Scar Outcomes for Scalpel Versus Diathermy Neck Incisions in an Afro-Caribbean Population
Surgical IncisionThis is randomized controlled double-blinded trial comparing the scar outcomes of diathermy versus scalpel surgical incisions in the neck. It was conducted in humans in an Afro-Caribbean (black) population.
Temperature Measurement in Surgical and Intensive Care Patients - Comparison of Four Measurement...
HypothermiaHyperthermiaComparison of four methods for measuring temperature perioperatively in patients scheduled for laparoscopic surgery and intensive care patients who are hypo-, normo-and hyper terme; Bladder Monitoring, Nasopharyngeal, SpotOn TM, Zero heat flux method and Temporal Scanner. The study is a single-center, observational study carried out by the Central Surgical and Intensive Section at Vestfold Hospital Trust.
Evaluation of a Polymeric Plate Derived From Castor Oil to Thermotherapy
Therapeutic HyperthermiaThermotherapy1 moreThe objective of this work is to evaluate, from volunteers viewpoint, the usability, comfort, appearance, weight, superficial temperature, and other characteristics of a polymeric plate derived from castor oil developed to thermotherapy. The volunteers will use polymeric plate as a therapeutic resource in the shoulder area and then fill in, without interference of the researcher, some questions about the characteristics of interest.
Novel Home Care Device for High-Risk Diabetic Patients
DiabetesNeuropathic Limb3 moreMore than half of all lower extremity amputations are in persons with diabetes. These patients suffer from severe, diabetes-induced, peripheral, sensory neuropathy and, thus they frequently do not protect their feet from repetitive shear stress or traumatic episodes and ulceration often ensues. We have previously shown that the temperature profile of the plantar aspects of the foot provides a reliable warning of tissue injury and can be effectively used as a preventive modality. In this study we propose to further develop and clinically test a novel infrared-based temperature instrument (TempTouchRM®) that is intended for home use by high-risk diabetic patients. This step-on remote monitoring device will serve as an early warning system for impending ulcers and Charcot fractures. The study's central hypothesis is that the TempTouchRM device will reduce the incidence of ulcers by providing an accurate, simple, and effective approach to monitor changes in foot temperatures.
Caspofungin or Micafungin as Empiric Antifungal Therapy for Persistent Fever and Neutropenia
Febrile NeutropeniaInvasive fungal infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neutropenia who are receiving chemotherapy for cancer. Early diagnosis of these infections is difficult and fever may be the only sign. A delay in treatment while a diagnosis is pursued may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. There are now several echinocandins available with similar in vitro spectrum of activity. Caspofungin is the only echinocandin Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for empiric antifungal therapy in febrile neutropenia. Although all echinocandin antifungal agents have similar spectrum of activity, there are limited data on the use of micafungin in patients with persistent fever and neutropenia (FN). In November 2006 the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at Brigham & Women's Hospital / Dana Farber Cancer Institute (BWH/DFCI) switched from caspofungin to micafungin as our formulary echinocandin. Given the limited clinical data on the use of micafungin as empiric antifungal therapy in patients with FN, we sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of micafungin, compared with caspofungin, for this indication using a sequential cohort analysis of patients treated before and after the formulary change at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Study on the Incidence of Febrile Episodes During Stem Cells Collection After Chemotherapy in Patients...
G-CSFMultiple Myeloma3 moreTo evaluate the difference in the incidence of febrile episodes in patients undergoing stem cells mobilization with chemotherapy and filgrastim versus chemotherapy and lenograstim. A febrile episode will be considered as: body temperature > 38°C for two measurements in the 24 hours with an interval of 6 hours at least between the two measurements.
Prevention of Febrile Neutropenia by Synbiotics in Pediatric Cancer Patients
Febrile NeutropeniaNeutropenia2 moreFebrile neutropenia (FN) is a major life-threatening treatment complication in cancer patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Endogenous flora is considered to be one of the main sources of infections during neutropenia. Competitive inhibition of gut mucosal colonization by pathogenic microorganisms using synbiotics could represent one of the potential options for its prevention. Synbiotics represent combination of two components: probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms, which in form of drugs or food supplements administered at a sufficient dose help to maintain health beneficial microbial balance in the digestive tract of a human or other host. Prebiotics are food ingredients nondigestible for our digestive enzymes, but can be fermented by bacteria in our bowel and this way selectively stimulate growth or activity of specific saccharolytic bacterial strains. These changes in composition of our microflora may bring benefits on host well-being and health. Based on the results of human and animal studies, probiotics probably can not only decrease the level of gut colonisation with pathogenic bacteria, but may also lead to reduction in the duration of neutropenia, accelerate the restitution of the intestinal mucosa and boost immunity. Despite a significant number of studies on probiotics still only little evidence of their safety especially in immunocompromised patients is available. To help find new options for increasing quality of healthcare for children cancer patients and also to evaluate safety of this new approach investigators designed double-blinded placebo controled multicenter study aimed to decrease the number of febrile episodes using prevention with synbiotic.
Hyperthermia and the Amelioration of Autism Symptoms
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe febrile hypothesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) stems from the observation that clinical symptoms improve during fever. This fever induced amelioration of symptoms could be due to one of three possible causes, (1) the direct effect of temperature; (2) a resulting change in the immune inflammatory system function associated with the infection or fever; and/or (3) and increase in the functionality of a previously dysfunctional Locus Coeruleus-Noradrenerigic (LC-NA) system. Little has been done to explore the potential direct effect an increased body temperature may have on autism symptomology. Parental reports have demonstrated that during febrile episodes children with ASD have improved social cognition and language skills, and decreased disruptive behaviors. In order to further explore the direct temperature effect, further investigation is needed, which the investigators propose below. The investigators propose to complete a one year double blind crossover study with 15 children with ASD between the ages of 5 and 17 years old. Five children with ASD will complete a control protocol prior to beginning the full protocol with 10 additional ASD children. This will allow for any needed amendment of protocol parameters prior to completion of the full protocol.
Long-Term Study of Hospitalized Dengue & Safety in Thai Children Included in a Tetravalent Dengue...
DengueDengue Fever1 moreThe purpose of this study was to conduct a passive surveillance of hospitalized dengue cases in participants who participated in study CYD23 (NCT00842530). The Objectives: To describe the incidence of virologically-confirmed hospitalized dengue cases. To characterize hospitalized dengue cases. To evaluate the occurrence of related and fatal serious adverse events (SAEs).
Early Antibiotic Discontinuation in FUO
Febrile NeutropeniaHematological MalignancyFebrile neutropenia requires prompt initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can be responsible for side-effects and selection of resistance. This study demonstrates the safety of an early discontinuation of empirical treatments, in carefully selected patients presenting with fever of unknown origin.