Exposure to 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field modulates ROS in human HEK293 cells as a function of signal amplitude.

The modern telecommunications industry is ubiquitous throughout the world, with a significant percentage of the population using cellular phones on a daily basis. The possible physiological consequences of wireless emissions in the GHz range are therefore of major interest, but remain poorly understood. Here, we show that exposure to a 1.

Central nervous system histoplasmosis: Multicenter retrospective study on clinical features, diagnostic approach and outcome of treatment.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement occurs in 5 to 10% of individuals with disseminated histoplasmosis. Most experience has been derived from small single center case series, or case report literature reviews. Therefore, a larger study of central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis is needed in order to guide the approach to diagnosis, and treatment.

Optimizing Drug Delivery of Small-Volume Infusions.

When administering intermittent secondary intravenous infusions, commonly referred to as intravenous piggyback (IVPB) infusions, residual medication remains in the administration set and bag. No previous studies exist examining the optimal technique to infuse the residual medication. The aims of this study were to identify various IVPB ancillary techniques used to administer medication residing in the secondary administration set and bag following an infusion, evaluate the potential drug loss associated with each technique, and recommend a standard ancillary technique for administration of select small-volume IVPB infusions.

Accuracy of daily fluid intake measurements using a "smart" water bottle.

High fluid intake is an effective preventative strategy against recurrent kidney stones but is known to be challenging to achieve. Recently, a smart water bottle (Hidrate Spark™, Minneapolis, MN) was developed as a non-invasive fluid intake monitoring system. This device could help patients who form stones from low urine volume achieve sustainable improvements in hydration, but has yet to be validated in a clinical setting.

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Three Different Modalities of Lithotrites for Intracorporeal Lithotripsy in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Purpose: To compare the efficiency (stone fragmentation and removal time) and complications of three models of intracorporeal lithotripters in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Materials And Methods: Prospective, randomized controlled trial at nine centers in North America from 2009 to 2016. Patients were randomized to one of three lithotripter devices: the Cyberwand, a dual-probe ultrasonic device; the Swiss Lithoclast Select, a combination pneumatic and ultrasonic device; and the StoneBreaker, a portable pneumatic device powered by CO cartridges.

The Use of Claims-Based Data in Inpatient Public Reporting and Pay-for-Performance Programs: Is There Opportunity for Improvement?

Purpose: This study examined whether self-reported, facility-based data validation practices for claims submissions of cases flagged as Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) match professional and regulatory standards.

Methods: The National Association of Healthcare Quality members who work in an inpatient setting were invited to complete an anonymous survey to self-report their practices around facility-based data validation of PSI cases.

Results: The authors found widespread variation in how PSI administrative data are internally validated; inconsistency in the education and training required of staff who participate in this process; and relatively poor compliance with physician query guidelines and documentation amendment standards.

Unavoidable Pressure Ulcers: Development and Testing of the Indiana University Health Pressure Ulcer Prevention Inventory.

Purpose: Despite prevention strategies, hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) continue to occur in the acute care setting. The purpose of this study was to develop an operational definition of and an instrument for identifying avoidable/unavoidable HAPUs in the acute care setting.

Methods: The Indiana University Health Pressure Ulcer Prevention Inventory (PUPI) was developed and psychometric testing was performed.

SHOCK VOLUME: A PATIENT-SPECIFIC INDEX THAT PREDICTS TRANSFUSION REQUIREMENTS AND ORGAN DYSFUNCTION IN MULTIPLY INJURED PATIENTS.

Multiply injured patients (MIPs) in hemorrhagic shock develop oxygen debt which causes organ dysfunction and can lead to death. We developed a noninvasive patient-specific index, Shock Volume (SV), to quantify the magnitude of hypoperfusion. SV integrates the magnitude and duration that incremental shock index values are elevated above known thresholds of hypoperfusion using serial individual vital sign data.

The effect of pH versus base deficit on organ failure in trauma patients.

Background: Base deficit (BD) calculations are affected by trauma-related changes in circulating concentrations of anions after injury. In contrast, pH is a direct measurement that corresponds to hypoperfusion. We hypothesized that changes in pH would more closely correspond to organ dysfunction compared with changes in BD.

Characteristics of the Peritumoral Pseudocapsule Vary Predictably With Histologic Subtype of T1 Renal Neoplasms.

Objective: To determine characteristics of the peritumoral pseudocapsule (PC) between renal tumor subtypes.

Methods: The peritumoral PCs of 160 pT1 renal tumors were examined, including 60 clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), 50 papillary RCCs, 25 chromophobe RCCs, and 25 oncocytoma. Pathologic features (presence or absence of PC, mean thickness, continuity, and invasion by tumor) were analyzed.

Research and publication trends in hospital medicine.

Background: Research by hospitalists may aid the evolution of hospital medicine into an academic specialty.

Objective: To describe the factors associated with research and publication activities among hospitalists and describe trends in hospitalist-led publications.

Methods: We surveyed members of the Society of Hospital Medicine in June 2012 and conducted univariate analyses on their responses to determine predictors of successful authorship and to describe factors associated with research engagement.

Characterization of synergistic anti-cancer effects of docosahexaenoic acid and curcumin on DMBA-induced mammary tumorigenesis in mice.

Background: The major obstacles to the successful use of individual nutritional compounds as preventive or therapeutic agents are their efficacy and bioavailability. One approach to overcoming this problem is to use combinations of nutrients to induce synergistic effects. The objective of this research was to investigate the synergistic effects of two dietary components: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid present in cold-water fish, and curcumin (CCM), an herbal nutrient present in turmeric, in an in vivo model of DMBA-induced mammary tumorigenesis in mice.

