Influence of adjunctive classical homeopathy on global health status and subjective wellbeing in cancer patients - A pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The use of complementary and alternative medicine has increased over the past decade. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether homeopathy influenced global health status and subjective wellbeing when used as an adjunct to conventional cancer therapy.

Design: In this pragmatic randomized controlled trial, 410 patients, who were treated by standard anti-neoplastic therapy, were randomized to receive or not receive classical homeopathic adjunctive therapy in addition to standard therapy.

Additive homeopathy in cancer patients: Retrospective survival data from a homeopathic outpatient unit at the Medical University of Vienna.

Background: Current literature suggests a positive influence of additive classical homeopathy on global health and well-being in cancer patients. Besides encouraging case reports, there is little if any research on long-term survival of patients who obtain homeopathic care during cancer treatment.

Design: Data from cancer patients who had undergone homeopathic treatment complementary to conventional anti-cancer treatment at the Outpatient Unit for Homeopathy in Malignant Diseases, Medical University Vienna, Department of Medicine I, Vienna, Austria, were collected, described and a retrospective subgroup-analysis with regard to survival time was performed.

Feasibility and speed of insertion of seven supraglottic airway devices under simulated airway conditions.

Objectives: Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is considered the gold standard for protecting the airway. Alternative devices for airway protection have been developed that can be used by untrained personnel, by those with less experience, and for when ETI is not possible. The main goals of our study were to evaluate the success rate and speed of insertion of different supraglottic airway devices and to determine whether the devices could be properly inserted under simulated critical conditions.

Computerized occlusion rating of embolized ruptured intracranial aneurysms: relation to intra- and postinterventional aneurysm rehemorrhage.

Endovascular coil occlusion of ruptured cerebral aneurysms has a higher rate of rebleeding compared to surgical clipping. Initial aneurysm coil occlusion rate (OR) is the strongest available predictor of aneurysm rebleeding. Standard clinical subjective occlusion rating (SOR) is limited by subjective bias.

Evaluation of performance of two different chest tubes with either a sharp or a blunt tip for thoracostomy in 100 human cadavers.

Background: Emergent placement of a chest tube is a potentially life-saving procedure, but rate of misplacement and organ injury is up to 30%. In principle, chest tube insertion can be performed by using Trocar or Non-trocar techniques. If using trocar technique, two different chest tubes (equipped with sharp or blunt tip) are currently commercially available.

Performance and skill retention of intubation by paramedics using seven different airway devices--a manikin study.

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is the most widespread method for emergency airway management. Several studies reported that ETI requires considerable skill and experience and if performed incorrectly, may result in serious adverse events. Unrecognized tube misplacement or oesophageal intubation is associated with high prehospital morbidity.

[Examination of the prevalence of skin injuries in debeaked fattened turkeys].

Within the framework of a cooperative research project, turkey health as well as numerous aspects of animal welfare were examined in various intensive commercial farms with varying rearing forms. The present study demonstrates the prevalence of skin injuries concerning living animals as well as carcasses of slaughtered turkeys of both sexes. Although all turkeys were debeaked, prevalences of skin injuries at a value of 12.

Standard PAH therapy improves long term survival in CTEPH patients.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), subsequent to pulmonary embolism is a relatively frequent cause of pulmonary hypertension. Similar to patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), CTEPH carries a poor prognosis. There is no hard evidence for any other therapy except pulmonary endarterectomy and none for those patients that are not eligible for this procedure.

Comparison of the EasyTube and endotracheal tube during general anesthesia in fasted adult patients.

Study Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, ease of placement, and ventilatory parameters of a new alternate airway device, the EasyTube (EzT; Teleflex Ruesch, Research Triangle Park, NC), in comparison to the endotracheal tube (ETT).

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: University Hospital.

[Examination of rearing standards and health status in turkeys in Germany].

