Δευτέρα 17 Δεκεμβρίου 2018

Controversies in drug allergy: Testing for delayed reactions

Controversies exist with regard to in vivo approaches to delayed immunologically mediated adverse drug reactions, such as exanthem (maculopapular eruption), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, and fixed drug eruptions. In particular, widespread differences exist between regions and practice on the availability and use of intradermal and patch testing, the standard drug concentrations used, the use of additional drugs in intradermal and patch testing to help determine cross-reactivity, the timing of testing in relation to the occurrence of the adverse drug reaction, the use of testing in specific phenotypes, and the use of oral challenge in conjunction with delayed intradermal and patch testing to ascertain drug tolerance.

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Controversies in drug allergy: In vitro testing

Despite their low frequency, drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) can be serious and result in lifelong sequelae. The diagnosis is critical to avert future reactions and should identify the culprit drug or drugs and safe alternatives. However, making the diagnosis can be complex and challenging. Reliable in vitro tests can offer the potential to improve a diagnosis of DHR and influence medical decision making. Importantly, in vitro testing is frequently not performed as a test in isolation but rather as a component of a diagnostic algorithm along with additional tests.

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Medical Korea: Promoting the excellence of Korean medical services - gulfnews.com

medKorea_pic_web_resources1.jpg

Medical Korea: Promoting the excellence of Korean medical services  gulfnews.com

Patients visiting Korea can rest assured of benefiting from the treatment and care provided by some of the world's foremost medical specialists at hospitals that ...



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Medical Korea: Promoting the excellence of Korean medical services - gulfnews.com

medKorea_pic_web_resources1.jpg

Medical Korea: Promoting the excellence of Korean medical services  gulfnews.com

Patients visiting Korea can rest assured of benefiting from the treatment and care provided by some of the world's foremost medical specialists at hospitals that ...



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Child Influenza Vaccination and Adult Work Loss: Reduced Sick Leave Use Only in Adults With Paid Sick Leave

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): William K. Bleser, Patricia Y. Miranda, Daniel A. Salmon

Introduction

Children are a population of interest for influenza. They are at increased risk for severe influenza, comprise a substantial portion of influenza morbidity, and significantly contribute to its transmission in the household and subsequent parental work loss. The association between influenza vaccination and work loss prevention, however, has rarely been studied, and the sparse existing literature has very limited generalizability to U.S. adults, thus requiring better characterization.

Methods

Using pooled National Health Interview Survey data (2013–2015, analyses conducted in 2018) nationally representative of working U.S. adults with household children (n=23,014), zero-inflated negative binomial regression examined the association of child influenza vaccination (exposure) with sick days (outcome) stratified by paid sick leave (no: n=10,741, yes: n=12,273).

Results

Child influenza vaccination was associated with significantly lower sick day usage, but only among adults with paid sick leave (prevalence rate ratio=0.79, 95% CI=0.67, 0.93), equating to average annual sick days of 4.07 vs 3.29 in adults with unvaccinated versus vaccinated household children (difference=0.78 fewer days annually).

Conclusions

Influenza vaccination of children is associated with reduced sick leave in household adults, helping to keep the workforce healthy and reduce influenza's costly annual economic burden. This only occurred among adults with paid sick leave, however, which is distributed inequitably by income, education, gender, occupation, and race/ethnicity. Health in All Policies considers downstream health effects of social and economic policy; the failure of federal policy to ensure paid sick leave likely contributes to propagating influenza and health inequities.



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Self-Directed Violence After Medical Emergency Department Visits Among Youth

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Jing Wang, Hui Xie, Kristin M. Holland, Steven A. Sumner, Alexandra B. Balaji, Corinne F. David-Ferdon, Alexander E. Crosby

Introduction

Identifying medical encounters that precede self-directed violence may allow for important prevention opportunities. This study examined the risk of self-directed violence after visiting the emergency department for a range of physical health conditions among youth.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used 2012–2013 statewide emergency department data from six states. Among patients aged 15–29 years, the exposure group included 2,192,322 emergency department visits for 16 selected conditions, coded by whether visits for those conditions were the first, second, or third or later visit for that condition. Emergency department visits for a minor infection served as the reference group (n=149,163). A Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the risk of a self-directed violence event within 6 months for each condition. Analyses were conducted in 2017.

Results

Overall, 8,489 (0.4%) of all patients visited the emergency department for self-directed violence over a 6-month period. Initial visits for epilepsy or seizures conveyed a markedly elevated hazard ratio for subsequent self-directed violence at 6.0 and 5.7, respectively (p<0.001). Initial visits for other conditions showed moderately elevated risk with hazard ratios primarily <2. Second visits for various pain symptoms, syncope, vomiting, or non–self-directed violence injury also had a 3- to 5-fold increase in hazard ratios for subsequent self-directed violence. Hazard ratios for third or later visit increased to 8.8 for back pain, 6.9 for headache, about 5 for abdominal pain, dental complaints, and non–self-directed violence injury (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Young people presenting to the emergency department for certain medical conditions are at an increased risk of subsequent self-directed violence. An awareness of these patterns may help guide screening efforts for suicide prevention in clinical settings.



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Screening and Referral for Childhood Obesity: Adherence to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Omoye E. Imoisili, Alyson B. Goodman, Carrie A. Dooyema, Megan R. Harrison, Brook Belay, Sohyun Park

Introduction

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends clinicians screen children aged 6 years or older for obesity and offer or refer children with obesity to intensive weight management programs. This study explores clinician awareness of weight management programs meeting the recommendation, adherence to the recommendation of screening and referral, and associations between provider and practice characteristics and weight management program referrals.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from the DocStyles survey 2017, a web-based panel survey, analyzed in 2017. Among 1,023 clinicians who see pediatric patients, this study examined clinician awareness of weight management programs in their communities that met the recommendation, practice of screening for childhood obesity, and referral to weight management programs. Multivariable logistic regression estimated associations between the demographic and practice characteristics of clinicians and weight management program referrals.

Results

Only 24.6% of surveyed clinicians were aware of a weight management program that met the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation in their community; of those aware, 88.9% referred patients to these weight management programs. Most (83.6%) clinicians screened children for obesity in ≥75% of visits. Overall, 53.5% of clinicians provided referrals to weight management programs. Referral was higher among female clinicians and clinicians serving mostly middle-income patients. Providers without teaching hospital privileges had lower odds of referral.

Conclusions

Adherence to clinical recommendations is essential to curbing the childhood obesity epidemic. Only one in four surveyed clinicians were aware of weight management programs in their community meeting U.S. Preventive Services Task Force criteria. Half of clinicians referred pediatric patients with obesity to a weight management program. Results suggest efforts are needed to increase awareness of, and referral to, weight management programs meeting the recommendation.



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Ingestion of Over-the-Counter Liquid Medications: Emergency Department Visits by Children Aged Less Than 6 Years, 2012–2015

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Maribeth C. Lovegrove, Nina J. Weidle, Daniel S. Budnitz

Introduction

Unintentional medication ingestions by young children lead to nearly 60,000 emergency department visits annually; 15% involve oral liquid medications. Safety packaging improvements have been shown to limit liquid medication ingestions. Estimated rates of emergency department visits for pediatric ingestions by product were calculated to help target interventions.

Methods

Frequencies and rates of emergency department visits for unintentional pediatric ingestions were estimated using adverse event data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance project and retail sales/pharmacy dispensing data from Information Resources, Inc. and QuintilesIMS (collected 2012–2015; analyzed 2017). Rates of emergency department visits for ingestions of over-the-counter liquid medications were compared with those for prescription solid medications.

Results

From the results of 568 cases, an estimated 6,427 emergency department visits (95% CI=4,907, 7,948) were made annually after a child aged <6 years accessed one of the four most commonly implicated over-the-counter liquid medications without caregiver oversight. Nearly two thirds (63.8%) of these visits were made by children aged ≤2 years and 9.0% resulted in hospitalization. Acetaminophen was the most commonly implicated over-the-counter liquid medication (2,515 estimated emergency department visits annually). Rates of emergency department visits for liquid diphenhydramine and acetaminophen ingestions (8.1 and 7.4 emergency department visits per 100,000 bottles sold) were higher than rates for other common over-the-counter liquids and comparable to high-rate prescription solid medications (clonidine and buprenorphine/naloxone: 11.1 and 10.5 emergency department visits per 100,000 dispensed prescriptions, respectively).

Conclusions

Product-specific rates of emergency department visits for unintentional ingestions can help prioritize preventive interventions, such as enhancing safety packaging with flow restrictors.



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Demand for Respiratory Care Devices Market 2018 to 2023 | By Monitoring Devices (Pulse Oximeters), Diagnostic Devices (Spirometers), Accessories & Consumables (Disposable Masks), and Application - MRFR - openPR

Rc17305179_m.jpg

Demand for Respiratory Care Devices Market 2018 to 2023 | By Monitoring Devices (Pulse Oximeters), Diagnostic Devices (Spirometers), Accessories & Consumables (Disposable Masks), and Application - MRFR  openPR

Respiratory Care Devices Market - Segmentation The global respiratory care devices market has been segmented on the basis of therapeutic devices, ...



