• Title/Summary/Keyword: Screening test performance

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Studies on the Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) Card Test for the Diagnosis of Syphilis (매독진단(梅毒診斷)을 위(爲)한 신속(迅速)한 혈장항체검사법(血漿抗體檢査法)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Kim, Joo-Deuk;Lew, Joon;Kim, Hyun-Joo
    • The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.15-23
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    • 1968
  • For the effective control of Syphilis, many investigators have developed a more rapid, simple and economical screening serological test which is adequately sensitive and specific. To fulfill the requirements of a more rapid serologic test for syphlis, a substitute for the conventional serum specimen was needed since considerable time and labor are involved in the processing of blood to serum. Burdon suggested the use of plasma in the serologic tests for syphilis as a substitute for serum. He noticed that plasma was more sensitive than serum in the Kline and Kahn tests, and attributed this to the presence of more antibody-like substance, "reagin" in plasma than in serum. However, to make plasma sufficiently sensitive, it was necessary to inactivate plasma by heating at a temperature of $56^{\circ}C$ for about 30 minutes. Heating of plasma resulted in the precipitation of fibrinogen which made centrifugation necessary to obtain dear plasma. Since the chief disadvantage to the use of unheated plasma(or serum) was a reduction in sensitivity of results-which probably was due to a labile factor such as complement-Portnoy et al began to consider rapid chemical methods of inactivation of plasma(or serum). They experienced that choline chloirde was shown to be anticomplementary which suggested its use as an inactivating agent for unheated plasma(or serum). In 1959 Portnoy et al reported the Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) Test for syphilis which is a more rapid, economical and simple. But still this test has many disadvantages as a rapid performing, field and office procedure, because it requires the usual laboratory equipments such as centrifuge, rotating machine, microscope etc. To substitute these disadvantages of the RPR test, in 1962, Portnoy et al developed the Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) card test for syphilis, which has the following advantages: a) Simplicity and rapidity of performance, b) Requires no laboratory equipments, c) Stable antigen suspension, d) Adequate sensitivity and specificity. This RPR card test can be used as a rapidly performing and screening test in field investigation, outpatient clinics, small laboratories and hospitals doing limited syphilis serology, and predonor in blood bank. Private clinic which has limited laboratory equipment and technic for syphilis serology can also use this RPR card test as a tool in the rapid diagnosis of syphilis. It was thought that this RPR card test is a useful tool in Korea for private physician and mass survey for syphilis diagnosis. But Portnoy patented the reagents needed for the performing the RPR card test. Therefore authors developed newly the reagents and according to Portnoy's method evaluated the newly developed. RPR card test compared with the VDRL, Kolmer CF, and RPCF tests. The RPR card and VDRL tests were performed plasma and serum from the total 1,132 cases. Among these 1,131 cases, 521 were syphilis suspected laboratory specimens, and 611 were syphilis unsuspected healthy young men. After screening with these two tests, the RPR card and VDRL tests, reactive specimens to the above one or both tests were retested by the Kolmer CF and RPCF tests.

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Effectiveness of Ultrasonographic Screening for Thyroid Cancer: Round-table Conference in the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) in conjunction with the Korean Thyroid Association

  • Shin, Sangjin;Park, Sae Eun;Kim, Soo Young;Hyun, Min Kyung;Kim, Sun Wook;Kwon, Jin Won;Kim, Yeol;Kim, Won Bae;Na, Dong Gyu;Park, Hyun-Ah;Sheen, Seung Soo;Yi, Ka Hee;Chang, Hang-Seok;Cho, Jung Jin;Chung, Jae Hoon
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.12
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    • pp.5107-5110
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    • 2014
  • Background: The incidence rate of thyroid cancer has been increasing worldwide in recent years, and it is also the most prevalent cancer when it comes to the number of patients among Korean women. With it, ultrasonographic screening test has also become very common. However, there is still controversy over the performance of this screening test. Therefore, the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) organized a Round-table Conference on the issues regarding ultrasonographic screening for thyroid cancer in Korea. The objective of the conference was mainly about delivering worthwhile information reflecting social value for the current situation, which was based on evidence surrounding thyroid cancer screening that relevant experts investigated and agreed on. The significance of this Round-table Conference lies in the fact that we reviewed the current evidence, and we were able to discuss the social value and future direction for ultrasonographic screening in Korea.

