Could home sexually transmitted infection specimen collection with e-prescription be a cost-effective strategy for clinical trials and clinical care?

Background: Results of a recent demonstration project evaluating feasibility, acceptability, and cost of a Web-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and e-prescription treatment program (eSTI) suggest that this approach could be a feasible alternative to clinic-based testing and treatment, but the results need to be confirmed by a randomized comparative effectiveness trial.

Methods: We modeled a decision tree comparing (1) cost of eSTI screening using a home collection kit and an e-prescription for uncomplicated treatment versus (2) hypothetical costs derived from the literature for referral to standard clinic-based STI screening and treatment. Primary outcome was number of STIs detected.

HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence in the united states among asymptomatic women unaware of any herpes simplex virus infection (Herpevac Trial for Women).

Objectives: Recent evidence suggests that the epidemiology of herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) is changing because fewer HSV-1 infections are acquired in childhood and increased sexual transmission of HSV-1 is reported. The objective of the study was to assess the seroprevalence of type-specific antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2 in the United States.

Methods: We used the Western blot antibody screening data from a large phase III vaccine efficacy trial (Herpevac Trial for Women) to assess the seroprevalence of type-specific antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2 in the United States.

Epidemiology, clinical presentation, and antibody response to primary infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in young women.

Background: Herpes simplex virus infections type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are common, but the epidemiology of HSV disease is changing.

Methods: HSV-seronegative women, aged 18-30 years, who were in the control arm of the HERPEVAC Trial for Women were followed for 20 months for primary HSV infections.

Results: Of the 3438 evaluable participants, 183 became infected with HSV: 127 (3.

Improved image quality of low-dose thoracic CT examinations with a new postprocessing software.

In 2008 a phantom study indicated that there is a potential for reducing the CT doses when using a new postprocessing filter. The purpose of this study was to test this new postprocessing filter clinically for low-dose chest CT examinations, to assess whether the diagnostic performance is the same or improved. A standardized clinical chest CT protocol was used on patients with colorectal cancer.

Location of pelvic recurrence after 'curative' low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Aims: It has been emphasized that the mesorectum is the key to local recurrence after resection for rectal cancer. In view of this we studied the location of recurrences, relative to the bed of the primary tumour, the neorectum and the level of anastomoses, in patients referred for recurrences after low anterior resection (LAR) in the <>.

Methods: The relative level above the anal verge of the primary cancer, the anastomosis and the recurrence was registered by proctoscopy in 46 patients operated on for recurrent cancer after low anterior resection.

Variability in the interpretation of ultrasonography in patients with palpable noncalcified breast tumors.

Purpose: To analyze interobserver variability of ultrasonography (US) as an adjunct to mammography in patients with palpable noncalcified breast tumors.

Material And Methods: Mammographic, US, and combined reading of 200 patients with palpable noncalcified breast masses were performed independently by four experienced radiologists. Nonneoplastic abnormalities and mammographically obvious cancers were excluded.

Diagnostic value of ultrasonography in patients with palpable mammographically noncalcified breast tumors.

Purpose: To analyze the diagnostic accuracy of mammography, ultrasonography (US), and both methods combined in evaluation of palpable noncalcified breast tumors.

Material And Methods: Mammograms and sonograms of 200 patients with palpable noncalcified breast masses were retrospectively analyzed independently by four experienced radiologists in 3 sessions: Mammography or US interpretations in the first two and combined reading in the last session. Nonneoplastic abnormalities and mammographically obvious cancers were excluded.

Visceral obesity and breast cancer risk.

Background: The risk for breast cancer and the sex hormone abnormalities noted in breast cancer patients have been demonstrated in women with upper body fat obesity. The objective of this study was to determine if the visceral component of upper body fat obesity was correlated with breast cancer risk.

Methods: A case-control study of 40 consecutively enrolled women with breast cancer and 40 community-based age, weight, and waist circumference-matched control subjects was conducted.

Research on nonlinear optical materials: an assessment.

The seven papers making up this assessment are based on the Workshop on Nonlinear Optical Materials held in April 1986.