BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The Criminal Sentiments Scale (CSS) purports to measure attitudes and values pertaining to and in support of criminal conduct (Andrews & Bonta, 2003). A sample of 72 sex offenders treated in a high intensity sex offender program completed the CSS pre- and post-treatment and was followed up for approximately 3 years. The CSS demonstrated high internal consistency. Correlational and ROC analyses indicated that the CSS is a robust predictor of non-sexual violent and non-violent recidivism. The CSS also correlated significantly with the General Statistical Information on Recidivism Scale which assesses non-sexual recidivism risk. Similar analyses showed that the CSS did not predict sexual recidivism nor did it correlate with a tool that assesses sexual recidivism risk-the Static 99. The CSS scores changed significantly in the predicted direction following treatment. The present results suggest that the CSS is an internally consistent tool for the assessment of criminal sentiments among sex offenders and that it predicts non-sexual but not sexual recidivism.

背景与目标： : 犯罪情绪量表 (CSS) 旨在衡量与犯罪行为有关并支持犯罪行为的态度和价值观 (Andrews & Bonta，2003)。在高强度性犯罪者计划中接受治疗的72名性犯罪者的样本完成了CSS的治疗前和治疗后，并进行了大约3年的随访。CSS显示出很高的内部一致性。相关分析和ROC分析表明，CSS是非性暴力和非暴力累犯的可靠预测指标。CSS还与累犯量表上的一般统计信息显着相关，该量表评估了非性累犯风险。类似的分析表明，CSS不能预测性累犯，也不能与评估性累犯风险的工具-静态99相关。治疗后，CSS得分在预测方向上发生了显着变化。目前的结果表明，CSS是一种内部一致的工具，用于评估性犯罪者的犯罪情绪，并且可以预测非性行为，而不是性累犯。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The use of haplotype information in case-control studies is an area of focus for the research on the association between phenotypes and genetic polymorphisms. We examined the validity of the application of the likelihood-based algorithm, which was originally developed to analyze the data from cohort studies or clinical trials, to the data from case-control studies. This algorithm was implemented in a computer program called PENHAPLO. In this program, haplotype frequencies and penetrances are estimated using the expectation-maximization algorithm, and the haplotype-phenotype association is tested using the generalized likelihood ratio. We show that this algorithm was useful not only for cohort studies but also for case-control studies. Simulations under the null hypothesis (no association between haplotypes and phenotypes) have shown that the type I error rates were accurately estimated. The simulations under alternative hypotheses showed that PENHAPLO is a robust method for the analysis of the data from case-control studies even when the haplotypes were not in HWE, although real penetrances cannot be estimated. The power of PENHAPLO was higher than that of other methods using the likelihood-ratio test for the comparison of haplotype frequencies. Results of the analysis of real data indicated that a significant association between haplotypes in the SAA1 gene and AA-amyloidosis phenotype was observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, thereby suggesting the validity of the application of PENHAPLO for case-control data.

