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Correct Identification (correct + identification)
Selected AbstractsElectrocardiographic ST-segment Elevation: Correct Identification of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and Non-AMI Syndromes by Emergency PhysiciansACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 4 2001William J. Brady MD Abstract. Objective: To determine the emergency physician's (EP's) ability to identify the cause of ST-segment elevation (STE) in a hypothetical chest pain patient. Methods: Eleven electrocardiograms (ECGs) with STE were given to EPs; the patient in each instance was a 45-year-old male with a medical history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus with the chief complaint of chest pain. The EP was asked to determine the cause of the STE and, if due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), to decide whether thrombolytic therapy (TT) would be administered (the patient had no contraindication to such treatment). Rates of TT administration were determined; appropriate TT administration was defined as that occurring in an AMI patient, while inappropriate TT administration was defined as that in the non-AMI patient. Results: Four hundred fifty-eight EPs completed the questionnaire; levels of medical experience included the following: postgraduate year 2-3, 193 (42%); and attending, 265 (58%). The overall rate of correct interpretation of the study ECGs was 94.9% (4,782 correct interpretations out of 5,038 instances). Acute myocardial infarction with typical STE, ventricular paced rhythm, and right bundle branch block were never misinterpreted. The remaining conditions were misinterpreted with rates ranging between 9% (left bundle branch block, LBBB) and 72% (left ventricular aneurysm, LVA). The overall rate of appropriate thrombolytic agent administration was 83% (1,525 correct administrations out of 1,832 indicated administrations). The leading diagnosis for which thrombolytic agent was given inappropriately was LVA (28%), followed by benign early repolarization (23%), pericarditis (21%), and LBBB without electrocardiographic AMI (5%). Thrombolytic agent was appropriately given in all cases of AMI except when associated with atypical STE, where it was inappropriately withheld 67% of the time. Conclusions: In this survey, EPs were asked whether they would give TT based on limited information (ECG). Certain syndromes with STE were frequently misdiagnosed. Emergency physician electrocardiographic education must focus on the proper identification of these syndromes so that TT may be appropriately utilized. [source] Delineating the rupture planes of an earthquake doublet using Source-Scanning Algorithm: application to the 2005 March 3 Ilan Doublet, northeast TaiwanGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2010Chih-Wen Kan SUMMARY Correct identification of the fault plane(s) associated with an earthquake doublet is a very challenging problem because the pair of events often occurs in close space and time with almost the same magnitude. Most long-period waveforms of an earthquake doublet are severely tangled and thus unsuitable for conventional waveform inversion methods. In this study, we try to resolve this issue by utilizing the recently developed Source-Scanning Algorithm (SSA). The SSA systematically searches the model space for seismic sources whose times and locations are most compatible with the observed arrivals of large amplitudes on seismograms. The identification of a seismic source is based on the brightness function, which is defined as the summation of the normalized waveform amplitudes at the predicted arrival times at all stations. By illuminating the spatiotemporal distribution of asperities during an earthquake's source process, we are able to constrain the orientation of the rupture propagation that, in turn, leads to the identification of the fault plane. A series of synthetic experiments are performed to test SSA's resolution under various scenarios including different directions of rupture propagation, imperfect station coverage and short origin time difference between the two events of a doublet. Because only short-period records are needed in the analysis, the proposed method is best suited for an earthquake doublet with a short time gap between the two events. Using the 2005 Ilan doublet (the origin time difference is only 70 s) that occurred in northeast Taiwan as an example, we show that the trace of the brightest spots moves towards the west and infer the E,W-striking plane to be the actual fault plane. [source] The sarcomatous guise of cervical ectopic hamartomatous thymoma,HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 8 2002Jeff Marschall MD Abstract Background Ectopic hamartomatous thymoma is a rare benign neoplasm occurring in the deep soft tissues adjacent to the sternoclavicular joint. Although clinical presentation and diagnostic imaging can be consistent with a malignant lesion such as a sarcoma, recognition of pathologic features can readily exclude such a diagnosis. However, this remains a challenge caused by their unusual histologic features and diverse composition. Recognition of this tumor is, however, important, because it follows a benign clinical course, and conservative surgical excision is the therapy of choice. Methods A literature review of all reports of ectopic hamartomatous thymoma was undertaken and compared with our indexed case. Results From this review, we identified 26 previous reports. Most patients were men, with a 4.5:1 predominance. There was a wide range of ages at presentation, from 26 to 79 years. All tumors were located in the lower neck, with the exception of one arising presternally. Treatment predominantly consisted of tumor resection, with no reported recurrences on follow-up. Conclusions We conclude that ectopic hamartomatous thymoma is an extremely rare neoplasm usually presenting in the lower neck. Correct identification of this tumor is important, because it follows a benign course, and surgical excision is adequate therapy. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 800,804, 2002 [source] Finding a safe place to cross the road: the effect of distractors and the role of attention in children's identification of safe and dangerous road-crossing sitesINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2007Z. Tabibi Abstract Negotiating traffic requires the ability to focus attention on the traffic environment and ignore distracting stimuli. The aims of this study were (1) to examine the effect of distractors on children's ability to identify safe and dangerous road-crossing sites and (2) to examine the relationship between identification of safe/dangerous sites and attention (selective attention, attention switching, sustained attention and divided attention). Participants were 88 children (aged between 6 and 11 years) and 29 adults. Ability to identify safe and dangerous road-crossing sites was assessed using computer presentations of sites with and without visual and auditory distractions. Measures of attention were examined using the Test of Everyday Attention (child and adult versions). The ability to identify safe and dangerous road-crossing sites and performance on the attention tests were found to improve with increasing age. Correct identification of safe/dangerous road-crossing sites was related to selective attention and divided attention for children but not for adults. Road safety training should take into account the development of these skills. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] In vitro susceptibility of the seven Malassezia species to ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole and terbinafineBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2000A.K. Gupta Fifty-five strains, either authentic or ex-type, of seven Malassezia species were investigated for in vitro susceptibility to various concentrations (0·03,64·0 µg/mL) of three azole drugs, ketoconazole, voriconazole and itraconazole, as well as the allylamine terbinafine, using the agar dilution method. All strains of the seven Malassezia species were susceptible to the three azole drugs at low concentrations. M. furfur, M. sympodialis, M. slooffiae, M. pachydermatis, M. globosa, M. obtusa and M. restricta were most sensitive to ketoconazole and itraconazole, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from , 0·03 to 0·125 ,g/mL. The recently introduced antifungal, voriconazole, was also very effective, with MIC80 values , 0·03 ,g/mL for 80% of strains. MICs of terbinafine against the seven Malassezia species ranged from , 0·03 to 64·0 ,g/mL. There were variations in susceptibility of the seven Malassezia species to ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine. Strains of M. furfur, M. globosa and M. obtusa were more tolerant to terbinafine than the remaining Malassezia species; M. sympodialis was highly susceptible. M. furfur strains tested with terbinafine ranged from highly susceptible to relatively resistant. Correct identification of Malassezia species could facilitate selection of appropriate antifungal therapy. [source] Atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS): Clinical considerations and cytohistologic correlationDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2002Joseph F. Nasuti M.D. Abstract The diagnoses of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) made upon evaluation of cervical/vaginal (Pap) smears is examined to ascertain salient clinical and cytologic features that may lead to better characterization of the true nature of these lesions. Prior history of squamous dysplasia, age of the patient, and the occurrence of abnormal microbiopsy tissue fragments are investigated to determine their value in the proper evaluation of AGUS specimens. Of the 86,234 Pap smears submitted to our laboratory during a period of 2 yr, 187 (0.2%) were diagnosed as AGUS. Available follow-up in 128 (69%) cases revealed 54 (42%) significant tissue proven abnormalities, the majority (55%, 30 patients) of which were diagnosed as squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). Squamous dysplasia is significantly more common in women younger than 40 (15/18, 83%) and in patients with prior history of SIL (29/30, 97%). In addition, all nine patients diagnosed with endometrial lesions on subsequent histology were older than 40. Age, however, was not a discriminating factor in women proven to have endocervical glandular lesions. Additionally, certain tissue fragment cytomorphologic features were significantly more often observed on follow-up in specific histologic diagnostic categories. The Pap smears of patients diagnosed with SIL were noted to contain tissue fragments composed of both dysplastic squamous and benign glandular cells in 29 of 30 (97%). The presence of two distinct populations of glandular tissue fragments (typical and atypical) was found in the Pap smears of all nine women with endometrial abnormalities and in the smears of most women subsequently diagnosed with endocervical glandular lesions (87%, 13/15). These observations suggest that a more specific and clinically useful Pap smear interpretation other than AGUS is often possible by consideration of the patient's age and prior history along with the correct identification of the type of atypical cells observed in abnormal tissue fragments. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2002;26:186,190; DOI 10.1002/dc.10070 © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Glycoform characterization of erythropoietin combining glycan and intact protein analysis by capillary electrophoresis , electrospray , time-of-flight mass spectrometryELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 13 2006Elvira Balaguer Abstract Glycosylation of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is a post-translational process that alters biological activity, solubility and lifetime of the glycoprotein in blood, and strongly depends on the type of cell and the cell culture conditions. A fast and simple method providing extensive carbohydrate information about the glycans present in rHuEPO and other glycoproteins is needed in order to improve current methods in drug development or product quality control. Here, an improved method for intact rHuEPO glycoform