Background. Exposure to palladium (Pd) may lead to clinical allergic reactions. With frequent nickel (Ni) exposure and cross-reactivity between Ni and Pd at the T cell recognition level, positive Pd reactions on patch testing are surprisingly uncommon. PdCl(2) is often used for epicutaneous patch testing. Objectives. To compare the sensitivity ...

Context:Hypothyroidism, overt or subclinical, is associated with adverse outcomes for pregnant women and their offspring. Knowledge of current national thyroid testing rates and positivity during pregnancy is limited.Objective:The aim of the study was to estimate thyroid testing rate and positivity during pregnancy and postpartum, including testing and positivity rates of ...

The relation between thyroid ultrasonography and laboratory, and the relationship of thyroid volume with clinical and anthropometric parameters, are not well clarified. Aim of the study was to investigate normal and hypoechoic-inhomogeneous not nodular thyroid gland in predicting thyroid tests, and to assess the correlation of thyroid volume with several ...

Background: In utero exposure to environmental chemicals can result in reproductive toxicity via endocrine disruption mechanisms. Whether some of those contaminants also have an impact on fetal thyroid function or pathways, and, thus, potentially on neuropsychological development, is still debated. Methods: We used samples from a cord blood (CB) and ...

Context: Determining which patients with thyroid nodules require surgery is limited by cytologically indeterminate findings. A new approach for preoperative molecular classification of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules has a reported sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 75%; however, its cost-effectiveness has yet to be assessed. Objective: Our objective was to ...

This single-center retrospective pilot program's objective was to utilize outpatient pharmacists to improve laboratory test adherence in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients overdue for thyroid function testing, thereby demonstrating the value of the outpatient pharmacist and justifying possible clinical role expansion. Thyroid disorders may contribute to CHF development, progression, and ...

Objective To review family physicians' requests for abdominal, thyroid, pelvic, soft tissue, and carotid ultrasound (US) scans, and to determine whether 5% or more of these tests were not clearly indicated based on the clinical history provided. Design Analysis of 620 randomly chosen requests for US scans. Setting The Radiology ...

In the last decade, the β-galactosyl binding protein galectin-3 has been the object of extensive molecular, structural, and functional studies aimed to clarify its biological role in cancer. Multicenter studies also contributed to discover the potential clinical value of galectin-3 expression analysis in distinguishing, preoperatively, benign from malignant thyroid nodules. ...

Almond leaf scorch (ALS) disease is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa and transmitted by xylem-feeding insects. Reports of increased incidence of ALS-diseased trees in California prompted surveys in three almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb]-growing regions, from June 2003 to September 2005, to determine insect vector species composition ...

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an economically important arbovirus of ruminants transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. Vector control using residual spraying or application to livestock is recommended by many authorities to reduce BTV transmission; however, the impact of these measures in terms of both inflicting mortality on Culicoides and subsequently upon ...

: In secretin-stimulated pancreatic function testing, the standard technique for bicarbonate measurement is back titration (BT). Chemistry autoanalyzers (AAs) automate bicarbonate measurement and are universally available; however, this method has not been validated in pancreatic fluid. The aims of the study were (1) to compare the AA and BT for ...

Abstract Hungary is regarded as free of leishmaniasis because only a few imported cases have been reported. However, southern Hungary has a sub-Mediterranean climate, and so it was included in the EU FP6 EDEN project, which aimed to map the northern limits of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in Europe. The numbers ...

Ticks, fleas, and vector-borne pathogens were surveyed in diverse small mammals in Yosemite National Park, California, from 2005 to 2007. A total of 450 unique captures of small mammals was collected during a 3-yr period and yielded 16 species of fleas and 10 species of ticks, including known vectors of ...

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) resulting from deficient production of thyroid hormone is one of the most commonly encountered diseases in pediatric endocrinology. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in normal cerebral and growth maturation. These harmful effects on the cerebral and growth maturation can be prevented by early diagnosis and sufficient ...

In order to minimize risks to human and environmental health, chemical safety assessment programs are being reinforced with toxicity tests more specifically designed for detecting endocrine disrupters. This includes the necessity to detect thyroid-disrupting chemicals, which may operate through a variety of modes of action, and have potential to impair ...

Laboratory testing is an essential tool for diagnosis and management of thyroid diseases. However, the current status of standardization hampers the interchangeability of results. To improve this situation, the Working Group for Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests was established. Method comparisons were organized for measurement of human thyroid stimulating hormone ...

Abstract The aim of in vitro testing of thyroid function is to accurately reflect the in vivo activity of key analytes, such as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). For these key laboratory parameters, it is highly desirable that assay results are interpretable in relation to consensus ...

