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Routine Administration (routine + administration)
Selected AbstractsGranulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor Suppresses Autologous Tumor Killing Activity of the Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in the Patients with Ovarian CarcinomaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Yoshiaki Ohta Problem:, Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is often administered to patients with chemotherapy-induced leukocytopenia. However, adequate attention has not been paid to its effects on cancer immunology. Reported by us and others, G-CSF often induces immunosuppression and down-regulation of response T helper (Th)2 directed immune reaction both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we analyzed the effects of G-CSF on interferon (IFN)- , production and autologous tumor killing (ATK) activities of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods of study:, In order to evaluate the cytokine-induced activation of peripheral T and natural killer (NK) cells, we analyzed IFN- , production by interleukin (IL)-2- and IL-12-stimulated PBMCs, using the ELISPOT assay. Specific killing of autologous tumor cells was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Results:, The PBMC collected from both cancer-bearing patients and healthy subjects showed IL-2- and/or IL-12-induced IFN- , production. The frequency of IFN- , producing cells was significantly higher in the normal subjects compared with the patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma. The ATK activity was also enhanced in IL-2- and/or IL-12-stimulated PBMCs of patients with ovarian carcinoma. G-CSF almost completely abolished IFN- , production and ATK activity of PBMC stimulated with IL-2 and/or IL-12. Conclusions:, The G-CSF appears to be a suppressor of antitumor immunity. Routine administration of G-CSF to cancer patients may not be recommended, except for febrile neutropenia. [source] Routine administration of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure: Effect on functional outcomeAUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010Heather Colquhoun Background/aim:,Routinely using outcome measures as an integral component of practice has been encouraged for decades yet has not been widely adopted. There are many reasons to measure outcomes yet any positive effect of measurement on our programs or clients has not been substantiated. If the time-consuming nature of outcome measurement is to be encouraged, we need to begin addressing larger questions of the value of outcome measurement on care and outcomes. This cohort study evaluated the impact of routinely administering the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure on client outcomes on a geriatric rehabilitation unit. Methods:,Changes in Functional Independence MeasureÔ scores between an experimental group (n = 45) that received the routine use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for evaluation/planning versus a historical comparison group (n = 58) that received ,usual' care were analysed using generalised linear modeling. Results:,Both groups had significant changes in Functional Independence MeasureÔ scores over time. Results for differences between groups were inconclusive with a significantly underpowered analysis; however, results suggest that a medium to large effect of this intervention cannot be expected. Conclusions:,Results are significant for the field of routine outcome measurement, suggesting that when adding the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure to routine assessment within an inpatient rehabilitation setting, substantially improved Functional Independence MeasureÔ score outcomes should not be expected. The value of routine outcome measurement on client outcomes remains largely unexplored. Routinely, using outcome measures requires additional research to determine the specific benefits to our programs and client outcomes. [source] Readmission with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection among graduates from a Neonatal Intensive Care UnitPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Jonathan McCormick MRCPCH Abstract We evaluated the incidence of readmission with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection among the graduates of a regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and characterized those who were rehospitalized. These data were used as a predictive tool to estimate the number of babies likely to suffer readmission with RSV for the year 2000 cohort. Using the published efficacies of palivizumab, the costs and benefits of protecting this cohort were assessed. Retrospective analysis of 2,507 NICU inpatient records from January 1, 1994,December 31, 1999 from the Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, were compared with data on positive RSV samples from 1,790 patients between January 1, 1995,December 31, 1999 from the Northern Ireland Regional Virus Laboratory. The analysis yielded 136 (7.6%) ex-NICU patients among the positive RSV samples over this 5-year period. Characteristic seasonal peaks of RSV infection with interseasonal variability were observed. Of those readmitted, 86.9% were hospitalized with RSV before their first birthday. A calculated readmission rate of 5.4% for all NICU graduates, and 6.4% for those ,35 weeks, was found, leading to an expectation of 36 readmissions from the 668 NICU graduates in the year 2000 over the next 1,2 years, 20 of whom would be ,35 weeks and 12 would be ,32 weeks. A cost of £1.3 million would be required to protect the ,35-week year 2000 cohort and prevent 11 readmissions. This equals £120,000 per admission prevented, or 28.2 patients treated to prevent 1 readmission. A readmission rate of 6.4% may differ from other studies, as it represents analysis of a greater number of RSV seasons. Using economic arguments alone, the cost of routine administration of Palivizumab to ex-NICU ,35-week infants is prohibitive. A selective practice of immunizing those with chronic lung disease with a background of extreme prematurity over the November to March RSV season may be more cost-effective. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2002; 34:262,266. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] MANAGERIAL STRUCTURE OF BUSINESS GROUPS IN TAIWAN: THE INNER CIRCLE SYSTEM AND ITS SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONTHE DEVELOPING ECONOMIES, Issue 1 2003CHI-NIEN CHUNG This paper examined the management structure of Taiwan's business groups. The objective was to determine how independent group firms coordinate their business. Employing longitudinal data of the top 100 groups, I investigated the "inner circle" system and its evolution. I found that group leaders occupied overlapped positions at the director rather than at the manager level, which implied a separation of strategic planning and routine administration. Secondly, the dynamics of inner circle management did not hinge upon the group president as in the Korean chaebol, nor on the norm of corporate community as in the Japanese keiretsu, but on the social ties in the inner circle. Analyzing the background of the leaders indicated that family never dominated the scene even in the early years, and their significance decreased along with environmental changes. The transition in Taiwan in the late 1980s motivated business groups to introduce more "outside" talent into decision-making. [source] Antagonism of non-depolarising neuromuscular block: current practiceANAESTHESIA, Issue 2009A. F. Kopman Summary There is now mounting evidence that even small degrees of postoperative residual neuromuscular block increases the incidence of adverse respiratory events in the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit and may increase longer-term morbidity as well. In the absence of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring, residual block is easily missed. A very strong case can be made for the routine administration of a non-depolarising antagonist unless it can be objectively demonstrated that complete recovery has occurred spontaneously. However, the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors is associated with the potential for cardiovascular and respiratory side-effects, so there are cogent reasons for using low doses when the level of neuromuscular block is not intense. As little as 0.015,0.025 mg.kg,1 of neostigmine is required at a train-of-four count of four with minimal fade, whereas 0.04,0.05 mg.kg,1 is needed at a train-of-four count of two or three. If only a single twitch or none at all can be evoked, neostigmine should not be expected to promptly reverse neuromuscular block, and antagonism is best delayed till a train-of-four-count of two is achieved. [source] |