Functional Knee Extension Test (FKET): Inter-rater palpatory agreement and visual analysis during a non-weight bearing functional assessment of the knee.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter-rater reliability of the Functional Knee Extension Test (FKET), a non-weight bearing functional assessment of the knee that is utilized within clinical practice. METHODS: The design was a single-session, test-retest reliability study. Active knee extension was assessed and documented by each examiner for each of the visual, palpatory and vastus medialis obliqus (VMO) components of the FKET on fifty-seven healthcare professionals. RESULTS: The Kappa (κ) statistic for the inter-rater reliability for the visual, palpatory and VMO variables of the FKET were slight-to-fair (0.13-0.26), fair-to-moderate (0.39-0.50), and moderate-to-almost perfect (0.57-0.93) reliability, respectively. The p-values for all variables, besides 'Visual RIGHT: TibTubExt' and 'Visual LEFT: TibTubExt' indicated statistically significant evidence of agreement above random guessing. Estimates for κ on the 'VMO Quantity: No contact' and 'VMO Timing: Start then stop' variables could not be calculated as ratings only existed across one row of the crosstabulation. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the palpatory and VMO components of the FKET have sufficient reliability to justify utilization within clinical practice. Future research is needed to determine whether the implementation of a functional knee assessment protocol, including the FKET could enhance levels of reliability in clinical decision-making of knee function.

Hormone modeling in preterm neonates: establishment of pituitary and steroid hormone reference intervals.

CONTEXT: Reports suggest significant differences in serum levels of hormones in extremely preterm compared with late preterm and full-term infants. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop reference intervals (RIs) for 3 pituitary hormones and 5 steroid hormones in serum of preterm infants. DESIGN: Blood samples were collected from 248 (128 male and 120 female) preterm neonates born between 24 and 32 weeks' gestation. SETTING: PARTICIPANTS were recruited from 3 neonatal intensive care wards in Melbourne, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: No infant in this cohort had ambiguous genitalia or other endocrine abnormalities. All infants included in the RI determination survived beyond the equivalent of term. INTERVENTIONS: Serum was analyzed for prolactin, FSH, and LH by automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Roche Cobas 8000-e601). Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used for analysis of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, cortisol, cortisone, and testosterone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The robust method was applied to define the central 95% RI, after each hormone measure was transformed using a Box-Cox transformation to correct for asymmetry. RESULTS: RIs were established for 8 hormones. Gender-specific intervals were developed for FSH, LH, and testosterone. Cortisone and 17- hydroxyprogesterone required division based on gestational age, with neonates born at <30 weeks' gestation demonstrating higher levels than their older counterparts. Androstenedione, cortisol, and prolactin did not require any division within this cohort for RI assignment. CONCLUSIONS: This report provides the first characterization of serum steroids measured by mass spectrometry in preterm neonates, with the additional characterization of 3 pituitary hormones in infants born at ≤32 weeks' gestation. Use of these data allows for correct interpretation of results for very preterm neonates and reduces the risk of incorrect diagnosis due to misinterpretation of data.

Development of a new biochemical test to diagnose and monitor neuroblastoma in Vietnam: homovanillic and vanillylmandelic acid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop an accurate robust testing method to simultaneously measure urine levels of HVA and VMA using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) and to establish age-specific reference intervals of HVA and VMA in random urines for Vietnamese children. DESIGN AND METHODS: The assay for urinary HVA and VMA was developed based on a classical urinary organic acid profiling method. Briefly, this incorporated 3-phenyl butyric acid as the internal standard and liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate followed by derivatization with BSTFA. The Agilent 7890A GC and 5975C Mass Selective Detector in single ion monitoring mode was used for analysis. Reference intervals were developed from random urine samples collected from 634 disease free Vietnamese children and compared to 50 known neuroblastoma patient samples. Results were reported relative to creatinine concentration. Age related 95% reference intervals for urinary HVA and VMA were estimated from sample quantiles. The analytes (expressed as analyte/creatinine ratios) diagnostic values were determined by calculating the related sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios. RESULTS: HVA and VMA were linear to at least 193 and 221µmol/L, respectively. The limit of quantitation for both analytes was 0.9µmol/L. Using the bi-level control (n=15), the within-batch coefficients of variations (CVs) were less than 3% for both analytes across the assay range. The between-batch CVs (n=20 over three months), were 3.6% at 11µmol/L and 2.1% at 88µmol/L for HVA, 6.6% at 18.2µmol/L and 2.6% at 90.6µmol/L for VMA. Vietnamese age related reference intervals were established for urinary HVA and VMA per creatinine. HVA for children <6months (n=91) was 5.3-37.0µmol/mmol; 6months to <1year (n=141) was 2.7-27.7µmol/mmol; 1 to 5years (n=139) was 3.4-17.9µmol/mmol; 6 to 10years (n=136) was 2.7-8.8µmol/mmol; and 11 to 15years (n=127) was 1.1-9.4µmol/mmol. VMA for children <6months was 1.8-12.2µmol/mmol; 6months to <1year was 1.5-9.3µmol/mmol; 1 to 5years was 1.9-7.8µmol/mmol; 6 to 10years was 1.6-5.1µmol/mmol; and 11 to 15years was <0.9-6.3µmol/mmol. CONCLUSIONS: A robust testing method for simultaneous quantitation of urinary HVA and VMA by GCMS was developed. This method is accurate, precise and fit for its clinical purpose and suitable for developing countries. Age-related reference intervals of urinary HVA and VMA were established for Vietnamese children and the intervals declined progressively with increasing age for each analyte.

The effect of close proximity holographic wristbands on human balance and limits of stability: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of holographic technology wristbands on human balance and stability performance. Forty-two individuals volunteered to participate in the study. A performance technology silicone wristband containing two holograms was utilised as the 'Device'. A 'placebo' performance technology silicone wristband was utilised where the two holograms were removed and replaced with two stainless steel discs to the same dimensions and weight as the Device. Each participant was randomly allocated into two different testing protocol groups: Protocol 1 (Device-baseline-placebo) and Protocol 2 (placebo-baseline-Device). One week following the initial testing, the Protocol 1 group was tested under the conditions of Protocol 2, and vice versa, so that all participants were taken through both protocols. Results indicated that there was no statistically significant mean change in balance performance brought about by either the placebo or the Device. Notably, the sample data indicated an overall decrease in balance and stability. However, these mean changes are still within the bounds of what would be expected assuming the Device had no overall effect. The findings of this study indicate that holographic technology wristbands have no effect on human balance and stability performance.