A questionnaire study of radiography educator opinions about patient lead shielding during digital projection radiography.

BACKGROUND: In projection radiography, lead rubber shielding has long been used to protect the gonads both within and outside the collimated field. However, the relative radio-sensitivity of the gonads is considered lower than previously, and doses from digital projection radiography are reported as being lower than in previous eras. These factors, along with technical difficulties encountered in placing lead shielding effectively, lead to varied opinions on the efficacy of such shielding in peer reviewed literature. This current study has investigated what is currently being taught as good practice concerning the use of lead shielding during projection radiography. METHOD: An online questionnaire was distributed to a purposive sample of 44 radiography educators across 15 countries, with the aim of establishing radiography educators' opinions about patient lead shielding and its teaching. RESULTS: From the 27 responding educators, 57% (n = 15) teach students to apply gonadal shielding across a range of radiographic examinations; only 22% (n = 6) do the same for the breast, despite respondents being aware that the breast has higher relative radio-sensitivity than the gonads. Radiation protection was the primary reason given for using shielding. Students are generally expected to apply patient lead shielding during assessments, although a small number of respondents report that students must justify whether or not to apply lead shielding. Educators generally held the opinion that no matter what they are taught, students are influenced by what they see radiographers do in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The current study has not found consensus in literature or in radiography educators' opinions concerning the use of patient lead shielding. Findings suggest that a large scale empirical study to establish a specific evidence base for the appropriate use of lead shielding across a range of projection radiography examinations would be useful.

Transferability of model-based economic evaluations: the case of trastuzumab for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer in the Netherlands.

INTRODUCTION: Geographic transferability of model-based cost-effectiveness results may facilitate and shorten the reimbursement process of new pharmaceuticals. This study provides a real world example of transferring a cost-effectiveness study of trastuzumab for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer from the United Kingdom to The Netherlands. METHODS: Three successive steps were taken. Step 1: Collect available information with regard to the original model, and assess transferability using existing checklists. Step 2: Adapt transferability-limiting factors. Step 3: Obtain a country-specific estimate of cost-effectiveness. RESULTS: The structure of the UK model was transferable, although some of the model inputs needed adaptation. From a health-care perspective, the Dutch estimate amounted to euro5828/quality-adjusted life-year gained. From a societal perspective, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was dominant. CONCLUSION: Transferability of a model-based UK-study in three steps proved to be an efficient method to provide an early indication of the cost-effectiveness of trastuzumab and has led to the provisional reimbursement of the treatment.

[Myelomatous ascites]. / Ascitis mielomatosa: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Ascites is rare in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). It may be due to diverse mechanisms, most frequently because of an increased permeability of the peritoneum or because of portal hypertension due to liver infiltration. Myelomatous ascites occurs more frequently in patients having Ig-G or Ig-A paraprotein and their prognosis is poor. It is submitted the case of a female patient aged 50 years with IgA-kappa MM, who evolved with cardiac failure (CF), plasma cells leukemia and ascites of mixed cause, because of peritoneal infiltrate of myelomatous cells, hepatic compromise and CF. A review of the different causes of ascites in patients with MM is performed. There are also summarized all myelomatous ascites cases published in the literature. Our report presents the first case of myelomatous ascites in a patient with plasma cells leukemia.

Ascitis mielomatosa. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Myelomatous ascites

Ascites is rare in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). It may be due to diverse mechanisms, most frequently because of an increased permeability of the peritoneum or because of portal hypertension due to liver infiltration. Myelomatous ascites occurs more frequently in patients having Ig-G or Ig-A paraprotein and their prognosis is poor. It is submitted the case of a female patient aged 50 years with IgA-kappa MM, who evolved with cardiac failure (CF), plasma cells leukemia and ascites of mixed cause, because of peritoneal infiltrate of myelomatous cells, hepatic compromise and CF. A review of the different causes of ascites in patients with MM is performed. There are also summarized all myelomatous ascites cases published in the literature. Our report presents the first case of myelomatous ascites in a patient with plasma cells leukemia