characterization by CZE-ESI-TOF MS has been developed using a novel capillary coating and compared to a previous study. Both methods allow a fast separation in combination with accurate mass characterization of the single protein isoforms. The novel dynamic coating provides a separation at an EOF close to zero, enabling better separation. This results in an improved mass spectrometric resolution and the detection of minor isoforms. In order to assign an unequivocal carbohydrate composition to every intact glycoform, a CZE-ESI-MS separation method for enzymatically released underivatized N -glycans has been developed. The TOF,MS allows the correct identification of the glycans due to its high mass accuracy and resolution. Therefore, glycan modifications such as acetylation, oxidation, sulfation and even the exchange of OH by NH2 are successfully characterized. Information of the protein-backbone molecular mass has been combined with results from peptide analysis (revealing information about O -glycosylation) and from the glycan analysis, including the detection of as yet undescribed glycans containing four antennae and five sialic acids. This allows an unequivocal assignment of an overall glycosylation composition to the molecular masses obtained for the intact rHuEPO glycoforms. [source] New Insights into the Clinical Management of Partial EpilepsiesEPILEPSIA, Issue S5 2000Prof. Edouard Hirsch Summary The diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of seizure disorders depend on the correct identification of epileptic syndromes. Partial epilepsies are heterogeneous and can be divided into idiopathic, cryptogenic, and symptomatic epilepsies. The most common of the idiopathic localization-related epilepsies is benign epilepsy with rolandic or centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). Seizures remain rare and the use of antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment in all patients does not appear justified. Children who present with some of the electroclinical characteristics of BECTS may also display severe unusual neurologic, neuropsychological, or atypical symptoms. In some cases, carbamazepine has been implicated as a triggering factor. Primary reading epilepsy and idiopathic occipital lobe epilepsies with photosensitivity are examples of an overlap between idiopathic localization-related and generalized epilepsies and respond well to sodium valproate. Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy and benign familial infantile convulsions are recently described syndromes, differing in several ways from classical idiopathic localization-related epileptic syndromes. In cryptogenic or symptomatic epilepsy, the topography of the epileptogenic zone might influence drug efficacy. An individualized approach to AED selection, tailored to each patient's needs, should be used. Resistance of seizures to antiepileptic therapy may be due to diagnostic and/or treatment error or may be the result of noncompliance. Increasing the dosage, discontinuation or replacement of a drug, or addition of a second drug is indicated in truly resistant cases. The use of more than two AEDs rarely optimizes seizure control, and in some cases reduction of treatment may improve seizure control while lessening side effects. EEG-video assessment of patients with refractory epilepsy is important. Indications for and timing of epilepsy surgery should be reconsidered. Surgical therapy should probably be used more often and earlier than it is at present. [source] Oral endoscopy as an aid to diagnosis of equine cheek tooth infections in the absence of gross oral pathological changes: 17 casesEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009P. H. L. RAMZAN Summary Reasons for performing study: Removal of cheek teeth in all but the aged horse or pony is a serious undertaking with potentially deleterious sequellae. Rigid endoscopy permits detailed examination of the oral cavity and erupted dental tissues and has the potential to assist in the correct identification of the diseased tooth. Objectives: To document oral endoscopic findings associated with infected equine cheek teeth in cases without gross oral pathological changes and thereby determine the usefulness of rigid oral endoscopy as an aid to diagnosis of such infections. Methods: Records of all cases of equine cheek tooth removal attempted under standing sedation over a 38 month period were examined. Cases were excluded from the study if apical infection was associated with gross dental fracture, malalignment, diastema/periodontal pocketing or supernumerary teeth. Endoscopic and radiographic findings were analysed and correlated to diseased tooth location. Results: Seventeen cases of apical dental infection fitting the inclusion criteria (nonresponsive to antibiotics and with no gross oral abnormality of the affected arcade) were identified in which oral endoscopy was used as an aid to diagnosis. In 15 (88%) of the 17 cases, oral endoscopy revealed abnormalities specific to the infected tooth. Focal gingival recession (10/17 cases) was the most common visible abnormality associated with infected teeth. Conclusions: In the majority of cases of apical infection of equine cheek teeth there is visible intraoral evidence implicating the affected tooth. Potential relevance: Oral endoscopy facilitates detailed examination of the mouth and should be considered along with radiography as an important aid to diagnosis in cases of equine dental infection. [source] The Defence Mechanism Test (DMT) revisited: experimental validation using threatening and non-threatening picturesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 4 2002Bo Ekehammar Although the Defence Mechanism Test (DMT) has been in use for almost half a century, it is still unclear what it actually measures. The psychodynamic theory on which the test is based states that the threatful DMT pictures activate various defence mechanisms. To test this proposition, the original DMT pictures were redrawn by a professional artist, changing the emotional content without altering the structural properties. In this way, a neutral and a friendly variant were shaped. