The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Erik H F M Van Der Heijden - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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optimal endobronchial ultrasound strain elastography Assessment Strategy an explorative study
Respiration, 2019Co-Authors: Roel L J Verhoeven, Chris L De Korte, Erik H F M Van Der HeijdenAbstract:BACKGROUND In lung cancer staging, mediastinal lymph nodes are currently aspirated using endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) based on size and FDG-PET avidity. EBUS strain elastography (SE) is a new technique that may help predict the presence of malignancy. However, a standardized Assessment Strategy for EBUS-SE measurement is lacking. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the optimal Assessment Strategy for investigating the predictive value of EBUS-SE in mediastinal lymph nodes. METHODS Two qualitative visual analogue scale strain scores and two semiquantitative strain elastography measurements (a strain histogram and strain ratio) were acquired in 120 lymph nodes of 63 patients with (suspected) lung cancer. The dataset was randomized into an 80% training dataset to determine cut-off values. Performance was consecutively tested on the remaining 20% and the overall dataset. RESULTS The semiquantitative mean histogram scoring Strategy with a cut-off value of 78 (range 0-255) showed the best and most reproducible performance in prediction of malignancy with 93% overall sensitivity, 75% specificity, 69% positive predictive value, 95% negative predictive value, and 82% accuracy. Combining the EBUS-SE mean histogram scoring outcome with PET-CT information increased the post-test probability of disease in relevant clinical scenarios, having a positive test likelihood ratio of 4.16 (95% CI 2.98-8.13) and a negative test likelihood ratio of 0.14 (95% CI 0.04-2.81) in suspicious lymph nodes based on FDG-PET or CT imaging. CONCLUSIONS EBUS-SE can potentially help predict lymph node malignancy in patients with lung cancer. The best semiquantitative Assessment method is the mean strain histogram technique.
Jaewoo Park - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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determination of a risk management primer at petroleum contaminated sites developing new human health risk Assessment Strategy
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011Co-Authors: Insun Park, Jaewoo ParkAbstract:Abstract Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) is an important environmental contaminant that is toxic to human and environmental receptors. However, human health risk Assessment for petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL)-contaminated sites is especially challenging because TPH is not a single compound, but rather a mixture of numerous substances. To address this concern, this study recommends a new human health risk Assessment Strategy for POL-contaminated sites. The Strategy is based on a newly modified TPH fractionation method and includes an improved analytical protocol. The proposed TPH fractionation method is composed of ten fractions (e.g., aliphatic and aromatic EC8–10, EC10–12, EC12–16, EC16–22 and EC22–40). Physicochemical properties and toxicity values of each fraction were newly defined in this study. The stepwise ultrasonication-based analytical process was established to measure TPH fractions. Analytical results were compared with those from the TPH Criteria Working Group (TPHCWG) Direct Method. Better analytical efficiencies in TPH, aliphatic, and aromatic fractions were achieved when contaminated soil samples were analyzed with the new analytical protocol. Finally, a human health risk Assessment was performed based on the developed tiered risk Assessment framework. Results showed that a detailed quantitative risk Assessment should be conducted to determine scientifically and economically appropriate cleanup target levels, although the phase II process is useful for determining the potency of human health risks posed by POL-contamination.