Los pacientes con mieloma múltiple (MM) raramente presentan ascitis. La misma puede responder a diversos mecanismos, siendo las causas más frecuentes el aumento de permeabilidad del peritoneo y la hipertensión portal por infiltración hepática. La ascitis mielomatosa (AM) ocurre con más frecuencia en pacientes con paraproteína de tipo Ig-G e Ig-A y su pronóstico es sombrío. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino de 50 años con diagnóstico de MM IgA-kappa que evoluciona con insuficiencia cardíaca (IC), leucemia de células plasmáticas y ascitis de causa mixta, por infiltración peritoneal por células mielomatosas, compromiso hepático e IC. Se realiza una revisión de las distintas causas de ascitis en pacientes con MM. Asimismo se resumen todos los casos publicados en la literatura mundial de AM. Nuestro reporte representa el primer caso de AM en un paciente con leucemia de células plasmáticas

Can ulnar artery velocity changes be used as a preoperative screening tool for radial artery grafting in coronary artery bypass?

Radial artery harvesting for coronary revascularization may result in digit ischemia if collateral circulation is inadequate. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in ulnar artery flow velocity during radial artery compression (RAC) with changes in first- and second-digit pressures during RAC, a previously validated predictor of digital ischemia. Photoplethysmography was used to measure first- and second-digit arterial pressures before and during RAC on 80 extremities. Color flow duplex imaging was used to measure distal ulnar artery peak systolic velocity before and during RAC. Seventy-eight of eighty extremities had a slight increase in ulnar artery velocity with RAC. There was no correlation between ulnar artery velocity changes and digit pressure changes. Measurement of ulnar artery velocity during RAC is not a useful predictor of digit pressure changes. Measurement of segmental upper extremity pressures with first- and second-digit pressure measurement during radial artery compression should remain the preferred preoperative screening tool for radial artery harvest prior to CABG.

Incidental discovery of an inferior vena cava aneurysm.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) aneurysms are extremely rare, with only 18 reported cases in the world literature. These aneurysms are categorized as acquired, congenital, or associated with arteriovenous fistulae. Thrombosis of an IVC aneurysm can lead to IVC syndrome characterized by massive lower extremity edema, pulmonary embolism, or even death. Therapeutic alternatives range from watchful waiting to operative resection. This report presents a case of an IVC aneurysm noted incidentally at the time of diagnostic computed tomography for the evaluation of blunt chest trauma following a motor vehicle collision. In addition, the classification, embryology, diagnosis, and management of this unusual clinical entity are reviewed.

Factor XIII en transplante de médula ósea / Factor XIII in Bone Marrow Transplantation

La subunidad A del Factor XIII (FXIII), parte activa del FXIII, es sintetizada casi exclusivamente por megacariocitos y precursores de monocitos-macrófagos. Determinándose la actividad del FXIII en pacientes sometidos a transplante de médula ósea autólogo (TAMO) y alegeneico (TMO). En 52 pacientes, 30 TAMO y 22 TMO, la actividad del FXIII fue estudiada en días fijos (basal, mitad de régimen condicionante, día 0, día +7, día +15 y día +30). Un descenso del FXIII fue encontrado en todos los casos, cuando se comparó con los niveles basales, alcalzando el nadir de la actividad al día +7. La caída del FXIII fué significativamente más pronunciada en TMO que en TAMO. Se demostró correlación entre la actividad del FXIII y el tiempo de recuperación hematopoyética. Siete de los 52 ptes. (13, 4 porciento) tuvieron niveles de actividad del FXIII inferiores al 10 porciento, sólo 3 sufrieron sangrados asociados. En TMO, los niveles de PAI estaban significativamente aumentados en los días +7, +15 y +30. En conclusión, la actividad del FXIII está siempre desminuída post-trasplante y el restablecimiento de los niveles basales se relaciona directamente con la velocidad de reconstitución hematopoyética. Diferencias en los tiempos de "engraftment" podrían explicar las diferencias encontradas entre TAMO y TMO. Finalmente, la ausencia de sangrado en ptes. con actividad del FXIII por debajo de niveles hemostáticos(<10 porciento) podría deberse a hipofibrinolisis concominante asociada a aumento del PAI

Factor XIII en transplante de médula ósea / Factor XIII in Bone Marrow Transplantation

