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1.
Pediatr Cardiol ; 43(8): 1743-1751, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35488130

ABSTRACT

HYPOTHESIS: Premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at increased risk of secondary pulmonary hypertension (BPD-PH). Prior studies yielded mixed results on the utility of echocardiographic screening at 36 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA). We present our experience using echocardiographic screening at the time of BPD diagnosis to identify infants at highest risk of BPD-PH at discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of clinical/ demographic data and screening echocardiograms in patients with BPD. Discharge echocardiograms identified infants with or without BPD-PH at discharge. 36 weeks PMA screening echocardiograms and clinical data were then reviewed to identify which factors were associated with increased odds of BPD-PH at discharge. Associations between echocardiographic findings were evaluated with 2- and 3-variable models to predict increased risk of BPD-PH at discharge. RESULTS: In our cohort of 64 infants with severe BPD, BPD-PH was present in 22/64 (34%) infants at discharge. There were no clinical differences at time of 36 weeks PMA screening evaluation (mean PMA 36.6 ± 2.9 weeks). PH at screening was poorly predictive of PH at discharge as PH at screening resolved in 49% of patients. However, having an ASD, RV dilation, hypertrophy, or reduced function on screening, especially in combination, were associated with BPD-PH at discharge. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of premature infants with BPD, 36 weeks PMA screening echocardiogram identified patients at increased risk for BPD-PH at discharge when ASD, RVH, or impaired RV function were present. Larger prospective studies are indicated to validate these findings.


Subject(s)
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia , Hypertension, Pulmonary , Infant, Premature, Diseases , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Humans , Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/complications , Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/diagnostic imaging , Hypertension, Pulmonary/diagnostic imaging , Hypertension, Pulmonary/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Retrospective Studies , Patient Discharge , Infant, Premature , Echocardiography , Risk Factors , Gestational Age
4.
Per Med ; 12(4): 319-325, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29771653

ABSTRACT

AIM: The purpose of this study was to pilot a multisite, proof-of-concept model where community pharmacists could engage patients and physicians to provide pharmacogenetic (PGt) testing and clinical decision support. PATIENTS & METHODS: Patients with history of acute myocardial infarction and percutaneous coronary intervention with no prior history of CYP2C19 testing. RESULTS: Four community pharmacies provided pharmacogenetic testing and medication therapy management services to 30 patients, resulting in eight recommendations for antiplatelet therapy adjustment. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists involved in the study were able to facilitate antiplatelet therapy adjustments based on PGt data regardless of baseline antiplatelet drug selection. Whereas prior literature largely revolved around PGt management in the inpatient setting, this project supports the involvement of the community pharmacist in making PGt-based recommendations.

5.
J Agric Saf Health ; 15(3): 255-71, 2009 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19728548

ABSTRACT

Farm safety day programs are attended each year by thousands of children in rural communities. This evaluation of a national farm safety day program assessed changes in knowledge and reported behaviors among safety day participants, aged 8 to 13 years, and a comparison group of children who did not attend a safety day. The outcome evaluation involved a quasi-experimental design with participants and non-participants, measured with a pre-test, three-month telephone follow-up, and one-year telephone follow-up survey. The study included 621 children from a sample of 28 safety days administered throughout North America and 413 non-participants recruited from the same or nearby communities. The survey instruments measured participants' knowledge of safety hazards, knowledge of appropriate safety behaviors, and current practices with regard to safety behaviors. While both participants and non-participants showed improved safety knowledge and safe behavior scores over time, there were significantly greater increases in knowledge and behaviors for the safety day participants than for the non-participants. Improvements occurred for all age levels and were sustained through the one-year follow-up assessment. This study contributes to the body of evidence that such safety programs can have a long-term effect on the knowledge and safe practices of children who attend them.