Current Trend in Use of Occupational Therapy Assessment Tool by Pediatric Occupational Therapist (국내 아동 작업치료사의 평가도구 사용 동향)

  • Lee, Sun-Hee;Hong, Cho-Rong;Park, Hae Yean
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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    • v.16 no.3
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    • pp.23-33
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    • 2018
  • Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate trend in use of occupational therapy assessment tools used by pediatric occupational therapist. Methods : Survey questionnaire developed for this study were used to for data collection. The questionnaires are divided into 10 area: occupational performance, activities of daily living, education, play, sensory-perceptual, motor and praxis, cognition, social interaction skills, development, and physical examination. Total 105 responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics analysis and frequency analysis. Results : For the general process of evaluation in pediatric occupational therapy, major response on the initial evaluation time was 30~60minutes (41.9%), and major response on the re-evaluation period was 3~6months (41.0%). The major assessment tool for each area Canadian Occupation Performance Measure (55.2%) for occupational performance assessments, Wee Functional Independence Measure (57.1%) for activities of daily living assessments, School Function Assessment (2.5%) for education assessments, Knox Preschool Play Scale (28.6%) for play assessments, Developmental Test of Visual Perception (94.3%) for sensory-perceptual assessments, Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (42.9%) for motor and praxis assessments, Evaluation of Social Interaction (6.1%) for social interaction skills assessments, Denver Developmental Screening Test (92.4%) for development assessments, Clinical Observation (89.5%) for physical examination assessments. Conclusion : The study identified the most assessment tools used for specific area by pediatric occupational therapists. The results can be used as a basic data to educate about pediatric occupational therapy evaluation, as well as to develop new assessment tools in pediatric setting in future.

Comparative Efficacy of Four Imaging Instruments for Breast Cancer Screening

  • Mehnati, Parinaz;Tirtash, Maede Jafari
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.15
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    • pp.6177-6186
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    • 2015
  • Sensitivity and specificity are the two most important indicators in selection of medical imaging devices for cancer screening. Breast images taken by conventional or digital mammography, ultrasound, MRI and optical mammography were collected from 2,143,852 patients. They were then studied and compared for sensitivity and specificity results. Optical mammography had the highest sensitivity (p<0.001 and p<0.006) except with MRI. Digital mammography had the highest specificity for breast cancer imaging. A comparison of specificity between digital mammography and optical mammography was significant (p<0.021). If two or more breast diagnostic imaging tests are requested the overall sensitivity and specificity will increase. In this literature review study patients at high-risk of breast cancer were studied beside normal or sensitive women. The image modality performance of each breast test was compared for each.

Performance of the Immunoglobulin G Avidity and Enzyme Immunoassay IgG/IgM Screening Tests for Differentiation of the Clinical Spectrum of Toxoplasmosis

