Effect of different levels of cigarette smoking on lipid peroxidation, glutathione enzymes and paraoxonase 1 activity in healthy people.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different levels of cigarette smoking on lipid peroxidation, glutathione enzymes and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity in a healthy population. The study included 130 subjects who were classified as mild (20 cigarettes daily, Group III, n=33) and never smokers (controls, Group IV, n=32). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, PON1 and erythrocyte glutathione enzyme activities were measured.

Epidemiology of hydrogen phosphide exposures in humans reported to the poison center in Mainz, Germany, 1983-2003.

Background: Poisonings with rodenticides containing hydrogen phosphide-releasing compounds may lead to deleterious organ dysfunction and death. Since data of hydrogen phosphide poisonings is limited to case reports/series, this study was intended to elucidate hydrogen phosphide poisonings based on a 20-year data collection.

Methods: Explorative data analysis of the Poison Center Mainz database looking for route of exposure, symptoms, and severity using the Poisoning Severity Score.

Does bilateral total knee arthroplasty affect gait in women?: comparison of gait analyses before and after total knee arthroplasty compared with normal knees.

We performed gait analysis of 24 patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) before, 1 year, and 2 years after bilateral total knee arthroplasty and compared these results to 12 normal controls. Cadence was significantly decreased in OA patients when compared with controls. Step and stride lengths were significantly different preoperatively (shorter) and postoperatively (P < .

Intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus treated with the triceps-reflecting anconeus pedicle approach.

Introduction: Treatment choice for displaced, intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) through a posterior approach. The triceps-reflecting anconeus pedicle (TRAP) approach, combination of modified Kocher and Bryan-Morrey has been described as a conservative surgical exposure for fixation of the complex intercondylar fractures.

Materials And Methods: Eleven patients with intercondylar fractures of the humerus operated with this approach were reviewed.

A new surgical technique for adenoid cystic carcinoma involving tracheal carina.

Reported is the successful treatment of a 24-year-old male with adenocystic carcinoma involving the tracheal carina, in which the tumor extended along the right main bronchus across the orifice of the right upper lobe. The patient underwent a carinal resection plus right upper lobectomy and reconstruction of the carina, resulting in neither anastomotic complication nor recurrence of disease during 28 months of follow-up.

Suppurated mediastinal and cardiac echinococcosis: report of a case.

We herein report the case of a suppurated mediastinal and cardiac hydatid cyst which occurred after the initial treatment of the patient for a primary mediastinal hydatid cyst in a radiology department. Both extracorporeal circulation and total circulatory arrest were used during the operation. We believe that surgery is the only feasible treatment for hydatid cysts located in the mediastinum, and surgery should be urgently performed whenever a possible rupture is suspected in order to avoid a possible anaphylactic reaction, mediastinal suppurations leading to serious complications, and growth into the pleural cavity.

Effectiveness of a two-phase cognitive rehabilitation intervention for severely impaired schizophrenia patients.

Background: Several small-N, uncontrolled reports have demonstrated that the behavioral technique of attention shaping has significantly increased attention span among severely ill schizophrenia patients.

Method: In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of using an individually administered intervention for improving sustained attention, Attention Process Training (APT), followed by an attention-shaping procedure within the context of an ongoing skills training group. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either the APT and attention-shaping sequence (n = 18) or equivalent hours of treatment in the same intensive behavioral rehabilitation program (n = 13).

[Comparison of bupivacaine-fentanyl versus bupivacaine-morphine for patient controlled epidural analgesia].

Analgesic efficacy and possible side effects of bupivacaine-fentanyl (BF) and bupivacaine-morphine (BM) combinations for patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) have been compared. Sixty ASA I-II patients who had PCEA following lower abdominal surgery were admitted to the study. Epidural catheter was inserted at the level of L3-4 or L4-5 following induction of general anesthesia.

Irinotecan plus cisplatin combination against metastatic gastric cancer: phase II study.

In this phase II study, we aimed to detect efficacy and toxicity of the combination of CPT-11 and cisplatin administered to patients with metastatic gastric carcinoma. On d 1, CPT-11, 100 mg/m2, was administered by intravenous infusion for 90 min, followed by a 2 h infusion of cisplatin, at 70 mg/m2 every 3 wk. Forty-one patients were enrolled into the study.

Radiographic evaluation and unusual bone formations in different genetic patterns in synpolydactyly.

Objective: To compare the radiological findings of heterozygous and homozygous subjects with synpolydactyly (SPD) and to discuss their unusual bone formations.

Design And Patients: Families with hand and foot SPD were examined. Genetic analysis was performed with blood samples and the pedigree was constructed.

The effect of inhaled corticosteroids on bronchoalveolar lavage cells and IL-8 levels in stable COPD patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by a chronic inflammatory process in the large and small airways, as well as in the lung parenchyma. Although the role of oral corticosteroids in the management of acute exacerbations of COPD is well documented, its role in stable COPD is not clear. We examined the anti-inflammatory effect of inhaled budesonide on the percentage of neutrophils and on interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and their correlation with spirometry and symptom scores.

