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Quantitative Assessment (quantitative + assessment)
Selected Abstracts3D In-Vivo Optical Skin Imaging for Topographical Quantitative Assessment of Non-Ablative Laser TechnologyDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2002Paul M. Friedman MD background. A new method for treating facial rhytides and acne scars with nonablative laser and light source techniques has recently been introduced. Given the inherent limitations of photographic and clinical evaluation to assess subtle changes in rhytides and surface topography, a new noninvasive objective assessment is required to accurately assess the outcomes of these procedures. objective. The purpose of this study was to measure and objectively quantify facial skin using a novel, noninvasive, In-vivo method for assessing three-dimensional topography. This device was used to quantify the efficacy of five treatment sessions with the 1064 nm QS Nd:YAG laser for rhytides and acne scarring, for up to six months following laser treatment. methods. Two subjects undergoing facial rejuvenation procedures were analyzed before and after therapy using a 30-mm, three-dimensional microtopography imaging system (PRIMOS, GFM, Teltow, Germany). The imaging system projects light on to a specific surface of the skin using a Digital Micromirror Device (DMDÔ Texas Instruments, Irving, TX) and records the image with a CCD camera. Skin Surface microtopography is reconstructed using temporal phase shift algorithms to generate three-dimensional images. Measurements were taken at baseline, at various times during the treatment protocol, and then at three and six-month follow-up visits. Silicone skin replicas (FLEXICO, Herts, England) were also made before and after the laser treatment protocol for comparison to In-vivo acquisition. results. Skin roughness decreased by 11% from baseline after three treatment sessions in the wrinkles subject, while a 26% improvement of skin roughness was recorded by 3D In-vivo assessment six months following the fifth treatment session. The subject with acne scarring demonstrated a 33% decrease in roughness analysis after three treatment sessions by 3D In-vivo assessment. A 61% improvement in surface topography was recorded 3-months following the fifth treatment session, which was maintained at the 6-month follow-up. conclusion. Three-dimensional In-vivo optical skin imaging provided a rapid and quantitative assessment of surface topography and facial fine lines following multiple treatment sessions with a 1064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser, correlating with clinical and subjective responses. This imaging technique provided objective verification and technical understanding of nonablative laser technology. Wrinkle depth and skin roughness decreased at the three and six-month follow-up evaluations by 3D In-vivo assessment, indicating ongoing dermal collagen remodeling after the laser treatment protocol. Future applications may include comparison of nonablative laser technology, optimization of treatment regimens, and objective evaluation of other aesthetic procedures performed by dermatologists. [source] Quantitative Assessment of Seizure Severity for Clinical Trials: A Review of Approaches to Seizure ComponentsEPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2001Joyce A. Cramer Summary: Quantitative assessment of seizure severity has been approached using a variety of systems. This review describes currently available methods and possible new approaches to seizure assessment for clinical trials. A review of the literature on methods of seizure assessments resulted in tabulation of the seizure rating scales known as VA, Chalfont-National Hospital, Liverpool, Hague, and the Occupational Hazard Scale. Seizures have been evaluated by simply counting all events, counting events by type, by clinician ratings, patient ratings, and combinations. Each of the scales has advantages and disadvantages. Most scales share core components: seizure frequency, seizure type, seizure duration, postictal events, postictal duration, automatisms, seizure clusters, known patterns, warnings, tongue biting, incontinence, injuries, and functional impairment. This review revealed a partial consensus about aspects of seizures that are important markers for severity. However, usefulness of the existing scales is limited by lack of data on responsiveness. New approaches are needed to assess changes in seizure severity as a result of an intervention in a clinical trial. [source] Supply-Side Economics of Germany's Year 2000 Tax Reform: A Quantitative AssessmentGERMAN ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 2 2003Holger Strulik Tax reform; corporate finance; investment; growth; welfare; Germany Abstract. The paper provides an assessment of supply-side economics following Germany's year 2000 tax reform. Investigated are a corporate tax cut, deteriorating depreciation allowances and imputation rules, and a private income tax cut. For this purpose, a neoclassical growth model is augmented by various fiscal policy parameters and endogenous corporate finance and calibrated with German data. The model is used to evaluate consequences of Germany's tax reform on production, firm finance and leverage, investment, consumption and welfare of a representative household. [source] Quantitative Assessment of Regional Right Ventricular Myocardial Velocities in Awake Dogs by Doppler Tissue Imaging: Repeatability, Reproducibility, Effect of Body Weight and Breed, and Comparison with Left Ventricular Myocardial VelocitiesJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2005Valérie Chetboul Right ventricular myocardial (RVM) motion is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to determine the variability of RVM velocities by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in healthy dogs (study 1), to analyze RVM motion in a large healthy canine population (study 2), and to compare the results with those obtained for the left ventricular free wall. Six healthy Beagle Dogs were monitored in study 1, and 64 healthy dogs of 14 different breeds were monitored in study 2. Velocities were recorded in 2 segments (basal and apical) of the right and left myocardial walls. In study 1, 36 TDI examinations were performed for 4 days, whereas a single TDI examination was performed on each dog in study 2. All velocity profiles included 1 positive systolic wave and 2 negative diastolic waves. The lowest intraday and interday coefficient of variation values of the right TDI variables were observed at the base (3.5,16.1%). The variability of the right apical velocities was much higher, with most coefficient of variation values >15%. RVM velocities were higher in the basal than