  • Tanyuksel, Mehmet;Guney, Cakir;Araz, Engin;Saracli, M.Ali;Doganci, Levent
    • Journal of Microbiology
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    • v.42 no.3
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    • pp.211-215
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    • 2004
  • Toxoplasmosis has been well known as an important human infection to consider especially in pregnant women. Although many serologic methods are available, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis can be extremely difficult. The presence of increased levels of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies indicates an infection, but it does not differentiate between a recent and past infection. The purpose of our study was to compare the performance of the ELISA T. gondii IgG/IgM test, a widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, to the ELISA IgG avidity method. One hundred and four serum samples (from 38 males and 66 females) were tested and evaluated from symptomatic patients (chorioretinitis, lymphadenopathy), and from women in their first trimester of pregnancy who were suspected of having toxoplasmosis, The high IgG avidity and ELISA IgG antibody levels were in agreement for 51 of the specimens (49.0%). Thirty-eight discrepant (borderline) results from the IgG avidity method were positive for IgM (3 specimens) and IgG (37 specimens). Interestingly, out of the eight serum samples that were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies, two samples were low IgG avidity, and three samples were borderline. There was no statistically significant relation observed between the results of the IgG avidity method and the ELISA IgG test, and the IgG avidity method and ELISA IgM test (X$^2$=1.987; p=0.370 and X$^2$=2.152; p=0.341, respectively). The IgG avidity method was considered easy to perform and an acceptable approach for the differentiation of discrepant results (recent/chronic) and for the current detection of T. gondii antibodies. We concluded that the determination of IgG avidity is a helpful tool for the diagnosis of the ocular form of toxoplasmosis and it is a safe method for screening this disease in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Analysis for Performance Deviation of Individual Cells in a Multi-Cell Test System for Rapid-Screening of Electrode Materials in PEMFCs (고분자전해질 연료전지용 전극물질의 빠른 스크리닝을 위한 멀티셀 테스트 시스템에서 개별셀의 성능편차에 대한 분석)

  • Zhang, Yan;Lee, Ji-Jung;Park, Gyung-Se;Lee, Hong-Ki;Shim, Joong-Pyo
    • Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.842-851
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    • 2011
  • A multi-cell test system with 25 independent cells is used to test different electrode materials simultaneously for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Twenty-five segmented membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) having the same or different Pt-loading are prepared to analyze the performance deviation of cells in the multi-cell test system. Improvements in the multi-cell test system are made by ensuring that the system performs voltage sensing for the cells individually and inserting optimum gaskets between the MEAs and the graphite plates. The cell performances are improved and their deviations are significantly decreased by these modifications. The performance deviations changed according to various cell configurations because the operating conditions of the cells, such as the gas flow and concentration, differed. This cell system can be used to test multiple electrodes simultaneously because it shows relatively uniform performance under the same conditions as well as linear correlation with various catalyst loadings.

Screening in the Era of Economic Crisis: Misperceptions and Misuse from a Longitudinal Study on Greek Women Undergoing Benign Vacuum-assisted Breast Biopsy

  • Domeyer, Philip John;Sergentanis, Theodoros Nikolaos;Katsari, Vasiliki;Souliotis, Kyriakos;Mariolis, Anargiros;Zagouri, Flora;Zografos, George Constantine
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.14 no.9
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    • pp.5023-5029
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    • 2013
  • Background: To evaluate knowledge about screening tests and tests without proven screening value in a Greek Breast Unit population undergoing benign vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB). Materials and Methods: This study included 81 patients. Three knowledge-oriented items (recommended or not, screening frequency, age of onset) were assessed. Regarding screening tests two levels of knowledge were evaluated: i). crude knowledge (CK), i.e. knowledge that the test is recommended and ii). advanced knowledge (AK), i.e. correct response to all three knowledge-oriented items. Solely CK was evaluated for tests without proven screening value. Risk factors for lack of knowledge were assessed with multivariate logistic regression. A second questionnaire was administered 18 months after VABB to assess its impact on the performance of tests. Results: Concerning screening tests considerable lack of AK was noted (mammogram, 60.5%; Pap smear, 59.3%; fecal occult blood testing, 93.8%; sigmoidoscopy, 95.1%). Similarly lack of CK was documented regarding tests without proven screening value (breast self-examination, 92.6%; breast MRI, 60.5%; abdominal ultrasound, 71.6%; barium meal, 48.1%; urine analysis, 90.1%; chest X-Ray, 69.1%; electrocardiogram, 74.1%; cardiac ultrasound, 75.3%). Risk factors for lack of AK were: place of residence (mammogram), age (Pap smear), personal income (sigmoidoscopy); risk factors for lack of CK included number of offspring (breast MRI, chest X-Ray), BMI (abdominal ultrasound), marital status (urine analysis), current smoking status (electrocardiogram). VABB's only effect was improvement in mammogram rates. Conclusions: A considerable lack of knowledge concerning screening tests and misperceptions regarding those without proven value was documented.