La subunidad A del Factor XIII (FXIII), parte activa del FXIII, es sintetizada casi exclusivamente por megacariocitos y precursores de monocitos-macrófagos. Determinándose la actividad del FXIII en pacientes sometidos a transplante de médula ósea autólogo (TAMO) y alegeneico (TMO). En 52 pacientes, 30 TAMO y 22 TMO, la actividad del FXIII fue estudiada en días fijos (basal, mitad de régimen condicionante, día 0, día +7, día +15 y día +30). Un descenso del FXIII fue encontrado en todos los casos, cuando se comparó con los niveles basales, alcalzando el nadir de la actividad al día +7. La caída del FXIII fué significativamente más pronunciada en TMO que en TAMO. Se demostró correlación entre la actividad del FXIII y el tiempo de recuperación hematopoyética. Siete de los 52 ptes. (13, 4 porciento) tuvieron niveles de actividad del FXIII inferiores al 10 porciento, sólo 3 sufrieron sangrados asociados. En TMO, los niveles de PAI estaban significativamente aumentados en los días +7, +15 y +30. En conclusión, la actividad del FXIII está siempre desminuída post-trasplante y el restablecimiento de los niveles basales se relaciona directamente con la velocidad de reconstitución hematopoyética. Diferencias en los tiempos de "engraftment" podrían explicar las diferencias encontradas entre TAMO y TMO. Finalmente, la ausencia de sangrado en ptes. con actividad del FXIII por debajo de niveles hemostáticos(<10 porciento) podría deberse a hipofibrinolisis concominante asociada a aumento del PAI (AU)

Bone marrow fibroblasts in patients with advanced lung cancer

In a previous study we demonstrated that the incidence of fibroblast colony-forming units (CFU-F) was very low in bone marrow primary cultures from the majority of untreated advanced non-small lung cancer patients (LCP) compared to normal controls (NC). For this reason, we studied the ability of bone marrow stromal cells to achieve confluence in primary cultures and their proliferative capacity following four continuous subcultures in consecutive untreated LCP and NC. We also evaluated the production of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by pure fibroblasts. Bone marrow was obtained from 20 LCP and 20 NC. A CFU-F assay was used to investigate the proliferative and confluence capacity. Levels of IL-1ß and PGE2 in conditioned medium (CM) of pure fibroblast cultures were measured with an ELISA kit and RIA kit, respectively. Only fibroblasts from 6/13 (46 percent) LCP confluent primary cultures had the capacity to proliferate following four subcultures (NC = 100 percent). Levels of spontaneously released IL-1ß were below 10 pg/ml in the CM of LCP, while NC had a mean value of 1,217 + or - 74 pg/ml. In contrast, levels of PGE2 in these CM of LCP were higher (77.5 + or - 23.6 pg/ml) compared to NC (18.5 + or - 0.9 pg/ml). In conclusion, bone marrow fibroblasts from LCP presented a defective proliferative and confluence capacity, and this deficiency may be associated with the alteration of IL-1ß and PGE2 production

Bone marrow fibroblasts in patients with advanced lung cancer.

In a previous study we demonstrated that the incidence of fibroblast colony-forming units (CFU-F) was very low in bone marrow primary cultures from the majority of untreated advanced non-small lung cancer patients (LCP) compared to normal controls (NC). For this reason, we studied the ability of bone marrow stromal cells to achieve confluence in primary cultures and their proliferative capacity following four continuous subcultures in consecutive untreated LCP and NC. We also evaluated the production of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by pure fibroblasts. Bone marrow was obtained from 20 LCP and 20 NC. A CFU-F assay was used to investigate the proliferative and confluence capacity. Levels of IL-1beta and PGE2 in conditioned medium (CM) of pure fibroblast cultures were measured with an ELISA kit and RIA kit, respectively. Only fibroblasts from 6/13 (46%) LCP confluent primary cultures had the capacity to proliferate following four subcultures (NC = 100%). Levels of spontaneously released IL-1beta were below 10 pg/ml in the CM of LCP, while NC had a mean value of 1,217 +/- 74 pg/ml. In contrast, levels of PGE2 in these CM of LCP were higher (77.5 +/- 23.6 pg/ml) compared to NC (18.5 +/- 0.9 pg/ml). In conclusion, bone marrow fibroblasts from LCP presented a defective proliferative and confluence capacity, and this deficiency may be associated with the alteration of IL-1beta and PGE2 production.

