scholarly journals Profiling Multiscale Frequency State of Normal Phonocardiogram: Feasibility Study

Author(s):  
Divaakar Siva Baala Sundaram ◽  
Anjani Muthyala ◽  
Rogith Balasubramani ◽  
Suganti Shivaram ◽  
Susan Karki ◽  
...  

Phonocardiogram (PCG) signals contain very important information regarding the heart condition. Recently, several automatic detection algorithms have been explored to profile the characteristics of heart sounds to aid in disease diagnosis. However, many of these methods has been demonstrated only on clean signals with limited test data and variety of PCG signals that can accurately provide information of diagnostic importance with higher sensitivity and specificity. In this work, we propose to characterize the multiscale frequency state of the normal PCG signals that can aid in accurate profiling of PCG to discriminate from pathological conditions.

Author(s):  
Dragana Jovanovic ◽  
Aleksandra Peric-Popadic ◽  
Sladjana Andrejevic ◽  
Maja Stojanovic ◽  
Branka Bonaci-Nikolic

Adults with systemic anaphylactic reactions (SAR) to insect sting show often multiple-positivity of serum-specific IgE (sIgE) to Hymenoptera venoms. Unnecessary long-lasting venom-specific immunotherapies (VIT) in false-positive patients increase the risk of recurrent SAR. This report aims to analyze the diagnostic importance of recombinant allergen IgE testing in patients with SAR to Hymenoptera sting.In 82 patients we measured sIgE to honeybee venom (HBV), wasp venom (WV) and hornet venom (HV) extracts, recombinant phospholipase A2 from HBV (sIgE-rApi m1), recombinant antigen 5 from WV (sIgE-rVes v5), and cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants-CCD-bromelain by ImmunoCAP. We analyzed the correlation of ImmunoCAP and Immunoblot for HBV and WV extracts, rApi m1, and rVes v5 in 39/82 patients. According to the history of the culprit insect, we compared sensitivity and specificity between the two methods.The severity of the SAR does not depend on the sIgE level to venom extracts and recombinant allergens. Fifty-one percent of the patients had a multiple-positivity to HBV/WV or HBV/WV/HV extracts. Severe SAR and CCD-sIgE were more frequent in multiple-positive than single-positive patients. CCD-sIgE were more frequent in HBV allergic patients than WV and HV allergic patients. There was a significant correlation between levels of sIgE to venom extracts and recombinant allergens measured by ImmunoCAP and Immunoblot. ImmunoCAP has higher sensitivity and specificity than Immunoblot for diagnosis of SAR to Hymenoptera venoms.IgE testing to recombinant CCD-free allergens is necessary for the adequate selection of long-lasting VIT, especially in patients with multiple sensitivities to venom extracts.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 848
Author(s):  
Matthias Wetzl ◽  
Evelyn Wenkel ◽  
Eva Balbach ◽  
Ebba Dethlefsen ◽  
Arndt Hartmann ◽  
...  

The primary objective of the study was to compare a spiral breast computed tomography system (SBCT) to digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) for the detection of microcalcifications (MCs) in breast specimens. The secondary objective was to compare various reconstruction modes in SBCT. In total, 54 breast biopsy specimens were examined with mammography as a standard reference, with DBT, and with a dedicated SBCT containing a photon-counting detector. Three different reconstruction modes were applied for SBCT datasets (Recon1 = voxel size (0.15 mm)3, smooth kernel; Recon2 = voxel size (0.05 mm)3, smooth kernel; Recon3 = voxel size (0.05 mm)3, sharp kernel). Sensitivity and specificity of DBT and SBCT for the detection of suspicious MCs were analyzed, and the McNemar test was used for comparisons. Diagnostic confidence of the two readers (Likert Scale 1 = not confident; 5 = completely confident) was analyzed with ANOVA. Regarding detection of MCs, reader 1 had a higher sensitivity for DBT (94.3%) and Recon2 (94.9%) compared to Recon1 (88.5%; p < 0.05), while sensitivity for Recon3 was 92.4%. Respectively, reader 2 had a higher sensitivity for DBT (93.0%), Recon2 (92.4%), and Recon3 (93.0%) compared to Recon1 (86.0%; p < 0.05). Specificities ranged from 84.7–94.9% for both readers (p > 0.05). The diagnostic confidence of reader 1 was better with SBCT than with DBT (DBT 4.48 ± 0.88, Recon1 4.77 ± 0.66, Recon2 4.89 ± 0.44, and Recon3 4.75 ± 0.72; DBT vs. Recon1/2/3: p < 0.05), while reader 2 found no differences. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of MCs in breast specimens is equal for DBT and SBCT when a small voxel size of (0.05 mm)3 is used with an equal or better diagnostic confidence for SBCT compared to DBT.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Amalia Nadiasari ◽  
Diana Tri Ratnasari ◽  
Masfufatun Masfufatun