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Cross Type Neutralizing Antibodies Detected in a Unique HIV-2 Infected Individual From India

K. K. Vidyavijayan, Narayanaiah Cheedarala, Hemalatha Babu, Lucia K. Precilla, Pattabiraman Sathyamurthi, Padmapriyadarsini Chandrasekaran, Kailapuri G. Murugavel, Soumya Swaminathan, Srikanth P. Tripathy, Luke Elizabeth Hanna (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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TLR3 Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cell Line Suppresses HBV Replication in HepG2 Cells

Biao Zhang, Yu Liu, Xu Wang, Jieliang Li, Xiqiu Xu, Le Guo, Wen-Zhe Ho (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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Structural Model of the mIgM B-Cell Receptor Transmembrane Domain From Self-Association Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Mario D. Friess, Kristyna Pluhackova, Rainer A. B öckmann (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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Trained Immunity-Based Vaccines: A New Paradigm for the Development of Broad-Spectrum Anti-infectious Formulations

Silvia S ánchez-Ramón, Laura Conejero, Mihai G. Netea, David Sancho, Óscar Palomares, José Luis Subiza (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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Selective Effects of mTOR Inhibitor Sirolimus on Na ïve and CMV-Specific T Cells Extending Its Applicable Range Beyond Immunosuppression

Szilvia Bak, Sabine Tischer, Anna Dragon, Sarina Ravens, Lars Pape, Christian Koenecke, Mathias Oelke, Rainer Blasczyk, Britta Maecker-Kolhoff, Britta Eiz-Vesper (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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Platelet-Dense Granules Worsen Pre-Infection Thrombocytopenia during Gram-Negative Pneumonia-Derived Sepsis

Platelet-dense ( δ) granules are important for platelet function. Platelets contribute to host defense and vascular integrity during pneumonia and sepsis, and δ granule products, including adenosine diphosphate (ADP), can influence inflammatory responses. We therefore aimed to study the role of platelet δ granule s in the host response during sepsis. Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome(Hps)3coa mice (with reduced δ granule content), mice treated with the platelet ADP receptor inhibitor clopidogrel, and appropriate control mice were infected with the human sepsis pathogenKlebsiella pneumoniae via the airways to induce pneumonia and sepsis. In order to override potential redundancy in platelet functions, we also studiedHps3coa and control mice with moderate antibody-induced thrombocytopenia (10%) ...

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Primary Human Neutrophils Exhibit a Unique HIV-Directed Antibody-Dependent Phagocytosis Profile

This study illustrates the concept that the assessment of FcR-mediated Ab activity with a frequently used cell line such as THP-1 is not necessarily indicative of relevant Ab functionality in vivo, and this calls for in-depth study of the properties of the HIV antibodies best-suited to elic iting antiviral activities by primary cells.J Innate Immun (Source: Journal of Innate Immunity)

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Downregulation of Microparticle Release and Pro-Inflammatory Properties of Activated Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils by LMW Fucoidan

Exposition of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear neutrophils, PMNs) to bacterial products triggers exacerbated activation of these cells, increasing their harmful effects on host tissues. We evaluated the possibility of interfering with the classic immune innate responses of human PMNs exposed to bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), and further stimulated with bacterial formyl peptide (N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine, fMLP). We showed that the low- molecular-weight fucoidan (LMW-Fuc), a polysaccharide extracted from brown algae, attenuated the exacerbated activation induced by fMLP on LPS-primed PMNs, in vitro, impairing chemotaxis, NET formation, and the pro-survival and pro-oxidative effects. LMW-Fuc also inhibited the activation of canonical signaling pathways, AKT, bad,...

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The Role of Toll-Like Receptors in the Production of Cytokines by Human Lung Macrophages

Conclusions: The stimulation of TLRs in human LMs induces intense cytokine and chemokine production, a characteristic of the proinflammatory M1 macrophage phenotype.J Innate Immun (Source: Journal of Innate Immunity)

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Meet Our Editorial Board Member

(Source: Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry)

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Antiallergy Drugs as Potent Inhibitors of Lipase with Structure-activity Relationships and Molecular Docking

(Source: Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry)

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Child Influenza Vaccination and Adult Work Loss: Reduced Sick Leave Use Only in Adults With Paid Sick Leave

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): William K. Bleser, Patricia Y. Miranda, Daniel A. Salmon

Introduction

Children are a population of interest for influenza. They are at increased risk for severe influenza, comprise a substantial portion of influenza morbidity, and significantly contribute to its transmission in the household and subsequent parental work loss. The association between influenza vaccination and work loss prevention, however, has rarely been studied, and the sparse existing literature has very limited generalizability to U.S. adults, thus requiring better characterization.

Methods

Using pooled National Health Interview Survey data (2013–2015, analyses conducted in 2018) nationally representative of working U.S. adults with household children (n=23,014), zero-inflated negative binomial regression examined the association of child influenza vaccination (exposure) with sick days (outcome) stratified by paid sick leave (no: n=10,741, yes: n=12,273).

Results

Child influenza vaccination was associated with significantly lower sick day usage, but only among adults with paid sick leave (prevalence rate ratio=0.79, 95% CI=0.67, 0.93), equating to average annual sick days of 4.07 vs 3.29 in adults with unvaccinated versus vaccinated household children (difference=0.78 fewer days annually).

Conclusions

Influenza vaccination of children is associated with reduced sick leave in household adults, helping to keep the workforce healthy and reduce influenza's costly annual economic burden. This only occurred among adults with paid sick leave, however, which is distributed inequitably by income, education, gender, occupation, and race/ethnicity. Health in All Policies considers downstream health effects of social and economic policy; the failure of federal policy to ensure paid sick leave likely contributes to propagating influenza and health inequities.



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Self-Directed Violence After Medical Emergency Department Visits Among Youth

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Jing Wang, Hui Xie, Kristin M. Holland, Steven A. Sumner, Alexandra B. Balaji, Corinne F. David-Ferdon, Alexander E. Crosby

Introduction

Identifying medical encounters that precede self-directed violence may allow for important prevention opportunities. This study examined the risk of self-directed violence after visiting the emergency department for a range of physical health conditions among youth.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used 2012–2013 statewide emergency department data from six states. Among patients aged 15–29 years, the exposure group included 2,192,322 emergency department visits for 16 selected conditions, coded by whether visits for those conditions were the first, second, or third or later visit for that condition. Emergency department visits for a minor infection served as the reference group (n=149,163). A Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the risk of a self-directed violence event within 6 months for each condition. Analyses were conducted in 2017.

Results

Overall, 8,489 (0.4%) of all patients visited the emergency department for self-directed violence over a 6-month period. Initial visits for epilepsy or seizures conveyed a markedly elevated hazard ratio for subsequent self-directed violence at 6.0 and 5.7, respectively (p<0.001). Initial visits for other conditions showed moderately elevated risk with hazard ratios primarily <2. Second visits for various pain symptoms, syncope, vomiting, or non–self-directed violence injury also had a 3- to 5-fold increase in hazard ratios for subsequent self-directed violence. Hazard ratios for third or later visit increased to 8.8 for back pain, 6.9 for headache, about 5 for abdominal pain, dental complaints, and non–self-directed violence injury (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Young people presenting to the emergency department for certain medical conditions are at an increased risk of subsequent self-directed violence. An awareness of these patterns may help guide screening efforts for suicide prevention in clinical settings.



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Exposure to Child-Directed TV Advertising and Preschoolers’ Intake of Advertised Cereals

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Jennifer A. Emond, Meghan R. Longacre, Keith M. Drake, Linda J. Titus, Kristy Hendricks, Todd MacKenzie, Jennifer L. Harris, Jennifer E. Carroll, Lauren P. Cleveland, Gail Langeloh, Madeline A. Dalton

Introduction

Child-directed TV advertising is believed to influence children's diets, yet prospective studies in naturalistic settings are absent. This study examined if child-directed TV advertisement exposure for ten brands of high-sugar breakfast cereals was associated with children's intake of those brands prospectively.

Methods

Observational study of 624 preschool-age children and their parents conducted in New Hampshire, 2014–2015. Over 1 year, parents completed a baseline and six online follow-up surveys, one every 8 weeks. Children's exposure to high-sugar breakfast cereal TV advertisements was based on the network-specific TV programs children watched in the 7 days prior to each follow-up assessment, and parents reported children's intake of each advertised high-sugar breakfast cereal brand during that same 7-day period. Data were analyzed in 2017–2018.

Results

In the fully adjusted Poisson regression model accounting for repeated measures and brand-specific effects, children with high-sugar breakfast cereal advertisement exposure in the past 7 days (i.e., recent exposure; RR=1.34, 95% CI=1.04, 1.72), at any assessment in the past (RR=1.23, 95% CI=1.06, 1.42), or recent and past exposure (RR=1.37, 95% CI=1.15, 1.63) combined had an increased risk of brand-specific high-sugar breakfast cereal intake. Absolute risk difference of children's high-sugar breakfast cereal intake because of high-sugar breakfast cereal TV advertisement exposure varied by brand.