in the apical segments (P < .001) and were higher than the left velocities of the corresponding segment (P < .01). Body weight and breed had an effect on only a few right and left TDI variables. TDI provides a repeatable and reproducible method for evaluating basal RV function in the dog. These data also demonstrate the heterogeneity of the myocardial velocities between the left and the right ventricles and between the base and the apex. [source] Quantitative Assessment of Laryngeal Muscle Morphology After Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury: Right vs.THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 10 2008Left Differences Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: Reports of laryngeal response to denervation are inconsistent. Some document atrophy and fibrosis in denervated laryngeal muscles, whereas others indicate resistance to atrophy. Spontaneous reinnervation has also been documented. The goal of this study was to clarify the effects of nerve injury and reinnervation on thyroarytenoid (TA) and posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles. Study Design: Laboratory experiment. Methods: TA and PCA muscles of cats were harvested 5 to 6 months after transecting right or left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Images of muscle cross-sections were acquired and studied using an image analysis workstation. Cross-sectional areas as well as total cross-sectional area of randomly selected muscle fibers were recorded. Results: TA reinnervation was robust on both sides, but there was less reinnervation of the PCA muscle after left-sided RLN lesion than after right-sided injury. Conclusions: Differences in reinnervation after RLN injury could contribute to the higher clinical incidence of left- vs. right-sided laryngeal paralysis. [source] Abnormalities in the coordination of respiration and swallow in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasiaDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 7 2006Ira H Gewolb MD Individual rhythms of suck, swallow, and respiration are disrupted in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Integration of respiration into suck-swallow efforts is critical for establishing coordinated suckle feeding. This study quantitatively assessed the coordination of respiration and swallow in infants with and without BPD. Thirty-four preterm infants of 26 to 33 weeks'gestational age were included: 14 participants with BPD (eight males, six females) and 20 comparison participants without BDP (10 males, 10 females). Participants were studied at postmenstrual age 32 to 40 weeks and postnatal age 2 to 12 weeks using digital recordings of pharyngeal pressure, nasal thermistor flow, and thoraco-abdominal plethysmography. The coefficients of variation (COV; standard deviation/mean) of the swallow-breath (SW-BR) and breath-breath (BR-BR) intervals during swallow runs, the percentage of,apneic swallows'(runs of ,3 swallows without interposed breaths), and phase relationships of respiration and swallow were used to quantify rhythmic coordination and integration of respiration into feeding episodes. Apneic swallows were significantly increased after 35 weeks in infants with BPD (mean 13.4% [SE 2.4]) compared with non-BDP infants (6.7% [SE 1.8];p < 0.05), as were SW-BR phase relationships involving apnea. The BPD cohort also had significantly higher SW-BR COV and BR-BR COV than non-BPD infants, indicating less rhythmic coordination of swallowing and respiration during feeding. Results emphasize the need for frequent rests and closer monitoring when feeding infants with respiratory compromise. Quantitative assessment of the underlying rhythms involved in feeding may be predictive of longer-term feeding and neurological problems. [source] Quantitative assessment of human serum high-abundance protein depletionELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 21 2008Rene Stempfer Abstract The aim of this study is to quantify the effectivity of the depletion of human high-abundance serum and plasma proteins for improved protein identification and disease marker candidate discovery and to assess the risk of concomitant removal of relevant marker proteins. 2-DE and bottom-up shotgun MS combining 2-D capillary chromatography with MS/MS were applied in parallel for the analysis of fractions resulting from the depletion procedure. For many proteins the factors of enrichment by the depletion were obvious allowing their enhanced detection and identification upon high-abundance protein depletion. Nano-liquid chromatography linked MS allowed the efficient identification of several low-abundant proteins that were not identified on the 2-DE gels. Resolving the fractions that were eluted from the matrix upon depletion indicated unspecific binding of disease relevant proteins in plasma samples from acute myocardial infarction patients. The unspecific binding to the depletion matrix of inflammatory markers spiked into the serum was found to depend on the type of capturing agent used. Polyclonal avian antibodies (IgY) displayed the least unspecific binding due to the high immunogenicity of mammalian proteins in avian hosts. [source] Quantitative Assessment of Seizure Severity for Clinical Trials: A Review of Approaches to Seizure ComponentsEPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2001Joyce A. Cramer Summary: Quantitative assessment of seizure severity has been approached using a variety of systems. This review describes currently available methods and possible new approaches to seizure assessment for clinical trials. A review of the literature on methods of seizure assessments resulted in tabulation of the seizure rating scales known as VA, Chalfont-National Hospital, Liverpool, Hague, and the Occupational Hazard Scale. Seizures have been evaluated by simply counting all events, counting events by type, by clinician ratings, patient ratings, and combinations. Each of the scales has advantages and disadvantages. Most scales share core components: seizure frequency, seizure type, seizure duration, postictal events, postictal duration, automatisms, seizure clusters, known patterns, warnings, tongue biting, incontinence, injuries, and functional impairment. This review revealed a partial consensus about aspects of seizures that are important markers for severity. However, usefulness of the existing scales is limited by lack of data on responsiveness. New approaches are needed to assess changes in seizure severity as a result of an intervention in a clinical trial. [source] Quantitative assessment of WT1 gene expression after allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a useful tool for monitoring minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemiaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Anna