Verification bias arises in diagnostic test evaluation studies when the results from a first test are verified by a reference test only in a non-representative subsample of the original study subjects. This occurs, for example, when inclusion probabilities for the subsample depend on first-stage results and/or on a covariate related to disease status. Reference standard bias arises when the ref...

An important paper describing the Standards of the Polish Ultrasound Society regarding the assessment of portal and hepatic vasculature was published in the Journal of Ultrasonography. Due to the multiplicity of morphological and hemodynamic data required, the time needed to obtain these data and the legal responsibility of doctors for the results, there seems to be a need to determine a clear ...

CONTEXT The literature contains a large number of potential biases in the evaluation of diagnostic tests. Strict application of appropriate methodological criteria would invalidate the clinical application of most study results. OBJECTIVE To empirically determine the quantitative effect of study design shortcomings on estimates of diagnostic accuracy. DESIGN AND SETTING Observational study ...

Popular music (characterized by improvised instrumental parts, beat and measure-level organization, and steady tempo) poses challenges for human-computer music performance (HCMP). Pieces of music are typically rearrangeable on-the-fly and involve a high degree of variation from ensemble to ensemble, and even between rehearsal and performance. Computer systems aiming to participate in such ensem...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of storing commonly used rapid diagnostic tests above manufacturer-recommended temperature (at 37°C), and the accuracy of delayed reading of oral fluid kits with relevance to HIV self-testing programmes. DESIGN A quality assurance study of OraQuick (OraSure), Determine HIV 1/2™ (Alere) and Uni-Gold™ (Recombigen®). METHODS Consecutive adults (≥18y) attending...

background: to suggest south india ct diagnostic reference levels (drls) by collecting radiation doses for the most commonly performed ct examinations. materials and methods: a pilot study investigated the most frequent ct examinations. 110 ct sites were asked to complete a survey booklet to allow the recording of ct parameters for each of 3 ct examinations during a 1 year time period. dose dat...

esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (escc) is a deadly cancer with poor prognosis. in this regard, early diagnosis is of vital importance to cure the tumor in its early stages. novel cancer diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have been recently introduced based on micrornas (mirnas). also, accurate normalization using appropriate reference genes is a critical step in mirna expression studies. ...