背景与目标： : 在病例对照研究中使用单倍型信息是研究表型与遗传多态性之间关联的重点领域。我们检查了基于可能性的算法的应用的有效性，该算法最初是为分析来自队列研究或临床试验的数据而开发的，以及来自病例对照研究的数据。此算法是在称为PENHAPLO的计算机程序中实现的。在该程序中，使用期望最大化算法估计单倍型频率和渗透率，并使用广义似然比测试单倍型-表型关联。我们证明了该算法不仅对队列研究有用，而且对病例对照研究也很有用。在零假设下的模拟 (单倍型和表型之间没有关联) 表明，I型错误率是准确估计的。在替代假设下的模拟表明，即使单倍型不在HWE中，PENHAPLO也是分析病例对照研究数据的可靠方法，尽管无法估计实际的渗透率。使用似然比检验比较单倍型频率，PENHAPLO的能力高于其他方法。对真实数据的分析结果表明，在类风湿关节炎患者中观察到SAA1基因的单倍型与AA-淀粉样变表型之间存在显着关联，从而表明PENHAPLO在病例对照数据中的应用是有效的。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:The validity of using the Remote Food Photography Method (RFPM) for measuring food intake of minority preschool children's intake is not well documented. OBJECTIVE:Our aim was to determine the validity of intake estimations made by human raters using the RFPM compared with those obtained by weighing all foods and beverages consumed by 3- to 5-year-old children (weighed method). DESIGN:We conducted a cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS/SETTINGS:A convenience sample of 54 3- to 5-year-old Hispanic and African-American children were observed during a 12-hour period at Baylor Metabolic Research Unit between June 2013 and January 2014. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:All foods/beverages consumed by the children were provided by Baylor research coordinators who took and wirelessly transmitted before-and-after pictures of the trays to trained human raters at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center who estimated grams consumed. Energy and macronutrients were calculated using the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies or food facts data provided by manufacturers. STATISTICAL ANALYSES:Paired t test, mean differences, and Bland-Altman limits of agreement were performed. RESULTS:Compared to the weighed method, the rater method significantly overestimated total intake by 34±71 g (P<0.0001), with a mean percent error of 2.9% (root mean square error=7.1%), and total energy intake by 75±102 kcal (P<0.0001), with a mean percent error of 7.5% (root mean square error=12.3%). The standard error for the macronutrient intakes ranged from 11.0% to 20.2%. The Bland-Altman approach demonstrated a positive slope for the rater method relative to the weighed method for total intake in grams (P=0.006), carbohydrate (P=0.01), and protein (P=0.01) (ie, magnitude of the bias increased with increasing intakes). CONCLUSIONS:The rater method overestimated total intake in grams and energy in kilocalories in minority preschool children in a well-controlled condition and needs to be further tested in a free-living environment.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVE:To determine the validity of intrinsic value and therapeutic utility. DESIGN:The medicines prescribed in a random sample of 50 cases of common cold from each health centre evaluated were classified according to their intrinsic value (ordinal classification using five categories) and therapeutic use (dichotomized classification based on their intrinsic value). Patients with immunodeficiency or underlying pathology (COPD, cardiopathy, diabetes) were excluded. Each of the generic and non-specific indicators were studied to determine sensitivity and specificity for detecting problems in the rational prescription of medicines. SETTING:A representative sample from 8 primary care centres in the Murcia region. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:The operative replies curve for intrinsic value revealed that this indicator was of little use in evaluating the quality of prescription. CONCLUSIONS:The low validity of the generic prescription indicators suggests that systems to monitor quality based on a specific focus (linking the prescription to the disease treated) should be designed.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVE:The authors examined the temporal stability and predictive utility of bulimic symptoms and related variables over the course of 10 years, from 1982 to 1992.

METHOD:The subjects were 459 women who were aged 18-22 years in 1982 and were surveyed in both 1982 and 1992. Each respondent completed five subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory (bulimia, drive for thinness, maturity fears, perfectionism, and interpersonal distrust) and answered questions based on the DSM-III criteria for bulimia nervosa.

RESULTS:The temporal stability of bulimic symptoms and related variables was relatively high. Bulimic status in 1982 conferred an approximately 15-fold increase in risk 10 years later. Drive for thinness and, to lesser degrees, maturity fears and perfectionism received support as long-term predictors of bulimic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:Bulimic symptoms display high temporal stability and thus may affect long-term functioning and well-being. Later symptoms are related to scores on specific subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory administered 10 years earlier. Assessment and therapy should be conducted accordingly.

