			Home About us Contact

Immunological Test (immunological + test)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	87%

Selected Abstracts

Cost-effectiveness analysis of two strategies for mass screening for colorectal cancer in France

HEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2004
Célia Berchi
Abstract The implementation of colorectal cancer mass screening is a high public health priority in France, as in most other industrialised countries. Despite evidences that screening using guaiac fecal occult blood test may reduce colorectal cancer mortality, no European country has organised widespread mass screening with this test. The low sensitivity of this test constitutes its main limitation. Immunological tests, which provide higher sensitivity than the guaiac test, may constitute a satisfactory alternative. This study was carried out to compare the costs and the effectiveness of 20 years of biennial colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with an automated reading immunological test (Magstream) with those obtained with a guaiac stool test (Haemoccult). The model used to estimate the costs and effectiveness of successive biennial CRC screening campaigns was a transitional probabilistic model. The parameters used in this model concerning costs and CRC epidemiological data were calculated from results obtained in the screening program run in Calvados or from published results of foreign studies because of the lack of French studies. The use of Magstream for 20 years of biennial screening costs 59 euros more than Haemoccult per target individual, and should lead to a mean increase in individual life expectancy of 0.0198 years (i.e. about one week), which corresponds to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 2980 euros per years of life saved. Our results suggest that using an immunological test could increase the effectiveness of CRC screening at a reasonable cost for society. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Immunological response to mistletoe (Viscum album L.) in cancer patients: a four-case series

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009
Nilo Esvalter Gardin
Abstract European mistletoe (Viscum album) has been used in complementary cancer treatment, but little is known concerning its effects on immunological parameters, although there is evidence that Viscum may stimulate the immune system. In this study, a trial was conducted with cancer patients to determine whether Viscum album extracts could improve the results of immune tests. These were: white blood cell count (leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes), CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, intradermal tests of delayed hypersensitivity (candidin, trichophytin, purified protein derivative-PPD), complement C3 and C4, and immunoglobulin A, G and M. Four patients received seven doses of subcutaneous Viscum album 20 mg, twice weekly. Immunological tests were carried out before and after treatment, and an increase in several parameters of humoral and cellular immunity were shown. Apart from reactions around the injection sites, treatment was well tolerated and all patients benefited from it. These results suggest that Viscum album can enhance humoral and cellular immune responses in cancer patients, but further studies attesting to the possible clinical impact of these immunological effects are necessary. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Cost-effectiveness analysis of two strategies for mass screening for colorectal cancer in France

Performance assessment under field conditions of a rapid immunological test for transgenic soybeans

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2001
John Fagan
Summary Current market conditions and food regulations make it necessary for international and domestic participants in the agrifood industry to structure supply chains that control the content of genetically modified (GM) material in their products. Tests to detect and/or quantify GM components represent an important tool in maintaining such supply systems. This study assesses the field performance of kits that employ lateral flow immuno-technology to detect soybeans GM to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. Operators at 23 grain-handling facilities were paid to conduct analyses on a series of blinded samples containing defined proportions of conventional and transgenic soybeans. The observed rate of false positives was 6.7% in an experiment in which the highest level of GM material was 1% and 22.3% in a second experiment in which the highest level of GM material was 10%. This difference may be attributed to increased risk of cross-contamination with the higher level of transgenic material used in the second study. Samples containing 0.01% GM material were reported as genetically modified 6.70% of the time, while samples containing 0.1, 0.5 and 1% GM material were classified as genetically modified 29.5, 67.7 and 68.2% of the time, respectively. Thus, the frequencies of false negatives were 93.3, 70.5, 33.3 and 31.8% for samples containing 0.01, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0% GM material. Samples containing 10% GM material were correctly reported as genetically modified in all cases. These results lead to the conclusion that the kit under study is useful in screening for lots of soybeans that contain high levels of GM material, but that, as a field tool, it is not effective in monitoring for GM material at the level of 1.0% or lower. Statistical and immunochemical analyses were carried out in order to assess the relative contributions of various factors to the error observed in these studies. These analyses indicated that limitations in operator performance, not defects in test kit materials, were the primary contributors, while sample size may play a secondary role. As both operator performance and sample size are independent of the specific characteristics of the test kit used in this study, it appears justifiable to generalize conclusions obtained here to other similar test systems. [source]

