Construction of platelet count-optical method reflex test rules using Micro-RBC#, Macro-RBC%, "PLT clumps?" flag, and "PLT abnormal histogram" flag on the Mindray BC-6800plus hematology analyzer in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: Utilizing RBC or PLT-related parameters to establish rules for the PLT-O reflex test can assist laboratories in quickly identifying specimens with interfered PLT-I that require PLT-O retesting. METHODS: Prospective PLT-I and PLT-O testing was performed on 6857 EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood samples, split randomly into training and validation cohorts at a 2:3 ratio. Reflex and non-reflex groups were distinguished based on the differences between PLT-I and PLT-O results. By comparing RBC and PLT parameter differences and flags in the training set, we pinpointed factors linked to PLT-O reflex testing. Utilizing Lasso regression, then refining through univariate and multivariate logistic regression, candidate parameters were selected. A predictive nomogram was constructed from these parameters and subsequently validated using the validation set. ROC curves were also plotted. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the reflex and non-reflex groups for 19 parameters including RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW-CV, RDW-SD, Micro-RBC#, Micro-RBC%, Macro-RBC#, Macro-RBC%, MPV, PCT, P-LCC, P-LCR, PLR,"PLT clumps?" flag, "PLT abnormal histogram" flag, "IDA Anemia?" flag, and "RBC abnormal histogram" flag. After further analysis, Micro-RBC#, Macro-RBC%,"PLT clumps?", and "PLT abnormal histogram" flag were identified as candidate parameters to develop a nomogram with an AUC of 0.636 (95 %CI: 0.622-0.650), sensitivity of 42.9 % (95 %CI: 37.8-48.1 %), and specificity of 90.5 % (95 %C1: 89.6-91.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: The established rules may help laboratories improve efficiency and increase accuracy in determining platelet counts as a supplement to ICSH41 guidelines.

Establishing reflex test rules for platelet fluorescent counting method using machine learning models on Sysmex XN-series hematology analyzer.

INTRODUCTION: The platelet fluorescent counting (PLT-F) method is utilized as a reflex test method following the initial test of the platelet impedance counting (PLT-I) method in clinical practice on the Sysmex XN-series automated hematology analyzer. Our aim is to establish reflex test rules for the PLT-F method by combining multiple parameters provided by the "CBC + DIFF" mode of the Sysmex XN-series automated hematology analyzer. METHODS: We tested 120 samples to evaluate the baseline bias between the PLT-F and PLT-I methods. Then, we selected 1256 samples to establish and test reflex test rules using seven machine learning models (decision Tree, random forest, neural network, logistic regression, k-nearest neighbor, support vector machine, and Naive Bayes). The training set and test set were divided at a ratio of 7:3. We evaluated the performance of machine learning models on the test set using various metrics to select the most valuable model. RESULTS: The PLT-F method exhibited a high degree of correlation with the PLT-I method (r = 0.998). The random forest model emerged as the most valuable, boasting an accuracy of 0.893, an area under the curve of 0.954, an F1 score of 0.771, a recall of 0.719, a precision of 0.831, and a specificity of 0.950. The most important variable in the random forest model was mean cell volume, weighted at 15.09%. CONCLUSION: The random forest model, which demonstrated high efficiency in our study, can be used to establish PLT reflex test rules based on the PLT-F method for the Sysmex XN-series automated hematology analyzer.

A nationwide survey of facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy in Japan.