背景与目标： 目的 : 作者研究了在10年的时间过程中，暴食症症状和相关变量的时间稳定性和预测效用，1982年1992年。
方法 : 受试者为459名年龄在18-22岁1982年的女性，并在1982和1992中接受了调查。每个受访者都完成了饮食失调量表的五个分量表 (贪食症，瘦弱，成熟恐惧，完美主义和人际不信任)，并根据dsm-iii神经性贪食症标准回答了问题。
结果 : 暴食症症状和相关变量的时间稳定性相对较高。10年后，暴食者状态1982年使风险增加了约15倍。瘦弱的动力，以及在较小程度上的成熟恐惧和完美主义作为贪食症症状的长期预测指标得到了支持。
结论 : 贪食症症状显示出很高的时间稳定性，因此可能会影响长期的功能和健康。后期症状与10年前管理的饮食失调量表的特定分量表得分有关。应进行相应的评估和治疗。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: PURPOSE:The main objective of this study was to determine the reliability and concurrent validity of using Modified Sphygmomanometer (sphyg) and body weighing scale to determine the magnitude of pressure and body weight change during digital spinal examination. SUBJECTS:One hundred and twenty apparently healthy subjects were recruited. METHODS:Weighing scale was used to measure the body weight of the investigator while Mercury sphygmomanometer was used to measure the pressure exerted. There was test re-test interval of 2 weeks. Data were analysed by descriptive statistic and Pearson product moment correlation. RESULTS:The result showed that there was significant correlation between the weight change (WC) values obtained on the weighing scale on day 1 and 2 (r=0.91). Also, there was significant correlation between Pressure obtained in the sphygmomanometer on day 1 and 2 (r=0.94). Similarly, there was significant correlation between the WC and Pressure Change (PC), (r=-0.49). The participant's age, height, weight and BMI contributed significantly as predictors for both BWC and PC change respectively. CONCLUSION:This study concluded that weighing scale and Mercury sphygmomanometer are reliable and valid to determine the magnitude of pressure applied during DPAP.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :This report describes the measurement properties of the Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP), a clinician-reported measure of severity of personal and social dysfunction, in an outpatient population with stabilized schizophrenia. Pooled data from two similar antipsychotic clinical studies were analyzed (n=411). The PSP showed good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.79). The PSP was more highly correlated with the Strauss-Carpenter Level of Function, an instrument measuring a similar construct, than the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, an instrument measuring a different construct. There was a statistically significant difference between mean PSP scores in subjects grouped by their severity rating on the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) (mild or less versus at least moderate), indicating the ability to discriminate between known groups. Effect sizes for mean change in the PSP based on 1-category improvement (0.72) or worsening (-0.88) versus no change in the CGI-S were moderate to large, demonstrating the ability to detect change. Estimates of between-group minimum important difference suggest that a 7-point improvement in the PSP may be clinically meaningful in a clinical trial setting. Initial reliability and validity assessments suggest the PSP may be a useful measure of social functioning in patients with stable schizophrenia.

背景与目标： : 本报告描述了个人和社会绩效量表 (PSP) 的测量特性，PSP是临床医生报告的对稳定精神分裂症门诊患者个人和社会功能障碍严重程度的测量。分析了来自两个相似的抗精神病药物临床研究的合并数据 (n = 411)。PSP显示出良好的重测信度 (类内相关系数 = 0.79)。PSP与测量类似结构的仪器Strauss-Carpenter功能水平 (一种测量类似结构的仪器) 的相关性更高，而与测量不同结构的正负综合症量表 (一种测量不同结构的仪器) 的相关性更高。在按临床总体印象严重程度 (cgi-s) 的严重程度分组的受试者中，平均PSP得分之间存在统计学上的显着差异 (轻度或以下与至少中度)，表明可以区分已知组。基于1-类别改善 (0.72) 或恶化 (-0.88) 与cgi-s无变化的PSP的平均变化的效应大小是中等到大的，表明检测变化的能力。组间最小重要差异的估计表明，在临床试验环境中，PSP的7点改善可能具有临床意义。最初的信度和效度评估表明，PSP可能是稳定精神分裂症患者社交功能的有用指标。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and adipose tissue percentage estimates (AT%) derived from regression based skinfold equations were compared. 35 Gaelic games players [20.9 ± 1.7 years; 78.1 ± 8.6 kg; 179.5 ± 5.7 cm] underwent whole body fan beam DXA scans following a standardised protocol and assessment of skinfold thickness at 8 sites. Adipose tissue% from the sum of skinfolds and/or via body density were calculated for general and athlete specific equations (SKf-AT %). The relationship, i. e., proportional bias, fixed bias and random error (SEE) between DXA-AT % and AT % derived from the 6 skinfold equations were determined using least squares regression analysis. Skinfold AT% estimates were underestimated relative to DXA-AT % across all skinfold equations except that of Durnin and Wormersley [9] (D&W-∑(4AT %)) (16.7 ± 3.4 vs. 16.6 ± 4.0 %). All equations demonstrated 95 % prediction intervals ranges exceeding ~10 %. Each equation failed to predict AT% relative to DXA within an accepted ± 3.5 % anthropometric error rate. It is recommended that the conversion of absolute skinfold thickness to an AT % is avoided and that the skinfold equations assessed herein are not utilised in Gaelic games players. Alternate 'sum of skinfold' approaches should be considered.

