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Comparative Evaluation (comparative + evaluation)
Selected AbstractsOutcomes and Costs of Residential Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Taiwan: A Comparative EvaluationJOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 2 2008Yueh-Ching Chou Background, The disability policy in Taiwan has traditionally emphasized residential care in large institutions and, more recently, medium-sized group homes. This paper compares the relative costs, services provided and outcomes between the traditional institutions, medium-sized group homes and new small-scale community living units that were launched in 2004 in Taiwan. Materials and Methods, Cross-sectional analysis was used to investigate the three current residential service models. A total of 248 participants with intellectual disabilities were interviewed, including all residents from the existing 25 small residential units and purposively sampled respondents from the other two residential models. Results, Outcomes for the Taiwanese participants were consistent with the existing literature on deinstitutionalization from Western societies. Small homes provided better subjective and objective quality of life than both medium-sized community-based units and traditional institutions. Conclusion, Participants living in small residential homes experienced better outcomes at lower cost than persons living in medium-sized group homes or institutions. [source] Financial Costs of Alcoholism Treatment Programs: A Longitudinal and Comparative Evaluation Among Four Specialized CentersALCOHOLISM, Issue 1 2003B. Nalpas Background: Alcoholism is a worldwide problem. Many strategies for alcohol detoxification and relapse prevention exist, but each alcohol treatment center has its own program. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the financial cost and effectiveness of alcohol treatment programs from inpatient stay to follow-up 1 year later. This was a prospective, open, nonrandomized study of 4 specialized alcohol treatment centers and 267 patients admitted for alcohol detoxification. Methods: We recorded all medical and nonmedical interventions related to the program during patient stay in the hospital and every 3 months after discharge for 1 year and recorded the occurrence of alcohol relapse. Financial evaluation was based on the prices of refund from the French national health insurance service. Results: The mean cost of hospitalization ranged from ,1326 to ,1917 (p= 0.001), a variation mainly due to the difference in the length of hospital stay but also to the cost of the inpatient program, routine medical checkups, and drugs administered. The mean cost of 1 year of follow-up per patient ranged from ,419 to ,1704 (p= 0.001). The efficiency, corresponding to the money spent to prevent the relapse of one patient during 1 month, was approximately ,500/month in three centers and ,658 in the fourth. However, for a similar efficiency, the effectiveness, assessed by the mean time without relapse, was significantly (p= 0.001) different; center 1, which had the highest total cost, had an effectiveness 1.56 times higher than center 3, which had the lowest cost. Conclusions: This work emphasizes the heterogeneity of the costs and effectiveness of alcoholism treatment programs and suggests that research should be conducted to determine which program is the most rational, cost-efficient, and beneficial for patients and the public health office economy. [source] The Prevalence of Facet Joint-Related Chronic Neck Pain in Postsurgical and Nonpostsurgical Patients: A Comparative EvaluationPAIN PRACTICE, Issue 1 2008Laxmaiah Manchikanti MD ,,Abstract Background: Facet (zygapophysial) joints may be clinically important sources of chronic cervical spinal pain. Previous studies have demonstrated the value and validity of controlled, comparative local anesthetic blocks in the diagnosis of facet joint pain, and reported an overall prevalence of 36% to 67% facet joint involvement in cervical spinal pain. The reports of lumbar facet joint-involvement in postsurgery syndrome have been shown to be highly variable with prevalence ranging from 8% to 32%. To date, however, the prevalence of postsurgical facet joint-related pain in the cervical spine has not been evaluated. In light of this, the present retrospective study was conducted to assess and compare the prevalence of chronic postsurgical facet joint cervical spinal pain to nonsurgical, chronic cervical facet joint pain. Methods: Patients presenting with chronic neck pain were studied. The procedures were performed by a single physician in an interventional pain management ambulatory surgery center. The prevalence of cervical facet joint pain in postsurgical patients was assessed and compared to nonsurgical patients. Results: A total of 251 patients (45 postsurgery vs. 206 nonsurgical patients) with chronic persistent neck pain were evaluated using controlled, comparative local anesthetic blocks in accordance with IASP criteria. The prevalence of the cervical facet joint pain and false-positive rate of single blocks in postsurgical patients were 36% and 50% compared with 39% and 43% in nonsurgical patients. Conclusions: Cervical facet joints are clinically important pain generators in a significant proportion of patients with chronic persistent neck pain after surgical intervention(s). The prevalence of cervical facet joint pain was similar in both postsurgical and nonsurgical patients.,, [source] A Comparative Evaluation and Prognosis of Asia Pacific Bilateral and Regional Trade ArrangementsASIAN-PACIFIC ECONOMIC LITERATURE, Issue 1 2004Linda Low This paper provides an evaluation of the growing regional and bilateral trade arrangements in Asia and discusses some plausible scenarios for Asian regionalism. Changes in international relations, information communications technology, the knowledge-based economy and deregulation have altered trade modalities in the international political economy. The ,new regionalism' activities in Asia appear to be a response to these international developments and to be complementary to WTO-managed trade liberalisation. [source] Comparative Evaluation of Cytokines, T-Cell Apoptosis, and Costimulatory Molecule Expression in Tuberculous and Nontuberculous PleurisyCLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008Priya Rajavelu M.Sc. Abstract In this study, we compared several immune parameters in tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculosis (NTB) pleurisy to gain an understanding of the mechanism behind enhanced Th1 apoptosis that occurs at sites of active Myobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection. An initial evaluation of the accumulated cytokines in pleural fluid (PF) demonstrated that both TB and NTB pleurisy were associated with prointflammatory cytokines, while only TB pleurisy had augmented expression of interferon (IFN)-, and soluble Fas ligand (sFASL). Despite enhanced expression of the apoptosis-inducing molecule in TB pleurisy, T cells derived from both types of pleurisy exhibited significant apoptosis. In both groups, T-cell apoptosis correlated with low expression of CD80 on PF-derived macrophages and elevated accumulation of TGF-, in the PF. A causative correlation between TGF-, and low CD80 expression in the two groups was established by in vitro studies demonstrating TGF-, inhibition of CD80 upregulation in a macrophage cell line. Together, the findings allude to the possibility that activation in the absence of appropriate CD80 costimulation is the mechanism that leads to T-cell apoptosis at sites of active M. tuberculosis infection. Furthermore, the findings also indicate that T-cell apoptosis is perhaps a host regulatory mechanism to limit inflammation, rather than a pathogen-induced immune deviation. [source] Comparative evaluation of human embryonic stem cell lines derived from zygotes with normal and abnormal pronucleiDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2010Qing Huan Abstract Human embryonic stem (hES) cell lines have been derived from normally or abnormally fertilized zygotes. However, the similar and different properties of these two types of hES cell lines are not well-known. To address this question, we generated nine hES cell lines from zygotes containing normal (2PN) and abnormal (0PN, 1PN, 3PN) pronuclei. A side-by-side comparison showed that all cell lines exhibited distinct identity and karyotypical stability. They expressed similar "stemness" markers and alkaline phosphatase activity and differentiated into three embryonic germ lineages in embryoid bodies and teratomas. Under neural differentiation-promoting conditions, they were directed into neural progenitors and neurons. However, a variation in cell cycle and the relative abundance of gene expression of undifferentiated and differentiated markers were observed. These variations were also seen among individually derived normal hES cell lines. Thus, normal hES cell lines can be developed from fertilized zygotes with abnormal pronuclei usually excluded from clinical use. Developmental Dynamics 239:425,438, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comparative evaluation of quality of doxycycline formulations registered in Estonia to those registered in the Russian FederationDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008A. Meos Abstract The in vitro properties of four Estonian drug market (manufactured in Austria, Germany, and Finland) and four Russian Federation drug market (manufactured in Belarussia and Russian Federation) doxycycline formulations were evaluated using the estimation of the quantitative content and purity of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and the dissolution test. Tolerance limits were set according to the European Pharmacopoeia (for the content and purity of the API) and USP (for the dissolution test) doxycycline monographs. All Estonian drug market doxycycline formulations complied with the tolerance limits in all tests and assays. Most of the Russian Federation drug market doxycycline formulations also passed the tolerance limits, with two minor exceptions: one formulation contained quantitatively API below the USP limit (83.7% instead of the 90%), but all the API was readily released in the dissolution test, the other formulation (capsules) released 80% of API in 39,min instead of 30,min. The general conclusion of the study is that despite some deviations, the Russian Federation drug market doxycycline formulations are comparable with those purchased from the Estonian drug market. Drug Dev Res 69: 58,68, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comparative evaluation of intranasal and subcutaneous route of immunization for development of mucosal vaccine against experimental tuberculosisFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Pramod K. Giri Abstract Activation of mucosal immunity in the respiratory tract is crucial for protection against respiratory infections. Whether the intranasal route of vaccination imparts better protection against pulmonary tuberculosis than that of subcutaneous vaccination remains a debatable issue. In this study, we have investigated the effect of the routes of immunization on the induction of immunoprotection against experimental tuberculosis employing mycobacterial culture filtrate proteins complexed with dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide. Vaccination via intranasal and subcutaneous routes triggered immune activation in the spleen and cervical lymph node, while the former route of vaccination lead to higher antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation, interferon-,, interleukin-12 and interleukin-4 responses in cervical lymph node and induction of antigen-specific IgA responses at mucosal level of the respiratory tract. Mice vaccinated via the intranasal route were found to be better protected against experimental tuberculosis particularly in lung compared to subcutaneous-immunized mice. These results emphasize