Within the framework of a cooperative research project, sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection in Germany (BMELV), turkey health as well as numerous aspects of animal welfare in various intensive commercial farms with varying rearing forms were examined. For this purpose extensive documentation of flock management and health status information was conducted over the past two years at the farms. Additional information was ascertained from the carcasses at the slaughterhouse.

Assessment of left ventricular volume and ejection fraction: comparison of QGS and MBGS analyses of ECG-gated myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare quantitative ECG-gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (QGS) and model-based ECG-gated single-photon emission computed tomography (MBGS) for determination of end-diastolic cardiac volume (EDV), end-systolic cardiac volume (ESV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The accuracy of both methods was evaluated by measurements obtained from contrast left ventriculography (LVG).

Methods: Forty-five patients (40 male, age: 55+/-11 years) with coronary artery disease were studied by angiography and ECG-gated SPECT using technetium-99m-sestamibi for the evaluation of myocardial perfusion and LVEF.

Iatrogenic tracheobronchial ruptures - treatment and outcomes.

In the present paper we discuss the indication and follow-up of 42 patients with iatrogenic tracheobrochial ruptures. Thirty-five patients were treated by operation and 7 patients were treated conservatively. In the operated patients, four developed an insufficiency of the tracheal closure and the rupture related mortality was 2.

Automated assessment of myocardial SPECT perfusion scintigraphy: a comparison of different approaches of case-based reasoning.

Objective: This study compared the diagnostic accuracy of different approaches of case-based reasoning (CBR) for the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) using thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in comparison with coronary angiography.

Methods And Material: For each scintigraphic image set, regional myocardial tracer uptake was obtained by polar map analysis. CBR algorithms based on a similarity measure were employed to identify similar scintigraphic images within the case library, where each case contained the scintigraphic data together with results of coronary angiography.

Whole blood mercury and selenium concentrations in a selected Austrian population: does gender matter?

Background: Data on mercury exposure of the Austrian population were inadequate. This study was performed to determine the causal factors underlying mercury exposure and selenium concentrations, and to estimate the gender-related health impacts.

Methodology: Venous blood samples of 78 women and 81 men were drawn at the Austrian Red Cross, Vienna.

Smoking, cereal consumption, and supplementation affect cadmium content in breast milk.

Breast milk might be a source of potentially toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd). The purpose of the present study is to provide data pertaining to the influence of maternal lifestyles on Cd concentrations in breast milk in the Austrian setting. Breast milk was obtained from 124 Austrian women.

Comparison of mucosal pressures induced by cuffs of different airway devices.

Background: High pressures exerted by balloons and cuffs of conventional endotracheal tubes, the Combitube (Tyco Healthcare Nellcor Mallinckrodt, Pleasanton, CA), the EasyTube (Teleflex Ruesch, Kernen, Germany), the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA North America, San Diego, CA), the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway (Fastrach; LMA North America), the ProSeal (LMA North America), and the Laryngeal Tube (LT; VBM Medizintechnik, Sulz, Germany) may traumatize the pharyngeal mucosa. The aim of this study was to compare pressures exerted on the pharyngeal, tracheal, and esophageal mucosa by different devices designed for securing the patient's airways.

Methods: Nineteen fresh cadavers were included.

Comparison of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and Combitube ventilation in a bench model.

Context: In addition to heart massage, the primary goal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is efficient oxygenation and ventilation.

Objective: To compare the ease of learning and handling of standard mouth-to-mouth resuscitation with the Combitube (Tyco Healthcare Nellcor, Pleasanton, CA) ventilation.

Methods: After a 30 minute theoretical introduction and demonstration of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and use of the Combitube in mannequins, following American Heart Association guidelines, 26 adolescent school children (15 of them 14 years old, 11 of them 10 years old) undertook two ventilation trials, each consisting of five single ventilations, with each technique.

Gated cardiac 13N-NH3 PET for assessment of left ventricular volumes, mass, and ejection fraction: comparison with electrocardiography-gated 18F-FDG PET.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to evaluate myocardial electrocardiography (ECG)-gated 13N-ammonia (13N-NH3) PET for the assessment of cardiac end-diastolic volume (EDV), cardiac end-systolic volume (ESV), left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass (LVMM), and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) with gated 18F-FDG PET as a reference method.

