Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

An evaluation of blood product utilization rates with massive transfusion protocol: Before and after thromboelastography (TEG) use in trauma.

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine if thromboelastography (TEG) is associated with reduced blood product utilization for trauma patients undergoing massive transfusion protocol (MTP) compared to traditional coagulation tests. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on an intent-to-treat basis of trauma patients undergoing MTP (Pre-TEG = Period I vs. Post-TEG = Period II). Traditional coagulation tests guided transfusion during Period I (n = 20) and the intent was that TEG guided transfusions during Period II (n = 47). Blood product administration and outcomes were compared. Results Intent-to-treat analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in red blood cell transfusions (11 vs. 6 units, P = 0.001), number of patients receiving fresh frozen plasma (85.0 vs. 17.0%, P Conclusion Use of TEG-guided transfusion in the critically-ill trauma patient conserved blood product utilization and appears to offer similar outcomes when compared to traditional coagulation tests.

Official Corruption During China’s Economic Transition: Historical Patterns, Characteristics, and Government Reactions:

Abstract: Using available information and data, this study examines the historical patterns and characteristics of official corruption in contemporary China. The study identifies four waves of official corruption associated with different stages of the nation’s economic reform. Each wave of corruption has different forms and targets. In our analysis, the general trend is that as the nation’s economic reforms move forward, official corruption in China is becoming more serious and pervasive with more money and higher ranked officials involved in corruption cases. This is raising a serious challenge to Chinese authorities who have shown a willingness and effort to control official corruption.We conclude that without fundamental political reform, official corruption is not likely to be controlled in China.

5-Fluorouracil and leucovorin therapy in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group phase II study (E1889).

Abstract: This report is a multi-institutional phase II study designed to obtain the response rate, survival, and toxicity profile for patients having hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Patients who had bidimensionally measurable prostate carcinoma in first or second remission after previous hormonal therapy but no history of chemotherapy were eligible. Patients were treated with leucovorin, 20 mg/m 2 intravenously, followed by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 425 mg/m 2 intravenously daily for 5 days, with cycles repeated every 28 days. Of 38 eligible patients, 3 (7.9%) had partial responses to therapy and 20 (52.6%) had stable disease. Median survival was 11.6 months for all 38 patients and median time to progression was 4.4 months. Most of the serious side effects were gastrointestinal or hematologic and overall, 23 of 38 patients (60.5%) experienced at least one grade 3 or 4 treatment-related toxicity of any type, as measured by the National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria. Five patients (13.2%) withdrew from the study because of adverse reactions from chemotherapy. We conclude that treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer patients with 5-FU and leucovorin chemotherapy produced few responses at the cost of significant side effects. Further investigation of this combination is not warranted in this setting.