The secretin-pancreozymin test is regarded as the most accurate of the pancreatic exocrine function tests but is cumbersome, time consuming, and invasive because it requires duodenal intubation and hormonal stimulation of the pancreas. Fecal analysis of fat, fecal elastase, or chymotrypsin are more practicable but far less sensitive to detect ...

We set out to develop a molecular test that distinguishes benign and malignant thyroid nodules using fine-needle aspirates (FNA). We used mRNA expression analysis to measure more than 247,186 transcripts in 315 thyroid nodules, comprising multiple subtypes. The data set consisted of 178 retrospective surgical tissues and 137 prospectively collected ...

To assess the effects of bile and pancreatic juice on structural and mechanical resistance of extracellular matrices (ECMs) in vitro. Small-intestinal submucosa (SIS), porcine dermal matrix (PDM), porcine pericardial matrix (PPM) and bovine pericardial matrix (BPM) were incubated in human bile and pancreatic juice in vitro. ECMs were examined by ...

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Subclinical hypothyroidism is a common condition and it is often monitored biochemically without treatment. For thyroid function tests, analytical goals and critical difference between two tests have been calculated from data on individual variation in euthyroid individuals. Variation in thyroid function tests differs in subclinical hypothyroidism. We ...

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate topical povidone-iodine as a bridge to delayed fascial closure of giant omphaloceles with emphasis on its effect on thyroid function. METHODS: Newborns from a single institution with giant omphaloceles treated with topical povidone-iodine for a 10-year period were reviewed. Recorded data ...

The diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is mainly based on imaging procedures (e.g., endoscopic ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Functional testing in this context could however be still of help in cases of inconclusive morphological findings. With this aim, only the secretin-pancreozymin test and the endoscopic ...

Diseases of the thyroid gland are common in many zoo species, but there are few descriptions of thyroid dysfunction in Mustelidae. A 7-yr-old, captive-bred female fisher (Martes pennanti) with progressive alopecia was diagnosed with clinical hyperthyroidism based on persistent elevation of both total and free serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine, ultrasound ...

Hypothyroidism is an insidious disease that manifests a great number of non-specific symptoms. The prompt, accurate diagnosis of hypothyroidism will improve the quality of life for patients while controlling healthcare costs. Therefore, it is crucial that the protocol for diagnosing hypothyroidism has been properly evaluated. Its methods must be the ...

BACKGROUND: Because total thyroid hormone testing is performed on many automated clinical chemistry instruments, the IFCC Scientific Division commissioned the Working Group for Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests to include total thyroxine (TT4) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) in its standardization efforts. METHODS: Existing SI-traceable reference measurement procedures (RMPs) were used ...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the standards of lithium monitoring using the local prescribing guidelines in patients attending the lithium clinic of Galway University Hospitals (GUH). The laboratory records of 116 out of 142 patients who met the inclusion criteria were examined to identify the frequency of ...

BACKGROUND: Several studies have revealed that exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is an inherited disease in German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs). Pedigree analyses have suggested an autosomal recessive inheritance model. OBJECTIVE: Test mating of 2 dogs with EPI. ANIMALS: A sire and dam purebred GSD both with EPI and a litter of ...

INTRODUCTION: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is common in older patients. AIM: To review the management of patients identified with a raised thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) result in a 12-month period and compare this to current guidelines from the New Zealand Best Practice Advocacy Centre (BPAC). METHODS: We collected laboratory data on ...

A woman with subacute thyroiditis following ginger consumption is presented. The diagnosis was confirmed by physical examination and laboratory tests, in two distinct episodes. The patient was cured and recommended to refuse ginger consumption.

OBJECTIVES: In acute pancreatitis (AP), rapid diagnosis and early treatment are of importance for clinical outcome. Urinary trypsinogen-2 has been suggested as a promising diagnostic marker; however, studies using the urinary trypsinogen-2 dipstick test (UTDT) have provided varying results. METHODS: The study was set to evaluate the use of the ...

Although radioactive iodide uptake (RAIU) is one of the reliable diagnostic methods for thyroid function in adult humans, especially in the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, there are limited data for RAIU during pregnancy and lactation in humans and animals. Therefore, we proposed to validate RAIU for the lactating rhesus monkey to ...

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a relatively common metabolic disease in neonates. Until recent years the disorder was usually regarded as occurring in a sporadic manner. Over the past few years, however, a considerable proportion of familial cases have been identified, and possible roles of autoimmune factors suggested. The aim of ...

