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Patricia Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to Patricia Thomas.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Radionuclides and trace metals in Canadian moose near uranium mines: comparison of radiation doses and food chain transfer with cattle and caribou.

Tissues from 45 moose and 4 cattle were collected to assess the health of country foods near uranium mines in northern Saskatchewan. Bone, liver, kidney, muscle and rumen contents were analyzed for uranium, radium-226 (226Ra), lead-210 (210Pb), and polonium-210 (210Po). Cesium-137 (137Cs), potassium-40 (40K), and 27 trace metals were also measured in some tissues. Within the most active mining area, Po in liver and muscle declined significantly with distance from tailings, possibly influenced by nearby natural uranium outcrops. Moose from this area had significantly higher 226Ra, 210Pb, 210Po, and 137Cs in some edible soft tissues vs. one control area. However, soil type and diet may influence concentrations as much as uranium mining activities, given that a) liver levels of uranium, 226Ra, and 210Po were similar to a second positive control area with mineral-rich shale hills and b) 210Po was higher in cattle kidneys than in all moose. Enhanced food chain transfer from rumen contents to liver was found for selenium in the main mining area and for copper, molybdenum and cadmium in moose vs. cattle. Although radiological doses to moose in the main mining area were 2.6 times higher than doses to control moose or cattle, low moose intakes yielded low human doses (0.0068 mSv y(-1)), a mere 0.3% of the dose from intake of caribou (2.4 mSv y(-1)), the dietary staple in the area.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative study of case management program for patients with syncope.

Syncope is defined as the transient loss of consciousness. It is a somewhat unique diagnosis in that it is typically a symptom with an underlying etiology. Increased length of stay, extensive testing, and specialty referrals contribute to high treatment costs. This is the first reported study to show how a multidisciplinary case management model was utilized to enhance care for patients admitted with syncope. Quality of care was improved through the development of patient education materials and the modification of clinical policy. This effort also resulted in a reduced length of stay with a corresponding cost savings.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Multidisciplinary patient education for total joint replacement surgery patients.

The purpose of this article is to describe a preadmission, preoperative educational program offered free of charge for patients undergoing total joint replacement surgery at a large teaching hospital located in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. In establishing the preoperative educational program, a multidisciplinary approach was used to provide a comprehensive learning environment for patients and their families. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, patients completed surveys at the end of each class. Patients reported that their expectations of the program were met, they were less anxious about their surgery as a result of attending the classes, and the preoperative teaching by the multidisciplinary team was effective. Having a live session that offered an opportunity to ask individual and specific questions to each healthcare professional with immediate feedback proved to be a positive experience for patients. Patients' comments supported the multidisciplinary team's impression that real-time, interactive teaching was highly valued by patients and their caregivers.

Arthroplasty, Replacement↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of combined radiation, paclitaxel and carboplatin for locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) has a poor prognosis when treated with conventional chemotherapy and radiation. New chemotherapy agents like paclitaxel may increase the sensitivity of tumors cells to radiation and potentially improve the outcome. The optimal combination of taxane-based chemotherapy agents and radiation is still unclear. We investigated the feasibility of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent near systemic dose of chemotherapy with radiation. A prospective survey of 29 previously untreated patients with unresectable stage III (15 IIIA, 14 IIIB) NSCLC treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin in combination with radiation was reviewed. The patients received 2 cycles of paclitaxel 225 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) over 3 hours, days 1, 22; carboplatin at area under the curve (AUC) 6 based on Calvert formula days 1, 22 following completion of the paclitaxel infusion. Following induction chemotherapy, radiation therapy started on day 43 until completion to a tumor dose of at least 5960 cGy. Cycles 3 and 4 of chemotherapy were begun on days 43 and 63, respectively, and consisted of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 i.v. over 3 hours, and carboplatin at AUC 6 following paclitaxel infusion. The response rate, acute toxicity, long-term complications, pattern of failure and survival were evaluated and compared to previous studies in the literature. Two patients were lost to follow-up. The response rate to induction carboplatin/paclitaxel was 52%. An overall response rate (complete and partial responders) of 85% was obtained following chemotherapy and radiation. Grade 3-4 acute side-effects were recorded in 9 patients (31%) and consisted of esophagitis (8 patients) and anemia (1 patient). One patient died from cachexia 3 months following treatment (3.7%). The median survival and 3-year survival were 15 months and 30%, respectively, for the remaining 27 patients at a median follow-up of 11 months. There was no difference in survival between stages IIIA and IIIB at 2 years (IIIA: 22%, IIIB: 31%). Local or regional recurrences and distant metastases developed in 9 patients (33%) and 13 patients (46%), respectively. The combination of paclitaxel, carboplatin and radiation for locally advanced non-small cell carcinoma is feasible with acceptable toxicity. The response rate compares favorably with previously reported studies. The decrease of tumor volume following induction chemotherapy allows sparing of the lungs from the toxicity of radiation. However, grades 3-4 esophagitis remain significant. The addition of amifostine may be beneficial in this setting.

Aged↗