Sacral colpopexy versus transvaginal mesh colpopexy in obese patients.

Objectives: Obesity can predispose women to pelvic organ prolapse and can also affect the success of pelvic organ prolapse surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative anatomical outcomes following sacral colpopexy (SC) and transvaginal mesh colpopexy in a group of obese women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of obese women who underwent SC (n = 56) or transvaginal mesh colpopexy (n = 35).

Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum prevents colitis-associated carcinogenesis in mice.

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest that mushroom intake is inversely correlated with gastric, gastrointestinal and breast cancers. We have recently demonstrated anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity of triterpene extract isolated from mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (GLT). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether GLT prevents colitis-associated carcinogenesis in mice.

Methods of bowel management in critical care: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare 3 methods of bowel management to control fecal incontinence in adult critical care patients and their effect on incontinence-associated dermatitis, pressure ulcer prevalence, and clinician satisfaction.

Subjects And Setting: Fifty-nine adult patients in critical care with liquid fecal incontinence were recruited from 6 critical care units in a large Midwest healthcare system.

Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: bowel management system catheter, rectal/nasopharyngeal trumpet, or usual care.

Surgery for vestibular schwannomas: a systematic review of complications by approach.

Object: Various studies report outcomes of vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery, but few studies have compared outcomes across the various approaches. The authors conducted a systematic review of the available data on VS surgery, comparing the different approaches and their associated complications.

Methods: MEDLINE searches were conducted to collect studies that reported information on patients undergoing VS surgery.

BreastDefend™ prevents breast-to-lung cancer metastases in an orthotopic animal model of triple-negative human breast cancer.

We have recently demonstrated that a natural dietary supplement BreastDefend (BD), which contains extracts from medicinal mushrooms (Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus linteus), medicinal herbs (Scutellaria barbata, Astragalus membranaceus, Curcuma longa), and purified biologically active nutritional compounds (diindolylmethane and quercetin), inhibits proliferation and metastatic behavior of MDA-MB-231 invasive human breast cancer cells in vitro. In the present study, we evaluated whether BD suppresses growth and breast-to lung cancer metastasis in an orthotopic model of human breast cancer cells implanted in mice. Oral application of BD (100 mg/kg of body weight for 4 weeks) by intragastric gavage did not affect body weight or activity of liver enzymes and did not show any sign of toxicity in liver, spleen, kidney, lung and heart tissues in mice.

Use of preoperative prolapse reduction stress testing and the risk of a second surgery for urinary symptoms following laparoscopic sacral colpoperineopexy.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to determine the reoperation rate for sling placement or revision in patients who had primary continence procedures based on prolapse reduction stress testing (RST) prior to laparoscopic sacral colpoperineopexy (LSCP).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of women who had RST prior to LSCP for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse. Patients with positive test (Pos RST) had a concomitant midurethral sling procedure and those with negative test (Neg RST) did not.

High uterosacral ligament vaginal vault suspension: comparison of absorbable vs. permanent suture for apical fixation.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The primary objective of this study was to compare outcomes of absorbable and permanent suture for apical support with high uterosacral ligament vaginal vault suspension (HUSLS). The secondary objective was to investigate the rate of suture erosion.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent HUSLS with delayed absorbable and primarily permanent suture.

ProstaCaid inhibits tumor growth in a xenograft model of human prostate cancer.

We have recently demonstrated that the dietary supplement ProstaCaid (PC) inhibits growth and invasive behavior of PC-3 human prostate cancer cells in vitro. In the present study, we evaluated toxicity and whether PC suppresses growth of prostate cancer in a xenograft model of human prostate cancer cells implanted in mice. Here, we show that an oral administration of PC (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) did not affect body weight or activity of liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and did not show any sign of toxicity in liver, spleen, kidney, lung and heart tissues in mice.

Surgical outcomes of abdominal versus laparoscopic sacral colpopexy related to body mass index.

Objective: Obesity can predispose women to pelvic organ prolapse and can also affect the success of prolapse surgery. Sacral colpopexy is a common surgical approach used to treat significant prolapse, and may be performed by laparotomy or laparoscopy. The objective of this study was to determine whether surgical outcomes following abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC) and laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) varied according to BMI.

Female pelvic floor symptoms before and after bariatric surgery.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for female pelvic floor disorders. The study objective was to determine whether there was a difference in the subjective reporting of pelvic symptoms before and after bariatric surgery.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of female patients that underwent bariatric surgery.

Neurotelemetry electrode application techniques compared.

The secure and efficient affixation of EEG electrodes is an integral part of performing neurotelemetry; however there are currently no recommendations for the ideal method of affixing the electrodes that has evidence-based support. The purpose of this study was to find and determine the best hook up method based on the required hook up time and number of repairs. One hundred neurotelemetry patients were randomly assigned to one of the following four electrode application methods: collodion-Ten20, collodion-Elefix, Hypafix-Ten20, or Hypafix-Elefix.

De novo stress urinary incontinence after negative prolapse reduction stress testing for total vaginal mesh procedures: incidence and risk factors.

Objective: The primary objective was to estimate the incidence of de novo stress urinary incontinence after total vaginal mesh procedures in women with negative preoperative urodynamics with prolapse reduction. Secondary objective was to identify associated risk factors.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study with a nested case-control study of women who underwent total vaginal mesh procedures without midurethral sling after a negative preoperative urodynamics.

Oncology nurses' attitudes toward prognosis-related communication: a pilot mailed survey of oncology nursing society members.

Purpose/objectives: To assess oncology nurses' attitudes toward prognosis-related communication and experiences of the quality of such communication among physicians.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Nationwide survey in the United States.