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Diagnostic Protocol (diagnostic + protocol)
Selected AbstractsDiagnostic protocols for regulated pestsEPPO BULLETIN, Issue 1 2001Article first published online: 28 JUN 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Diagnostic protocols for organisms harmful to plants , DIAGPRO,EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 3-4 2000V. A. Harju DIAGPRO is an EU-funded project to develop diagnostic protocols for 18 quarantine pests. Pilot test methods will be developed in the laboratories of the four partners in England, Scotland, The Netherlands and Spain. The methods will be ring-tested at selected EU laboratories and published on the Internet for comment. [source] Resting Echocardiography for the Early Detection of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Chest Pain Unit PatientsECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2010Vito Maurizio Parato M.D. Aim: The purpose of this study is to assess the ability of resting echocardiography to detect an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) before the occurrence of ischemic electrocardiogram (ECG) changes or troponin-T elevations. Methods: Four hundred and three patients who presented to the emergency room (ER) with chest pain, normal ECGs, and normal troponin-T levels were admitted to the cardiologist-run Chest Pain Unit (CPU) for further monitoring. They underwent serial resting echocardiography for monitoring of left ventricle wall motion (LVWM), ECG telemetry monitoring, and serial troponin-T measurements. Results: An ACS was detected in 49 patients (12.1%). These 49 patients were then subdivided into three different groups based on the initial mode of detection of their ACS. In group A, 16 of 49 (32.6%) patients had ACS shown by echocardiographic detection of LVWM abnormalities. In group B, 24 of 49 (48.9%) patients had an ACS detected by ischemic ECG changes. In group C, 9 of 49 (18.3%) patients had an ACS detected by troponin-T elevations. The shortest time interval between CPU-admission and ACS-detection occurred in group A (A vs. B, P < 0.003; A vs. C, P < 0.0001). In group A, cardiac angiogram showed that the culprit coronary lesion was more frequent in the circumflex artery (11 out of 16; 68.7%) (LCx vs. LAD, P < 0.02; LCx vs. RCA, P < 0.001) and of these 11 patients with circumflex lesions, the ECG was normal in eight (72.7%) patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the utility of LVWM monitoring by serial echocardiography as part of a diagnostic protocol that can be implemented in a CPU. Furthermore, echocardiography could become an essential tool used in the diagnosis of ACS secondary to circumflex lesions. (Echocardiography 2010;27:597-602) [source] PM 7/40(2): Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallidaEPPO BULLETIN, Issue 3 2009Article first published online: 27 NOV 200 Specific scope This standard describes a diagnostic protocol for Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida1. Specific approval and amendment This Standard was developed under the EU DIAGPRO Project (SMT 4-CT98-2252) by partnership of contractor laboratories and intercomparison laboratories in European countries. Approved as an EPPO Standard in 2003,09. Revision approved in 2009,09. [source] PP 7/94(1): Hirschmanniella spp.EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 3 2009Article first published online: 27 NOV 200 Specific scope This standard describes a diagnostic protocol for the genus Hirschmanniella1. Specific approval and amendment Approved in 2009,09. [source] Prevalence and significance of cardiovascular risk factors in a large cohort of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemiaJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2003P. R. W. De Sauvage Nolting Abstract., de Sauvage Nolting PRW, Defesche JC, Buirma RJA, Hutten BA, Lansberg PJ, Kastelein JJP (Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam; Clinical Research, Haarlem; Slotervaart Hospital, Amsterdam; the Netherlands). Prevalence and significance of cardiovascular risk factors in a large cohort of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia. J Intern Med 2003; 253: 161,168. Objective., Patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) vary widely in terms of onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Design., The association between cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent CVD was examined in a cross-sectional study in order to elucidate their contribution to atherogenesis. Setting and subjects., Patients were recruited from 37 Dutch Lipid Clinics. The diagnosis of FH was based on a uniform diagnostic protocol, confirmed by DNA analysis in 62% of the cases. All patients were investigated free from any lipid-lowering drug for at least 6 weeks. Main outcome measures., Differences in lipids, lipoproteins and other risk factors for CVD were analysed in FH patients with and without CVD. Results., A total of 526 patients were assessed and more than 37% had a history of CVD with a mean age of onset of 46.8 years. Mean LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were severely elevated (8.38 ± 2.13 mmol L,1). In univariate analysis, age, presence of hypertension or diabetes, body mass index, triglycerides (TG) and low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) were all significantly associated with CVD. Also in multivariate analysis, all these risk factors, except TG and diabetes, were significantly linked to CVD. Conclusion., A high CVD risk in this large well-documented characterized sample of FH patients is not only conferred by elevated LDL-C but also by low HDL-C. [source] The multinational birth cohort of EuroPrevall: background, aims and methodsALLERGY, Issue 4 2010T. Keil To cite this article: Keil T, McBride D, Grimshaw K, Niggemann B, Xepapadaki P, Zannikos K, Sigurdardottir ST, Clausen M, Reche M, Pascual C, Stanczyk AP, Kowalski ML, Dubakiene R, Drasutiene G, Roberts G, Schoemaker A-FA, Sprikkelman AB, Fiocchi A, Martelli A, Dufour S, Hourihane J, Kulig M, Wjst M, Yazdanbakhsh M, Szépfalusi Z, van Ree R, Willich SN, Wahn U, Mills ENC, Beyer K. The multinational birth cohort of EuroPrevall: background, aims and methods. Allergy 2010; 65: 482,490. Abstract Background/aim:, The true prevalence and risk factors of food allergies in children are not known because estimates were based predominantly on subjective assessments and skin or serum tests of allergic sensitization to food. The diagnostic gold standard, a double-blind placebo-controlled food provocation test, was not performed consistently to confirm suspected allergic reactions in previous population studies in children. This protocol describes the specific aims and diagnostic protocol of a birth cohort study examining prevalence patterns and influential factors of confirmed food allergies in European children from different regions. Methods:, Within the collaborative translational research project EuroPrevall, we started a multi-center birth cohort study, recruiting a total of over 12 000 newborns in nine countries across Europe in 2005,2009. In addition to three telephone interviews during the first 30 months, parents were asked to immediately inform the centers about possible allergic reactions to food at any time during the follow-up period. Results:, All children with suspected food allergy symptoms were clinically evaluated including double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge tests. We assessed sensitization to different food allergens by measurements of specific serum immunoglobulin E and skin prick tests, collect blood, saliva or buccal swabs for genetic tests, breast milk for measurement of food proteins/cytokines, and evaluate quality-of-life and economic burden of families with food allergic children. Conclusions:, This birth cohort provides unique data on prevalence, risk factors, quality-of-life, and costs of food allergies in Europe, leading to the development of more informed and integrated preventative and treatment strategies for children with food allergies. [source] Anaphylaxis to patent blue V: a case series and proposed diagnostic protocolALLERGY, Issue 3 2010R. A. Haque To cite this article: Haque RA, Wagner A, Whisken JA, Nasser SM, Ewan PW. Anaphylaxis to patent blue V: a case series and proposed diagnostic protocol. Allergy 2010; 65: 396,400. Abstract Patent blue V is widely used in the identification of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer and other malignancies. Individual case reports of allergy to patent blue V have been described in the medical literature since the 1960s. However, there is little data on clinical features and little experience of which allergy tests are appropriate or useful. We gathered all cases of patent blue V allergy that had been seen and diagnosed in the Department of Allergy, Addenbrooke's Hospital over a 3-year period. We collected clinical details of each case including skin test results. For comparison we recruited 12 healthy control subjects who then underwent skin testing to patent blue V. Six cases of patent blue V allergy were identified, all occurring during sentinel lymph node identification for breast carcinoma. All 6 had positive skin prick tests to neat patent blue V (25 mg/ml). Skin prick testing with a 1 : 10 dilution (2.5 mg/ml) produced positive results in 3 of 4 patients tested, and intradermal testing at a 1 : 100 dilution was (0.25 mg/ml) was positive in all patients tested. Of 12 control subjects, 11 had negative skin prick tests to both neat and 1 : 10 patent blue V with one subject showing a positive reaction to the higher concentration only. On the basis of our experience of patent blue V allergy, we propose a diagnostic protocol that can be safely and reliably utilised in centres equipped for allergy testing. [source] Research Review: DSM-V conduct disorder: research needs for an evidence baseTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 1 2008Terrie E. Moffitt This article charts a strategic research course toward an empirical foundation for the diagnosis of conduct disorder in the forthcoming DSM-V. Since the DSM-IV appeared in 1994, an impressive