Intrapartum fetal stimulation tests: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the performance of stimulation tests for the prediction of intrapartum fetal acidemia.

Data Sources: We conducted a MEDLINE (Internet Grateful Med) literature review from 1966 to 2000 using the terms "fetal scalp pH," "fetal scalp stimulation," and "fetal acoustic stimulation."

Study Selection: Articles were included if sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for intrapartum fetal acidemia could be calculated.

Nosocomial transmission of imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa following bronchoscopy associated with improper connection to the Steris System 1 processor.

Objective: To assess nosocomial transmission of imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) following bronchoscopy during August through October 1998.

Design: Traditional and molecular epidemiological investigation of a case series.

Setting: University-affiliated community hospital.

Differential diagnosis of intracavitary tumors obstructing the right ventricular outflow tract.

Three cases of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by 3 distinct tumors-myxoma, sarcoma, and presumed metastatic tumor-diagnosed by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography are presented. The differences among these 3 types of tumors with similar clinical and echocardiographic findings are highlighted, and a review of the pertinent literature is discussed. By applying the approximate frequencies of cardiac tumors categorized by type and site, statistically, an intracavitary right ventricular outflow tract tumor is 70 to 140 times more likely to be malignant than benign; furthermore, if it is a primary cardiac tumor, it is approximately 2 times more likely to be a sarcoma than a myxoma.

Fluoroquinolone-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae associated with levofloxacin therapy.

Fluoroquinolone-resistant cultures of Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated from 2 patients who were treated for pneumonia with levofloxacin. Nucleotide sequence analysis of bacterial DNA showed that the isolates contained mutations in both parC (DNA topoisomerase IV) and gyrA (DNA gyrase), which were shown previously to confer fluoroquinolone resistance. With the resistant isolates, the MICs for ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, and trovafloxacin were above the maximal serum drug concentrations reported for standard dosage regimens.

The diagnosis of acute appendicitis: clinical assessment versus computed tomography evaluation.

The goal of this study was to validate Alvarado's predictive model as a diagnostic test and to assess the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) scan as a supplemental tool in the evaluation of acute appendicitis. Clinical and radiologic data of 215 patients with acute abdominal pain were evaluated. Clinical assessment was based on positive findings of migration of pain, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, tenderness of the lower right quadrant, rebound tenderness, fever, and leukocytosis with a left shift.

Role of the nephrologist in the intensive care unit.

Intensive care units (ICUs) are increasingly becoming a focal point for tension between medical specialists. In an extreme approach to this issue, some ICUs have become closed units managed by intensivists, with other specialists, such as nephrologists, having a restricted supportive role. The nephrologist, a subspecialist with broad skills in general internal medicine, has trained and appropriately can serve as the primary physician for patients with significant renal failure and end-stage renal disease in multiple hospital settings, including the ICU.

Effect of immediate hemoglobin A1c results on treatment decisions in office practice.

Objective: To assess the effect of an immediately available hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) result on glycemic control and physician decisions about pharmacologic therapy in an office practice.

Methods: In a 1-year retrospective review of medical records, HbA1c results were analyzed in 115 patients beyond the age of 65 years, who had type 2 diabetes and were referred for the first time to a private endocrinology practice between April 1, 1997, and March 31, 1998. These patients were classified into two groups: group A (N = 93, insured by standard Medicare) had immediate HbA1c results (during the patient encounter) and group B (N = 22, insured by Medicare health maintenance organization [HMO]) had commercial laboratory HbA1c results available within 2 to 3 days.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the oral soft tissues: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 16 cases.

We describe the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of 16 solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) originating within the oral soft tissues. There were 10 women and six men with a mean age at diagnosis of 56 years. In all cases the tumors were slow-growing, asymptomatic, submucosal growths of variable size and duration.

Child health status, neurodevelopmental outcome, and parental satisfaction in a randomized, controlled trial of nitric oxide for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Objective: To describe health and neurodevelopmental outcomes and parental satisfaction with hospital care among surviving intervention and control enrollees in a randomized, controlled trial of nitric oxide for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

Methods: All surviving enrollees 1 to 4 years of age were eligible for follow-up. Outcomes were assessed by telephone using a trained interviewer and standardized instruments.