the importance of the intranasal route vaccination in tuberculosis. [source] Predictive value of renal histological changes for postoperative renal function improvement in children with congenital ureteropelvic junction stenosisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 6 2002Ahmet Erbagci Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between renal function, as measured by diuretic radionuclide renography, and the outcome of pyeloplasty. A study was designed to evaluate renal parenchymal biopsy specimens derived from children undergoing corrective surgery for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) stenosis, and compare these to preoperative and postoperative renal function status. Methods: Thirty-five children with congenital unilateral UPJ stenosis were evaluated. In addition to all conventional diagnostic procedures for UPJ stenosis, differential renal functional (DRF) activity was assessed in each of these children by obtaining 99mTc diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renogram curves. All children underwent dismembered pyeloplasty, and follow-up renogram evaluation was conducted 6 and 12 months after surgical repair. Biopsy specimens from renal cortical regions obtained during the surgical correction of UPJ stenosis were evaluated, and changes in renal histology were graded from I to V according to their severity. Spearman's correlation test was used to compare the histological evaluation results and the basal, 6- and 12-month follow-up DRF findings. A Wilcoxon paired test was used to evaluate statistical differences between values. Results: The findings showed a positive correlation between the severity of histological changes and DRF activity. All kidneys (22) with a DRF activity value of < 40% preoperatively demonstrated at least grade III changes when biopsy specimens were examined. Of children with a DRF activity value > 40% (13), only three showed severe histological changes. Histological grades were correlated between basal (r = ,0.4; P = 0.019), 6-month (r = 0.54; P = 0.002) and 12-month (r = 0.54; P = 0.02) findings. In the Wilcoxon paired test, there was a statistically significant difference between basal and 6-month values (P < 0.05), and also between basal and 12-month values (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between 6- and 12-month values (P > 0.20). Conclusion: Comparative evaluation of postoperative renal function with DRF activity and renal parenchymal histological alterations revealed a close correlation in terms of renal function improvement potential following reconstructive surgery in children with UPJ stenosis. [source] Comparative evaluation of silver-containing antimicrobial dressings and drugsINTERNATIONAL WOUND JOURNAL, Issue 2 2007Article first published online: 21 JUL 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Comparative evaluation of heating ability and biocompatibility of different ferrite-based magnetic fluids for hyperthermia applicationJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007Pallab Pradhan Abstract In this study, lauric acid-coated, superparamagnetic, nanoparticle-based magnetic fluids of different ferrites (Fe3O4, MnFe2O4, and CoFe2O4) were prepared and compared in terms of heating ability and biocompatibility to evaluate the feasibility of use in hyperthermia treatment of cancer. All the magnetic fluids prepared had particles of average sizes 9,11 nm. Heating ability of these magnetic fluids was evaluated by calorimetric measurement of specific absorption rate (SAR) at 300 kHz frequency and 15 kA/m field. Fe3O4 and MnFe2O4 showed higher SAR (120 and 97 W/g of ferrite, respectively) than CoFe2O4 (37 W/g of ferrite). In vitro study on BHK 21 cell lines showed dose-dependent cell viability for all the magnetic fluids. Threshold-biocompatible ferrite concentration for all the magnetic fluids was 0.1 mg/mL. Above 0.2 mg/mL, CoFe2O4 was more toxic than the other magnetic fluids. On intravenous injection of different doses (50, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) of magnetic fluids in mice, no significant changes in hematological and biochemical parameters were observed for Fe3O4 and MnFe2O4. With CoFe2O4, an increase in SGPT levels at a dose rate of 400 mg/kg body weight was observed, indicating its mild hepatotoxic effect. However, histology of different vital organs showed no pathological changes for all the three magnetic fluids. Further, long term in vivo evaluation of biocompatibility of the lauric acid-coated ferrites is warranted. This study shows that lauric acid-coated, superparamagnetic Fe3O4 and MnFe2O4 may be used for hyperthermia treatment and are to be preferred over CoFe2O4. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006 [source] Comparative evaluation of 99mTc-ethylene bis-l-cysteine and 99mTc-ethylene bis-l-,-homocysteine during reversed phase HPLC analysis and electrophoresis at various pH conditionsJOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 4 2001K.O. Mang'era Ethylene bis- L -,-homocysteine (L,L -EH) differs from ethylene bis- L -cysteine (L,L -EC) in having an extra methylene group between each pair of amine and carboxyl groups. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the extra methylene groups on the characteristics of the complex of these compounds with technetium-99m during analysis by reversed phase HPLC and by electrophoresis at various pH values. Up to pH 5.5, 99mTc- L,L -EH exhibits a substantially longer retention time during reversed phase HPLC than 99mTc- L,L -EC, suggesting a more lipophilic character for 99mTc- L,L -EH under these conditions. On the other hand, 99mTc- L,L -EH clearly possesses a higher negative charge in the pH range 3-6.5 as shown by the markedly greater migration towards the anode in electrophoresis experiments. A rational explanation for these seemingly opposing observations can not yet be offered. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comparative sperm ultrastructure in NemerteaJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 7 2010J. von Döhren Abstract Although the monophyly of Nemertea is strongly supported by unique morphological characters and results of molecular phylogenetic studies, their ingroup relationships are largely unresolved. To contribute solving this problem we studied sperm ultrastructure of 12 nemertean species that belong to different subtaxa representing the commonly recognized major monophyletic groups. The study yielded a set of 26 characters with an unexpected variation among species of the same genus (Tubulanus and Procephalothrix species), whereas other species varied in metric values or only one character state (Ramphogordius). In some species, the sperm nucleus has grooves (Zygonemertes virescens, Amphiporus imparispinosus) that may be twisted and give a spiral shape to the sperm head (Paranemertes peregrina, Emplectonema gracile). To make the characters from sperm ultrastructure accessible for further phylogenetic analyses, they were coded in a character matrix. Published data for eight species turned out to be sufficiently detailed to be included. Comparative evaluation of available information on the sperm ultrastructure suggests that subtaxa of Heteronemertea and Hoplonemertea are supported as monophyletic by sperm morphology. However, the data do not provide information on the existing contradictions regarding the internal relationships of "Palaeonemertea." Nevertheless, our study provides evidence that sperm ultrastructure yields numerous potentially informative characters that will be included in upcoming phylogenetic analyses. J. Morphol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comparative evaluation of secondary heat treatment and a high intensity light source for the improvement of properties of prosthetic compositesJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 4 2000N. Tanoue This study determined the hardness and water solubility of two prosthetic composites polymerized with three curing modes for the purpose of evaluating the influence of secondary heating and a high intensity light source on resulting material properties. Two prosthetic composite materials (Artglass and Dentacolor) were cured with the following methods: (1) exposure by means of a photo-curing unit with a xenon stroboscopic light source (Dentacolor XS) for 120 s; (2) exposure with the xenon unit for 120 s, followed by heating in an oven (KL 100) at 100 °C for 15 min; and (3) exposure by means of a photo-curing unit with two metal halide lamps (Hyper LII) for 120 s. Knoop hardness and water solubility were determined according to standardized testing methods. Although post-cure heat treatment considerably elevated the Knoop hardness number for both materials, the greatest hardness number was generated with the use of the metal halide unit. Water solubility of the Dentacolor material was lowest when the material was cured with the metal halide unit, followed by the secondary heated group, whereas, solubility of the Artglass material was unaffected by the curing modes. This suggests that the use of a high intensity light source is more effective than the application of secondary heating for improving the post-curing properties of composites. [source] Comparative evaluation of four trityl-type amidomethyl polystyrene resins in Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesisJOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 7 2003Christos Zikos Abstract Four trityl-type (i.e. non-substituted trityl-, o-Cl-trityl-, o-F-trityl- and p-CN-trityl-) amidomethyl polystyrene resins were evaluated comparatively, in terms of the stability of the trityl-ester bond in slightly acidic dichloromethane solutions, and the p-CN-trityl-amidomethyl polystyrene resin was found to be the most stable of them. The above resins were applied, in parallel with Wang benzyl-type resin, well known for its stability in mild acidic conditions, to the Fmoc solid phase synthesis of the 43-amino acid residue long bioactive peptide thymosin beta-4. Independent of their differences in acid sensitivity, the resins seemed to function equally well under the conditions used, since pure thymosin beta-4 was obtained with a final yield of approximately 30% from each resin. The trityl-type amidomethyl polystyrene resins were also applied, in parallel with the Wang resin, to the Fmoc solid phase synthesis of a bioactive peptide containing proline at its C -terminus, i.e. the N -terminal tetrapeptide of thymosin beta-4, AcSDKP. In this case, the best yield (87%) was obtained with the o-Cl-trityl-amidomethyl polystyrene resin, which may be the resin of choice, of those studied, for the Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis. Copyright © 2003 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comparative evaluation of Ca chloride and Ca phosphate for extractable sulfur in soils with a wide range in pHJOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2009Kanwar L. Sahrawat Abstract Deficiency of sulfur (S) is becoming widespread in the rainfed systems of India, and there is increasing need for diagnosing the deficiency. Calcium chloride and Ca phosphate are commonly used for extracting available S in soils. Because of cost and the ease of availability locally, we prefer using Ca chloride as an extractant over Ca phosphate, for extracting available S. However, there is paucity of data on the comparative evaluation of the two extractants to extract available S, especially in soils having a wide range in natural pH (from acidic to alkaline range). It is recognized that soil pH plays a dominant role in the adsorption,desorption and extractability of sulfate-S in soils. We compared the extraction of S by Ca chloride and Ca phosphate in 86 Indian soils having a wide range in pH (4.5 to 10.6). Sulfur in the extracts was determined by ICP-AES. Considering all the 86 soil samples tested, there was an excellent agreement between the values of extractable S determined by using the two extractants (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). However, the correlation coefficient (r) between the values of extractable S by the two reagents, although highly significant, varied among the groups of soil samples according to the range in soil pH. The highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.99, p < 0.0001, n = 17) was found for soils with pH in the alkaline range (8.5,10.6), and the lowest correlation coefficient (r = 0.71, p < 0.0001, n = 58) was obtained with a set of soil samples with pH in the acidic range (4.5,6.5). For soil samples having pH in the near-neutral range (6.7,7.3), an excellent agreement was observed (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001, n =11) between the extractable-S values obtained by the two extractants. While Ca phosphate extracted higher amount of S compared to Ca chloride in soil samples with pH in the acidic range, the two extractants were equally effective for soil samples with pH in the neutral or alkaline range. Our results suggest that for most of the soils in the semiarid tropical regions, which have pH in the neutral to alkaline range, Ca chloride can replace Ca phosphate as an extractant for removing available S in such soils. [source] Comparative evaluation of four decontamination protocols for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis from milkLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2001L. Dundee Aims:,Four chemical decontamination protocols for milk were compared with respect to mean percentage recovery of spiked Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, minimum detection limit and ease of application. Methods and Results:,Raw milk spiked with 106 cfu M.a. paratuberculosis was decontaminated prior to culture by: (1) treatment with 0·75% (w/v) hexadecylpyridinium chloride (HPC) for 5 h; (2) and (3) Cornell methods employing brain heart infusion broth containing 0·75% (w/v) and 0·9% (w/v) HPC, respectively; and (4) a C18 -carboxypropylbetaine (CB-18Ô) method. The 0·75% HPC method yielded the highest mean percentage recovery of M.a. paratuberculosis (28·7%) and was capable of detecting the lowest number of cells (30 cfu/40 ml). Conclusions:,Treatment of milk with 0·75% HPC for 5 h was shown to be superior to the other methods for decontaminating milk prior to culture for M.a. paratuberculosis. Significance and Impact of Study:,Certain chemical decontamination protocols are too harsh for application to milk. The ,best' decontamination protocol only recovered a fraction of the M.a. paratuberculosis cells present in a milk sample. [source] Comparative evaluation of Candi Select test and conventional methods for identification of Candida albicans in routine clinical isolatesMYCOSES, Issue 3-4 2002S. Foongladda Candida albicans; Identifizierung; Candi Select- Test; Bewertung. Summary. The Candi Select test (Sanofi Diagnostics, Pasteur, Marnes-La-Coquette, France) is a new yeast-selective medium for the identification of Candida albicans in the clinical laboratory. The performance of this test was compared with the conventional methods of chlamydospore formation, germ tube formation and carbohydrate fermentation. Four hundred and twenty clinical yeast isolates from 412 fresh clinical specimens, including 283 C. albicans, 59 C. tropicalis, 39 Trichosporon spp., 19 C. glabrata, 11 Cryptococcus neoformans and 9 other yeasts, were evaluated. Colonies of C. albicans produced a blue-green colour on the Candi Select media which could be distinguished from the other yeasts with the naked eye within 24,48 h. The sensitivity and specificity of the Candi Select test for the identification of C. albicans were 99.65% and 97.08%, respectively. The blue-green colonies of C. albicans were easy to identify and recognize in mixed cultures and did not need detailed microscopic examination. Zusammenfassung., Der Candi Select-Test (Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur, Marnes-La-Coquette, Frankreich) ist ein neuer selektiver Nährboden für die Identifizierung von Candida albicans im klinischen Labor. Die neue Methode wurde mit den konventionellen Methoden der Chlamydosporenbildung, der Keimschlauchbildung und der Kohlenhydrat-Gärung verglichen. Vierhundertzwanzig Hefeisolate, nämlich 283 C. albicans, 59 Candida tropicalis, 39 Trichosporon spp., 19 Candida glabrata, 11 Cryptococcus neoformans und 9 andere Hefen, isoliert aus 412 frischen klinischen Untersuchungsproben, wurden mit allen Methoden untersucht. Mit blossem Auge erkennbar, unterschieden sich innerhalb von 24,48 Stunden die blau-grünen Farbkolonien von C. albicans von allen anderen Hefen auf dem Candi Select Nährboden. Sensitivität und Spezifizität des Candi Select Tests für die Identifizierung von C. albicans betrugen 99.65% und 97.08%. Die blau-grünen Farbkolonien von C. albicans waren in den Mischkulturen leicht zu identifizieren, eine mikroskopische Untersuchung erübrigt sich daher. [source] Comparative evaluation of implantation damage produced by N and P ions in 6H-SiCPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 3 2003J. Camassel Abstract The result of N, P and P,+,N implantations performed at room temperature in 6H-SiC has been comparatively evaluated. Using micro-Raman spectroscopy we focus on the change in bulk LO-phonon intensity as a function of ions and ion-fluency. We find that the effective damage cross section for phosphorus is about 30% larger than the one for nitrogen. After annealing, good recovery is found but atomic force microscopy still evidences increased surface roughness. [source] Comparative evaluation of exotic and adapted germplasm of spring wheat for floral characteristics in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of northern IndiaPLANT BREEDING, Issue 6 2007S. K. Singh Abstract Four hundred spring wheat genotypes, comprising exotic and indigenous germplasm and adapted cultivars for commercial cultivation, were investigated during four crop seasons for six floral characteristics related to outcrossing behaviour. Genetic variability and heritability