Conclusions

This naturalistic study demonstrates that child-directed high-sugar breakfast cereal TV advertising was prospectively associated with brand-specific high-sugar breakfast cereal intake among preschoolers. Findings indicate that child-directed advertising influences begin earlier and last longer than previously demonstrated, highlighting limitations of current industry guidelines regarding the marketing of high-sugar foods to children under age 6 years.



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A Meta-Analysis of Food Labeling Effects on Consumer Diet Behaviors and Industry Practices

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Siyi Shangguan, Ashkan Afshin, Masha Shulkin, Wenjie Ma, Daniel Marsden, Jessica Smith, Michael Saheb-Kashaf, Peilin Shi, Renata Micha, Fumiaki Imamura, Dariush Mozaffarian, Food PRICE (Policy Review and Intervention Cost-Effectiveness) Project

Context

The influence of food and beverage labeling (food labeling) on consumer behaviors, industry responses, and health outcomes is not well established.

Evidence acquisition

PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed. Ten databases were searched in 2014 for studies published after 1990 evaluating food labeling and consumer purchases/orders, intakes, metabolic risk factors, and industry responses. Data extractions were performed independently and in duplicate. Studies were pooled using inverse-variance random effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was explored with I2, stratified analyses, and meta-regression; and publication bias was assessed with funnel plots, Begg's tests, and Egger's tests. Analyses were completed in 2017.

Evidence synthesis

From 6,232 articles, a total of 60 studies were identified, including 2 million observations across 111 intervention arms in 11 countries. Food labeling decreased consumer intakes of energy by 6.6% (95% CI= –8.8%, –4.4%, n=31), total fat by 10.6% (95% CI= –17.7%, –3.5%, n=13), and other unhealthy dietary options by 13.0% (95% CI= –25.7%, –0.2%, n=16), while increasing vegetable consumption by 13.5% (95% CI=2.4%, 24.6%, n=5). Evaluating industry responses, labeling decreased product contents of sodium by 8.9% (95% CI= –17.3%, –0.6%, n=4) and artificial trans fat by 64.3% (95% CI= –91.1%, –37.5%, n=3). No significant heterogeneity was identified by label placement or type, duration, labeled product, region, population, voluntary or legislative approaches, combined intervention components, study design, or quality. Evidence for publication bias was not identified.

Conclusions

From reviewing 60 intervention studies, food labeling reduces consumer dietary intake of selected nutrients and influences industry practices to reduce product contents of sodium and artificial trans fat.



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Screening and Referral for Childhood Obesity: Adherence to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Omoye E. Imoisili, Alyson B. Goodman, Carrie A. Dooyema, Megan R. Harrison, Brook Belay, Sohyun Park

Introduction

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends clinicians screen children aged 6 years or older for obesity and offer or refer children with obesity to intensive weight management programs. This study explores clinician awareness of weight management programs meeting the recommendation, adherence to the recommendation of screening and referral, and associations between provider and practice characteristics and weight management program referrals.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from the DocStyles survey 2017, a web-based panel survey, analyzed in 2017. Among 1,023 clinicians who see pediatric patients, this study examined clinician awareness of weight management programs in their communities that met the recommendation, practice of screening for childhood obesity, and referral to weight management programs. Multivariable logistic regression estimated associations between the demographic and practice characteristics of clinicians and weight management program referrals.

Results

Only 24.6% of surveyed clinicians were aware of a weight management program that met the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation in their community; of those aware, 88.9% referred patients to these weight management programs. Most (83.6%) clinicians screened children for obesity in ≥75% of visits. Overall, 53.5% of clinicians provided referrals to weight management programs. Referral was higher among female clinicians and clinicians serving mostly middle-income patients. Providers without teaching hospital privileges had lower odds of referral.

Conclusions

Adherence to clinical recommendations is essential to curbing the childhood obesity epidemic. Only one in four surveyed clinicians were aware of weight management programs in their community meeting U.S. Preventive Services Task Force criteria. Half of clinicians referred pediatric patients with obesity to a weight management program. Results suggest efforts are needed to increase awareness of, and referral to, weight management programs meeting the recommendation.



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Cost Effectiveness of Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccination in College-Aged Young Adults

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Ira L. Leeds, Vasanthkumar Namasivayam, Assanatou Bamogo, Prithvi Sankhla, Winter M. Thayer

Introduction

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B is the most common form of meningococcal infection in young adults in the U.S. Vaccines have recently become available, but it is not clear that the benefits outweigh the costs. The purpose of this study was to assess cost effectiveness and determine potentially favorable conditions for universal vaccination.

Methods

Costs and benefits of universal vaccination at college entry versus no universal vaccination with an outbreak response were estimated in 2018 in the context of a mid-sized U.S.-based 4-year college from both a health sector and a societal perspective. Probability, cost, and utility data were obtained from the published literature. Costs (2015 U.S.$) and benefits were discounted at 3%. One-way and multivariable probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed including variations in the specific vaccine used. Further testing of the model's parameters at extremes was used to identify favorable conditions for universal vaccination.

Results

The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained with universal vaccination was $13.9 million under the health sector perspective and $13.8 million under the societal perspective, each perspective was compared with a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000 per quality-adjusted life year. Multivariable probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that universal vaccination was not the preferred strategy for <$15 million per quality-adjusted life year. Under an extremely favorable model, a universal vaccination strategy became cost effective for vaccine series costing <$65.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that universal vaccination at college entry is not cost effective. The rarity of N. meningitidis serogroup B contributes to the lack of cost effectiveness for universal vaccination.



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Ingestion of Over-the-Counter Liquid Medications: Emergency Department Visits by Children Aged Less Than 6 Years, 2012–2015

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Maribeth C. Lovegrove, Nina J. Weidle, Daniel S. Budnitz

Introduction

Unintentional medication ingestions by young children lead to nearly 60,000 emergency department visits annually; 15% involve oral liquid medications. Safety packaging improvements have been shown to limit liquid medication ingestions. Estimated rates of emergency department visits for pediatric ingestions by product were calculated to help target interventions.

Methods

Frequencies and rates of emergency department visits for unintentional pediatric ingestions were estimated using adverse event data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance project and retail sales/pharmacy dispensing data from Information Resources, Inc. and QuintilesIMS (collected 2012–2015; analyzed 2017). Rates of emergency department visits for ingestions of over-the-counter liquid medications were compared with those for prescription solid medications.

Results

From the results of 568 cases, an estimated 6,427 emergency department visits (95% CI=4,907, 7,948) were made annually after a child aged <6 years accessed one of the four most commonly implicated over-the-counter liquid medications without caregiver oversight. Nearly two thirds (63.8%) of these visits were made by children aged ≤2 years and 9.0% resulted in hospitalization. Acetaminophen was the most commonly implicated over-the-counter liquid medication (2,515 estimated emergency department visits annually). Rates of emergency department visits for liquid diphenhydramine and acetaminophen ingestions (8.1 and 7.4 emergency department visits per 100,000 bottles sold) were higher than rates for other common over-the-counter liquids and comparable to high-rate prescription solid medications (clonidine and buprenorphine/naloxone: 11.1 and 10.5 emergency department visits per 100,000 dispensed prescriptions, respectively).

Conclusions

Product-specific rates of emergency department visits for unintentional ingestions can help prioritize preventive interventions, such as enhancing safety packaging with flow restrictors.



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Demand for Respiratory Care Devices Market 2018 to 2023 | By Monitoring Devices (Pulse Oximeters), Diagnostic Devices (Spirometers), Accessories & Consumables (Disposable Masks), and Application - MRFR - openPR

Rc17305179_m.jpg

Demand for Respiratory Care Devices Market 2018 to 2023 | By Monitoring Devices (Pulse Oximeters), Diagnostic Devices (Spirometers), Accessories & Consumables (Disposable Masks), and Application - MRFR  openPR

Respiratory Care Devices Market - Segmentation The global respiratory care devices market has been segmented on the basis of therapeutic devices, ...



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Cross Type Neutralizing Antibodies Detected in a Unique HIV-2 Infected Individual From India

K. K. Vidyavijayan, Narayanaiah Cheedarala, Hemalatha Babu, Lucia K. Precilla, Pattabiraman Sathyamurthi, Padmapriyadarsini Chandrasekaran, Kailapuri G. Murugavel, Soumya Swaminathan, Srikanth P. Tripathy, Luke Elizabeth Hanna (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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TLR3 Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cell Line Suppresses HBV Replication in HepG2 Cells

Biao Zhang, Yu Liu, Xu Wang, Jieliang Li, Xiqiu Xu, Le Guo, Wen-Zhe Ho (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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Structural Model of the mIgM B-Cell Receptor Transmembrane Domain From Self-Association Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Mario D. Friess, Kristyna Pluhackova, Rainer A. B öckmann (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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Trained Immunity-Based Vaccines: A New Paradigm for the Development of Broad-Spectrum Anti-infectious Formulations

Silvia S ánchez-Ramón, Laura Conejero, Mihai G. Netea, David Sancho, Óscar Palomares, José Luis Subiza (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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Selective Effects of mTOR Inhibitor Sirolimus on Na ïve and CMV-Specific T Cells Extending Its Applicable Range Beyond Immunosuppression

Szilvia Bak, Sabine Tischer, Anna Dragon, Sarina Ravens, Lars Pape, Christian Koenecke, Mathias Oelke, Rainer Blasczyk, Britta Maecker-Kolhoff, Britta Eiz-Vesper (Source: Frontiers in Immunology)

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Platelet-Dense Granules Worsen Pre-Infection Thrombocytopenia during Gram-Negative Pneumonia-Derived Sepsis

Platelet-dense ( δ) granules are important for platelet function. Platelets contribute to host defense and vascular integrity during pneumonia and sepsis, and δ granule products, including adenosine diphosphate (ADP), can influence inflammatory responses. We therefore aimed to study the role of platelet δ granule s in the host response during sepsis. Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome(Hps)3coa mice (with reduced δ granule content), mice treated with the platelet ADP receptor inhibitor clopidogrel, and appropriate control mice were infected with the human sepsis pathogenKlebsiella pneumoniae via the airways to induce pneumonia and sepsis. In order to override potential redundancy in platelet functions, we also studiedHps3coa and control mice with moderate antibody-induced thrombocytopenia (10%) ...