Robert Landsiedel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the marina risk Assessment Strategy a flexible Strategy for efficient information collection and risk Assessment of nanomaterials
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2015Co-Authors: Stefania Gottardo, Janeck J Scottfordsmand, Martie Van Tongeren, Elena Semenzin, Teresa F Fernandes, Danail Hristozov, Kerstin Hundrinke, Neil Hunt, Muhammadadeel Irfan, Robert LandsiedelAbstract:An engineered nanomaterial (ENM) may actually consist of a population of primary particles, aggregates and agglomerates of various sizes. Furthermore, their physico-chemical characteristics may change during the various life-cycle stages. It will probably not be feasible to test all varieties of all ENMs for possible health and environmental risks. There is therefore a need to further develop the approaches for risk Assessment of ENMs. Within the EU FP7 project Managing Risks of Nanoparticles (MARINA) a two-phase risk Assessment Strategy has been developed. In Phase 1 (Problem framing) a base set of information is considered, relevant exposure scenarios (RESs) are identified and the scope for Phase 2 (Risk Assessment) is established. The relevance of an RES is indicated by information on exposure, fate/kinetics and/or hazard; these three domains are included as separate pillars that contain specific tools. Phase 2 consists of an iterative process of risk characterization, identification of data needs and integrated collection and evaluation of data on the three domains, until sufficient information is obtained to conclude on possible risks in a RES. Only data are generated that are considered to be needed for the purpose of risk Assessment. A fourth pillar, risk characterization, is defined and it contains risk Assessment tools. This Strategy describes a flexible and efficient approach for data collection and risk Assessment which is essential to ensure safety of ENMs. Further developments are needed to provide guidance and make the MARINA Risk Assessment Strategy operational. Case studies will be needed to refine the Strategy.
Thomas N Wise - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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development of a new Assessment Strategy in psychosomatic medicine the diagnostic criteria for psychosomatic research
Advances in Psychosomatic Medicine, 2007Co-Authors: Stefania Fabbri, Giovanni A Fava, Laura Sirri, Thomas N WiseAbstract:The Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) are a diagnostic and conceptual framework that was proposed a decade ago by an international group of investigators. The DCPR’s rationale was to translate psychosocial variables that derived from psychosomatic research into operational tools whereby individual patients could be identified. A set of 12 syndromes was developed: health anxiety, thanatophobia, disease phobia, illness denial, persistent somatization, conversion symptoms, functional somatic symptoms secondary to a psychiatric disorder, anniversary reaction, demoralization, irritable mood, type A behavior, and alexithymia. These criteria were meant to be used in a multiaxial approach. The aim of this work is to survey the research evidence which has accumulated on the DCPR, to provide specification for their development and validation and to examine the specific DCPR clusters. Their implications for classification purposes (DSM-V) are also discussed.
Roel L J Verhoeven - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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optimal endobronchial ultrasound strain elastography Assessment Strategy an explorative study
Respiration, 2019Co-Authors: Roel L J Verhoeven, Chris L De Korte, Erik H F M Van Der HeijdenAbstract:BACKGROUND In lung cancer staging, mediastinal lymph nodes are currently aspirated using endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) based on size and FDG-PET avidity. EBUS strain elastography (SE) is a new technique that may help predict the presence of malignancy. However, a standardized Assessment Strategy for EBUS-SE measurement is lacking. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the optimal Assessment Strategy for investigating the predictive value of EBUS-SE in mediastinal lymph nodes. METHODS Two qualitative visual analogue scale strain scores and two semiquantitative strain elastography measurements (a strain histogram and strain ratio) were acquired in 120 lymph nodes of 63 patients with (suspected) lung cancer. The dataset was randomized into an 80% training dataset to determine cut-off values. Performance was consecutively tested on the remaining 20% and the overall dataset. RESULTS The semiquantitative mean histogram scoring Strategy with a cut-off value of 78 (range 0-255) showed the best and most reproducible performance in prediction of malignancy with 93% overall sensitivity, 75% specificity, 69% positive predictive value, 95% negative predictive value, and 82% accuracy. Combining the EBUS-SE mean histogram scoring outcome with PET-CT information increased the post-test probability of disease in relevant clinical scenarios, having a positive test likelihood ratio of 4.16 (95% CI 2.98-8.13) and a negative test likelihood ratio of 0.14 (95% CI 0.04-2.81) in suspicious lymph nodes based on FDG-PET or CT imaging. CONCLUSIONS EBUS-SE can potentially help predict lymph node malignancy in patients with lung cancer. The best semiquantitative Assessment method is the mean strain histogram technique.
