Cerebrospinal Fluid Endostatin/Collagen XVIII Concentrations in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain...
Traumatic Brain InjuryAngiogenesis is an important pathophysiological response to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and modulated by pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. Recent studies have suggested that endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin/collagen XVIII might play an important role in the secondary brain injury following TBI. The aim of this study was to investigate early changes in the concentrations of CSF endostatin/collagen XVIII after TBI and evaluated the relations of endostatin/collagen XVIII to injury severity and clinical outcome. Endostatin/collagen XVIII concentrations were measured serially for 1 week after hospitalization by using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method in the cerebrospinal fluid of 30 patients with TBI and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less on admission. Comparative analysis were used to determine if its serial changes correlate with the GCS score and prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to appraise the value of CSF endostatin/collagen XVIII levels in predicting the prognosis of patients with severe head injury.
Early Bandage Removal Post-Cesarean Delivery
Wound DisruptionWound InfectionWomen undergoing their first second or third cesarean section will be randomized into two groups. One group will have the abdominal bandage removed at 6 hours post-surgery and the other group will have the bandage removed at 24 hours. Staple removal will be at 5 - 7 days for both groups. The incision will be inspected at the time of staple removal. The 2 groups will be compared for incision disruption and infection. Also, the women will be asked about their satisfaction for time of bandage removal.
Ultrasound Guided Arterial Puncture
Arterial PunctureThe main purpose of the study is to evaluate whether the routine use of ultrasound guided arterial puncture can increase the proportion of patients who only needs one puncture attempt in order to successfully extract enough blood to make an arterial blood gas analysis, when ultrasound guided arterial puncture is compared to conventional arterial puncture technique.
The Incidence of Gingival Fissures _ a Crossover Single-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial
Gingival RecessionWounds and InjuriesThe objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of gingival fissures according to the type of brush used, soft and medium.
Acute Kidney Injury in Septic Critically Ill Patients : Are Aminoglycosides Really Harmful?
Acute Kidney InjurySevere SepsisThe purpose of the present study is to determine whether administration of aminoglycosides in septic critically ill patient is a risk factor for acute kidney injury
The Effects of Topical Calcium Glycerophosphate on Surgical Wound Healing and Residual Scarring...
Wound HealingScarringThe purpose of this study is to determine whether topical application of calcium glycerophosphate will result in superior wound appearance and scar minimization.
Improving Patient Satisfaction Improving Patient Satisfaction
SatisfactionTraumaObjectives: Patient satisfaction is a key determinant of the quality of care and an important component of pay for performance metrics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a simple intervention aimed to increase patients' understanding of their orthopaedic trauma surgeon and improve patient satisfaction with the overall quality of inpatient care delivered by the attending surgeon. Design: Prospective quality improvement initiative using a randomized intervention. Setting: Level 1 academic trauma center. Patients/Participants: Two hundred twelve patients were eligible; 100 patients were randomized to the intervention group, and 112 patients were randomized to the control group. Overall, 76 patients could be reached for follow-up satisfaction survey, including 34 patients in the intervention group and 42 patients in the control group. Intervention: Patients randomized to the intervention group received an attending biosketch card, which included a picture of the attending orthopaedic surgeon with a brief synopsis of his educational background, specialty, surgical interests, and research interests. Main Outcome Measures: Our primary outcome measure was a patient satisfaction survey assessing patients' rating of the overall quality of inpatient care delivered by the attending surgeon.
Prehospital Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain InjuryThe aim of the study is to measure the effect of Finnish physician-staffed EMS unit treatment methods on traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient prognosis.
Risk of Acute Liver Injury in Users of Antimicrobials
Drug-Induced Liver InjuryMoxifloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent used to treat common community-acquired respiratory tract infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, and pelvic inflammatory disease. In the clinical development program, moxifloxacin was associated with some hepatic adverse drug reactions. To evaluate further the hepatic safety profile of moxifloxacin, a retrospective cohort study with nested case-control analysis will be conducted to assess the rate of noninfectious acute liver injury among new users of moxifloxacin and of other antimicrobials prescribed for similar indications, including amoxicillin, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, clarithromycin, doxycycline, levofloxacin, and telithromycin. The study will be implemented in the population included in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database (HIRD). Eligible patients are adults aged 18 years and older with continuous enrollment in the HIRD for at least 6 months before their first claim for a prescription for a study antimicrobial. Follow-up will start at the date of the first prescription until the date of the earliest of the following events: noninfectious acute liver injury, occurrence of an exclusion criterion, end of study period, disenrollment from database, or death. Patients with chronic alcoholism or cirrhosis, infectious hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, or pregnant women will not be included.
Role of Neuromuscular Training in Reducing Sports Injuries and Improving Fitness Among Chicago Public...
Leg InjuriesSports-related injuries are a serious concern for physically active children and adolescents. Previous research, including ours at Chicago public high schools, shows our neuromuscular training program, the Knee Injury Prevention Program (KIPP) reduces sports-related injuries in female athletes by up to 88%. However, KIPP is not well-studied in males or younger age groups. This project aims to determine KIPP's effect on sports-related injuries and physical fitness among 5th-8th grade students in Chicago public schools. The study will take place during the 2011-2013 school years. To measure KIPP's effect on sports injuries, we will recruit 5th-8th grade sports coaches and their athletes, randomize coaches by school into two groups, then train the intervention group to implement a 10-minute KIPP warm-up before practices and games. Control group will perform their usual warm-up. Research assistants will collect athlete participation and injury data from coaches weekly. To determine feasibility of KIPP in PE classes and measure its effect on fitness, we will recruit PE teachers to implement the warm-up in PE classes for a minimum of 10 weeks, and record students' presidential fitness test scores before and after the 10+ weeks. Results of this study will guide strategies for preventing sports-related injuries and improving physical fitness in 5th -8th graders.