Efficacy of virtual reality assisted guided imagery (VRAGI) in a home setting for pain management in patients with advanced cancer: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Patients with advanced cancer often experience high levels of debilitating pain and pain-related psychological distress. Although there is increasing evidence that non-pharmacological interventions are needed to manage their pain, pharmacologic modalities remain the preferred treatment . Guided imagery is a form of focused relaxation that helps create harmony between the mind and body and has been shown to significantly improve cancer pain.

Development of the iCubate Molecular Diagnostic Platform Utilizing Amplicon Rescue Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction.

We utilized Amplicon-Rescue Multiplex PCR (ARM-PCR) and microarray hybridization to develop and validate the iC-GPC Assay, a multiplexed, diagnostic test that identifies five of the most common gram positive bacteria and three clinically relevant resistance markers associated with bloodstream infections (BSI). The iC-GPC Assay is designed for use with the iC-System™, which automates sample preparation, ARM-PCR, and microarray detection within a closed cassette. Herein, we determined the limit of detection for each of the iC-GPC Assay targets to be between 3.

Pre- and post-shunting observations in adult sheep with kaolin-induced hydrocephalus.

Background: The objective of this study was to examine host-shunt interactions in sheep with kaolin-induced hydrocephalus.

Methods: Forty-two sheep (29-40 kg) were utilized for this study. In 20 animals, various kaolin doses were injected into the cisterna magna including 10 and 50 mg/kg as well as 2-4 ml of a 25% kaolin suspension.