背景与目标： : 比较了基于回归的皮褶方程得出的双能x射线吸收法 (DXA) 和脂肪组织百分比估计值 (AT %)。35名盖尔游戏玩家 [20.9 ± 1.7岁; 78.1 ± 8.6公斤; 179.5 ± 5.7厘米] 进行了全身扇形束DXA扫描，遵循标准化协议并评估了8个地点的皮褶厚度。对于一般方程和运动员特定方程 (SKf-AT %)，计算来自皮褶和/或通过身体密度的脂肪组织 %。使用最小二乘回归分析确定了从6个皮褶方程得出的DXA-AT % 和AT % 之间的关系，即比例偏差，固定偏差和随机误差 (参见)。除了Durnin和Wormersley [9] (D & W-∑(4AT %)) (16.7 ± 3.4对16.6 ± 4.0%) 之外，在所有的皮褶方程中，皮褶AT % 估计值相对于DXA-AT % 被低估。所有方程都证明了95% 预测间隔范围超过 ~ 10%。在接受的 ± 3.5% 人体测量错误率内，每个方程都无法预测相对于DXA的AT %。建议避免将绝对皮褶厚度转换为AT %，并且此处评估的皮褶方程式不在盖尔游戏玩家中使用。应该考虑替代的 “皮肤折叠总和” 方法。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Background:User satisfaction is key to define and assess the quality of care; however, there is no patient satisfaction rapid scale in Mexico. Our objective was to determine the validity and consistency of an outpatient department user satisfaction rapid scale (ERSaPaCE). Method:Comparative, observational, cross-sectional, prolective study. In phase 1, a rapid scale model was developed, which was submitted to experts in medical care for assessment; the instrument was pilot-tested in 10-patient groups, using as many rounds as required until it obtained 20 approvals. In phase 2, the resulting questionnaire and the Outpatient Service User Satisfaction (SUCE) scale were applied to outpatient department users. ERSaPaCE was reapplied by telephone 10 days later. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's a, Spearman's correlation and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were used. Results:Two-hundred patients were recruited, out of which 53 % were aged 31-60 years; 51.5 % were women and 48.5 % men, all of them users of the outpatient services from 13 specialties. Cronbach's a for ERSaPaCE was 0.608, whereas ICC was 0.98 (p = 0.000). Convergent validity was 0.681 (p = 0.000) using Spearman's rho. Conclusion:ERSaPaCE was a valid and consistent instrument for the assessment of outpatient department user satisfaction. Antecedentes:La satisfacción del usuario es clave para definir y valorar la calidad de la atención, sin embargo, no existe una escala rápida de satisfacción del paciente en México. El objetivo fue determinar la validez y consistencia de la Escala Rápida de Satisfacción del Paciente de Consulta Externa (ERSaPaCE). Método:Estudio comparativo, observacional, transversal, prolectivo. En la fase 1 se elaboró un modelo de escala rápida, que se sometió a la valoración de expertos en atención médica; se realizaron pruebas piloto con 10 pacientes por ronda, tantas veces como fuera necesario hasta lograr 20 aprobaciones. En la fase 2 se aplicó el cuestionario resultante y la escala de Satisfacción del Usuario de Consultas Externas (SUCE) a usuarios de consulta externa; la ERSaPaCE se reaplicó telefónicamente siete a 10 días después. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva, a de Cronbach, Spearman y coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI). Resultados:Se reclutaron 200 pacientes, 53 % con edad de 31 a 60 años, 51.5 % mujeres y 48.5 % hombres de la consulta externa de 13 especialidades; a de Cronbach de ERSaPaCE = 0.608, CCI = 0.98 (p = 0.000) y validez convergente = 0.681 (p = 0.000) por rho de Spearman. ­. Conclusiones:ERSaPaCE fue un instrumento válido y consistente para evaluar la satisfacción del usuario de consulta externa.