Methods: ECG-gated 13N-NH3 and 18F-FDG scans were performed for 27 patients (23 men and 4 women; mean+/-SD age, 55+/-15 y) for the evaluation of myocardial perfusion and viability. For both 13N-NH3 and 18F-FDG studies, a model-based image analysis tool was used to estimate endocardial and epicardial borders of the left ventricle on a set of short-axis images and to calculate values for EDV, ESV, LVEF, and LVMM.

Assessment of myocardial perfusion by dynamic N-13 ammonia PET imaging: comparison of 2 tracer kinetic models.

Background: Measurement of myocardial blood flow (MBF) by dynamic nitrogen 13 ammonia (NH(3)) positron emission tomography (PET) uses tracer kinetic modeling to analyze time-activity curves. We compared 2 commonly used models with 2 compartments (2C) and 3 compartments (3C) for quantification of MBF and coronary flow reserve (CFR).

Methods And Results: Seventy-seven patients underwent NH(3) PET at rest and during hyperemia.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia: Increased bacterial counts in bronchoalveolar lavage by using urea as an endogenous marker of dilution.

Objective: Invasive diagnostic procedures such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with quantitative microbiological cultures are currently recommended for the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia. Commonly, in clinical practice, a threshold of > or =10 colony forming units/mL is used for therapeutic decisions. The use of these measurements in daily practice assumes that their repeatability is acceptable.

Influence of potassium dichromate on tracheal secretions in critically ill patients.

Background: Stringy, tenacious tracheal secretions may prevent extubation in patients weaned from the respirator. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with parallel assignment was performed to assess the influence of sublingually administered potassium dichromate C30 on the amount of tenacious, stringy tracheal secretions in critically ill patients with a history of tobacco use and COPD.

Methods: In this study, 50 patients breathing spontaneously with continuous positive airway pressure were receiving either potassium dichromate C30 globules (group 1) [Deutsche Homoopathie-Union, Pharmaceutical Company; Karlsruhe, Germany] or placebo (group 2).

The JAVA-based DICOM query interface DicoSE.

DICOM 3 is a very elaborate standard for the communication between medical image devices. It is published in several parts by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). To adequately visualize the data structure defined in parts 3, 5 and 6 of the DICOM standard, we implemented the web based Dicom Search Engine (DicoSE).

Effectiveness of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation performed by young adolescents on a mannequin.

Bystanders are reluctant to perform basic life support (BLS) because of fear of failure and of infection, especially with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (MTM). A possibility to enhance willingness could be the giving of MTM or BLS instructions at a very early age to the potential rescuers. The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of MTM with respect to ventilation and the time needed for performing 5 ventilations.

Evaluation of Seldinger technique emergency cricothyroidotomy versus standard surgical cricothyroidotomy in 200 cadavers.

Background: Percutaneous cricothyroidotomy is a lifesaving procedure for airway obstruction in trauma victims who need airway establishment and cannot be intubated or in whom intubation has failed.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is a training effect using Seldinger technique emergency cricothyroidotomy (group 1; Arndt Emergency Cricothyroidotomy Catheter Set; Cook Critical Care, Bloomington, IN) versus standard surgical cricothyroidotomy (group 2). Twenty emergency physicians performed five cricothyroidotomies with each method in a total of 200 human cadavers, comparing efficacy and safety (speed, success rate, and injuries).

Ventricular fibrillation median frequency may not be useful for monitoring during cardiac arrest treated with endothelin-1 or epinephrine.

In this study, we evaluated whether median fibrillation frequency (MF) and mean fibrillation amplitude (AMP) reflect coronary perfusion pressure (CoPP) and predict successful defibrillation. MF, AMP, and CoPP were measured during prolonged ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest and resuscitation in pigs. After 5 min of VF, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started.