Subject(s)
Agriculture/statistics & numerical data , Health Promotion , Occupational Health/statistics & numerical data , Safety Management , Social Marketing , Adolescent , Alabama , Analysis of Variance , Child , Child Welfare , Educational Measurement , Educational Status , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Male , Models, Educational , Prospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time Factors
6.
Oncogene ; 28(39): 3487-98, 2009 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19597474

ABSTRACT

SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine), is a matricellular glycoprotein that is produced by tumor and/or neighboring stroma. In human prostate cancer, SPARC immunoreactivity is highest in metastatic lesions but distinct contributions of tumoral and stromal SPARC to tumorigenesis and progression are unclear. To determine the role of SPARC in primary prostate tumorigenesis, we crossed SPARC-null (SP(-/-)) with TRAMP (Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate) mice. TRAMP(+)/SP(-/-) mice exhibited accelerated cancer development and progression. Compared to their TRAMP(+)/SP(-/-) counterparts, TRAMP(+)/SP(+/+) tumors had fewer proliferating cells, and decreased cyclins A and D1 with increased p21(Cip) and p27(Kip). Similar effects on proliferation and cell-cycle regulators were observed in human prostate cancer cell lines, transiently transfected with pSPARC. TRAMP(+)/SP(-/-) tumors exhibited decreased stromal collagen, enhanced matrix metalloproteinase activity and increased vascular endothelial growth factor, proinflammatory cytokines. To determine the contribution of stromal SPARC, we evaluated subcutaneous tumor growth of TRAMP cell lines in syngeneic SP(+/+) and SP(-/-) mice. Enhanced growth, decreased stromal collagen and increased proteolysis were noted in SP(-/-) mice. Our findings demonstrate that both tumor and stromal SPARC are limiting for primary prostate tumorigenesis and progression, through effects on the cell cycle and the creation of a less favorable tumor microenvironment.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Osteonectin/metabolism , Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism , Animals , Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics , Collagen/metabolism , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Transgenic , Neoplasm Metastasis , Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology
7.
Prostate ; 68(9): 935-44, 2008 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18386291

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (CaP) progression from an androgen-dependent to an androgen-independent state is associated with overexpression of EGFR family members or activation of their downstream signaling pathways, such as PI3K-Akt and MAPK. Although there are data implicating PI3K-Akt or MAPK pathway activation with resistance to EGFR inhibitors in CaP, the potential cross-talk between these pathways in response to EGFR or MAPK inhibitors remains to be examined. METHODS: Cross-talk between PTEN and MAPK signaling and its effects on CaP cell sensitivity to EGFR or MAPK inhibitors were examined in a PTEN-null C4-2 CaP cell, pTetOn PTEN C4-2, where PTEN expression was restored conditionally. RESULTS: Expression of PTEN in C4-2 cells exposed to EGF or serum was associated with increased phospho-ERK levels compared to cells without PTEN expression. Similar hypersensitivity of MAPK signaling was observed when cells were treated with a PI3K inhibitor LY294002. This enhanced sensitivity of MAPK signaling in PTEN-expressing cells was associated with a growth stimulatory effect in response to EGF. Furthermore, EGFR inhibitors gefitinib and lapatinib abrogated hypersensitivity of MAPK signaling and cooperated with PTEN expression to inhibit cell growth in both monolayer and anchorage-independent conditions. Similar cooperative growth inhibition was observed when cells were treated with the MEK inhibitor, CI1040, in combination with PTEN expression suggesting that inhibition of MAPK signaling could mediate the cooperation of EGFR inhibitors with PTEN expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that signaling cross-talk between the PI3K-Akt and MAPK pathways occurs in CaP cells, highlighting the potential benefit of targeting both the PI3K-Akt and MAPK pathways in CaP treatment.


Subject(s)
ErbB Receptors/antagonists & inhibitors , Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/metabolism , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/biosynthesis , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Benzamides/pharmacology , Blotting, Western , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Chromones/pharmacology , ErbB Receptors/metabolism , Gefitinib , Humans , Lapatinib , Male , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Morpholines/pharmacology , Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/enzymology , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors , Prostatic Neoplasms/enzymology , Quinazolines/pharmacology
8.
Pediatr Cardiol ; 29(3): 556-61, 2008 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18030412