Directed assembly of block copolymer blends into nonregular device-oriented structures.

Self-assembly is an effective strategy for the creation of periodic structures at the nanoscale. However, because microelectronic devices use free-form design principles, the insertion point of self-assembling materials into existing nanomanufacturing processes is unclear. We directed ternary blends of diblock copolymers and homopolymers that naturally form periodic arrays to assemble into nonregular device-oriented structures on chemically nanopatterned substrates.

[Techniques for improving attentiveness and treatment engagement among "treatment refractory" schizophrenia patients with severe cognitive impairment].

While many effective group-based psychiatric rehabilitation interventions now exist, many severely disabled patients are unable to benefit from them due to a reduced ability to pay attention in group sessions. Moreover, inattentiveness can be due to one or more of multiple factors, including a sustained attention deficit, poor motivation, sedating side effects of medication, and the interfering effects of hallucinations and disturbing thoughts. Existing cognitive rehabilitation interventions for schizophrenia typically do not address these factors, instead targeting higher level functions such as memory, learning, problem-solving, and executive functioning.

[Functional results of the Ilizarov circular external fixator in the treatment of open tibial fractures].

Objectives: We evaluated functional results with the Ilizarov circular external fixator in the treatment of open tibial fractures.

Methods: Thirty-three patients (26 males, 7 females; mean age 38 years; range 16 to 69 years) with open tibial fractures were included. According to the AO/OTA classification, there were seven type A, 16 type B, 10 type C fractures; according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification, eight, 12, and 13 fractures were grade I, II, and III, respectively.

The coincidence of mediastinal tuberculosis lymphadenitis in lung cancer patients.

Mediastinal lymph node enlargement in operable non-small cell lung cancer is of clinical importance since it indicates the high possibility of nodal metastasis. The coincidence of tuberculosis and lung cancer is detected by the mediastinal lymph node staging of lung cancer patients. In our study, we retrospectively re-evaluated the records of patients who had been hospitalized with the diagnosis of lung cancer for the past 10 years.

National Provider Identifier (NPI) planning and implementation fundamentals for providers and payers.

Federal HIPAA legislation mandates that the National Provider Identifier (NPI) be fully implemented across all healthcare entities between May 2005 and May 2007, or 2008 for small payers. Starting May 2005, healthcare providers will be eligible to obtain an NPI and use these numbers to submit claims or conduct other transactions specified by HIPAA. By 2007, the NPI must be used in connection with the electronic transactions identified in HIPAA.

[Effects of sevofluran on cell division and levels of sister chromatid exchange].

Objective: Purpose of the study was to investigate the mitotic index (MI) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) levels to identify the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of sevoflurane (sevoflurane).

Methods: 42 non-smoking male and female turkish patients of ASA-risk I and II were included. The patients received an anaesthesia induction with 8 % sevoflurane in 100 % oxygen ("tidal volume methode") and 0.

Effect of off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting on renal function.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has the risk of renal dysfunction. The cause of renal dysfunction after CPB is multifactorial, such as nonpulsatile flow, renal hypoperfusion, hypothermia, and duration of CPB. This study compared off-pump technique with on-pump technique on renal function in patients who underwent CABG.

Success of a smoking cessation program among smoking relatives of patients with serious smoking-related pulmonary disorders.

The aim of the study was to investigate the success of a smoking cessation program among the smoking relatives of patients with serious smoking-related disorders and to determine whether having a relative with such a disorder influences the rate of success of the program. The relatives of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer who wanted to quit smoking were included in the smoking cessation program (group I, n = 34). During the same period, the same number of subjects with relatives free of any smoking-related diseases were included as a control group (group II, n = 34).

Preoperative analgesia management with rofecoxib in thoracotomy patients.

Objective: Pain management after thoracotomy is significant because pain reduces the postoperative respiratory performance. In this study, the analgesic efficacy and safety of rofecoxib in thoracotomy patients were evaluated.

Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study.

Acute thrombosis of inferior vena cava in a pregnant woman presenting with sciatica: a case report.

A 20-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to our department with symptoms of deep venous thrombosis in the left lower extremity and excessive lumbar pain. Low-molecular-weight heparin was administered. She recovered with this treatment, however, severe lumbar pain continued.

Psychosocial implications of Thalassemia Major.

Background: Many causes including the chronicity of disease, burden of treatment modalities, morbidities, and the expectation of early death resulting from the disease complications, may lead to psychosocial burden in Thalassemia Major (TM) patients.

Methods: A total of 38 patients with TM and their mothers were recruited to evaluate the psychosocial burden as well as to disclose whether the psychological status of the patients contribute to the compliance with the therapy or to the contrary. Demographic and disease variables were obtained.

Successful healthcare programs and projects: organization portfolio management essentials.

Many healthcare organization projects take more time and resources than planned and fail to deliver desired business outcomes. Healthcare IT is a major component of many projects and often undeservedly receives the blame for failure. Poor results are often not a result of faulty healthcare IT or poor project management or poor project execution alone.