A Study on Doping Test of Bojungchisheup-tang (보중치습탕(補中治濕湯)의 도핑검사 대상약물(對象藥物)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Kim, Sung-Yong;Geum, Dong-Ho;Lee, Myeong-Jong
    • Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.289-319
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    • 1997
  • Non-medical use of drugs to enhance performance at Olympic Games by athletes has been prohibited by the International Olympic Committee(IOC) since 1968 on medical and ethical grounds. IOC wants to protect athlete from harmful side effect of drugs due to misuse of it. It also, ethically, wants to have Games run on fair base, not fortified by performance enhancing drugs, The banned substances include stimulants, narcotic analgesics, anabolic sterolds, ${\beta}-blockers$ and diuretics. In order to prevent the positive reaction in the doping test induced by herb medicine, this study was done on about Bojungchisheup-tang. The laboratory set up doping analyses methods to cover as many drugs as possible without sacrificing sensitivity and specificity within one procedure. Its screening method consisted of four different procedures. The results were negative. According to the above results, Bojungchisheup-tang taken by athletes would show the negative reaction in the doping test. So its prescription for athletes can be given without worries of the doping test.

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A Study on the Performance Evaluation of Moisture Transfer in Clothing under Wearing Conditions -Evaluation by Covaltous Chloride Method- (의복 착용시 의복의 수분전달성능 평가에 대한 연구 -염화 코발트 법을 이용한 평가-)

  • 홍경희
    • Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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    • v.27 no.4
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    • pp.41-50
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    • 1989
  • Cobaltous Chloride method has been known as a sufficiently good test methodolgy for the dynamic moisture transfer through textile fabrics. In the current study, Cobaltous Chloride method was adopted and modified to test dynamic moisture transfer in clothing under actual wearing conditions. It was possible to test the significant difference between fabric types by controlling the position of CoCl2 impregnated swatch (LD type), time scale of the moisture transfer (within 10 mins), experimental design (split plot desing) and other miscellaneous experimental techniques. As results, it was concluded that Cobaltous Chloried method is a satisfactory screening test to predict moisture related comfort properties of clothing as won.

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Stepping Trail Making Test: Preliminary Study for the Effectiveness of the Novel Dual Task Assessment Tool for Physical and Cognitive Functions in Elderly (보행기호잇기검사: 새로운 신체 및 인지 기능에 대한 이중 과제 평가도구로서의 효용성에 대한 예비연구)

  • Ju-Ri Eom;Byeong-Ju Lee
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.41-48
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    • 2023
  • PURPOSE: Falls are caused by a decline in physical and cognitive function. A quantitative evaluation tool that can comprehensively evaluate motor and cognitive functions for elderly people with an impaired physical function. This study assessed the clinical application potential by confirming the correlation between the physical function tests, cognitive and the stepping trail-making test (S-TMT). METHODS: Fourteen community-dwelling older patients (65-75 years) were recruited. The study conducted cognitive function tests with the trail-making test (TMT-A, B), and physical function tests (6-minute walking test (6MWT), short physical performance battery (SPPB), and timed up and go (TUG)). The results of were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were used for the general characteristics of the study subjects, and the correlations between S-TMT, other functional tests were examined through Pearson's correlation analysis. The statistical significance was set to .05. RESULTS: S-TMT had a significant positive correlation with the TUG (r = .588*) and trail-making test-B (TMT-B) (r = .689*, p < .05). Furthermore, S-TMT showed a negative correlation between SPPB (r = -.397) and 6MWT (r = -.422), but it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: S-TMT is a cognitive-gait dual-task performance evaluation tool that can be performed safely. A significant correlation was confirmed between the TUG test and the TMT-B. S-TMT is a dual-task screening tool that can evaluate both physical and cognitive functions simultaneously.