Abstract: Superficial dermatomycosis is a skin, nail and hair infection caused by fungal pathogen. Based on the pathogen, this infection can be divided into dermatophytosis, pityriasis versicolor and superficial candidiasis. The rapid and proper diagnosis is necessary to determine the initial theraphy and prevent the treatment delay. Superficial dermatomycosis diagnosis can be performed using anamnesis, physical examination or supporting investigation. The routine investigation method commonly use Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) because the KOH method is easy to be performed, rapid, simple and affordable. Chicago Sky Blue (CSB) is a dye to give a better color contrast to the fungi so the fungi would be easier to be detected. Objectives of this research is to observe the sensitivity and specifity difference of Chicago Sky Blue (CSB) dye and Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) methods for Superficial Dermatomycosis. The research was performed using cross sectional design analitical obsevation with 30 research subjects. The subjects consist of 15 superficial dermatomycosis patients and 15 non-superficial dermatomycosis patients. The samples were taken from the patients lesion swabs. The samples were checked using KOH and CSB, then observed by the medical analyst. The superficial dermatomycosis samples consist of mostly dermathophytosis (53.33%), then pityriasis versicolor (26.67%) and superficial candidiasis (20%). The sensitivity and specificity of KOH were 86.67% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CSB were 93.33% and 100%, respectively. The CSB dye method has a higher sensitivity than KOH. The fungal elements are nicely dyed and more easily detected using CSB dye.  Keywords: KOH, Chicago Sky Blue, sensitivity, specificity, superficial dermatomycosis


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mareike Stellfeld ◽  
Claudia Gerlach ◽  
Ina-Gabriele Richter ◽  
Peter Miethe ◽  
Dominika Fahlbusch ◽  
...  

Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, a zoonosis infecting domestic ruminants and humans. Currently used routine diagnostic tools offer limited sensitivity and specificity and symptomless infected animals may be missed. Therefore, diagnostic tools of higher sensitivity and specificity must be developed. For this purpose, the C. burnetii outer membrane protein Com1 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The His-tagged recombinant protein was purified and used in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Assay performance was tested with more than 400 positive and negative sera from sheep, goats and cattle from 36 locations. Calculation of sensitivity and specificity was undertaken using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The sensitivities and specificities for sheep were 85% and 68% (optical density at 450nm, OD450 cut-off value 0.32), for goats 94% and 77% (OD450 cut-off value 0.23) and for cattle 71% and 70% (OD450 cut-off value 0.18), respectively. These results correspond to excellent, outstanding and acceptable discrimination of positive and negative sera. In summary, recombinant Com1 can provide a basis for more sensitive and specific diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine.


mAbs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam S. Adler ◽  
Daniel Bedinger ◽  
Matthew S. Adams ◽  
Michael A. Asensio ◽  
Robert C. Edgar ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Drouot ◽  
Sébastien Hantz ◽  
Fabienne Jouen ◽  
Aurélie Velay ◽  
Bouchra Lamia ◽  
...  

Despite efforts to develop anti–severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody (Ab) immunoassays, reliable serological methods are still needed. We developed a multiplex addressable laser bead immunoassay (ALBIA) to detect and quantify anti-Spike S1 and nucleocapsid N Abs. Recombinant S1 and N proteins were bound to fluorescent beads (ALBIA-IgG-S1/N). Abs were revealed using class-specific anti-human Ig Abs. The performances of the test were analyzed on 575 serum samples including 192 from SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction–confirmed patients, 13 from seasonal coronaviruses, 70 from different inflammatory/autoimmune diseases, and 300 from healthy donors. Anti-S1 IgM were detected by monoplex ALBIA-IgM-S1. Comparison with chemiluminescent assays or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays was performed using commercial tests. Multiplex ALBIA-IgG-S1/N was effective in detecting and quantifying anti–SARS-CoV-2 IgG Abs. Two weeks after first symptoms, sensitivity and specificity were 97.7 and 98.0% (anti-S1), and 100 and 98.7% (anti-N), respectively. Agreement with commercial tests was good to excellent, with a higher sensitivity of ALBIA. ALBIA-IgG-S1/N was positive in 53% of patients up to day 7, and in 75% between days 7 and 13. For ALBIA-IgM-S1, sensitivity and specificity were 74.4 and 98.7%, respectively. Patients in intensive care units had higher IgG Ab levels (Mann–Whitney test, p &lt; 0.05). ALBIA provides a robust method for exploring humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Serology should be performed after 2 weeks following first symptoms, when all COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) patients had at least one anti-S1 or anti-N IgG Ab, illustrating the interest of a multiplex test.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 549-554
Author(s):  
Fabiana Q. Mayer ◽  
Emily M. dos Reis ◽  
André Vinícius A. Bezerra ◽  
Rogério O. Rodrigues ◽  
Thais Michel ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonosis causing economic losses and public health risks in many countries. The disease diagnosis in live animals is performed by intradermal tuberculin test, which is based on delayed hypersensitivity reactions. As tuberculosis has complex immune response, this test has limitations in sensitivity and specificity. This study sought to test an alternative approach for in vivo diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis, based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA samples, extracted from nasal swabs of live cows, were used for SYBR® Green real-time PCR, which is able to differentiate between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complexes. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the results of tuberculin test, the in vivo gold standard bTB diagnosis method, with real-time PCR, thereby determining the specificity and sensitivity of molecular method. Cervical comparative test (CCT) was performed in 238 animals, of which 193 had suitable DNA from nasal swabs for molecular analysis, as indicated by amplification of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene, and were included in the study. In total, 25 (10.5%) of the animals were CCT reactive, of which none was positive in the molecular test. Of the 168 CCT negative animals, four were positive for M. tuberculosis complex at real time PCR from nasal swabs. The comparison of these results generated values of sensitivity and specificity of 0% and 97.6%, respectively; moreover, low coefficients of agreement and correlation (-0.029 and -0.049, respectively) between the results obtained with both tests were also observed. This study showed that real-time PCR from nasal swabs is not suitable for in vivo diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis; thus tuberculin skin test is still the best option for this purpose.


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