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to the threatful, neutral, and friendly stimulus conditions. In contrast to predictions made from psychodynamic theory, that the threatful picture would activate more ,signs of defence' than the others, the results disclosed that the three conditions activated the same amounts of ,signs of defence' and the same levels of various perceptual thresholds. Thus, rather than capturing psychodynamic defence mechanisms, our results suggest that the DMT taps perceptual or information-processing difficulties in correct identification of brief stimulus exposures regardless of their emotional contents. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A Chart-Based Method for Identification of Delirium: Validation Compared with Interviewer Ratings Using the Confusion Assessment MethodJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 2 2005Sharon K. Inouye MD Objectives: To validate a chart-based method for identification of delirium and compare it with direct interviewer assessment using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Design: Prospective validation study. Setting: Teaching hospital. Participants: Nine hundred nineteen older hospitalized patients. Measurements: A chart-based instrument for identification of delirium was created and compared with the reference standard interviewer ratings, which used direct cognitive assessment to complete the CAM for delirium. Trained nurse chart abstractors were blinded to all interview data, including cognitive and CAM ratings. Factors influencing the correct identification of delirium in the chart were examined. Results: Delirium was present in 115 (12.5%) patients according to the CAM. Sensitivity of the chart-based instrument was 74%, specificity was 83%, and likelihood ratio for a positive result was 4.4. Overall agreement between chart and interviewer ratings was 82%, kappa=0.41. By contrast, using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, administrative codes, the sensitivity for delirium was 3%, and specificity was 99%. Independent factors associated with incorrect chart identification of delirium were dementia, severe illness, and high baseline delirium risk. With all three factors present, the chart instrument was three times more likely to identify patients incorrectly than with none of the factors present. Conclusion: A chart-based instrument for delirium, which should be useful for patient safety and quality-improvement programs in older persons, was validated. Because of potential misclassification, the chart-based instrument is not recommended for individual patient care or diagnostic purposes. [source] Phylogenetic analysis by 16S rDNA gene sequence comparison of avian taxa of Bisgaard and characterization and description of two new taxa of PasteurellaceaeJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2003H. Christensen Abstract Aims: Characterization and classification of members of Pasteurellaceae isolated from birds by extended phenotypic characterization and 16S rDNA gene sequence comparison. Methods and Results: A total of 95 avian isolates were subjected to extended phenotypic characterization. Thirteen bacterial strains selected from main phenotypic clusters and isolated from parrot, parakeet, budgerigar, partridge, pheasant, chicken, duck, hawk and gull were subsequently characterized by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Eight of the sequenced strains were classified with six taxa of Bisgaard of which two (34 and 40) have not been published before, and the properties of four others (14, 22, 26 and 32) changed upon the characterization of these new isolates. Of the remaining strains, one was identified as a phenotypic variant in maltose and dextrin of Pasteurella gallinarum another as a trehalose positive variant of taxon 3 of Bisgaard. The remaining three strains sequenced were not closely related to existing taxa of Pasteurellaceae. However, they were found to belong to the Avian cluster with 92,97% 16S rDNA gene sequence similarity. Conclusion: The study allowed the classification of bacteria isolated from birds by the integrated use of extended phenotypic characterization and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Only the application of 16S rDNA gene sequencing allows a correct identification of variant strains. Significance and Impact of the Study: The description of new taxa within the bacterial family Pasteurellaceae will subsequently allow additional isolates of these taxa to be identified and improve the diagnosis and epidemiological understanding of bacteria causing disease in birds. [source] Molecular detection and characterization of human enteroviruses directly from clinical samples using RT-PCR and DNA sequencingJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2006Miren Iturriza-Gómara Abstract Enteroviruses are common human pathogens associated with a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic infection to acute flaccid paralysis and neonatal multi-organ failure. Molecular methods that provide rapid diagnosis and increased sensitivity have been developed for the diagnosis of enterovirus infection using oligonucleotide primers complementary to conserved sequences located in the 5, untranslated region (UTR), but data generated from these regions are not sufficiently discriminatory for typing due to the lack of correlation between their nucleic acid sequence and serotype specificity. Sequences derived from the gene encoding the capsid VP1 correlate with serotype, and therefore provide the opportunity for the development of molecular typing methods consistent with present serogical methods. In this study, oligonucleotide primers that amplify a region of the 5,UTR to detect enterovirus RNA, and the region encoding the enterovirus VP1 N-terminus to characterize virus strains were used in nested and semi-nested RT-PCRs, respectively. The ability of the VP1 RT-PCR to amplify diverse viruses within genotypes and genogroups was confirmed by the correct identification of both prototype strains, and strains circulating currently of the same genotypes. The mole-cular methods proved their utility through the detection of enteroviruses that failed to grow in cell culture, their subsequent characterization and the characterization of strains that failed to serotype in neutralization assays. Molecular methods increased significantly the sensitivity of detection (P,<,0.001) and of characterization (P,<,0.01) of enteroviruses when compared to classical methods. J. Med. Virol. 