Incidence of West Nile virus infection in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area during the 2012 epidemic.

The 2012 West Nile virus (WNV) epidemic was the largest since 2003 and the North Texas region was the most heavily impacted. We conducted a serosurvey of blood donors from four counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to characterize the epidemic. Blood donor specimens collected in November 2012 were tested for WNV-specific antibodies. Donors positive for WNV-specific IgG, IgM, and neutralizing antibodies were considered to have been infected in 2012. This number was adjusted using a multi-step process that accounted for timing of IgM seroreversion determined from previous longitudinal studies of WNV-infected donors. Of 4971 donations screened, 139 (2·8%) were confirmed WNV IgG positive, and 69 (1·4%) had IgM indicating infection in 2012. After adjusting for timing of sampling and potential seroreversion, we estimated that 1·8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·5-2·2] of the adult population in the Dallas-Fort Worth area were infected during 2012. The resulting overall estimate for the ratio of infections to reported WNV neuroinvasive disease (WNND) cases was 238:1 (95% CI 192-290), with significantly increased risk of WNND in older age groups. These findings were very similar to previous estimates of infections per WNND case, indicating no change in virulence as WNV evolved into an endemic infection in the United States.

Use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients: insights from a specialist atrial fibrillation clinic.

BACKGROUND: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are broadly preferable to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) given their overall net clinical benefit. We report an audit of the profile of OAC usage and adverse events in patients attending a specialist AF clinic. METHODS: Patients attending our specialist AF clinic who were commenced on NOACs for SPAF between January 2013 and August 2014 were included and electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed between August 2014 and November 2014, to collect demographic, clinical and outcome data. Outcomes included cerebrovascular and bleeding events, death, switching between NOACs or to VKA, dose changes, cessation of NOACs and the reasons for these. To provide perspective, descriptive comparisons were made with a historical cohort of warfarin users attending the specialist AF clinic prior to the introduction of NOACs. RESULTS: We report data on 813 patients as follows: (i) 233 consecutive patients (mean (standard deviation) age 74 (10) years, 45.1% female) initiated on NOACs, with median (interquartile range) CHA2 DS2 -VASc score 3 (2-5) and HAS-BLED score 1 (1-2); and (ii) a historical cohort of 580 patients on warfarin (mean (SD) age 75 (10) years, 42.1% female) with broadly similar demographics. Overall, 54.5% (127/233) were started on rivaroxaban, 22.7% (53/233) on dabigatran and 22.7% on apixaban. Two patients experienced a transient ischaemic attack; 31 patients (13%) contributed to 37 documented bleeding events of which five bleeds (in four patients, 1.7%) were classified as major. There were seven deaths; cause of death was not available for three and the others were not related to NOACs. Eighteen (7.7%) patients switched NOACs, 2 (0.9%) patients switched to warfarin and 8 (3.4%) had their NOACs stopped. There were no ischaemic strokes in the NOAC cohort, compared with nine in the warfarin cohort, with a similar rate of major bleeding (1.7% for NOACs and 1.6% for warfarin). There were more gastrointestinal haemorrhages in the NOAC cohort (3.4% vs. 0.7% with warfarin). CONCLUSION: In this specialist AF clinic, patients prescribed NOACs had a favourable adverse event profile with good efficacy for stroke prevention, with a low rate of cessation or switch to warfarin.

The influence of the breathing action on net drag force production in front crawl swimming.

20 elite swimmers completed a total of 6 randomized net drag force trials in 2 conditions (i) 3 breathing and (ii) 3 non-breathing. Net drag force was measured using an assisted motorized dynamometer device mounted upon a Kistler force-platform. The male participants demonstrated no statistical differences in stroke rates between breathing and non-breathing trials. Female participants, however, demonstrated a statistical difference stroke rate. The male participants demonstrated that the breathing action caused a greater (26%) net drag force compared to the females (16%). To further understand the influence of breathing on swimming technique, each stroke was analyzed and comparisons were made between the breathing and non-breathing conditions. The male participants demonstrated a similar minimum net drag force when comparing the breathing and non-breathing conditions. Analysis showed that minimum net drag force and maximum net drag force for the males changed when integrating the breathing action, while female participants demonstrated similar swimming technique, regardless of condition or stroke.