were investigated along with phenotypic correlation coefficients among these characteristics. A significant quantitative variation existed among the characteristics in all three groups. High heritability for stigma length, openness of florets, anther extrusion and duration of floral opening indicated that selection for these characteristics may be effective. The adapted cultivars were found more promising than the exotic and indigenous germplasm. Most of the characteristics showed significantly positive correlation with each other and high correlation was observed between anther and stigma length, and anther extrusion and duration of floral opening. Superiority of varietal mixtures and segregating generations (F3 and F4) of two crosses over parental lines suggested that heterozygosity and heterogeneity can provide yield advantages. Germplasm lines possessing superior expression of floral characteristics may be used to improve yielding ability through enhanced heterozygosity or the development of hybrids. [source] Comparative evaluation of digoxin concentrations determined by three assay systems: TDx, IMx and OPUSBIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 1 2004Yoshiyuki Kagawa Abstract Digoxin concentrations measured by three automated immunoassay systems, i.e. OPUS, TDx and IMx assays, were compared in order to evaluate precision and accuracy performance, and data compatibility. Coefficients of variation for all methods in within-run and between-run precision were less than 10% at weighed-in concentrations of 0.545, 1.090 and 2.180 ng/ml. The accuracy relative to the three weighed-in concentrations ranged from 97% to 123% for all methods. One hundred and three plasma samples from 60 patients receiving digoxin were used to evaluate the data compatibility. Digoxin concentrations measured by the three immunoassay systems correlated well with one another. These results suggest that there are few problems when switching between digoxin assay methods, and that IMx and OPUS are more useful than TDx because they do not require sample pretreatment. The digoxin concentrations of the plasma samples from one patient receiving both digoxin and potassium canrenoate were investigated as a case report. The digoxin concentrations measured by TDx and IMx became higher than those measured by OPUS after starting the combination treatment. In another patient suffering from bilirubinaemia, the digoxin concentrations measured by TDx or IMx were higher than those measured by OPUS. These results suggest that OPUS has a higher specificity for measuring the plasma digoxin concentrations compared with TDx or IMx. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A comparative study of cardiac dysautonomia in autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias and idiopathic sporadic ataxiasACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2009M. Netravathi Objectives,,, Comparative evaluation of cardiac dysautonomia in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) and idiopathic sporadic ataxias (IA) not fulfilling the criteria of multiple system atrophy. Material and methods,,, Cardiac autonomic functions were evaluated in 14 SCA (SCA1 = 6, SCA2 = 5 and SCA3 = 3) and 10 IA patients, comparable for age, age at onset, duration and severity of illness. The results were categorized as early, definitive, or severe autonomic involvement (EI, DI and SI respectively) based on the degree of abnormalities on tests of parasympathetic and sympathetic pathways. Results,,, Cardiac autonomic dysfunction was present in all (EI = 25.0%, DI = 41.7% and SI = 33.3%), parasympathetic dysfunction being an early feature. SI was most often present in SCA3 (100%), followed by those with SCA1 (66.7%), and SCA2 (20%) and none in IA. Conclusions,,, Cardiac dysautonomia was common in both SCA and IA, although the severity was greater in SCA. Among SCAs, the severity was greatest in SCA3, followed by SCA2 and least in SCA1. [source] Sensitivity Study on Modeling an Internal Airlift Loop Reactor Using a Steady 2D Two-Fluid ModelCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 12 2008Q. Huang Abstract The sensitivity study of bubbly flow in an internal airlift loop reactor is presented using a steady Reynolds averaging two-fluid model. Comparative evaluation of different drag formulations, drag coefficient correlations, turbulence effect on the drag coefficient, outlet slip velocity, and bubble size is performed and the respective influence to the simulation results is highlighted. It is found that a complicated drag formulation may not result in reliable predictions. All the drag coefficient correlations underpredict the gas holdup if the influence of turbulence on the drag coefficient is not well incorporated. Fortunately, the global hydrodynamics is not sensitive to the outflow slip velocity for a wide range, so a steady two-fluid model can be used to simulate the bubbly flow when the flow field is fully developed. The correct estimation of bubble size with properly selected correlations play an important role in successful simulation of gas-liquid bubbly flow in airlift loop reactors. [source] Learner-control vs. program-control instructional multimedia: a comparison of two interactions when teaching principles of orthodontic appliancesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2005M. Aly Abstract Background:, Many studies have compared computer assisted learning (CAL) to more traditional learning formats and have shown CAL to be as effective as or superior to the alternative resources. However, there are only scarce attempts to show which style of CAL leads to the best learning outcomes in orthodontics. Aim:, To compare the effectiveness of a learner-control (group A) vs. program-control (group B) multimedia learning environment courseware packages regarding knowledge, understanding and transfer of content when applied to teaching principles of orthodontic appliances to undergraduate students. Methods:, Pre- and post-test assessments of