ABSTRACT

This study tested the hypothesis that pediatric patients who develop chylothorax (CTX) after surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) have an elevated incidence and risk profile for central venous thrombosis (CVT). We evaluated 30 patients who developed CTX after surgery for CHD. All but one CTX patient were surgery-, anatomy-, and age-matched with two controls (NON-CTX) to compare their relative risk and incidence of CVT. Using conditional logistic regression analyses, CTX development was associated with significantly longer ventilator dependence (14.8 +/- 10.9 vs. 6.1 +/- 5.9 days, p = 0.003) and a non-significant trend towards more days of central venous catheters (CVC) (19.1 +/- 16.6 vs. 12.2 +/- 10.0 days; p = 0.16) when comparing the period prior to CTX development with the entire hospitalization in NON-CTX patients. CTX development was associated with a significantly elevated mortality risk (Odds Ratio 6.2, 95% CI 1.3-30.9). Minimum and mean daily central venous pressures were significantly higher in the CTX group. Post operative need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation conferred an increased risk of CTX development in this sample of patients (Odds Ratio 9.9, 95% CI 2.2-44.8). Incidence of documented CVT was 26.7% in the CTX group versus 5.1% in the NON-CTX group. Prospective screening for CVT risk and formation, combined with early removal of CVC may help reduce the incidence of CTX.


Subject(s)
Cardiac Surgical Procedures/adverse effects , Chylothorax/etiology , Heart Defects, Congenital/surgery , Venous Thrombosis/etiology , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Risk Factors , Venous Thrombosis/epidemiology
9.
Endoscopy ; 39(4): 319-24, 2007 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17357951

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The current treatment model for the management of malignant biliary obstruction is to place a plastic stent for unstaged pancreatic cancer. In patients with unresectable disease but a life expectancy of more than 6 months, self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) are favored because of their more prolonged patency. We analyzed the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of covered SEMS (CSEMS) in patients with pancreatic cancer and distal biliary obstruction without regard to surgical resectability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 2001 and March 2005, 101 consecutive patients with obstructive jaundice secondary to pancreatic cancer underwent placement of a CSEMS. Patients with resectable tumor were offered pancreaticoduodenectomy. A model was developed to compare the costs of CSEMS and polyethylene and DoubleLayer stents. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients underwent staging laparoscopy, of whom 16 had a resection (76%). The 85 patients who did not have a resection had a mean survival of 5.9 months (range 1-25 months) and a mean CSEMS patency duration of 5.5 months (range 1-16 months). Life-table analysis demonstrated CSEMS patency rates of 97% at 3 months, 85% at 6 months, and 68% at 12 months. In a cost model that accounted for polyethylene and DoubleLayer stent malfunction and surgical resections, initial CSEMS placement (3177 euros per patient) was a less costly intervention than either DoubleLayer stent placement (3224 euros per patient) or polyethylene stent placement with revision (3570 euros per patient). CONCLUSIONS: Covered SEMS are an effective treatment for distal biliary obstructions caused by pancreatic carcinoma. Their prolonged patency and removability makes them an attractive option for biliary decompression, regardless of resectability. The strategy of initial covered SEMS placement might be the most cost-effective strategy in these patients.


Subject(s)
Decision Trees , Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy , Stents , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cholestasis/etiology , Female , Humans , Life Tables , Male , Middle Aged , Pancreatic Neoplasms/complications , Pancreatic Neoplasms/economics , Pancreatic Neoplasms/surgery , Pancreaticoduodenectomy , Prospective Studies , Prosthesis Design , Stents/economics , United States
10.
Oncogene ; 26(5): 765-73, 2007 Feb 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16878152

ABSTRACT

Most deaths from urinary bladder cancer are owing to metastatic disease. A reduction in Rho GDP Dissociation Inhibitor 2 (RhoGDI2) protein has been associated with increased risk of metastasis in patients with locally advanced bladder cancer, whereas in animal models, RhoGDI2 reconstitution in cells without expression results in lung metastasis suppression. Recently, we noted an inverse correlation between tumor RhoGDI2 and Neuromedin U (NMU) expression, suggesting that NMU might be a target of the lung metastasis suppressor effect of RhoGDI2. Here we evaluated whether NMU is regulated by RhoGDI2 and is functionally important in tumor progression. We used small interfering RNA knockdown of endogenous RhoGDI2 in poorly tumorigenic and non-metastatic human bladder cancer T24 cells and observed increased NMU RNA expression. Although NMU overexpression did not increase the monolayer growth of T24 or related T24T poorly metastatic human bladder cancer cells, it did augment anchorage-independent growth for the latter. Overexpression of NMU in T24 and T24T cells significantly promoted tumor formation of both cell lines in nude mice, but did not alter the growth rate of established tumors. Furthermore, NMU-overexpressing xenografts were associated with lower animal body weight than control tumors, indicating a possible role of NMU in cancer cachexia. NMU overexpression in T24T cells significantly enhanced their lung metastatic ability. Bioluminescent in vivo imaging revealed that lung metastases in T24T grew faster than the same tumors in the subcutaneous microenvironment. In conclusion, NMU is a RhoGDI2-regulated gene that appears important for tumorigenicity, lung metastasis and cancer cachexia, and thus a promising therapeutic target in cancer.