Candoni Abstract Introduction:,WT1 overexpression is described in several oncological diseases including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Quantification of WT1 in bone marrow samples may be useful as a marker of minimal residual disease (MRD) and may predict the relapse of AML after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Methods and results:, The quantitative expression of WT1 was measured in 38 AML patients (16 males and 22 females) at diagnosis, at the time of transplant and after the allogeneic HSCT (at precise time points). All cases showed high WT1 expression levels at diagnosis with a mean of 4189 (SD 3325) and a median of 3495 (range 454,13923) copies WT1/104Abl. At transplant, 25 patients (66%) were in complete cytologic remission (CcR) and 13 (34%) had refractory or relapsed AML. Bone marrow samples from patients transplanted in CcR showed significantly lower WT1 expression levels during HSCT compared with the samples from patients with a relapsed or refractory AML (P = 0.004). After HSCT, a rapid decline in WT1 expression levels was observed in all patients who attained or maintained a condition of CcR. Six of 38 patients (13%) relapsed after HSCT and all of them had an increase in WT1 expression at/or before relapse. Five of these six patients died of leukemia and one was successfully reinduced with donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) + chemotherapy with a rapid reduction of WT1 levels. Besides, we found a complete concordance between WT1 expression levels and other disease markers (when available). Conclusions:, In our experience, there was a complete concordance between WT1 expression levels (measured by quantitative RT-PCR at precise time points) and status of AML before and after allogeneic HSCT. WT1 may be useful as a non-specific leukemia marker for monitoring MRD and as a predictor of AML clinical relapse. Based on these results, cases with increase of WT1 levels after HSCT and without graft vs. host disease may be candidate to discontinuation of immunosuppression and/or DLI therapy. [source] X-ray Microtomography Analysis of Dynamic Damage in Tantalum,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 6 2006J. Bontaz-Carion With the plate-impact technique, ductile spallation experiments are carried out on Ta at impact velocities 570, 1039 and 1078 m/s. Samples are soft-recovered and analyzed by X-Ray microtomography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The porosity along the shock direction, and the distribution of the pore volumes are extracted from tri-dimensional reconstructions of the damaged samples. Quantitative assessment of pore coalescence is made via an inverse power-law model for the distribution. The decay exponent we associate to coalescence is of order 1.6 in the sample impacted at 1039 m/s. [source] A comparison of spatial interpolation methods to estimate continuous wind speed surfaces using irregularly distributed data from England and WalesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2008W. Luo Abstract Seven methods of spatial interpolation were compared to determine their suitability for estimating daily mean wind speed surfaces, from data recorded at nearly 190 locations across England and Wales. The eventual purpose of producing such surfaces is to help estimate the daily spread of pathogens causing crop diseases as they move across regions. The interpolation techniques included four deterministic and three geostatistical methods. Quantitative assessment of the continuous surfaces showed that there was a large difference between the accuracy of the seven interpolation methods and that the geostatistical methods were superior to deterministic methods. Further analyses, testing the reliability of the results, showed that measurement accuracy, density, distribution and spatial variability had a substantial influence on the accuracy of the interpolation methods. Independent wind speed data from ten other dates were used to confirm the robustness of the best interpolation methods. © Crown copyright 2007. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Quantitative assessment of the effect of basis set superposition error on the electron density of molecular complexes by means of quantum molecular similarity measuresINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2009Pedro Salvador Abstract The Chemical Hamiltonian Approach (CHA) method is applied to obtain Basis Set Superposition Error (BSSE)-free molecular orbitals at the Hartree,Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) levels of theory. To assess qualitatively the effect of the BSSE on the first-order electron density, we had previously applied Bader's analysis of the intermolecular critical points located on the electron density, as well as density difference maps for several hydrogen bonded complexes. In this work, Quantum Molecular Similarity Measures are probed as an alternative avenue to properly quantify the electronic relaxation due to the BSSE removal by means of distance indices between the uncorrected and corrected charge densities. It is shown that BSSE contamination is more important at the DFT level of theory, and in some cases, changes on the topology of the electron density are observed upon BSSE correction. Inclusion of diffuse functions have been found to dramatically decrease the BSSE effect in both geometry and electron density. The CHA method represents a good compromise to obtain accurate results with small basis sets. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009 [source] Quantitative assessment of fetal bowel echogenicity: Comparison of harmonic, compound, and fundamental sonographic imagesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 6 2003Hak Jong Lee MD Abstract Purpose The aims of this study were to assess normal fetal bowel echogenicity quantitatively and to compare the levels of bowel echogenicity observed with the use of 3 different sonographic image-processing techniques,harmonic plus compound imaging, harmonic imaging alone, and fundamental imaging,and 2 different broadband transducers. Methods Women with normal singleton second-trimester fetuses underwent sonographic scanning with both a 2,5-MHz and a 4,7-MHz transducer. The use of the 3 imaging techniques and the 2 transducers resulted in 6 types of images: 2,5-HC (harmonic plus compound images), 2,5-H (harmonic images), and 2,5-F (fundamental images), and 4,7-HC, 4,7-H, and 4,7-F images. The relative echogenicities (brightness) of the fetal bowel and iliac bone were measured, and bowel echogenicity ratios (bowel echogenicity/iliac bone echogenicity × 100) were calculated using graphics software. The resulting data were analyzed to evaluate differences in echogenicity ratios between the 6 types of images. Results We examined 37 fetuses during the study period. The bowel echogenicity ratios were highest on the images obtained with harmonic and compound,imaging techniques (2,5-HC, 84.7 ± 23.4%; 4,7-HC, 98.5 ± 36.4%). The bowel echogenicity ratio for the 2,5-HC images was significantly higher than those for the 2,5-H and the 2,5-F images (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively), and those for the 4,7-HC and 4,7-H images were higher than that for the 4,7-F images (p < 0.01 for both comparisons). Conclusions A sonographic finding of echogenic fetal bowel should be interpreted cautiously because the use of special image-processing techniques can artificially enhance the apparent level of echogenicity of the bowel. We recommend rescanning without the use of those techniques if the fetal bowel appears to have an increased level of echogenicity. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 31:302,307, 2003 [source] Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Quantitative assessment of liver fat content by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopyJOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 4 2009Liang ZHONG OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of imaging technology in the quantitative assessment of fatty liver with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton MR spectroscopy. METHODS: Overall 36 patients with diffuse fatty liver who had undertaken the computed tomography (CT) scan, MRI and proton MR spectroscopy (1H MRS) were analyzed. Their body mass index (BMI) was measured and their liver to spleen CT ratio (L/S) calculated on the plain CT scan. MR T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) was obtained with in-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OP) images. T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) was acquired with or without the fat-suppression technique. The liver fat content (LFC) was quantified as the percentage of relative signal intensity loss on T1WI or T2WI images. The intrahepatic content of lipid (IHCL) was expressed as the percentage of peak value ratio of lipid to water by 1H MRS. RESULTS: The results of BMI measurement, CT L/S ratio, LFC calculated from MR T1WI and T2WI images, as well as IHCL measured by 1H MRS were 27.26 ± 3.01 kg/m2, 0.88 ± 0.26, 13.80 ± 9.92%, 40.67 ± 16.04% and 30.98 ± 20.43%, respectively. The LFC calculated from MR T1WI, T2WI images and IHCL measured by 1H MRS correlated significantly with the CT L/S ratio (r=,0.830, P= 0.000; r=,0.736, P= 0.000; r=,0.461, P= 0.005, respectively). BMI correlated significantly only with the liver fat contents measured by T1WI IP/OP and 1H MRS (r=,0.347, P= 0.038; r=,0.374, P= 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: CT, MR imaging and 1H MRS were effective methods for the quantitative assessment of LFC. The MR imaging, especially 1H MRS, would be used more frequently in the clinical evaluation of fatty liver and 1H MRS could more accurately reflect the severity of fatty liver. [source] Quantitative assessment of chondrocyte viability after laser mediated reshaping: A novel application of flow cytometryLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 1 2003Alexandre Rasouli BS Abstract Background and Objectives Lasers can be used to reshape cartilage by accelerating mechanical stress relaxation. In this study, fluorescent differential cell viability staining and flow cytometry were used to determine chondrocyte viability following laser heating. Study Design/Materials and Methods Porcine septal cartilages were irradiated with an Nd:YAG laser (,,= 1.32 ,m, 25 W/cm2) while surface temperature, stress relaxation, and diffuse reflectance were recorded. Each slab received one, two, or three laser exposures (respective exposure times of 6.7, 7.2, 10 seconds). Irradiated samples were then divided into two groups analyzed immediately and at 5 days following laser exposure. Chondrocytes were isolated following serial enzymatic digestion, and stained using SYTO®/DEAD RedÔ (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR). A flow cytometer was then used to detect differential cell fluorescence; size; granularity; and the number of live cells, dead cells, and post-irradiation debris in each treatment population. Results Nearly 60% of chondrocytes from reshaped cartilage samples isolated shortly after one irradiation, were viable while non-irradiated controls were 100% viable. Specimens irradiated two or three times demonstrated increasing amounts of cellular debris along with a reduction in chondrocyte viability: 31 and 16% after two and three exposures, respectively. In those samples maintained in culture medium and assayed 5 days after irradiation, viability was reduced by 28,88%, with the least amount of deterioration in untreated and singly irradiated samples. Conclusions Functional fluorescent dyes combined with flow cytometric analysis successfully determines the effect of laser irradiation on the viability of reshaped cartilage. Lasers Surg. Med. 32:3,9,2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Quantitative assessment of daytime motor activity provides a responsive measure of functional decline in patients with Huntington's diseaseMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 3 2001J.P.P. van Vugt MD Abstract Voluntary motor impairment is a functionally important aspect of Huntington's disease (HD). Therefore, quantitative assessment of disturbed voluntary movement might be important in follow-up. We investigated the relation between quantitatively assessed daytime motor activity and symptom severity in HD and evaluated whether assessment of daytime motor activity is a responsive measure in the follow-up of patients. Sixty-four consecutive HD patients and 67 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. Daytime motor activity was recorded using a wrist-worn activity monitor that counts all movements during a period of five consecutive days. Patients were rated clinically for voluntary motor impairment, dyskinesias, posture & gait, depression, cognitive impairment and functional capacity. Follow-up was available from 40 patients (mean follow-up 2.0 years) and 29 controls (mean follow-up 5.9 years). Despite chorea, patients had less daytime motor activity than controls (P < 0.005). This hypokinesia correlated with impaired voluntary movements (r = 0.37; P < 0.01), disturbed posture & gait (r = 0.38; P < 0.005) and especially with reduced functional capacity (r = 0.51; P < 0.0005). During follow-up, hypokinesia remained unchanged in clinically stable patients, but became worse in those whose functional disability progressed (P < 0.005). Hypokinesia seems a core symptom of HD which is related to functional capacity. Actimetric assessment of hypokinesia is responsive to disease progression and can be used as an objective tool for follow-up. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society. [source] Layers of defense responses to Leptosphaeria maculans below the RLM1 - and camalexin-dependent resistancesNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 2 2009Mattias Persson Summary ,,Plants have evolved different defense components to counteract pathogen attacks. The resistance locus resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans 1 (RLM1) is a key factor for Arabidopsis thaliana resistance to L. maculans. The present work aimed to reveal downstream defense responses regulated by RLM1. ,,Quantitative assessment of fungal colonization in the host was carried out using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and GUS expression analyses, to further characterize RLM1 resistance and the role of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET) in disease development. Additional assessments of A. thaliana mutants were performed to expand our understanding of this pathosystem. ,,Resistance responses such as lignification and the formation of vascular plugs were found to occur in an RLM1 -dependent manner, in contrast to the RLM1 -independent increase in reactive oxygen species at the stomata and hydathodes. Analyses of mutants defective in hormone signaling in the camalexin-free rlm1Lerpad3 background revealed a significant influence of JA and ET on symptom development and pathogen colonization. ,,The overall results indicate that the defense responses of primary importance induced by RLM1 are all associated with physical barriers, and that responses of secondary importance involve complex cross-talk among SA, JA and ET. Our observations further suggest that ET positively affects fungal colonization. [source] Quantitative assessment of RUNX3 methylation in neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric epithelia using a DNA microarrayPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 10 2006Kanji So Silencing of the RUNX3 gene by hypermethylation of its promoter CpG island plays a major role in gastric carcinogenesis. To quantitatively evaluate RUNX3 methylation, a fiber-type DNA microarray was used on which methylated and unmethylated sequence probes were mounted. After bisulfite modification, a part of the RUNX3 promoter CpG island, at which methylation is critical for gene silencing, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using a Cy5 end-labeled primer. Methylation rates (MR) were calculated as the ratio of the fluorescence intensity of a methylated sequence probe to the total fluorescence intensity of methylated and unmethylated probes. Five gastric cancer cell lines were analyzed, as well as 26 primary gastric cancers and their corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia. MR in four of the cancer cell lines that lost RUNX3 mRNA ranged from 99.0% to 99.7% (mean, 99.4%), whereas MR in the remaining cell line that expressed RUNX3 mRNA was 0.6%. In primary gastric cancers and their corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia, MR ranged from 0.2% to 76.5% (mean, 22.7%) and from 0.7% to 25.1% (mean, 5.5%). Ten (38.5%) of the 26 gastric cancers and none of their corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia had MR >30%. Most of the samples with MR >10% tested methylation-positive by conventional methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). This microarray-based methylation assay is a promising method for the quantitative assessment of gene methylation. [source] Quantitative assessment of the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risk-benefit of celecoxib compared to individual NSAIDs at the population level,,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 4 2007Cristina Varas-Lorenzo MD Abstract Purpose To estimate the net cardiovascular (CV) (coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure), and gastrointestinal (GI) (peptic ulcer complications) risk-benefit public health impact of the use of celecoxib compared to non-selective NSAIDs in the arthritis population. Methods We applied discrete event simulation models to data from the US National Health Surveys, CV risk-prediction models from the Framingham Heart Study, and population-based studies. Models took into account the multifactorial effect of risk factors, comorbidity, and competing risk of mortality. We simulated the natural history of CV and GI disease in the U.S. arthritis population over 1 year, through the individual baseline cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risk profile. This model was modified with relative risks associated with the use of each treatment. The mean number of events was estimated for each end-point in each model: natural history, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen. The number of events for celecoxib was compared with each NSAID. Results The evaluation included 1% of the U.S. population with arthritis. Celecoxib, when applied to 100,000 patients over 1 year, resulted in 570 (range from sensitivity analysis: 440,691), 226 (124,313), and 746 (612,868) fewer ulcer complications than diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen, respectively. There were 20 (16,25), 8 (4,12), and 27 (22,32) fewer deaths from ulcer complications, respectively. No increase in cardiovascular events or all cause mortality was observed for celecoxib versus the other individual NSAIDs. Conclusion Results from these simulations suggest a gastrointestinal benefit for celecoxib not offset by increased cardiovascular events or mortality. The methodology used here provides a risk-benefit assessment framework for evaluating the public heath impact of drugs. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Quantitative assessment of the structural bias in protein,protein interaction assaysPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 22 2008Åsa K. Björklund Abstract With recent publications of several large-scale protein,protein interaction (PPI) studies, the realization of the full yeast interaction network is getting closer. Here, we have analysed several yeast protein interaction datasets to understand their strengths and weaknesses. In particular, we investigate the effect of experimental biases on some of the protein properties suggested to be enriched in highly connected proteins. Finally, we use support vector machines (SVM) to assess the contribution of these properties to protein interactivity. We find that protein abundance is the most important factor for detecting interactions in tandem affinity purifications (TAP), while it is of less importance for Yeast Two Hybrid (Y2H) screens. Consequently, sequence conservation and/or essentiality of hubs may be related to their high abundance. Further, proteins with disordered structure are over-represented in Y2H screens and in one, but not the other, large-scale TAP assay. Hence, disordered regions may be important both in transient interactions and interactions in complexes. Finally, a few domain families seem to be responsible for a large part of all interactions. Most importantly, we show that there are method-specific biases in PPI experiments. Thus, care should be taken before drawing strong conclusions based on a single dataset. [source] Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends improve the understanding of oxygen delivery and the pathophysiology of hypoxaemia,ANAESTHESIA, Issue 11 2006J. F. Cosgrove Summary Understanding basic pathophysiological principles underpins the practice of many healthcare workers, particularly in a critical care setting. Undergraduate curricula have the potential to separate physiology teaching from clinical contexts, making understanding difficult. We therefore assessed the use of analogous imagery as an aid to understanding. Two groups of first year physiotherapy students were randomly assigned to receive either a control lecture (oxygen delivery and hypoxaemia) or a study lecture (control lecture plus images of a train set delivering rocks: an analogy to oxygen delivery.) Qualitative assessment of the lectures showed a significant (p < 0.001) improvement in understanding by the study group, and increased the proportion of students that found the lecture ,interesting and stimulating' (p = 0.01). Quantitative assessment demonstrated a significant increase in the multiple choice questionnaire marks of the study group (p = 0.03). In conclusion, analogous imagery can significantly increase the understanding of this physiological concept. [source] Measuring T cell immunity to influenza vaccination in children after haemopoietic stem cell transplantationBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2004W. Nicholas Haining Summary Quantitative assessment of immunogen-specific T cell responses may provide a meaningful surrogate marker of functional immunity in patients following haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We developed a flow-cytometric assay to quantify antigen-specific T cell immunity to influenza-A and studied the T cell response to influenza vaccination in five children, 3,21 months post-HSCT. All patients showed an increase in influenza-A-specific CD4+ immunity following vaccination while none had a detectable IgG response to the vaccine. This assay proved sufficiently sensitive to evaluate changes in T cell memory in immunocompromised individuals and could be used to better characterize post-HSCT immune reconstitution. [source] Quantitative analysis of hTERT mRNA levels in cells microdissected from cytological specimensCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 11 2008Hayato Fujita Clinicians frequently require cytopathological assessment of tumor samples for preoperative diagnosis, but in some specimens, diagnosis remains inconclusive after cytological examination. To date, several molecular markers, including human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), have been assessed for the ability to detect malignancy. However, analyses using whole cytological specimens are generally affected by contamination of untargeted cells. The present study investigated the feasibility of more sensitive examination by quantitative mRNA analysis of target cells microdissected from cytological specimens. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was used to obtain target cells from cytological specimens. hTERT mRNA levels were then measured in target cells by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). The effect of RNA fragmentation on qRT-PCR was also assessed. Total RNA from cytological specimens was sometimes fragmented to a large degree. To avoid the effect of RNA fragmentation, gene specific priming and PCR primers generating short PCR products were used and no difference in delta Ct values between fragmented and non-fragmented RNA were found. hTERT mRNA levels were measured in cells microdissected from 33 cytological specimens. The levels of hTERT mRNA were significantly higher in malignant cases compared to those in non-malignant cases (P = 0.0003). The sensitivity was 96.2%, even when the specificities were 100%. High levels of hTERT mRNA were also found in three cases that were not diagnosed as malignant by cytological examination. Quantitative assessment of hTERT mRNA levels in cells microdissected from cytological specimens is a potential diagnostic tool to potentiate cytological examination in diagnosing malignancy. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2244,2251) [source] Quantitative assessment of retinal thickness in diabetic patients with and without clinically significant macular edema using optical coherence tomographyACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3 2001Chang-Sue Yang ABSTRACT. Purpose: To assess patients with diabetic macular edema quantitatively using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: OCT was performed in 14 eyes with diabetic retinopathy and ophthalmoscopic evidence of clinically significant macular edema (CSME) and in 19 diabetic eyes without CSME. Retinal thickness was computed from the tomograms at fovea and other 36 locations throughout the macula. Results: The mean±standard deviation foveal thickness was 255.6±138.9 ,m in eyes with CSME, and 174.6±38.2 ,m in eyes without CSME (p=0.051). Within 2000 ,m of the center of the macula, eyes with CSME had significantly thicker retina in the inferior quadrant than those without CSME (p<0.01). The foveal thickness was correlated with logMAR visual acuity (,=0.68, p<0.01). OCT identified sponge-like retinal swelling and/or cystoid macular edema in 11 (58%) eyes without CSME, and in 12 (86%) eyes with CSME. Conclusions: Criteria of CSME seem to be insufficient in really identifying macular edema. OCT may be more sensitive than a clinical examination in assessing diabetic macular edema and is a quantitative tool for documenting changes in macular thickening. [source] On functional motor adaptations: from the quantification of motor strategies to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in the neck,shoulder regionACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2010P. Madeleine Abstract Background:, Occupations characterized by a static low load and by repetitive actions show a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in the neck,shoulder region. Moreover, muscle fatigue and discomfort are reported to play a relevant initiating role in WMSD. Aims: To investigate relationships between