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.

Rheumatoid constrictive pericarditis, treated by pericardiectomy report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract: A case of constrictive cholesterol pericarditis with successful pericardiectomy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis is presented. The relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and constrictive pericarditis is discussed. Twenty-five cases of rheumatoid constrictive pericarditis, including 4 with constrictive cholesterol pericarditis undergoing pericardiectomy are reviewed. In these cases, steroid therapy did not appear to be beneficial, and early pericardiectomy is recommended.

The hymen and tanner staging of the breast

Abstract: The hymen, vestibule, and labia minora should exhibit predictable changes during puberty. Study Objective: To determine if progressive changes of the genital tissues can be related to Tanner staging of the breast. Design Setting and Participants: As part of the medical evaluation of alleged sexual abuse, a series of 168 girls (ages 7–17 years) had colposcopic photography of the hymen, vestibule, and labia minora. The physical appearance of the photographed structures was individually compared to the breast development of each patient. Main Outcome Measures: Genital tissue growth and development may be associated with Tanner staging of the breast. Results: In patients whose breast displayed no or minimal estrogen effect (Tanner I, II) we noted small, pale, thin labia minora; thin, smooth hymenal and vestibular epithelium; abundant fine vasculature; and absent vaginal secretions. In patients with moderate estrogen effect on the breast (Tanner III) we noted hymenal thickening, much less obvious fine vasculature, and slight vaginal secretions. Patients with extensive to full estrogen effect on the breast (Tanner IV, V) had prominently textured vestibular epithelium; abundant vaginal secretions; enlarged, pigmented labia minora; and a thickened hymen with redundant folds. Conclusions: These observations suggest that the degree of female pubertal development can be assessed and classified by careful inspection of the hymen and surrounding tissue. It is also possible to anticipate the characteristics of these genital tissues following Tanner staging of the breast.

Efficiency of Screening for the Recurrence of Antenatal Group B Streptococcus Colonization in a Subsequent Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis with Independent Patient Data.

Abstract: Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of recurrent group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in a subsequent pregnancy and to assess clinical characteristics that influence this risk. Study Design A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Databases were searched from inception through June 2015 using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Central, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Studies were eligible if they assessed antenatal GBS colonization in two successive pregnancies. The quality of included studies was evaluated. Independent patient data was requested from the authors of the included trials. Unadjusted odds ratios (OR) were pooled using the Mantel–Haenszel fixed effect model. Results In the five studies identified, two studies lacked a nonexposed cohort. GBS colonization in the index pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of recurrence of GBS colonization in a subsequent pregnancy (three studies: 50.2 compared with 14.1%; pooled fixed effects OR, 6.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.84–7.55). When heavy colonization with GBS was compared with colonization by vaginal culture only, an increased risk of recurrence was shown (four studies: 52.0 compared with 45.1%, pooled fixed effects OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.02–2.31). Conclusion Women colonized with GBS are at significantly higher odds for recurrent colonization in a subsequent pregnancy when compared with women who were not colonized in an index pregnancy. If the individual is considered heavily colonized with GBS, there appears to be an association with an increased risk compared with conventional culture. Subgroup analysis of the variables time interval ≤ 12 months between subsequent pregnancies, body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, race, ethnicity, and primiparous in the subsequent pregnancy showed no effect.