Individual Results (individual + result)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


What level of effect is a no observed effect?

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2000
Mark Crane
Abstract The no observed effect concentration (NOEC) is currently a major summary statistic in ecotoxicity testing. Its use is heavily criticized, partly because it is a poor estimator of "safe" chemical concentrations. In this short communication, we review the limited information available on the percentage effect that corresponds with the NOEC, a value designated the ECNOEC, and calculate ECNOEC values for fish growth data. The average ECNOEC for different test protocols was found to vary widely, with values for chronic studies ranging from 10 to 34%. Individual results varied even more widely. This analysis suggests that the NOEC is neither a consistent summary statistic nor an indicator of safe concentrations of toxic chemicals. [source]


Sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical antibodies used to distinguish between benign and malignant pleural disease: a systematic review of published reports

HISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
J King
Aims:, A systematic review of published reports that have evaluated the ability of immunohistochemistry and argyrophil nucleolar organizing region (AgNOR) staining to distinguish between benign and malignant pleural disease. Methods:, Nineteen relevant papers published during the period 1979,2005 were identified. Individual results of immunohistochemistry for five diagnostic antibodies were extracted to calculate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Results from five of these studies that had evaluated proliferation markers or AgNOR staining techniques were also summarized. Results:, Most antibodies demonstrated poor to moderate diagnostic ability. Desmin and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) were the most useful, with sensitivity and specificity both above 74%. The combination of EMA and AgNOR was reported as having 95% diagnostic sensitivity. A high MCM2 labelling index also differentiated between benign and malignant pleural disease. Conclusions:, Immunohistochemistry is of limited value, but newer diagnostic methods may be useful additions in this area of pathology. The diagnostic importance of histological features seen on plain tissue sections is emphasized as vital for correctly differentiating between benign pleural disease and malignant pleural mesothelioma. [source]


Paternity testing in a PBL environment

BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 1 2010
Alberto Vicario Casla
Abstract Problem Based Learning (PBL) makes use of real-life scenarios to stimulate students' prior knowledge and to provide a meaningful context that is also related to the student's future professional work. In this article, Paternity testing is presented using a PBL approach that involves a combination of classroom, laboratory, and out-of-class activities: in relation to a fictitious newborn found on the Campus, students design a PCR based protocol to determine their own genotype for two markers. Pooled class genotypes serve to calculate allelic frequencies and to assess Hardy,Weinberg equilibrium. Individual results are also evaluated for possible paternity. The goals of the activity and how each step in the process relates to learning outcomes are presented. Classroom discussions, group discussions, tutorial sessions, wiki sites, laboratory activities, and individual reports sum up the situations, in which the students' process of learning and learning outcomes can be evaluated. [source]


Reliability, validity and responsiveness of a new leisure index: The Patient-Specific Leisure Scale (PSLS)

MUSCULOSKELETAL CARE, Issue 3 2009
Ingegerd Wikström
Abstract Objectives:,To investigate the reliability, validity and responsiveness of a new Patient-Specific Leisure Scale (PSLS), constructed to identify goals and outcomes for individual patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods:,Forty-nine patients with RA were used to evaluate test,retest reliability, and 100 consecutive RA patients were used for construct validity. Twenty-five RA patients, commencing with treatment on tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, were evaluated before the start and after three months of therapy, to test responsiveness. The most important leisure activity (as judged by the patients) was used when evaluating reliability and validity. The perceived difficulty with each activity was scored from 0 to 10 (0 = able to perform activity without difficulty, 10 = unable to perform activity). Results:,Test,retest reliability indicated a good agreement (0.62,0.87) using weighted kappa. Construct validity was demonstrated by modest positive correlation between leisure activity and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (rs = 0.27, p = 0.005) visual analogue scale (VAS) pain (rs = 0.28, p = 0.004) VAS global (rs = 0.22, p = 0.027), VAS fatigue (rs = 0.24, p = 0.013), joint index of 28 swollen joints (rs = 0.22, p = 0.027) and negative correlations with short-form-36 (SF-36) physical functioning (rs = ,0.18, p = 0.008), bodily pain (rs = ,0.31, p < 0.001), general health (rs = ,0.23, p = 0.019), vitality (rs = ,0.31, p < 0.001), social function (rs = ,0.24, p = 0.016) and role-emotional (rs = ,0.28, p = 0.005). Mean improvement for the most important leisure activity was 1.36, (p = 0.036, 95% confidence interval 0.10,2.62). Standardized response mean and effect size for the most important activity in PSLS was 1.05 and 0.72, respectively, and for HAQ 0.34 and 0.28, respectively. Conclusions:,PSLS appears to be feasible, reliable, valid and responsive for measuring leisure activities in RA. It provides both an individual result which is useful in clinical work, and results at a group level. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