78:243,253, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] DATA ANALYSIS OF PENETROMETRIC FORCE/DISPLACEMENT CURVES FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF WHOLE APPLE FRUITSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 4 2005C. CAMPS ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to compare two chemometric approaches for characterizing the rheological properties of fruits from puncture test force/displacement curves. The first approach (parameter approach) computed six texture parameters from the curves, which were supposed to be representative of skin hardness, fruit deformation before skin rupture, flesh firmness and mechanical work needed to penetrate the fruit. The second approach (whole curve approach) used the whole digitized curve (300 data points) in further data processing. Two experimental studies were compared: first, the variability of the rheological parameters of five apple cultivars; second, the rheological variability that was characterized as a function of storage conditions. For both approaches, factorial discriminant analysis was applied to discriminate the fruits based on the measured rheological properties. The qualitative groups in factorial discriminant analysis were either the apple cultivar or the storage conditions (days and temperatures of storage). The tests were carried out using cross-validation procedures, making it possible to compute the number of fruits correctly identified. Thus the percentage of correct identification was 92% and 87% for using the parameter and the whole curve approaches, respectively. The discrimination of storage duration was less accurate for both approaches giving about 50% correct identifications. Comparison of the percentage of correct classifications based on the whole curve and the parameter approaches showed that the six computed parameters gave a good summary of the information present in the curve. The whole curve approach showed that some additional information, not present in the six parameters, may be appropriate for a complete description of the fruit rheology. [source] The accuracy of the FIB-4 index for the diagnosis of mild fibrosis in chronic hepatitis BALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2009V. MALLET Summary Background, The Fib-4 index is a simple and inexpensive biomarker to delineate liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Aim, To assess the accuracy of the FIB-4 index in chronic hepatitis B. Methods, We compared the FIB-4 index with 138 synchronous liver biopsies and with 372 synchronous FibroTest performed either in France or in an endemic area (Mayotte, an overseas collectivity of France). Results, The FIB-4 index allowed the correct identification of patients with nil-to-moderate fibrosis with an area under the receiving operating characteristic curve of 0.81 (P < 0.001), increasing as a function of the length of the liver biopsy (up to 0.94 for liver biopsies ,20 mm). A cut-off value ,1.45 differentiated moderate fibrosis from severe fibrosis with a negative predictive value of 86%, a sensitivity of 71.1% and a specificity of 73.1%. Beyond 1.45, the FIB-4 index was not informative. The FIB-4 index was more precise than the AST-to-platelet ratio index and correlated with the FibroTest in 89% of the cases (, = 0.27, P < 0.001) to exclude severe fibrosis. Conclusion, The FIB-4 index is a simple, accurate and inexpensive method to exclude significant liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B, a major advantage in HBV-endemic developing countries. [source] Validation of macroscopic maturity stages according to microscopic histological examination for European anchovyMARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 2009Rosalia Ferreri Abstract The identification and classification of macroscopic maturity stages plays a key role in the assessment of small pelagic fishery resources. The main scientific international commissions strongly recommend standardizing methodologies across countries and scientists. Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of uncertainty concerning macroscopic identification, which remains to be validated. The current paper analyses reproductive data of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L. 1758), collected during three summer surveys (2001, 2005 and 2006) in the Strait of Sicily, to evaluate the uncertainty in the macroscopic maturity stage identification and the reliability of the macroscopic adopted scale. On board the survey vessels, the maturity stage of each fish was determined macroscopically by means of an adopted maturity scale subdivided in six stages. Later, at the laboratory, the gonads were prepared for histological examination. The histological slides were analysed, finally assigning the six maturity stages for macroscopic examinations. A correspondence table was obtained with the proportion and number of matches between the two methods. The results highlight critical aspects in the ascription of macroscopic maturity stages, particularly for the present research aim. Different recommendations were evaluated depending on the scope of the study conducted on maturity (e.g. daily egg production, fecundity and maturity ogive computation). The most interesting results concern the misclassification of stage IV and stages III and V (the most abundant), which confirms their macroscopic similarity. Although the results are based on a small number of samples, the advantages and disadvantages of macroscopic and histological methods are discussed with the aim to increase the accuracy of correct identification and to standardize macroscopic maturity ascription criteria. [source] Anaphylaxis during anaesthesia: diagnostic approachALLERGY, Issue 5 2007D. G. Ebo Correct management of anaphylaxis