Anchoring on Hyperglycemia and Sepsis in the Presence of an Unforeseen Thyroid Storm.

Thyroid storm (TS) is a relatively rare but life-threatening complication of an overactive thyroid that can manifest in a myriad of ways due to its multisystem involvement. Due to its relatively high mortality rate, it is essential that TS is recognized and treated promptly. TS can occur due to trauma, drugs, and sepsis.

Medical Simulation-Based Learning Outcomes in Pre-Clinical Medical Education.

Introduction Medical simulation is widely used in the United States medical curriculum. However, learning outcomes based on simulation have yet to be reported. In this study, we aim to characterize the objective performance of first- and second-year medical students following eight weeks of medical simulation-based learning.

Effective arteriovenous fistula alternative for hemodialysis access.

Background: The use of autologous arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) for hemodialysis (HD) is the gold standard; however, for many patients at tertiary referral centers, this is not an option.

Methods: We conducted a four year retrospective cohort study to evaluate HD access outcomes with AVF, bovine carotid artery (BCA), and polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous graft (PTFE).

Results: The study contained 416 AVF, 175 BCA, and 58 PTFE, N = 649.

[Glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a hospital in northern Spain. Molecular characterization and clinical epidemiology].

Introduction: Glycopeptide resistance in Enterococcus spp. is a clinical problem because of the rapid dissemination of these microorganisms, possible transfer of vancomycin resistance to more virulent pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, and the limited therapeutic possibilities for the infections they cause. In this study, 10 strains of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolated from 10 different patients in our hospital during 2004 to 2005 were characterized.