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.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction without prior thrombolytic therapy.

Abstract: In most patients transmural acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is caused by acute coronary artery occlusion consisting of an atherosclerotic plaque with superimposed thrombus. 1 One of the most notable of the recent therapeutic advances for AMI is the use of intracoronary streptokinase, which results in restoration of coronary flow in 64 to 85% of patients. 2,3 Disadvantages of this technique include both subsequent hemostatic problems and frequently severe residual stenosis that may jeopardize any expected wall motion improvement. 4 Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has recently been used immediately after successful coronary thrombolysis to dilate severe residual stenoses. 5 Some investigators feel that such an approach leads to greater wall motion recovery and lessens the risks of reocclusion. 4,5 Even more recently, PTCA has been proposed as the initial therapy in AMI because it avoids hemostatic problems and long infusion times involved with thrombolytic therapy. 6 We report our experience with PTCA without prior thrombolytic therapy in the management of patients with AMI as an alternative to thrombolytic therapy.

Health Care in World Cities: New York, Paris, and London

Abstract: New York. London. Paris. Although these cities have similar sociodemographic characteristics, including income inequalities and ethnic diversity, they have vastly different health systems and services. This book compares the three and considers lessons that can be applied to current and future debates about urban health care. Highlighting the importance of a national policy for city health systems, the authors use well-established indicators and comparable data sources to shed light on urban health policy and practice. Their detailed comparison of the three city health systems and the national policy regimes in which they function provides information about access to health care in the developed world's largest cities. The authors first review the current literature on comparative analysis of health systems and offer a brief overview of the public health infrastructure in each city. Later chapters illustrate how timely and appropriate disease prevention, primary care, and specialty health care services can help cities control such problems as premature mortality and heart disease. In providing empirical comparisons of access to care in these three health systems, the authors refute inaccurate claims about health care outside of the United States.

Riboflaven and bilirubin response during phototherapy.

Abstract: Extract: Twenty-four jaundiced neonates were studied, 12 in the treatment group and 12 in the untreated group Patients were randomly selected to receive oral riboflavin The mean 24-hr bilirubin decrease was determined during phototherapy Blue light (420–470 nm) energy ranged from 6–10 μW/cm2 The observed 24-hr bilirubin decrease was compared with the expected decrease based on an energy-dose-response relationship Riboflavin-treated infants received either 6–7 μW/cm2 blue light energy or 8–10 μW/cm2 (same as control group) Those infants receiving less energy than the control group (8–10 μW/cm2) had a mean 24-hr bilirubin decrease (305 mg/100 ml/24 hr) equal to the control group (309 mg/100 ml/24 hr) Those riboflavin-treated infants receiving energy equal to the control group showed a greater decline (52 mg/100 ml/24 hr) in their mean 24-hr bilirubin Although effective, additional in vivo studies are required to clarify the full effects, especially on DNA, of using photosensitizers such as riboflavin in the presence of bilirubin and blue light energy (420–470 nm) Speculation: Riboflavin may become an inportant adjunct to phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia As a producer of singlet oxygen it is capable of transferring enough energy to overcame the oxygen quenching effect of bilirubin in its rapid degradation

A Phase II single-arm trial of palonosetron for the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in malignant glioma patients receiving multidose irinotecan in combination with bevacizumab.

Abstract: PURPOSE Given that the prognosis of recurrent malignant glioma (MG) remains poor, improving quality of life (QoL) through symptom management is important. Meta-analyses establishing antiemetic guidelines have demonstrated the superiority of palonosetron (PAL) over older 5-hydroxytryptamine 3-receptor antagonists in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) prevention, but excluded patients with gliomas. Irinotecan plus bevacizumab is a treatment frequently used in MG, but is associated with low (55%) CINV complete response (CR; no emesis or use of rescue antiemetic) with commonly prescribed ondansetron. A single-arm Phase II trial was conducted in MG patients to determine the efficacy of intravenous PAL (0.25 mg) and dexamethasone (DEX; 10 mg) received in conjunction with biweekly irinotecan-bevacizumab treatment. The primary end point was the proportion of subjects achieving acute CINV CR (no emesis or antiemetic ≤24 hours postchemotherapy). Secondary end points included delayed CINV CR (days 2-5), overall CINV CR (days 1-5), and QoL, fatigue, and toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS A two-stage design of 160 patients was planned to differentiate between CINV CR of 55% and 65% after each dose of PAL-DEX. Validated surveys assessed fatigue and QoL. RESULTS A total of 63 patients were enrolled, after which enrollment was terminated due to slow accrual; 52 patients were evaluable for the primary outcome of acute CINV CR. Following PAL-DEX dose administrations 1-3, acute CINV CR rates were 62%, 68%, and 70%; delayed CINV CR rates were 62%, 66%, and 70%, and overall CINV CR rates were 47%, 57%, and 62%, respectively. Compared to baseline, there was a clinically meaningful increase in fatigue during acute and overall phases, but not in the delayed phase. There were no grade ≥3 PAL-DEX treatment-related toxicities. CONCLUSION Data suggest that PAL-DEX is effective in preventing CINV in MG patients, which ultimately maintains the QoL of patients with glioma.

Application of a Plasma Reactor to Modify Egg Ovalbumin for Improved Solubility

Abstract: A plasma reactor was used to change the surface structure of ovalbumin and enhance solubility. The gases used to generate the plasmas were air, argon, nitrogen and oxygen. Ovalbumin was exposed to the gases for 10, 20, 30, 60, and 120 min. Unexposed ovalbumin served as the control. Samples were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), spectrophotometry, fluorometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and circular dichroism. Solubility and hydrophobicity of ovalbumin increased with exposure time, whereas endothermic enthalpy, onset temperature and peak temperature of ovalbumin decreased. No evidence of protein hydrolysis was observed in PAGE. No change in CD spectra resulted from the plasma treatment. The structural changes were regarded as conformational adaptability.