Gender and immunosuppression impact on Merkel cell carcinoma diagnosis and prognosis. A population based cohort study.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine endocrine tumour is increasing in incidence, and continues to carry a poor prognosis. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine all Irish cases of MCC from 1 January 1994 over 2 decades, focusing on gender and organ transplantation recipients (OTRs). Cases were identified from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland. Covariates of interest included age, body site, period of diagnosis, deprivation-status and history of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Results: In total 314 MCC cases were identified. A female predominance was noted (53.8%). Comparison between age-standardised rates between the earliest period (1994-1996) with the latest period (2012-2014) showed an increase of 105% in total. The trend in age-standardised incidence rates were noted to be increasing significantly (p = 0.0004). Average age at diagnosis was 77.6 years (male 75.1 years, female 79.7 years). Overall, the majority of MCC cases presented on the head and neck (n = 170, 54.1%). Differences in anatomical location of MCCs were noted between genders. Males were found to be more likely to have a history of previous NMSCs (males n = 73 [57.9%], females n = 53 [42.1%]). Thirty-one percentage of patients died from MCC, average survival was 3.5 years in those who died of this malignancy. Ten organ transplant recipients developed MCC. OTR who developed MCC were diagnosed at a younger average age of 65.1 years. Standardized incidence ratio for MCC in OTR was 59.96. A higher proportion of OTR died from MCC (70%), with a shorter median survival of 0.14 years. In competing risks regression, gender was not significantly associated with risk of dying, females having a non-significantly higher hazard of dying. Organ transplant recipients and patients from less deprived areas were at greater risk of dying from MCC. Conclusions: This population based study provides epidemiological, clinical and outcome data for MCC over a 20-year period.

Queen busting. II. Ending the reign.

Royal behaviours can be found anywhere, even on your unit. A framework is provided to "dethrone" hospital royalty. Interpersonal skills are the primary weapons in your arsenal.

Thermoregulation and axillary temperature measurements in neonates: a review of the literature.

The theoretical and empirical literature were reviewed to examine the current knowledge about thermoregulation and temperature-measurement techniques in neonates. The results indicate that there is a conflict in the literature regarding the length of time needed to obtain neonatal axillary temperature measurements with glass thermometers and a gap in the literature pertaining to the symmetry of axillary temperature measurements in neonates not exposed to an external heat source. Liquid crystal and tympanic thermometers have been demonstrated to be inaccurate fever detectors. The use of electronic thermometers may offer nurses time-saving alternatives to standard glass thermometers for obtaining neonatal temperature measurements.

Managing communication in times of rapid change.

Change is typically perceived as frontline staff learning and using new skills. The reality is that it means that managers must change first. The rapid and multidimensional changes that are occurring in health care today are affecting the way managers need to manage communications with their staff. It is no longer possible to manage communications between you and your staff in the same way. Managers need to attend to the emotional reactions and the concerns of people that are engendered by the changes. The ability to lead staff forward in the change, by managing communications, will be an indicator of managerial effectiveness and success.