General Surgery Resuscitation Preference Documentation: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Background/purpose: Documentation of resuscitation preferences is crucial for patients undergoing surgery. Unfortunately, this remains an area for improvement at many institutions. We conducted a quality improvement initiative to enhance documentation percentages by integrating perioperative resuscitation checks into the surgical workflow.

UK cost-effectiveness analysis of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty versus lifestyle modification alone for adults with class II obesity.

Background: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive procedure that has been demonstrated in the MERIT randomised, controlled trial to result in substantial and durable additional weight loss in adults with obesity compared with lifestyle modification (LM) alone. We sought to conduct the first cost-effectiveness analysis of ESG versus LM alone in adults with class II obesity (BMI 35.0-39.

Right Atrial Tumor Invasion: A Rare Presentation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma has been associated with a poor prognosis. Common areas of spread include the lungs, portal vein, and portal lymph nodes. Affected patients often have coexisting comorbidities, including cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Effects of Schema-Enriched Communication in Teams With Diverse Hearing Status.

This study examined the effects of (a) schema-enriched communication and (b) computer-based messaging on the sharing of knowledge and problem solving in teams with deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and typical hearing (TH) postsecondary students. Four-member teams comprising either all DHH, all TH, or two DHH and two TH postsecondary students solved a complex problem. Measures consisted of (a) shared written information, (b) creation of a matrix with information for solving the problem, (c) recognition of information shared by team members, and (d) quality of the team's problem solution.

Cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery versus community weight management to treat obesity-related idiopathic intracranial hypertension: evidence from a single-payer healthcare system.

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is associated with significant morbidity, predominantly affecting women of childbearing age living with obesity. Weight loss has demonstrated successful disease-modifying effects; however, the long-term cost-effectiveness of weight loss interventions for the treatment of IIH has not yet been established.

Objectives: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of weight-loss treatments for IIH.

Hand-Fabricated CNT/AgNPs Electrodes using Wax-on-Plastic Platforms for Electro-Immunosensing Application.

Fabrication of inexpensive and flexible electronic and electrochemical sensors is in high demand for a wide range of biochemical and biomedical applications. We explore hand fabrication of CNT modified AgNPs electrodes using wax-on-plastic platforms and their application in electrochemical immunosensing. Wax patterns were printed on polyethylene terephthalate-based substrates to laydown templates for the electrodes.

Peer-led intervention to prevent and reduce STI transmission and improve sexual health in secondary schools (STASH): protocol for a feasibility study.

Background: Young people in the UK are at highest risk of sexually transmitted infections and report higher levels of unsafe sex than any other age group. Involving peer supporters in intervention delivery is acceptable to students and effective in reducing risk behaviours via 'diffusion of innovation', particularly where peer supporters are influential in their networks. Informal peer-led interventions offer a useful alternative to peer-led didactic teaching, which has shown limited effects.

Association of State-Mandated Abstinence-only Sexuality Education with Rates of Adolescent HIV Infection and Teenage Pregnancy.

Introduction: Abstinence-only sexuality education (AOSE); is required in the public school systems of many states, raising public health concerns and perpetuating health disparities through school systems. This study aimed to determine the correlations between state-mandated AOSE and the rates of adolescent HIV and teen pregnancy.

Methods: Using publicly available data on all 50 United States' laws and policies on AOSE, states were ranked according to their level of abstinence emphasis on sexuality education (Level 0 - Level 3);.

Dynamics of single human embryonic stem cells and their pairs: a quantitative analysis.

Numerous biological approaches are available to characterise the mechanisms which govern the formation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) colonies. To understand how the kinematics of single and pairs of hESCs impact colony formation, we study their mobility characteristics using time-lapse imaging. We perform a detailed statistical analysis of their speed, survival, directionality, distance travelled and diffusivity.

Urinary Soluble CD163 in Active Renal Vasculitis.

A specific biomarker that can separate active renal vasculitis from other causes of renal dysfunction is lacking, with a kidney biopsy often being required. Soluble CD163 (sCD163), shed by monocytes and macrophages, has been reported as a potential biomarker in diseases associated with excessive macrophage activation. Thus, we hypothesized that urinary sCD163 shed by crescent macrophages correlates with active glomerular inflammation.

Deaf/hard-of-hearing and other postsecondary learners' retention of STEM content with tablet computer-based notes.

Four groups of postsecondary students, 25 who were deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH), 25 with a learning disability, 25 who were English language learners (ELLs), and 25 without an identified disability studied notes that included text and graphical information based on a physics or a marine biology lecture. The latter 3 groups were normally hearing. All groups had higher scores on post- than on pretests for each lecture, with each group showing generally similar gains in amount of material learned from the pretest to the posttest.

Relationship between rheumatoid arthritis disease severity, health-related utility, and resource use in Australian patients: A cross-sectional, multicenter study.

