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Introduction: Determining the HIV status of some individuals remains challenging due to multidimensional factors such as flaws in diagnostic systems, technological challenges, and viral diversity. This report pinpoints challenges faced by the HIV testing system in Cameroon. Case presentation: A 53-year-old male received a positive HIV result by a rapid testing algorithm in July 2016. Not convinced of his HIV status, he requested additional tests. In February 2017, he received a positive result using ImmunoComb® II HIV 1 & 2 BiSpot and Roche cobas electrochemiluminescence assays. A sample sent to France in April 2017 was positive on the Bio-Rad GenScreen™ HIV 1/2, but serotyping was indeterminate, and viral load was < 20 copies/mL. The Roche electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and INNO-LIA HIV I/II Score were negative for samples collected in 2018. A sample collected in July 2019 and tested with VIDAS® HIV Duo Ultra enzyme-linked fluorescent assay and Geenius™ HIV 1/2 Confirmatory Assay was positive, but negative with Western blot; CD4 count was 1380 cells/mm3 and HIV proviral DNA tested in France was 'target-not-detected'. Some rapid tests were still positive in 2020 and 2021. Serotyping remained indeterminate, and viral load was 'target-not-detected'. There were no self-reported exposure to HIV risk factors, and his wife was HIV-seronegative.Management and outcome: Given that the patient remained asymptomatic with no evidence of viral replication, no antiretroviral therapy was initiated. Conclusion: This case highlights the struggles faced by some individuals in confirming their HIV status and the need to update existing technologies and develop an algorithm for managing exceptional cases.
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【Objective】 To validate the performance of a nucleic acid testing(NAT) system for blood screening in the high-altitude Nagqu region of Tibet, in order to assess the capability of NAT in high-altitude areas and further enhance blood safety. 【Methods】 Various methods were employed to evaluate the analytical sensitivity, reproducibility, ability to prevent cross-contamination, and comparison between different NAT systems. 【Results】 The NAT system in the Nagqu region of Tibet achieved a 100% detection rate for high-concentration HBV DNA and HIV-1 RNA samples, and over 90% for medium-concentration samples. PROBIT analysis revealed the lower limits of detection (LOD) for HBV DNA and HIV-1 RNA to be 8.29 IU/mL (95% CI, 5.88~20.55 IU/mL) and 40.52 IU/mL (95% CI, 30.26~85.92 IU/mL), respectively. For HCV RNA genotype 2a, the LOD was 97.14 IU/mL (95% CI, 71.00~182.67 IU/mL), all of which were lower than the declared minimum detectable concentrations in the instructions. Reproducibility analysis demonstrated a 100% level of consistency within the system. Cross-contamination performance verification showed a strong ability to resist cross-contamination. Comparative analysis of repeated testing of low-concentration HBV DNA samples and multi-system testing in plain areas revealed consistency rates of 77.78%(14/18) and 77.27%(17/22), respectively, indicating certain differences between the NAT system in Nagqu region and other systems. 【Conclusion】 The NAT system exhibited excellent performance in blood screening at high altitudes. The results of performance validation in high-altitude blood screening NAT systems were largely consistent with those in plain areas, providing a reliable basis for enhancing blood safety in high-altitude regions.
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Objective:To construct a testing system for the effects of plantar surface vibration stimulation on the human postural adjustments, and to explore its practicability. Methods:The mechanical device and control system providing vibration stimulation were designed and built. Twenty-five healthy teachers and students (aged 19~29 years) were recruited from our college to participate in the experimental study from 2nd to 6th, October, 2019. The amplitudes of postural response were compared following non-stimulation and stimulation at left forefoot, left heel, right forefoot, right heel, left foot, right foot, double forefoot, double heels of each subject at the 20 Hz, 40 Hz, 60 Hz and 80 Hz vibrations, respectively. Results:The amplitude of the center of pressure response under foot cutaneous stimulation increased compared with the response amplitude under non-vibration conditions (P < 0.05). Conclusion:The locations of vibration as well as different vibration parameters (such as frequency, amplitude) could be adjusted, and the information of postural response to vibratory stimulation of the plantar surface, especially the excursion of center of pressure could be collected in the system which can be applied in the experimental study on the human posture control.
