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Hit Rate (hit + rate)
Selected AbstractsA genome-wide quantitative trait loci scan of neurocognitive performances in families with schizophreniaGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 7 2010Y.-J. Lien Patients with schizophrenia frequently display neurocognitive dysfunction, and genetic studies suggest it to be an endophenotype for schizophrenia. Genetic studies of such traits may thus help elucidate the biological pathways underlying genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia. This study aimed to identify loci influencing neurocognitive performance in schizophrenia. The sample comprised of 1207 affected individuals and 1035 unaffected individuals of Han Chinese ethnicity from 557 sib-pair families co-affected with DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition) schizophrenia. Subjects completed a face-to-face semi-structured interview, the continuous performance test (CPT) and the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST), and were genotyped with 386 microsatellite markers across the genome. A series of autosomal genome-wide multipoint nonparametric quantitative trait loci (QTL) linkage analysis were performed in affected individuals only. Determination of genome-wide empirical significance was performed using 1000 simulated genome scans. One linkage peak attaining genome-wide significance was identified: 12q24.32 for undegraded CPT hit rate [nonparametric linkage z (NPL-Z) scores = 3.32, genome-wide empirical P = 0.03]. This result was higher than the peak linkage signal obtained in the previous genome-wide scan using a dichotomous diagnosis of schizophrenia. The identification of 12q24.32 as a QTL has not been consistently implicated in previous linkage studies on schizophrenia, which suggests that the analysis of endophenotypes provides additional information from what is seen in analyses that rely on diagnoses. This region with linkage to a particular neurocognitive feature may inform functional hypotheses for further genetic studies for schizophrenia. [source] Modelling small-business credit scoring by using logistic regression, neural networks and decision treesINTELLIGENT SYSTEMS IN ACCOUNTING, FINANCE & MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2005Mirta Bensic Previous research on credit scoring that used statistical and intelligent methods was mostly focused on commercial and consumer lending. The main purpose of this paper is to extract important features for credit scoring in small-business lending on a dataset with specific transitional economic conditions using a relatively small dataset. To do this, we compare the accuracy of the best models extracted by different methodologies, such as logistic regression, neural networks (NNs), and CART decision trees. Four different NN algorithms are tested, including backpropagation, radial basis function network, probabilistic and learning vector quantization, by using the forward nonlinear variable selection strategy. Although the test of differences in proportion and McNemar's test do not show a statistically significant difference in the models tested, the probabilistic NN model produces the highest hit rate and the lowest type I error. According to the measures of association, the best NN model also shows the highest degree of association with the data, and it yields the lowest total relative cost of misclassification for all scenarios examined. The best model extracts a set of important features for small-business credit scoring for the observed sample, emphasizing credit programme characteristics, as well as entrepreneur's personal and business characteristics as the most important ones. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A unifying co-operative web caching architectureINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 6 2002Abdullah Abonamah Abstract Network caching of objects has become a standard way of reducing network traffic and latency in the web. However, web caches exhibit poor performance with a hit rate of about 30%. A solution to improve this hit rate is to have a group of proxies form co-operation where objects can be cached for later retrieval. A co-operative cache system includes protocols for hierarchical and transversal caching. The drawback of such a system lies in the resulting network load due to the number of messages that need to be exchanged to locate an object. This paper proposes a new co-operative web caching architecture, which unifies previous methods of web caching. Performance results shows that the architecture achieve up to 70% co-operative hit rate and accesses the cached object in at most two hops. Moreover, the architecture is scalable with low traffic and database overhead. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Screening for major depression in persons with HIV infection: the concurrent predictive validity of the Profile of Mood States Depression-Dejection ScaleINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2006Katherine Patterson Abstract Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is among the most prevalent but underdiagnosed psychiatric disorders in persons with HIV infection. Given the known adverse impact of comorbid MDD on HIV disease progression and health-related quality of life, it is important both for research and for efficient, effective clinical care, to validate existing screening measures that may discriminate between MDD and the somatic symptoms of HIV (such as fatigue). In the current study, we evaluated the concurrent predictive validity of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) Depression-Dejection scale in detecting current MDD in 310 persons with HIV infection. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) diagnosis of MDD and the Cognitive-Affective scale from the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-CA) served as comparative diagnostic and severity measures of depression, respectively. Results demonstrated that the POMS Depression-Dejection scale accurately classified persons with and without MDD SCID diagnoses, with an overall hit rate of 80%, sensitivity of 55%, specificity of 84%, and negative predictive power of 91% using a recommended cutpoint of 1.5 standard deviations above the normative mean. Moreover, the POMS performed comparably to the BDI-CA in classifying MDD. Findings support the predictive validity of the POMS Depression-Dejection scale as a screening instrument for MDD in persons with HIV disease. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] SARS-CoV protease inhibitors design using virtual screening method from natural products librariesJOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2005Bing Liu Abstract Two natural products databases, the marine natural products database (MNPD) and the traditional Chinese medicines database (TCMD), were used to find novel structures of potent SARS-CoV protease inhibitors through virtual screening. Before the procedure, the databases were filtered by Lipinski's ROF and Xu's extension rules. The results were analyzed by statistic methods to eliminate the bias in target-based database screening toward higher molecular weight compounds for enhancing the hit rate. Eighteen lead compounds were recommended by the screening procedure. They were useful for experimental scientists in prioritizing drug candidates and studying the interaction mechanism. The binding mechanism was also analyzed between the best screening compound and the SARS protein. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 484,490, 2005 [source] Field and Laboratory Alcohol Detection With 2 Types of Transdermal DevicesALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2009Paul R. Marques Background:, Two types of transdermal electrochemical sensors that detect alcohol at the skin surface were evaluated. One, the AMS SCRAMÔ device, is locked onto the ankle and is based on a fuel cell sensor; the other, a Giner WrisTASÔ device, worn on the wrist, is based on a proton exchange membrane. SCRAM is used by several court systems in the United States to monitor alcohol offenders, WrisTAS, a research prototype, is not commercially available. Methods:, The 2 devices were worn concurrently by 22 paid research subjects (15 men, 7 women), for a combined total of 96 weeks. Subjects participated in both laboratory-dosed drinking to a target of 0.08 g/dl blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and normal drinking on their own; all subjects were trained to use and carry a portable fuel-cell breath tester for BAC determinations. Overall 271 drinking episodes with BAC , 0.02 g/dl formed the signal for detection,60 from laboratory dosing, and 211 from self-dosed drinking, with BAC ranging from 0.02 to 0.230 g/dl (mean 0.077 g/dl). Results:, False negatives were defined as a transdermal alcohol concentration response equivalent <0.02 g/dl when BAC , 0.02 g/dl. The overall true-positive hit rate detected by WrisTAS was 24%. The low detection rate was due to erratic output and not recording during nearly 67% of all episodes; reportedly a chipset, not a sensor problem. SCRAM correctly detected 57% across all BAC events, with another 22% (total 79%) detected, but as <0.02 g/dl. When subjects dosed themselves to BAC , 0.08 g/dl, SCRAM correctly detected 88% of these events. SCRAM devices lost accuracy over time likely due to water accumulation in the sensor housing. Neither unit had false-positive problems when true BAC was <0.02 g/dl. Conclusions:, Each device had peculiarities that reduced performance, but both types are able to detect alcohol at the skin surface. With product improvements, transdermal sensing may become a valuable way to monitor the alcohol consumption of those who should be abstaining. [source] Measurement of development of cognitive and attention functions in children using continuous performance testPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 2 2008Noriko Kanaka ba Aim:, The development of attention function in children is still not sufficiently clear. Although it is difficult to objectively assess attention function, continuous performance tests (CPT) can be used to objectively assess cognitive function along with attention. The development of cognitive and attention functions was examined in children using a CPT. Methods:, A total of 541 healthy girls aged 5,12 years participated. Ten parameters were calculated: numbers of cancellations for either target stimuli (T-cancel) or non-target stimuli (N-cancel), numbers of omission errors (Omission) and commission errors (Commission), hit rate (Hit), false alarm rate (False), mean reaction time for correct response (RT), coefficient of variance for mean reaction time (CVRT), sensitivity index (d,), and ln,. Results:, The parameters were divided into three types based on pattern of