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Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and design effects (D) estimates adjusted or unadjusted for sensibility (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the diagnostic tests using a Bayesian procedure. Materials and methods. Sera from 232 animals from 44 randomly selected herds, to detect antibodies against parainfluenza-3 virus (PIV3) from non-vaccinated dual-purpose cattle from Colima Mexico, were used. Only 176 animals from 33 herds were used to evaluate the presence of the bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). Results. The ICC and D values adjusted and unadjusted for PIV3 were 0.33, 2.73, 0.32, and 2.71, respectively. For BRSV the values were 0.31, 2.64, 0.28 and 2.49. Conclusions. The adjusted or unadjusted ICC and D estimates were similar because of the high Se and Sp of the diagnostic tests and the relatively high prevalence of the diseases here studied.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of transesophageal dobutamine stress echocardiography (TEDSE), to identify patients with coronary artery disease., Methods: Patients referred for TEDSE with coronary angiography were included. Images were digitized in systolic cine-loop at baseline, with low dose-dobutamine (14.4 +/- 5 micrograms/kg/min), with high dose-dobutamine (28.7 +/- 10.5 micrograms/kg/min) and during recovery, and then analyzed by two observers. The left ventricle was divided into 16 segments according to coronary distribution, and the study was considered abnormal if there was a new or worsening of the segmental wall motion abnormality. Quantitative coronary angiographies were independently assessed, and lesions considered significant if they had > or = 70% diameter stenosis., Results: Sixty eight patients were included. TEDSE sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 93%, 89.7%, and 91.1%, respectively. TEDSE correctly detected 7/7 single vessel disease and 20/22 multiple vessel disease patients. Twelve-lead ECG had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 38.3%, 91.8%, and 74.5% respectively, to detect the same lesions., Conclusions: TEDSE is feasible, safe, sensitive, and specific to detect significant coronary lesions. It should be considered in patients with suboptimal acoustic window or poor visualization of endocardial borders.