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Biomedical subjects

K Mott

Publications and source records attributed to K Mott.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

[Influence of clinical information on the diagnostic validity of MRI in the detection of abacterial sacroiliitis].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of clinical information on the diagnostic validity of MRI in the detection of abacterial sacroiliitis. Evaluation of sensitivities, specificities, negative (NPV) and positive predictive values (PPV) for MRI with and without clinical information in comparison to a prior defined standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of routine MRI reports of 65 patients with the clinical suspicion of abacterial sacroiliitis referred by rheumatologists for MR assessment of the sacroiliac joints were retrospectively reviewed. These results were compared to the results of a blinded reading of the same examinations performed without any clinical information. The MRI protocol included T1-SE, STIR and T1-SE contrast-enhanced sequences with fat saturation. All patients were followed for at least four years. The standard of reference was defined by an experienced rheumatologist and included baseline and follow-up data (clinical, laboratory and imaging). Abacterial sacroiliitis was diagnosed in 19 patients. RESULTS: Under routine clinical conditions, MRI revealed a sensitivity of 94.7 % and specificity of 97.8 %. A PPV of 94.7 % and a NPV of 97.8 % were achieved. Without clinical information, MRI revealed a sensitivity and specificity of 64 and 80 %, and a PPV of 49 % and a NPV of 86 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: The additional knowledge of clinical information for the MR diagnosis of abacterial sacroiliitis increases its diagnostic value for the assessment of abacterial sacroiliitis.

Adolescent↗

The consumer perspective.

As with all healthcare services, public or private, what matters most to consumers is that they get a quality service that meets their needs. Consumers will gain if corporatisation means doctors are freed from administrative tasks and can spend more time with their patients, but pressure to increase profits may compromise the GP-patient relationship. A broad range of services "under the one roof" offers convenience and ease of access for consumers, particularly families and older people. All types of practices should listen to consumer concerns, and strive to meet their expectations of quality, accessible healthcare and good doctor-patient communication.

Australia↗

Bladder cancer: approaches to prevention and control.

Bladder cancer is the twelfth most common cancer globally, with approximately 170 000 new cases each year; a third of these cases are in the developing countries. There are two major etiological types. The first is more common in the industrialized countries and is associated with exposure to certain occupational and environmental carcinogens, but most importantly with tobacco smoking. The second type is associated with Schistosoma haematobium infection of the urinary tract and is one of the most frequent tumours in eastern Mediterranean and African countries. Both types of bladder cancer are largely preventable. Comprehensive education and legislative approaches are recommended to reduce tobacco consumption and exposure to industrial carcinogens. Safe and effective drugs are available to treat schistosomiasis within integrated control programmes in endemic areas.

Humans↗

Comparison of filtration staining (Bell) and thick smear (Kato) for the detection of quantitation of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in faeces.

We compare results of one Bell and one Kato-Katz examination performed on each of 315 stool specimens from residents in an area in north-eastern Brazil endemic for schistosomiasis mansoni. The prevalence of Schistosome infection detected by the Bell technique was 76% and by the Kato-Katz technique was 63%. 81% (44/54) of the infections missed by a Kato-Katz smear were light infections (one of 50 epg range by Bell examination). Over, all, 55% (44/80) of stools in this egg count range by the Bell technique were negative on a single Kato-Katz smear. This implies that five Kato-Katz smears per stool would ensure a 95% probability (0.55(5) X 100) of detecting such light infections. However, a single Kato-Katz smear detected eggs in 97% (124/128) of stools with a Bell count greater than 100 epg. For stools positive by both methods the egg counts per gram of stool were higher (p less than 0.001) by Kato-Katz examination. Geometric mean egg counts for the infected population were 199 epg by the Kato-Katz and 92 epg by the Bell methods. 64% (59 v. 36) more persons were classified as heavily infected (greater than 400 epg) by the Kato-Katz method than by the Bell method. The differing measurements of schistosome infection obtained with the Bell and Kato-Katz methods must be considered when comparing data on morbidity-infection relationships.

Feces↗

A technique for isolating and concentrating microfilariae from peripheral blood by gradient centrifugation.

A method for isolating microfilariae from blood cells by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation, followed by concentration by conventional centrifugation, is described. A 30 fold concentration and quantitative recovery of parasites was achieved. This technique should be of value for documenting low levels of parasitaemia, and for obtaining relatively pure suspensions of microfilariae for metabolic studies and antigen analysis.

Blood↗