change. T-cancel, False, and Commission, which are related to inhibition of response, N-cancel, Hit, and Omission, which are related to inattention to stimuli, and CVRT, which is related to stability of processing time, exhibited significant change until 5 or 6 years of age. d,, which is related to ability to discriminate between target or non-target, exhibited significant change until 8 years of age. RT, which is related to processing time, exhibited significant change until 11 years of age. ln, exhibited no significant differences among age groups. Conclusions:, These findings indicate that inhibition function, inattention to stimuli, and stability of processing time develop first. Discrimination ability subsequently increases based on these developments, and finally processing time is reduced. [source] Promoting crystallization of antibody,antigen complexes via microseed matrix screeningACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 8 2010Galina Obmolova The application of microseed matrix screening to the crystallization of antibody,antigen complexes is described for a set of antibodies that include mouse anti-IL-13 antibody C836, its humanized version H2L6 and an affinity-matured variant of H2L6, M1295. The Fab fragments of these antibodies were crystallized in complex with the antigen human IL-13. The initial crystallization screening for each of the three complexes included 192 conditions. Only one hit was observed for H2L6 and none were observed for the other two complexes. Matrix self-microseeding using these microcrystals yielded multiple hits under various conditions that were further optimized to grow diffraction-quality H2L6 crystals. The same H2L6 seeds were also successfully used to promote crystallization of the other two complexes. The M1295 crystals appeared to be isomorphous to those of H2L6, whereas the C836 crystals were in a different crystal form. These results are consistent with the concept that the conditions that are best for crystal growth may be different from those that favor nucleation. Microseed matrix screening using either a self-seeding or cross-seeding approach proved to be a fast, robust and reliable method not only for the refinement of crystallization conditions but also to promote crystal nucleation and increase the hit rate. [source] Affinity Ligand Selection from a Library of Small Molecules: Assay Development, Screening, and ApplicationBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 1 2005Lakshmi D. Saraswat A facile and cost-effective process for screening synthetic libraries for an affinity ligand is described. A high throughput 96-well plate filtration method was designed to screen both discrete compounds and mixtures of compounds attached to a solid support. Human serum albumin (HSA) was used as a target protein to demonstrate the proof of concept. Detection and quantitation by fluorescence was accomplished with the use of fluorescamine to conjugate the protein in the filtrate. It is found that mixtures demonstrating low average binding reflect an overall lower hit rate of the components, whereas deconvolution of mixtures with high protein binding consistently provides a high hit rate. This differs from many of the previous experiences screening solid-phase mixtures in which high false positive rates are noted to occur. A total of 100K compounds were tested: 25K as discrete samples and 75K as mixtures. An overall hit rate of 8% was observed. Secondary screening of compounds measured specificity, recovery, and dynamic binding capacity. The effectiveness of the method is illustrated using an affinity column made with a representative lead compound. A similar purity was achieved in a single-step purification of HSA from serum as compared to that obtained by two steps of ion-exchange chromatography. The process for primary screening of a large number of compounds is simple, inexpensive, and applicable to any soluble target protein of known or unknown function from crude mixtures and may have additional utility as a generic chemical affinity tool for the functional characterization of novel proteins emerging from proteomics work. [source] An event-related potential investigation of deficient inhibitory control in individuals with pathological Internet useACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA, Issue 5 2010Zhen-He Zhou Zhou Z-H, Yuan G-Z, Yao J-J, Li C, Cheng Z-H. An event-related potential investigation of deficient inhibitory control in individuals with pathological Internet use. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate deficient inhibitory control in individuals with pathological Internet use (PIU) using a visual go/no-go task by event-related potentials (ERPs). Methods: Subjects were 26 individuals with PIU and 26 controls. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) was used for measures of impulsivity. A go/no-go task involved eight different two-digit numerical stimuli. The response window was 1000 ms and the inter-trial-interval (ITI) was 1500 ms. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded when participants performed the task. Brain electrical source analysis (BESA) 5.2.0 was used to perform data analysis and the no-go N2 amplitude was analysed for investigation of inhibitory control. Results: BIS-11 total scores, attentional key and motor key scores in PIU group were higher than that of the control group. In the go/no-go task, false alarm rate of PIU group was higher, and hit rate was lower than that of the control group. A repeated measure ANOVA revealed a significant group, frontal electrode sites and group × frontal electrode sites main effect for N2 amplitudes of no-go conditions (for group: F = 3953, df = 1, p = 0.000; for frontal electrode sites: F = 541, df = 9, p = 0.000; for group × frontal electrode sites: F = 306, df = 9, p = 0.000), and a significant group, central electrode sites and group × central electrode sites main effect for N2 amplitudes of no-go conditions (for group: F = 9074, df = 1, p = 0.000; for central electrode sites: F = 163, df = 2, p = 0.000; for group × central electrode sites: F = 73, df = 2, p = 0.000). N2 amplitudes of no-go conditions were lower than those at control group. Conclusions: Individuals with PIU were more impulsive than controls and shared neuropsychological and ERPs characteristics of compulsive-impulsive spectrum disorder, which supports that PIU is an impulse disorder or at least related to impulse control disorder. [source] Rarebit perimetry and fovea test before and after cataract surgeryACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010Maria Nilsson ABSTRACT. Purpose:, To evaluate the effect of cataract on rarebit perimetry and the fovea test. Methods:, Twenty-five consecutive patients scheduled for cataract surgery (mean age 63.0 ± 7.9 years) were examined prior to and after cataract surgery with a complete ophthalmological examination. In addition, the rarebit perimetry (RBP) and the rarebit fovea test (RFT) were performed. Results:, Best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA, expressed in minimum angle of resolution (MAR)], RBP and RFT mean hit rate (MHR) improved significantly after cataract surgery. The relative pre,postsurgery difference was larger in the RFT [2.1 standard deviations (SDs)] compared to in BCVA (0.78 SDs). Seven patients had good BCVA (, 1.25) and RBP (83,99%) but low RFT (0,66%) before surgery. One patient with low preoperative BCVA (2.5) had a normal RFT (94%). Conclusion:, Cataract influenced both the RFT and RBP test, albeit the former more than the latter. The influence of cataract on RFT results, even when visual acuity is decreased only moderately, has to be taken into account when evaluating foveal function in patients with cataract. The larger relative change in RFT compared to BCVA values is thought to indicate that RFT is more sensitive for the effect of cataract. Therefore, RFT appears to be a sensitive test for visual disturbance and can presumably provide additional information at the preoperative evaluation of the patient. [source] Foveal function in children treated for amblyopiaACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010Pia Agervi Abstract. Purpose:, This study aimed to evaluate foveal function, using three different methods, in children treated for monocular amblyopia. Methods:, A sample of 24 otherwise healthy children with treated amblyopia and an age-matched control group of 25 healthy children were examined for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using a standard decimal (KM) chart and the computerized TriVA method at 50% and 10% contrasts. Foveal function was also measured with the rarebit fovea test (RFT), which is included in the rarebit perimetry program package. This test uses very small and bright dots against a dark background. The result is expressed as mean hit rate (MHR). Results:, Amblyopic eyes showed significantly lower BCVA when evaluated with the KM chart and with the TriVA test at different contrast levels, compared with both fellow eyes and control eyes. No statistically significant difference between amblyopic and fellow eyes was found when foveal function was evaluated with the RFT (median MHRs 91.5% and 94.5%, respectively), although results for both amblyopic and fellow eyes were statistically lower than those of the control group (median MHR 97%) (p = 0.001 and p = 0.046, respectively). This might indicate that the RFT provides different information about foveal function than conventional VA tests. Conclusions:, The findings in the current study accord with those of other studies reporting abnormalities in the fellow eyes of previously treated amblyopic patients. These findings may reflect a general disturbance in the visual system rather than a monocular adaptation to refractive error or ocular motor disturbance. [source] Visual fields and optic disc morphology in very low birthweight adolescents examined with magnetic resonance imaging of the brainACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 8 2009Kerstin Hellgren Abstract. Purpose:, We aimed to evaluate visual fields (VFs) and optic disc morphology in very low birthweight (VLBW) adolescents compared with age- and gender-matched controls, and to relate the findings to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. Methods:, Fifty-nine VLBW adolescents and 55 age- and gender-matched controls with normal birthweight were examined. Visual fields were tested using computerized rarebit perimetry (RB). Optic nerve and retinal vessel morphology were evaluated by digital image analysis of fundus photographs. Brain MRI was conducted in the VLBW subjects. Results:, Ten of the 57 VLBW subjects (p = 0.022) had subnormal VF results defined as a mean hit rate below the fifth percentile of the controls (i.e. < 89%). All of these also had significantly lower mean hit rates (p = 0.039) in the inferior