The epidemiology and etiology of facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN), a rare syndrome that initiates with facial sensory disturbances followed by bulbar symptoms, remain unknown. To estimate the prevalence of FOSMN in Japan and establish the characteristics of this disease, we conducted a nationwide epidemiological survey. In the primary survey, we received answers from 604 facilities (49.8%), leading to an estimated number of 35.8 (95% confidential interval: 21.5-50.2) FOSMN cases in Japan. The secondary survey collected detailed clinical and laboratory data from 21 cases. Decreased or absent corneal and pharyngeal reflexes were present in over 85% of the cases. Electrophysiological analyses detected blink reflex test abnormalities in 94.1% of the examined cases. Immunotherapy was administered in 81% of cases and all patients received intravenous immunoglobulin. Among them, 35.3% were judged to have temporary beneficial effects evaluated by the physicians in charge. Immunotherapy tended to be effective in the early stage of disease. The spreading pattern of motor and sensory symptoms differed between cases and the characteristics of the motor-dominant and sensory-dominant cases were distinct. Cases with motor-dominant progression appeared to mimic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This is the first nationwide epidemiological survey of FOSMN in Japan. The clinical course of FOSMN is highly variable and motor-dominant cases developed a more severe condition than other types of cases. Because clinical interventions tend to be effective in the early phase of the disease, an early diagnosis is desirable.

Abnormal quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test results in patients with tinnitus as a possible indicator of small fiber neuropathy.

A few cases of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) and tinnitus (TN) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 have been reported. However, the relationship between SFN and TN has not been studied. This study investigated a possible relationship between SFN and patients with TN (PwTNs) using autonomic function tests (AFTs) including quantitative sudomotor axon reflex tests (QSART). We performed QSARTs and other AFTs such as the Sympathetic skin response (SSR), Valsalva ratio (VR), and heart rate variability (HRV). The QSART results, obtained at seven hospitals using same protocols, were compared between PwTNs and healthy controls. We confirmed the abnormalities in SSR, VR, and HRV in PwTNs, although those parasympathetic AFTs were not performed in healthy controls. Additionally, we checked Tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores for PwTNs and ~50% of PwTNs had low-grade disability, whereas 9.3% had high-grade disability. Data from 57 PwTNs and 122 healthy controls were analyzed. The sweat volumes of QSART in the older age group tended to be higher in the PwTNs than in age-matched healthy controls, and significant differences between the PwTN and control groups were observed in the feet in both sexes (p < 0.001) and in the arms in women (p = 0.013). In the younger age group, the sweat volumes in the feet of men were higher in PwTNs than in healthy controls (p = 0.017). No association was observed between THI and QSART scores. In this study, the sweat volumes in QSARTs were higher in PwTNs than in healthy controls. However, abnormal SSR, HRV, and VR results were not commonly observed in PwTNs. Although the results should be interpreted with caution because of limitations in study, PwTNs might also have SFN apart from dysautonomia. This is the first study to perform QSART with other parasympathetic AFTs in PwTNs. However, larger and more rigorously controlled studies will be needed to reveal the relationship between SFN and TN in the future.

Sweat gland nerve fiber density and association with sudomotor function, symptoms, and risk factors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

PURPOSE: To quantify sweat gland nerve fiber density in adolescents with diabetes. Additionally, to investigate associations between sudomotor innervation, sweat responses, and possible risk factors for sudomotor neuropathy. METHODS: Cross-sectional study where 60 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (duration > 5 years) and 23 control subjects were included. Clinical data, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test, and skin biopsies were obtained. Skin tissue was immunostained and imaged by confocal microscopy. Quantification of the sweat gland volume and three-dimensional reconstruction of the nerve fibers was performed using a design-unbiased technique. RESULTS: Adolescents with diabetes had a significant reduction of maximum and mean values of nerve fiber length and nerve fiber density in sweat glands compared to controls (p values < 0.05). No association between nerve fiber density and sweat responses was found (p = 0.21). In cases with reduced sweat gland nerve fiber length, nerve fiber density, and volume, the sweat response was reduced or absent. Height, systolic blood pressure, time in hypoglycemia, and total daily and basal/total insulin dose were positively correlated to sweat response, while low-density lipoprotein, and HbA1c were negatively correlated with sweat response (p values < 0.05). Other microvascular complications and high cholesterol levels increased the relative risk for reduced sweat gland nerve fiber density. CONCLUSION: Our findings of reduced sweat gland innervation in a selected group of adolescents add new knowledge about the structural changes that occur in autonomic nerves due to diabetes. Evaluating both the sweat gland innervation and sweat gland volume was important for understanding the association with sweat responses. Further research is needed to understand its clinical relevance.

