SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Consistency”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Correlation between tumor consistency and cervical metastasis in tongue carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between the tumor consistency and cervical lymph node metastasis in tongue carcinoma. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were examined with an instrument capable of measuring consistency. These cases were compared in relation to TN classification, pathologic status of nodes, and consistency. RESULTS: The mean values of consistency in tongue carcinoma were 19. 7 +/- 2.9 g, 13.6 +/- 3.7 g, 27.4 +/- 4.5 g, and 21.2 +/- 6.7 g, corresponding to pathologically positive node group (PN[+]) in T1, pathologically negative node group (PN[-]) in T1, PN(+) in T2, and PN(-) in T2, respectively. Difference in consistency between PN(+) and PN(-) was significant (T1: p <.01, T2: p <.05). In the N0 patients, difference in consistency between PN(+) and PN(-) was also significant (p <.01). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that quantitative evaluation of tumor consistency would be useful in determining whether selective neck dissections can safely be omitted in some patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effects of feedforward and feedback consistency on reading and spelling in dyslexia.

We investigated the effects of rime consistency on reading and spelling among dyslexic children and a group of matched reading age skilled readers by manipulating consistency of orthography-tophonology (OP) mappings and consistency of mappings from phonology-to-orthography (PO). For both dyslexic and control children we found feedforward consistency effects on reading (O->P) and spelling (P->O) and feedback (O->P) consistency effects on spelling. Dyslexic children demonstrated feedback (PO) consistency effects in reading but control children did not. Our results challenge accounts of reading and spelling in dyslexia that assume feedforward consistency effects alone. We consider the implications of these results in relation to theories in which children may assess candidate responses for goodness of fit to prior expectations. We discuss the wider implications of our results for the assessment and remediation of dyslexia.

Child↗

PubMed1991

The effect of stool consistency on rectal and neorectal emptying.

Although stool consistency is considered to be an important component of anorectal continence, its effect on rectal emptying has never been quantitated. In 12 healthy volunteers and 12 patients after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) (46 +/- 5 months after the operation; mean +/- SEM), perfused anal manometry was performed; movements of the anorectal angle were quantitated scintigraphically; and rectal capacity and compliance were measured by air insufflation of an intrarectal balloon at three infusion rates. The efficiency of rectal evacuation of three consistencies (5 percent, liquid; 7.5 percent semisolid gel; 11.25 percent solid gel; w/w) of Tc99m labeled artificial stool (aluminum magnesium silicate gel) was quantitated by gamma camera imaging. No abnormalities of pelvic floor function were demonstrated in either controls or patients. The mean neorectal capacity and compliance of patients with IPAA did not differ from control, (capacity; IPAA: 215 +/- 22 ml vs. control; 245 +/- 29 ml; compliance; IPAA: 5.5 +/- 0.7 ml/cm H2O vs. control; 6.6 +/- 0.7 ml/cm H2O; P greater than 0.05). In controls, the percentage of the 7.5 percent consistency evacuated (81 +/- 5 percent, mean +/- SEM) was significantly more than the percentage evacuation of either the 5 percent consistency (67 +/- 7 percent) or the 11.25 percent consistency (77 +/- 2 percent) (P less than 0.05). After IPAA, the mean overall percent evacuation of the three stool consistencies was significantly less than control (52 +/- 6 percent after IPAA; 75 +/- 5 percent control, P less than 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in neorectal emptying between the liquid, the semisolid gel and the solid gel (56 +/- 6, 55 +/- 6, 51 +/- 9 percent, respectively, P greater than 0.1). We concluded that in healthy subjects but not in patients after IPAA, stool consistency affected the efficiency of evacuation of enteric content.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Consistency achieved by 23 European pathologists from 12 countries in diagnosing breast disease and reporting prognostic features of carcinomas. European Commission Working Group on Breast Screening Pathology.

