PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Katayoun Rezai

Publications and source records attributed to Katayoun Rezai.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Characterization of neutropenic fever in patients receiving first-line adjuvant chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Limited information is available on the incidence and characteristics of neutropenic fever (NF) in patients receiving contemporary regimens for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We examined this issue in patients receiving first-line adjuvant chemotherapy with platinum- and paclitaxel-based regimens at a major cancer institute. METHODS: Charts of patients with EOC at a single institute from 1998 through 2002 were reviewed. Data were collected on the incidence and duration of NF, duration of hospitalization and fever, cultures, antibiotic and chemotherapy regimen, and type of debulking procedure. RESULTS: 140 patients were treated for EOC. 125 patients received first line chemotherapy. 15 episodes of NF were observed. Mean duration of neutropenia and fever was 2.33 and 3.07 days respectively. 9 of 15 (60%) NF episodes occurred after cycle 1. Cultures were positive in 7 of 15 patients (47%). Organisms most frequently recovered were bowel-derived. 8 patients (53%) had bowel resections, and 15 patients (100%) had radical or supraradical procedures. There was a correlation between incidence of NF and type of procedure (P = 0.01) and stage of EOC (P = 0.04). There was no correlation between NF and elderly age, medical comorbidities, and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of NF was higher than previously reported. NF occurred most frequently after cycle 1. NF patients were of advanced stage that had undergone more aggressive surgery and had bowel resections. Our data suggest that patients with advanced EOC who undergo more radical procedures should be identified as high risk for developing NF in early cycles.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Learning by doing: developing fellows' academic skills through collaborative research.

Physicians in postgraduate training are expected to learn research methods but how best to achieve that curricular goal is unclear. This article describes a novel educational approach to develop research skills among infectious disease fellows. Five infectious disease fellows and two faculty members participated in a collaborative research project as a vehicle for active, problem-based learning. During the learning experience several tasks with specific learning objectives were achieved. The authors evaluated the weaknesses and strengths of the collaborative research project as an educational program. This problem-based approach for learning research methods seems more effective than traditional methods and may be applicable to a broad range of training programs.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2004

Why don't they listen? Adherence to recommendations of infectious disease consultations.

The effectiveness of an infectious diseases (ID) consultation is dependent on adherence to the recommendations. To delineate the factors that affect adherence, we conducted a prospective cohort study of 465 consultations at 2 academic institutions in which we evaluated the consultation process, patient and consultant characteristics, types of recommendations, and compliance with recommendations. The overall compliance rate was 80%, with 85% adherence to crucial recommendations. Multivariate analysis revealed that adherence to ID recommendations was higher when the recommendations were therapeutic instead of diagnostic, when they related to a specific clinical question, when recommendations were deemed crucial by the ID service, if the primary service was medicine, and if the consultation note was legible and organized. Whether modification of consultant practice will lead to improved recommendation compliance and patient outcomes warrants further study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Evolution of vaccinia virus-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in primary vaccinees and revaccinees.

Determination of successful vaccination with vaccinia virus is based on visual confirmation of a dermal response (take). Some revaccinees do not manifest a take, which may be due to a preexisting immunity rather than to poor technique or inadequate virus. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response appears to be the most important immune defense in limiting response to vaccination. We evaluated vaccinia virus-specific CTL responses in revaccinees. Subjects with and without takes displayed comparable CTL responses. Vaccinia virus-specific CD8+ CTL responses may be useful in interpreting the response to vaccination, particularly in individuals who are revaccinated and have difficult-to-interpret visual takes.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Q fever: a biological weapon in your backyard.

Coxiella burnetii, which causes Q fever, is a highly infectious agent that is widespread among livestock around the world. Although the culture process for coxiella is laborious, large amounts of infectious material can be produced. If used as an aerosolised biological weapon, coxiella may not cause high mortality, but could provoke acute disabling disease. In its late course, Q fever can be complicated by fatal (eg, endocarditis) or debilitating (eg, chronic fatigue syndrome) disorders. The diagnosis of Q fever might be delayed because of non-specific and protean presentations. Effective antibiotic treatment is available for the acute form of disease but not for the chronic complications. Vaccination and chemoprophylaxis in selected individuals may be used in the event of bioterrorism.

Animals↗