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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Predictors of survival in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The Makerere University-Case Western Reserve University Research Collaboration.

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has changed both the epidemiology and natural history of tuberculosis. Despite a generally good response to effective antituberculous therapy, the prognosis remains poor. The objective of this analysis was to determine the independent predictors of survival in HIV-infected Ugandan adults with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. A total of 191 HIV-infected Ugandan adults with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled into a clinical trial of chemotherapy for tuberculosis. The subjects received either rifampin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide for two months, followed by rifampin and isoniazid for six months (n = 101) or streptomycin, thiacetazone, and isoniazid for two months followed by thiacetazone and isoniazid for eight months (n = 90). After standard measurements were made at baseline, the group was followed at regular intervals for a mean of 16 months to determine survival. During the course of follow-up, 82 (43%) of the patients died, six within the first month of therapy. The one-year survival proportion was 68% with an estimated median survival of 26 months and did not differ according to treatment regimen. The hazard for death was biphasic, high early in the course of therapy, and then again after about one year. After controlling for the treatment regimen, four independent predictors of survival were found: anergy to purified protein derivative, atypical chest roentgenogram, previous HIV-related condition, and lymphopenia. In this cohort of Ugandan adults, four simple and inexpensive predictors of survival were found. These factors suggest that the degree of immunosuppression was a major determinant of survival.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Impact of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 infection on the initial bacteriologic and radiographic manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis in Uganda. Makerere University-Case Western Reserve University Research Collaboration.

SETTING: TB Treatment Centre, Kampala, Uganda. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection on the bacteriologic and radiographic presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Uganda, a nation with high rates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV infection. DESIGN: To compare baseline characteristics among HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected adults with initial newly-diagnosed episodes of culture-confirmed pulmonary TB screened for participation in a randomized prospective TB treatment trial. RESULTS: Negative and paucibacillary (very scanty or scanty) sputum acid fast bacilli (AFB) smears were more frequent in HIV-infected patients presenting with pulmonary TB (P = 0.007). More HIV-infected individuals also had sputum cultures that required 7-8 weeks incubation until positivity than non-HIV-infected patients (P < 0.01). Lower lung field and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates were more frequent among HIV-infected patients. Rates of atypical X-ray presentations and cavitary disease were comparable between HIV-seropositive and -seronegative patients; however, atypical disease was more frequent in HIV-infected patients with small tuberculin reactions or tuberculin anergy (PPD = 0 mm). CONCLUSION: HIV co-infection was associated with a higher frequency of negative and paucibacillary sputum AFB smears. The differences in the diagnostic yields of microscopy and culture between HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected individuals were small and do not, in our opinion, significantly affect the utility of these important diagnostic tests in developing countries. Examining more than one sputum specimen and monitoring cultured specimens for a full 8 weeks may assist in optimizing the diagnostic yield. Upper lobe infiltrates and cavitary disease are still the most frequent radiographic presentations of pulmonary TB in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected adults in countries with a high prevalence of TB.

Adult↗

Performance of third-year primary-care-track students in an integrated curriculum at Case Western Reserve University.

In 1994, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine established a Primary Care Track (PCT) with an integrated curriculum as part of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Generalist Physician Initiative. This study compared the performance of the first cohort of students to participate in the PCT third year with that of their classmates and determined student attitudes toward their experiences. The performances of 24 PCT and 81 traditional students on the Medical School Admissions Test (MCAT) and the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and 2 were compared using analysis of variance. Grades on the six core clerkships were compared using chi-square analysis. Performances of the PCT students and a subset of traditional students on the generalist school's objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) were compared using multivariate analysis. The students reported their perceptions on a questionnaire. The traditional students had significantly higher scores on the physical science section of the MCAT and on the USMLE Step 1, but at the end of year three, their USMLE Step 2 scores did not differ. Grade distributions in the core clerkships did not differ, except in psychiatry, where the PCT students received honors significantly more often. The PCT students had a lower mean score on the internal medicine National Board of Medicine Examiners shelf exam but performed better on the generalist OSCE exam. A majority of PCT students reported that they would choose the integrated third year again and recommend it to others.