The association between running volume and knee osteoarthritis prevalence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is conflicting evidence regarding whether regular running is associated with knee osteoarthritis prevalence. Previous evidence reports lower knee osteoarthritis prevalence in recreational runners compared with professionals (with a higher training volume) and controls (who have a lower training volume). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine if weekly running volume is associated with knee osteoarthritis prevalence. Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus) were searched from earliest record to November 2021. Included studies must i) recruit participants who ran regularly and recorded weekly running volume; ii) include a control group (running <8 km per week); iii) record knee osteoarthritis prevalence (either by radiological imaging or self-reported diagnosis from a doctor or physiotherapist). Study bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Pooled effects were estimated using a random effects model. Odds ratios with 95% prediction and confidence intervals are reported. Nine observational case control studies with a total of 12,273 participants (1272 runners) were included in the meta-analysis. Most of the included studies were rated as having a very high (n = 2) or high (n = 3) risk of bias on the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. There was no difference in knee osteoarthritis prevalence between runners and controls (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.56 to 1.68). Runners undertaking 8-32.1 km (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.77 to 1.80), 32.2-48 km (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.48 to 2.31) or > 48 km per week (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.35 to 1.10) did not exhibit higher knee osteoarthritis prevalence compared with controls. It is unclear whether running volume is associated with increased knee osteoarthritis prevalence, future large-scale, high quality prospective studies are required.

Thorax and pelvis kinematics change during sustained cycling.

The aim of this study was to evaluate time dependent changes in 3 dimensional (3D) thorax and pelvis kinematics during an intense 60 min bike ride. 10 experienced male road cyclists pedalled for 60 min at workloads based on previous onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) testing. The 60 min cycle was divided into six 10 min periods consisting of 8 min of steady state cycling (88% of OBLA) followed by 90 s at 140% of OBLA and a 30 s recovery phase (60% of OBLA). Thorax and pelvis kinematic data were recorded from 20 consecutive pedal revolutions using a 3D motion capture system (200 Hz) during each steady state phase. Repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections were used to test for effects of test duration on segmental kinematics. Results indicated an effect for test duration on the mean thorax (p<0.001) and pelvic tilt (p=0.042), pelvic lateral tilt velocity (p=0.006) and the ROM in thoracic lateral tilt (p<0.001). These changes all occurred between the 4th and 5th work periods. Findings indicated that during the latter stages of a high intensity ride cyclists changed the sagittal plane thorax and pelvis orientation, increased lateral thoracic movements and pelvic lateral tilt velocities.

A survey on orthodontic-restorative dental services in a NHS hospital.

The provision of a joint orthodontic-restorative hospital service is important in providing a quality service for some dental malocclusions. A prospective survey was carried out of the joint orthodontic-restorative clinic at Mayday University Hospital, during the months of January to August 2005. Data was collected using a data collection form. In total 61 patient's attended 4 joint clinics. Fifty per cent of referrals were by general dental practitioners. The commonest referral reasons were spacing and dental trauma. Over one third of patients were seen within 12 weeks of their referral, whilst two thirds start their treatment within 12 weeks of consultation. The commonest restorative treatment was periodontal therapy, crown and bridgework. Over one third of patients required joint orthodontic and restorative treatment. More than 12% of patients require oral surgery in the form of removal of impacted teeth, exposure of unerupted teeth, placement of bone anchors or orthognathic surgery. Consultation and treatment waiting times could be reduced by the introduction of more clinics and employment of more staff A representative in oral surgery maybe useful with the increase use of bone anchors and mini implants to aid joint orthodontic-restorative treatment. Access to an orthodontic and restorative consultant clinic is useful in providing patients with a high quality of multidisciplinary treatment planning in an efficient manner.

Melanotic medulloblastoma. Report of a case with ultrastructural findings.

A pigmented neoplasm of the cerebellar vermis in a four year old child was typical of differentiating medulloblastoma with islands of epithelial-like cells containing melanin pigment. There have been several previous reports of such melanotic cerebellar neoplasms. Reported cases have had a clinically malignant behavior with dissemination in the central nervous system. They appear to be variants of medulloblastoma and not pigmented neuroectodermal tumors of infancy (melanotic prognomas or retinal anlage tumors). Ultrastructurally the neoplasm was compatible with medulloblastoma with focal poorly differentiated cells which contained melanin pigment. The pigment resembled neural crest (cutaneous or ocular) melanin rather than neuromelanin.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in bone marrow transplant patients after transfusions from anti-HCV-positive blood donors.

In March 1992, 12 bone marrow transplant patients at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center received blood components from donors who were anti-HCV-nonreactive by first generation ELISA but whose serum later tested anti-HCV-reactive to a second generation ELISA. All these blood components were further tested for anti-HCV using a second-generation RIBA and for HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction. Recipient sera were tested for HCV RNA prior to and following blood component infusion. Blood components from four donors were positive for HCV RNA. All recipients of HCV RNA-positive blood components became viremic on the first day tested post-infusion. In addition, two recipients of HCV RNA-negative blood components tested HCV RNA-positive both pre- and post-infusion. Viremia persisted up to the time of death or day 100 in five of the six patients who were HCV RNA-positive post-transplant. No HCV RNA-positive recipient developed symptomatic acute hepatitis, and only two had aminotransferase elevations consistent with chronic hepatitis. We conclude that HCV RNA-positivity in blood components accurately predicts transmission of virus. Infection with HCV did not adversely affect short-term patient outcome following bone marrow transplantation.