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BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the diagnostic effectiveness of an LCD-based visual field testing system (LVF) in comparison with the standard automated perimetry Humphrey Field Analyzer II-750i (HFA). METHODS: A randomized controlled crossover study was conducted with 202 normal and 128 glaucomatous eyes using both LVF and HFA. The visual field testing systems were compared in terms of mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of MD and PSD differentiating the normal and glaucomatous eyes. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between MD measurements from LVF and those from HFA for normal eyes (r = 0.342) and glaucomatous eyes (r = 0.796); slightly higher significant correlations were identified between PSD measurements from LVF and those from HFA for normal eyes (r = 0.363) and glaucomatous eyes (r = 0.828). Furthermore, high AUCs of MD were found as 0.786 for LVF and 0.868 for HFA and AUCs of PSD as 0.913 for LVF and 0.932 for HFA. CONCLUSION: The comparison results of the present study support the competence of LVF compared with HFA in visual field testing for early detection of glaucoma.
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Area Under Curve , Cross-Over Studies , Glaucoma , Mental Competency , ROC Curve , Visual Field Tests , Visual FieldsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for improving the food and drug inspection and testing system in Gansu prov-ince. METHODS:The food and drug inspection and testing institutions in Gansu province were investigated by using questionnaires and interview. Information about resource allocation,operational capacity and business scope in various levels of food and drug in-spection and testing institutions in Gansu province were collected. Problems existing in food and drug inspection and testing system in Gansu province were analyzed,and countermeasures were put forward. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:The food and drug in-spection and testing system in Gansu province is not perfect,showing unreasonable resource allocation,lack of inspection and test-ing resources as a whole,low resource utilization,imperfect management mechanism,weak normativity and other problems. In or-der to achieve the improvement of food and drug inspection and testing system in Gansu province,countermeasures were put for-ward,including optimizing resource allocation of inspection and testing,enhancing facility and capacity,improving the utilization of existing resources,improving management mechanism,process and standard.
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Before performing patient testing with commercial microbial test systems,each laboratory must verify that it can obtain performance specifications comparable to those of the manufacturer.This includes trueness,precision (reproducibility),and reportable range of test results,and verifying that the manufacturer's reference ranges are appropriate for the laboratory's patient population.American Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute has set up a committeeto develop a verification process and a quality assurance program for commercial microbial identification system and antimicrobial susceptibility testing system,in order to provide recommendations for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).This guidance is applicable to instrument systems widely used in clinical laboratories and can also be used for manual testing of microbiological identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.The aim of this article is to provide advice for the microbial identification system and antimicrobial susceptibility testing system verification process,based on principles of microbiological identification and antimicrobial susceptibility and CLSI M52 guideline.
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Several anatomical anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction techniques have been proposed to restore normal joint kinematics. However, the relative superiorities of these techniques with one another and traditional single-bundle reconstructions are unclear. Kinematic responses of five previously reported reconstruction techniques (single-bundle reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft [SBR-BPTB], single-bundle reconstruction using a hamstring tendon graft [SBR-HST], single-tunnel double-bundle reconstruction using a hamstring tendon graft [STDBR-HST], anatomical single-tunnel reconstruction using a hamstring tendon graft [ASTR-HST], and a double-tunnel double-bundle reconstruction using a hamstring tendon graft [DBR-HST]) were systematically analyzed. The knee kinematics were determined under anterior tibial load (134 N) and simulated quadriceps load (400 N) at 0degrees, 15degrees, 30degrees, 60degrees, and 90degrees of flexion using a robotic testing system. Anterior joint stability under anterior tibial load was qualified as normal for ASTR-HST and DBR-HST and nearly normal for SBR-BPTB, SBR-HST, and STDBR-HST as per the International Knee Documentation Committee knee examination form categorization. The analysis of this study also demonstrated that SBR-BPTB, STDBR-HST, ASTR-HST, and DBR-HST restored the anterior joint stability to normal condition while the SBR-HST resulted in a nearly normal anterior joint stability under the action of simulated quadriceps load. The medial-lateral translations were restored to normal level by all the reconstructions. The internal tibial rotations under the simulated muscle load were over-constrained by all the reconstruction techniques, and more so by the DBR-HST. All five ACL reconstruction techniques could provide either normal or nearly normal anterior joint stability; however, the techniques over-constrained internal tibial rotation under the simulated quadriceps load.