Objectives: This research explores the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) severity measures, clinical characteristics, and patient preference-based health-related quality of life (ie, utility) in Australian RA patients. A secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between a range of disease severity measures, clinical characteristics, and the cost of RA-related resource use.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study of consecutive patients with RA aged > or =18 years attending routine clinical appointments.

Simulating the fine-branch arboreal niche and exercising mice to elicit above-branch quadrupedal grasping and climbing.

The fine-branch niche is a natural setting found among the slender vines and terminal branches of shrubs and tree canopies. In this study, the authors designed two simulations of this setting for laboratory mice. Their main goal was to model phenotypic plasticity in a small, clawed mammal, in order to better understand the effect of a thin-branch arboreal setting on musculoskeletal growth and behavior of these animals.

Prognostic validation of an algorithm to convert myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging data from a 12-segment model to a 17-segment model.

Background: A 17-segment model has become the standard for interpreting myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Methods for converting pre-existing databases from 12-segment models to the 17-segment model are needed for ongoing prognostic studies.

Methods And Results: To develop the conversion algorithm, 150 consecutive SPECT studies (82 abnormal) were read by both a 12-segment and the standard 17-segment models.

The maze task: measuring forced incremental sentence processing time.

The maze task is an online measure of sentence processing time that provides an alternative to the standard moving window version of self-paced reading. Rather than each word of the sentence being presented in succession, two words are presented at the same time, and the participant must choose which word is a grammatical continuation of the sentence. This procedure forces the reader into an incremental mode of processing in which each word must be fully integrated with the preceding context before the next word can be considered.

Acceptance of colonoscopy requires more than test tolerance.

Background: Colon cancer screening, including colonoscopy, lags behind other forms of cancer screening for participation rates. The intrinsic nature of the endoscopic procedure may be an important barrier that limits patients from finding this test acceptable and affects willingness to undergo screening. With colon cancer screening programs emerging in Canada, test characteristics and their impact on acceptance warrant consideration.

Adolescent cervical dysplasia: histologic evaluation, treatment, and outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate histologic findings and outcomes among adolescents with cervical dysplasia.

Study Design: Patient charts (2001-2005) were reviewed. Prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 2 and 3 and progression and regression were recorded.

Protective immunity against hepatitis C virus infection.

There is increasing evidence that a small percentage of individuals exposed to the hepatitis C virus have the capacity to generate a strong cellular immune response against the virus and avoid persistent infection, and perhaps do so repeatedly after re-exposure. This article reviews the evidence that the responses identified in this unique group of individuals represent the protective immunity that will need to be elicited by hepatitis C virus vaccines.

College Students' Perceptions of the C-Print Speech-to-Text Transcription System.

C-Print is a real-time speech-to-text transcription system used as a support service with deaf students in mainstreamed classes. Questionnaires were administered to 36 college students in 32 courses in which the C-Print system was used in addition to interpreting and note taking. Twenty-two of these students were also interviewed.

Factors associated with probability of patient rejecting a repeat 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, despite recommendation by the physician.

Objective: The aim of our study was to find out factors associated with patient acceptance of repeat 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) using the Mobil-O-Graph ambulatory blood pressure monitor.

Methods: Six hundred and fifty patients had ABPM performed between July 1999 and Oct 2000. Following 24 h ABPM patients were asked to complete 13-item questionnaire.

Public and private collaboration in establishing a young person's sexual health clinic in a commercial setting.

Objective: To define the key factors and constraints in public-private sector collaboration in establishing and delivering a young person's sexual health clinic within an existing commercial establishment.

Consultation, Planning And Implementation Phases: Consultations were held between the Health Promotion Department, family planning and commercial outlets, resulting in the establishment of the UK's first sexual health service within commercial premises. Once the clinic had been operational for 6 months, a single researcher carried out semi-structured interviews with 13 staff representing all levels within the partner organisations.

Cellulite treatment: a myth or reality: a prospective randomized, controlled trial of two therapies, endermologie and aminophylline cream.

Cellulite is a common phenomenon that particularly affects the thighs and buttocks of women. Little scientific evidence exists to support any of the many advertised treatments for it. A total of 52 of 69 women, who were divided into three groups, completed a 12-week, randomized, controlled trial in which the effectiveness of two different treatments for cellulite was assessed.

Current trends in breast reduction.

Current trends in the development of breast reduction surgery include a few minor refinements in classic inverted-T scar methods but, more, the increased use of vertical-scar reduction mammaplasty. The benefits of the latter, which include reduced scar burden and improved long-term projection, are attractive, although the technique itself has proved to be somewhat intuitive and more difficult to master. These shortcomings can be minimized and the technique safely learned by initially applying it to patients with minor degrees of macromastia and ptosis.