hemifield. Sixteen of 57 (28%) VLBW subjects had white matter damage of immaturity (WMDI) on MRI. Six of 15 subjects with WMDI (who underwent VF testing) also had subnormal RB results, compared with four of 39 with normal MRI findings (p = 0.02). The mean neural retinal rim area was 9% smaller (p = 0.018) in the VLBW group than in the control group. The VLBW adolescents had a significantly higher index for tortuosity of arterioles than the controls (p < 0.001). Conclusions:, In the present study, 18% of all VLBW adolescents and 40% of those with WMDI had subnormal RB VF findings. The VLBW group had increased arterial tortuosity and a somewhat smaller (9%) mean neural retinal rim area than the control group. Thus sequels to VLBW appear to persist in adolescence. [source] Macular abnormalities and the Rarebit Fovea TestACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2007L MARTIN Purpose: To describe Rarebit Fovea Test (RFT) findings in healthy subjects with normal best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular abnormalities, observed in fundus photographs Methods: Forty-two healthy subjects, mean age 40 years (SD 10), were recruited as controls in a previous study. Selection criteria were BCVA , 1.0, refractive error within +/- 6 D, no ophthalmic or systemic disease. Reported here are RFT and fundus photography findings, and retinal thickness measurement values using optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec Int.). Results: Fifteen of the 42 subjects had visible macular changes in the fundus photographs; 10 had drusen and 5 pigment epithelium defects. Mean RFT mean hit rate (MHR) was 99+/-2%. Two subjects had MHR 91% and 96%, respectively, i.e. below the pre-defined limit for normality (97%). The subject with a MHR of 91% had drusen, the one with 96% had normal fundus. OCT values were within normal limits in all subjects (center zone mean 212.41 ,m, SD 19.35, range 166-257, inner perifoveal zone mean 238.99 SD 13.34, range 258.3-308.5 and outer perifoveal zone 241.53 SD 11.54, range 218-267.8). In the subject with RFT MHR 91% corresponding values were 228 ,m, 288.5,m and 249.3 ,m and in the subject with RFT MHT 96% 211,m, 279.8,m and 231.8,m, respectively, well inside the normal range. Conclusions: The Rarebit Fovea Test may be useful for discriminating between age-related macular changes with and without detrimental effects on visual function. [source] Eye remember you two: gaze direction modulates face recognition in a developmental studyDEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE, Issue 5 2006Alastair D. Smith The effects of gaze direction on memory for faces were studied in children from three different age groups (6,7, 8,9, and 10,11 years old) using a computerized version of a task devised by Hood, Macrae, Cole-Davies and Dias (2003). Participants were presented with a sequence of faces in an encoding phase, and were then required to judge which faces they had previously encountered in a surprise two-alternative forced-choice recognition test. In one condition, stimulus eye gaze was either direct or deviated at the viewing phase, and eyes were closed at the test phase. In another condition, stimulus eyes were closed at the viewing phase, with either direct or deviated gaze at the test phase. Modulation of gaze direction affected hit rates, with participants demonstrating greater accuracy for direct gaze targets compared to deviated gaze targets in both conditions. Reaction times (RT) to correctly recognized stimuli were faster for direct gaze stimuli at the viewing phase, but not at the test phase. The age group of participants differentially affected these measures: there was a greater hit rate advantage for direct gaze stimuli in older children, although RTs were less affected by age. These findings suggest that while the facilitation of face recognition by gaze direction is robust across encoding and recognition stages, the efficiency of the process is affected by the stage at which gaze is modulated. [source] Recollective experience in alcohol dependence: a laboratory studyADDICTION, Issue 12 2008Patrizia Thoma ABSTRACT Aims Alcohol dependence has been linked to dysfunction of fronto-temporo-striatal circuits which mediate memory and executive function. The present study aimed to explore the specificity of recognition memory changes in alcohol dependence. Design, setting and participants Twenty hospitalized alcohol-dependent detoxified patients and 20 healthy control subjects completed a verbal list discrimination task. Measurements Hits and false alarm rates were analysed. Additionally, both the dual process signal detection model (DPSD) and the process dissociation procedure (PDP) were used to derive estimates of the contribution of recollection and familiarity processes to the recognition memory performance in patients and controls. Findings Alcohol-dependent patients showed intact hit rates, but increased false alarm rates and an impaired ability to remember the learning context. Both the DPSD model and PDP estimates yielded significantly reduced recollection estimates in the alcohol-dependent compared to control subjects. Whether or not familiarity was impaired, depended upon the sensitivity of the estimation procedure. Conclusion Taken together, the result pattern suggests a significant impairment in recollection and mild familiarity changes in recently detoxified, predominantly male, alcohol-dependent