Course Transformation to Enhance Student Learning in Undergraduate Nursing Course: From a Self-Determination Theory Perspective.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether course transformation teaching strategies using repetitive quizzing and peer-tutor supplemental instruction help enhance students' learning experiences and learning outcomes based on self-determination theory.

Background: Undergraduate baccalaureate pharmacology and pathophysiology courses were redesigned as part of a campus-wide course transformation program to promote students' perceptions of learning and academic achievement.

Method: Students in the nursing pathopharmacology course participated in the two-time online perception survey (pretest and posttest) and knowledge-based exams.

A Bayesian Modelling Framework for Integration of Ecosystem Services into Freshwater Resources Management.

Models of ecological response to multiple stressors and of the consequences for ecosystem services (ES) delivery are scarce. This paper describes a methodology for constructing a BBN combining catchment and water quality model output, data, and expert knowledge that can support the integration of ES into water resources management. It proposes "small group" workshop methods for elucidating expert knowledge and analyses the areas of agreement and disagreement between experts.

Southwest Oncology Group Trial S9912: intraperitoneal cisplatin and paclitaxel plus intravenous paclitaxel and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin as primary chemotherapy of small-volume residual stage III ovarian cancer.

Objective: While primary cisplatin-based intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been shown to favorably impact survival in small-volume residual advanced ovarian cancer, there is a need to develop strategies that improve the effectiveness of this approach.

Methods: A multi-center phase 2 trial was conducted that added intravenous pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (day 8; 30-40 mg/m(2)) to a regimen of intraperitoneal cisplatin (day 2; 75 mg/m(2)) and intravenous (day 1; 135 mg/m(2)) plus intraperitoneal (day 8; 60 mg/m(2)) paclitaxel. Treatment was initially delivered on an every 3-week schedule, but was modified to an every 4-week program due to excessive toxicity.

Implications of tyrosine phosphoproteomics in cervical carcinogenesis.

Background: Worldwide cervical cancer remains a leading cause of mortality from gynecologic malignancies. The link between cervical cancer and persistent infection with HPV has been established. At a molecular level little is known about the transition from the precancerous state to invasive cancer.

Treatment of ("bulky") stage IB cervical cancer with or without neoadjuvant vincristine and cisplatin prior to radical hysterectomy and pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy: a phase III trial of the gynecologic oncology group.

Objective: A randomized phase III trial was conducted to determine if neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) prior to radical hysterectomy and pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy (RHPPL) could improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), as well as operability, with acceptable levels of toxicity. Adjuvant radiation therapy was prescribed for specific surgical/pathological risk factors for both regimens.

Methods: Eligible patients were required to have bulky FIGO Stage IB cervical cancer, tumor diameter > or =4 cm, adequate bone marrow, renal and hepatic function, and performance status < or =2.

Cardiovascular risk markers in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and correlation with obesity.

Background: High C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine levels are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Some, but not all, previous studies have reported increased levels of CRP and homocysteine in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). A study was undertaken to investigate the levels of these factors in carefully selected patients with OSAS and matched normal controls.

Management of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance pap smears: a reappraisal.

OBJECTIVE.: To find appropriate management of patients with atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) Pap smears. MATERIALS AND METHODS.

Using cytology to evaluate the endocervical canal after loop excision.

Objective: This study assesses cytology to evaluate the endocervical canal immediately after loop excision.

Material And Methods: In 103 patients, we performed a cytologic smear and endocervical curettage immediately after loop excision. Diagnoses were made independently by two cytopathologists and compared to histology.

Phase II clinical trial of capecitabine in the treatment of advanced, persistent or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with translational research: a gynecologic oncology group study.

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-tumor activity and adverse events of capecitabine in advanced, persistent or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, and to explore biomarkers with the potential to predict capecitabine response and toxicity.

Experimental Design: Eligible, consenting patients were treated with a starting dose of 2500 mg/m(2)/day or 1800 mg/m(2)/day (divided into two doses given every 12 h) for 14 days of each 21-day cycle. Prior chemotherapy was allowed only in the context of radiation "sensitization".

Human papillomavirus testing for triage in a referral population.

Objective: This study evaluated the Digene HPV Assay Hybrid Capture System(R) as a triage method.

Methods: Results of an HPV assay were compared with a final tissue diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN2) or greater. These results were stratified based on Pap smear diagnosis and evaluated in 4 triage algorithms.

Significance of early changes in the serum CA-125 antigen level on overall survival in advanced ovarian cancer.

Objective: The relationship between survival and early changes in the serum level of the CA-125 antigen in patients with advanced ovarian cancer remains poorly defined.

Methods: To explore this issue, the serum CA-125 values from 101 patients with advanced ovarian cancer who participated in a Southwest Oncology Group trial (SWOG 8412), which compared the systemic delivery of cisplatin/cyclophosphamide vs. carboplatin/cyclophosphamide (both delivered every 28 days for 6 cycles) in suboptimal residual stage III and IV ovarian cancer, were evaluated.

A 10-year review of primary fallopian tube cancer at a community hospital: a high association of synchronous and metachronous cancers.

Primary fallopian tube carcinomas (PFTC) are rare gynecological tumors infrequently diagnosed prior to operative intervention. A retrospective review was performed to characterize the distribution and clinicopathologic significance of these tumors. Identification of PFTC was achieved through a review of the tumor registry and medical record ICD-9 codes at a community teaching hospital.

Randomized trial of adjuvant intraperitoneal alpha-interferon in stage III ovarian cancer patients who have no evidence of disease after primary surgery and chemotherapy: An intergroup study.

