We have developed a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay of thyroxine and thyrotropin for mass screening for neonatal hypothyroidism. This assay involves a single disc (3 mm diameter) of dried blood on filter paper. The minimum detectable concentrations are 15 pg/tube (10 microgram/L) for thyroxine and 15 nano-int. units/tube (10 milli-int. units/L) for thyrotropin; intra- and interassay CV's are ...

OBJECTIVE To assess the cost effectiveness of screening, isolation, and decolonisation strategies in the control of meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in intensive care units. DESIGN Economic evaluation based on a dynamic transmission model. SETTING England and Wales. Population Theoretical population of patients on an intensive care unit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Infections, ...

The potential radiation hazards associated with routine screening mammography, in terms of breast cancer induction, are discussed in the context of the potential benefits. The very low energy X-rays used in screening mammography (26-30 kVp) are expected to be more hazardous, per unit dose, than high-energy X- or gamma-rays, such as those to which A-bomb survivors (from which radiation risk esti...

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is still a great concern, and recognition of the carrier is essential for appropriate infection control in intensive care units. The utility of wet swab compared to dry swab as an intranasal screening test has not been well assessed yet. A comparative study of the wet and dry swab in its ability to detect the organism was performed against critically ...

Distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) may have more value and utility if they can be separated into high protein and high fiber fractions. A variety of such separation processes have been proposed; two of the most promising processes involve three screening and three air classification unit operations. In the present study, an alternative process involving fewer unit operations is demon...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While formal screening for dysphagia following acute stroke is strongly recommended, there is little evidence on how multi-consistency screening and dietary modifications affect the rate of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). This observational study reports which factors affect formal screening on a stroke-unit and how dietary recommendations relate to SAP. METHOD Analy...

OBJECTIVE This study examined soldier attitudes about postdeployment mental health screening, treatment, barriers to care, strategies for overcoming barriers, and settings, personnel and timing for conducting postdeployment mental health screening. METHODS Deploying soldiers participated in a voluntary anonymous survey. RESULTS Of 3,294 soldiers, 2,678 (81.3%) responded to the survey. When ...

PURPOSE To summarize the existing evidence on the proportional incidence and review of interval cancers, as reported by Italian screening programs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Literature search of published reports on: a) proportional incidence, determined according to breast cancers expected in the absence of screening and estimated on the basis of patients/year at risk and age-specific incidence; ...

OBJECTIVE To assess the cost effectiveness of the Find and Treat service for diagnosing and managing hard to reach individuals with active tuberculosis. DESIGN Economic evaluation using a discrete, multiple age cohort, compartmental model of treated and untreated cases of active tuberculosis. SETTING London, United Kingdom. Population Hard to reach individuals with active pulmonary tubercul...