BACKGROUND The sigma-1 receptor (σ1R), an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone protein, is widely distributed and regulates numerous intracellular processes in neurons. Nerve injury alters the structure and function of axotomized dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, contributing to the development of pain. The σ1R is enriched in the spinal cord and modulates pain after peripheral nerve injury. Howeve...

STUDY OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that continuous, automatic turning utilizing a patient-friendly, low air loss surface would reduce the incidence of early ICU pneumonia in selected groups of critically ill medical patients. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. SETTING Medical ICU of a large community teaching hospital. PATIENTS One hundred twenty-four critically ill ...

AIMS Some previous studies have shown that Māori utilise cardiology inpatient services at a much lower rate than would be expected by their health status and mortality. Using more recent data, this study seeks to determine whether this is still the case by examining Māori rates of utilisation of cardiology inpatient services. METHODS Practice enrolment data for 354,383 patients, including age...

Background At present, the diagnosis-related groups-based prospective payment system (DRG-PPS) that has been implemented in China is merely a prototype called the simplified DRG-PPS, which is known as the 'ceiling price for a single disease'. Given that studies on the effects of a simplified DRG-PPS in China have usually been controversial, we aim to synthesize evidence examining whether DRGs c...

BACKGROUND In this study we examined the influence of type of insurance and the influence of managed care in particular, on the length of stay decisions physicians make and on variation in medical practice. METHODS We studied lengths of stay for comparable patients who are insured under managed or non-managed care plans. Seven Diagnosis Related Groups were chosen, two medical (COPD and CHF), ...

BACKGROUND Switzerland introduces a DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) based system for hospital financing in 2012 in order to increase efficiency and transparency of Swiss health care. DRG-based hospital reimbursement is not simultaneously realized in all Swiss cantons and several cantons already implemented DRG-based financing irrespective of the national agenda, a setting that provides an opport...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of the spinal nerve has been considered a key structure in the mechanism of low-back pain and radicular symptoms. The purpose of this study was to clarify the normal morphologic features and variations of the lumbar DRGs in a healthy population by using 3D MR imaging. METHODS 3D fast-field echo (FFE) with water selective excitation coronal...

Introduction The aim of this research is to inform the health professionals about the ways of introducing and operating the the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG's) system in the Hellenic National Health System, through the use of the development technologies. An effort is also made to explore the main dimensions of the implementation of the DRG's system, in specific European-Countries that have bo...