Eight-Fold Increased COVID-19 Mortality in Autosomal Dominant Tubulointerstitial Kidney Disease due to Mutations: An Observational Study.

Background: and pathogenic variants cause autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD). is expressed in kidney, nasal mucosa and respiratory tract, while is expressed only in kidney. Due to haplo-insufficiency ADTKD- patients produce approximately 50% of normal mucin-1.

Emergency medicine pharmacotherapy compromises accuracy of plasma creatinine determination by enzyme-based methods: real-world clinical evidence and implications for clinical practice.

Background: Assessment of kidney function in emergency settings is essential across all medical subspecialties. Daily assessment of patient creatinine results from emergency medical services showed that some deviated from expected values, implying drug-related interference.

Methods: Real-time clinical evaluation of an enzyme method (Roche CREP2) in comparison with the Jaffé gen.

Development of Hydrogen-Oxygen Fuel Cells Based on Anion-Exchange Electrolytes and Catalysts with Reduced Platinum Content.

Studies have been carried out to optimize the composition, formation technique and test conditions of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) of hydrogen-oxygen anion-exchange membranes fuel cells (AEMFC), based on Fumatech anion-exchange membranes. A non-platinum catalytic system based on nitrogen-doped CNT (CNT) was used in the cathode. PtMo/CNT catalysts with a reduced content of platinum (10-12 wt.

Development and preliminary validation of a health-related family quality of life instrument.

The researchers' aims for this preliminary study was to develop an instrument, guided by the Theory of Health-related Family Quality of Life, to measure health-related family quality of life (HR-FQoL) as perceived by women with cancer. The researchers used a two phase design for instrument development: (1) establishing face validity of a 38-item instrument with an expert panel and patient review, and (2) focusing on the internal structure and construct validity of the instrument with responses from female patients ( = 236) with a cancer diagnosis (breast, gynecologic). The researchers identified a final 25-item HR-FQoL instrument with four sub-scales that each captured multiple concepts within the Theory of HR-FQoL.

Trends in SARS-CoV-2 cycle threshold values in the Czech Republic from April 2020 to April 2022.

The inability to predict the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic hampered abilities to respond to the crisis effectively. The cycle threshold (Ct) from the standard SARS-CoV-2 quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) clinical assay is inversely proportional to the amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the sample. We were interested to see if population Ct values could predict future increases in COVID-19 cases as well as subgroups that would be more likely to be affected.

Technology-Enabled Self-Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease With or Without Asynchronous Remote Monitoring: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality and leads to frequent hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) visits. COPD exacerbations are an important patient outcome, and reducing their frequency would result in significant cost savings. Remote monitoring and self-monitoring could both help patients manage their symptoms and reduce the frequency of exacerbations, but they have different resource implications and have not been directly compared.

Technology-Enabled Self-Monitoring of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease With or Without Asynchronous Remote Monitoring: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. Reducing the number of COPD exacerbations is an important patient outcome and a major cost-saving approach. Both technology-enabled self-monitoring (SM) and remote monitoring (RM) programs have the potential to reduce exacerbations, but they have not been directly compared with each other.

"I Was There With Her": Experiences of Mothers of Women With Breast Cancer.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences of mothers of breast cancer patients. The theory of health-related family quality of life informed data collection and data analysis. Thirty women were interviewed about their perceptions of family quality of life following their daughters' diagnoses.

Older Adults' Experiences with Audiovisual Virtual Reality: Perceived Usefulness and Other Factors Influencing Technology Acceptance.

Objective: This study explores how older adults respond to audiovisual virtual reality (VR) and perceive its usefulness to their lives.

Method: Focus groups were conducted with residents of a retirement community after they viewed two audiovisual VR simulations (n = 41). Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in responses.

Breast cancer survivors' perspectives of critical lymphedema self-care support needs.

Purpose: To solicit breast cancer survivors' perspectives on the variety of issues they face related to lymphedema self-care and identify support needs perceived as critical for managing their chronic medical condition.

Methods: Twenty-one breast cancer survivors with lymphedema participated in audio-recorded focus groups about barriers and facilitators of self-care. Transcripts were analyzed using ATLAS.