undergraduate dental students (n = 30) who either studied a learner-control multimedia learning environment courseware package (n = 15) or a program-control version (n = 15) on equivalent material of the orthodontic appliances curriculum. Both groups were evaluated by means of multiple-choice questions covering knowledge, understanding and application. A one-way ANOVA was carried out in order to check for statistical difference between the two groups. The P -value was set at 0.05. Results:, There was no difference in prior knowledge between both groups at baseline. Although, both groups significantly improved their scores after having studied the course, no significant difference was found between both groups in relation to answers to questions about knowledge, understanding and application. Conclusions:, In this study, the learner-control instructional multimedia program was found to be as effective as the program-control version when teaching principles of the orthodontic appliances to undergraduate students. The focus needs to be on improving the value of CAL. Comparative evaluations of how different CAL approaches compare with or complement one another are certainly needed. [source] A comparative evaluation of digital imaging, retinal photography and optometrist examination in screening for diabetic retinopathyDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 7 2003J. A. Olson Abstract Aims To compare the respective performances of digital retinal imaging, fundus photography and slit-lamp biomicroscopy performed by trained optometrists, in screening for diabetic retinopathy. To assess the potential contribution of automated digital image analysis to a screening programme. Methods A group of 586 patients recruited from a diabetic clinic underwent three or four mydriatic screening methods for retinal examination. The respective performances of digital imaging (n = 586; graded manually), colour slides (n = 586; graded manually), and slit-lamp examination by specially trained optometrists (n = 485), were evaluated against a reference standard of slit-lamp biomicroscopy by ophthalmologists with a special interest in medical retina. The performance of automated grading of the digital images by computer was also assessed. Results Slit-lamp examination by optometrists for referable diabetic retinopathy achieved a sensitivity of 73% (52,88) and a specificity of 90% (87,93). Using two-field imaging, manual grading of red-free digital images achieved a sensitivity of 93% (82,98) and a specificity of 87% (84,90), and for colour slides, a sensitivity of 96% (87,100) and a specificity of 89% (86,91). Almost identical results were achieved for both methods with single macular field imaging. Digital imaging had a lower technical failure rate (4.4% of patients) than colour slide photography (11.9%). Applying an automated grading protocol to the digital images detected any retinopathy, with a sensitivity of 83% (77,89) and a specificity of 71% (66,75) and diabetic macular oedema with a sensitivity of 76% (53,92) and a specificity of 85% (82,88). Conclusions Both manual grading methods produced similar results whether using a one- or two-field protocol. Technical failures rates, and hence need for recall, were lower with digital imaging. One-field grading of fundus photographs appeared to be as effective as two-field. The optometrists achieved the lowest sensitivities but reported no technical failures. Automated grading of retinal images can improve efficiency of resource utilization in diabetic retinopathy screening. Diabet. Med. 20, 528,534 (2003) [source] Laboratory simulation of clast abrasionEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 2 2002J. Lewin Abstract Experimental abrasion of river-bed materials has been widely undertaken, producing ,downstream' fining rates that generally are believed to be much less than those observed in the field. A conclusion commonly adopted has been that sorting processes are more effective than abrasion processes. A comparative evaluation of results from an abrasion tank and a tumbling barrel are presented, which show that abrasion patterns and rates differ according to the equipment used, clast size and shape, the clast charge (barrel) and water velocity and bed material (tank). Abrasion is a composite process, and the effects achieved appear to be dominated by percussion in the tank and grinding in the barrel. Breakage, crushing and sandblasting are not modelled effectively, nor are effects achieved on clasts when they form part of the bed. Comparisons are made with other equipment used, the very limited amount of direct field abrasion monitoring, and with the probable suite of processes that may occur under field conditions. Also reviewed are the problems that arise when laboratory weight-loss abrasion coefficients are used or converted into ones of size diminution, as usually derived from field observations of down-channel trends. It is concluded that field abrasion rates generally have been underestimated, as the processes involved are at best only selectively represented by the experimental equipment so far used, and because the results obtained experimentally are capable of misinterpretation when related to field trends. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Active MMP-2 effectively identifies the presence of colorectal cancerINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 12 2009Mary Jo Murnane Abstract Fully active MMP-2 is expressed at such low levels in human tissues that studies often fail to confirm its value as a cancer marker despite strong associations with malignancy. Our study utilized careful extraction, accurate activity measurements, standardization to purified controls and a new statistical metric to determine whether active MMP-2 is an effective indicator of colorectal cancer compared to pro-MMP-2 or pro-MMP-9. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were analyzed in matched normal and cancer samples from 269 patients by gelatin zymography, computer-assisted image analysis, serial dilutions of strong samples and standardization to controls. An index of effect size was designed for comparative evaluation of active MMP-2, pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 activities. For each gelatinase, mean activity and protein levels/mg soluble protein in normal mucosa and colorectal cancer were calculated for the first time with respect to commercial standards. Active MMP-2 activity, detected in 99% of colorectal cancers, was higher in 95% of cancers (on average 10-fold) than in normal mucosa. Levels of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9, but not active MMP-9, activities were also significantly higher in cancers versus normal. However, active MMP-2 activity provided the most effective test for the presence of cancer (p < 0.0.0001) with an effect size statistically significantly larger than for either pro-MMP-2 or pro-MMP-9. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that a cut-off for active MMP-2 of >44 SDU activity/mg soluble protein (>180 pg/mg), which is three times mean normal levels, would permit detection of colorectal cancer with an estimated sensitivity of 84% and estimated specificity of 93%. © 2009 UICC [source] Detection of bone marrow-disseminated breast cancer cells using an RT-PCR assay of MUC5B mRNAINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 4 2003Nora Berois Abstract The evaluation of disseminated epithelial tumor cells in breast cancer patients has generated considerable interest due to its potential association with disease recurrence. Our work was performed to analyze the usefulness of 5 mucin genes expression (MUC2, MUC3, MUC5B, MUC6 and MUC7), using RT-PCR assays, to detect disseminated cancer cells in patients with operable breast cancer. The highest frequencies of positive RT-PCR tests in breast tumor extracts were observed for MUC5B (7/15) and MUC7 (5/12). The best specificity, negative results on all peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMN) cell samples from healthy donors, were shown for MUC2, MUC5B and MUC6 RT-PCR assays. Thus, we selected MUC5B as a target gene for further evaluation. Using a nested RT-PCR, MUC5B mRNA transcripts were detected in 16/31 primary breast tumors (but not in 36 samples of normal PBMN cells) and in the human MCF-7 breast cancer cell line but not in BT20, MDA, T47D and ZR-75 breast cancer cell lines, indicating that MUC5B mRNA is expressed in a population of breast cancer cells. Using this method, 9/46 patients (19.5%) who underwent curative surgery showed positive MUC5B mRNA in bone marrow aspirates obtained prior to surgery, including 5/24 patients (20.8%) with stage I or II breast cancer, without histopathologic lymph node involvement. These results indicate that MUC5B mRNA could be a specific marker applicable to the molecular diagnosis of breast cancer cell dissemination. A comparative evaluation between MUC5B mRNA, cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA in all bone marrow aspirates suggests a putative complementation for molecular detection of disseminated carcinoma cells. Considering that breast cancer is characterized by a great phenotypic heterogeneity, the use of multimarker approach could contribute to tumor cell detection in bone marrow and blood. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comparative studies of some properties of undehulled, mechanically dehulled and manually dehulled cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2004L.) flours Summary A comparative evaluation was made of some physico-chemical and rheological characteristics of undehulled, manually dehulled and mechanically dehulled cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp. L.) flours from brown and white varieties of the legume. The flours were used to prepare steamed bean paste, ,Moinmoin', which was analysed for some sensory parameters. Dehulling and dehulling methods had no appreciable influence on the physical characteristics and proximate composition of the flours, except ash content, which was slightly higher in undehulled flour samples. Amylograph pasting characteristics of the flours showed varying trends because of dehulling method and/or presence of seed coats. ,Moinmoin' samples prepared from the flours received similar ratings for all sensory attributes, with no significant differences (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), except for the low-rated (poorer) colour of the undehulled brown product. [source] A biomechanical and histological analysis of standard versus hydroxyapatite-coated pins for external fixationJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008Antonio Moroni Abstract This sheep study was designed to make a comparative evaluation of two external fixation pin types each with and without hydroxyapatite (HA) coating. The two pins had different taper, pitch, and self drilling capabilities. Twenty Orthofix standard, self-tapping pins (group A), 20 Orthofix HA-coated, self-tapping pins (group B), 20 X-caliber, self-drilling, self-tapping pins (group C), and 20 X-caliber HA-coated, self-drilling, self-tapping pins (group D) were selected. Four pins were implanted in the right femurs of 20 adult sheep that were euthanized at 6 weeks. Mean pin insertion torque was 2745 ± 822 Nmm in group A, 2726 ± 784 Nmm in group B, 2818 ± 552 Nmm in group C, and 2657 ± 732 Nmm in group D (ns). Mean pin extraction torque was 1567 ± 541 Nmm in group A, 2524 ± 838 Nmm in group B, 1650 ± 650 Nmm in group C, and 2517 ± 726 Nmm in group D. HA-coated pins (group B and D) had a significantly greater mean pin extraction torque compared to similar uncoated pins (group A and C) (p < 0.0005). Histological analysis showed good osteointegration of the two coated pin types. This study shows that HA-coating is more important for optimal pin fixation than the particular combination of design parameters used in each pin type. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008 [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||