Subject(s)
Cachexia/etiology , Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/pathology , Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Neuropeptides/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathology , Animals , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Cachexia/metabolism , Cachexia/pathology , Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/metabolism , Cell Adhesion , Cell Proliferation , Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors/antagonists & inhibitors , Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors/genetics , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Mice , Mice, Nude , Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology , Neuropeptides/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Tumor Stem Cell Assay , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/metabolism , rho Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor beta , rho-Specific Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors
11.
J Agric Saf Health ; 12(4): 335-48, 2006 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17131953

ABSTRACT

In addition to the direct impact of a farm safety day camp on its participants' knowledge and safety awareness, there are extended and indirect effects that occur through the wider dispersion of information and the involvement and cooperation of community members. Reports completed by 228 coordinators of farm safety day camps, report forms completed by 5,037 volunteers at farm safety day camps, and telephone interviews with 924 parents of farm safety day camp participants were analyzed for evidence of the impact of the camps beyond the immediate knowledge gained by the children who participated. These data indicate that the indirect benefits to a community include enhanced safety awareness within the wider community as children and adult volunteers disseminate the information they learned, as well as enhanced community strength and cohesiveness resulting from the cooperation of many individuals and organizations in achieving a common goal.


Subject(s)
Accident Prevention/methods , Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control , Agriculture/education , Health Education , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Occupational Health , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child Health Services , Equipment Safety , Female , Health Education/methods , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Program Evaluation , Rural Population , Safety , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States
12.
Endoscopy ; 38(4): 355-9, 2006 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16680634

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Pancreatic pseudocysts are a complication in up to 20% of patients with pancreatitis. Endoscopic management of pseudocysts by a conventional transenteric technique, i. e. conventional transmural drainage (CTD), or by endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage (EUD), is well described. Our aim was to prospectively compare the short-term and long-term results of CTD and EUD in the management of pseudocysts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 99 consecutive patients underwent endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocysts according to this predetermined treatment algorithm: patients with bulging lesions without obvious portal hypertension underwent CTD; all remaining patients underwent EUD. Patients were followed prospectively, with cross-sectional imaging during clinic visits. We compared short-term and long-term results (effectiveness and complications) at 1 and 6 months post procedure. RESULTS: 46 patients (37 men) underwent EUD and 53 patients (39 men) had CTD. The mean age of the entire group was 50 +/- 13 years. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding short-term success (93% vs. 94%) or long-term success (84% vs. 91%); 68 of the 99 patients completed 6 months of follow-up. Complications occurred in 19% of EUD vs. 18% of CTD patients, and consisted of bleeding in three, infection of the collection in eight, stent migration into the pseudocyst in three, and pneumoperitoneum in five. All complications but one could be managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: No clear differences in efficacy or safety were observed between conventional and EUS-guided cystenterostomy. The choice of technique is likely best predicated by individual patient presentation and local expertise.


Subject(s)
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde , Drainage/methods , Endosonography , Pancreatic Pseudocyst/surgery , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pancreatic Pseudocyst/diagnostic imaging , Prospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
13.
Prostate ; 66(10): 1114-23, 2006 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16637073

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is lost as a function of prostate tumor androgen dependence. While the transcriptional activity of the androgen receptor (AR) is inhibited by PTEN in androgen sensitive prostate cancer (CaP), the role of PTEN in androgen disease is unclear. METHODS: We developed a system where PTEN can be conditionally re-expressed at physiologic levels into a PTEN null metastatic human CaP cell line, C4-2, and androgen responsiveness examined. RESULTS: PTEN induction reduces cell growth and blocks the growth effect of synthetic androgen R1881. The anti-androgen Casodex enhances the growth-inhibitory action of PTEN and this effect is independent of Akt phosphorylation. Combined PTEN induction and Casodex, result in a further decrease in prostate specific antigen promoter activity compared to PTEN but not Casodex alone. CONCLUSIONS: PTEN induction confers androgen independent CaP cells enhanced responsiveness to the anti-proliferative effects of anti-androgens and this action may involve non-AR mediated effects.