Rodent Animal Models of Endometriosis-Associated Pain: Unmet Needs and Resources Available for Improving Translational Research in Endometriosis.

Chronic pain induced by endometriosis is a maladaptive pain experienced by half of women with this disease. The lack of pharmacological treatments suitable for the long-term relief of endometriosis-associated pain, without an impact on fertility, remains an urgent unmet need. Progress has been slowed by the absence of a reproducible rodent endometriosis model that fully replicates human physiopathological characteristics, including pain symptoms. Although pain assessment in rodents is a complicated task requiring qualified researchers, the choice of the behavioral test is no less important, since selecting inappropriate tests can cause erroneous data. Pain is usually measured with reflex tests in which hypersensitivity is evaluated by applying a noxious stimulus, yet this ignores the associated emotional component that could be evaluated via non-reflex tests. We conducted a systematic review of endometriosis models used in rodents and the number of them that studied pain. The type of behavioral test used was also analyzed and classified according to reflex and non-reflex tests. Finally, we determined the most used reflex tests for the study of endometriosis-induced pain and the main non-reflex behavioral tests utilized in visceral pain that can be extrapolated to the study of endometriosis and complement traditional reflex tests.

Outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and acute gastrointestinal symptoms who test indeterminate for Clostridioides difficile.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) can present with similar symptoms. The current preferred method for diagnosing CDI is the nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for C. difficile in stool, followed by reflex toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) when NAAT is positive. The clinical significance of NAAT(+)/EIA(-) in the IBD population is uncertain. Methods: This retrospective cohort included IBD patients who presented with acute onset of gastrointestinal symptoms and a C. difficile NAAT(+) test. The primary outcome was C. difficile recurrence within 12 months. Other outcomes examined included hospital admissions within 30 days of CDI, change of IBD maintenance therapy within 90 days of CDI, and complications such as bowel resection or death. Results: A total of 71 patients were included. Eighty-four percent of the tests were EIA(-) and among the EIA(-) 88% were treated with antibiotics. Outcomes between EIA(+) and EIA(-) were not significantly different in terms of recurrences, admissions, changes to IBD medications or complications. Outcomes were also similar when comparing those who received antibiotic therapy to those who did not. Conclusions: Our cohort did not demonstrate a significant difference in outcomes between EIA(+) and EIA(-) C. difficile patients. Treatment for EIA(-) patients did not improve outcomes. Even though there may be a role for antibiotic therapy in IBD patients who test NAAT(+)/EIA(-) for C. difficile, further studies will be needed to identify that subpopulation.

Gold Standard? Method of Citric Acid Solution Swallowing Test as a Screening Test for Patients with Tracheostomy.

This study aimed to apply various ranges of citric acid levels in the mouth and T-cannula to compare the validity with instrumental aspiration measures in patients with tracheostomy. Sixty-one patients underwent the citric acid cough reflex test (CRT) and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). Citric acid was delivered via facemask and T-cannula at concentrations of 0.4 mol/L, 0.6 mol/L, and 0.8 mol/L. Further, we recorded the coughing count and presence of ≥ 2 (C2) and ≥ 5 (C5) coughs. CRT via facemask at 0.4 mol/L C2, 0.6 mol/L C5, and 0.8 mol/L C2 and C5 were significantly associated with the presence of tracheal aspiration during VFSS. The sensitivity and specificity were optimized at 0.8 mol/L C2 for mouth inhalation and at 0.8 mol/L C5 for T-cannula inhalation. There was a significant difference in the coughing count during CRT at 0.4 mol/L and 0.8 mol/L via mouth inhalation between patients with or without tracheal aspiration, but not via T-cannula. The AUC for 0.8 mol/L facemask inhalation was 0.701. The optimal cut-off value of coughing count was thrice with 84.62% sensitivity and 50.00% specificity on the ROC curve. Afferent sensory nerve desensitization around and below the tracheostomy site could affect coughing reflex initiation and decrease the sensitivity of detecting aspiration in tracheotomized patients. The citric acid CRT via facemask can reliably detect tracheal aspiration and presence of coughing reflex compared to that via T-cannula in patients with tracheostomy.

