Publications by authors named "Rachel J"

Objective: This study is an economic evaluation of total knee replacement (TKR) in comparison with non-surgical management in India.

Methods: Cost-utility analysis and budget impact analysis (BIA) were conducted on individuals aged ≥ 50 years with osteoarthritis of the knee (OA knee) Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2 and 3 using a provider's perspective. Three scenarios were considered, varying the age at which TKR is administered while assuming a 20-year lifespan for the implant.

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A biometric system is essential in improving security and authentication processes across a variety of fields. Due to multiple criteria and alternatives, selecting the most suitable biometric system is a complex decision. We employ a hybrid approach in this study, combining the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) with the Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP).

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Objectives: The main objective of this review is to summarize the evidence on the core modelling specifications and methodology on the cost-effectiveness of TKR compared to non-surgical management. Another objective of this study is to synthesize evidence of TKR cost and compare it across countries using purchasing power parity (PPP).

Methodology: The electronic databases used for this review were MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), HTAIn repository, Cost effectiveness Analysis (CEA) registry, and Google Scholar.

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Introduction: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has not always been an easy field for the research beginners like postgraduates, research fellows and scientists. Meaningful interpretation of IHC positivity needs expertise. This could be made easier for beginners by developing a conceptual framework of markers.

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Context: The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) is increasing at an alarming rate, contributing to about 23% of the mortality in the rural and 30% of the total mortality in the urban population in India. Even with high health literacy in Kerala, the state has higher rates of NCD risk factors and lower diabetes and hypertension control rates.

Aims: The objectives were to qualitatively assess the facilitators and barriers of NCD prevention from the patients' and health care providers' perspectives and assess the perceptions of healthy lifestyle behaviors among NCD risk persons and patients.

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Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that may have profound effects on oral mucosa being prone to infections, particularly candidiasis. In healthy individuals, the candida is a commensal, but in diabetic patients, it forms severe colonization, even in the absence of any clinically evident lesion and may cause a burning sensation of the mouth. This study aims to identify the presence or absence of fungal elements in buccal smears of nondiabetic, prediabetic, and diabetic individuals and to correlate the presence or absence of burning sensation in the oral cavity.

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Cellular signaling proteins maintain the basic activities of cell and communication, between the cells for normal growth and development and pathological situation as well. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have a comparatively huge part to play in the cellular communication processes. Human FGF has 22 members, 18 ligands, and 4 tyrosine kinase receptors for binding and is expressed in a wide range of cells.

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A highly contagious viral infection emerged in Wuhan city; China had increased mortality with uncertain pathogenesis spreads throughout the world to become a pandemic. It is reported to be caused by a member of β coronaviruses and named it as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The disease is caused by a mutant strain of coronavirus SARS-COV-2 that affects the respiratory tract causing mild to severe respiratory tract illness.

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Background: . This study aimed to determine the oral health status and treatment needs of an elderly population residing in old-age homes in Tamil Nadu.

Methods: .

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The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine and specifically facial rejuvenation is thought provoking and controversial. Today there is increased emphasis on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, which translates into a need for a reliable source of stem cells in addition to biomaterial scaffolds and cytokine growth factors. Adipose tissue is currently recognized as an accessible and abundant source for adult stem cells.

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Acute carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive median nerve compression leading to loss of two-point discrimination. Most cases encountered are in the emergency department following wrist trauma and distal radius fractures. Although rare, atraumatic etiologies have been reported and diligent evaluation of these patients should be performed.

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Circulating monoclonal B cells may be detected in healthy adults, a condition called monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL). MBL has also been identified in donated blood, but no systematic study of blood donors has been reported. Using sensitive and specific laboratory methods, we detected MBL in 149 (7.

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Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare distinct histologic variant of squamous - cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. BSCC is more aggressive and has a poorer prognosis, although histologically, it is associated with squamous cell carcinoma and squamous atypia. The usual site of occurrence for BSCC is the upper aerodigestive tract, floor of the mouth and base of the tongue.

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Background: Calcaneal apophysitis (Sever disease) is most often diagnosed clinically, and radiographic evaluation is believed to be unnecessary by many physicians. To evaluate the need for radiographic evaluation in children with a clinical diagnosis of calcaneal apophysitis, we determined the frequency of abnormal radiographic findings in a group of patients with this clinical diagnosis.

