Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Mandatory Testing”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

HIV risk reduction and service delivery strategies in criminal justice settings.

Because of the HIV risk behaviors of substance abusers, particularly injection drug users and those who exchange sex for drugs, and the large numbers who are already infected with HIV or showing symptoms of AIDS, significant service delivery issues are associated with their criminal justice processing. Many strategies have been implemented in correctional settings in an effort to prevent and control the transmission of HIV. A number of these are for the purpose of lowering transmission risk in institutions, whereas others have been structured for the sake of offering prevention/intervention to inmates before they return to the free community. As such, prisons and jails represent opportune settings for HIV prevention and education. The most common HIV control/prevention/education strategies include mandatory testing of inmates for HIV, segregating infected inmates from the general prison population, establishing special health care units for HIV positive and AIDS symptomatic inmates, offering HIV prevention and risk reduction programs, and granting medical parole for the terminally ill. Because drug abuse treatment results in substantial declines in the use of heroin, cocaine, and other drugs, treatment per se can play a significant role in reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS among those coming to the attention of the criminal justice system. Most promising are continuous and integrated treatment services that are tied to the stages of correctional supervision: primary treatment while incarcerated; secondary treatment while on work release, halfway house or community supervision; and, tertiary treatment in ongoing aftercare.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tumor biology and experimental therapeutics.

Recent research using multicellular tumor spheroids has resulted in new insights in the regulation of invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis and cell cycle kinetics. The onset and expansion of central necrosis in tumor spheroids has been characterized to be a complex interaction of several mechanisms; in a number of cases, necrosis is not a consequence of hypoxia or anoxia, but emerges as secondary necrosis following an accumulation of apoptosis in spheroids. Recent therapeutically oriented studies have been directed towards novel hypoxic markers, targeted therapy, multicellular-mediated drug resistance, and heavy ion irradiation of spheroids. Research efforts should be enhanced mainly in the fields of tumor tissue modeling by heterotypic three-dimensional (3D) cultures and of apoptotic versus necrotic cell death. Based on the fundamental differences between monolayer and 3D cultures, spheroids should become mandatory test systems in therapeutic screening programs.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2003

Pathology of interstitial cystitis.

In this workshop the participants were asked to consider the role of pathology in the diagnosis and management of interstitial cystitis (IC). Currently, the NIDDK definition of IC is made on clinical criteria; bladder biopsy is not required for the clinical work-up and histology is not used as a diagnostic criterion. The literature review described the most common pathological findings to be epithelial denudation or ulceration, mononuclear inflammation, edema, congestion, hemorrhage, and mast cell activation. These pathological changes were not universal or specific with 55% of IC subjects in one study having histology that was normal and indistinguishable from control subjects. Presentations were made which generally confirmed an association between abnormal pathology and more severe disease as determined by symptoms, cystoscopic capacity, and prognosis. During the workshop it was clear that whether or not a biopsy was performed depended on a number of factors, for example, country of origin, the research interest of the unit, and the desire to exclude malignancy on histological grounds. The consensus, which was not unanimous, was that bladder biopsy was a-non-mandatory test in the clinical work-up of the patient with IC but that urine cytology should be performed. It was discussed that bladder biopsy be an optional test and particularly relevant when one was suspicious of other conditions and in IC research. It was hoped that bladder biopsy pathology will give clues to contributory pathogenic processes such as epithelial dysfunction and inflammation; and in the future, with the help of molecular biology, may help determine etiology.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2005

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among physicians on HIV/AIDS in Quang Ninh, Vietnam.

Health care providers in Vietnam have been facing an increase in the number of HIV patients. However, little is known about physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about HIV/AIDS and their correlates. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2003 with 151 physicians who had some contact with HIV-infected people. Anonymous data was collected by physicians' self-administration of the questionnaires. SAS version 8 (SAS, Cary, NC) was used for all descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses. We found that there were misconceptions on some transmission modes: 39.9% thought that good nutrition could protect from HIV/AIDS infection; 12.1% thought sharing the toilet with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) could transmit HIV infection. Only 41.6% of physicians knew that there was more than one type of HIV. Younger physicians or those with high patient volumes tended to be better informed. The one third of participants who reported positive attitudes regarding their interaction with HIV/AIDS patients were less likely to support mandatory testing or to exclude HIV/AIDS patients from their practices. Older physicians were more likely to have positive attitudes than the younger physicians. Approximately one fourth of the physicians prescribed antiretroviral medications but misuse was common. Among those prescribing antiretroviral medications, physicians working at provincial health care services were 3.1 times more likely to use antiretroviral medications than physicians working in district and commune health care services. In conclusion, even though Vietnamese physicians are providing health care for HIV/AIDS patients, the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS treatment suggest that further training is needed to improve their ability to deliver appropriate treatment to HIV/AIDS patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Identification of testosterone and testosterone esters in human hair.