Relationship between vestibular hair cell loss and deficits in two anti-gravity reflexes in the rat.

The tail-lift reflex and the air-righting reflex in rats are anti-gravity reflexes that depend on vestibular function. To begin identifying their cellular basis, this study examined the relationship between reflex loss and the graded lesions caused in the vestibular sensory epithelia by varying doses of an ototoxic compound. After ototoxic exposure, we recorded these reflexes using high speed video. The movies were used to obtain objective measures of the reflexes: the minimum angle formed by the nose, the back of the neck and the base of the tail during the tail-lift maneuver and the time to right in the air-righting test. The vestibular sensory epithelia were then collected from the rats and used to estimate the loss of type I (HCI), type II (HCII) and all hair cells (HC) in both central and peripheral parts of the crista, utricle, and saccule. As expected, tail-lift angles decreased, and air-righting times increased, while the numbers of HCs remaining in the epithelia decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The results demonstrated greater sensitivity of HCI compared to HCII to the IDPN ototoxicity, as well as a relative resiliency of the saccule compared to the crista and utricle. Comparing the functional measures with the cell counts, we observed that loss of the tail-lift reflex associates better with HCI than with HCII loss. In contrast, most HCI in the crista and utricle were lost before air-righting times increased. These data suggest that these reflexes depend on the function of non-identical populations of vestibular HCs.

Sensibilidad del reflejo rojo en lactantes, realizado por pediatras utilizando imágenes tomadas a través de un teléfono inteligente

RESUMEN Introducción: La primera evaluación ocular se realiza en el periodo neonatal con el reflejo rojo (RR). Objetivo: Determinar la sensibilidad y especificidad del reflejo rojo obtenido por medio de imágenes tomadas por pediatras con un teléfono inteligente, en niños menores de 24 meses. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional de pruebas diagnósticas que incluyo lactantes menores de 24 meses. Tuvo dos etapas, La primera fue la búsqueda del reflejo rojo en imágenes obtenidas con un teléfono inteligente con pantalla 1280 x720 y densidad de pixeles de 267ppp, con cámara posterior de 13 MP y Flash LED, realizado por una operadora pediatra, en el consultorio en penumbras, con el niño a 6 metros de distancia en brazos de la madre. La presencia del reflejo rojo en ambos ojos se consideró normal y la ausencia uní o bilateral anormal. La segunda etapa fue el examen oftalmológico, en forma ciega en relación con la primera evaluación pediátrica. El análisis de los datos se realizó en el SPSS, utilizando estadísticas descriptivas. El comité de ética institucional aprobó el protocolo con consentimiento informado. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 228 lactantes con mediana edad de 7 meses (rangos intercuartílicos de 5 a 11 meses) El reflejo rojo con el teléfono celular fue normal en 206/228 y anormal en 21/228 Al examen por oftalmología pediátrica fue normal en 219/228 y anormal en 9/228. La sensibilidad del test con el teléfono inteligente fue de 88% y la especificidad del 94%. Se detectaron patologías visuales en el 4%. Conclusiones: La detección del reflejo rojo por pediatras con un teléfono inteligente tuvo una sensibilidad del 88% y una especificidad del 94%, En el 4% se detectaron patologías oculares.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The first ocular evaluation is performed in the neonatal period observing the red reflex (RR). Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the red reflex obtained with images taken by pediatricians using a smartphone, in children under 24 months. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study of diagnostic testing. We included infants aged 24 months and under. The study had two stages, The first stage involved searching for the red reflex using images obtained with a smartphone with a 1280 x720 screen and a pixel density of 267 ppp, with a 13 MP rear camera and LED Flash, which was carried out by a pediatrician operator, in a darkened office, with the child held by the mother 6 meters away from the camera. Presence of the red reflex in both eyes was considered normal and a unilateral or bilateral absence was abnormal. The second stage was an ophthalmological examination, which was blinded in relation to the first pediatric evaluation. Data analysis was performed with SPSS, using descriptive statistics. The institutional ethics committee approved the protocol, and informed consent was obtained. Results: 228 infants with a median age of 7 months were included (interquartile ranges from 5 to 11 months). The red reflex with the cell phone was normal in 206/228 and abnormal in 21/228. On examination by pediatric ophthalmology, the exam was normal in 219 / 228 and abnormal in 9/228. The sensitivity of the test with the smartphone was 88% and the specificity 94%. Visual pathologies were detected in 4%. Conclusions: The detection of the red reflex by pediatricians with a smartphone had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 94%. Ocular pathologies were detected in 4% of subjects.

