Is There a Difference in the Contamination Rates of Urine Samples Obtained by Bladder Catheterization and Clean-Catch Collection in Preschool Children?

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare contamination rates in urine samples obtained by transurethral catheterization and clean-catch methods in preschool children aged 2 to 5 years.

Methods: A retrospective, chart review was performed on patients evaluated in our emergency department over a 6-month period who had a urine culture obtained by either transurethral catheterization or clean-catch methods. The charts were reviewed for urine bacterial colony counts and divided into positive, negative, or contaminated cohorts.

Genotoxic and oxidative effect of duloxetine on mouse brain and liver tissues.

We evaluated the duloxetine DNA damaging capacity utilizing the comet assay applied to mouse brain and liver cells, as well as its DNA, lipid, protein, and nitric oxide oxidative potential in the same cells. A kinetic time/dose strategy showed the effect of 2, 20, and 200 mg/kg of the drug administered intraperitoneally once in comparison with a control and a methyl methanesulfonate group. Each parameter was evaluated at 3, 9, 15, and 21 h postadministration in five mice per group, except for the DNA oxidation that was examined only at 9 h postadministration.

Clinical experience with CorMatrix extracellular matrix in the surgical treatment of mitral valve disease.

Objectives: To determine the clinical utility of an acellular bioscaffold as a structural material for mitral valve repair (MVr).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing partial or subtotal leaflet replacement and/or leaflet extension to treat mitral regurgitation or acute endocarditis and/or reconstruction of atrial-ventricular continuity after annular decalcification. The material used for repair was a bioresorbable extracellular matrix (ECM) material indicated for cardiac tissue repair (CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc, Roswell, Ga).

Invasive renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus: cardiac anesthesia in liver transplant settings.

Objectives: Resection of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) with tumor thrombus invasion into the inferior vena cava (IVC) is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. This study examined the intra- and inter-departmental collaboration among cardiac, liver transplantation, and urologic surgeons and anesthesiologists in caring for these patients.

Design: After IRB approval, medical records of patients who underwent resection of RCC tumor thrombus level III and IV, from 1997 to 2010 in this institution, were reviewed.

Factors which predict safe extubation in the operating room following cardiac surgery.

Background: Extubation in the operating room (OR) after cardiac surgery is hampered by safety concerns, psychological reluctance, and uncertain economic benefit. We have studied the factors affecting the feasibility of extubation in the OR after cardiac surgery and its safety.

Methods: The outcomes of 78 patients extubated in the OR after open heart surgery were retrospectively compared to a matched control group of 80 patients with similar demographics, co-morbidities, and operative procedures, that were performed over the same time period, but extubated in the intensive care unit (ICU) following a standard weaning protocol.

A randomized, controlled trial on dexmedetomidine for providing adequate sedation and hemodynamic control for awake, diagnostic transesophageal echocardiography.

Objective: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become established as a sensitive and accurate diagnostic method for the rapid assessment of myocardial function. It was theorized that dexmedetomidine (Precedex; Hospira, Inc, Lake Forest, IL) might prove to be useful for sedating patients while undergoing TEE.

Design: A prospective, randomized trial was designed comparing dexmedetomidine versus standard therapy (eg, midazolam and opioids) for sedation.

Surgical technique of removal of inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma extending into the right atrium without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Background: Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is a rare tumor with potential for significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical extirpiration remains the optimal treatment choice. A case of caval leiomyosarcoma with right atrial extension is presented with management techniques and literature review.

Renal carcinoma with supradiaphragmatic tumor thrombus: avoiding sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extension into the inferior vena cava (IVC) is rare. Surgical resection provides the only reasonable chance for cure, but the approach poses a challenge to the surgical team. We describe our technique to safely resect these tumors through a transabdominal incision that exposes the intrapericardial IVC and right atrium (RA) transdiaphragmatically, without the use of sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP), or deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).

Successful use of a custom-made paracorporeal total artificial heart as a bridge to retransplantation in adult and adolescent patients.

Because the currently available total artificial hearts are rather bulky, the use of a custom-made paracorporeal total artificial heart constructed with 2 ventricular assist devices is an alternative for children and adults with small stature. This article reports our experience using this system in an adult and a pediatric patient. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed.

Evaluation of stage acoustics in Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall by measuring stage support.

Stage acoustics is an important characteristic for concert halls, both for the acoustic quality on stage and for the audience. However, relatively little research has been conducted into the question. This study was based on the investigation of an actual concert hall stage, that of the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall in Korea.

A systematic review of the comparative safety of colloids.

Hypothesis: Safety differences exist among colloids widely used for fluid management in acutely ill patients, as judged according to the comparative incidence of adverse events.

Data Sources: Colloid safety data for human subjects were sought, without language or time period restrictions, by means of computer searches of bibliographic and clinical trial databases, hand searches of medical journals and Index Medicus, inquiries with investigators and colloid suppliers, and examination of reference lists. Search terms included "colloids", "morbidity", and "mortality".

Factors affecting late survival after surgical remodeling of left ventricular aneurysms.

Objectives: Surgical remodeling of the left ventricle has involved various techniques of volume reduction. This study evaluates factors that influence long-term survival results with 3 operative methods.

Methods: From 1979 to 2000, 157 patients (134 men, mean age 61 years) underwent operations for class III or IV congestive heart failure, angina, ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and sudden death after anteroseptal myocardial infarction.