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:Accurately measuring parents' attitudes and beliefs regarding limiting their children's TV viewing is important to inform the design and evaluation of effective interventions. This manuscript assesses the internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and construct validity of the Model of Goal Directed Behavior (MGDB) scales among parents of Latino preschoolers to characterize Latino parents' attitudes and beliefs toward limiting their preschoolers' TV viewing. METHOD:Participants included parents of Latino preschoolers in the United States, 3-5 years old (n = 186). Parents completed a socio-demographic survey and the 105-item MGDB questionnaire (Attitudes, Perceived Positive/Negative Behavioral Control, Subjective Norms, Positive and Negative Anticipated Emotions, Habits, Self-Efficacy, Desires, and Intentions surrounding their child's TV viewing) which was used to measure internal consistency reliability and construct validity. A subsample of participants completed the questionnaire twice to measure test-retest reliability. Further, parents completed a 7-day TV viewing diary for their preschooler, and a TV parenting practices questionnaire as measures of convergent validity. RESULTS:Internal consistency reliability was generally acceptable for the MGDB scales (Cronbach's alphas> 0.7), except for the Desires scale, which was revealed to have two factors and the Attitudes and Perceived Behavioral Control scales. Test-retest reliability over 2 months had negligible to moderate correlations (r's = 0.28 to 0.61). Two structural equation models were conducted. One yielded acceptable model fit (x2 (97) = 113.65, p = .119) and the other had questionable model fit (x2 (97) = 125.39; p = .028). Testing convergent validity, only two MGDB scales (Habits and Self-Efficacy) were positively correlated with the TV parenting practices questionnaire (r's = 0.33 to 0.51), and none were meaningfully correlated with preschoolers' mean daily TV viewing. CONCLUSIONS:Initial reliability and validity for some of the MGDB scales appear acceptable among parents of Latino preschoolers. Refinement of the instrument and testing among larger samples is necessary to fully evaluate psychometric properties. This instrument may be useful for characterizing Latino parents' attitudes and beliefs toward limiting their preschoolers' TV viewing and informing future TV reduction interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Clinical Trials NCT01216306 Registered October 6, 2010.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The purpose of this study was to confirm whether the medial crus on the cleft side is primarily hypoplastic compared with the noncleft side and to evaluate the displacement of the medial crus on the cleft side presenting the validity of the "medial crus elevation" method. Thirty unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity patients underwent medial crus elevation. The thickness, width, and length of the medial crus on both sides were measured. The difference in the height of both foot plates was also measured. There were no significant differences between the cleft and noncleft sides in width, thickness, or length except proximal thickness. The foot plate on the cleft side was displaced downward. The medial crus on the cleft side is not hypoplastic, and it is merely displaced downward. These results show the validity of the medial crus elevation method for the correction of secondary nasal deformities in cleft patients.