Assessment of Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in the Early Phase of Infection With SARS-CoV-2 Virus.

BACKGROUND: We are facing the outburst of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) defined as a serious, multisystem, disorder, including various neurological manifestations in its presentation. So far, autonomic dysfunction (AD) has not been reported in patients with COVID-19 infection. AIM: Assessment of AD in the early phase of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 116 PCR positive COVID-19 patients. After the exclusion of 41 patients with associate diseases (CADG), partitioned to patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and syncope, the remaining patients were included into a severe group (45 patients with confirmed interstitial pneumonia) and mild group (30 patients). Basic cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CART) were performed, followed by beat-to-beat heart rate variability (HRV) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (BPV) analysis, along with baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS). Non-linear analysis of HRV was provided by Poincare Plot. Results were compared to 77 sex and age-matched controls. RESULTS: AD (sympathetic, parasympathetic, or both) in our study has been revealed in 51.5% of severe, 78.0% of mild COVID-19 patients, and the difference compared to healthy controls was significant (p = 0.018). Orthostatic hypotension has been established in 33.0% COVID-19 patients compared to 2.6% controls (p = 0.001). Most of the spectral parameters of HRV and BPV confirmed AD, most prominent in the severe COVID-19 group. BRS was significantly lower in all patients (severe, mild, CADG), indicating significant sudden cardiac death risk. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy should be taken into account in COVID-19 patients' assessment. It can be an explanation for a variety of registered manifestations, enabling a comprehensive diagnostic approach and further treatment.

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with diabetes as well as in patients with pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Patients with schizophrenia have an increased rate of metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and diabetes as compared to the general population. Despite of this, occurrence CAN has not been investigated in patient with schizophrenia. Therefore, the aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the feasibility testing for CAN with a new clinical tool and (2) report the prevalence of early and manifest CAN in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with diagnosed schizophrenia and with a disease duration ≥10 years were matched 1:1 on age and gender at screening with psychiatric healthy controls. CAN was defined as ≥ two abnormal standard cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (lying-to-standing, deep breathing, and Valsalva maneuver) using the VagusTM device. A total of 46 patients with schizophrenia were included and matched to psychiatric healthy controls. Manifest CAN were more frequently presented in patients with schizophrenia (39% vs. 6% for controls, p<.0001). Sensitivity analysis of 41 subjects with schizophrenia without diabetes matched to 41 psychiatric healthy controls, showed similar results (37% vs. 5% for controls, p<.0001). CONCLUSION: CAN is highly prevalent in patients with schizophrenia. Testing for CAN is feasible and might be a new clinically tool for detecting early stages of CVD in patients with schizophrenia.