A detailed analysis of the consistency with which pathologists from 12 different European countries diagnose and classify breast disease was undertaken as part of the quality assurance programme of the European Breast Screening Pilot Network funded by the Europe against Cancer Programme. Altogether 107 cases were examined by 23 pathologists in 4 rounds. Kappa statistics for major diagnostic categories were: benign (not otherwise specified) 0.74, atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) 0.27, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) 0.87 and invasive carcinoma 0.94. ADH was the majority diagnosis in only 2 cases but was diagnosed by at least 2 participants in another 14, in 9 of which the majority diagnosis was benign (explaining the relatively low kappa for this category). DCIS in 4 (all low nuclear grade) and invasive carcinoma (a solitary 1-mm focus) in 1. The histological features of these cases were extremely variable; although one feature that nearly all shared was the presence of cells with small, uniform, hyperchromatic nuclei and a high nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. The majority diagnosis was DCIS in 33 cases; kappa for classifying by nuclear grade was 0.38 using three categories and 0.46 when only two (high and other) were used. When ADH was included with low nuclear grade DCIS there was only a slight improvement in kappa. Size measurement of DCIS was less consistent than that of invasive carcinoma. The majority diagnosis was invasive carcinoma in 57 cases, the size of the majority being 100% in 49. The remainder were either special subtypes (adenoid cystic, tubular, colloid, secretory, ductal/medullary) or possible microinvasive carcinomas. Subtyping was most consistent for mucinous (kappa, 0.92) and least consistent for medullary carcinomas (kappa, 0.56). Consistency of grading using the Nottingham method was moderate (kappa=0.53) and consistency of diagnosing vascular invasion, fair (kappa=0.38). There was no tendency for consistency to improve from one round to the next, suggesting that further improvements are unlikely without changes in guidelines or methodology.

Breast Diseases↗

PubMed1985

Consistency of human liver.

Liver consistency was measured biomechanically on the left lobe during laparotomy (n = 52) and on the resected specimen (n = 24) using a specially devised technique. Its relationship with histological findings and hepatic functions was also investigated. Instrumentation included a venipuncture needle with a closed tip and a round latex microballoon attached at a side hole. The needle was connected to a pressure transducer and infusion pump with a polyethylene tube. After the needle was introduced into the liver tissue, liver consistency was measured as delta P/delta V (cm H2O/ml) from the slope of pressure rise on a Pressure (P)-Volume (V) curve obtained at constant saline infusion. Liver consistency increased proportionally with the degree of hepatic fibrosis: 589 +/- 191 (cm H2O/ml) for nonfibrosis (n = 25), 869 +/- 139 for periportal fibrosis (n = 14), 1030 +/- 116 for incomplete cirrhosis (n = 15), and 1250 +/- 206 for fully developed cirrhosis (n = 22). Correspondingly, liver consistency correlated closely with morphometrically estimated hepatic fiber content (r = 0.82, P less than 0.01). With the exception of albumin, liver function tests including prothrombin time, gamma-globulin fraction, zinc turbidity, and indocyanine green retention rate showed significant correlations with liver consistency (0.41 less than magnitude of r less than 0.68, P less than 0.001). However, correlation was much less than that between liver consistency and hepatic fiber content. The present study demonstrates that liver consistency measured by this technique can be a predictive index of hepatic fiber gradings.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Consistency between adolescent reports and adult retrospective reports of adolescent marijuana use: explanations of inconsistent reporting among an African American population.

Drug use trends are typically monitored by surveys of retrospective self-reports of drug use; yet we know little about the consistency of reports made across the life course. This study examines the consistency of marijuana self-reports from adolescence and adulthood and what characterizes inconsistent reporting among a cohort of African American first graders followed longitudinally from age 6 to 32 (N=599, 51% female). Self-reported lifetime adolescent marijuana use (ages 16-17) and retrospective reports at age 32 were combined to categorize respondents as consistent reporters of nonuse (22%), consistent reporters of use (42%), adult recanters (19%), adolescent underreporters (8%), and inconsistent reporters of age of initiation (9%). Overall, about 64% of the population were consistent in their reports of adolescent marijuana use from adolescence to age 32. Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that recanters reported less marijuana use as adolescents, lower parental supervision during adolescence, lower deviant behavior as an adult, and stronger anti-drug values as adults than did consistent reporters. Adolescent underreporters reported less assault behaviors and less alcohol use as adolescents and had lower first grade math achievement than consistent reporters. Family background, depression, criminal arrests, and the field conditions of the interview were not related to inconsistent reporting.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Individualities in a flock of free-roaming greylag geese: behavioral and physiological consistency over time and across situations.

