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Biomedical subjects

J Nickel

Publications and source records attributed to J Nickel.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Complete airway obstruction by a prosthesis powder. The problem of protecting the airway in emergency service].

An extraordinary occurrence of death is reported due to blocking of the entrance of the larynx by a denture adhesive. The improper usage of this material by a mentally disturbed woman of 66 years of age caused her death by suffocation. In such a case an intubation can involve a transfer of the viscous material to the larynx. Therefore a coniotomy or a tracheotomy should be performed.

Adhesives↗

Methodologic issues associated with secretion weight as a dependent variable in research using closed-system suction catheters.

BACKGROUND: Closed-system suction catheters (CSSC) were designed to eliminate the need to disconnect the patient from the ventilator during endotracheal suctioning (ETS). During data collection on an NIH-funded study, it was noted that moisture accumulated on the inside of the CSSC and sleeve when attached to the patient for 30 minutes. Because CSSC are not disconnected, they present unique methodologic problems related to measurement of secretions as a dependent variable in clinical research. OBJECTIVES: To describe a valid, reliable, and practical method for weighing secretions obtained during ETS using a CSSC; and to determine the change in weight of a CSSC after its attachment for 30 minutes to a mechanically ventilated patient. METHODS: After being weighed, a CSSC and sputum trap were attached to the endotracheal tube of a mechanically ventilated adult and remained attached for 43 minutes (30 minutes to allow positive end expiratory pressure and oxygenation levels to return to normal and 13 minutes to mimic the time frame for the ETS procedure used in another study). No ETS occurred. The CSSC and sputum trap were then removed and reweighed. RESULTS: A convenience sample consisted of 50 adults who were critically ill and mechanically ventilated. Independent variables included tidal volume, pressure support, body temperature, and respiratory rate. The dependent variable was wet weight of the CSSC, determined by subtracting the preprotocol catheter weight from the postprotocol catheter weight. The mean wet weight for all catheters was 0.5142 +/- 0.1215 grams. In a subset of 37 patients, two wet weights (74 paired observations) were determined. The mean wet weight for these catheters was 0.54014 +/- 0.1404 grams. The paired wet weights were statistically different (t = 2.433; df = 36; p = 0.02). Pearson correlation coefficients and beta coefficients were computed. While tidal volume and pressure support were highly correlated (r = 0.678; p = 0.011), there were no other statistically significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of secretions is a common dependent variable in ETS research. During the time that CSSC are attached to the patient and ventilator, moisture from either the ventilator's humidification system or the patient accumulates in the CSSC. This wet weight is not actually part of the secretions retrieved during ETS and should not be considered in the actual weight of secretions. Further study on the determinants of wet weight is warranted.

Adult↗

Malignant melanoma and fibrothecoma--an ovarian mixed tumor.

There are only a few cases of primary ovarian melanoma described in the literature. Here, we report a rare case of ovarian mixed neoplasm with parts of malignant melanoma and fibrothecoma in a 76-year-old female who was hospitalized for a cataract operation. To our knowledge, cases of a combination of malignant melanoma and fibrothecoma in the ovary have not been described. In this study, new markers for malignant melanoma (S-100, tyrosinase mRNA) were also tested.

Aged↗