Microscopic magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic venous system in rats with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Background/aim  

Infants and rats with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) have malformations of the heart and the great arteries caused by neural crest (NC) dysregulation during embryogenesis. Abnormally narrow jugular veins have been found in babies during cannulation for ECMO. However, the venous system has not been examined in depth so far. We hypothesized that abnormal patterning and/or size of the thoracic veins could occur in rats with CDH. This hypothesis was tested by microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (MMRI), a high-resolution tool able to detect subtle changes of vessels in small animals.     

Exploring the technology readiness of nursing and medical students at a Canadian University

Technology readiness is a well-established construct that refers to individuals' ability to embrace and adopt new technology. Given the increasing use of advanced technologies in the delivery of health care, this study uses the Technology Readiness Index (Parasuraman, 2000) to explore the technology readiness of nursing and medical students from the fall 2006 cohort at Memorial University of Newfoundland. The three major findings from this study are that (i) rural nursing students are more insecure with technology than their urban counterparts, (ii) male medical students score higher on innovation than their female counterparts and have a higher overall technology readiness attitude than female medical students, and (iii) medical students who are older than 25 have a negative technology readiness score whereas those under 25 had a positive score. These findings suggest health care professional schools would be well served to implement curricular changes designed to support the needs of rural students, women, and those entering school at a non-traditional age. In addition, patterns such as those observed in this study highlight areas of emphasis for current practitioners as health care organizations develop continuing education offerings for staff.     

Comparative study of morbidity and mortality associated with nondescent vaginal hysterectomy and abdominal hysterectomy based on ultrasonographic determination of uterine volume

This is a prospective and comparative study of 150 patients each operated on for vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy for indications other than utero-vaginal prolapse between January 2004 and December 2005. Age, parity, and anesthesia were matched in both groups. A preoperative examination under anesthesia and sonographic estimation of uterine volume were done to decide the feasibility of vaginal hysterectomy. Various debulking techniques such as hemisection, enucleation, and wedge resection were used for the vaginal route. Leiomyomas were the most common indication in both groups. The mean time taken was less in the vaginal group (39.07 versus 45.56 minutes). The average blood loss (35.36 versus 108.5 g) and the mean hospital stay (3.71 versus 7.84 days) were also significantly less in the vaginal group than in the abdominal group. The overall postoperative morbidity and period of convalescence were also reduced in the vaginal group.