The concept of personality implies individual differences in behavior and physiology that show some degree of repeatability/consistency over time and across contexts. Most studies of animal personality, particularly studies of individuals' variation in physiological mechanisms, have been conducted on selected individuals in controlled conditions. We attempted to detect consistent behaviors as well as physiological patterns in greylag ganders (Anser anser) from a free-roaming flock living in semi-natural conditions. We tested 10 individuals repeatedly, in a handling trial, resembling tests for characterization of "temperaments" in captive animals. We recorded the behavior of the same 10 individuals during four situations in the socially intact flock: (1) a "low density feeding condition", (2) a "high density feeding condition", (3) a "low density post-feeding situation" and (4) while the geese rested. We collected fecal samples for determination of excreted immuno-reactive corticosterone (BM) and testosterone metabolites (TM) after handling trials, as well as the "low density feeding" and the "high density feeding" conditions. BM levels were very highly consistent over the repeats of handling trials, and the "low density feeding condition" and tended to be consistent over the first two repeats of the "high density feeding condition". Also, BM responses tended to be consistent across contexts. Despite seasonal variation, there tended to be inter-test consistency of TM, which pointed to some individual differences in TM as well. Aggressiveness turned out to be a highly repeatable trait, which was consistent across social situations, and tended to correlate with an individual's resistance during handling trials. Also, "proximity to the female partner" and "sociability" - the average number of neighboring geese in a close distance while resting - were consistent. We conclude that aggressiveness, "affiliative tendencies" and levels of excreted corticosterone and testosterone metabolites may be crucial factors of personality in geese.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

The effects of taste and consistency on swallow physiology in younger and older healthy individuals: a surface electromyographic study.

Recent studies done on healthy older individuals have demonstrated elevated taste thresholds for sweet, sour, and salty taste. At suprathreshold levels, such individuals have also shown less ability to discriminate between different intensities of the same tastant. This study was designed to provide information on swallow timing and muscle contraction intensity variables in healthy older people during swallowing of liquid and cottage cheese consistencies in 3 taste conditions (sweet, salty, and sour). Taste and consistency were incorporated in the design of this study to determine not only the effect of taste and consistency independently, but also the effects of taste and consistency in combination. Surface electromyography (EMG) at 3 sites--the orbicularis oris inferior region, submental muscle region, and infrahyoid muscle region--were included in the study. Results revealed that the start of submental muscle activation was significantly later in older participants than in younger participants. The 3 taste conditions had higher EMG levels and shorter activation times than the no-taste condition, although different taste conditions and different muscle sites were affected differently. With thicker consistency, substantially increased EMG amplitude and duration were noted for all three sites. A more pronounced effect of taste was manifested as earlier submental or infrahyoid muscle activation when the three tastants were added to a thicker consistency. Interaction of taste, consistency, and age was also noted for onset time at the submental and infrahyoid sites.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

New method for the determination of fecal consistency and its optimal value in the general population.

