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.

Coagulation factor VIIa (recombinant) for warfarin-induced intracranial hemorrhage.

Abstract: Purpose The use of coagulation factor VIIa (recombinant) for the treatment of warfarin-induced intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is described. Summary ICH is a devastating disorder that can be exacerbated by the use of oral anticoagulation. The treatment of warfarin-associated ICH involves the prompt reversal of anticoagulation to allow for surgical procedures, if necessary. Despite limited labeled indications, factor VIIa (recombinant) has been used to reverse warfarin-induced anticoagulation in patients with active hemorrhage, partly due to the rapid effect of factor VIIa on the International Normalized Ratio and the ability to administer the drug quickly in acute settings. The efficacy of factor VIIa (recombinant) for the reversal of anticoagulation in patients with warfarin-associated ICH has been described in several case reports, case series, and retrospective cohort studies. Based on these reports, the use of factor VIIa (recombinant) for the treatment of warfarin-associated ICH may be a viable alternative or adjunct therapy to standard treatment with fresh-frozen plasma and vitamin K. However, due to the nature of these reports, future controlled trials should be conducted to verify the exact place for factor VIIa (recombinant) for this indication. Thromboembolic complications are rare but serious complications secondary to the use of factor VIIa (recombinant). Though differences exist in the reported rate of thromboembolic complications associated with factor VIIa (recombinant), factor VIIa (recombinant) should be used with caution in patients with a predisposition to thromboembolic complications. Conclusion Use of factor VIIa (recombinant) may be considered for reversal of anticoagulation in patients with warfarin-associated ICH. However, patients should be screened for increased risk of thrombosis before administration of the drug.

Recognizing and responding to adolescent depression.

Abstract: We have seen that depression is increasingly recognized as a problem which affects adolescents as well as adults. Race by itself is not a factor which increases vulnerability to depression, but the multitude of sociodemographic, biological, and personal factors contributing to the development of depression are not fully understood. Research is needed to better understand how these factors interact in order to better develop prevention strategies and treatment modalities. With regard to treatment, adolescents are truly underserved. There is an awkward fit between the traditional mental health system and the developmental needs of adolescents. Unlike the majority of depressed adults who receive some treatment from general practitioners and medical clinics, adolescents do not tend to visit their pediatricians when they are depressed. One proposed solution is the adolescent comprehensive health care clinic providing a holistic approach to assessment, early intervention, and collaborative treatment between primary provider and mental health worker. Data from our adolescent program suggest that this approach has been successful in dealing with the problem of depression, especially in its early stages. Again, more research is needed to support these preliminary findings, but we believe that the adolescent comprehensive health care approach can be an effective, efficient way of addressing the health needs, mental and physical, of our teens at risk. Federal money for research must be made available, liberalization of health insurance must occur, and state-sponsored services must be developed so that these programs can be made more effective and can be brought to more of the adolescents who need them.

Lithium batteries: A technological advance with unintended injury consequences.

Abstract: Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have been powering portable electronic equipment since the mid-1990s. Today, they are ubiquitous in portable electronics, with more than four billion manufactured each year. However, Li-ion batteries are also associated with a spectrum of injuries related to the type of device as well as the person using the device. These injuries range from cutaneous injuries due to flame burns and explosions to corrosion injuries from ingestion. This article describes how the composition of Li-ion batteries can cause injury, the types and extent of Li-ion battery-related injuries, and suggests strategies for prevention.

Patient Selection and Procedural Considerations for Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System

Abstract: Despite advances in technology, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of severely calcified coronary lesions remains challenging. Rotational atherectomy is one of the current therapeutic options to manage calcified lesions, but has a limited role in facilitating the dilation or stenting of lesions that cannot be crossed or expanded with other PCI techniques due to unfavourable clinical outcome in long-term follow-up. However the results of orbital atherectomy presented in the ORBIT I and ORBIT II trials were encouraging. In addition to these encouraging data, necessity for sufficient lesion preparation before implantation of bioresorbable scaffolds lead to resurgence in the use of atherectomy. This article summarises currently available publications on orbital atherectomy (Cardiovascular Systems Inc.) and compares them with rotational atherectomy.

Aqueous CO2 Reduction by a Re(bipyridine)-polypyrrole Film Deposited on Colloid-Imprinted Carbon

Abstract: Herein, we report a [Re(bipyridine)]-carbon hybrid material for efficient and selective CO2 to CO conversion in water. The Re catalyst was incorporated into a nanoporous colloid-imprinted carbon (C...