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C Newton

Publications and source records attributed to C Newton.

140 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Gastric adenocarcinoma associated with isolated granulomatous gastritis.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatous gastritis is a rarely observed pathological diagnosis. This condition often mimics gastric adenocarcinoma clinically, resulting in gastric resection. However, granulomatous gastritis has long been viewed as a benign process not observed in association with adenocarcinoma of the stomach. This article describes a patient with granulomatous gastritis occurring in close proximity to an area of superficially invading gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Acid-fast stains, fungal stains, standard cultures, tuberculosis cultures, and a VDRL serum test were all obtained. Both upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were performed. Chest radiographs were taken and pulmonary consultation was obtained. RESULTS: The gastric samples obtained from resection showed no evidence of foreign body reaction. The acid-fast stains, fungal stains, cultures, and VDRL were all negative. Endoscopic exams did not show granulomatous inflammation in any other part of the gastrointestinal tract. No pulmonary disease was evident on radiographic or pulmonary exam. CONCLUSION: Isolated granulomatous gastritis is a diagnosis of exclusion. The findings in this patient do not support a diagnosis of Crohn's disease, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, syphilis, histoplasmosis, berylliosis, or foreign-body reaction. This is a unique case suggesting an association between isolated granulomatous gastritis and metaplastic mucosal changes.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Towards optimal regimens of parenteral quinine for young African children with cerebral malaria: the importance of unbound quinine concentration.

Young African children with severe malaria are given quinine using a regimen designed for Thai adults. We measured quinine in the blood, plasma and plasma water of young children in Kenya after rapid intravenous and intramuscular dosing, and calculated the therapeutic range of unbound quinine. The peak plasma quinine concentration after rapid intravenous dosing was 12.3 +/- 3.7 mg/L (mean +/- SD), 43% higher than in adults given the same regimen previously; this was due to a smaller apparent volume of distribution in the children. The therapeutic range of unbound quinine was calculated as 0.2-2.0 mg/L. Simulations of unbound quinine were made for the standard quinine regimen: unbound drug concentrations rose above the therapeutic range after each dose. The possible risks of quinine-induced visual impairment are discussed. Alternative, lower dose regimens for young African children with severe malaria are described.

Child↗

Serum tumour necrosis factor in children suffering from Plasmodium falciparum infection in Kilifi District, Kenya.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) levels were measured by bioassay and immunoassay in sera of children infected with Plasmodium falciparum and uninfected children in the same community in Kilifi District, Kenya. Seventy-one children, mean age 2.9 years (range 4 months-6.8 years), were enrolled; 34 children had severe malaria, 23 had mild (non-severe) malaria and 14 had no malaria. TNF alpha levels were significantly elevated in children with severe malaria compared with those with non-severe malaria and the uninfected group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.00001, respectively). The levels correlated directly with parasite densities (r = 0.54, P < 0.002). Among the children with severe malaria, TNF alpha levels correlated directly with the degree of anaemia but inversely with age. High tumour necrosis factor levels were associated with manifestations of severe malaria infection but declined to normal levels after effective antimalarial treatment.

Age Factors↗

An open randomized trial of artemether versus quinine in the treatment of cerebral malaria in African children.

We have compared the efficacy of artemether versus quinine as treatment for cerebral malaria in children in an open randomized clinical trial in Kenya. Children admitted to hospital with coma and Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia were treated with either intramuscular artemether (3.2 mg/kg loading dose followed by 1.6 mg/kg daily) or intravenous quinine (20 mg/kg loading dose followed by 10 mg/kg every 8 h). Both drugs were well tolerated and no significant adverse effect was observed. Parasite clearance times (50% and 90%) were shorter in patients treated with artemether (median times [h], with interquartile ranges in brackets, were: 50%, 7.3 [4.2-12.4] vs. 15.5 [9-22]; 90%, 16.9 [13.2-25] vs. 28.5 [22-35]; P < 0.0001). The total mortality in 160 children with cerebral malaria was 16.25%, with no overall significant difference between the 2 treatment groups. In a subgroup of children with respiratory distress, mortality was higher in those treated with artemether (43.7% vs. 11.1%, P < 0.05). The frequency of neurological sequelae and clinical recovery times were similar in both treatment groups. We conclude that there would currently be no advantage in replacing quinine with artemether for the treatment of cerebral malaria in African children.

Antimalarials↗

A study of nurses' attitudes and quality of documents in computer care planning.

This article describes the introduction and development of a computerised care planning system at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester - the first to be installed in a UK hospital. The research examined ward nurses' attitudes to the nursing process and the new care planning system before it was implemented, after three months and after one year. The quality of manual and computer care planning was also compared. Results showed that the majority of nurses were ambivalent about the nursing process and the proposed computer care plans. Three months after the new system was introduced, most nurses held negative attitudes, but after a year, attitudes, although still negative, showed a significant shift towards positive. The quality of care planning also improved significantly on the wards for which comparisons were possible.

Attitude to Computers↗

Management of severe falciparum malaria.

Plasmodium falciparum is the most common cause of severe and life-threatening malaria. Falciparum malaria causes over one million deaths every year. In Africa, a vast majority of these deaths occur in children under five years of age. The presentation of severe malaria varies with age and geographical distribution. The mortality rate is higher in adults than in children but African children develop neuro-cognitive sequelae following severe malaria more frequently. The management of severe malaria includes prompt administration of appropriate parenteral anti-malarial agents and early recognition and treatment of the complications. In children, the complications include metabolic acidosis (often caused by hypovolaemia), hypoglycaemia, hyperlacticacidaemia, severe anaemia, seizures and raised intracranial pressure. In adults, renal failure and pulmonary oedema are more common causes of death. In contrast, concomitant bacterial infections occur more frequently in children and are associated with mortality in children. Admission to critical or intensive care units may help reduce the mortality, and the frequency and severity of sequelae related to severe malaria.

Antimalarials↗

Managing variances in case management.

Timely management of variances is vital for cost effective patient care. A multifaceted approach that involves the healthcare team, patient, and family facilitates the identification and management of variances as they occur. The critical path can be used to monitor variances that influence fiscal outcomes in select patient populations. Strategies are described that can be used to monitor and manage variances, including developing a mechanism for monitoring and managing variances, implementing that mechanism, and evaluating the process for usability. Monitoring variances includes choosing tools that will be used and staff who will assume primary responsibility, and initiating an outcome analysis program. Managing variances comprises organizing an interdisciplinary committee, establishing a communication plan, creating strategies, and using continuous quality improvement teams.

Case Management↗

Designing measurements to assess case management outcomes.

Evaluating outcomes begins with determining the goals of case management. As the emphasis on the delivery of cost-effective patient care increases, comparing outcomes across settings is desirable and essential. A key component to comparing how an organization rates with similar institutions is to identify commonly used measures. Conducting a literature search, benchmarking, participating in initiatives of accrediting bodies, and establishing ways to collect and manage reliable and valid data are vital in laying the groundwork for an organization's ability to join evaluation projects across settings.

Accreditation↗