BACKGROUND: Although fecal consistency is an important factor, there has been only one study measuring this parameter. We developed a new method to measure fecal consistency and studied the relationship between fecal consistency and other fecal factors, including water content and weight. METHODS: The new method is a modification of the method of Exton-Smith and used an even balance. Subjects in the initial trial were 26 healthy women. Subsequently, fecal consistency was measured in a representative sample of the general Japanese population, in order to evaluate the optimal value to maintain large bowel function. RESULTS: Correlations between fecal consistency and fecal water content and weight were statistically consistent, although not highly correlated with each other. The optimal mean value was around 300 cm2: 'normal' in 'subjective defecatory state', 295.5 cm2 and 305.2 cm2; 'once/day' in 'defecation frequency', 296.1 cm2 and 310.2 cm2; 'soft and plump' in 'fecal characteristics', 293.6 cm2 and 298.3 cm2, in males and females, respectively. The coefficient of variation of this method ranged from 5.2% to 6.3%. CONCLUSIONS: This method is thought to be applicable to large-scale epidemiological surveys. The optimal value of fecal consistency in the general population was evaluated at approximately 300 g/cm2.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Spatiotemporal consistency of trajectories in gymnastics: a three-dimensional analysis of flic-flac.

Sport performance during the execution of closed skills combines specific body and limb movements into codified patterns where stability and consistency may be more important than variability. Repeated sport movements can be investigated to assess the consistency of body trajectories. More consistent trajectories will result in more repeatable movements. The present study quantified the short-term consistency of body trajectories during the performance of the backward flic-flac, a technique of floor gymnastics. Nine experienced gymnasts (six men, three women), all of national level, performed 10 repetitions of backward flic-flac. An optoelectronic instrument was used for the detection of the three-dimensional movement of 13 body landmarks. The spatiotemporal consistency of repeated landmark trajectories was measured by the standard deviation between standardized trajectories. The results showed smaller standard deviation (larger consistency between landmark trajectories) in female than in male gymnasts. The analysis of the consistency of landmark trajectories could help gymnasts indicating which parts of the body do not repeat a selected movement with sufficient accuracy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Accelerometry-based feedback--can it improve movement consistency and performance in rowing?

The training and competition regimen of elite athletes demands rapid feedback about their performance. The aim of this study was to determine if real-time visual ipsative (comparison with oneself) feedback of instantaneous kinematic consistency improves overall kinematic consistency in rowing. Accelerometry-based data, representing the upper and lower body kinematics, were determined for 13 experienced rowers. Kinematic consistency data -- represented by percentage time outside the acceptable performance bandwidth, performance consistency -- represented by power-stroke dispersion, and several performance indicators were acquired for all the rowers for three 2000 m time trials on a RowPerfect ergometer with three different visual feedback interventions: no feedback, detailed feedback, and summary feedback. Results indicated significantly increased performance consistency for detailed feedback than for both no feedback (p < 0.01) and summary feedback (p < 0.05). No significant difference between summary feedback and no feedback was found (p = 0.173). We deemed feedback of detailed information to enhance kinematic consistency significantly more than both no feedback (p < 0.01) and summary feedback (p < 0.01) interventions, although summary feedback was shown to enhance kinematic consistency more than no feedback (p < 0.01). No improvements were found for performance-related parameters.

Acceleration↗

PubMed2002

Consistent landmark and intensity-based image registration.

Two new consistent image registration algorithms are presented: one is based on matching corresponding landmarks and the other is based on matching both landmark and intensity information. The consistent landmark and intensity registration algorithm produces good correspondences between images near landmark locations by matching corresponding landmarks and away from landmark locations by matching the image intensities. In contrast to similar unidirectional algorithms, these new consistent algorithms jointly estimate the forward and reverse transformation between two images while minimizing the inverse consistency error-the error between the forward (reverse) transformation and the inverse of the the reverse (forward) transformation. This reduces the ambiguous correspondence between the forward and reverse transformations associated with large inverse consistency errors. In both algorithms a thin-plate spline (TPS) model is used to regularize the estimated transformations. Two-dimensional (2-D) examples are presented that show the inverse consistency error produced by the traditional unidirectional landmark TPS algorithm can be relatively large and that this error is minimized using the consistent landmark algorithm. Results using 2-D magnetic resonance imaging data are presented that demonstrate that using landmark and intensity information together produce better correspondence between medical images than using either landmarks or intensity information alone.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1991

Task versus component consistency in the development of automatic processing: a psychophysiological assessment.