Reappraisal of the Prognostic Factors of Outcome and Recovery Time in Patients with Idiopathic Bell's Palsy: A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study investigated prognostic factors and recovery time in patients with Bell's palsy after different doses and durations of oral glucocorticoid treatments. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 396 patients initially diagnosed with Bell's palsy that had visited the Department of Neurology of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, a tertiary referral medical center in Taiwan, between January 2014 and December 2018 were included. Medical records, facial electroneurography (fENoG), and blink reflex (BR) tests were reviewed and analyzed. A favorable outcome was defined as patients who improved to grade ≤ II, and an unfavorable outcome was defined as patients who improved to grade ≥ III in 6 months according to the House-Brackmann (HB) grading system. RESULTS: The rate of favorable outcomes was 89.4% (354 of 396 patients) at the 6-month follow-up. A favorable outcome (HB less than grade II) was associated with a delayed BR (odds ratio, OR, 5.38; 95% CI, 1.82 to 15.90) and fENoG values (the lesion side/the healthy side) over 33% (OR, 6.67; 95% CI, 3.02 to 14.71). The recovery time was significantly shorter for those with a delayed BR than for those with an absent BR and shorter for those with good fENoG values (>33%) than for those with poor values (≤33%). However, treatment without or with different doses and durations of oral glucocorticoid did not influence the final outcome or recovery time in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The fENoG and BR tests were significant and highly valuable examinations for predicting the final outcome. Moreover, age younger than 60 years, a delayed BR, and fENoG values > 33% were associated with shorter recovery times.

Clinical performance of calcitonin and procalcitonin Elecsys® immunoassays in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is caused by a malignant transformation in the parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid, where calcitonin (CT) is released. Nowadays, CT is the main tumor marker used in the diagnosis and follow-up of MTC patients. Nonetheless, procalcitonin (PCT) has recently been proposed as a useful complementary/alternative biomarker in MTC. Our aims were to investigate the diagnostic performance of CT and PCT and their combination in the differential diagnosis between active and inactive MTC and between MTC and non-MTC thyroid diseases, respectively. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 16 patients with active (i.e. primary tumour before surgery or post-surgical recurrent disease) and 23 with inactive (i.e. complete remission) MTC, 125 patients with non-MTC benign thyroid disease and 62 patients with non-MTC thyroid cancers, respectively. Elecsys® CT and PCT measurements were simultaneously performed on the Cobas e601 platform (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreutz, Switzerland). RESULTS: Both CT and PCT median values in active MTC (94 pmol/L and 1.17 ng/mL, respectively) were significantly higher compared with inactive MTC (0.28 and 0.06) and either benign (0.37 and 0.06) or malignant (0.28 and 0.06) non-MTC. Undetectable PCT was found in five non-MTC patients with false positive CT results. CONCLUSIONS: Elecsys® PCT assay is a highly sensitive and specific alternative MTC marker. At the very least it appears useful in patients with positive CT results as negative PCT values securely exclude active MTC. The availability of both markers on the same automated platform facilitates reflex or reflective strategies to refine the laboratory diagnosis.

Red reflex test at the maternity hospital: results from a tertiary hospital and variables associated with inconclusive test results / Teste do reflexo vermelho na maternidade: resultados de um hospital terciário evariáveis associadas a um teste duvidoso

Abstract Objectives: Describe the results of the red reflex test in full-term newborns, as well as identify factors associated with red reflex test outcome and compare hospital length of stay between patients with inconclusive and normal red reflex test results. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of the results of the red reflex test performed in a tertiary hospital maternity unit between 2014 and 2018. A nested case-control study was also performed to search for anthropometric, gestational, and neonatal variables associated with the outcome of the red reflex test. Results: There were121 identified cases of inconclusive red reflex test in 11,833 newborns. Sixteen alterations were confirmed, four considered severe: two cases of congenital glaucoma, one of cataract, and one of coloboma. Mean birth weight (p = 0.04), length (p = 0.03), and head circumference (p = 0.02) were lower in patients with inconclusive red reflex test; however without a relevant effect size (d = −0.21, −0.22, and −0.25, respectively).The proportion of white, mixed-race, and black patients was significantly different between the groups (p < 0.001), with a higher chance of inconclusive results in mixed-race (OR = 2.22) and black (OR = 3.37) patients when compared to whites. An inconclusive red reflex test led to an increase in hospital length of stay from 62 to 82 hours (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The red reflex test was able to identify four severe alterations in 11,833 newborns (0.03%). In the 121 newborns in which the red reflex test was classified as inconclusive, there was a 20-hour increase in the hospital length of stay, but a severe alteration was confirmed in only 3.3% of them. Differences in red reflex between white, mixed-race, and black patients should be considered.