Detection of multiresistant ceftazidime-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates lacking TEM-26 after class restriction of cephalosporins.

A multitude of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) have evolved in response to the use of late generation cephalosporins. In those hospitals where Klebsiella pneumoniae and other bacteria possessing these enzymes flourish, many interventions have been applied to reduce this trend. We instituted a policy of class restriction of cephalosporins in our hospital in 1996 that led to a 44% reduction in ceftazidime-resistant K.

Propylthiouracil-induced perinuclear-staining antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-positive vasculitis in conjunction with pericarditis.

Objective: To describe a case of propylthiouracil-induced vasculitis manifesting with pericarditis.

Methods: We present the first case report of a woman with hyperthyroidism treated with propylthiouracil in whom a syndrome of pericarditis, fever, and glomerulonephritis developed. Serologic testing and immunologic studies were done, and a pericardial biopsy was performed.

Utility of transesophageal echocardiography for the characterization of cardiovascular anomalies associated with Turner's syndrome.

This case illustrates the complementary value of transesophageal echocardiography to routine transthoracic echocardiography in an asymptomatic adult patient with Turner's syndrome. The combined findings of bicuspid aortic valve, severe aortic dilation, coarctation of the aorta, and type A aortic dissection were clearly delineated by transesophageal echocardiography.

Lichen striatus. Histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of 37 cases.

Background: Lichen striatus (LS) is a papulosquamous disorder with a distinctive linear distribution. The linearity has been shown to correspond in many cases to the pattern of Blaschko's lines. The etiology is unknown.

The retinoid fenretinide inhibits proliferation and downregulates cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines.

Fenretinide [N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)retinamide, 4-HPR] (10(-10)-10(-6) M) treatment of HT-29 human colon cancer cells for 24-72 h significantly inhibited their growth. Using HCT-15 cells, 4-HPR had limited inhibitory effects on cell proliferation over the same concentration range and time period. The inhibitory effects of 4-HPR on cell growth in HT-29 cells were markedly reduced in the presence of exogenously added prostaglandins (PGs), suggesting a possible role for inhibition of PG synthesis as a mechanism for 4-HPR's antiproliferative effects.

Efficacy and safety of iron sucrose for iron deficiency in patients with dialysis-associated anemia: North American clinical trial.

Iron sucrose has been used to provide intravenous (IV) iron therapy to patients outside the United States for more than 50 years. In a multicenter North American clinical trial, we determined the efficacy and safety of iron sucrose therapy in patients with dialysis-associated anemia, evidence of iron deficiency, and below-target hemoglobin (Hgb) levels despite epoetin therapy. Evidence of iron deficiency included a transferrin saturation (Tsat) less than 20% and ferritin level less than 300 ng/mL, and below-target Hgb levels included values less than 11.

Practical considerations in setting up an intracoronary brachytherapy program: results of a multicenter survey.

Purpose: To identify logistic issues faced by radiation oncologists in initiating intracoronary radiation therapy (RT) and to delineate their role in these procedures.

Materials And Methods: Radiation oncologists from 12 sites (with combined experience of >500 cases) that participated in a randomized, double-blinded study of intracoronary RT completed a questionnaire that included demographics and experience, regulatory issues, scheduling and interaction with patients, time commitment, involvement of the radiation oncologist, and ideas for overcoming hurdles.

Results: Licensing was perceived as a substantial hurdle; Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval took more than 5 months at five of 12 sites.

Refractory priapism of unknown etiology in a pediatric patient.

Priapism is a urologic emergency that can occur in any age group and every patient should receive prompt urologic consultation. Management of priapism is based on the recognition of underlying pathophysiology; ready differentiation between high-flow and low-flow priapism; reversal of any potential precipitating factors; the use of corporal aspiration irrigation combined with intracavernosal alpha adrenergic therapy; and when necessary, a shunting procedure. Delay in recognition or treatment can be crucial as the incidence of long-term complication rises substantially with the duration of the priapism.