A Pilot Study into the Association between Oral Health Status and Human Papillomavirus-16 Infection.

Background: Over the next 20 years, oropharyngeal cancers (OPC) will represent the majority of head and neck cancers (HNCs) in the United States. It is estimated that human papillomavirus (HPV) may account for as much as 70% to 80% of OPCs in North America and in certain parts of Europe. It is hence crucial to understand the disease risk factors and natural history of oral HPV infections.

Salivary epigenetic biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

The early detection of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) continues to be a challenge to the clinician. Saliva as a diagnostic medium carries significant advantages including its close proximity to the region of interest, ease of collection and noninvasive nature. While the identification of biomarkers continues to carry significant diagnostic and prognostic utility in HNSCC, epigenetic alterations present a novel opportunity to serve this purpose.

Hyperacute rejection from a donor who died of carbamate intoxication--a case report.

Acute carbamate intoxication can cause cardiac manifestations. We present the case of a 53-year-old man who had been a heavy smoker, admitted to our hospital for recent anterior wall myocardial infarction complicated with congestive heart failure. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stent implantation, coronary artery bypass graft, and mitral annuloplasty were performed, but refractory heart failure and ventricular arrhythmia were still noted.

Influence of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid on structure, mechanical properties, and glioma invasion of collagen I gels.

To mimic the extracellular matrix surrounding high grade gliomas, composite matrices composed of either acid-solubilized (AS) or pepsin-treated (PT) collagen and the glycosaminoglycans chondroitin sulfate (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are prepared and characterized. The structure and mechanical properties of collagen/CS and collagen/HA gels are studied via confocal reflectance microscopy (CRM) and rheology. CRM reveals that CS induces fibril bundling and increased mesh size in AS collagen but not PT collagen networks.

Defibrillation probability and impedance change between shocks during resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Objective: Technical data now gathered by automated external defibrillators (AEDs) allows closer evaluation of the behavior of defibrillation shocks administered during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We analyzed technical data from a large case series to evaluate the change in transthoracic impedance between shocks, and to assess the heterogeneity of the probability of successful defibrillation across the population.

Methods: We analyzed a series of consecutive cases where AEDs delivered shocks to treat ventricular fibrillation (VF) during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Effect of transport team interventions on stabilization time in neonatal and pediatric interfacility transports.

Introduction: During interfacility transport, the length of time taken by the transport team to prepare the patient for transport is often perceived as a problem by referring hospital staff. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on time at the referring hospital of the number and complexity of interventions performed by the transport team to stabilize the patient prior to transfer.

Setting: Interfacility transfers by the provincial infant transport team (ITT) to British Columbia's Children's Hospital.

Randomized, controlled trial of three levels of critical incident stress intervention.

Background: Stress debriefing following exposure to a critical incident is becoming more prevalent. Its aim is to prevent or minimize the development of excessive stress response symptoms that lead to loss of productivity or effectiveness in the workplace or at home. There is little evidence that any form of psychological debriefing is effective.

Cost: benefit of point-of-care blood gas analysis vs. laboratory measurement during stabilization prior to transport.

Introduction: This study was conducted to determine whether point-of-care testing, using the iSTAT Portable Clinical Analyzer, would reduce time at the referring hospital required to stabilize ventilated pediatric patients prior to interfacility, air-medical transport.

Methods: The following data were collected prospectively: (1) When a blood gas analysis was ordered; (2) If it was necessary to call in a technician; (3) Waiting time for blood to be drawn; and (4) Waiting time for results. The cost-efficacy of point-of-care testing was calculated based on: (1) Three minutes for a transport team member to draw a sample and obtain a result using the iSTAT (unit cost 8,000 CDN dollars); (2) Lab technician call-back (minimum two hours at 90 dollars); (3) Paramedic overtime (by the minute at 49 dollars/hour); and (4) Cost of charter aircraft wait time (200 dollars per hour) for every hour beyond four hours.