altered sensory information, i.e. localized muscle fatigue, discomfort and pain and their associations to changes in motor control patterns. Materials & Methods:, In total 101 subjects participated. Questionnaires, subjective assessments of perceived exertion and pain intensity as well as surface electromyography (SEMG), mechanomyography (MMG), force and kinematics recordings were performed. Results:, Multi-channel SEMG and MMG revealed that the degree of heterogeneity of the trapezius muscle activation increased with fatigue. Further, the spatial organization of trapezius muscle activity changed in a dynamic manner during sustained contraction with acute experimental pain. A graduation of the motor changes in relation to the pain stage (acute, subchronic and chronic) and work experience were also found. The duration of the work task was shorter in presence of acute and chronic pain. Acute pain resulted in decreased activity of the painful muscle while in subchronic and chronic pain, a more static muscle activation was found. Posture and movement changed in the presence of neck,shoulder pain. Larger and smaller sizes of arm and trunk movement variability were respectively found in acute pain and subchronic/chronic pain. The size and structure of kinematics variability decreased also in the region of discomfort. Motor variability was higher in workers with high experience. Moreover, the pattern of activation of the upper trapezius muscle changed when receiving SEMG/MMG biofeedback during computer work. Discussion:, SEMG and MMG changes underlie functional mechanisms for the maintenance of force during fatiguing contraction and acute pain that may lead to the widespread pain seen in WMSD. A lack of harmonious muscle recruitment/derecruitment may play a role in pain transition. Motor behavior changed in shoulder pain conditions underlining that motor variability may play a role in the WMSD development as corroborated by the changes in kinematics variability seen with discomfort. This prognostic hypothesis was further, supported by the increased motor variability among workers with high experience. Conclusion:, Quantitative assessments of the functional motor adaptations can be a way to benchmark the pain status and help to indentify signs indicating WMSD development. Motor variability is an important characteristic in ergonomic situations. Future studies will investigate the potential benefit of inducing motor variability in occupational settings. [source] The thermal regime of soils in the north of Western SiberiaPERMAFROST AND PERIGLACIAL PROCESSES, Issue 1 2002A. V. Pavlov Abstract The results of long-term stationary observations upon the thermal regime of soils in natural and anthropogenically-disturbed tundra and northern taiga landscapes in the north of Western Siberia are discussed. Quantitative assessments of the heating effect of snow cover and the cooling effect of surface organic layer on soil temperatures in both winter and summer seasons are given. Spatial and temporal variations in the depth of seasonal thaw and soil temperatures in the tundra and taiga zones are outlined. Data on changes in soil temperature regimes following disturbance of surface organic layers are presented. Contemporary tendencies in permafrost degradation induced by climatic warming, changes in the snow cover depth, and anthropogenic impacts are shown. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Optimizing flow cytometric DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction as independent prognostic markers for node-negative breast cancer specimensCYTOMETRY, Issue 3 2001C.B. Bagwell Abstract Developing a reliable and quantitative assessment of the potential virulence of a malignancy has been a long-standing goal in clinical cytometry. DNA histogram analysis provides valuable information on the cycling activity of a tumor population through S-phase estimates; it also identifies nondiploid populations, a possible indicator of genetic instability and subsequent predisposition to metastasis. Because of conflicting studies in the literature, the clinical relevance of both of these potential prognostic markers has been questioned for the management of breast cancer patients. The purposes of this study are to present a set of 10 adjustments derived from a single large study that optimizes the prognostic strength of both DNA ploidy and S-phase and to test the validity of this approach on two other large multicenter studies. Ten adjustments to both DNA ploidy and S-phase were developed from a single node-negative breast cancer database from Baylor College (n = 961 cases). Seven of the adjustments were used to reclassify histograms into low-risk and high-risk ploidy patterns based on aneuploid fraction and DNA index optimum thresholds resulting in prognostic P values changing from little (P < 0.02) or no significance to P < 0.000005. Other databases from Sweden (n = 210 cases) and France (n = 220 cases) demonstrated similar improvement of DNA ploidy prognostic significance, P < 0.02 to P < 0.0009 and P < 0.12 to P < 0.002, respectively. Three other adjustments were applied to diploid and aneuploid S-phases. These adjustments eliminated a spurious correlation between DNA ploidy and S-phase and enabled them to combine independently into a powerful prognostic model capable of stratifying patients into low, intermediate, and high-risk groups (P < 0.000005). When the Baylor prognostic model was applied to the Sweden and French databases, similar significant patient stratifications were observed (P < 0.0003 and P < 0.00001, respectively). The successful transference of the Baylor prognostic model to other studies suggests that the proposed adjustments may play an important role in standardizing this test and provide valuable prognostic information to those involved in the management of breast cancer patients. Cytometry (Comm. Clin. Cytometry) 46:121,135, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A CRITICAL LOOK AT PAP ADEQUECY: ARE OUR CRITERIA SATISFACTORY?CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2006D.R. Bolick Liquid based Pap (LBP) specimen adequacy is a highly documented, yet poorly understood cornerstone of our GYN cytology practice. Each day, as cytology professionals, we make adequacy assessments and seldom wonder how the criteria we use were established. Are the criteria appropriate? Are they safe? What is the scientific data that support them? Were they clinically and statistically tested or refined to achieve optimal patient care? In this presentation, we will take a fresh look at what we know about Pap specimen adequacy and challenge some of the core assumptions of our daily practice. LBP tests have a consistent, well-defined surface area for screening, facilitating