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Anterior Cruciate Ligament , Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction , Biomechanical Phenomena , Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Grafts , Joints , Knee , Tendons , Translations , TransplantsABSTRACT
Objective To develop a practical testing system on internet,to offer a modern pattern of practicing testing for diagnostic imaging and to evaluate the effects.Methods Practical testing system for diagnostic imaging based on PACS was set up and its effect was evaluated by students.Results The developed practical testing system combines question bank,image reading tool and answering interface together and has functions of controlling and managing both the questions and students participating in the examination.In the satisfaction survey of students,practicing testing system of diagnostic imaging got a score of 96.75 (full mark 100) and was highly prized.Conclusions This pattern of online testing offers more imaging information and makes practicing examination of diagnostic imaging more vivid and scientific.
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The number of people that use Natural Health Products (NHP), not only as a complementary medical treatment, but also for disease prevention and health maintenance, has increased considerably in recent years. Although classified as a food, NHPs can have various pharmacological effects, leading to situations that cannot be ignored by healthcare administrators. However, the level of knowledge and awareness of NHPs are inadequate among healthcare professionals. The Medical Supplement Advisor (MSA) Certification Course that is introduced here is an advanced level course intended for medical professionals only, which examine NHPs, categorized by specific diseases, based on EBM. The contents and arrangement of this course allow clinical physicians and pharmacists to learn and acquire more effectively the knowledge and tools of NHPs and has also been designed with special attention to the clinical application of that knowledge. In order to maximize convenience, the entire course is offered on-line and a CBT system is utilized for the qualification exam. It is essential for healthcare administrators in the future to be able to critically assess information about NHPs and to play a guiding role in health management programs and comprehensive medical care that incorporate Natural Health Products.<br>
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@#ObjectiveTo develop a portable body balance testing system for posture of standing and sitting.MethodsAs the body sways, balance indicator fixed on the centre of head will change with the swaying. The tract of the swaying indicator will be translated to tract of the posture by the means of photo-electricity and image processing. The body balance function will be measured quantificationally after the tract is analysed.Results and ConclusionThe system has been developed. With the aid of this instrument, the body balance function of one volunteer pre-drinking and post-drinking has been measured and compared.
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Objective To explore a practical way for traceability and comparability of the value obtained from clinical biochemical examination in regional medical organizations by transferring the assigned value in fresh serum to daily serum calibrator.Methods Six local comprehensive hospitals with Grade III were chosen to analyze the effects of calibration by traceability and the comparability of examined results.The definite values of standard panel in matching analytical system were transferred to fresh sera for value assignment.Verified biochemical analyzers were used to examine the values of alaninetransaminase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),urea and total bilirubin(TBil) in mixed fresh sera and intercomparison with target system was performed to analyze the effect of traceable calibration and the comparability among various analytical systems.Results Although all the applied instruments in the present study were in good conditions with high precision,the comparability of obtained results of ALT,TC,Urea and TBil between tested system and target system was low and the differences were significant(P0.05).Conclusion Traceable precision transfer by using fresh serum is a simple,practical,feasible way to realize the traceability and comparability of regional clinical biochemical examination.