Subject(s)
Androgens/physiology , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/physiology , Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/genetics , Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/physiopathology , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/physiology , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology , Androgen Antagonists/pharmacology , Androgen Receptor Antagonists , Anilides/pharmacology , Blotting, Western , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Cycle/physiology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Doxycycline/pharmacology , Genes, Tumor Suppressor/physiology , Humans , Male , Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/chemistry , Nitriles , Oncogene Protein v-akt/physiology , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/analysis , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/physiology , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , Promoter Regions, Genetic/physiology , Prostate-Specific Antigen/genetics , Prostate-Specific Antigen/physiology , Prostatic Neoplasms/chemistry , Receptors, Androgen/physiology , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Signal Transduction/physiology , Tosyl Compounds , Transfection , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/analysis
14.
Pediatr Rehabil ; 8(2): 156-61, 2005.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16089256

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in and potential uses of information derived from developmental vs. functional assessment during the acute rehabilitation of very young children with acquired brain injury. Both methods of assessment are typically used during hospitalization in order to assist in developing individualized goals and outcome measures. With the trend of shortened hospital stays, effective assessment for determining optimal treatment goals and outcomes becomes increasingly important. The results from a developmental and a functional assessment obtained on 23 inpatient children below 6 years of age who had experienced either an acquired brain injury or encephalitis were compared. The data was collected through a retrospective chart review spanning 4 years. METHODS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Each child received a cognitive and a language test using either the Early Learning Accomplishment Profile (E-LAP) or the Learning Accomplishment Profile Diagnostic (LAP-D) for the developmental assessment measure. The Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) was used as a functional assessment. Summary statistics and frequencies were calculated for variables including age and diagnosis. Partial Pearson correlations and 95% confidence intervals were calculated between the functional and developmental assessments, adjusting for the amount of time between administrations of the two exams. Pearson correlations were computed between length of hospital stay and performance on the developmental and functional quotients. RESULTS: Moderate, statistically significant Pearson partial correlations were found between the E-LAP/LAP-D cognitive quotient and the WeeFIM cognitive quotient (r = 0.42, 95% CI (0, 0.72)), the E-LAP/LAP-D language quotient and the WeeFIM cognitive quotient (r = 0.55, 95% CI (0.17, 0.79)) and the E-LAP/LAP-D cognitive quotient and the WeeFIM total quotient (r = 0.50, 95% CI (0.10, 0.76)). An inverse correlation was found between the length of stay and the E-LAP/ LAP-D cognitive quotient (r = -0.68, 95% CI (-0.86, -0.34)) as well as the E-LAP/LAP-D language quotient (r = -0.61, 95% CI (-0.83, -0.23)). CONCLUSIONS: The moderate but limited correlations between developmental and functional assessments may be attributed to differences in the two forms of assessment including the test items, their administration and scoring. While both forms of assessment were thought to be useful for developing individualized treatment goals and measuring outcomes, there were advantages and disadvantages to each.


Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Brain Injuries/rehabilitation , Developmental Disabilities/diagnosis , Developmental Disabilities/rehabilitation , Disability Evaluation , Brain Injuries/diagnosis , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Confidence Intervals , Female , Health Status Indicators , Humans , Male , Motor Skills/physiology , Neuropsychological Tests , Occupational Therapy/methods , Physical Therapy Modalities , Probability , Recovery of Function , Rehabilitation Centers , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment Outcome
15.
J Agric Saf Health ; 11(1): 35-50, 2005 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15782887