Objective: Despite the improvement in progression-free and overall survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer associated with platinum-taxane chemotherapy, strategies are needed to prevent the greater than 70% recurrence rate.

Method: The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) initiated a phase III intergroup trial of alpha-interferon (IFNalpha-26, Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ) in weekly doses of 50 x 10(6) IU (for 6 doses) versus observation only in patients with no pathological evidence of residual disease at second-look surgery in 1988.

Results: Patient accrual was extremely slow and the trial was permanently closed in 1999 by the SWOG Data and Safety Monitoring Committee with 74 registered patients.

Recurrent mature cystic ovarian teratoma in adolescence: atypical case of the growing teratoma syndrome.

Background: A primary mature cystic ovarian teratoma was diagnosed in an adolescent female. She was followed up after initial exploration with computed tomography, pelvic ultrasonography, and serum tumor markers. Recurrent tumor, consisting solely of mature teratomatous elements, was confirmed with 2 subsequent laparotomies.

Paclitaxel and carboplatin with amifostine in advanced, recurrent, or refractory endometrial adenocarcinoma: a phase II study of the Southwest Oncology Group.

Objectives: To evaluate the response rate and progression free and overall survival of patients with advanced endometrial cancer treated with paclitaxel, carboplatin and amifostine. To evaluate the toxicity of amifostine when used in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Methods: Forty-seven eligible patients (median age: 66; range 45-82) with bidimensionally measurable advanced, recurrent, or refractory endometrial cancer were treated with carboplatin (AUC = 6), paclitaxel (175 mg/M2) and amifostine (740 mg/M2) every 4 weeks for 6 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

A patient-centered health care delivery system by a university obstetrics and gynecology department.

At the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, we developed an off-site clinic system that offers a wide array of services to low-income women and their infants over a large geographic area. These clinics strove toward cultural sensitivity and competency. This patient-centered approach was well accepted and appreciated by our patients.

Primary gastrointestinal cancers presenting as gynecologic malignancies.

Objective: The goal of this study was to characterize presenting symptoms, prognostic factors, and treatment outcome in patients diagnosed with primary gastrointestinal (GI) cancers initially presumed to be of gynecologic origin.

Methods: A retrospective review of all admissions to the gynecologic oncology service at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, was performed between 1993 and 2003. Twenty-six patients with primary GI cancers who presented with presumed gynecologic malignancies were identified.

Soluble cell adhesion molecules in gingival crevicular fluid in periodontal health and disease.

Background: Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are cell surface proteins involved in the binding of cells to each other, to endothelial cells, or to the extracellular matrix. The soluble forms of CAMs (sCAMs) are thought to be produced by proteolytic cleavage from the cell surface and are shed into the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The aim of this study was to investigate whether sCAMs, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-Selectin were present in GCF in both periodontal health and disease and to examine their relationship with periodontal inflammation.

Tumor board in gynecologic oncology.

Objective: This study evaluates the influence of a weekly tumor conference on the management of patient care in a gynecologic oncology service.

Methods: The study utilizes all patients discussed in the gyncologic oncology tumor conference at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) from January 1, 1998, to January 1, 2001. Patient's information (age, race, cancer site, stage, new cancer versus recurrent) was abstracted from the minutes and attendant log of the tumor board.

Saline, mannitol, and furosemide hydration in acute cisplatin nephrotoxicity: a randomized trial.

Objective: To determine which hydration (saline, saline + mannitol, or saline + furosemide) is associated with least cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

Methods: We randomized 49 women who received cisplatin (75 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks) into one of the three hydration arms. The 24-h creatinine clearance was measured before and on day 6 after cisplatin infusion.

Combined intraperitoneal and intravenous chemotherapy for women with optimally debulked ovarian cancer: results from an intergroup phase II trial.

Purpose: The median survival time for women with optimally debulked adenocarcinoma of the ovary treated with intravenous (IV) chemotherapy is 41 to 52 months, and the 2-year survival rate is 65% to 70%. Recent studies evaluating intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy have reported a median survival time of 49 to 63 months and 2-year survival rates of 70% to 80%. This phase II trial was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of and 2-year survival rate achieved by the combination of IP paclitaxel, IP cisplatin, and IV paclitaxel in women with optimally debulked, stage III ovarian cancer.

Prediction of the need for red cell transfusion in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients undergoing platinum-based treatment.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a predictive algorithm for the likelihood of red blood cell transfusion in women with ovarian cancer undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients in this analysis came from two phase III studies conducted by the Southwest Oncology Group and Gynecologic Oncology Group of platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer patients, SWOG 8412 and SWOG 8501/GOG 104. The probability of packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion was modeled as a function of stage of disease, age, weight, creatinine clearance, hemoglobin (Hb) prior to the start of therapy, the platinum agent administered (i.

Clinical and molecular responses in high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia treated with topical imiquimod 5%.

Objective: To assess the clinical and molecular response of patients with recurrent high-grade vulvar, vaginal, or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia treated with topical 1-2(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo [4,5-c] quinolin-4-amine (imiquimod) cream 5%, an immune response modifier with known efficacy in the treatment of external genital warts.

Methods: This is the first case series in the peer-reviewed literature reporting the use of imiquimod in high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of the lower genital tract. Eight patients with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia were treated with imiquimod in the gynecological oncology clinic and the HIV gynecology clinic at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Surgical blood loss in abdominal hysterectomy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate additional error in estimating red cell loss during abdominal hysterectomy.

Methods: Eighty patients admitted consecutively for abdominal hysterectomy were recruited. The surgeries were done after heparinizing the suction tubing system to prevent clotting and reducing the vacuum pressure to reduce red cell lysis.