fMRI Lateralization of Expressive Language in Children with Cerebral Lesions

EPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2006
Dianne P. Anderson
Summary:,Purpose: Lateralization of language function is crucial to the planning of surgery in children with frontal or temporal lobe lesions. We examined the utility of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as a determinant of lateralization of expressive language in children with cerebral lesions. Methods: fMRI language lateralization was attempted in 35 children (29 with epilepsy) aged 8,18 years with frontal or temporal lobe lesions (28 left hemisphere, five right hemisphere, two bilateral). Axial and coronal fMRI scans through the frontal and temporal lobes were acquired at 1.5 Tesla by using a block-design, covert word-generation paradigm. Activation maps were lateralized by blinded visual inspection and quantitative asymmetry indices (hemispheric and inferior frontal regions of interest, at p < 0.001 uncorrected and p < 0.05 Bonferroni corrected). Results: Thirty children showed significant activation in the inferior frontal gyrus. Lateralization by visual inspection was left in 21, right in six, and bilateral in three, and concordant with hemispheric and inferior frontal quantitative lateralization in 93% of cases. Developmental tumors and dysplasias involving the inferior left frontal lobe had activation overlying or abutting the lesion in five of six cases. fMRI language lateralization was corroborated in six children by frontal cortex stimulation or intracarotid amytal testing and indirectly supported by aphasiology in a further six cases. In two children, fMRI language lateralization was bilateral, and corroborative methods of language lateralization were left. Neither lesion lateralization, patient handedness, nor developmental versus acquired nature of the lesion was associated with language lateralization. Involvement of the left inferior or middle frontal gyri increased the likelihood of atypical language lateralization. Conclusions: fMRI lateralizes language in children with cerebral lesions, although caution is needed in interpretation of individual results. [source]


Comparison of Linear Regression Models for Quantitative Geochemical Analysis: An Example Using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

GEOSTANDARDS & GEOANALYTICAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2005
Mirna Guevara
calibration analytique; régression linéaire; matériaux de référence en géochimie; géochimie analytique; loi de propagation d'erreurs This paper presents statistical aspects related to the calibration process and a comparison of different regression approaches of relevance to almost all analytical techniques. The models for ordinary least-squares (OLS), weighted least-squares (WLS), and maximum likelihood fitting (MLF) were evaluated and, as a case study, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) calibration curves for major elements in geochemical reference materials were used. The results showed that WLS and MLF models were statistically more consistent in comparison with the usually applied OLS approach. The use of uncertainty on independent and dependent variables during the calibration process and the calculation of final uncertainty on individual results using error propagation equations are the novel aspects of our work. Cet article présente les aspects statistiques liés au processus de calibration et fait une comparaison des différents calculs de régression utilisés dans pratiquement toutes les techniques analytiques. Les modèles des moindres carrés ordinaires (MCO) et pondérés (MCP), et d'ajustement de maximum de vraisemblance (AMV) ont étéévalués et appliqués aux courbes de calibration d'éléments majeurs obtenues en analyse par fluorescence X (XRF) de matériaux certifiés de référence. Les résultats obtenus avec les modèles MCP et AMV sont plus cohérents statistiquement que ceux obtenus la méthode classique des MCO. L'utilisation de l'incertitudes sur des variables indépendantes ou dépendantes durant la procédure de calibration et le calcul de l'incertitude finale sur chaque résultat à partir des lois de propagation d'erreur sont des aspects novateurs de ce travail. [source]


EQAS for peripheral blood morphology in Spain: a 6-year experience

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
G. GUTIÉRREZ
Summary The Spanish haematology external quality assessment scheme (EQAS), established in 1984, is run by the Spanish Haematology and Haemotherapy Association (AEHH) [Quality Assurance in Health Care 3 (1991) 75] and functions to evaluate the quality and reproducibility of the assessment of diagnostic samples by clinical laboratories. The Hospital Clinic of the University of Barcelona (HCB) serves as the EQAS Coordination Centre and follows the guidelines established by the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology [Annali dell'Istituto superiore di Sanità 31 (1995) 95; International Journal of Hematology 68 (1998) 45]. During the period 2001,2006, replicates of 25 different blood films were sent to 604 EQAS participants for cell morphology evaluation. Some patient details corresponding to the samples were disclosed, such us age, sex, haemoglobin value and white blood cell count. The participants were asked to select up to four significant morphology features using a coding list, provided by the Coordination Centre, which included significant morphological alterations that appear in haematopoietic cells. For each survey, individual results were assessed against the morphological reference results (MRR) established by the Cytology Group of the AEHH (,true' answers). This paper describes the organization of the 6-year-long study and the evaluation of laboratory performance for blood smear interpretation by the Spanish haematology EQAS. Different performance levels were detected relative to the laboratory category. Laboratories providing services to hospitalized patients showed higher performances compared with laboratories providing services to nonhospitalized patients. Pathological lymphoid cells were the most difficult to identify by the participants. To improve the results in EQAS peripheral blood morphology, the development of specific cytology educational trainings is discussed. [source]