amount of new information about conduct disorder has emerged. As a result of this new knowledge, reasonable rationales have been put forward for adding to the conduct disorder diagnostic protocol: a childhood-limited subtype, family psychiatric history, callous-unemotional traits, female-specific criteria, preschool-specific criteria, early substance use, and biomarkers from genetics, neuroimaging, and physiology research. This article reviews the evidence for these and other potential changes to the conduct disorder diagnosis. We report that although there is a great deal of exciting research into each of the topics, very little of it provides the precise sort of evidence base required to justify any alteration to the DSM-V. We outline specific research questions and study designs needed to build the lacking evidence base for or against proposed changes to DSM-V conduct disorder. [source] The diagnostic protocol in children and adolescents with syncope: a multi-centre prospective studyACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2009Qingyou Zhang Abstract Aim: The appropriate diagnostic protocol for children with syncope has not been well established. A diagnostic protocol was developed and prospectively implemented to improve the diagnostic performance of paediatricians. Methods: The study population included 474 consecutive patients (range 6,17 years) presenting with a syncopal spell in one of the five participating hospitals of China. In step 1, all patients underwent initial evaluation for history, physical examination, standing test and standard electrocardiography (ECG). In step 2, priority was given to cardiographic tests for possibly cardiogenic syncope, or electroencephalographic examination and brain imaging for suspected neurological syncope, or psychiatric tests for suspected psychiatric syncope. Patients with unexplained syncope underwent head-up tilt testing (HUT). Results: The initial evaluation gave a definite diagnosis in 59 (12.4%) and possible diagnosis in 54 of the 474 patients. Further testing gave a definite diagnosis for 326 patients (69.7%). After the entire diagnostic protocol, definite diagnosis was established in 385 patients (81.1%). Autonomic-mediated reflex syncope (AMS) accounted for 73.0% of cases. The average cost of diagnostic results per patient was RMB 1030.24 ± 150.09 ($118.42 ± 17.25). Conclusion: The use of a simplified diagnostic protocol for children and adolescents with syncope improves diagnostic yield. [source] A methodology for inferring the causes of observed impairments in aquatic ecosystems,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2002Glenn W. Suter II Abstract Biological surveys have become a common technique for determining whether aquatic communities have been injured. However, their results are not useful for identifying management options until the causes of apparent injuries have been identified. Techniques for determining causation have been largely informal and ad hoc. This paper presents a logical system for causal inference. It begins by analyzing the available information to generate causal evidence; available information may include spatial or temporal associations of potential cause and effect, field or laboratory experimental results, and diagnostic evidence from the affected organisms. It then uses a series of three alternative methods to infer the cause: Elimination of causes, diagnostic protocols, and analysis of the strength of evidence. If the cause cannot be identified with sufficient confidence, the reality of the effects is examined, and if the effects are determined to be real, more information is obtained to reiterate the process. [source] DNA barcoding: a new module in New Zealand's plant biosecurity diagnostic toolboxEPPO BULLETIN, Issue 1 2010K. Armstrong Molecular methods for identification of high risk pests and pathogens have been employed for more than a decade to supplement standard diagnostic protocols. However, as the volume of traded goods continues to increase so does the breadth of taxa that diagnosticians need to deal with. Keeping pace by introducing more molecular tests that are typically species-group specific is not an efficient way to progress. Since 2005 classical DNA barcoding using cytochrome oxidase I sequence has been employed routinely in New Zealand for the highest risk insect species (fruit flies and lymantriid moths). Subsequently a broader range of pests have been considered. Case studies are presented here for three important lepidopteran pests, Lymantria mathura (pink gypsy moth), Conogethes punctiferalis (yellow peach moth) and Hyphantria cunea (fall web worm), as well as a trial to identify miscellaneous border interceptions. While the data support the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for border diagnostics, they also raise issues around cryptic species identification and potential species discovery that could impact on operational biosecurity systems. [source] Protocols for the diagnosis of quarantine pests,EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 3-4 2000EPPO member countries have