ABSTRACT

Significant resources are devoted to conducting farm safety day camps throughout North America, but the impact and effectiveness of these programs has not been systematically demonstrated. This project assessed changes in safety-related knowledge and behaviors among participants in the Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camp program. A written pre-test and a three-month telephone post-test were administered to three samples of participants, ages 8 to 13, in camps held in 1999, 2000, and 2001. A sample of 20 to 30 camps was included in each year of the study, with a total sample of 1,780 participants for all three years. The pre-test and post-test contained questions related to first aid and to safety around animals, ATVs, farm equipment, flowing grains, and tractors. Three scores were computed from responses to 20 knowledge and behavior items. A knowledge score indicated the number of 8 knowledge items answered correctly, a behavior risk score indicated the amount of risk exposure for the child based on 8 behavior items, and an ATV safety gear risk score indicated, for those who rode ATVs, the level of risk due to lack of proper safety gear (4 items). From pre-test to post-test, there was an increase in knowledge scores and a decrease in behavior risk scores and ATV safety gear risk scores. These changes were consistent both for males and females, for farm residents and non-farm residents, and across all ages in the sample. These results support claims for the effectiveness of farm safety day camps for increasing knowledge and improving safe practices among camp participants.


Subject(s)
Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control , Agriculture , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Safety , Accident Prevention/methods , Adolescent , Alabama/epidemiology , Child , Child Health Services , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Program Evaluation , Surveys and Questionnaires
16.
Clin Cancer Res ; 10(11): 3800-6, 2004 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15173088

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: RhoGDI2 was recently shown to be a metastasis suppressor gene in models of bladder cancer. We sought to further understand its importance in human cancer by determining the level of its expression and the distribution of its encoded protein in normal human tissues and cell lines and to evaluate whether its protein expression is a determinant of human bladder cancer progression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: RhoGDI2 mRNA and protein expression was evaluated in cell lines and human tissues using Affymetrix and tissue microarrays, respectively. Tissue microarrays represented most human normal adult tissues and material from 51 patients that had undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. In these 51 patients, the chi(2) test was used to test for associations between RhoGDI2 and stage, grade of urothelial carcinoma, histological type, and disease-specific survival status. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to estimate the effect of RhoGDI2 expression level on time to development of metastatic disease and disease-specific survival time, adjusting for grade, stage, and histological type. RESULTS: In normal tissues, there was strong RhoGDI2 protein expression in WBCs, endothelial cells, and transitional epithelium. RhoGDI2 mRNA expression was inversely related to the invasive and metastatic phenotype in human bladder cancer cell lines. In patients with bladder cancer, univariate analysis indicated that reduced tumor RhoGDI2 protein expression was associated with a lower actuarial 5-year disease-free and disease-specific survival (P = 0.01). In addition, patients with tumors that had low or absent RhoGDI2 had a shorter time to disease-specific death (P

Subject(s)
Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors/biosynthesis , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/biosynthesis , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/metabolism , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/mortality , Cell Line, Tumor , Disease-Free Survival , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Neoplasm Metastasis , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards Models , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Time Factors , Tissue Distribution , Treatment Outcome , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathology , rho Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor beta , rho-Specific Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors
17.
Brain Inj ; 17(6): 497-506, 2003 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12745705

ABSTRACT

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The study examines the possible relationship between dopamine-enhancing medications and improvement of arousal and awareness in children during persistent low response states (Rancho Los Amigos Levels I, II and III). RESEARCH DESIGN: A retrospective review was conducted of 10 children enrolled in an existing clinical protocol. The Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center (KCRC) low response protocol provides a double baseline serial measure (A, A, B, B, B) design. Scores on the Western NeuroSensory Stimulation Profile (WNSSP) are the dependent variable. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Ten children, mean age of 13.7 years low response state (30 days or more) who were treated with dopamine agonists. Co-morbid or iatrogenic influences were addressed or ruled out. Seven children had traumatic brain injury, one cerebral vascular accident, one anoxia and one encephalitis. EXPERIMENTAL INTERVENTION: On average, dopamine medications were started 52.9 days post-event. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Paired t-test of WNSSP scores before medications and on medications were significant at p = 0.03 (paired t-test). Also, the distributions of the slopes (rates of change of WNSSP scores over time) were significantly different in the pre-medication and medication phases (Paired T-test, p = 0.02). Random coefficient model comparison of individuals during pre- and medication phase response variability on WNSSP yielded F-test at p = 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a promising relationship between acceleration of recovery for some children in a low response state and administration of dopamine-enhancing medications.


