year-old children in the GUSTO study. This study aimed to compare intakes estimated from a paper-FFQ and a web-FFQ, and examine the relative validity of both FFQs against 3-day diet records (3DDR). Ninety-two mothers reported food intakes of their 7-year-old child on a paper-FFQ, a web-FFQ and a 3DDR. A usability questionnaire collected participants’ feedback on the web-FFQ. Correlations and agreement in energy, nutrients and food groups intakes between the dietary assessments were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation, Lin’s concordance, Bland-Altman plots, Cohen’s kappa and tertile classification. The paper- and web-FFQ had good correlations (≥0.50) and acceptable-good agreement (Lin’s concordance ≥0.30; Cohen’s kappa ≥0.41; ≥50% correct and ≤10% mis-classification into same or extreme tertiles). Compared to 3DDR, both FFQs showed poor agreement (<0.30) in assessing absolute intakes except micronutrients (web-FFQ had acceptable-good agreement); but showed acceptable-good ability to classify children into tertiles (κ≥0.21; ≥40% and ≤15% correct or misclassification). Bland-Altman plots suggest good agreement between web-FFQ and 3DDR in assessing micronutrients and several food groups. The web-FFQ was well-received (e.g. >89% found it user-friendly), and majority (81%) preferred the web-FFQ over the paper-FFQ. The newly developed web-FFQ produced intake estimates comparable to the paper-FFQ, has acceptable-good agreement with 3DDR in assessing absolute micronutrients intakes, and acceptable-good ability to classify children according to categories of intakes. The positive acceptance of the web-FFQ makes it a feasible tool for future dietary data collection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 592-594
Author(s):  
Lyudmila Akhmaltdinova ◽  
Alyona Lavrinenko ◽  
Ilya Belyayev

Antibacterial drugs are the most consumed group of drugs in the modern hospitals. Standard methods of antibiotic sensitivity are labour and time-consuming, taking up to 24 hours after the pure culture is isolated (the analysis typically lasts up to 72 hours). Working out express diagnostic methods is of importance, and studies are made in various directions. Flow cytometry in detecting resistant E.coli strains was used. Flow cytometry fluorescent dyes were used to stain viable and dead cells. For method validation, relative accuracy, relative susceptibility, relative specificity and Cohen’s kappa test were determined compared to the delusion test. Cytometry method showed acceptable results on the model of E.coli. Relative accuracy comprised 88.8%, sensitivity - 85.7%, specificity was 88.8%, Cohen’s kappa test showed value 0.524, which is a medium agreement between the measurements by different methods.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhilin Ji ◽  
Weiqiang Dou ◽  
Yaru Zhu ◽  
Yin Shi ◽  
Yuefen Zou

Abstract Objective: To investigate the feasibility of ultra-short echo time (UTE) MRI in assessing cartilage endplate (CEP) damage and evaluating the relationship between total endplate score (TEPS) and lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration.Materials and methods: 35 patients were measured for IVD using UTE imaging at 3T MR. Subtracted UTE images between short and long TEs were obtained to depict anatomy of CEP. The SNR and CNR were calculated to assess the image quality. A new grading criterion for endplate evaluation was developed based on Rajasekarank.S grading in this study. Two radiologists were employed to evaluate CEP and bony vertebral endplates (VEP) using new grading criterion and assess TEPS, independently. Cohen's kappa analysis was applied to evaluate the inter-observer agreement of endplate damage assessment between two radiologists, and the Kendall's TAU-B analysis was employed to determine the relationship between TEPS and IVD degeneration evaluated with Pfirrmann grading.Results: Well structural CEP was depicted on subtracted UTE images and confirmed by high SNR (33.0±2.92) and CNR values (9.4±2.08). Qualified subtracted UTE images were used by two radiologists to evaluate CEP and VEP damage. Excellent inter-observer agreement was confirmed by high value in Cohen's kappa test (0.839,P<0.001). Ensured by this, 138 endplates from 69 IVDs of 35 patients were classified into six grades based on the new grading criterion and TEPS of each endplate was calculated. In addition, the degeneration degree of IVDs were classified into five grades. Finally, using Kendall's TAU-B analysis, significant relationship was obtained between endplate damage related TEPS and IVD degeneration (r= 0.864,P<0.001).Conclusion: Ensured by high image quality, UTE imaging might be considered an effective tool to assess CEP damage. Additionally, further calculated TEPS has shown strong positive association with IVD degeneration, suggesting that the severity of endplate damage is highly linked with the degree of IVD degeneration.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Vergni ◽  
F. Todisco ◽  
B. Di Lena

AbstractIn the literature, numerous papers report comparative analyses of drought indices. In these types of studies, the similarity between drought indices is usually evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient, r, calculated between corresponding severity time series. However, it is well known that the correlation does not describe the strength of agreement between two variables. Two drought indices can exhibit a high degree of correlation but can, at the same time, disagree substantially, for example, if one index is consistently higher than the other. From an operational point of view, two indices can be considered in agreement when they indicate the same severity category for a given period (e.g. moderate drought). In this work, we compared six meteorological drought indices based on both correlation analysis and Cohen's Kappa test. This test is typically used in medical or social sciences to obtain a quantitative assessment of the degree of agreement between different methods or analysts. The indices considered are five timescale-dependent indices, i.e. the Percent of Normal Index, the Deciles Index, the Percentile Index, the Rainfall Anomaly Index, and the Standardised Precipitation Index, computed at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month timescales, and the Effective Drought Index, a relatively new index, which has a self-defined timescale. The indices were calculated for 15 stations in the Abruzzo region (central Italy) during 1951–2018. We found that the strength of agreement depends on both the criteria of drought severity classification and the different indices' calculation method. The Cohen's Kappa test indicates a prevailing moderate or fair agreement among the indices considered, despite the generally very high correlation between the corresponding severity times series. The results demonstrate that the Cohen's Kappa test is more effective than the correlation analysis in discriminating the actual strength of agreement/disagreement between drought indices.


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