the quantitative estimates of slide cellularity. This provides an unprecedented opportunity to establish reproducible adequacy standards that can be subjected to scientific scrutiny and rigorous statistical analysis. Capitalizing on this opportunity, the TBS2001 took the landmark step to define specimen adequacy quantitatively, and set the threshold for a satisfactory LBP at greater than 5,000 well visualized squamous epithelial cells. To date, few published studies have attempted to evaluate the validity or receiver operator characteristics for this threshold, define an optimal threshold for clinical utility or assess risks of detection failure in ,satisfactory' but relatively hypocellular Pap specimens. Five years of cumulative adequacy and cellularity data of prospectively collected Pap samples from the author's laboratory will be presented, which will serve as a foundation for a discussion on ,Pap failure'. A relationship between cellularity and detection of HSIL will be presented. Risk levels for Pap failure will be presented for Pap samples of different cellularities. The effect of different cellularity criterion on unsatisfactory Pap rates and Pap failure rates will be demonstrated. Results from this data set raise serious questions as to the safety of current TBS2001 adequacy guidelines and suggest that the risk of Pap failure in specimens with 5,000 to 20 000 squamous cells on the slide is significantly higher than those assumed by the current criteria. TBS2001 designated all LBP to have the same adequacy criterion. Up to this point, it has been assumed that ThinPrep, SurePath, or any other LBP would be sufficiently similar that they should have the same adequacy criteria. Data for squamous cellularity and other performance characteristics of ThinPrep and SurePath from the author's laboratory will be compared. Intriguing data involving the recently approved MonoPrep Pap Test will be reviewed. MonoPrep clinical trial data show the unexpected finding of a strong correlation between abundance of endocervical component and the detection of high-grade lesions, provoking an inquiry of a potential new role for a quantitative assessment of the transition zone component. The current science of LBP adequacy criteria is underdeveloped and does not appear to be founded on statistically valid methods. This condition calls us forward as a body of practitioners and scientists to rigorously explore, clarify and define the fundamental nature of cytology adequacy. As we forge this emerging science, we will improve diagnostic performance, guide the development of future technologies, and better serve the patients who give us their trust. Reference:, Birdsong GG: Pap smear adequacy: Is our understanding satisfactory? Diagn Cytopathol. 2001 Feb; 24(2): 79,81. [source] 3D In-Vivo Optical Skin Imaging for Topographical Quantitative Assessment of Non-Ablative Laser TechnologyDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2002Paul M. Friedman MD background. A new method for treating facial rhytides and acne scars with nonablative laser and light source techniques has recently been introduced. Given the inherent limitations of photographic and clinical evaluation to assess subtle changes in rhytides and surface topography, a new noninvasive objective assessment is required to accurately assess the outcomes of these procedures. objective. The purpose of this study was to measure and objectively quantify facial skin using a novel, noninvasive, In-vivo method for assessing three-dimensional topography. This device was used to quantify the efficacy of five treatment sessions with the 1064 nm QS Nd:YAG laser for rhytides and acne scarring, for up to six months following laser treatment. methods. Two subjects undergoing facial rejuvenation procedures were analyzed before and after therapy using a 30-mm, three-dimensional microtopography imaging system (PRIMOS, GFM, Teltow, Germany). The imaging system projects light on to a specific surface of the skin using a Digital Micromirror Device (DMDÔ Texas Instruments, Irving, TX) and records the image with a CCD camera. Skin Surface microtopography is reconstructed using temporal phase shift algorithms to generate three-dimensional images. Measurements were taken at baseline, at various times during the treatment protocol, and then at three and six-month follow-up visits. Silicone skin replicas (FLEXICO, Herts, England) were also made before and after the laser treatment protocol for comparison to In-vivo acquisition. results. Skin roughness decreased by 11% from baseline after three treatment sessions in the wrinkles subject, while a 26% improvement of skin roughness was recorded by 3D In-vivo assessment six months following the fifth treatment session. The subject with acne scarring demonstrated a 33% decrease in roughness analysis after three treatment sessions by 3D In-vivo assessment. A 61% improvement in surface topography was recorded 3-months following the fifth treatment session, which was maintained at the 6-month follow-up. conclusion. Three-dimensional In-vivo optical skin imaging provided a rapid and quantitative assessment of surface topography and facial fine lines following multiple treatment sessions with a 1064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser, correlating with clinical and subjective responses. This imaging technique provided objective verification and technical understanding of nonablative laser technology. Wrinkle depth and skin roughness decreased at the three and six-month follow-up evaluations by 3D In-vivo assessment, indicating ongoing dermal collagen remodeling after the laser treatment protocol. Future applications may include comparison of nonablative laser technology, optimization of treatment regimens, and objective evaluation of other aesthetic procedures performed by dermatologists. [source] Policies, Interventions and Institutional Change in Pastoral Resource Management in Borana, Southern EthiopiaDEVELOPMENT POLICY REVIEW, Issue 4 2004Abdul B. Kamara The Borana rangelands of Southern Ethiopia are characterised by extensive livestock production under a communal land-use system that has evolved in response to variable rainfall and uncertain production conditions. However, the last two decades have witnessed an increasing privatisation of rangelands for crop production and private grazing. The results of a quantitative assessment are used to develop a framework for assessing the drivers of change and their long-term implications. It is concluded that certain national policies have resulted in conflicts of authority between traditional and formal systems, creating an avenue for spontaneous enclosures, associated conflicts and decreasing human welfare. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||