In 1974, steroids were added to the list of doping agents banned by the International Olympic Committee because of their effects on the performance of the athletes. Testosterone and its esters promote the development of secondary male sexual characteristics and accelerate muscle growth. The mandatory test to detect testosterone abuse is to measure the ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone in the urine. However, because athletes can adjust their dosage to stay within the range permitted, there is a risk of test evasion. Therefore, we developed two original procedures to determine testosterone and its esters in human hair. First, testosterone was investigated in hair obtained from 26 control subjects. After decontamination with dichloromethane, 100 mg of hair was incubated in 1 M NaOH in the presence of 1 ng of testosterone-d3. After neutralization, the extract was purified using solid-phase extraction with Isolute C18 columns followed by liquid-liquid extraction with pentane. After silylation, testosterone was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Concentrations were in the range 1.2 to 11.4 pg/mg with a mean value of 3.8 pg/mg. To distinguish exogenous abuse from endogenous levels, the incorporation of testosterone esters into hair was investigated. Preparation involved methanolic incubation to avoid the cleavage of the esters. In a panel of eight esters, it was possible to identify testosterone propionate, testosterone enanthate, and testosterone decanoate in the hair of two bodybuilders and one weight lifter. This new technology may find useful applications in anabolic abuse control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Seroepidemiology of HTLV-I/II in universal screening of blood donations in France.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serological and epidemiological characteristics of HTLV-I/II-positive blood donors in continental France during the first 6 months of universal screening of blood donations (n = 1,816,927). METHOD: A collaborative investigation of all confirmed anti-HTLV-I/II-positive samples reported by blood transfusion centres was performed. Seventy-three out of 77 reported samples were retested at two reference laboratories. Epidemiological data on risk factors were compiled. RESULTS: Of the 73 retested samples, 66 were confirmed to be HTLV-I-positive and one to be HTLV-II-positive; six samples were designated false-positive, mainly because of non-specific reactivity to recombinant gp21 in Western blot. The overall prevalence of HTLV-I/II in continental France is 0.039 per thousand. The main risk factor identified for HTLV-I infection was directly (origin) or indirectly (heterosexual contact) linked to endemicity in the Caribbean. The cost per case of avoided contamination in the 6-month period of this study was 1.36 million French francs. CONCLUSIONS: Sixty-two per cent of HTLV-I/II-infected blood donations would not have been discarded through the previous targeted HTLV screening or through other mandatory tests, including anti-hepatitis B core. To avoid false-positive results, we propose a new algorithm of diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Estimation of shallow-dose equivalent using a two-element dosimeter.

Estimation of shallow-dose equivalent using a two-element dosimeter is described under the guidelines of a standard adopted by the Health Physics Society Standards Committee and the dosimetry practices followed by most dosimeter processors. This standard is to be used in a future mandatory testing program in the U.S. A mathematical formulation, correlating dosimeter response and "shallow-dose equivalent factors" at different energies, is presented. A thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD), currently used at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, is examined for determining shallow-dose equivalent response and the results are discussed for beta as well as photon responses.

Radiation Dosage↗
PubMed1990

Proctologic management of the HIV-positive patient.

With the adoption of mandatory testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in military personnel, a large number of HIV-positive individuals have been identified. From January 1986 to February 1988, 677 HIV-positive patients were evaluated at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. Most of these patients had disease in the Armed Forces Walter Reed stage I or II. Other sexually transmitted diseases were found in 407 patients (more than 60%). Of 163 patients (24%) with treatable anorectal conditions, 44 had nonsexually related anorectal conditions and 119 had anal condylomata. Patients with disease in early Walter Reed stages I and II did well with therapy of their anorectal diseases. We present our methods of evaluation, infection control, treatment, and results.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

Rectal prolapse in pediatrics.

