Factors affecting hospital length of stay following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Study Design:  Retrospective cohort study.

Background:  Several studies focus on the long-term results of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgeries, but little information exists regarding how various patient-related, procedure-related, and payer-related variables may affect postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS).

Objective:  To determine what factors, if any, contribute to increased hospital LOS in patients who have had an ACDF.

Effect of sitting vs. standing on perception of provider time at bedside: a pilot study.

Objective: Patients commonly perceive that a provider has spent more time at their bedside when the provider sits rather than stands. This study provides empirical evidence for this perception.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study with 120 adult post-operative inpatients admitted for elective spine surgery.

Threaded interbody fusion cage for adjacent segment degenerative disease after previous anterior cervical fusion.

Background: Anterior discectomy and fusion have been used for over 50 years in the treatment of degenerative disease of the cervical spine. However, as these procedures become more common, the long-term consequences are becoming more evident. One such consequence is degeneration of an adjacent segment, which can occur in up to 17% of patients undergoing cervical fusion.

In vitro and in vivo percutaneous absorption of 14C-octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (14C-D4) and 14C-decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (14C-D5).

Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) are cyclic siloxanes used as chemical intermediates with some applications in consumer products. The in vitro percutaneous absorption of 14C-D4 and 14C-D5 was studied in flow-through diffusion cells. Single doses were applied neat and in antiperspirant formulations to dermatomed human skin for 24h.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the estrogenic, androgenic, and progestagenic potential of two cyclic siloxanes.

The purpose of these experiments was to determine the potential estrogenic, androgenic, and progestagenic activity of two cyclic siloxanes, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5). Receptor-binding experiments and a luciferase reporter gene assay were used to determine if the materials were able to bind and activate either the estrogen receptors (ERs) or progesterone receptors (PRs)-alpha or beta. The rat uterotrophic assay (RUA) for estrogenic activity and the Hershberger assay for androgenic activity were utilized as the in vivo assays.

A proactive approach to prevention of health care-acquired Legionnaires' disease: the Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) experience.

Background: The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) in Pennsylvania distributed the first guidelines for prevention and control of health care-acquired Legionnaires' disease (LD) by 1995. The proactive approach advocated in the guidelines differed notably from that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by recommending routine environmental testing of the hospital water distribution system even when cases of health care-acquired Legionnaires' disease had never been identified.

Objectives: Our purpose was to (1) evaluate the impact of the ACHD guidelines on the Legionella diagnostic and preventive practices of health care facilities in Allegheny and surrounding counties and (2) compare the incidence of health care-acquired LD before and after issuance of the ACHD guidelines.

Chondromyxoid fibroma of the upper thoracic spine in a 7-year-old patient. A case report and review of the literature.

Background: We report a case of a 7-year-old white female who presented with acute, progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness over 48 h.

Methods: Case report and presentation of clinical, radiological and pathological data on a single case of chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) of the T2 vertebral body.

Results: Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine revealed an extensive mass invading the lamina of the second thoracic vertebra, causing extensive cord compression and progressive neurological deterioration.

Influenza immunizations provided by EMS agencies: the MEDICVAX Project.

Objective: Emergency medical services (EMS) agencies may be an underutilized resource for provision of preventive health services. This study sought to demonstrate the feasibility for EMS agencies to provide influenza immunizations.

Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study was conducted with urban, suburban, and rural EMS agencies that volunteered to participate.

Metabolites of hexamethyldisiloxane and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane in Fischer 344 rat urine--a comparison of a linear and a cyclic siloxane.

Hexamethyldisiloxane (MM or HMDS) and decamethylcylclopentasiloxane (D(5)) are examples of a linear and a cyclic siloxane, respectively. These volatile low molecular weight siloxanes are of significant commercial importance. To aid in the pharmacokinetic investigations, major metabolites of MM and D(5) were identified in urine collected from Fischer (F-344) rats administered [(14)C]MM and [(14)C]D(5) orally and via intravenous injection.

Automatic electronic laboratory-based reporting of notifiable infectious diseases at a large health system.

Electronic laboratory-based reporting, developed by the UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was evaluated to determine if it could be integrated into the conventional paper-based reporting system. We reviewed reports of 10 infectious diseases from 8 UPMC hospitals that reported to the Allegheny County Health Department in southwestern Pennsylvania during January 1-November 26, 2000. Electronic reports were received a median of 4 days earlier than conventional reports.