Adult↗

Challenges and strategies for early professional experience: Case Western Reserve University's Family Clinic Program.

Through Case Western Reserve University's Family Clinic Program, students are introduced early in their education to the professional responsibilities, attributes, and interpersonal skills needed by a physician. While this is the longest running instructional program in the school's curriculum, until 1998 it had not been assessed for points of improvement. The authors used focus groups and qualitative surveys of students to identify program deficiencies and to create an educational intervention to alleviate these problems. Although the program has always been popular with students, those surveyed noted three key areas where improvements were needed: feedback from preceptors, clarification of the goals of the program, and certain aspects of dealing with patients in the clinic setting.

Education, Medical, Undergraduate↗

An international health story from Case Western Reserve University.

This article describes the experience at Case Western Reserve University's Center for International Health during the first 7 years of its existence. The Center helped to stimulate substantial international health activity, including a major research collaboration in Uganda, an annual 4-week course in international health, a volunteer outreach to the University of Health Science in Laos, and medical student training electives in Zimbabwe, Thailand, China, and India. The Center remains a small under-funded catalyst organization that facilitates the substantial activities of more than 60 faculty members from many disciplines who held secondary appointments in the Center.

Developing Countries↗

The six-year combined predental program at Case Western Reserve University.

The six-year program in dentistry at Case Western Reserve University was designed to enable capable high school seniors to accelerate their education and to earn both the B.S. and D.D.S. degrees in six years. It offers significant advantages, both to the student and to the university in that (1) carefully screened and selected students generally perform well both in undergraduate school and in the dental program; (2) students are exceptionally well motivated and enthusiastic about entering dental school; and (3) students are afforded an opportunity to obtain two four-year degrees in six years. To date, the program has been successful, with 23 of the 29 six-year students performing in the top half of their dental school classes.

Curriculum↗

A comprehensive approach to enhancing sexual health education in the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

We report on the Sexual Health Curriculum Enhancement project at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Using a US dollars 100000 grant from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., we have developed and are in the process of implementing a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary and innovative curriculum that is based on three primary objectives for teaching sexual health: attitude change, behavior change, and knowledge acquisition. Five general strategies to incorporate specific sexual health content into the medical school curriculum have been implemented: (1). Faculty Development; (2). Additional Didactics; (3). Cased-Based Learning; (4). Testing and Assessment; and (5). Electronic (Computer/Web-Based Enhancements).

Curriculum↗

Review of three decades of laboratory exercises in the preclinical curriculum at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

The authors reviewed the use of preclinical curricular time for laboratory exercises at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine from 1955-56 to 1988-89. Total hours decreased from over 1,000 in 1960-61 to just under 300 in 1988-89. From 1955-56 to 1985-86, laboratory hours devoted to animal and human physiology declined by 92%. Although the precise reasons for these changes--which have occurred in medical schools across the country--are difficult to document, the authors view them with concern. After considering the advantages and disadvantages of preclinical laboratory exercises, they conclude that the former still outweigh the latter. The further disappearance of laboratory exercises from the curriculum should be halted by efforts to revitalize them.

Curriculum↗

Restructuring dermatology education at Cleveland medical centers affiliated with Case Western Reserve University.

We describe our response to the changing needs for dermatologic education and training at Cleveland medical centers affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (CWRU) located in Cleveland, Ohio. Our departmental plan for change is a multifaceted approach that alters the number of dermatology residents we train and also the way we interact with and educate our generalist colleagues. Like many other dermatologists, we have both idealistic and practical reasons for increasing our involvement in interdisciplinary education. One of our primary objectives is maximizing quality of care for dermatologic patients in our community. Traditionally, the majority of skin care in the United States has been provided by nondermatologists, and with the growth of managed care, this proportion is increasing. This has motivated us to increase our medical student teaching activities and to support the American Academy of Dermatology in its current efforts to develop a dermatology core curriculum for students. We should also be involved in the education of generalist physicians, since prior studies have suggested that their knowledge of dermatology needs improvement. Our goals should be both to improve the direct patient care skills of primary care physicians and to teach clinically appropriate referral thresholds. The American Academy of Dermatology has recently issued guidelines for the referral of dermatology patients in managed care settings to help ensure that our specialty has input into this process. In addition, teaching gatekeeper physicians to use appropriate referral criteria is important to many dermatologists in capitated managed care systems who often prefer limited as opposed to unrestricted access to their services.

