Test–retest reliability and practice effect of the Leuven Perceptual Organisation Screening Test

Visual diagnostic tests must have a high degree of consistency in their measurements (high reliability) to ensure accurate assessment of perceptual abilities. The current study assessed test–retest reliability and practice effects in the Leuven Perceptual Organisation Screening Test (L-POST) in 144 healthy volunteers, with time intervals between 0 and 756 days. We used Pearson's and intraclass correlation analysis, Bland–Altman analysis and multilevel modelling. Results from our analyses converged and supported an adequate reliability of the L-POST. Multilevel modelling demonstrated an absence of practice effect, suggesting that the L-POST is suitable for repeat administration. This study suggests that the L-POST has adequate reliability and is suitable for repeat administration even at short intervals. This study provides the basis for a more systematic evaluation for neuropsychological assessments, which can lead to the development of more reliable assessment batteries.

Mediators of screening uptake in a colorectal cancer screening intervention among Hispanics

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA. Although a number of CRC screening tests have been established as being effective for CRC prevention and early detection, rates of CRC screening test completion in the US population remain suboptimal, especially among the uninsured, recent immigrants and Hispanics. In this study, we used a structural equation modelling approach to identify factors influencing screening test completion in a successful CRC screening program that was implemented in an uninsured Hispanic population. This information will enhance our understanding of influences on CRC screening among historically underscreened populations. Methods We used generalized structural equation models (SEM) utilizing participant reported information collected through a series of surveys. We identified direct and indirect pathways through which cofactors, CRC knowledge and individual Health Belief Model constructs (perceived benefits, barriers, susceptibility, fatalism and self-efficacy) and a latent psychosocial health construct mediated screening in an effective prospective randomized CRC screening intervention that was tailored for uninsured Hispanic Americans. Results Seven hundred twenty-three participants were eligible for inclusion; mean age was 56 years, 79.7% were female, and 98.9% were Hispanic. The total intervention effect was comparable in both models, with both having a direct and indirect effect on screening completion (n = 715, Model 1: RC = 2.46 [95% CI: 2.20, 2.71, p < 0.001]; n = 699, Model 2 RC =2.45, [95% CI: 2.18, 2.72, p < 0.001]. In Model 1, 32% of the overall effect was mediated by the latent psychosocial health construct (RC = 0.79, p < 0.001) that was in turn mainly influenced by self-efficacy, perceived benefits and fatalism. In Model 2, the most important individual mediators were self-efficacy (RC = 0.24, p = 0.013), and fatalism (RC = 0.07, p = 0.033). Conclusion This study contributes to our understanding of mediators of CRC screening and suggests that targeting self-efficacy, perceived benefits and fatalism could maximize the effectiveness of CRC screening interventions particularly in Hispanic populations.

Hyperglycemia associated with Chagas disease

Chagas disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are the two main causes of Years Lived with Disability. The consequences and possible interaction between both illnesses have been scarcely studied. A population study of blood donors from the Centro Estatal de Transfusión Sanguinea (CETS) was carried out with a reagent related to the Chagas test. Detection was carried out with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of anti- Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies and also, an HbA1C test was performed with 4 mL of whole blood. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data. The Chi-square test was applied to determine the existence of an association between hyperglycemia and Chagas disease. A total of 4,952 participants were screened. All of the participants (100%) were from Hidalgo State and did not have a chagoma as evidence of having been bitten or denied contact with a “kissing bug”. Of the total, 26 reacted to the first screening test to detect anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies; of these, five were confirmed as positive on the second screening test. The seroprevalence of T. cruzi was 0.01%. The results do not show a clear association but the frequency of hyperglycemia in population with Chagas coincides with that reported by other authors. Considering the scarce clinical–epidemiological evidence between Chagas disease, obesity, and hyperglycemia, long-term follow up of both morbidities is an area of opportunity for clinical and epidemiological study of T. cruzi reactivity.

Comparative Assessment of Antibiotic Residues Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and a Rapid Screening Test in Raw Milk Collected from the North-Central Algerian Dairies

Antibiotic residues in milk are a major health threat for the consumer and a hazard to the dairy industry, causing significant economic losses. This study aims to assess the presence of antibiotic residues in raw milk comparatively by a rapid screening test (BetaStar® Combo) and Liquid Chromatography coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 445 samples were collected from 3 dairy companies of north-central Algeria (Algiers, Blida, Boumerdes), and they were rapidly screened for β-lactams and tetracyclines; 52 samples, comprising 34 positive tanker-truck milk and 18 negative bulk-tank milk were tested by LC-MS/MS, which revealed 90.4% were contaminated (n = 47) and 55.3% exceeded the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). The β-lactams as parent compounds and their metabolites were the most frequently detected with maximum value for cloxacillin (1231 µg/kg) and penicillin G (2062 µg/kg). Under field condition, the false-positive results, particularly for tetracyclines, seems to be related to milk samples displaying extreme acidity values (≥19°D) or fat-level fluctuations (2.7 g/100 mL and 5.6–6.2 g/100 mL). Despite a relatively low prevalence (7.64%) of residues using the rapid test, the detection by LC-MS/MS of flumequine (52 µg/kg), cefaclor (maximum 220 µg/kg) and metabolites of β-lactams at high levels should lead to reflections on the control of their human and environmental toxicological effects.

Possibilities of cytological diagnostics in gynecology. Human papillomavirus as an interdisciplinary problem

The article presents an analysis of current information on the etiology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis of human papillomavirus. It is shown that at the current stage of development of laboratory diagnostics there is a reliable screening test — cytological examination of smears taken from the ecto- and endocervix. To diagnose HPV, a combination of microscopic (cytological studies) and molecular genetic (PCR) diagnostic methods is used.