A thyroid hormone receptor beta subtype-selective thyromimetic 5 was found to be efficacious in both mouse and monkey hair growth models after topical applications. It penetrates the skin according to the test in human cadaver skin mounted onto Franz diffusion chambers. The serum drug level of 5 is below the ...

An audit of local practice was undertaken as regards requests for thyroid function tests (TFT) in children aged between birth and 3 months at two local hospitals in South West England between 2005 and 2008. A total of 406 tests were performed (2.6 tests per week) over a 2-year period ...

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) refers to prolonged fevers of > or = 101 degrees F and that persists for > 3 weeks that remain undiagnosed after an intensive in-hospital/outpatient workup. The most common FUO categories of are infectious, neoplastic, rheumatic/inflammatory, and miscellaneous causes. Malignancies have supplanted infectious diseases as ...

BACKGROUND: Various publications have highlighted the significance of laboratory errors in the pre- and post-analytical phases and their impact on results. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a first-line thyroid function test and, if abnormal, reflex thyroxine (T4) or tri-iodothyronine (T3) testing is requested, depending on clinical and medication data provided. Interpretative ...

In this paper, we review the tests that are executed to aid the diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid function tests provide information at physiological, pathological and anatomical levels. Along with history and physical examination they owe to many specific findings that are associated with thyroid functioning. So an attempt has ...

AIM: The presenting features of early thyroid disease can be subtle and non-specific; consequently, general practitioners (GPs) have a low threshold for ordering thyroid function tests (TFTs). This study examined the use and results of TFTs by GPs in a 1-year period in a population-based sample of adults without known ...

OBJECTIVE: To find an easy tool to detect dyshormonogenesis. METHODS: In this study, the standard perchlorate discharge test was modified by using a gamma-camera instead of a gamma-probe to detect this rare abnormality. RESULTS: By using this technique two cases of dyshormonogenesis were identified. CONCLUSION: The gamma-camera-based perchlorate discharge test ...

We report the case of a 22-year-old woman who was referred for evaluation of possible Zollinger-Ellison syndrome because of hypergastrinemia and a positive secretin stimulation test. She was being treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease during her initial evaluation. At cessation of PPI therapy, her ...

PURPOSE: To compare the optical performance of 6 presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs) of different designs (accommodating or multifocal and aspheric or spheric). SETTING: Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, USA. METHODS: The optical performance of 6 IOLs were compared using modulation transfer function (MTF) and the United States Air Force ...

A two and a half year old border collie cross was referred for several episodes of collapse, weakness and noticeable blanching of her oral mucous membranes. Quick assessment tests demonstrated mild hypoglycemia. Resting blood pressure measurements showed intermittent hypotension and thoracic radiographs revealed the persistence of a previously diagnosed megaesophagus. ...

CONTEXT: Selection for trastuzumab therapy depends on a companion diagnostic assessment of HER2 by either immunohistochemistry (IHC) for protein overexpression or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect gene amplification. Although many studies have compared IHC to FISH, few have compared the tests to the true gold standard, tumor response. ...

BACKGROUND: Although the fecal elastase-1 test is a satisfactory pancreatic exocrine function test, breath tests that use stable isotopes have been developed recently as alternatives. We evaluated the usefulness of a (13)C-labeled mixed triglyceride breath test for assessing pancreatic exocrine function after pancreatic surgery. METHODS: The breath test and the ...

Previous studies suggest disturbances of the central nervous system (CNS) in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), independently of thyroid function disorders. In the present prospective study, neuropsychological testing was performed for the first time in 26 euthyroid patients with HT compared to 25 euthyroid patients undergoing hormonal treatment for goitre ...

The objective of the work was to evaluate the biosorption of thorium by the seaweed Sargassum filipendula in a dynamic system. Different bed depths were tested with the purpose of evaluating the critical bed depth for total uptake of the radioactive element. Several bed depths were tested, ranging from 5.0 ...

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific screening test to assess elevations of acute phase proteins that occur in various acute and chronic diseases. The recommended method is based on the Westergren method. Other technologies to measure ESR have been developed, including centrifugation-based methods. We compared a centrifugation method ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Towards sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the existing programme needs to be monitored through recommended methods and indicators. Thus, we conducted the study to assess the current status of IDD in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. METHODS: It was a community based cross-sectional study; undertaken ...

PURPOSE: To correlate MRCP quantification (MRCPQ) of pancreatic fluid output following secretin with steatorrhoea, urinary pancreo-lauryl (PL) or fecal elastase 1 (FE1) tests. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixty-one patients, 36 male, median age 51 years (23-78) with known or suspected pancreatic disease who had undergone both MRCPQ and FE1 or PL ...