Curriculum↗

Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland: a neurosurgical chronicle.

There is a strong tradition of neurosurgery in Cleveland. This article traces the origin of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland and examines the evolution of neurological surgery at these institutions. It looks at the strong Cushing influence on the process, by both Harvey Cushing and his family. The contributions of such luminaries as George Crile, Elliott Cutler, Claude Beck, and Frank Nulsen are described.

History, 19th Century↗

The Brain Research Laboratory at the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital and case Western Reserve University.

In 1961 Dr. Robert White, fresh from the Mayo Clinic, established the Brain Research Laboratory (BRL) at the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, under the auspices of Case Western Reserve University. During a span of 15 years, he and his colleagues contributed significantly to our knowledge and understanding of the central nervous system in deep hypothermic conditions, thus demonstrating the protective effects of cerebral and spinal cord cooling in patients with injuries as well as the ability of the brain to survive extended periods of total circulatory arrest at extremely low temperatures. It was there that isolated brain preparation and transplantation were first accomplished. These and other unique, surgically constructed brain models opened new fields of exploration in neurochemical, neurophysiological, rheological, immunological, and cognitive features of the brain in normothermic and various hypothermic states. During the laboratory's most productive years (1961-1976), there were 10 surgeons actively involved in scientific investigations who later became chairmen or chiefs of Departments or Divisions of Neurosurgery and another four who became professors of neurosurgery or other surgical specialties.

Academic Medical Centers↗

Training graduate-level pediatric psychology researchers at Case Western Reserve University: meeting the challenges of the new millennium.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the challenges in training graduate-level pediatric psychology researchers for successful careers and to discuss solutions. METHODS: We reviewed experiences in training graduate students at Case Western Reserve University to identify key challenges in research training and potential strategies to meet them. RESULTS: We identified the following key challenges: stimulating graduate students' career interest in pediatric psychology research; teaching students about the pragmatic challenges of conducting research in pediatric settings, specialized research design, and data analytic issues; helping students to develop essential research skills; developing opportunities for student research-related collaborations; helping students develop professional identities as researchers; and developing and supporting their research careers beyond graduate school. CONCLUSIONS: Useful strategies for meeting these challenges include involving an interdisciplinary faculty in research training; developing specialized training methods that focus on critical research skills such as writing and data analysis; peer support; and involvement with multiple mentors who are successful researchers. Pediatric psychologists should also develop opportunities for the next generation of researchers by facilitating research job options and leadership opportunities.

Child↗

The Case Western Reserve University hybrid gait orthosis.

Six individuals with paraplegia and injury levels from C-1 through T-12 participated in a study to evaluate the functional capabilities of a hybrid gait orthotic system. Subjects learned to use a custom-built reciprocal gait orthosis without stimulation and with electrical stimulation activating between 4 and 16 muscles. Outcomes were scored with standard physical therapy measures including the Tinetti test, a timed get up and go, Borg rating of perceived exertion, and the Functional Index Measure (FIM). Subjects have successfully accomplished sit to stand, stand to sit, and walking maneuvers measured for time, speed, and distance. Metabolic consumption was measured for walking in the light work region of 5.1 to 6.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) 1 MET = 3.5 ml of O2/kg/min with hybrid gait orthosis. Perceived exertion as measured with the Borg scale indicated that use of the bracing system with functional electrical stimulation was "easier" than without stimulation. Subjects using a hybrid system were able to walk up to 350 m at average speeds of 0.25 m/s. Walking speeds for 30- and 50-meter distances reached 0.45 m/s. Additionally, walking distances with stimulation were 2 times greater than those of non-stimulated reciprocal gait. FIM scores indicated that system users would become slightly more independent in mobility. Results were used to determine the most useful brace modifications for the next generation of Case Western Reserve University hybrid gait orthoses to allow an expanded function that will include stair climbing and side stepping.