Resumo Objetivos: Descrever os resultados do teste do reflexo vermelho em recém-nascidos a termo. Identificar fatores associados ao resultado do teste do reflexo vermelho e comparar o tempo de internação entre pacientes com teste do reflexo vermelho duvidoso e normal. Métodos: Estudo transversal descritivo dos resultados do teste do reflexo vermelho feito em maternidade de hospital terciário entre 2014 e 2018. Foi ainda feito estudo de caso-controle aninhado para pesquisa de variáveis antropométricas, gestacionais e neonatais associadas ao resultado do teste do reflexo vermelho. Resultados: Foram identificados 121 casos de teste do reflexo vermelho duvidoso em 11.833 recém-nascidos. Foram confirmadas 16 alterações, 4 consideradas graves: 2 casos de glaucoma congênito, um de catarata e um de coloboma. As médias de peso de nascimento (p = 0,04), comprimento (p = 0,03) e perímetro cefálico (p = 0,02) foram menores nos pacientes com teste do reflexo vermelho duvidoso, entretanto sem um tamanho de efeito relevante (d = -0,21; -0,22 e -0,25; respectivamente). A proporção de pacientes brancos, pardos e negros foi estatisticamente diferente entre os grupos (p < 0,001), com maior chance de resultado duvidoso para pardos (OR = 2,22) e negros (OR = 3,37) em comparação a brancos. O teste do reflexo vermelho duvidoso levou a um aumento no tempo de internação de 62 para 82 horas (p < 0,001). Conclusões: O teste do reflexo vermelho foi capaz de identificar 4 alterações graves em 11.833 recém-nascidos (0,03%). Nos 121 recém-nascidos em que o teste do reflexo vermelho foi classificado como duvidoso, houve aumento de 20 horas no tempo de internação hospitalar, porém se confirmou alteração grave em apenas 3,3% deles. Diferenças no reflexo vermelho entre brancos, pardos e negros devem ser consideradas.

Autonomic Testing Profiles in Scans without Evidence of Dopaminergic Deficit (SWEDD).

BACKGROUND: Scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDDS) on 123I-FP-CIT SPECT (DAT) can occur in patients with clinical evidence of Parkinsonism. In this patient population, autonomic function testing may elucidate the underlying clinical disorder. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate SWEDD patients undergoing autonomic testing and determine the severity and pattern of autonomic dysfunction. METHODS: All patients with a diagnosis of SWEDD and formal autonomic function testing at Mayo Clinic, MN were retrospectively reviewed. Autonomic failure was quantified using composite autonomic severity score (CASS). The Modified Hoehn and Yahr score (HYS) determined Parkinsonism severity. RESULTS: Of 1,874 patients with DAT imaging at Mayo Clinic, 13 met diagnostic criteria of SWEDD. The median age of symptom onset was 56.0 (IQR 40.5-75.5). Autonomic dysfunction was present in 12/13 on ARS and/or TST. The median CASS was 2.50 (IQR 1.00-3.00). Distal anhidrosis was most common (7/13) while 3/13 had widespread anhidrosis on TST and/or QSART testing. Patients with a distal pattern of anhidrosis had a median score of 3.0 (IQR 2.38-4.25) on the HYS versus 2.0 (IQR 1.00-2.00) for those with a diffuse pattern (p = 0.048). Patients with more advanced Parkinsonism were more likely to respond to L-Dopa, with higher HYS in the dopa-responsive versus non-Dopa-responsive (p = 0.026). No correlation existed between severity of Parkinsonism, and CASS (p = 0.39). CONCLUSION: Autonomic function testing may detect autonomic dysfunction in most patients with SWEDD. The pattern of dysfunction is suggestive of the degree of clinical Parkinsonism, and autonomic testing may predict whether patients with SWEDD respond to L-Dopa.