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Primary Human Neutrophils Exhibit a Unique HIV-Directed Antibody-Dependent Phagocytosis Profile

This study illustrates the concept that the assessment of FcR-mediated Ab activity with a frequently used cell line such as THP-1 is not necessarily indicative of relevant Ab functionality in vivo, and this calls for in-depth study of the properties of the HIV antibodies best-suited to elic iting antiviral activities by primary cells.J Innate Immun (Source: Journal of Innate Immunity)

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Downregulation of Microparticle Release and Pro-Inflammatory Properties of Activated Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils by LMW Fucoidan

Exposition of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear neutrophils, PMNs) to bacterial products triggers exacerbated activation of these cells, increasing their harmful effects on host tissues. We evaluated the possibility of interfering with the classic immune innate responses of human PMNs exposed to bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), and further stimulated with bacterial formyl peptide (N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine, fMLP). We showed that the low- molecular-weight fucoidan (LMW-Fuc), a polysaccharide extracted from brown algae, attenuated the exacerbated activation induced by fMLP on LPS-primed PMNs, in vitro, impairing chemotaxis, NET formation, and the pro-survival and pro-oxidative effects. LMW-Fuc also inhibited the activation of canonical signaling pathways, AKT, bad,...

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The Role of Toll-Like Receptors in the Production of Cytokines by Human Lung Macrophages

Conclusions: The stimulation of TLRs in human LMs induces intense cytokine and chemokine production, a characteristic of the proinflammatory M1 macrophage phenotype.J Innate Immun (Source: Journal of Innate Immunity)

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Meet Our Editorial Board Member

(Source: Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry)

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Antiallergy Drugs as Potent Inhibitors of Lipase with Structure-activity Relationships and Molecular Docking

(Source: Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry)

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A Mixture of Five Bacterial Strains Attenuates Skin Inflammation in Mice

(Source: Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry)

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E-cigarette nicotine dose and flavor: Relationship with appeal, choice, and tobacco use amongst veterans with comorbid psychiatric disorders

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: Addictive Behaviors

Author(s): Elise DeVito, Eugenia Buta, Mehmet Sofuoglu

Abstract
Background

Electronic cigarettes (EC) may aid some smokers in reducing combustible tobacco use. Smokers with psychiatric co-morbidities tend to have higher nicotine dependence and worse outcomes, so may particularly benefit from alternative cessation aids. EC characteristics, like nicotine level and flavor, may influence EC's appeal to smokers. Nicotine level may impact EC's efficacy in reducing combustible cigarette use.

Methods

Non-treatment-seeking cigarette smokers with medical/psychiatric co-morbidities rated 'liking' of ECs varying in nicotine level (12 mg, 24 mg) and flavor (menthol, 'slim'-tobacco, 'burley'-tobacco), during an open-label Choice Procedure. Smokers (N = 43) chose ECs for a 4-week take-home-trial, and used EC and/or combustible cigarettes as they wished. Analyses examined ratings and choice by nicotine level and flavor, and the relationship between consistent take-home choice of 12 mg versus 24 mg baseline demographic/smoking characteristics, and outcomes (cigarettes/day, nicotine intake, motivation to quit smoking) during take-home-trial and one-month follow-up.

Results

Smokers who chose menthol-flavor, tobacco-flavor and/or 24 mg nicotine e-liquids for the first take-home week rated these conditions as more 'liked' than alternative options, at baseline. Groups who chose 12 mg versus 24 mg throughout the take-home trial did not significantly differ on baseline characteristics, or smoking-related outcomes within the take-home trial, however, motivation to quit smoking increased more from baseline to one-month follow-up in choosers of higher nicotine (24 mg) ECs.

Conclusions

Associations between subjective ratings and subsequent choice support feasibility of open-label choice-procedures in EC trials. Access to 12 mg or 24 mg nicotine ECs was associated with reduced smoking, and 24 mg ECs with increased motivation to quit smoking in smokers with medical/psychiatric co-morbidities.



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Toward a comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms of decoded neurofeedback

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: NeuroImage

Author(s): Kazuhisa Shibata, Giuseppe Lisi, Aurelio Cortese, Takeo Watanabe, Yuka Sasaki, Mitsuo Kawato

Abstract

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback is an experimental framework in which fMRI signals are presented to participants in a real-time manner to change their behaviors. Changes in behaviors after real-time fMRI neurofeedback are postulated to be caused by neural plasticity driven by the induction of specific targeted activities at the neuronal level (targeted neural plasticity model). However, some research groups argued that behavioral changes in conventional real-time fMRI neurofeedback studies are explained by alternative accounts, including the placebo effect and physiological artifacts. Recently, decoded neurofeedback (DecNef) has been developed as a result of adapting new technological advancements, including implicit neurofeedback and fMRI multivariate analyses. DecNef provides strong evidence for the targeted neural plasticity model while refuting the abovementioned alternative accounts. In this review, we first discuss how DecNef refutes the alternative accounts. Second, we propose a model that shows how targeted neural plasticity occurs at the neuronal level during DecNef training. Finally, we discuss computational and empirical evidence that supports the model. Clarification of the neural mechanisms of DecNef would lead to the development of more advanced fMRI neurofeedback methods that may serve as powerful tools for both basic and clinical research.



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E-cigarette nicotine dose and flavor: Relationship with appeal, choice, and tobacco use amongst veterans with comorbid psychiatric disorders

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: Addictive Behaviors

Author(s): Elise DeVito, Eugenia Buta, Mehmet Sofuoglu

Abstract
Background

Electronic cigarettes (EC) may aid some smokers in reducing combustible tobacco use. Smokers with psychiatric co-morbidities tend to have higher nicotine dependence and worse outcomes, so may particularly benefit from alternative cessation aids. EC characteristics, like nicotine level and flavor, may influence EC's appeal to smokers. Nicotine level may impact EC's efficacy in reducing combustible cigarette use.

Methods

Non-treatment-seeking cigarette smokers with medical/psychiatric co-morbidities rated 'liking' of ECs varying in nicotine level (12 mg, 24 mg) and flavor (menthol, 'slim'-tobacco, 'burley'-tobacco), during an open-label Choice Procedure. Smokers (N = 43) chose ECs for a 4-week take-home-trial, and used EC and/or combustible cigarettes as they wished. Analyses examined ratings and choice by nicotine level and flavor, and the relationship between consistent take-home choice of 12 mg versus 24 mg baseline demographic/smoking characteristics, and outcomes (cigarettes/day, nicotine intake, motivation to quit smoking) during take-home-trial and one-month follow-up.

Results

Smokers who chose menthol-flavor, tobacco-flavor and/or 24 mg nicotine e-liquids for the first take-home week rated these conditions as more 'liked' than alternative options, at baseline. Groups who chose 12 mg versus 24 mg throughout the take-home trial did not significantly differ on baseline characteristics, or smoking-related outcomes within the take-home trial, however, motivation to quit smoking increased more from baseline to one-month follow-up in choosers of higher nicotine (24 mg) ECs.

Conclusions

Associations between subjective ratings and subsequent choice support feasibility of open-label choice-procedures in EC trials. Access to 12 mg or 24 mg nicotine ECs was associated with reduced smoking, and 24 mg ECs with increased motivation to quit smoking in smokers with medical/psychiatric co-morbidities.



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Toward a comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms of decoded neurofeedback

Publication date: Available online 17 December 2018

Source: NeuroImage

Author(s): Kazuhisa Shibata, Giuseppe Lisi, Aurelio Cortese, Takeo Watanabe, Yuka Sasaki, Mitsuo Kawato

Abstract

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback is an experimental framework in which fMRI signals are presented to participants in a real-time manner to change their behaviors. Changes in behaviors after real-time fMRI neurofeedback are postulated to be caused by neural plasticity driven by the induction of specific targeted activities at the neuronal level (targeted neural plasticity model). However, some research groups argued that behavioral changes in conventional real-time fMRI neurofeedback studies are explained by alternative accounts, including the placebo effect and physiological artifacts. Recently, decoded neurofeedback (DecNef) has been developed as a result of adapting new technological advancements, including implicit neurofeedback and fMRI multivariate analyses. DecNef provides strong evidence for the targeted neural plasticity model while refuting the abovementioned alternative accounts. In this review, we first discuss how DecNef refutes the alternative accounts. Second, we propose a model that shows how targeted neural plasticity occurs at the neuronal level during DecNef training. Finally, we discuss computational and empirical evidence that supports the model. Clarification of the neural mechanisms of DecNef would lead to the development of more advanced fMRI neurofeedback methods that may serve as powerful tools for both basic and clinical research.