Symptomatology and the prediction of social skills acquisition in schizophrenia.

The relationship between patient symptomatology and the acquisition of social skills during an inpatient social skills training program, and the maintenance of skills at a one-month followup, were examined in a sample of recently hospitalized schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorder patients. Subtypes of patients with enduring Thought Disorder (vs. no enduring Thought Disorder) or enduring Anergia (vs. no enduring Anergia) on the BPRS during the treatment period were compared in their response to the social skills training intervention. Patients with enduring Thought Disorder acquired skills at the same rate as patients without Thought Disorder, but were unable to retain their skills at followup, in contrast to their counterparts. Enduring Anergia was not related to either the acquisition or maintenance of social skills. The results were unaffected when memory was statistically controlled. The findings suggest that patient symptomatology may be an important factor mediating the efficacy of social skills training interventions.

Dumbbell neuroblastomas in children.

A "dumbbell" neuroblastoma is a malignant neoplasm usually primary in the mediastinum or retroperitoneum with posterior extension through an intervertebral foramen to additional tumor within the spinal canal. Neurologic deficits are found in almost all cases. Nineteen patients with such tumors were reviewed with respect to diagnosis, management, and results. Treatment consisted of prompt laminectomy with total or subtotal excision of the extradural tumor. The primary tumor in the mediastinum or retroperitoneal area was removed at a second stage. All patients received postoperative radiation therapy. Eleven of the 17 patients observed more than two years are free of disease, a cure rate much higher than the overall experience with neuroblastoma. Substantial recovery of neurologic function occurred in most, but kyphoscoliotic deformities were a disturbingly frequent late complication.

Guidelines for transfusion support in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Transfusion Practices Committee of the American Association of Blood Banks.

We have reviewed the impact of evolving issues in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on transfusion support for these patients. Issues include increased awareness of transfusion risks, reappraisal of traditional indicators triggering transfusion, and evolving alternatives to homologous blood transfusion such as autologous blood and pharmacologic therapy. These issues have been prompted by programs, such as the National Institutes of Health Consensus Conferences, to provide physicians with guidelines for appropriate use of blood components. However, evidence suggests that transfusion practice in coronary artery bypass grafting procedures remains variable and does not take into account the results of recently published clinical studies. We have therefore developed guidelines and recommendations for transfusion support in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. In summary, they are the following. 1. Institutions with coronary artery bypass grafting programs should establish a multidisciplinary approach to use a combination of interventions designed to minimize homologous blood exposure. 2. Prophylactic transfusion of plasma and platelets are of no benefit and therefore carry an unnecessary risk to the patient. 3. Special request products such as designated blood donation from first-degree relatives should not be used because of the risk of transfusion-associated graft versus host disease. 4. For support of intravascular volume, crystalloids or colloids should be used because they do not have the potential to transmit infection.

Evaluation of social problem solving in schizophrenia.

We examined social problem solving in schizophrenia. Twenty-seven schizophrenic patients in an acute hospital, 19 patients with bipolar disease, and 17 demographically matched nonpatient controls were tested on an empirically developed problem-solving battery that assessed the ability to generate solutions to problems, the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of solutions, and the ability to implement solutions in a role-playing format. Schizophrenic Ss were impaired on all 3 problem-solving domains compared with the nonpatient controls, but bipolar Ss were equally impaired. Several alternative explanations for these findings were considered. The most compelling hypothesis is that the deficits resulted from different factors: cognitive impairment for schizophrenic Ss and acute illness for bipolar Ss. However, longitudinal studies are required to determine whether problem-solving deficits in schizophrenic patients persist during periods of remission. Implications for rehabilitation strategies are discussed.

Congenital scalp defects: aplasia cutis congenita.

The authors discuss the rare lesion of congenital scalp defect, both partial and full thickness. The majority occur in children who are otherwise normal, but a few are seen in children who have many concomitant anomalies. A high percentage of the multiple anomaly cases were found to have trisomy 13-15. Etiology of these lesions is not clear, but there seems to be an inherited component. Treatment of otherwise normal children is conservative for the smaller lesions, with excision and primary closure when possible for the larger ones.

Sagittal synostectomy. Technical note.

A procedure for correction of scaphocephaly is described. It differs from strip craniectomy in that it provides early correction of the deformity by removing the protuberances at the bregma and at the occiput. The morbidity and mortality of this procedure is no greater than with the more standard linear craniectomy.

The dilemma of childhood optic gliomas.