A study was conducted to examine the role of consistency in the development of automatic processing. Subjects performed a memory search task in which consistent and inconsistent attending and responding were factorially combined. The task was performed with memory set sizes of two and four items. Results indicated that automaticity developed with consistent attending regardless of whether responding was consistent or inconsistent. However, measures of reaction time, P300 latency, and P300 amplitude revealed costs for inconsistent responding that were attributed to both stimulus evaluation and response related processes. The results suggest that total task consistency is not necessary for the development of automatic processing. Instead, it appears that automaticity can develop for consistent task components even when stimulus-response consistency is not maintained across the entire task.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

The consistency of element transformations affects the visibility but not the direction of illusory motion.

Two experiments tested whether the consistency of element transformations affected perceptions of long-range apparent motion. Vertical lines were used to generate apparent motion against one of two different backgrounds, control and depth. Consistency was manipulated by changing the size of the vertical lines. In some displays, the size of the vertical lines remained constant during movement. In other displays, the size of the vertical lines changed during movement. Consistent movement occurred when the size manipulation was in agreement with the type of background used. In Experiment I, points of subject equality for the quality of motion relative to a standard display were measured. These PSEs indicated that consistent movement (e.g., line sizes held constant for control background displays) was more visible than inconsistent movement (e.g., line sizes constant for depth background displays). In Experiment II, a motion competition display was used to measure thresholds for perceived direction of motion. The depth background was used to make motion in one direction more consistent than motion in the opposite direction. However, no significant differences were noted between thresholds obtained in this condition and those obtained in a control condition. Thus the consistency of element transformations affected the quality of motion, but did not affect the perceived direction of motion. These results are consistent with Ullman's (The Interpretation of Visual Motion, MIT Press, 1979) two-component theory of apparent motion.

Distance Perception↗

PubMed2003

Are comparative risk judgements consistent across time and events?

Research reveals pervasive optimism in people's comparative risk judgements such that people believe they are less likely than others to experience negative events. Two studies explored the extent to which people are consistent in their comparative risk judgements across time and events. Both studies found strong evidence for consistency across time and some evidence for consistency across events. The consistency across time and events was moderated by experience. Specifically, when viewed together, the studies suggest that experience produces an initial decrease in the consistency of comparative judgements (Study 2), followed by greater consistency in subsequent judgements (Study 1). The discussion focuses on reconciling evidence demonstrating consistency with evidence demonstrating variability.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Consistency of lipid-altering effects of ezetimibe/simvastatin across gender, race, age, baseline low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and coronary heart disease status: results of a pooled retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: The combination tablet containing ezetimibe and simvastatin (EZE/SIMVA), inhibits both the intestinal absorption and endogenous production of cholesterol, providing significantly greater low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering than EZE or SIMVA alone. The purpose of this pooled analysis was to evaluate the consistency of efficacy (i.e., between-treatment difference) of EZE/SIMVA versus SIMVA within several selected subgroups of patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: For the present analysis, data were pooled from three similarly designed, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled factorial studies consisting of 3083 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (n = 311 in placebo group; n = 302 in EZE group; n = 1234 in pooled SIMVA group; n = 1236 in pooled EZE/SIMVA group). In these clinical studies, primary hypercholesterolemia was defined as an LDL-C value between 145 and 250 mg/dL inclusive and a triglyceride (TG) level of less than 350 mg/dL. The results for the pooled SIMVA and pooled EZE/SIMVA groups were used for the present analyses. The pooled analyses focused on the consistency of the between-treatment differences (i.e., incremental effect) for EZE/SIMVA (pooled across doses) versus SIMVA (pooled across doses) on various lipid and non-lipid parameters within different patient subgroups defined according to gender, race (Caucasian, Non-Caucasian), baseline age (< 65, > or = 65 years), baseline LDL-C (< 160, > or = 160 mg/dL), and coronary heart disease (CHD) history. Tolerability was also examined for pooled EZE/SIMVA and pooled SIMVA within these selected subgroups. In a modified intention-to-treat analysis, an ANOVA model was used for testing the consistency of pooled treatment effects on lipid and non-lipid parameters within each selected subgroup. RESULTS: For the entire cohort, baseline lipid profiles were similar for the patients in the pooled EZE/SIMVA group compared with those in the pooled SIMVA group. Treatment with EZE/SIMVA led to significant (p < 0.001) incremental improvements in LDL-C, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), apolipoprotein B, TG and high sensitivity C-reactive protein compared to SIMVA, across the entire cohort. These changes were consistent within each of the selected subgroups. Moreover, more patients attained LDL-C goal levels < 100 mg/dL with EZE/SIMVA than with SIMVA in the entire cohort and this was consistent across all subgroups, except baseline LDL-C. In this pooled retrospective analysis, treatment with EZE/SIMVA was generally well tolerated across subgroups, with a safety profile similar to SIMVA monotherapy. Although this pooled analysis was performed on a large cohort of patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, the results of this analysis were specific for this select patient population and generalizations to other populations should be applied with caution. CONCLUSION: The enhanced lipid-altering effects of EZE/SIMVA versus those of SIMVA observed in the entire cohort were consistent within all subgroups examined. EZE/SIMVA represents an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for the treatment of a wide range of patient subgroups with primary hypercholesterolemia.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Consistency of condom use among low-income hormonal contraceptive users.