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The Brain Fog of Menopause - The New York Times

The Brain Fog of Menopause  The New York Times

'Menopause-related cognitive impairment happens to women in their 40s and 50s, women in the prime of life who suddenly have the rug pulled out from under ...



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Arrested Huawei CFO offers to pay for her own 24-hour surveillance and wear a tracking device if she's granted bail - Pulse.com.gh

Arrested Huawei CFO offers to pay for her own 24-hour surveillance and wear a tracking device if she's granted bail  Pulse.com.gh

The high-powered Chinese tech executive accused of helping her company evade US trade sanctions reportedly told the courts this week that she would pay for ...



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The Brain Fog of Menopause - The New York Times

The Brain Fog of Menopause  The New York Times

'Menopause-related cognitive impairment happens to women in their 40s and 50s, women in the prime of life who suddenly have the rug pulled out from under ...



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Arrested Huawei CFO offers to pay for her own 24-hour surveillance and wear a tracking device if she's granted bail - Pulse.com.gh

Arrested Huawei CFO offers to pay for her own 24-hour surveillance and wear a tracking device if she's granted bail  Pulse.com.gh

The high-powered Chinese tech executive accused of helping her company evade US trade sanctions reportedly told the courts this week that she would pay for ...



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Whole‐lesion ADC histogram analysis and the spondyloarthritis research consortium of canada (SPARCC) MRI index in evaluating the disease activity of ankylosing spondylitis

Background

Conventional MRI is limited in quantitative evaluation of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) activity states. A comparison of the effectiveness of the whole‐lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis with the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) MRI index in evaluating the disease activity of AS might aid in this assessment.

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of the whole‐lesion ADC histogram analysis with the SPARCC MRI index in evaluating the disease activity states of AS.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

A total of 57 AS patients and 27 healthy matched volunteers were included.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T MR including a diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) sequence (b = 0, 1000 s/mm2).

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe's post‐hoc was used to compare the parameters among different groups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the Spearman rank correlation were performed to test the diagnostic performance of all parameters in distinguishing different disease activity states and determining the correlations between them.

Assessment

AS disease activity states was evaluated according to the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Initial DWI images and corresponding ADC maps were imported into our in‐house software. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn in all slices and the relevant parameters were derived simultaneously. The SPARCC MRI index scores were counted artificially based on T2‐PDW‐SPAIR images.

Results

The ADCmean, ADC percentiles, and SPARCC MRI index of the active group were significantly higher than the inactive and control groups (all P < 0.001). The 90th percentile could differentiate the inactive from the control group and the low disease activity group from the inactive group (P = 0.011 and 0.006, respectively). The 50th percentile of the high disease activity group was significantly higher than the low group (P = 0.004), while the SPARCC MRI index of the very high disease activity group was higher than the high group (P < 0.001).

Data Conclusion

The whole‐volume ADC histogram analysis was superior to the SPARCC MRI index in assessing AS activity states.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.



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Whole‐lesion ADC histogram analysis and the spondyloarthritis research consortium of canada (SPARCC) MRI index in evaluating the disease activity of ankylosing spondylitis

Background

Conventional MRI is limited in quantitative evaluation of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) activity states. A comparison of the effectiveness of the whole‐lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis with the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) MRI index in evaluating the disease activity of AS might aid in this assessment.

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of the whole‐lesion ADC histogram analysis with the SPARCC MRI index in evaluating the disease activity states of AS.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

A total of 57 AS patients and 27 healthy matched volunteers were included.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T MR including a diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) sequence (b = 0, 1000 s/mm2).

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe's post‐hoc was used to compare the parameters among different groups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the Spearman rank correlation were performed to test the diagnostic performance of all parameters in distinguishing different disease activity states and determining the correlations between them.

Assessment

AS disease activity states was evaluated according to the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Initial DWI images and corresponding ADC maps were imported into our in‐house software. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn in all slices and the relevant parameters were derived simultaneously. The SPARCC MRI index scores were counted artificially based on T2‐PDW‐SPAIR images.

Results

The ADCmean, ADC percentiles, and SPARCC MRI index of the active group were significantly higher than the inactive and control groups (all P < 0.001). The 90th percentile could differentiate the inactive from the control group and the low disease activity group from the inactive group (P = 0.011 and 0.006, respectively). The 50th percentile of the high disease activity group was significantly higher than the low group (P = 0.004), while the SPARCC MRI index of the very high disease activity group was higher than the high group (P < 0.001).

Data Conclusion

The whole‐volume ADC histogram analysis was superior to the SPARCC MRI index in assessing AS activity states.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.



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The Brain Fog of Menopause - New York Times

The Brain Fog of Menopause  New York Times

'Menopause-related cognitive impairment happens to women in their 40s and 50s, women in the prime of life who suddenly have the rug pulled out from under ...



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Oncology Adjuvants Market Research and Clinical Analysis 2018 to 2025 - Journal of Industry

Oncology Adjuvants Market Research and Clinical Analysis 2018 to 2025  Journal of Industry

Global Oncology Adjuvants Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025. The report provides a unique tool for evaluating the Market, highlighting opportunities, and ...



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Excess body weight responsible for 4% of cancers worldwide, study says - CNN

111018092923-mammogram-breast-cancer-x-r

Excess body weight responsible for 4% of cancers worldwide, study says  CNN

Excess body fat and obesity were responsible for 3.9% of cancers worldwide in 2012 and an increased risk of at least 13 cancers, including postmenopausal ...



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The Brain Fog of Menopause - New York Times

The Brain Fog of Menopause  New York Times

'Menopause-related cognitive impairment happens to women in their 40s and 50s, women in the prime of life who suddenly have the rug pulled out from under ...



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Excess body weight responsible for 4% of cancers worldwide, study says - CNN

111018092923-mammogram-breast-cancer-x-r

Excess body weight responsible for 4% of cancers worldwide, study says  CNN

Excess body fat and obesity were responsible for 3.9% of cancers worldwide in 2012 and an increased risk of at least 13 cancers, including postmenopausal ...



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Thoracic cage volume and dimension assessment by optoelectronic molding in normal children and adolescents during growth

Abstract

Purpose

The thoracic spine, the chondral and osseous ribs, and the sternum together make up the thoracic cage. These elements are strictly correlated, although their growth is not synchronous. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive data set of thoracic dimensions and non-invasive volumetric assessment in a large cohort of males and females from early childhood to young adult age.

Methods

In all, 622 healthy individuals (406 girls, 216 boys) aged 6–18 years were consecutively enrolled between 2006 and 2016. All had to be healthy with no history of spinal deformity, or any lung, cardiovascular, systemic or neuromuscular disease. The optical ORTEN system for trunk surface data acquisition was used to calculate thoracic cage volume (V) and perimeter (Pe), anterior–posterior depth (AP) and transverse diameter (TD), AP/TD ratio, sternal length (St), and T1–T12 distance (Tle) in all patients.

Results

The overall average age was 11.1 ± 2.5 years (4–18) for girls and 11.0 ± 3.1 years (4–18) for boys. Average growth parameters were: standing height 146.2 ± 14.6 cm (103–172) for girls and 146.4 ± 20.0 cm (94–192) for boys, sitting height 75.4 ± 8.6 cm (61–91) for girls and 75.5 ± 10.3 cm (60–99) for boys, weight 37.6 ± 10.4 kg (16–65) for girls and 38.3 ± 14.3 kg (13.7–104) for boys, BMI 16.7 ± 3.7 (18.5–26) for girls and 17.0 ± 3.3 (18.7–34.3) for boys. At age 6–8 years: V was 52.5% of its final size in girls and 44.9% in boys; Pe was 80.2% its final length in girls and 76.8% in boys; St reached 68% of its final size in girls and 66.9% in boys; Tle reached 73.3% of its final length in girls and 71.2% in boys. At skeletal maturity, thoracic cage volume in boys was 19.4% greater than in girls (p < 0.05). AP/TD ratio remained < 1 in all age groups and did not differ between genders (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Growth of the thoracic cage is shown to be a gradual process that is more linear than previously reported. Only small increases in annual growth rates were observed during the pubertal growth spurt. The most important events characterizing thoracic cage development occurred during the first few years of postnatal growth. The circular cross-section of the very young child's thorax reached adult-like proportions together with its ovoid shape before age 6 years.



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Thoracic cage volume and dimension assessment by optoelectronic molding in normal children and adolescents during growth

Abstract

Purpose

The thoracic spine, the chondral and osseous ribs, and the sternum together make up the thoracic cage. These elements are strictly correlated, although their growth is not synchronous. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive data set of thoracic dimensions and non-invasive volumetric assessment in a large cohort of males and females from early childhood to young adult age.