背景与目标： : 这项研究的目的是确认与非裂侧相比，裂侧的内侧小腿是否主要是发育不良的，并评估裂侧内侧小腿的位移，以表明 “内侧小腿抬高” 方法的有效性。30例单侧唇裂鼻畸形患者接受小腿内侧抬高。测量两侧内侧小腿的厚度，宽度和长度。还测量了两个脚板的高度差异。除近端厚度外，裂侧和非裂侧在宽度，厚度或长度上没有显着差异。裂隙侧的脚板向下移位。裂隙侧的内侧小腿不是发育不良的，只是向下移位。这些结果表明，小腿内侧抬高法在矫正裂患者继发性鼻畸形方面的有效性。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:This study examined the criterion validity of the online Active Australia Survey, using accelerometry as the criterion, and whether self-report bias was related to level of activity, age, sex, education, body mass index and health-related quality of life. METHODS:The online Active Australia Survey was validated against the GENEActiv accelerometer as a direct measure of activity. Participants (n = 344) wore an accelerometer for 7 days, completed the Active Australia Survey, and reported their health and demographic characteristics. A Spearman's rank coefficient examined the association between minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity recorded on the Active Australia Survey and GENEActiv accelerometer. A Bland-Altman plot illustrated self-report bias (the difference between methods). Linear mixed effects modelling was used to examine whether participant factors predicted self-report bias. RESULTS:The association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reported on the online Active Australia Survey and accelerometer was significant (rs = .27, p < .001). Participants reported 4 fewer minutes per day on the Active Australia Survey than was recorded by accelerometry (95% limits of agreement -104 - 96 min) but the difference was not significant (t(343) = -1.40, p = .16). Self-report bias was negatively associated with minutes of accelerometer-recorded moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and positively associated with mental health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS:The online Active Australia Survey showed limited criterion validity against accelerometry. Self-report bias was related to activity level and mental health-related quality of life. Caution is recommended when interpreting studies using the online Active Australia Survey.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVES:To develop an instrument to determine the probability of child sexual abuse and to estimate the questionnaire's discriminant validity. METHODS:Case-control study of 201 children seen at pediatric clinics and referral centers for the victims of sexual violence, between March and November 2004. Cases comprised children who had either been reported or suspected of being sexually abused and controls comprised children with no such suspicion. We applied a questionnaire to a parent or guardian of each child that consisted of 18 items, each with five Likert scale responses, dealing with the behavior and physical and emotional symptoms exhibited by the children. We excluded nine children for lack of sphincter control. One question was discarded since very few people replied to it. We evaluated the discriminant validity and internal consistency of the items, calculating correlation coefficients (Pearson, Spearman and Goodman-Kruskal), Cronbach's alpha coefficient and area under the ROC curve. We calculated likelihood ratios and positive predictive values for the five items on the questionnaire that performed best. RESULTS:The questionnaire comprises the five items that best discriminate sexually abused children from non-abused children in two contexts. The score resulting from the sum of responses weighted at 0 to 4 points (overall amplitude of 0 to 20) indicates the post-test probability of sexual abuse by means of the application of Bayes theorem (likelihood ratios). CONCLUSIONS:The instrument is easy to apply and helps in the identification of sexual abuse victims. A cutoff point was defined to indicate the probability of sexual abuse, which can be very useful to guide management of children.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVES:Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke (SHS) has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease. The current study evaluated brief self-report screening measures for accurately identifying adult cardiology patients with clinically significant levels of SHS exposure in need of intervention. DESIGN AND SETTING:A cross-sectional study conducted in a university-affiliated cardiology clinic and cardiology inpatient service. PATIENTS:Participants were 118 non-smoking patients (59% male, mean age=63.6 years, SD=16.8) seeking cardiology services. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Serum cotinine levels and self-reported SHS exposure in the past 24 h and 7 days on 13 adult secondhand exposure to smoke (ASHES) items. RESULTS:A single item assessment of SHS exposure in one's own home in the past 7 days was significantly correlated with serum cotinine levels (r=0.41, p<0.001) with sensitivity ≥75%, specificity >85% and correct classification rates >85% at cotinine cut-off points of >0.215 and >0.80 ng/mL. The item outperformed multi-item scales, an assessment of home smoking rules, and SHS exposure assessed in other residential areas, automobiles and public settings. The sample was less accurate at self-reporting lower levels of SHS exposure (cotinine 0.05-0.215 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS:The single item ASHES-7d Home screener is brief, assesses recent SHS exposure over a week's time, and yielded the optimal balance of sensitivity and specificity. The current findings support use of the ASHES-7d Home screener to detect SHS exposure and can be easily incorporated into assessment of other major vital signs in cardiology.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :In large-scale epidemiological studies on endogenous sex steroids and cancer risk, direct immunoassays of circulating hormone levels have the advantage of being fast and comparatively inexpensive while requiring only small sample volumes. On the other hand, indirect assays after organic extraction and chromatographic prepurification have the advantage of reducing specific interferences and matrix effects and hence are thought to have better validity. We compared direct assays of testosterone (T, six different assays), Delta4-androstenedione (A, four assays), estrone (E(1), one assay), and 17beta-estradiol (E(2), five assays) with measurements obtained by an indirect assay in a representative subset of 20 postmenopausal women who were part of a large prospective cohort study. Within-batch reproducibilities of the subject rankings by relative hormone levels were good (intraclass correlations >0.89) for all direct assays tested. Between batches, reproducibilities generally were also acceptable (r > 0.80) to good (r > 0.90) in terms of Pearson's correlations. The between-batch reproducibility in terms of intraclass correlations was systematically lower in terms of Pearson's correlations, however, because of between-batch variations in the absolute scale of measurements. The relative validity of direct versus indirect assays in terms of the subjects' ranking by relative hormone levels was also high for most of the kits tested for T, A, and E(1) (Pearson's correlations between 0.70 and 0.89) but was high for only two kits of five tested for E(2) (correlations of 0.86 and 0.84). On an absolute scale, mean measurement values were generally higher for direct assays than for the indirect assay and, for each hormone, varied substantially, depending on the kit used. Overall, the results of this study show that, with careful selection, commercial kits for direct radioimmunoassays of steroid hormones in postmenopausal serum can be found that may allow a reliable estimation of relative risks in epidemiological studies. However, standardization of the absolute scale of assays remains problematic.

背景与目标： : 在有关内源性类固醇和癌症风险的大规模流行病学研究中，循环激素水平的直接免疫测定具有快速且相对便宜的优势，而仅需要少量样本量。另一方面，有机萃取和色谱预纯化后的间接测定具有减少特定干扰和基质效应的优势，因此被认为具有更好的有效性。我们比较了睾丸激素的直接测定 (T，六种不同的测定)，Delta4-androstenedione (A，四种测定)，雌酮 (E(1)，一种测定) 和17β-雌二醇 (E(2)，五个试验)，通过间接试验在20名绝经后妇女的代表性子集中获得测量结果，这些妇女是一项大型前瞻性队列研究的一部分。对于所有测试的直接测定，受试者按相对激素水平排名的批内再现性良好 (类内相关性> 0.89)。在批次之间，就皮尔逊相关性而言，再现性通常也是可接受的 (r > 0.80) 至良好 (r> 0.90)。就类内相关性而言，批次间的可重复性在皮尔逊相关性方面系统地较低，但是，由于测量绝对规模的批次间变化。对于大多数测试的T，A，和E(1) (0.70和0.89之间的皮尔逊相关性)，但对于仅针对E(2) 测试的五个试剂盒中的两个试剂盒 (0.86和0.84的相关性) 来说是很高的。在绝对规模上，直接测定的平均测量值通常高于间接测定的平均测量值，并且对于每种激素，根据所使用的试剂盒，其差异很大。总体而言，这项研究的结果表明，通过仔细选择，可以发现用于绝经后血清中类固醇激素直接放射免疫测定的商业试剂盒，可以在流行病学研究中可靠地估计相对风险。然而，测定绝对规模的标准化仍然存在问题。