Cellular and biochemical markers in semen indicating male accessory gland inflammation

ANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2003
W. Krause
Summary. Leucocytospermia is considered to be a sign of male accessory gland inflammation. The leucocytes in semen are mainly polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes. Leucocytospermia is not associated with the presence of bacteria and antibiotic treatment does not significantly lower the extent of leucocytospermia. A higher frequency of elevated herpes simplex antibodies titres were found in men with leucocytospermia. The concentration of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 and -8, is closely correlated with the number of leucocytes. Their determination does not provide additional information. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated at least in part by seminal leucocytes in response to stimulating factors. Purified leucocytes produce high levels of ROS. The determination of ROS appears to represent a parameter of functional activity of leucocytes. The role of chlamydiae in male accessory gland infection is unclear. Their determination in semen by DNA amplification and by immunological tests does not provide reliable results. [source]

Psychological factors, immune function and recovery from major surgery

ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA, Issue 4 2009
Ute Vollmer-Conna
Objective: This study used a prospective design and the technique of structural modelling to examine the complex interrelations between psychological factors, immune status and complications after major surgery. Methods: Twenty-nine women scheduled for elective cholecystectomy were studied prospectively. Information regarding medical history, health practices, life stressors, and coping strategies was obtained two weeks prior to admission. At this initial meeting, as well as three days after surgery, and at one month follow-up immunological tests were performed and the level of psychological distress was assessed. The study additionally included measures of post-operative complications, and infections and negative effect during follow-up. Results: Pre-operative immune status emerged as a key variable exerting strong effects on subsequent immune function and, thereby producing significant, indirect effects on every recovery variable. Pre-operative distress was directly linked to increased mood disturbance at follow-up. Moreover, distress significantly influenced immune function both before and after surgery, which mediated a significant impact on most recovery variables. Active coping behaviour directly increased the risk of a complicated recovery. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that distress-induced changes in immune functioning have clinical relevance. Overall, the present findings suggest that recovery from surgery is facilitated in patients with a well-functioning immune system, a low-level of pre-operative distress and a passive coping disposition. [source]

Childhood stroke in Eastern Province, KSA: pattern, risk factors, diagnosis and outcome

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 10 2009
Abdelhady Taha Emam
Abstract Background and purpose:, Stroke has been increasingly recognized in children in recent years, but diagnosis and management can be difficult because of the diversity of underlying risk factors, atypical presentation and the absence of a uniform treatment approach. The aim of this study was to examine risk factors, clinical presentation, imaging findings and outcomes of paediatric stroke in Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Subjects and methods:, We evaluated 25 patients (11 boys and 14 girls) using computerized tomography scan of the brain, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography. Cardiac assessment, haematological tests, immunological tests, infection and metabolic screening were also performed in the patients. After discharge, the patients were monitored regularly in the neurology clinic to detect their outcomes. Results:, A total of 76% of the patients presented with ischaemic stroke, while the remaining 24% had haemorrhagic stroke. Sickle cell disease (SCD) was the commonest risk factor for stroke (36%) followed by non determinate causes (20%). Seizure was the commonest clinical presentation (54%) followed by haemiplegia (31%) and decreased level of consciousness (30%). Recurrence occurred in SCD patients (80%) and patients with moyamoya disease (20%). Regarding the outcome, long-term deficit was the commonest (44%), while short-term deficit and death were equal (28% each). Conclusion:, Our study in Eastern Province, KSA, showed agreement with other studies regarding risk factors, clinical presentation, imaging features and outcomes of stroke in children, yet with some points of differences, which are as follows: (1) SCD is the commonest risk factor in our study population, while in Chinese study it was not, (2) The percentage of cardiac disorders as a risk factor in this study was less than that in the European and American studies, and (3) there was relative discrepancy regarding predictors of outcome. [source]