Subject(s)
Arousal/drug effects , Awareness/drug effects , Brain Injuries/physiopathology , Dopamine Agents/therapeutic use , Unconsciousness/physiopathology , Adolescent , Adult , Amantadine/therapeutic use , Benzothiazoles , Brain Injuries/drug therapy , Bromocriptine/therapeutic use , Child , Dopamine Agonists/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Levodopa/therapeutic use , Male , Methylphenidate/therapeutic use , Neuropsychological Tests , Pramipexole , Retrospective Studies , Thiazoles/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome , Unconsciousness/drug therapy
18.
J Clin Densitom ; 4(4): 325-35, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11748337

ABSTRACT

Many children have contractures and/or deformities that preclude positioning in a fully supine position. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of "poor" positioning on the assessment of body composition with dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in thirty-seven normal child volunteers ages 3-16 yr. Multiple whole-body DXA scans of each child were performed: duplicate scans in the correct fully supine position, two scans while simulating different positions typical of children with contractures, and a scan while positioned in the full lateral position as a "worst-case" scenario. Also evaluated were the precision of duplicate measures in the altered positions, the effect of knee flexion contractures, and the impact of metallic orthopedic fixation devices. Errors in body composition assessment did occur from "poor" positioning. In those positions simulating children with contractures, the mean errors were 4-6% for measures of bone mineral content, 1-3% for lean body mass, and 5-11% for fat mass. Measures in the correct fully supine position and the contracted positions were highly correlated. The errors obtained by altering position were small. If errors of this magnitude are of significance, then corrective equations could be utilized to improve accuracy. Precise and reasonably accurate measures of body composition can be obtained with DXA in children with disabilities and deformities that preclude fully supine positioning.


Subject(s)
Absorptiometry, Photon , Body Composition , Posture , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Contracture/physiopathology , Disabled Children , Female , Humans , Male , Prostheses and Implants , Supine Position
20.
Anesth Analg ; 93(4): 917-21, 2001 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11574357

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: We compared outpatients transported to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) while breathing room air to 2-4 L/min nasal cannula oxygen (O2) to test the hypothesis that routine supplemental O2 during transport is not required after general anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery center. We also examined whether the arbitrary arrival PACU O2 saturations of > 92% may be used to predict an infrequent incidence of subsequent significant desaturations (< 90%) in the PACU. One-hundred-ninety patients were randomized to receive either room air or 2-4 L/min nasal cannula for transport to PACU after receiving general anesthesia. O2 saturations were recorded before surgery, just before leaving the operating room, and upon arrival in the PACU. The lowest O2 saturation occurring in the PACU was also recorded. The mean arrival PACU O2 saturation was 95.0 in the Room Air group, compared with 97.2 for the Nasal Cannula (NC) group, a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). In the Room Air group, 20% had arrival O2 saturations < or = 92%, and half of these (10%) had O2 saturations < 90%. In the NC group, 6% had O2 saturations < or = 92%, of which one third (2%) were < 90% on arrival in the PACU. All of these initial desaturations were easily corrected with face-tent O2 administration, deep breathing, or both. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients whose ages were 60 yr or older or those weighing 100 kg or more had lower arrival room air saturations than their younger or slimmer counterparts. In the Room Air group, only three (3.9%) of the patients that arrived in PACU with O2 saturations > 92% had subsequent desaturations < 90%, compared with seven (7.9%) in the NC group. We conclude that most adult patients undergoing ambulatory surgery can be transported safely to the PACU breathing room air after general anesthesia. However, patients whose age was > or = 60 yr or weight was > or = 100 kg, or for whom transient O2 desaturation on transport may be harmful, should be transported while breathing nasal O2 via nasal cannula. IMPLICATIONS: Most adult patients undergoing ambulatory surgery can be transported safely to the PACU breathing room air after general anesthesia. However, patients whose age was > or = 60 yr or weight > or = 100 kg, or for whom transient O2 desaturation on transport may be harmful, should be transported while breathing oxygen via nasal cannula.


Subject(s)
Ambulatory Surgical Procedures , Anesthesia, General , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy , Transportation of Patients , Adult , Asthma/complications , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Respiration, Artificial , Smoking
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