during anaesthesia requires a multidisciplinary approach with prompt recognition and treatment of the acute event by the attending anaesthesiologist, and subsequent determination of the responsible agent(s) with strict avoidance of subsequent administration of all incriminated and/or cross-reacting compounds. However, correct identification of the causative compound(s) and safe alternatives is not always straightforward and, too often, not done. This review is not intended to discuss acute management of anaesthesia-related anaphylaxis but summarizes the major causes of anaphylaxis during anaesthesia and the diagnostic approach of this rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Apart from general principles about the diagnostic approach, history taking and importance of tryptase quantification, more specific confirmatory diagnostic procedures are organized on the basis of the major causes of perioperative anaphylactic reactions. [source] The XMM-SSC survey of hard-spectrum XMM,Newton sources , I. Optically bright sourcesMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 4 2007M. J. Page ABSTRACT We present optical and X-ray data for a sample of serendipitous XMM,Newton sources that are selected to have 0.5,2 versus 2,4.5 keV X-ray hardness ratios which are harder than the X-ray background. The sources have 2,4.5 keV X-ray flux ,10,14 erg cm,2 s,1, and in this paper we examine a subsample of 42 optically bright (r < 21) sources; this subsample is 100 per cent spectroscopically identified. All but one of the optical counterparts are extragalactic, and we argue that the single exception, a Galactic M star, is probably a coincidental association rather than the correct identification of the X-ray source. The X-ray spectra of all the sources are consistent with heavily absorbed power laws (21.8 < log NH < 23.4), and all of them, including the two sources with 2,10 keV intrinsic luminosities of <1042 erg s,1, appear to be absorbed active galactic nuclei (AGN). The majority of the sources show only narrow emission lines in their optical spectra, implying that they are type 2 AGN. Three sources have 2,10 keV luminosities of >1044 erg s,1, and two of these sources have optical spectra which are dominated by narrow emission lines, that is, are type 2 QSOs. Only a small fraction of the sources (7/42) show broad optical emission lines, and all of these have NH < 1023 cm,2. This implies that ratios of X-ray absorption to optical/ultraviolet extinction equivalent to >100 times the Galactic gas-to-dust ratio are rare in AGN absorbers (at most a few per cent of the population), and may be restricted to broad absorption line QSOs. Seven objects appear to have an additional soft X-ray component in addition to the heavily absorbed power law; all seven are narrow emission-line objects with z < 0.3 and 2,10 keV intrinsic luminosities <1043 erg s,1. We consider the implications of our results in the light of the AGN unified scheme. We find that the soft components in narrow-line objects are consistent with the unified scheme provided that >4 per cent of broad-line AGN (BLAGN) have ionized absorbers that attenuate their soft X-ray flux by >50 per cent. In at least one of the X-ray-absorbed BLAGN in our sample the X-ray spectrum requires an ionized absorber, consistent with this picture. [source] (GATA)4 DNA fingerprinting identifies morphologically characterized ,San Marzano' tomato plantsPLANT BREEDING, Issue 2 2006R. Rao Abstract Currently, registration, protection and breeding of the ,San Marzano' tomato cultivar rely on a number of morphological descriptors. Its correct identification is essential in order to preserve this variety, which is highly valued and known worldwide, from an increasing number of similar cultivars with inferior organoleptic features. However, the identification of this cultivar on the exclusive basis of morpho-agronomic traits has some intrinsic limits and therefore, molecular signatures are required to efficiently discriminate plants and their fruits, and to characterize and make profitable use of the traditional accessions. The phenotype and genotype of 25 ,San Marzano' tomato accessions cultivated in the traditional area are characterized, along with the most popular peeling tomato cultivars, using a combination of DNA molecular analysis and morphological descriptors. (GATA)4 DNA fingerprinting proved to be a powerful tool for the analysis of the ,San Marzano' cultivar and in the description of the genetic inconsistencies present in the locally cultivated traditional ,San Marzano' collections. [source] Brief communication: Identification reassessment of the isolated tooth Krapina D58 through occlusal fingerprint analysisAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Luca Fiorenza Abstract High variability in the dentition of Homo can create uncertainties in the correct identification of isolated teeth. For instance, standard tooth identification criteria cannot determine with absolute certainty if an isolated tooth is a second or third maxillary molar. In this contribution, using occlusal fingerprint analysis, we reassess the identification of Krapina D58 (Homo neanderthalensis), which is catalogued as a third maxillary molar. We have hypothesized that the presence/absence of the distal occlusal wear facets can be used to differentiate second from third maxillary molars. The results obtained confirm our hypothesis, showing a significant difference between second and third maxillary molars. In particular we note the complete absence of Facets 7 and 10 in all third molars included in this analysis. The presence of these facets in Krapina D58 eliminates the possibility that it is a third maxillary molar. Consequently it should be reclassified as a second molar. Although this method is limited by the degree of dental wear (i.e., unworn teeth cannot be analyzed) and to individual molars in full occlusion, it can be used for tooth identification when other common criteria are not sufficient to discriminate between second and third maxillary molars. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:306,312, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] 3-[1-(4-Sulfamoylphenyl)-5- p -tolyl-1H -pyrazol-3-yl]propanoic acid and 3-[5-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-1H -pyrazol-3-yl]propanoic acid,dichloromethane,diethyl ether,water (2/0.72/1/1)ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 6 2009Isuru R. Kumarasinghe The syntheses of 3-[1-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-5- p -tolyl-1H -pyrazol-3-yl]propanoic acid, C19H19N3O4S, (I), and 3-[5-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-1H -pyrazol-3-yl]propanoic acid,dichloromethane,diethyl ether,water (2/0.72/1/1), 2C18H16BrN3O4S·0.72CH2Cl2·C4H10O·H2O, (II), are regiospecific. However, correct identification by spectroscopic techniques of the regioisomer formed is not trivial and single-crystal X-ray analysis provided the only means of unambiguous structure determination. Both structures make extensive use of hydrogen bonding and while compound (I) forms a straightforward unsolvated Z, = 1 structure, compound (II) crystallizes as an unusual mixed solvate, with two crystallographically unique molecules of the pyrazole derivative present in the asymmetric unit. The structure of (II) also features Br...Br interactions. [source] 3-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H -pyrazol-3-yl]propionic acid and the corresponding methyl esterACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 4 2009Isuru R. Kumarasinghe The synthesis of 3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H -pyrazol-3-yl]propionic acid, C19H17ClN2O3, (I), and its corresponding methyl ester, methyl 3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H -pyrazol-3-yl]propionate, C20H19ClN2O3, (II), is regiospecific. However, correct identification of the regioisomer formed by spectroscopic techniques is not trivial and single-crystal X-ray analysis provided the only means of unambiguous structure determination. Compound (I) crystallizes with Z, = 2. The propionic acid groups of the two crystallographically unique molecules form a hydrogen-bonded dimer, as is typical of carboxylic acid groups in the solid state. Conformational differences between the methoxybenzene and pyrazole rings give rise to two unique molecules. The structure of (II) features just one molecule in the asymmetric unit and the crystal packing makes greater use than (I) of weak C,H...A interactions, despite the lack of any functional groups for classical hydrogen bonding. [source] THE PROPERTIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF MARBLE FROM PROCONNESOS (MARMARA ISLAND, TURKEY): A NEW DATABASE INCLUDING ISOTOPIC, EPR AND PETROGRAPHIC DATA*ARCHAEOMETRY, Issue 5 2008D. ATTANASIO This paper reports an updated and enlarged archaeometric database of Proconnesos marbles with the aim of attaining more reliable inter- and intra-site identification. Quarry and artefact samples (n = 397) from 23 different quarrying areas were characterized using petrographic, isotopic and EPR results. The most distinct property of Proconnesos marbles is their extremely weak EPR intensity, associated with the low concentration of Mn2+impurities. This feature, supported by the contribution of other important isotopic and petrographic variables, forms the basis for the correct identification of Proconnesos marbles. Within the site the distribution of properties is relatively homogeneous; only limited intra-site discrimination is possible. All the experimental results, as well as the quarry samples are made available to other researchers willing to measure additional experimental properties, thus increasing the rate of within the site discrimination. Extensive survey has proved that, although about 10% of the samples exhibit maximum grain size below 1.0 mm, no locations exist where fine grained marbles could be intentionally quarried. The historical aspects of Proconnesos marble quarrying and usage are also discussed. [source] The management of idiopathic generalized epilepsiesACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2005S. R. Benbadis Idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) are a well defined group of epilepsies, with onset predominantly in childhood. Recent evidence suggests that IGEs may also be prevalent but under-diagnosed in adults. IGEs respond well to appropriate treatment and 80,90% of cases become fully controlled. However, correct identification of IGE and selection of a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug (AED) is crucial if cases of ,pseudo-intractability' are to be avoided. Preliminary evidence suggests that some of the newer AEDs are broad spectrum and may offer advantages in the treatment of IGEs. There is strong evidence that childhood-, adolescent- and adult-onset IGEs share biologic determinants and are best viewed as a spectrum or continuum of conditions. The diagnosis of IGE, even as a group, is very important for proper management. [source] Educational strategy to reduce medication errors in a neonatal intensive care unitACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2009Ainara Campino Abstract Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of a comprehensive preventive educational strategy on the number and type of drug errors in the prescription process in a regional neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Design: Medication errors during prescription were recorded in a 41 bed, level III regional neonatal unit by a pharmacist. Data were retrieved from handwritten doctor's orders and introduced at bedsite into an e-database. Each prescription, not related to enteral and parenteral nutrition and blood products, was evaluated for dosage, units, route and dosing interval. The study was developed in three phases: pilot phase to know the baseline drug error rate and estimate sample size; pre-intervention (4182 drug orders reviewed); and post-intervention seven months after a comprehensive preventive educational intervention consisting sessions about drug errors and study's aims was implemented. Results: After the preventive educational intervention was implemented, the prescription error rate and the percentage of registers with one or more incident decreased significantly from 20.7 to 3% (p < 0.001) and from 19.2 to 2.9% (p < 0.001), respectively. Simultaneously, an improvement in correct identification of the prescribing physician was registered (from 1.3 to 78.2%). The rest of items analysed were similar in both periods. Conclusion: The implementation of a structured preventive educational intervention for health professionals in a regional NICU reduced the medication error rate, possibly by the dissemination of a patient safety culture. [source] DATA ANALYSIS OF PENETROMETRIC FORCE/DISPLACEMENT CURVES FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF WHOLE APPLE FRUITSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 4 2005C. CAMPS ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to compare two chemometric approaches for characterizing the rheological properties of fruits from puncture test force/displacement curves. The first approach (parameter approach) computed six texture parameters from the curves, which were supposed to be representative of skin hardness, fruit deformation before skin rupture, flesh firmness and mechanical work needed to penetrate the fruit. The second approach (whole curve approach) used the whole digitized curve (300 data points) in further data processing. Two experimental studies were compared: first, the variability of the rheological parameters of five apple cultivars; second, the rheological variability that was characterized as a function of storage conditions. For both approaches, factorial discriminant analysis was applied to discriminate the fruits based on the measured rheological properties. The qualitative groups in factorial discriminant analysis were either the apple cultivar or the storage conditions (days and temperatures of storage). The tests were carried out using cross-validation procedures, making it possible to compute the number of fruits correctly identified. Thus the percentage of correct identification was 92% and 87% for using the parameter and the whole curve approaches, respectively. The discrimination of storage duration was less accurate for both approaches giving about 50% correct identifications. Comparison of the percentage of correct classifications based on the whole curve and the parameter approaches showed that the six computed parameters gave a good summary of the information present in the curve. The whole curve approach showed that some additional information, not present in the six parameters, may be appropriate for a complete description of the fruit rheology. [source] Eyewitness identification under stress in the London Dungeon,APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Tin Valentine Eyewitness experiments do not induce the stress experienced by victims of crime. It is important to understand the effect of stress if results of laboratory studies are to be generalised to victims and witnesses of real crimes, but previous research has shown a mixed picture. The ability of visitors to the London Dungeon to describe and identify somebody encountered in the Horror Labyrinth was investigated, as a function of their state anxiety. To validate the measure of state anxiety, participants wore a wireless heart rate monitor whilst in the labyrinth. High state anxiety was associated with a higher heart rate. Subsequently, visitors completed measures of their state anxiety experienced whilst in the labyrinth and a measure of trait anxiety. High state anxiety was associated with reporting fewer correct descriptors of the target person, more incorrect details and making fewer correct identifications from a lineup. There was no effect of trait anxiety on eyewitness memory. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Selection of lineup foils in operational contextsAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Stephen Darling It has been argued (Luus & Wells, 1991) that matching lineup foils to the description of the culprit, rather than the appearance of the suspect, brings benefits to witness performance on identification tasks, in particular by increasing the rate of correct identifications of the culprit. Recently, live identification procedures in the United Kingdom have been replaced by use of video. The reported research investigated whether use of description matching would improve lineup performance when implemented using this new video based system in an ecologically valid experiment. The effect of using moving rather than still video clips was also investigated. Participants witnessed a live staged incident, and attempted to identify the culprit later from police video lineups. Neither use of a description-matching strategy to select foils nor use of moving images produced a reliable improvement in performance for culprit present (CP) or culprit absent (CA) lineups. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Presentation procedures in lineups and mug books: a direct comparisonAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Hunter A. McAllister The purpose of this research was to replicate and to extend past findings that the best procedure for presenting lineup pictures is not the best procedure for presenting mug book pictures. Participants witnessed a videotape of a simulated crime that was followed by a lineup task for half the participants or a mug book task for the other half. The task factor was crossed with two other factors: (a) a presentation procedure factor,pictures presented one-at-a-time or grouped 12 per page and (b) a presence of the perpetrator factor,perpetrator present or absent in the viewed pictures. For perpetrator-absent conditions, the one-at-a time lineup procedure produced more correct rejections than the grouped lineup procedure replicating past results; however, for the mug book task the two presentation procedures did not differ. For perpetrator-present conditions, the grouped presentation procedure produced more correct identifications than the one-at-a time procedure in both lineups and mug books. The different pattern of results for lineups and mug books was explained in terms of differences in response criterion. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 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