Arch Surg Chicago
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Comparative Study
Experiences of women in cardiothoracic surgery. A gender comparison.
To assess the career and practice experiences of cardiothoracic surgeons, with references to gender similarities and differences. ⋯ Although practice and training parameters for male and female cardiothoracic surgeons are comparable, work experiences, personal life, and career rewards such as salary and promotion, and perception of discrimination are different.
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Comparative Study
Differential sensitivity to Escherichia coli infection in mice lacking tumor necrosis factor p55 or interleukin-1 p80 receptors.
To determine the effect of targeted disruption of the cellular receptors of either tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) during experimental gram-negative bacterial infection and endotoxemia. ⋯ The absence of either the TNF or the IL-1 RI receptor prevents cellular activation by each respective cytokine. Absence confers protection against intravenous endotoxin, which stimulates massive rapid release of cytokines into the systemic circulation. However, bacterial infection within the peritoneal cavity is known to cause more delayed cytokine release, and cytokines may act at the site of infection to enhance host defenses. We believe that IL-1 signaling may be more critical in provoking lethal systemic toxic effects than TNF signaling. However, TNF signaling may be an important component of host defense enhancement at the local site of infection.
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Hypophosphatemia has been reported after refeeding of malnourished patients. Nutritional support is often delayed in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) as a consequence of enteral intolerance and bowel hypomotility. ⋯ Refeeding hypophosphatemia occurs commonly in critically ill patients in the ICU. Starvation for a period as short as 48 hours and poor nutritional status predispose to this syndrome. Patients at risk should be refed slowly, and the serum phosphorus level should be closely monitored and supplemented as required.
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To determine if a combination of preoperative irradiation and local hyperthermia of a colonic segment is detrimental to subsequent early anastomotic healing. ⋯ The combination of preoperative irradiation and hyperthermia results in increased local anastomotic complications. Anastomotic strength is at risk in the first days after the anastomotic reconstruction. Preoperative irradiation or hyperthermia alone does not lead to impaired anastomotic healing in the early phase.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
No difference in catheter sepsis between standard and antiseptic central venous catheters. A prospective randomized trial.
To determine the efficacy of antiseptic compared with standard triple lumen central venous catheters (CVCs) in reducing the incidence of catheter sepsis and catheter site infection in patients with CVCs for total parenteral nutrition. ⋯ In this study, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of catheter-related sepsis or catheter site infections between the standard and antiseptic groups. Future prospective, randomized controlled trials with a larger number of antiseptic catheters are encouraged to confirm or refute these results.