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.

High malaria parasitemia among outpatient febrile children in low endemic area, East-Central Tanzania in 2013.

Abstract: This study investigated the prevalence and distribution patterns of malaria in Kilosa district as part of non-malaria causes of febrile illnesses in children study. We enrolled febrile patients aged 2–13 years presenting at the outpatient department during the rainy and dry seasons, in 2013. For each participant, we tested for malaria parasites and identified parasite species using microscopy. We then calculated parasite density and estimated geometric mean parasite density. The overall malaria prevalence in febrile children was 23.7% (n = 609). Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 98.6% of malaria positives. There was a heterogeneous distribution of malaria cases among the 17 wards constituting the catchment area. A high proportion (69.4%, n = 144) of malaria positive individuals had high parasite densities. Individuals who were enrolled in the rainy season had higher geometric mean parasite density (15415.1 parasites/µl, 95% CI 10735.3–22134.9) compared to the dry season (6115.3 parasites/µl, 95% CI 4237.8–8824.6). The relatively high malaria prevalence recorded in Kilosa, an area considered low endemicity, calls for concerted effort in documenting malaria burden at fine geographical scales and tailor preventive and control strategies that target hotspots of high malaria transmission.

Risk Factors for Continuation of Atypical Antipsychotics at Hospital Discharge in Two Intensive Care Unit Cohorts

Abstract: Introduction:Atypical antipsychotics are frequently initiated in the intensive care unit (ICU) to treat delirium. Many patients continue on these agents at hospital discharge despite a lack of data...

Quantification of low-dose dobutamine stress using speckle tracking echocardiography in coronary artery disease

Abstract: Aims We sought to evaluate the utility of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) for detecting left ventricular (LV) mechanical abnormalities during low-dose (20 µg) dobutamine stress (DSE). Methods and results Twenty-nine patients (56 ± 12 years) with a history of recent acute coronary events (ACE) underwent STE-DSE. Left ventricular images, sampled at frame rates 70–100 Hz, were analysed off-line (Echopac BT 6.0.0). Velocity, strain, and rotational imaging were performed. Twenty patients had LV ejection fraction (EF) >40% (Group 1) whereas nine patients had LVEF <40% (Group 2). Average heart and frame rates were identical during DSE in the two groups ( P = ns). Global circumferential strain (%) was significantly lower in Group 2 compared with Group 1 (10.65 ± 5.30 vs. 16.82 ± 6.61; P < 0.05) at rest and during peak stress (14.72 ± 6.51 vs. 21.13 ± 7.2; P < 0.05). The global peak rotation rate (degree/s) was, however, higher at rest in Group 2 (70 ± 97 vs. 19 ± 67; P < 0.05) and 20 µg stress. Peak systolic velocity increased in three of the four LV walls at 20 µg (in Groups 1 and 2). A global rotational rate increased significantly at 20 µg during systole in both the groups, but was unchanged in Group 2 during diastole. Conclusions Speckle tracking echocardiography dobutamine stress appears to provide comprehensive information on LV mechanical status in the aftermath of ACE. The modality may help risk stratify such patients.