Use of Generalizability Theory Evaluating Comparative Reliability of the Scapholunate Interval Measurement With X-ray, CT, and US.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: There is no universally accepted standard technique for measuring the scapholunate interval and no specific sources of measurement error have been identified. We aimed to establish a set of normal radiological criteria for the scapholunate interval that could be used in comparative studies of wrist pathology to determine interobserver reliability and to identify potential errors that might influence measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 healthy volunteers participated in the study. Scapholunate interval was measured by three independent observers using X-ray, CT, and US in four positions, including neutral, fist, radial and ulnar deviation. Inter-observer reliability was tested using intraclass correlation coefficient. Generalizability theory was applied to evaluate specific sources of measurement error related to participant, observer, imaging modality and measurement position. RESULTS: In neutral position, the scapholunate interval measured by X-ray, CT, and US was 3.1 mm, 3.5 mm and 3.5 mm respectively. The interval remained constant during fist and radial deviation but decreased during ulnar deviation. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.874 to 0.907 for X-ray, 0.773-0.881 for CT and 0.964-0.979 for US. In the generalizability study, the participant x modality x position interaction accounted for the largest proportion of total variance (29%). CONCLUSION: X-ray, CT, and US are reliable modalities for measuring the scapholunate interval, with US having the highest reliability. Participant and position factors may independently contribute to measurement error. Therefore, standardized measurement positions are recommended to obtain reliable measurement results.

Portable microfluidic integrated plasmonic platform for pathogen detection.

Timely detection of infectious agents is critical in early diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Conventional pathogen detection methods, such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), culturing or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) require long assay times, and complex and expensive instruments, which are not adaptable to point-of-care (POC) needs at resource-constrained as well as primary care settings. Therefore, there is an unmet need to develop simple, rapid, and accurate methods for detection of pathogens at the POC. Here, we present a portable, multiplex, inexpensive microfluidic-integrated surface plasmon resonance (SPR) platform that detects and quantifies bacteria, i.e., Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) rapidly. The platform presented reliable capture and detection of E. coli at concentrations ranging from ~10(5) to 3.2 × 10(7) CFUs/mL in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid. The multiplexing and specificity capability of the platform was also tested with S. aureus samples. The presented platform technology could potentially be applicable to capture and detect other pathogens at the POC and primary care settings.