subjects. [source] Caffeine (4,mg/kg) influences sustained attention and delayed free recall but not memory predictionsHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 4 2001William L. Kelemen Abstract This experiment was conducted to examine the influence of a moderate dose of caffeine (4,mg/kg) on delayed memory, metamemory, and sustained attention. One hundred and forty-two volunteers ingested either caffeine or placebo during a study session which included three different memory tasks (free recall, cued recall, and recognition), and they made predictions of future memory performance. On day 2, participants again ingested either caffeine or placebo and completed memory tests. Sustained attention performance was measured on both days, and caffeine reliably improved hit rates and response latencies. A reliable drug-state interaction was detected only in the free recall test of memory. Caffeine did not affect the magnitude or accuracy of memory predictions, but there was some evidence that expectancies about caffeine were related to cognitive performance. Overall, caffeine's impact on memory and metamemory was not robust in this study. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Visual fields and optic disc morphology in very low birthweight adolescents examined with magnetic resonance imaging of the brainACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 8 2009Kerstin Hellgren Abstract. Purpose:, We aimed to evaluate visual fields (VFs) and optic disc morphology in very low birthweight (VLBW) adolescents compared with age- and gender-matched controls, and to relate the findings to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. Methods:, Fifty-nine VLBW adolescents and 55 age- and gender-matched controls with normal birthweight were examined. Visual fields were tested using computerized rarebit perimetry (RB). Optic nerve and retinal vessel morphology were evaluated by digital image analysis of fundus photographs. Brain MRI was conducted in the VLBW subjects. Results:, Ten of the 57 VLBW subjects (p = 0.022) had subnormal VF results defined as a mean hit rate below the fifth percentile of the controls (i.e. < 89%). All of these also had significantly lower mean hit rates (p = 0.039) in the inferior hemifield. Sixteen of 57 (28%) VLBW subjects had white matter damage of immaturity (WMDI) on MRI. Six of 15 subjects with WMDI (who underwent VF testing) also had subnormal RB results, compared with four of 39 with normal MRI findings (p = 0.02). The mean neural retinal rim area was 9% smaller (p = 0.018) in the VLBW group than in the control group. The VLBW adolescents had a significantly higher index for tortuosity of arterioles than the controls (p < 0.001). Conclusions:, In the present study, 18% of all VLBW adolescents and 40% of those with WMDI had subnormal RB VF findings. The VLBW group had increased arterial tortuosity and a somewhat smaller (9%) mean neural retinal rim area than the control group. Thus sequels to VLBW appear to persist in adolescence. [source] Audit of local performance compared with standards recommended by the national guidelines for aetiologic investigation of permanent childhood hearing impairmentCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2005S. Yoong Abstract Background National guidelines for aetiologic investigation of childhood deafness were developed as the Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NHSP) was being implemented in the United Kingdom. This guidance document was expected to be incorporated into the operational procedure of the NHSP. Method This criterion-based audit compared local care set against developed guidelines that can be used to assess the appropriateness of specific investigations, services and outcomes. Data on children diagnosed to have sensorineural deafness from March 2002,2004 were extracted from an established computerized database for analysis. Results Forty-seven children were included; 17 have bilateral severe to profound hearing loss, 25 have bilateral mild to moderate loss and 5 with unilateral loss. A high proportion of Pakistani children were from consanguineous marriages with a family history of deafness. Total 29.8% of children were diagnosed through newborn screening and 70.2% detected through hearing surveillance programmes. For children with bilateral severe to profound deafness, 53.0% accepted, 5.9% declined and 41.2% were not offered imaging of their inner ears. A total of 47.1% accepted and 52.9% declined electrocardiograph (ECG) evaluation. Total 70.6% accepted and 29.4% declined connexin mutations testing. Parental requests were required for those with lesser degree of hearing loss. Total 24% accepted, 28% declined and 48% were not offered connexin testing. None were offered ECG and imaging. Testing for congenital infections was inappropriate for children over 1 year old. Ten subjects accepted and five declined this investigation. In the total group, 63.8% accepted, 17.0% declined and 19.1% were not offered referral to the ophthalmic service. Total 46.8% accepted, 44.7% declined and 8.5% were not offered referral to genetics service. Investigations resulted in two connexin-positive children with moderate loss. Conclusion Our study identified key areas where guidelines were not followed. These were related to lack of funding and parental choice. This sample has a higher connexin ,hit' rate for lesser degree deafness. [source] | ||||||||||||||||