Adult↗

Comparison of three composite compliance indices in a trial of self-administered preventive therapy for tuberculosis in HIV-infected Ugandan adults. Uganda-Case Western Reserve University Research Collaboration.

Compliance with tuberculosis preventive therapy in a randomized placebo-controlled trial in 2736 HIV-infected Ugandans was measured using urinary isoniazid metabolite testing, clinic attendance, and self-report. Overall, 77% of urine tests were positive, subjects kept 85% of their scheduled visits while on therapy, and 69% reportedly never forgot to take their medication. Different strategies were used for constructing three composite compliance indices in active arms: (1) an unweighted index of the summed scores on scaled compliance measures; (2) a weighted index using weights obtained from a survey of experts on tuberculosis; and (3) a statistically weighted index using principal components analysis. Composite indices were evaluated for reliability, validity, and practical utility. Understanding of the regimen, study arm, subsequent follow-up, tuberculosis status, and urine spot-check result were associated with composite compliance scores. The unweighted index in this study performed as well as the weighted indices.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

A trial of three regimens to prevent tuberculosis in Ugandan adults infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Uganda-Case Western Reserve University Research Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) greatly increases the risk of reactivation tuberculosis. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of three preventive-therapy regimens in a setting where exposure to tuberculosis is common. METHODS: We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 2736 HIV-infected adults recruited in Kampala, Uganda. Subjects with positive tuberculin skin tests (induration, > or =5 mm) with purified protein derivative (PPD) were randomly assigned to one of four regimens: placebo (464 subjects), isoniazid daily for six months (536), isoniazid and rifampin daily for three months (556), or isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide daily for three months (462). Subjects with anergy (0 mm induration in reaction to PPD and candida antigens) were randomly assigned to receive either placebo (323 subjects) or six months of isoniazid (395). The medications were dispensed monthly and were self-administered. RESULTS: Among the PPD-positive subjects, the incidence of tuberculosis in the three groups that received preventive therapy was lower than the rate in the placebo group (P=0.002 by the log-rank test). The relative risk of tuberculosis with isoniazid alone, as compared with placebo, was 0.33 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.14 to 0.77); with isoniazid and rifampin, 0.40 (0.18 to 0.86); and with isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide, 0.51 (0.24 to 1.08). Among the subjects with anergy, the relative risk of tuberculosis was 0.83 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.34 to 2.04) with isoniazid as compared with placebo. Side effects were more common with the multidrug regimens, and particularly with the regimen containing pyrazinamide. Survival did not differ among the groups, but the subjects with anergy had a higher mortality rate than the PPD-positive subjects. CONCLUSIONS: A six-month course of isoniazid confers short-term protection against tuberculosis among PPD-positive, HIV-infected adults. Multidrug regimens with isoniazid and rifampin taken for three months also reduce the risk of tuberculosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Randomized controlled trial of Mycobacterium vaccae immunotherapy in non-human immunodeficiency virus-infected ugandan adults with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis. The Uganda-Case Western Reserve University Research Collaboration.

Adjunctive immunotherapy with heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae was studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 120 non-human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients were randomized to a single dose of M. vaccae or placebo 1 week after beginning chemotherapy and were followed up for 1 year. M. vaccae was safe and well tolerated. The rate of sputum culture conversion after 1 month of tuberculosis treatment was 35% in the M. vaccae group and only 14% in the placebo group (P=.01) but was comparable at 2 months and thereafter. Patients receiving M. vaccae had greater improvement on chest radiography at 6 months (91% vs. 77% for placebo recipients; P=.04) and 12 months (94% vs. 80%; P=.04) after initiation of tuberculosis treatment. These data provide evidence of an early increase in sputum culture conversion and greater radiographic improvement among patients who received M. vaccae. Further studies are warranted.

Adult↗