Wang Chi Chiu. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 294-336). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

This work was supported by Cienciativa of CONCYTEC Peru, under contract number 164-2016-FONDECYT, and the Programa Nacional de Innovación para la Competitividad y Productividad (Innóvate Perú), under contract number 116-PNICP-PIAP-2015. / Background: Huánuco is a central eastern region of Peru whose geography includes high forest and low jungle, as well as a mountain range that constitutes the inter-Andean valleys. It is considered a region endemic for dengue due to the many favorable conditions that facilitate transmission of the virus. Methods: A total of 268 serum samples from patients in Huánuco, Peru with an acute febrile illness were assessed for the presence of dengue virus (DENV) via RT-PCR and NS1, IgM, and IgG ELISA during December 2015 and March 2016. Results: DENV was detected in 25% of samples via RT-PCR, 19% of samples by NS1 antigen ELISA, and 10.5% of samples by IgM ELISA. DENV IgG was detected in 15.7% of samples by ELISA. The most frequent symptoms associated with fever across all groups were headache, myalgia, and arthralgia, with no significant difference between the four test methods Conclusions: In this study, DENV was identified in up to 25% of the samples using the standard laboratory method. In addition, a correlation was established between the frequency of positive results and the serological tests that determine NS1, IgM, and IgG. There is an increasing need for point-of-care tests to strengthen epidemiological surveillance in Peru. / Revisión por pares / Revisión por pares

Lo, Yin Wai Wyatt. / "December 2010." / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 186-206). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.II / 摘要 --- p.VII / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.X / PUBLICATIONS --- p.XI / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.XII / LIST OF TABLES --- p.XVIII / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.XXI / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.XXIV / Chapter SECTION I: --- BACKGROUND --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 1: --- PRENATALTESTNG --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1. --- THE AIM --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2. --- INVASIVE PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3. --- NONINVASIVE PRENATAL SCREENING --- p.6 / Chapter CHAPTER 2: --- NONINVASIVE PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1. --- CIRCULATING FETAL CELLS IN PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2. --- CIRCULATING FETAL NUCLEIC ACIDS IN PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- Biology of circulating fetal DNA . --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.2. --- Clinical applications of circulating fetal DNA --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.2.1. --- Qualitative analysis of fetal DNA in maternal plasma --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.2.2. --- Quantitative analysis of fetal DNA in maternal plasma --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4. --- CIRCULATING FETAL RNA IN MATERNAL PLASMA --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4.1. --- Biology of circulating fetal RNA --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4.2. --- Clinical applications of circulating fetal RNA --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4.2.1. --- Quantitative analysis of fetal RNA in maternal plasma --- p.22 / Chapter CHAPTER 3: --- TECHNICAL CHALLENGES IN ANALYZING CIRCULATING FETAL NUCLEIC ACIDS --- p.26 / Chapter 3.1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.26 / Chapter 3.2. --- "PREANALYTICAL ISSUES IN MATERNAL PLASMA NUCLEIC ACID ANALYSE"";" --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Low abundance of cell-free fetal nucleic acids in maternal plasma --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- High level of maternal background in maternal plasma --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3. --- ANALYTICAL ISSUES IN MATERNAL PLASMA NUCLEIC ACID ANALYS --- p.IS / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Imprecise measurement of fetal nucleic acid quantity --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Coexistence of fetal nucleic acids and maternal nucleic acid background in maternal plasma --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4. --- AIMS OF THIS THESIS --- p.41 / Chapter SECTION II: --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER 4: --- QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS --- p.43 / Chapter 4.1. --- SAMPLE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING --- p.43 / Chapter 4.1.1. --- Preparation of plasma and blood cells --- p.43 / Chapter 4.1.2. --- Preparation of placental tissues --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2. --- NUCLEIC ACID EXTRACTION --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Extraction of total RNA --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.1.1. --- Plasma samples --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.1.2. --- Placental tissue samples --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Extraction of genomic DNA --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2.2.1. --- Plasma samples --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2.2.2. --- Blood cell samples --- p.48 / Chapter 4.3. --- CONVENTIONAL REAL-TIME PCR ANALYSIS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS --- p.50 / Chapter 4.3.1. --- Principles of real-time polymerase chain reaction --- p.50 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) --- p.52 / Chapter 4.3.3. --- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) --- p.53 / Chapter 4.4. --- DIGITAL REAL-TIME PCR ANALYSIS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS --- p.55 / Chapter 4.4.1. --- Principles of digital PCR (dPCR) --- p.55 / Chapter 4.4.2. --- 384-reaction well dPCR v --- p.56 / Chapter 4.4.3. --- Microfluidics dPCR --- p.57 / Chapter 4.5. --- MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER DESORPTIONIONIZATION/TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETRY (MALDI-TOF MS) ANALYSIS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS --- p.59 / Chapter 4.5.1. --- Principles of MALDI-TOF MS --- p.59 / Chapter 4.5.2. --- DNA genotyping analysis by MassArray Homogenous MassExtend (hME) assay --- p.60 / Chapter 4.6. --- CLONING AND DNA SEQUENCING --- p.63 / Chapter SECTION III: --- IMPROVEMENTS ON MATERNAL PLASMA ANALYSIS OF CIRCULATING RNA --- p.65 / Chapter CHAPTER 5: --- ENRICHMENT OF PLACENTA EXPRESSED MRNA MARKERS BY WHOLE TRANSCRIPTOME PREAMPLIFICATION --- p.66 / Chapter 5.1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.66 / Chapter 5.2. --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.69 / Chapter 5.2.1. --- Study design --- p.69 / Chapter 5.2.2. --- Subjects and sample collection --- p.71 / Chapter 5.2.3. --- RNA extraction and sample dilution --- p.71 / Chapter 5.2.4. --- Preamplification --- p.73 / Chapter 5.2.5. --- qPCR analysis --- p.74 / Chapter 5.3. --- RESULTS --- p.83 / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Comparison of mRNA expression profiles in placental tissues with and without preamplification --- p.83 / Chapter 5.3.1.1. --- Undiluted placental tissue RNA --- p.84 / Chapter 5.3.1.2. --- Diluted placental tissue RNA --- p.88 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- The effect of RNA input on the degree of amplification --- p.92 / Chapter 5.3.2.1. --- Correlation between RNA input and RNA output --- p.94 / Chapter 5.3.2.2. --- Correlation between RNA input and output/input ratio --- p.96 / Chapter 5.3.3. --- Preamplification of maternal plasma RNA --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3.3.1. --- Concentrations of placenta expressed mRNA in third trimester maternal plasma --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3.3.2. --- Concentrations of placenta expressed mRNA in first trimester maternal plasma --- p.100 / Chapter 5.4. --- DISCUSSION --- p.102 / Chapter SECTION IV: --- IMPROVEMENTS ON MATERNAL PLASMA ANALYSIS OF CIRCULATING DNA --- p.105 / Chapter CHAPTER 6: --- ACCURATE GENE DOSAGE ANALYSIS BY MULTIPLEX QPCR --- p.106 / Chapter 6.1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.106 / Chapter 6.2. --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.110 / Chapter 6.2.1. --- Study design --- p.110 / Chapter 6.2.2. --- Subjects and sample collection --- p.112 / Chapter 6.2.3. --- DNA extraction and sample dilution --- p.113 / Chapter 6.2.4. --- qPCR analysis --- p.113 / Chapter 6.2.4.1. --- Monoplex assays --- p.114 / Chapter 6.2.4.2. --- Multiplex assays --- p.114 / Chapter 6.2.5. --- Microfluidics dPCR assay --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2.6. --- Gene Dosage Comparison --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2.6.1. --- In adult male samples --- p.123 / Chapter 6.2.6.2. --- In maternal plasma samples --- p.123 / Chapter 6.3. --- RESULTS --- p.125 / Chapter 6.3.1. --- The influence of using the same and different sets of primers for amplifying different chromosomal loci --- p.125 / Chapter 6.3.2. --- Effects of using monoplex and multiplex real-time PCR formulations --- p.130 / Chapter 6.3.3. --- Effects of incorporating calibration curves for template quantification in conventional qPCR --- p.135 / Chapter 6.4. --- DISCUSSION --- p.140 / Chapter CHAPTER 7: --- DPCR DETECTION OF PATERNALLY INHERITED POINT MUTATIONS --- p.144 / Chapter 7.1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.144 / Chapter 7.2. --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.153 / Chapter 7.2.1. --- Study design --- p.153 / Chapter 7.2.2. --- Subjects and sample collection --- p.157 / Chapter 7.2.3. --- DNA extraction and sample preparation --- p.158 / Chapter 7.2.4. --- MassArray hME assays --- p.159 / Chapter 7.2.5. --- dPCR assay --- p.159 / Chapter 7.3. --- RESULTS --- p.161 / Chapter 7.3.1. --- Validation of the digital HbE assay --- p.161 / Chapter 7.3.2. --- Determination of the minimum fetal DNA amount required for digital PCR detection --- p.165 / Chapter 7.3.3. --- Detection of paternally inherited fetal HbE mutation in maternal plasma --- p.172 / Chapter 7.4. --- DISCUSSION --- p.175 / Chapter SECTION V: --- CONCLUDING REMARKS --- p.180 / Chapter CHAPTER 8: --- CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES --- p.181 / Chapter 8.1. --- IMPROVEMENTS ON QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FETAL NUCLEIC ACIDS IN MATERNAL PLASMA --- p.181 / Chapter 8.2. --- PERSPECTIVES FOR FUTURE WORK --- p.184 / REFERENCES --- p.186

No description available.