A retrospective series reviewing 28 cases of optic glioma in childhood is reported from the Columbus Children's Hospital. The literature is reviewed from a clinical and pathological standpoint; in the pathological literature there is support for consideration of these lesions as a neoplastic entity, but none for designation of these gliomas as "hamartomas." An approach to the management of optic gliomas is presented. Treatment should be tailored to the individual patient; no clear therapeutic protocol appears to be supported by available data.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the central nervous system in children.

A series of 18 primitive neuroectodermal tumors in children (15 cerebral and three spinal) is reported. These are highly malignant neoplasms, both histologically and clinically. They are rapidly growing tumors, with a brief duration of symptoms and a rapidly progressive course. Forty percent of the patients were alive at 6 months, only 10% at 1 year, and all patients had died within 2 years following diagnosis.

Transmission of the hepatitis-C virus by tissue transplantation.

The hepatitis-C virus has been the most prevalent cause of chronic hepatitis in both blood and organ recipients. The introduction of a second-generation immunoassay for antibodies to the hepatitis-C virus (HCV 2.0) provided the opportunity to determine if the hepatitis-C virus can be transmitted through tissue transplantation. Banked sera from tissue donors that had previously been found to be non-reactive to the first-generation hepatitis-C virus antibody assay (HCV 1.0) and non-reactive for antibodies to hepatitis-B core antigen were retested with HCV 2.0. The sera from two donors were reactive; the transplant records of recipients of tissues from these donors were reviewed, and the surgeons or hospitals were contacted. The tissue recipients were tested with HCV 2.0, and positive sera were tested for hepatitis-C virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction. Viral nucleic acids isolated from viremic donors and recipients were analyzed for identity by sequencing of the hepatitis-C virus envelope gene (E2) hypervariable region. There were twenty-one grafts, which had been treated with gamma radiation, from one donor; thirteen had been transplanted to twelve recipients. Serum samples from six of the recipients were tested; one was reactive. This patient had other risk factors for infection with the hepatitis-C virus, and sequence analysis demonstrated non-identity between the donor and recipient hepatitis-C virus isolates. Nine of twelve grafts from a second donor had been transplanted in nine recipients. Serum samples from five patients were tested with HCV 2.0; four were reactive. In three of the four patients, the sera were determined to be positive for the hepatitis-C virus by polymerase chain reaction. E2 sequence analyses of hepatitis-C virus RNA isolates from two of these recipients demonstrated sequence identity with the donor isolate. The results of the present report demonstrate that the hepatitis-C virus can be transmitted by bone, ligament, and tendon allografts. They also support the need for testing of all tissue donors for antibodies to the hepatitis-C virus before the tissue is released for transplantation. The results also suggest that seventeen kilo-gray of gamma radiation may inactivate the hepatitis-C virus in tissue.

Supplementation of total parenteral nutrition solutions with ferrous citrate.

Daily infusion of a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) formulation containing 1 liter of 5.5% Travasol provides less than 0.1 milligrams of iron. By comparison, a formulation which includes a liter of 10% Travamin provides 2 milligrams of iron per day. To meet iron requirements in patients infusing formulations containing Travasol, iron was added as ferrous citrate. In in virto experiments, 74% of this iron was available to transferrin. In seven patients in whom in vivo availability was tested by red cell incorporation, the mean availability was 81%. Ferrous citrate is recommended as a safe, effective additive to TPN solutions for adult patients requiring iron supplements.

Transfusion-transmitted viral infections other than hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6, and human parvovirus B19.

During the last decade, there has been a sharp increase in the number of tests routinely used to screen all volunteer whole blood donations for evidence of transfusion-transmissible infection. These measures have had a dramatic effect on improvements in transfusion safety, especially as far as hepatitis viruses and the human immunodeficiency virus are concerned. Although all blood donations are not routinely screened for evidence of possible transmissibility of cytomegalovirus, some are, since there is now a clearer understanding of the categories of patients in whom this infection must be avoided. Recent studies have also pointed to a role for leukocyte filtration of transfusion products as an alternative to donor screening for selected patients at risk of cytomegalovirus infection. With regard to other viruses, knowledge about the relevance of Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6, and parvovirus to blood product safety is incomplete. Until their pathogenicity, if any, in transfusion recipients is known, recommendations about special handling of blood products because of concern for these viruses is premature.

Hemolytic transfusion reaction due to interdonor kell incompatibility. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

A 74-year-old man experienced an acute hemolytic reaction following transfusion of 4 units of red blood cells. The recipient was K negative, one of the transfused units was K positive, and another contained a previously undetected anti-K with an indirect antiglobulin titer of 512. Further investigation led to the discovery of a hemolytic transfusion reaction in a second K-negative patient who received a platelet transfusion containing 50 mL of plasma from the same donor. The clinical and serologic features of these two cases and five previously reported cases of hemolytic transfusion reaction due to interdonor Kell incompatibility are summarized.