The functional status and perceived quality of life in long-term survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2007
H. Harve
Background:, Limited data exist on how long-term survivors after pre-hospital cardiac arrest lead their lives. This study assessed functional status and perceived quality of life in patients surviving for 15 years after successful resuscitation from witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest as a result of ventricular fibrillation. Methods:, A 15-year follow-up study of 59 1-year survivors after successful pre-hospital resuscitation who were thoroughly evaluated at 3 and 12 months after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Eleven patients were still alive 15 years later. Ten of them were reached and underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological and neurological examination. Cognitive performance was evaluated and compared with individual results 15 years earlier and with an age-matched control group. The cause and time of death of the non-survivors were established. Results:, All 10 evaluated long-term survivors lived at home and were independent in their activities of daily living. Their mean age was 72 years. In nine patients there was no change in the present neurological status compared with the status at 1 year after resuscitation, and in one patient it had improved. Five patients were cognitively intact. In four patients mild cognitive problems had emerged or slightly progressed. All but one were satisfied with their perceived quality of life. By the time of examination, the mean survival time for the 1-year survivors was 7 years, and the mean age at the time of death was 70 years. Conclusion:, Once good outcome after cardiac arrest is achieved, it can be maintained for more than 10 years. [source]


Prognostic significance of tumour angiogenesis in schistosoma-associated adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2002
E. El Sobky
Objective To report on tumour angiogenesis and its relationship with morphological variables and prognosis in adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder associated with schistosomiasis. Patients and methods Fifty-five vesical adenocarcinomas were evaluated from 30 men and 25 women (mean age 47.2 years, sd 8.7, range 30,65) who were followed up after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for a mean (sd, range) of 61 (43.5, 2.7,159.5) months. Vessels were stained immunohistochemically using an antibody to the platelet endothelial cell-adhesion molecule CD31. Microvessels were counted in active areas of angiogenesis within the tumours (at ×,250) and the microvessel density (MVD) quantified using the mean of three counts. Treatment failure was defined as death from cancer or the development of local recurrence or distant metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox's proportional hazard model were used to assess survival. Results The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 57% and 51%, respectively. The presence of lymph node metastasis and high mean vascular density (> 26) were significantly associated with a poor prognosis. The 5-year survival for patients with negative lymph nodes was 66% while no patients with positive nodes survived for 5 years (P < 0.001); the survival was 72% for patients with a low MVD and 33% for those with a high MVD (P = 0.0016). From individual results plotted against vascularity in lymph node-negative patients, there was a significantly better outcome for those with a low MVD ( 26; P = 0.0099); this significance was maintained on multivariate analysis. However, there was no significant relationship between angiogenesis and the different clinicopathological factors apart from the grade (P = 0.03); tumour stage, grade and DNA profile had no significant effect on survival in these patients. Conclusions These findings suggest that assessing angiogenesis using the MVD provides an independent predictor of survival in patients with adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder. [source]


Genetic knowledge and moral responsibility: ambiguity at the interface of genetic research and clinical practice

CLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2006
D. Pullman
Despite a rapidly expanding literature on the issue of duty to warn at-risk relatives in the context of clinical genetic testing, little has been written on parallel issues with regard to the management of genetic research results. Some might view this lack as an indication that there is little to discuss in this regard. That is, standard practice is that data obtained through medical research should not be treated as though they are clinically relevant, and this standard should hold for genetic research as well. This paper challenges this conclusion and its underlying assumptions. We argue that the line between genetic research and clinical practice is often ambiguous. In some cases, research data gathered from a very small number of subjects could have immediate clinical implications. Hence, it is unethical for genetic researchers to absolve themselves of clinical responsibilities for research subjects and/or their families, on the grounds that the data were obtained for research purposes. Indeed, we argue that it could well be unethical to embark on some forms of genetic research unless advance arrangements have been made for genetic counseling and clinical follow-up. Furthermore, in some cases, it might be unethical to enroll subjects in studies if the subjects are unwilling to receive their individual results. [source]