Rectal prolapse in pediatrics has its highest incidence in infancy and is uncommonly seen in industrialized countries. The prolapse may involve only the mucosa (mucosal prolapse) or all layers of the rectum (complete prolapse or procidentia). It is usually detected by the child's parents and is brought urgently to medical attention; however, it is usually spontaneously reduced by the time they reach the practitioner's office. Rectal prolapse should be viewed as a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a discrete disease entity. Potential causes are increased intraabdominal pressure, diarrheal and neoplastic diseases, malnutrition, and conditions predisposing to pelvic floor weakness. Its strong association with cystic fibrosis makes the sweat test mandatory for infants and children with recurrent rectal prolapse. Of particular importance are three entities related to rectal prolapse that may easily escape diagnosis by practitioner: occult rectal prolapse, solitary ulcer of the rectum syndrome, and inflammatory cloacogenic polyps. The treatment of rectal prolapse is mainly conservative and is directed at the underlying conditions. Surgical intervention may be required for recurrent rectal prolapse refractory to conservative measures. The simplest, less invasive, yet highly effective approach, appears to be perirectal injection with a sclerosing agent. While the majority of children experience spontaneous resolution of the prolapse, the prognosis is worse when presentation occurs after the age of 4 years.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2003

Current diagnosis and treatment of infective endocarditis.

The incidence of infective endocarditis continues to rise with a yearly incidence of around 15,000 to 20,000 new cases in the USA. As a result, rapid diagnosis, effective treatment and prompt recognition of complications are essential to desirable clinical outcomes. Recent guidelines such as the Duke criteria have incorporated echocardiography for diagnosis of infective endocarditis, making this diagnostic test mandatory for patients with suspected infective endocarditis. The diversity of pathogens that can cause infective endocarditis, some of which cannot be cultured easily, makes diagnosis even more difficult. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and viridans streptococci groups continue to be the major causative microorganisms of infective endocarditis. In the case of culture-negative endocarditis or infective endocarditis caused by fastidious microorganisms, the polymerase chain reaction and probe-based diagnostic methods are available to clinical reference laboratories.

Endocarditis, Bacterial↗
PubMed1989

Partner notification in the control of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Partner notification should be standard public health practice in the control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A universal partner notification program for the United States is affordable, operationally manageable, and can effectively reach high-risk persons. Such a focused approach personalizes the epidemic and probably enhances the efficacy of risk reduction messages. Confidentiality protections are attainable. Voluntary partner notification is acceptable to our constituents; while counseling is "mandatory," testing is optional. Evidence of partner notification's usefulness as a case prevention tool should be a by-product of program outcomes and not a prerequisite for its implementation.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Implementation of the NCA modified assessment instrument with a population of intoxicated drivers in two Wisconsin counties 1982-1985.

Upon completion of a 3-yr. research project which assessed the effects of Wisconsin's mandatory testing program for drunk drivers, the evaluation showed that a disproportionate number of repeated offenders who were being rearrested had been assessed initially as social drinkers. While there are several possible causes for this finding, the most probable one seems to be that of under-assessment by the testing instrument.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1990

The ethics of caring for patients with HIV or AIDS.

Health care professionals encounter many ethical issues in the care of persons who are HIV positive or who have been diagnosed as having AIDS. Such issues include the allocation of scarce resources for research and health care; the use of various methods of disease control, including mandatory testing, forced isolation, informing of sexual partners, and education; and the determination of the responsibility to treat infected patients. These issues are presented as a stimulus to readers to examine their own attitudes regarding HIV and AIDS. The usefulness and limitations of occupational therapy's professional code in resolving ethical dilemmas are discussed, followed by the description of a process that can be used to analyze and solve these dilemmas.

Ethics, Professional↗
PubMed1991

HIV-infected health workers: how should we proceed?

Mandatory testing may seem to be a solution at first glance, but many thorny and problematic issues could arise in the long run. Instead, more emphasis needs to be placed on maintaining the highest standards of infection control practice.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The results of a joint project of the State Department of Ukraine on the Implementation of Punishments and UNAIDS to decrease the risk of the spread of HIV in the prisons of Ukraine].

During the period of 1987-1999 altogether 7,800 cases of HIV infection were detected among the prisoners of the penitentiary institutions of the Ukraine. In 1997 the penitentiary system of the Ukraine abolished the mandatory testing and isolation of HIV-positive persons. In April 1998 the realization of measures aimed at reducing the spread of HIV infection started in the penitentiary system. The main trends in the activities aimed at the realization of the Project were information and educational work among prisoners both during investigative detention and after conviction, as well as among the personnel of penitentiary institutions; availability of condoms and disinfectants; ensuring the possibilities of voluntary testing for HIV, as well as pre- and post-test counselling.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fitness for work and public health in hospital workers].