Methods

In all, 622 healthy individuals (406 girls, 216 boys) aged 6–18 years were consecutively enrolled between 2006 and 2016. All had to be healthy with no history of spinal deformity, or any lung, cardiovascular, systemic or neuromuscular disease. The optical ORTEN system for trunk surface data acquisition was used to calculate thoracic cage volume (V) and perimeter (Pe), anterior–posterior depth (AP) and transverse diameter (TD), AP/TD ratio, sternal length (St), and T1–T12 distance (Tle) in all patients.

Results

The overall average age was 11.1 ± 2.5 years (4–18) for girls and 11.0 ± 3.1 years (4–18) for boys. Average growth parameters were: standing height 146.2 ± 14.6 cm (103–172) for girls and 146.4 ± 20.0 cm (94–192) for boys, sitting height 75.4 ± 8.6 cm (61–91) for girls and 75.5 ± 10.3 cm (60–99) for boys, weight 37.6 ± 10.4 kg (16–65) for girls and 38.3 ± 14.3 kg (13.7–104) for boys, BMI 16.7 ± 3.7 (18.5–26) for girls and 17.0 ± 3.3 (18.7–34.3) for boys. At age 6–8 years: V was 52.5% of its final size in girls and 44.9% in boys; Pe was 80.2% its final length in girls and 76.8% in boys; St reached 68% of its final size in girls and 66.9% in boys; Tle reached 73.3% of its final length in girls and 71.2% in boys. At skeletal maturity, thoracic cage volume in boys was 19.4% greater than in girls (p < 0.05). AP/TD ratio remained < 1 in all age groups and did not differ between genders (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Growth of the thoracic cage is shown to be a gradual process that is more linear than previously reported. Only small increases in annual growth rates were observed during the pubertal growth spurt. The most important events characterizing thoracic cage development occurred during the first few years of postnatal growth. The circular cross-section of the very young child's thorax reached adult-like proportions together with its ovoid shape before age 6 years.



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Masking Release for Speech in Modulated Maskers: Electrophysiological and Behavioral Measures

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to obtain an electrophysiological analog of masking release using speech-evoked cortical potentials in steady and modulated maskers and to relate this masking release to behavioral measures for the same stimuli. The hypothesis was that the evoked potentials can be tracked to a lower stimulus level in a modulated masker than in a steady masker and that the magnitude of this electrophysiological masking release is of the same order as that of the behavioral masking release for the same stimuli. Design: Cortical potentials evoked by an 80-ms /ba/ stimulus were measured in two steady maskers (30 and 65 dB SPL), and in a masker that modulated between these two levels at a rate of 25 Hz. In each masker, a level series was undertaken to determine electrophysiological threshold. Behavioral detection thresholds were determined in the same maskers using an adaptive tracking procedure. Masking release was defined as the difference between signal thresholds measured in the steady 65-dB SPL masker and the modulated masker. A total of 23 normal-hearing adults participated. Results: Electrophysiological thresholds were uniformly elevated relative to behavioral thresholds by about 6.5 dB. However, the magnitude of masking release was about 13.5 dB for both measurement domains. Conclusions: Electrophysiological measures of masking release using speech-evoked cortical auditory evoked potentials correspond closely to behavioral estimates for the same stimuli. This suggests that objective measures based on electrophysiological techniques can be used to reliably gauge aspects of temporal processing ability. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: All authors contributed to multiple aspects of the study. Broadly, E.R.S. and J.H.G. designed and implemented the experiments, while A.M.T. and J.P.H. performed the experiments and contributed to data analysis. All authors assisted in manuscript preparation. This research was funded by the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) 5-R01-DC001507 (J.H.G.). The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Address for correspondence: John H. Grose, Department OHNS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB No. 7070, 170 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599. E-mail: john_grose@med.unc.edu Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Global Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 Market 2018 (Sales & Key Players) – Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc, AstraZeneca Plc, Bayer AG, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc – Daily Industry Updates - Daily Industry Updates

Global Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 Market 2018 (Sales & Key Players) – Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc, AstraZeneca Plc, Bayer AG, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc – Daily Industry Updates  Daily Industry Updates

Global Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 Market report provides information on trends and developments, and emphases on markets and materials, capacities and ...



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WHO World Hearing Forum: Guest Editorial: Ear and Hearing Care: A Global Public Health Priority

No abstract available

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Global Poly Polymerase 2 Market 2019- AstraZeneca Plc, BeiGene Ltd, Clovis Oncology Inc, AbbVie Inc - Journal of Industry

Global Poly Polymerase 2 Market 2019- AstraZeneca Plc, BeiGene Ltd, Clovis Oncology Inc, AbbVie Inc  Journal of Industry

Global Poly Polymerase 2 Market has been brewing up and impacting the international economy in terms of growth rate, revenue, sale, market share, and size.



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Evaluation of CSF flow metrics in patients with communicating hydrocephalus and idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Abstract

Purpose

To search for CSF dynamics of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and communicating hydrocephalus and any correlation between MRI findings, CSF metrics and CSF opening pressure in IIH.

Materials and methods

Healthy subjects (30) and subjects with IIH (29) and high-pressure communicating hydrocephalus (43) were enrolled. Nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test (p = 0.05) was used to compare three groups, Mann–Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction to compare two groups (p = 0.016). Correlation of MRI findings of IIH with CSF metrics and CSF opening pressure was analyzed by Spearman's Rank correlation coefficient (p = 0.05).

Results

In IIH, no correlation between MRI findings and aqueductal stroke volume (ASV) but statistically significantly CSF opening pressure in the presence of transverse sinus compression was noted. Comparing with healthy subjects, ASV was nonsignificantly lower and standardized diastolic and sum and difference of systolic and diastolic flow durations were statistically significantly lower. Comparing with hydrocephalus, the width of prepontine cistern (PPC)/the width of aqueductus sylvii (AS) was significantly higher and other CSF metrics with standardized systolic and sum of systolic and diastolic flow durations were significantly lower. In hydrocephalus, ASV and peak velocities were significantly higher. Compared with normal group, PPC/AS and reverse/forward flow duration were significantly lower and other CSF metrics were significantly higher.

Conclusion

In hydrocephalus, significant increase in ASV and peak velocities were noted. In IIH, CSF opening pressure was statistically significantly high in the presence of transverse sinus compression and standardized diastolic flow durations were statistically significantly short that are probably effects of increased impedance of CSF flow against increased intracranial pressure and unchanged or even decreased intraventricular CSF volume.



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A Laboratory Evaluation of Contextual Factors Affecting Ratings of Speech in Noise: Implications for Ecological Momentary Assessment

Objectives: As hearing aid outcome measures move from retrospective to momentary assessments, it is important to understand how contextual factors influence subjective ratings. Under laboratory-controlled conditions, we examined whether subjective ratings changed as a function of acoustics, response timing, and task variables. Design: Eighteen adults (age 21 to 85 years; M = 51.4) with sensorineural hearing loss were fitted with hearing aids. Sentences in noise were presented at 3 overall levels (50, 65, and 80 dB SPL) and 3 signal to noise ratios (0, +5, and +10 dB signal to noise ratio [SNR]). Listeners rated three sound quality dimensions (intelligibility, noisiness, and loudness) under four experimental conditions that manipulated timing and task focus. Results: The quality ratings changed as the acoustics changed: intelligibility ratings increased with input level (p 0.1). Conclusions: The findings of this laboratory study provide evidence to support the conclusion that group-mean listener ratings of loudness, noisiness, and intelligibility change in predictable ways as level and SNR of the speech in noise stimulus are altered. They also provide weak evidence to support the conclusion that timing of the ratings (during or immediately after sound exposure) can affect noisiness ratings under certain conditions, but no evidence to support the conclusion that timing affects other quality ratings. There is also no evidence to support the conclusion that quality ratings are influenced by the presence of, or focus on, a secondary nonauditory task of the type used here. Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and text of this article on the journal's Web site (www.ear-hearing.com). ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Funding was received by a grant from Mitacs Inc. (to L.M.J. and A.D.) with Unitron Hearing Ltd. L.G. and F.P. received honoraria from the grant. The authors retained full editorial control of the data. Portions of this article were presented at the International Hearing Aid Research Conference (IHCON), Lake Tahoe, California, August 2016. G.S. is an employee of Sonova, the company that developed the mobile phone app being tested. All authors contributed to the design of the experiment, participated in the discussion of the results, and commented on the manuscript. L.M.J. analyzed the data and wrote the article; L.G. created the data collection program, performed the experiment, and wrote some sections of the article; G.S. provided critical feedback throughout data collection, analysis, and write-up; A.D. provided feedback at key stages throughout the process; F.P. contributed to the literature review. Address for correspondence: Lorienne M. Jenstad, Faculty of Medicine, School of Audiology & Speech Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, V6T 1Z3 BC, Canada. E-mail: ljenstad@audiospeech.ubc.ca Received September 5, 2017; accepted October 17, 2018. Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Masking Release for Speech in Modulated Maskers: Electrophysiological and Behavioral Measures