O planejamento para direcionar o cuidado e fundamentar o conhecimento de enfermagem em situaÃÃes clÃnicas especÃficas se baseia na utilizaÃÃo de diagnÃsticos de enfermagem precisos. O uso de bons indicadores clÃnicos para predizer diagnÃsticos à fundamental para que se alcance essa precisÃo. Este estudo teve como objetivo geral determinar as medidas de acurÃcia dos indicadores clÃnicos dos diagnÃsticos de enfermagem respiratÃrios: DesobstruÃÃo ineficaz de vias aÃreas, PadrÃo respiratÃrio ineficaz, Troca de gases prejudicada e VentilaÃÃo espontÃnea prejudicada em crianÃas asmÃticas. Estudo transversal, realizado em um hospital de nÃvel secundÃrio da rede pÃblica de Fortaleza (CE), nos meses de abril a setembro de 2013. A amostra foi composta por 205 crianÃas. Os dados foram coletados por meio de uma avaliaÃÃo pulmonar e entrevista com os responsÃveis. As informaÃÃes obtidas foram analisadas para determinar a presenÃa ou ausÃncia dos indicadores clÃnicos dos diagnÃsticos em estudo. Posteriormente, esses dados foram encaminhados a enfermeiros diagnosticadores para inferÃncia diagnÃstica. Foram utilizados os softwares Excel e SPSS para organizaÃÃo e anÃlise estatÃstica dos dados. O nÃvel de significÃncia adotado foi de 5%. O estudo adotou os princÃpios Ãticos e recebeu parecer Ãtico favorÃvel (parecer n 237.389/13). Houve uma discreta prevalÃncia para o sexo masculino (52,3%) e mediana de idade de 36 meses. Das crianÃas avaliadas, 89,3% desenvolveram DesobstruÃÃo ineficaz de vias aÃreas; 86,8%, PadrÃo respiratÃrio ineficaz; 28,8%, Troca de gases prejudicada e 5,9%, VentilaÃÃo espontÃnea prejudicada. DesobstruÃÃo ineficaz de vias aÃreas apresentou dispneia, mudanÃa na frequÃncia respiratÃria, mudanÃa no ritmo respiratÃrio, ortopneia, ruÃdos adventÃcios e tosse ineficaz como indicadores mais prevalentes. MudanÃa na frequÃncia respiratÃria, mudanÃa no ritmo respiratÃrio, ortopneia, ruÃdos adventÃcios respiratÃrios, sons respiratÃrios diminuÃdo e tosse ineficaz apresentaram associaÃÃo estatisticamente significante com este diagnÃstico. E ruÃdos adventÃcios respiratÃrios e tosse ineficaz mostraram-se como os indicadores mais acurados. PadrÃo respiratÃrio ineficaz apresentou ortopneia, taquipneia e uso da musculatura acessÃria para respirar como os indicadores mais prevalentes. Evidenciou-se associaÃÃo estatisticamente significante de alteraÃÃes na profundidade respiratÃria, taquipneia, uso da musculatura acessÃria e ortopneia com PadrÃo respiratÃrio ineficaz. Uso da musculatura acessÃria para respirar, alteraÃÃes da profundidade respiratÃria e ortopneia apresentaram-se como mais acurados para padrÃo respiratÃrio ineficaz. Troca de gases prejudicada apresentou dispneia, respiraÃÃo anormal, taquicardia e hipoxemia como os indicadores mais prevalentes. Hipoxemia foi o Ãnico indicador que mostrou associaÃÃo estatisticamente significativa, alÃm de manifestar-se como mais acurado para troca de gases prejudicada. Para VentilaÃÃo espontÃnea prejudicada, dispneia, frequÃncia cardÃaca aumentada e SaO2 diminuÃda foram os indicadores mais prevalentes. CooperaÃÃo diminuÃda, SaO2 diminuÃda e uso aumentado da musculatura acessÃria para respirar estiveram associados significativamente com ventilaÃÃo espontÃnea prejudicada e uso aumentado da musculatura acessÃria para respirar apresentou-se com melhor acurÃcia. Para a associaÃÃo entre os diagnÃsticos, desobstruÃÃo ineficaz de vias aÃreas manteve relaÃÃo com padrÃo respiratÃrio ineficaz e padrÃo respiratÃrio ineficaz com Troca de gases prejudicada. VentilaÃÃo espontÃnea prejudicada nÃo apresentou associaÃÃo. Acredita-se que o conhecimento do perfil diagnÃstico de populaÃÃes especÃficas possa contribuir para que as intervenÃÃes de enfermagem sejam orientadas por decisÃes