Microfluidic Cartridges for Automated, Point-of-Care Blood Cell Counting.

Disposable, low-cost microfluidic cartridges for automated blood cell counting applications are presented in this article. The need for point-of-care medical diagnostic tools is evident, particularly in low-resource and rural settings, and a full blood count is often the first step in patient diagnosis. Total white and red blood cell counts have been implemented toward a full blood count, using microfluidic cartridges with automated sample introduction and processing steps for visual microscopy cell counting to be performed.

Predictive Factors for Time to Progression after Hyperthermic Mitomycin C Treatment for High-Risk Non-Muscle Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder: An Observational Cohort Study of 97 Patients.

Introduction: Hyperthermic mitomycin (HM) is a novel treatment modality for selected patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We sought to determine predictors of response to this therapy.

Patients And Methods: A longitudinal, cohort study of 97 patients with high-risk NMIBC treated with ≥4 HM instillations on a prophylactic schedule was conducted.

Decompression of enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes due to mycobacterium tuberculosis causing severe airway obstruction in children.

Background: Large airway compression by enlarged tuberculosis (TB) lymph nodes results in life-threatening airway obstruction in a small proportion of children. The indications, safety, and efficacy of TB lymph node decompression are inadequately described. This study aims to describe the indications and efficacy of TB lymph node decompression in children with severe airway compression and investigate variables influencing outcome.

Is routine postoperative diuresis renography indicated in all adult patients after pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction?

Objective: To determine if routine follow-up diuresis renography is indicated in all adult patients after pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).

Methods: A multicenter retrospective analysis was conducted in adults who underwent pyeloplasty for symptomatic UPJO between January 2002 and August 2012. Patients with unilateral UPJO demonstrated on diuresis renography, treated with pyeloplasty, and aged >18 years at time of surgery were included in the study.

Developing an outcome-based assessment for family therapy training: the Rochester Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (ROSCE).

This paper addresses a growing need for cost-effective, outcome-based assessment in family therapy training. We describe the ROSCE, a structured, evidence-informed, learner-centered approach to the assessment of clinical skills developed at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The ROSCE emphasizes direct observation of trainees demonstrating clinical competencies.

Subdural empyema caused by an unusual organism following intracranial haematoma.

Introduction: Subdural empyema is not commonly diagnosed in the developed world, occurring mostly after meningitis, sinusitis, trauma or surgery.

Discussion: The diagnosis of subdural empyema constitutes a neurosurgical emergency, and surgical treatment is usually required to drain the collection and provide sufficient material to permit a microbiological diagnosis. The authors report a case of subdural empyema, which was somewhat atypical in the timing and nature of presentation and its microbiological features.

Minimally invasive treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction: optimizing outcomes with concomitant cost reduction.

With the seemingly exponential increase in the use of minimally invasive techniques in urology, cost-benefit comparisons will continue to play a major part in establishing services and in improving those that already exist. The management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a focus of significant attention. An effective way of optimizing the economy of management is to understand the implications in terms of the success of each mode of treatment.

Individual, family, and group therapy for adolescents.

The three main psychotherapeutic treatment modalities include individual,family, and group therapies. Many theoretic orientations guide psychotherapists as they try to help adolescents with mental health problems. PCPs play a critical role in initial assessment of mental health symptoms, in addition to coordinating treatment needs.