Association between acute critical life events and the speed of onset of depressive episodes in male and female depressed patients.

Background: A series of studies indicate that a fast onset of a depressive episode (within 7 days) is a clinical variable useful for indicating bipolarity even when no manic episode has occurred to date. The role of acute critical life events as an external trigger for a fast onset of the depression is unclear so far. Therefore, aim of this investigation was to analyse the effects of acute critical life events on the speed of onset of depressive episodes.

Victimization and Vulnerability: A Study of Incarceration, Interpersonal Trauma, and Patient-Physician Trust.

Despite the critical importance of patient-physician trust, it may be compromised among vulnerable patients, such as (1) incarcerated patients and (2) those patients who have been victims of trauma. The purpose of this study was to examine patient-physician trust among forensic and civilian psychiatric inpatient populations and to explore whether it varied based on a patient's history of incarceration and/or victimization. A trust survey (WFPTS) and a trauma instrument (LEC-5) were administered to 93 patients hospitalized on forensic and civilian psychiatric hospital units in a large, urban public hospital.

HIV/AIDS research conducted in the developing world and sponsored by the developed world: reporting of research ethics committee review in two countries.

We explored how often journal articles reporting HIV research sponsored by a developed country, but conducted in a developing country, mention research ethics committee (REC) approval from both countries, and what factors are involved. Of all such 2007 articles on Medline conducted in one of four developing countries (N = 154), only 52% mentioned such dual approval. Mention of dual vs.

Alternative procedures for reducing allogeneic blood transfusion in elective orthopedic surgery.

Perioperative blood loss is a major problem in elective orthopedic surgery. Allogeneic transfusion is the standard treatment for perioperative blood loss resulting in low postoperative hemoglobin, but it has a number of well-recognized risks, complications, and costs. Alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion include preoperative autologous donation and intraoperative salvage with postoperative autotransfusion.

Closed suction drainage with or without re-transfusion of filtered shed blood does not offer advantages in primary non-cemented total hip replacement using a direct anterior approach.

Introduction: Wondering if the use of drains allowing re-transfusion of shed blood as opposed to closed suction drains or no drains would improve quality of care to patients undergoing simple non-cemented primary total hip replacement (THR) using a direct anterior approach, a three-arm prospective randomized study was conducted.

Method: One hundred and twenty patients were prospectively randomized to receive no drain, closed suction drains or drains designed for re-transfusion of shed blood. Blood loss, VAS pain scores, thigh swelling, hematoma formation, number of dressings changed and hospital stay were compared and patients followed for 3 months.