Transmission of infection to patients from health-care workers has recently become a topic in medical literature. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) in the US, and the UK Health Departments in the UK issued guidelines for professionals performing invasive procedures who may be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus. The Italian Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) in 1999 held a Consensus Conference advocating routine mandatory testing of health-care workers and a general restriction on performing exposure-prone invasive procedures. Nevertheless, the ISS failed to identify the institution that should be responsible for these controls. Harmful behavior of health-care workers comprises not only the risk of the impact of blood-borne infections but also the impact of, for example, depression, substance missuse, side effects of medication, family problems, fatigue or lack of insight. Time and effort is required for drafting, revising and refining policy in this area. The complexity of the matter hampers the standardisation of guidelines internationally: American and British policies are hardly enforceable in the Italian context. The Italian Study Committee for the Hospital Management of Workers affected by illnesses hazardous for the public (GIS GILMaPP) here discusses the legal end ethical issues surrounding the risk of "provider-to patient" transmission of disease. The policy dilemma involving patients' rights and sick workers should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Strenuous efforts should be made to respect ethical and legal issues, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and to avoid discrimination. There is an urgent need for the medical community to find a broad consensus that would be acceptable for both the healthcare worker and the patient.

Guidelines as Topic↗
PubMed2003

Survey about the knowledge of the HIV infection amongst recruits of the German military.

AIMS: In the complex organizational unit of the German military (Bundeswehr), certain social conflicts and tensions may occur because of potential extreme situations and specific areas of conflict. The aim of this study was to obtain information from German military recruits regarding their knowledge of and behavioral patterns on the subject of HIV/AIDS. METHODS: 219 Soldiers in the military barracks in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) were surveyed by means of a questionnaire (return rate 96.8%). The questionnaire comprised the following subjects: level of and requirements for information, fear of infection, behavioral pattern when in contact with HIV-infected persons as well as attitude towards governmental regulations. RESULTS: 4% of the surveyed soldiers considered their own knowledge about the subject of HIV/AIDS to be very good, 44% as good, 41% as sufficient and 7% as insufficient. 74% considered education to be necessary, and 26% felt it was not necessary. 68% of the surveyed subjects indicated that their protection of choice against infection was fidelity in partnership. 25% were of the opinion that an HIV-infected soldier should be discharged from military services and almost 20% supported that the entire barracks should be informed of such a case. 61% of those who were in favor of an obligatory registration by name (36%) also supported continued observation of the person infected with HIV. According to the surveyed soldiers, certain groups such as blood donors (86%), medical personnel (71%) as well as enlisted soldiers (28%) should receive mandatory testing. CONCLUSION: The relatively broad spectrum of opinions indicated the necessity to offer sound information and raised the question of an official regulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

The prognostic value of FISH as an adjunct to conventional cytogenetics for the detection of cryptic gene rearrangements on chromosome 16. A retrospective investigation of 13 patients from Northern Ireland diagnosed with M4Eo acute myeloid leukaemia.

M4Eo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients with the typical chromosome 16 abnormalities have a favourable prognosis. These subtle 16q22 gene rearrangements can be difficult to detect by conventional cytogenetic methods and if missed could lead to the incorrect assignment of prognostic group and hence subsequent treatment strategies. We retrospectively studied 13 patients diagnosed with M4Eo AML for such chromosome 16 abnormalities comparing conventional cytogenetic (G-banding) and molecular (FISH) methods. G-banded analysis detected only 2 patients with definite chromosome 16 abnormalities whereas FISH detected 4 patients, one with the typical inversion and three with the typical chromosome 16 translocation. FISH analysis also confirmed a false +ve G-banded result in one patient and a false -ve G-banded result in another patient. Finally, FISH confirmed a deletion of one chromosome 16 homologue in another patient indicating a poor prognosis. The overall survival of patients with the typical 16q22 rearrangements (n=4) was also significantly better (P=0.007) than patients with normal chromosome 16 homologues or having other numerical and/or structural abnormalities (n=9). This set of data shows that FISH is a more accurate method for the detection of cryptic 16q22 gene rearrangements and because of the prognostic implications has become a mandatory test along with conventional cytogenetics for all newly diagnosed M4Eo AML patients in Northern Ireland.

Adult↗