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to obtain an electrophysiological analog of masking release using speech-evoked cortical potentials in steady and modulated maskers and to relate this masking release to behavioral measures for the same stimuli. The hypothesis was that the evoked potentials can be tracked to a lower stimulus level in a modulated masker than in a steady masker and that the magnitude of this electrophysiological masking release is of the same order as that of the behavioral masking release for the same stimuli. Design: Cortical potentials evoked by an 80-ms /ba/ stimulus were measured in two steady maskers (30 and 65 dB SPL), and in a masker that modulated between these two levels at a rate of 25 Hz. In each masker, a level series was undertaken to determine electrophysiological threshold. Behavioral detection thresholds were determined in the same maskers using an adaptive tracking procedure. Masking release was defined as the difference between signal thresholds measured in the steady 65-dB SPL masker and the modulated masker. A total of 23 normal-hearing adults participated. Results: Electrophysiological thresholds were uniformly elevated relative to behavioral thresholds by about 6.5 dB. However, the magnitude of masking release was about 13.5 dB for both measurement domains. Conclusions: Electrophysiological measures of masking release using speech-evoked cortical auditory evoked potentials correspond closely to behavioral estimates for the same stimuli. This suggests that objective measures based on electrophysiological techniques can be used to reliably gauge aspects of temporal processing ability. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: All authors contributed to multiple aspects of the study. Broadly, E.R.S. and J.H.G. designed and implemented the experiments, while A.M.T. and J.P.H. performed the experiments and contributed to data analysis. All authors assisted in manuscript preparation. This research was funded by the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) 5-R01-DC001507 (J.H.G.). The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Address for correspondence: John H. Grose, Department OHNS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB No. 7070, 170 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599. E-mail: john_grose@med.unc.edu Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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WHO World Hearing Forum: Guest Editorial: Ear and Hearing Care: A Global Public Health Priority

No abstract available

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Global Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 Market 2018 (Sales & Key Players) – Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc, AstraZeneca Plc, Bayer AG, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc – Daily Industry Updates - Daily Industry Updates

Global Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 Market 2018 (Sales & Key Players) – Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc, AstraZeneca Plc, Bayer AG, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc – Daily Industry Updates  Daily Industry Updates

Global Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 Market report provides information on trends and developments, and emphases on markets and materials, capacities and ...



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Global Poly Polymerase 2 Market 2019- AstraZeneca Plc, BeiGene Ltd, Clovis Oncology Inc, AbbVie Inc - Journal of Industry

Global Poly Polymerase 2 Market 2019- AstraZeneca Plc, BeiGene Ltd, Clovis Oncology Inc, AbbVie Inc  Journal of Industry

Global Poly Polymerase 2 Market has been brewing up and impacting the international economy in terms of growth rate, revenue, sale, market share, and size.



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Evaluation of CSF flow metrics in patients with communicating hydrocephalus and idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Abstract

Purpose

To search for CSF dynamics of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and communicating hydrocephalus and any correlation between MRI findings, CSF metrics and CSF opening pressure in IIH.

Materials and methods

Healthy subjects (30) and subjects with IIH (29) and high-pressure communicating hydrocephalus (43) were enrolled. Nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test (p = 0.05) was used to compare three groups, Mann–Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction to compare two groups (p = 0.016). Correlation of MRI findings of IIH with CSF metrics and CSF opening pressure was analyzed by Spearman's Rank correlation coefficient (p = 0.05).

Results

In IIH, no correlation between MRI findings and aqueductal stroke volume (ASV) but statistically significantly CSF opening pressure in the presence of transverse sinus compression was noted. Comparing with healthy subjects, ASV was nonsignificantly lower and standardized diastolic and sum and difference of systolic and diastolic flow durations were statistically significantly lower. Comparing with hydrocephalus, the width of prepontine cistern (PPC)/the width of aqueductus sylvii (AS) was significantly higher and other CSF metrics with standardized systolic and sum of systolic and diastolic flow durations were significantly lower. In hydrocephalus, ASV and peak velocities were significantly higher. Compared with normal group, PPC/AS and reverse/forward flow duration were significantly lower and other CSF metrics were significantly higher.

Conclusion

In hydrocephalus, significant increase in ASV and peak velocities were noted. In IIH, CSF opening pressure was statistically significantly high in the presence of transverse sinus compression and standardized diastolic flow durations were statistically significantly short that are probably effects of increased impedance of CSF flow against increased intracranial pressure and unchanged or even decreased intraventricular CSF volume.



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Radiation therapy for patients with newly diagnosed metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background

To assess the association between radiation therapy (RT) use and overall survival (OS) for patients with metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

Methods

We analyzed the National Cancer Database to identify patients with newly diagnosed metastatic HNSCC from 2004 to 2013 who were treated with up‐front chemotherapy. Associations between the use of RT and OS were evaluated.

Results

We identified 3516 patients with metastatic HNSCC who were treated with chemotherapy; 2288 (65%) were also treated with RT. The addition of RT to chemotherapy was associated with prolonged survival (median: 13.6 vs 11.3 months, log‐rank P < .001). After adjusting for other prognostic factors in a multivariable Cox model, propensity score matching and landmark analyses limited to patients who survived at least 3, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis, the use of RT remained associated with prolonged survival.

Conclusion

The addition of RT to chemotherapy in the up‐front management of metastatic HNSCC was associated with prolonged OS in this study.



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Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Market Clinical Analysis 2018 – 2025 - Journal of Industry

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Market Clinical Analysis 2018 – 2025  Journal of Industry

Global Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025. The report provides a unique tool for evaluating the Market, ...



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Radiation therapy for patients with newly diagnosed metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background

To assess the association between radiation therapy (RT) use and overall survival (OS) for patients with metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

Methods

We analyzed the National Cancer Database to identify patients with newly diagnosed metastatic HNSCC from 2004 to 2013 who were treated with up‐front chemotherapy. Associations between the use of RT and OS were evaluated.

Results

We identified 3516 patients with metastatic HNSCC who were treated with chemotherapy; 2288 (65%) were also treated with RT. The addition of RT to chemotherapy was associated with prolonged survival (median: 13.6 vs 11.3 months, log‐rank P < .001). After adjusting for other prognostic factors in a multivariable Cox model, propensity score matching and landmark analyses limited to patients who survived at least 3, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis, the use of RT remained associated with prolonged survival.

Conclusion

The addition of RT to chemotherapy in the up‐front management of metastatic HNSCC was associated with prolonged OS in this study.



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Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Market Clinical Analysis 2018 – 2025 - Journal of Industry

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Market Clinical Analysis 2018 – 2025  Journal of Industry

Global Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025. The report provides a unique tool for evaluating the Market, ...



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Home-based Cognitive Prehabilitation in Older Surgical Patients: A Feasibility Study

Background: Cognitive training is beneficial in various clinical settings, although its perioperative feasibility and impact remain unknown. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of home-based cognitive prehabilitation before major surgery in older adults. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one patients were enrolled, randomized, and allocated to either a home-based preoperative cognitive training regimen or no training before surgery. Outcomes included postoperative delirium incidence (primary outcome; assessed with the 3D-Confusion Assessment Method), perioperative cognitive function based on NIH Toolbox measures, hospital length of stay, and physical therapy session participation. Reasons for declining enrollment were reported, as were reasons for opting out of the training program. Results: Postoperative delirium incidence was 6 of 23 (26%) in the prehabilitation group compared with 5 of 29 (17%) in the control group (P=0.507). There were no significant differences between groups in NIH Toolbox cognitive function scoring, hospital length of stay, or physical therapy participation rates. Study feasibility data were also collected and reported. The most common reasons for declining enrollment were lack of computer access (n=19), time commitment (n=9), and feeling overwhelmed (n=9). In the training group, only 5 of 29 (17%) included patients were able to complete the prescribed 7 days of training, and 14 of 29 (48%) opted out of training once home. Most common reasons were feeling overwhelmed (n=4) and computer difficulties (n=3). Conclusions: Short-term, home-based cognitive training before surgery is unlikely to be feasible for many older patients. Barriers to training include feeling overwhelmed, technical issues with training, and preoperative time commitment. P.E.V. is supported by National Institutes of Health Grant K23GM126317. The study was also supported by the Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School (Ann Arbor, MI). The methodology of this trial was presented as a poster presentation at the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research 2017 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship Symposium (MSARF Fellow: A.R.D.). The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose. Address correspondence to: Phillip E. Vlisides, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1H247 UH, SPC-5048, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5048 (e-mail: pvliside@med.umich.edu). Received September 12, 2018 Accepted November 16, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

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Home-based Cognitive Prehabilitation in Older Surgical Patients: A Feasibility Study

Background: Cognitive training is beneficial in various clinical settings, although its perioperative feasibility and impact remain unknown. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of home-based cognitive prehabilitation before major surgery in older adults. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one patients were enrolled, randomized, and allocated to either a home-based preoperative cognitive training regimen or no training before surgery. Outcomes included postoperative delirium incidence (primary outcome; assessed with the 3D-Confusion Assessment Method), perioperative cognitive function based on NIH Toolbox measures, hospital length of stay, and physical therapy session participation. Reasons for declining enrollment were reported, as were reasons for opting out of the training program. Results: Postoperative delirium incidence was 6 of 23 (26%) in the prehabilitation group compared with 5 of 29 (17%) in the control group (P=0.507). There were no significant differences between groups in NIH Toolbox cognitive function scoring, hospital length of stay, or physical therapy participation rates. Study feasibility data were also collected and reported. The most common reasons for declining enrollment were lack of computer access (n=19), time commitment (n=9), and feeling overwhelmed (n=9). In the training group, only 5 of 29 (17%) included patients were able to complete the prescribed 7 days of training, and 14 of 29 (48%) opted out of training once home. Most common reasons were feeling overwhelmed (n=4) and computer difficulties (n=3). Conclusions: Short-term, home-based cognitive training before surgery is unlikely to be feasible for many older patients. Barriers to training include feeling overwhelmed, technical issues with training, and preoperative time commitment. P.E.V. is supported by National Institutes of Health Grant K23GM126317. The study was also supported by the Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School (Ann Arbor, MI). The methodology of this trial was presented as a poster presentation at the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research 2017 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship Symposium (MSARF Fellow: A.R.D.). The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose. Address correspondence to: Phillip E. Vlisides, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1H247 UH, SPC-5048, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5048 (e-mail: pvliside@med.umich.edu). Received September 12, 2018 Accepted November 16, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

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Tearful second most cancers affected person, 15, finds out she’s cancer-free from her CLASSMATES - Infosurhoy

Tearful second most cancers affected person, 15, finds out she's cancer-free from her CLASSMATES  Infosurhoy

A 15-year-old cancer patient was left in joyful tears when she returned to school – to a surprise party telling her: 'you're cancer-free'.