The Role of Spirituality in the Lives of Mothers of Breast Cancer Survivors.

Breast cancer impacts an entire family system. A cancer diagnosis embeds the patient/survivor and their loved ones in the illness process. The mothers of breast cancer patients are likely impacted in a variety of ways by their daughters' diagnoses.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema and sexual experiences: a mixed-method comparison study.

Objective: Up to 40% of breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema, a chronic and sometimes disabling condition that manifests as abnormal swelling of the effected arm or hand or upper chest areas. Although the effects of lymphedema on quality of life have been well established, less well documented are the sexual experiences of breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. This study is the first to compare the sexual experiences of women with (n = 243) and without breast cancer-related lymphedema (n = 109).

Factors Associated with Reported Infection and Lymphedema Symptoms among Individuals with Extremity Lymphedema.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine factors associated with reported infection and symptoms among individuals with extremity lymphedema.

Design: A cross-sectional study was used.

Methods: Data were collected from a survey supported by the National Lymphedema Network from March 2006 through January 2010.

Making self-care a priority for women at risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Estimates suggest that between 41% and 94% of breast cancer survivors may develop the chronic condition of secondary lymphedema at some point during their lifetimes. Self-care is critical for effective lymphedema management and risk-reduction. At the same time, women in general have been characterized as engaging in self-sacrificing behaviors in which they choose other-care over self-care.

Making Sense of Extreme Longevity: Explorations Into the Spiritual Lives of Centenarians.

As the population grows older and more individuals live into advanced age the oldest-old segment will continue to increase in size. This qualitative study analyzes data gathered using in-depth interviewing and explores the spiritual saliency for sixteen centenarians. Results illustrate the importance spirituality has for older adults over the lifecourse, particularly those in advanced age.

Breast cancer patients' use of health information in decision making and coping.

Background: Breast cancer patients are some of today's most proactive healthcare consumers. Given how the media has highlighted the many issues involved in breast cancer, the unprecedented rise of consumerism in general, and the rise of healthcare consumerism specifically, a plethora of information on breast cancer has emerged in both scientific and popular media. It is timely and appropriate to consider breast cancer patients' perspectives regarding their search for health-related information and its use for treatment decision making and coping.

Older adults' participation in nursing home placement decisions.

African American (n = 7) and European American (n = 9) older adults newly relocated to a nursing home described the extent of their relocation decision-making participation via semistructured interviews. Additionally, the study identified whether sense of coherence, functional ability, and physical functioning were related to decision participation. Two themes emerged, "They put me in here" and "I/we made the decision (together with others).

Limitations in the current screening practice of assessing left ventricular ejection fraction for a primary prophylactic implantable defibrillator in southern Ontario.

Background: Screening echocardiography (ECHO) is commonly performed to determine whether the patient's left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is appropriate for primary prophylactic implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) referral. However, radionuclide ventriculography (RNA) is used by many implantation centres for decision making.

Objective: To determine whether current screening ECHO techniques are effective in identifying patients suitable for primary prophylactic ICD referral.

Abdominal wall and labial edema presenting in a girl with Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a case report.

Introduction: Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a common immunoglobulin A-mediated vasculitic syndrome in children, characterized by purpuric rash, arthritis and abdominal pain. Renal involvement, manifested by the presence of hematuria and/or proteinuria, is also frequently seen. In most cases, patients with this disease achieve complete recovery, but some progress to renal impairment.

Adherence to waiting-time targets for pediatric nephrology clinic referrals.

Waiting times for specialist consultation have not been adequately studied, especially in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which pediatric nephrology subspecialty clinic referral waiting times are adhered to with regard to previously determined access targets. Referrals to the pediatric nephrology clinics at Children's Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada, received between October 2007 and November 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.

"When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple": Red Hatters cope with getting old.

This ethnographic study examined women's friendships in Red Hat Society (RHS) chapters. Qualitative data included in-depth interviews (n = 25), a focus group interview (n = 7), participant observation, and examination of RHS publications. Results suggest that participation in the RHS (1) aids in developing and enhancing positive attitudes about self and aging that contribute to overall well-being, (2) offers the opportunity to obtain instrumental and emotional support, and (3) provides social connections that prevent feelings of social isolation.