Methods: Clinical records and radiographs of all children between the age of 4 and 17 years who presented with a chief complaint of heel pain were retrospectively reviewed.

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Background: Quantitative HCV RNA testing is considered standard of care for monitoring during treatment of patients infected with HCV. The COBAS(®) AmpliPrep/COBAS(®) TaqMan(®) HCV Test fully automates specimen processing and reaction assembly for HCV viral load testing using reverse transcription and real-time PCR amplification.

Objectives: The performance of the COBAS(®) AmpliPrep/COBAS(®) TaqMan(®) HCV Test was evaluated in a multi-center study.

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Objective: We sought to determine whether the implementation of a sepsis protocol in a Canadian emergency department (ED) improves care for the subset of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: After implementing a sepsis protocol in our ED we used an ICU database and chart review to compare various time-dependent end points and outcomes between a historical control year and the first year after implementation. We re-viewed the charts of all patients admitted to the ICU within 24 hours of ED admission with a primary or other diagnosis of sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock, who met criteria for early goal-directed therapy within the first 6 hours of their ED stay.

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Monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis (MBL) is now recognized as the B-lymphocyte analogue of a monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. MBL can be the precursor of chronic lymphocytic leukemia or associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It may be associated with an autoimmune abnormality or be related to aging (immunosenescence).

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Background: Individuals with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) have been identified in clinic outpatients, in unaffected relatives of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and in general populations. MBL and its relationship with CLL have been actively investigated over the last decade. This report systematically reviews the prevalence of MBL in the context of the populations studied and the evolution of laboratory methods used to define MBL.

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Background: Barbed suture lifting is a minimally invasive procedure for rejuvenation of the aging face. Few studies have examined its efficacy and associated risks.

Objectives: To evaluate the morbidity associated with this procedure and its long-term effects.

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Background: Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness provides valid estimates in a short period of time to assess the magnitude and causes of avoidable blindness. The study determined magnitude and causes of avoidable blindness in India in 2007 among the 50+ population.

Methods And Findings: Sixteen randomly selected districts where blindness surveys were undertaken 7 to 10 years earlier were identified for a follow up survey.

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This study reports on the evaluation of a skills-enhancement training series for direct service providers in home care that was part of a federally funded state-level initiative to improve employee recruitment and retention. The gerontological training curriculum included content to improve problem-solving, communication, and stress management skills in order to increase professionalism and self-efficacy. While the first year of training utilized a network of "real-time" compressed video-teleconferencing broadcast to satellite sites statewide, these broadcasts were videotaped and accompanied by trained moderator-led scripted case study discussions at each of the sites during the second year.

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Monoclonal B-cell populations have been detected in the peripheral blood of apparently healthy individuals by flow cytometry. In 2005, the term monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) was proposed to describe these findings. MBL may be immunophenotypically similar to chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and, like CLL, the prevalence is higher in males and older individuals.

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Changes in job satisfaction and career commitment were observed as a consequence of a geriatric case management training program focusing on skills development among personal care attendants in home care. A comparison of pretraining and posttraining scores uncovered a statistically significant increase in Intrinsic Job Satisfaction scores for participants 18-39 years of age, whereas levels declined among the group of middle aged participants and no change was observed among participants age 52 and older. On the other hand, a statistically significant decline in Extrinsic Job Satisfaction was documented over all participants, but this was found to be primarily due to declines among participants 40-51 years of age.

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The immature platelet fraction (IPF) as determined by the Sysmex XE-2100 is a rapid automated measure of the least mature component of the platelet population and is thought to correlate with thrombopoietic activity of the marrow. We investigated the ability of IPF to predict platelet recovery following hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplantation. IPF was compared to standard parameters of hematopoietic recovery, including the immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), an early predictor of recovery.

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Background: Radiofrequency (RF) used for volumetric heating into the deep dermis has been used effectively for rejuvenation of the face. The delivery of the RF energy depends on several variables, including the electrical impedance of the underlying tissue.

Objective: To describe the effects of impedance on energy delivery into the treated site.

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