Sex-related differences in sudomotor function in healthy early twenties focused on activated sweat gland density.

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the difference in sudomotor function between healthy males and females in their early twenties by measuring skin surface area and activated sweat gland density (ASGD). The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART), a method for evaluating autonomic nervous system activity, was used for quantification. In QSART, the sweat glands are activated directly or indirectly by the subcutaneous application of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, through iontophoresis. This series of mechanisms is called the sudomotor axon reflex. After recording age, height, weight, and several measurements of the forearm, QSART was performed on 101 healthy controls aged 21-26 years to measure ASGD. The mean temperature and humidity on the measurement days were 11.4°C and 58.1% on May 3, 2018, and 14.7°C and 70.3% on May 10, 2018. The result of independent sample t-test showed higher ASGD in women (P < 0.05). The body surface area and the surface area of the forearms were higher in men (P < 0.001), but the number of activated sweat glands was not significantly different according to sex. The activated sweat gland counts of the body and forearms were analyzed through linear regression by age for males and females. Except for the activated sweat gland count of the male body, the analysis showed a tendency to decrease with increasing age but was not statistically significant in any case (P > 0.05). Showing insufficient coefficient of determination (R2), multiple regression analyses with sex and ages did not correct this insignificance between age and activated sweat gland count.

Normal Range of Ocular Ductions in Various Age Brackets by Prism Shifting Light-Reflex Test.

PURPOSE: To introduce a new direct measurement method for ocular ductions by shifting light reflex with plastic prism [Prism Shifting Light-Reflex Test (PLR test)]. We used it to establish normative values of ocular ductions in each age bracket defined by decade and to investigate the change of ocular ductions with aging. METHODS: Participants aged 21-80 years old without paralytic or restrictive eye disease were examined. The ocular ductions were measured by PLR test. Normal range of ocular ductions and rate of change with aging were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 123 participants, the mean ± standard deviation of ocular ductions in all age groups were 60 ± 12, 86 ± 9, 102 ± 9, and 123 ± 9 prism diopters for supraduction, adduction, abduction, and infraduction. From regression analysis, the ocular supraduction, adduction, abduction, and infraduction significantly decreased with aging (P < .0001) by the rate of -0.66, -0.33, -0.27, and -0.25% per year. CONCLUSION: PLR test is a new technique for ocular duction measurement. Supraduction had the smallest range of ductions followed by adduction, abduction, and infraduction. Aging has the largest decremental effect on supraduction and the smallest decremental effect on infraduction. The normative values of ocular ductions by age in each decade were established.

Red reflex test at the maternity hospital: results from a tertiary hospital and variables associated with inconclusive test results.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the results of the red reflex test in full-term newborns, as well as identify factors associated with red reflex test outcome and compare hospital length of stay between patients with inconclusive and normal red reflex test results. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study of the results of the red reflex test performed in a tertiary hospital maternity unit between 2014 and 2018. A nested case-control study was also performed to search for anthropometric, gestational, and neonatal variables associated with the outcome of the red reflex test. RESULTS: There were121 identified cases of inconclusive red reflex test in 11,833 newborns. Sixteen alterations were confirmed, four considered severe: two cases of congenital glaucoma, one of cataract, and one of coloboma. Mean birth weight (p=0.04), length (p=0.03), and head circumference (p=0.02) were lower in patients with inconclusive red reflex test; however without a relevant effect size (d=-0.21, -0.22, and -0.25, respectively).The proportion of white, mixed-race, and black patients was significantly different between the groups (p<0.001), with a higher chance of inconclusive results in mixed-race (OR=2.22) and black (OR=3.37) patients when compared to whites. An inconclusive red reflex test led to an increase in hospital length of stay from 62 to 82hours (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The red reflex test was able to identify four severe alterations in 11,833 newborns (0.03%). In the 121 newborns in which the red reflex test was classified as inconclusive, there was a 20-hour increase in the hospital length of stay, but a severe alteration was confirmed in only 3.3% of them. Differences in red reflex between white, mixed-race, and black patients should be considered.