Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
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Psychopathological symptoms occur more often in chronically ill patients than in healthy populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between different types of treatment and stress levels. ⋯ Patients treated surgically in comparison with patients treated conservatively report higher stress levels connected with body deformation. A higher level of stress depends on the degree of trunk deformation on the frontal plane; stress is also higher in patients who begin conservative treatment at a later age.
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The feasibility and the hemodynamic outcome of Fontan circulation, without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, were studied on a beating heart of an adolescent pig model, using a modified total cavopulmonary connection. ⋯ A total cavopulmonary connection, performed on a beating heart, without extracorporeal circulation or other means of temporary bypass, although it is technically demanding, is feasible.
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Obtaining and critically appraising evidence is clearly not enough to make better decisions in clinical care. The evidence should be linked to the clinician's expertise, the patient's individual circumstances (including values and preferences), and clinical context and settings. We propose critical thinking and decision-making as the tools for making that link. ⋯ It is also involved in our exchanges of ideas at floor rounds, grand rounds and case discussions; our communications with patients and lay stakeholders in health care; and our writing of research papers, grant applications and grant reviews. Critical thinking is a learned process which benefits from teaching and guided practice like any discipline in health sciences. Training in critical thinking should be a part or a pre-requisite of the medical curriculum.
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Comparative Study
Patients with ischemic stroke have a higher prevalence of a planar QRS-T angle >90° than patients with transient ischemic attack.
The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of a planar QRS-T angle >90° in patients with ischemic stroke versus transient ischemic attack (TIA). ⋯ The prevalence of a planar QRS-T angle >90° was higher in patients with ischemic stroke than in patients with TIA (p=0.004).
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Comparative Study
Humidification during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation for adults: a bench study.
High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) has recently been applied to acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. However, the issue of humidification during HFOV has not been investigated. In a bench study, we evaluated humidification during HFOV for adults to test if adequate humidification was achieved in 2 different HFOV systems. ⋯ Humidification during HFOV for adults was affected by stroke volume and frequency in the R100, but was not in the 3100B. Absolute humidity was above 33 mgH_2 O/L in these 2 systems under a range of settings.