diagnÃsticas, facilitando assim, escolha de aÃÃes adequadas. / The planning to lead the care and to support the nursing knowledge in specific clinical situations is based on the use of accurate nursing diagnoses. The use of good clinical indicators for predicting diagnosis is essential in order to reach this precision. This study aimed at determining the measures of accuracy of clinical indicators for nursing diagnosis, such as: Ineffective airway clearance, Ineffective breathing pattern, Impaired gas exchange and Impaired spontaneous ventilation in asthmatic children through a cross-sectional study held in a secondary level public hospital in Fortaleza (CE), from April to September 2013. The sample consisted of 205 children with asthma whose data were collected through a pulmonary assessment and interviews with their parents. The data were analyzed by the researcher to determine the presence or absence of: Ineffective airway clearance; Ineffective breathing pattern; Impaired gas exchange and Impaired spontaneous ventilation indicators based on a research protocol and then diagnostician nurses analyzed this information for diagnostic inference. For statistical analysis, SPSS and Excel were used with a significance level of 5 %. The study adopted the ethical principles and received the assent of the Federal University of Cearà Ethics and Research (opinion No. 237.389/13). There was a slight prevalence for males (52.3 %) and average age of 36 months. 89.3% of the children assessed developed Ineffective airway clearance; 86.8 % developed Ineffective breathing pattern; 28.8 % developed Impaired gas exchange and 5.9 % of the children developed Impaired spontaneous ventilation. Ineffective airway clearance presented dyspnea, change in respiratory rate, change in respiratory rhythm, orthopnea, rales and ineffective cough as the most prevalent indicators. Change in respiratory rate, change in respiratory rhythm, orthopnea, respiratory rales, decreased breath sounds and ineffective cough showed a significant association with this diagnosis whereas ineffective cough and respiratory rales appeared as the most accurate indicators. Ineffective breathing pattern had orthopnea, tachypnea and use of accessory muscles to breathe as the most prevalent indicator. A statistically significant association between changes in respiratory depth, tachypnea, accessory muscle use and orthopnea with Ineffective breathing pattern was also observed in this study. The Use of accessory muscles for breathing, changes in respiratory depth and orthopnea were observed as more accurate for Ineffective breathing pattern. Impaired gas exchange presented dyspnea, abnormal breathing, tachycardia and hypoxemia as the most prevalent indicators. Hypoxemia was the only indicator that showed a statistically significant association, and were seen as more accurate for Impaired gas exchange. For Impaired spontaneous ventilation dyspnea, increased heart rate and decreased SaO2 were the most prevalent indicators. Decreased cooperation, decreased SaO2 and increased use of accessory muscles to breathe were significantly associated with Impaired spontaneous ventilation and increased use of accessory muscles to breathe was presented with better accuracy. For the association between diagnoses, Ineffective airway clearance remained related to Ineffective breathing pattern and Impaired gas exchange and Ineffective breathing pattern remained related to Impaired gas exchange. Impaired spontaneous ventilation showed no association. It is believed that knowledge of the diagnostic profile of specific populations may contribute to nursing interventions so that they are guided by diagnostic decisions, thus facilitating the choice of the most appropriate actions.

