Partnering for prevention: a Pressure Ulcer Prevention Collaborative project.

In a statewide initiative, coordinated by the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) Quality Institute, hospitals together with nursing home and home care agencies were asked to participate in a Pressure Ulcer Prevention Collaborative. The goal of this collaborative was to decrease the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers across the state by 25% within a 12-month period. This article discusses the rationale for the Collaborative as well as the requirements and implementation of the initiative within Community Medical Center's Home Health Program.

[Post-academic dental specialties. 15. Prevention of coronal leakage after placement of lining cement].

One of the main origins of unsuccesful endodontic treatment is coronal leakage. In the prevention of coronal leakage a good sealing restoration seems mandatory. The effect of 2 types lining cement used as coronal barrier on filled root canals was studied over time.

[Epidemiological data on severely injured patients; a retrospective study of the period 1985-1989].

Objective: To describe the epidemiological data of a group of multiple injured patients.

Setting: University Hospital, Groningen.

Design: Retrospective, descriptive.

A Turbo Pascal program to convert ICD-9CM coded injury diagnoses into injury severity scores: ICDTOAIS.

Diagnoses of injuries as a result of trauma are commonly coded by means of the International Classification of Diseases (9th rev.) Clinical Modification (ICD-9CM). The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) is frequently employed to assess the severity of injury per body region.

[Comparison of 2 scales in the assessment of injury severity in seriously injured patients].

We compared the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS-85) and the Hospital Trauma Index (HTI) in seriously injured patients. The effect of these scales on the application of Injury Severity Scores (ISS) was investigated. Furthermore, the predictive value on mortality of the AIS/ISS and the HTI/ISS was determined.

Urinary tract injuries in multiply-injured patients: a rational guideline for the initial assessment.

In a retrospective study involving 866 multiply-injured patients we demonstrated urinary tract injuries in 72 patients (8.3 per cent), 17 (2 per cent) of which were serious. Haematuria was a frequent finding in multiply-injured patients.

Western blot analysis of serological responses following immunization with vaccinia viral lysates of melanoma cells.

Western blot analysis was used to characterize the antibody response of melanoma patients during immunization with vaccinia-virus-induced melanoma cell lysates (VMCL). Strong antibody responses were detectable within 4 weeks from commencement of immunization against different fractions (from 3 to 10) in blots of VMCL. The approximate MW of the main fractions identified were 100, 91, 85, 77, 64-66, 49, 46, 43 and 34-36 kDa.

Western blot analysis of antigens on melanoma cells recognized by cytotoxic T cells.

Antigens recognized by cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) from patients with melanoma were examined by methods based on the ability of antigens immobilized on nitrocellulose paper to stimulate proliferation of the CTLs. The proliferative response depended on the presence of histocompatible antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the cultures in the form of either autologous lymphoid cell lines (Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells) or histocompatible peripheral blood lymphocytes and was maximal at 3 days. Presentation appeared to be via class II major histocompatibility complex antigens, in that monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the class II antigens, but not the class I antigens, on the APCs inhibited the proliferative responses.

[Bruising: a coagulation disorder, abuse or abnormality of the vessel wall?].

The case history is presented of a boy with easy bruising from the age of 7 months. There were neither abnormalities of clotting factors and platelets, nor child abuse. Physical examination suggested the diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

[Giardiasis].

Giardia Lamblia is considered as the most important cause of parasitic diarrhoea in children and adults. The epidemiology of the infection is determined by environmental and regional factors. The sensitivity of man for this infection depends on factors related to man himself and his environment.