Diagnosing entrapment neuropathies: probes and magnets instead of electrodes and needles?

in Clinical Neurophysiology (2006), 117(3), 484-5

Diagnosing structure and composition typologies in uneven-aged broad-leaved forests: a comparison of classification methods

Poster (2012, September)

Structure and composition of forest stands are crucial factors for forest planning and biodiversity management. In Belgium, typologies of structure and composition exist to support planning in uneven-aged ... [more ▼]

Structure and composition of forest stands are crucial factors for forest planning and biodiversity management. In Belgium, typologies of structure and composition exist to support planning in uneven-aged broadleaved forests (typically dominated by oak and beech). The principle of these typologies is to classify irregular stands with the percentage of small, medium, large, and very large trees (regarding dbh), and the percentage of basal area of oak and beech. This paper investigates the potential of LiDAR data processed with classification methods (k-nn, K-Means, CART, etc.) to allocate a forest structure and composition type. For this purpose several supervised and unsupervised classification methods are compared, as well as the impact of leaf-on (summer) and leaf-off (winter) data to discriminate the forest types. [less ▲]

The diagnosis and management of hypopituitarism

Book published by OCC Europe Ltd (2002)

Diagnosis and prophylaxis of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis: the role of virus latency.

in Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (1985), 8(1), 35-42

Efficient methods of diagnosis and prophylaxis of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis must consider the concept of latency of the etiological agent, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (Bovine ... [more ▼]

Efficient methods of diagnosis and prophylaxis of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis must consider the concept of latency of the etiological agent, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (Bovine herpesvirus 1; BHV 1). The identification of BHV 1 in nasal mucus samples or a rise in specific antibodies have to be cautiously interpreted, because they can signify either a primary infection or a reexcretion of the virus after reactivation. The isolated virus can also either be a vaccine or a virulent strain. Another aspect of BHV 1 infection diagnosis is the detection of latent carriers, which are able to transmit the virus to uninfected animals; delayed hypersensitivity test seems to be a good candidate. The classical methods of prophylaxis protect the animal against the disease, but they should also impede the reexcretion of virulent strains by latent carriers. Since, in several countries, attenuated viruses are used as vaccines, a special emphasis has to be laid on the persistence of these vaccine viruses in a latent form in the bovine population. [less ▲]

Diagnosis and treatment of aneuvrysmal bone cysts and giant cell tumors in children

Conference (2009)

Diagnosis by PCR of HIV-1 infection in seronegative individuals at risk

in AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses (1990), 6(2), 173-174

Diagnosis of active acromegaly : is it time to amend the consensus of opinions?

Scientific conference (2005, September)

Diagnosis of bovine brucellosis by skin test: conditions for the test and evaluation of its performance.

in Veterinary Record : Journal of the British Veterinary Association (1999), 145(8), 214-8

Brucellergene OCB (Rhone-Merieux) was used as an allergen to define the intrinsic parameters of a skin test and to compare its properties with serology for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis. The skin ... [more ▼]

Brucellergene OCB (Rhone-Merieux) was used as an allergen to define the intrinsic parameters of a skin test and to compare its properties with serology for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis. The skin test was also evaluated for its capacity to solve problems associated with false positive reactions in serological tests. The optimal reading delay for the skin test was 72 hours. The brucellosis allergic reaction was two to three times less intense than the tuberculosis allergic reaction. An increase of 1.1 mm or more in the skin thickness was therefore considered to be an adequate cut-off. The specificity calculated for 1192 brucellosis-free animals (including animals from brucellosis-free herds in which false positive serological reactions had been reported) was 99-83 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 99-40 to 99-98 per cent). The sensitivity determined from 27 experimentally infected heifers ranged from 93 per cent (95 per cent CI 76 to 100 per cent) to 78 per cent (95 per cent CI 58 to 91 per cent) when measured respectively one and six months after the infection. Allergic reactions could be detected in vaccinated animals up to four-and-a-half years after the vaccination. On the other hand, no sensitisation was recorded in naive animals after up to eight monthly injections of the allergen. The skin test gave valuable information, in combination with the serological tests, in both acute and chronic brucellosis. The skin test discriminated brucellosis clearly from false positive serological reactions due to infections with Yersinia enterocolitica O9. [less ▲]

Diagnosis of brucellosis in livestock and wildlife.

in Croatian Medical Journal (2010), 51(4), 296-305

AIM: To describe and discuss the merits of various direct and indirect methods applied in vitro (mainly on blood or milk) or in vivo (allergic test) for the diagnosis of brucellosis in animals. METHODS ... [more ▼]

AIM: To describe and discuss the merits of various direct and indirect methods applied in vitro (mainly on blood or milk) or in vivo (allergic test) for the diagnosis of brucellosis in animals. METHODS: The recent literature on brucellosis diagnostic tests was reviewed. These diagnostic tests are applied with different goals, such as national screening, confirmatory diagnosis, certification, and international trade. The validation of such diagnostic tests is still an issue, particularly in wildlife. The choice of the testing strategy depends on the prevailing brucellosis epidemiological situation and the goal of testing. RESULTS: Measuring the kinetics of antibody production after Brucella spp. infection is essential for analyzing serological results correctly and may help to predict abortion. Indirect ELISAs help to discriminate 1) between false positive serological reactions and true brucellosis and 2) between vaccination and infection. Biotyping of Brucella spp. provides valuable epidemiological information that allows tracing an infection back to the sources in instances where several biotypes of a given Brucella species are circulating. Polymerase chain reaction and new molecular methods are likely to be used as routine typing and fingerprinting methods in the coming years. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of brucellosis in livestock and wildlife is complex and serological results need to be carefully analyzed. The B. abortus S19 and B. melitensis Rev. 1 vaccines are the cornerstones of control programs in cattle and small ruminants, respectively. There is no vaccine available for pigs or for wildlife. In the absence of a human brucellosis vaccine, prevention of human brucellosis depends on the control of the disease in animals. [less ▲]

Diagnosis of cyst infection in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: attributes and limitations of the current modalities.

in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (2012), 27(10), 3746-51

Cyst infection is a diagnostic challenge in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) because of the lack of specific manifestations and limitations of conventional imaging ... [more ▼]

Cyst infection is a diagnostic challenge in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) because of the lack of specific manifestations and limitations of conventional imaging procedures. Still, recent clinical observations and series have highlighted common criteria for this condition. Cyst infection is diagnosed if confirmed by cyst fluid analysis showing bacteria and neutrophils, and as a probable diagnosis if all four of the following criteria are concomitantly met: temperature of >38 degrees C for >3 days, loin or liver tenderness, C-reactive protein plasma level of >5 mg/dL and no evidence for intracystic bleeding on computed tomography (CT). In addition, the elevation of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) has been proposed as a biomarker for hepatic cyst infection. Positron-emission tomography after intravenous injection of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose, combined with CT, proved superior to radiological imaging techniques for the identification and localization of kidney and liver pyocyst. This review summarizes the attributes and limitations of these recent clinical, biological and imaging advances in the diagnosis of cyst infection in patients with ADPKD. [less ▲]