Regulation of lysyl oxidase by interferon-gamma in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Lysyl oxidase is an essential catalyst for the cross-linking of extracellular collagen and elastin. Abnormalities in lysyl oxidase activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of arterial diseases characterized by abnormal matrix remodeling. This study tested the hypothesis that interferon (IFN)-gamma, a proinflammatory cytokine present in aortic aneurysm and arteriosclerotic plaque rupture, downregulates lysyl oxidase gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Steady-state lysyl oxidase mRNA levels decreased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner to 30% of control levels after 24 hours of treatment with IFN-gamma. Cell layer lysyl oxidase activity decreased in parallel with the observed changes in steady-state mRNA. Nuclear runoff studies suggested that transcriptional regulation was responsible for at least 40% of the observed downregulation. mRNA decay studies suggested that IFN-gamma also decreased lysyl oxidase mRNA half-life from 9 to 6 hours. Downregulation of lysyl oxidase by IFN-gamma did not appear to require new protein synthesis. This study documents that IFN-gamma downregulates lysyl oxidase gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. If similar regulation occurs in vivo, it is possible that IFN-gamma-mediated changes in lysyl oxidase may contribute to arterial diseases characterized by abnormal extracellular matrix.

Dysphagia among nursing home residents: an assessment and management protocol.

The literature suggests that 40% to 60% of nursing home residents have some degree of dysphagia, i.e., difficulty in swallowing. Poorly managed, this can lead to aspiration pneumonia; choking; chronic malnutrition; decreased quality of life; and frustration for residents, family, and staff. This article reviews the nursing literature on dysphagia management and then describes a comprehensive protocol to assess and manage patients with swallowing problems in long term care.

Noninvasive evaluation of hand circulation before radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: Radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass may lead to digit ischemia if collateral hand circulation is inadequate. The modified Allen's test is the most common preoperative screening test used. Unfortunately, this test has high false-positive and false-negative rates. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of a modified Allen's test with digit pressure change during radial artery compression for assessing collateral circulation before radial artery harvest. METHODS: One hundred twenty-nine consecutive patients were studied before coronary artery bypass operations. A modified Allen's test was performed with Doppler ultrasound to assess blood flow in the superficial palmar arch before and during radial artery compression. A decreased audible Doppler signal after radial artery compression was considered a positive modified Allen's test. First and second digit pressures were measured before and during radial artery compression. A decrease in digit pressure of 40 mm Hg or more (digit DeltaP) with radial artery compression was considered positive. RESULTS: Seven of 14 dominant extremities (50%) and 8 of the 16 nondominant extremities (50%) with a positive modified Allen's test had a digit DeltaP of less than 40 mm Hg (false positive). Sixteen of 115 dominant extremities (14%) and 5 of 112 nondominant extremities (4%) with a negative Allen's test had a digit DeltaP of 40 mm Hg or more with radial artery compression (false negative). CONCLUSION: Use of the modified Allen's test for screening before radial artery harvest may unnecessarily exclude some patients from use of this conduit and may also place a number of patients at risk for digit ischemia from such harvest. Direct digit pressure measurement is a simple, objective method that may more precisely select patients for radial artery harvest. Additional studies are needed to define objective digital pressure criteria that will accurately predict patients at risk for hand ischemia after radial harvest.

[Bone marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia]. / Transplante de Médula osea en anemia aplástica severa.

Severe aplastic anemia is a hematological disease with a high mortality rate, for which bone marrow transplantation is the treatment of choice, specially in children and young adults. The number of transfusions undergone before the transplant is the most important factor to predict the possibility of graft failure. Twenty patients with severe aplastic anemia, most of them already multiple transfused, were transplanted utilizing cyclophosphamide combined with antilymphocyte globulin as a conditioning regiment. All the evaluable patients engrafted and there were no episodes of graft failure. Three patients died, and 17 (85%) are alive with hematopoietic recovery at a median of 27.7 months post-transplant. Bone marrow transplantation was an excellent therapeutic option in this series of patients with severe aplastic anemia and the conditioning regiment appeared to be sufficiently myeloablative and immunosuppressive to avoid early or late graft failure.