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Obituary



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Tearful second most cancers affected person, 15, finds out she’s cancer-free from her CLASSMATES - Infosurhoy

Tearful second most cancers affected person, 15, finds out she's cancer-free from her CLASSMATES  Infosurhoy

A 15-year-old cancer patient was left in joyful tears when she returned to school – to a surprise party telling her: 'you're cancer-free'.



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Obituary



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ABT-737 and erufosine combination against castration-resistant prostate cancer: a promising but cell-type specific response associated with the modulation of anti-apoptotic signaling

A deeper understanding of the molecular basis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) paved the way for the rational design and development of targeted therapies, which yielded promising preclinical results. However, translation of these potentially promising agents into clinics has usually failed, partly because of tumor heterogeneity. In this study, anticancer activities of the Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737 and the Akt-inhibitor erufosine (ErPC3) alone and in combination were compared between CRPC (PC-3 and DU-145) and healthy (PNT-1A) cell lines. The combination of ABT-737 and ErPC3 showed synergistic antiproliferative, antimigratory, and apoptotic effects in PC-3 cells. In DU-145 cells, ErPC3 showed a resistant profile, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values more than two-fold of PC-3, and combining ErPC3 with ABT-737 yielded no added benefit for all the incubation periods compared with ErPC3 alone. In PNT-1A cells, ABT-737 and ErPC3 alone and in combination reduced cell survival slightly and only at the highest concentrations. Apoptosis analysis showed that ABT-737 induced increased Akt expression and ErPC3 induced increased Mcl-1 expression in DU-145 cells. In conclusion, the ABT-737 and ErPC3 combination seems to be promising against CRPC, with a favorable safety profile in healthy cells. However, CRPC cell-type-specific resistance may be induced by enhancement of antiapoptotic signaling. *Ezgi Avsar Abdik and Ferda Kaleagasioglu contributed equally to the writing of this article. Correspondence to Ezgi Avsar Abdik, PhD, Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, 26 August Campus, Kayisdagi Street, 326A, Ataşehir, Istanbul 34755, Turkey Tel: +90 216 578 0000/+90 216 578 3198; fax: +90 216 578 0490; e-mail: ezgi.avsar@yeditepe.edu.tr Received October 2, 2018 Accepted November 30, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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ABT-737 and erufosine combination against castration-resistant prostate cancer: a promising but cell-type specific response associated with the modulation of anti-apoptotic signaling

A deeper understanding of the molecular basis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) paved the way for the rational design and development of targeted therapies, which yielded promising preclinical results. However, translation of these potentially promising agents into clinics has usually failed, partly because of tumor heterogeneity. In this study, anticancer activities of the Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737 and the Akt-inhibitor erufosine (ErPC3) alone and in combination were compared between CRPC (PC-3 and DU-145) and healthy (PNT-1A) cell lines. The combination of ABT-737 and ErPC3 showed synergistic antiproliferative, antimigratory, and apoptotic effects in PC-3 cells. In DU-145 cells, ErPC3 showed a resistant profile, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values more than two-fold of PC-3, and combining ErPC3 with ABT-737 yielded no added benefit for all the incubation periods compared with ErPC3 alone. In PNT-1A cells, ABT-737 and ErPC3 alone and in combination reduced cell survival slightly and only at the highest concentrations. Apoptosis analysis showed that ABT-737 induced increased Akt expression and ErPC3 induced increased Mcl-1 expression in DU-145 cells. In conclusion, the ABT-737 and ErPC3 combination seems to be promising against CRPC, with a favorable safety profile in healthy cells. However, CRPC cell-type-specific resistance may be induced by enhancement of antiapoptotic signaling. *Ezgi Avsar Abdik and Ferda Kaleagasioglu contributed equally to the writing of this article. Correspondence to Ezgi Avsar Abdik, PhD, Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, 26 August Campus, Kayisdagi Street, 326A, Ataşehir, Istanbul 34755, Turkey Tel: +90 216 578 0000/+90 216 578 3198; fax: +90 216 578 0490; e-mail: ezgi.avsar@yeditepe.edu.tr Received October 2, 2018 Accepted November 30, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Κυριακή 16 Δεκεμβρίου 2018

Rates of sialoendoscopy and sialoadenectomy in 5,111 adults with private insurance

Objective

To determine frequencies and trends in sialoendoscopy and sialoadenectomy for the treatment of obstructive, nonneoplastic submandibular gland disease in the United States.

Methods

Epidemiologic study of insurance claims from 2006 to 2013 in a large, private insurance claims database. Rates were calculated for patients undergoing one or both index procedures.

Results

A total of 5,111 adults with sialadenitis who underwent sialoendoscopy or submandibular gland excision were included. Mean age was 47.6 years, and patients undergoing sialoendoscopy were less likely to be male (relative risk [RR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–0.89), more likely to have sialoadenitis without stones (RR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.53–1.66), and had a similar number of comorbidities (RR = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.91–1.06) compared to patients undergoing sialoadenectomy. The most common complication after sialoadenectomy was surgical site infection (1.4%; 95% CI, 1.1–1.8%), and complications after sialoendoscopy were rare. From 2007 to 2013, use of sialoendoscopy increased from 0.13 (95% CI, 0.08–0.18) to 0.42 (95% CI, 0.40–0.45) per 100 thousand people, and sialoadenectomy decreased from 2.41 (95% CI, 2.39–2.42) to 1.43 (95% CI, 1.40–1.44) per 100 thousand. The highest mean rate of sialadenectomy was seen in the south (2.15 per 100,000; 95% CI, 2.13–2.16), the lowest was in the west (1.6 per 100,000; 95% CI, 1.57–1.62), and it decreased in all regions over time.

Conclusion

Utilization of sialoendoscopy has increased over time, and the overall rate of sialoadenectomy is decreasing. Both procedures are safe for treatment of patients with sialadenitis and sialolithiasis. Future research should examine whether availability of sialoendoscopy leads to a decreased rate of sialoadenectomy in patients with salivary gland disease.

Level of Evidence

2c. Laryngoscope, 2018



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Rates of sialoendoscopy and sialoadenectomy in 5,111 adults with private insurance

Objective

To determine frequencies and trends in sialoendoscopy and sialoadenectomy for the treatment of obstructive, nonneoplastic submandibular gland disease in the United States.

Methods

Epidemiologic study of insurance claims from 2006 to 2013 in a large, private insurance claims database. Rates were calculated for patients undergoing one or both index procedures.

Results

A total of 5,111 adults with sialadenitis who underwent sialoendoscopy or submandibular gland excision were included. Mean age was 47.6 years, and patients undergoing sialoendoscopy were less likely to be male (relative risk [RR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–0.89), more likely to have sialoadenitis without stones (RR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.53–1.66), and had a similar number of comorbidities (RR = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.91–1.06) compared to patients undergoing sialoadenectomy. The most common complication after sialoadenectomy was surgical site infection (1.4%; 95% CI, 1.1–1.8%), and complications after sialoendoscopy were rare. From 2007 to 2013, use of sialoendoscopy increased from 0.13 (95% CI, 0.08–0.18) to 0.42 (95% CI, 0.40–0.45) per 100 thousand people, and sialoadenectomy decreased from 2.41 (95% CI, 2.39–2.42) to 1.43 (95% CI, 1.40–1.44) per 100 thousand. The highest mean rate of sialadenectomy was seen in the south (2.15 per 100,000; 95% CI, 2.13–2.16), the lowest was in the west (1.6 per 100,000; 95% CI, 1.57–1.62), and it decreased in all regions over time.

Conclusion

Utilization of sialoendoscopy has increased over time, and the overall rate of sialoadenectomy is decreasing. Both procedures are safe for treatment of patients with sialadenitis and sialolithiasis. Future research should examine whether availability of sialoendoscopy leads to a decreased rate of sialoadenectomy in patients with salivary gland disease.

Level of Evidence

2c. Laryngoscope, 2018



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