Chan, Ka Ying. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-150). / Abstract also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iv / CONTRIBUTORS --- p.vi / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.x / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xi / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xiii / Chapter SECTION I: --- BACKGROUND --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 1: --- PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF FETAL TRISOMY 21 --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1 --- Down syndrome --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Current methods of prenatal diagnosis of fetal trisomy 21 --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Non-invasive procedures --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Invasive procedures --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Alternative methods for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal trisomy 21 --- p.7 / Chapter CHAPTER 2: --- CELL-FREE FETAL NUCLEIC ACIDS IN MATERNAL PLASMA --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1 --- Circulating fetal cells --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- Circulating cell-free fetal nucleic acids --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3 --- Diagnostic applications of cell-free fetal nucleic acids in maternal plasma --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4 --- Digital relative chromosome dosage approach --- p.20 / Chapter 2.5 --- Validation of digital RCD approach on artificial DNA mixtures --- p.22 / Chapter SECTION II --- : MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.25 / Chapter CHAPTER 3: --- QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS --- p.26 / Chapter 3.1 --- Subject recruitment and sample collection --- p.26 / Chapter 3.2 --- Sample processing --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3 --- Nucleic acid extraction --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Extraction of DNA from placental tissues --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Extraction of DNA from maternal blood cells --- p.27 / Chapter 3.4 --- Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) --- p.28 / Chapter 3.5 --- Paralogous sequence assays optimisation workflow --- p.31 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Monoplex paralogous sequence assays --- p.31 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Multiplex paralogous sequence assay --- p.38 / Chapter 3.6 --- Digital PCR --- p.42 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Principle --- p.42 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Digital multiplex paralogous sequence assay --- p.42 / Chapter 3.7 --- Statistical analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- Disease classification of samples --- p.46 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- Poisson distribution --- p.46 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- Data analysis --- p.48 / Chapter 3.7.4 --- Sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) analysis --- p.49 / Chapter SECTION III: --- ASSAY DEVELOPMENT --- p.53 / Chapter CHAPTER 4: --- TESTING OF ASSAY SPECIFICITY WITH CORIELL CELL LINES --- p.54 / Chapter 4.1 --- Coriell cell lines --- p.54 / Chapter 4.2 --- Specificity of initial PCR primers --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Principle --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Results --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Conclusion --- p.63 / Chapter 4.3 --- Specificity of the iPLEX® Gold extension primers --- p.63 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Principle --- p.63 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Results --- p.65 / Chapter 4.4 --- Further analysis on the specificity of PV2107a initial PCR primers --- p.67 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.71 / Chapter CHAPTER 5: --- ASSAY OPTIMISATION --- p.72 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.72 / Chapter 5.2 --- Optimisation of initial PCRs with AmpliTaq Gold® DNA polymerase followed by homogeneous MassEXTEN´DёØ (hME) assays (Sequenom) --- p.72 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Optimisation of initial PCR reactions --- p.72 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Principle of homogeneous MassEXTEN´DёØ assays (Sequenom)… --- p.75 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Homogeneous MassEXTEN´DёØ assays (Sequenom) on euploid and T21 samples --- p.76 / Chapter 5.3 --- Assay selection by iPLEX® Gold single base primer extension reactions (Sequenom) --- p.82 / Chapter 5.4 --- Optimisation of multiplex PCR with AmpliTaq Gold® DNA polymerase --- p.88 / Chapter 5.5 --- Optimisation of multiplex iPLEX® Gold single base primer extension reaction --- p.93 / Chapter 5.6 --- Single molecule detection test for the multiplex paralogous sequence assays … --- p.103 / Chapter SECTION IV: --- ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL SAMPLES --- p.107 / Chapter CHAPTER 6: --- DISEASE CLASSIFICATION OF EUPLOID AND TRISOMY SAMPLES WITH MULTIPLEX PARALOGOUS SEQUENCE ASSAY --- p.108 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.108 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.109 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Sample collection --- p.109 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Experimental design --- p.110 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results --- p.111 / Chapter 6.4 --- Discussion --- p.114 / Chapter SECTION V: --- CONCLUDING REMARKS --- p.122 / Chapter CHAPTER 7: --- CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES --- p.123 / Chapter 7.1 --- Conclusion --- p.123 / Chapter 7.2 --- Future perspectives --- p.124 / Appendix 1 --- p.126 / Appendix II --- p.127 / REFERENCE --- p.133