CONTEXT: Hormonal contraceptive users may be at increased risk for HIV and other STDs. An understanding of their decisions and abilities to use condoms is needed to focus intervention programs aimed at improving their protective behaviors. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2001, 426 new users of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and oral contraceptives were recruited from public clinics providing family planning services to low-income women and surveyed when they began their method and again three months later. Bivariate analyses examined the consistency of condom use across subgroups, and multivariate analyses assessed associations between consistent use and various characteristics. RESULTS: Among women who had used condoms consistently before starting on DMPA or the pill, 54% discontinued consistent use after taking these contraceptives. Overall, 20% of women consistently used condoms with their hormonal method, and such use did not vary significantly by contraceptive type. Seventy-five percent of women in non-monogamous relationships were inconsistent users, though nearly a third had been consistent users prior to beginning a hormonal method. Factors associated with an elevated likelihood of consistent use were the male partner's positive opinion of condoms (odds ratio, 3.3) and the woman's strong belief that condom use is important for vaginal intercourse (3.5) and even if the couple is using another form of birth control (4.1). CONCLUSIONS: Many women at highest risk for disease have a decreased likelihood of using condoms, and disease prevention programs should be customized to target these women. Educational efforts focusing on women's attitudes and negotiation skills may be the best means of increasing dual method use.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Consistent condom use with different types of partners: evidence from two Nigerian surveys.

HIV prevalence in Nigeria is increasing rapidly. Increased condom use is the most viable solution to slow down or reverse this trend. This article uses data from two waves of a nation-wide survey, each with over 5,000 respondents, to examine factors that influence consistency of condom use with various types of partners. The results show that while the overall level of consistent condom use has remained low, reported consistent condom use with occasional partners and commercial sex workers exceeds 60%. There is also some evidence of an increasing trend in consistent condom use, even after controlling for differences in sample composition and other factors. The most important factors affecting consistency of condom use are awareness that condoms are effective at preventing HIV and that they are effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy, concern about unwanted pregnancy, and concern about HIV. Although concern about unwanted pregnancy has a strong effect on consistency of condom use with stable partners, concern about HIV infection has a strong effect on consistency of condom use with nonstable partners. The results suggest that HIV prevention programs need to do more than provide education about the modes of transmission and the ways to prevent infection. Improving the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs is likely to require focusing more explicitly on people's personal risk perception and condom efficacy. Focusing on these topics may further accelerate the observed positive trend in condom use.

Adolescent↗