recognized the need for a harmonized approach to detection and identification methods for quarantine pests. In 1998, EPPO started anew project to prepare diagnostic protocols for the quarantine pests of the EPPO region. The work is conducted by the Panel on Diagnostics, which is under the authority of the Working Party on Phytosanitary Regulations. The Panel consists of 10 experts in different fields. When necessary, expert groups on specific disciplines are called upon. The Panel agreed on a suitable common format for the protocols and a procedure for producing the best quality of diagnostic protocols. As there are about 325 quarantine pests for the region (listed in the EPPO A1 and A2 lists of quarantine pests and in the Annexes of EU Directive 77/93), it was necessary to decide upon a priority list of the organisms for which protocols should be developed first. At the moment, 52 protocols are at different stages of preparation. [source] Diagnostic protocols for organisms harmful to plants , DIAGPRO,EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 3-4 2000V. A. Harju DIAGPRO is an EU-funded project to develop diagnostic protocols for 18 quarantine pests. Pilot test methods will be developed in the laboratories of the four partners in England, Scotland, The Netherlands and Spain. The methods will be ring-tested at selected EU laboratories and published on the Internet for comment. [source] Psychogeriatric Research: A Conceptual Introduction to Aging and Geriatric NeurosciencePSYCHOGERIATRICS, Issue 3 2001Ramón Cacabelos Abstract: Psychogeriatrics (PG) is a multidisciplinary specialty in clinical neuroscience dealing with brain disorders in the elderly population. As any other biomedical field PG has to establish an educational and practical framework in epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and social, ethical, and legal issues associated with brain aging and age-related central nervous system disorders. Understanding the molecular basis of aging will help to characterize and differentiate the fundamentals of pathological aging and psychogeriatric ailments. Modern epidemiology of age-related brain disorders have to incorporate novel diagnostic criteria, biological markers, and genetic epidemiology to its methodological armamentarium to avoid bias. Molecular genetics will help to conceptually redefine many psychogeriatric disorders depending upon its genetic component and those interacting environmental factors leading to the phenotypic expression of given diseases. Genetic testing for monogenic and complex/polygenic/multifactorials disorders has to be included in diagnostic protocols since approximately 60 to 80% of major psychogeriatric disorders are genetically driven. It is also important to distinguish mutational genetics from susceptibility genetics in order to establish novel therapeutic strategies and preventive programmes. Genomics, proteomics, and pharmacogenomics are novel fields from which PG can benefit in the areas of etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Drug development in PG requires updated regulations in developed countries. New pharmacological treatments for aging brain disorders are needed. Pharmacogenomics will become an optimal strategy for drug development, contributing to design a molecular psychopharmacology for the elderly, individualizing drug therapy, optimizing efficacy and safety, and reducing unnecessary costs. [source] Interlaboratory evaluation of two Reverse-transcriptase Polymeric Chain Reaction-based methods for detection of four fruit tree virusesANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009S. Massart Abstract Recent technological development of molecular methods has led to the proliferation of new rapid PCR or reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR-derived diagnostic tests for plant viruses. Nevertheless, for routine use, the reliability of all these new methods is not widely established and there is still an apprehension to adopt them in official diagnostic for certification of plant material. This is partly because of the lack of confidence in the obtained results and the poor knowledge on the reproducibility and limits of the RT-PCR protocols. There is a lack of information on the adequate risk assessment in the use of this new technology. An interlaboratory evaluation of two RT-PCR duplex protocols for the detection of four different fruit tree viruses was performed to address these questions. Identical samples were sent as crude extract preparation to each of the participant laboratories. Samples were coded to ensure a double-blind test. General principles of result analysis are described, for example calculation of parameters such as specificity, sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility, likelihood ratios and post-test probabilities. These parameters and the integration of the protocols within official certification scheme are discussed. Finally, guidelines for researchers desirous of validating their new plant virus diagnostic protocols through interlaboratory evaluation are suggested. [source] | |||||||||||||