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The purpose of this study was to determine if an association exists among the diagnosis of speech-language impairments (SLI) and the diagnoses of learning disabilities (LD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a school-aged population of children referred to a Learning Disorders Clinic (LDC) because of academic underachievement and/or behavior problems. The two research questions asked in this study are: (a) What percentage of students diagnosed with SLI have a concomitant diagnosis of LD and/or ADHD? and (b) Is there an association among the diagnosis of SLI and the diagnoses of LD and/or ADHD? A sample of 94 subjects was obtained from review of 291 LDC records of children ref erred and diagnosed during the years 1989-1992. The subjects were grouped into eight categories by diagnosis, that is, (a) SLI, (b) SLI/LD, (c) SLI/ADHO, (d) SLI/LO/ADHD, (e) no diagnosis of SLI/LO/AOHD, (f) LO, (g) ADHD, and (h) LD/ADHD. The obtained Chi square value was not statistically significant at a .OS alpha level. Thus, the null hypothesis: there will be no association among the diagnosis of SLI and the diagnoses of LO and/or ADHD, could not be rejected. In this sample, however, 85% of the children diagnosed with SLI had a concomitant diagnosis of LD and/or ADHD, and 70% with no SLI diagnosis were diagnosed with LD and/or ADHD. The overlapping nature of the disorders of SLI, LD, and ADHD is noted. The definitions of SLI and LO demonstrate how enmeshed language and learning problems are. One inference from this study is that as children grow older, their language deficits are recognized in the context of a learning disorder.

Thesis (MPH)--University of Limpopo, 2010. / The management of tuberculosis has undergone a lot of changes from fixed dose tuberculosis regimen, directly observed therapy short-course strategy (DOTS) to the introduction of international standards to tuberculosis care (ISTC) in order to reduce the burden of tuberculosis. The study investigated and described the experiences of private general practitioners regarding the knowledge of diagnosis and management of tuberculosis in Tshwane, Gauteng Province. The purpose of the research was addressed within a quantitative approach applying descriptive designs. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data that fit the objectives of the research. In this study, the population applied to ninety-nine doctors of the Private General (Medical) Practitioners’ profession in a specific urban area, namely the municipal area Tshwane, Gauteng Province, with the following inclusive criteria as study units: practicing as a General Practitioner in Tshwane, which includes the city centre (Pretoria Central), Atteridgeville, Pretoria suburbs, Atteridgeville, Mamelodi, Eersterus, Garankuwa, Mabopane, Odi and Soshanguve and sessions appointment at public hospitals. The researcher drew a representative sample of the private medical practitioners with a random selection process whereby the first general practice in each area was selected randomly, and from there onwards the first three practice rooms, skipping the fourth practice room throughout the Guateng area where 90 private medical practitioners was reached. A total of 90 questionnaires were distributed to General Practitioners in the identified areas of Tshwane, Gauteng Province. A response of 59/90 (66%) was obtained, which compares favourably with the experience of other researchers. The study reveals that national TB guidelines are not properly followed by the respondents and that there is a need for public-private partnership in order to improve and enhance the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis in Tshwane, Gauteng Province.

Thesis (MSc.(Clinical Psychology))University of Limpopo, 2009. / The aim and objective of this investigation is to explore, on a preliminary basis, the psychological and social effects on a sample of women of having disclosed their positive HIV diagnosis. The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A convenience sampling approach was used to collect the sample. Inclusion criteria included female, older than 18, with a positive HIV status. Participants’ disclosure of a positive HIV status (defined as having voluntarily disclosed to sexual partners, intimate or immediate family, extended family and or friends) was a key inclusion criterion. Semi-structured interviews were used in the collection of data. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Through collaboration with other trained researchers, the data was analyzed and interpreted using investigator triangulation. The independent clinicians identified and established the categories, themes or recurring processes separately using content analysis. The themes in the transcripts as well as from the literature review were utilized as a guide. The results of this study suggest that there are various factors that influence whether disclosure of a positive HIV diagnosis takes place, largely based on the initial adjustment to the positive HIV diagnosis, the individual’s socio-cultural context and the weighing of potential reactions (whether positive or negative) that disclosing a positive HIV diagnosis can induce. The psychological effects of disclosing a positive HIV diagnosis that were identified in this study were anger, fear of stigma/discrimination, shock and disbelief and a false sense of acceptance of the diagnosis. The social effects of disclosing a positive HIV diagnosis were satisfaction with support received following disclosure. However lack of partner support as well as experiences with stigma/discrimination were identified following disclosure.