Exposure to air pollution and cardiovascular risk in young children - a pilot project.

OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and markers of pre-clinical cardiovascular risk in young children. STUDY DESIGN: We studied a cohort of healthy children ages 2-5 recruited from pediatric primary care sites (n = 122). We obtained child weight, height, blood pressure and hair nicotine levels. A blood sample was obtained for biomarkers of systemic inflammation, oxidation, and prevalence of circulating endothelial progenitor cells. This manuscript represents a secondary analysis. TRAP exposure (particulate levels, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and proximity to major roadways) was assessed using national air pollution data based on child's census tract of residence. RESULTS: TRAP exposure had significant positive associations with prevalence of two of the three EPC subtypes (CD34 + /CD133 + /CD45- and CD133 + /CD45-) in unadjusted correlations. In a linear regression model, adjusting for sex, age, race, ethnicity, body mass index, parental education, child insurance, and secondhand smoke exposure, one EPC subtype (CD133 + /CD45-) had a positive significant correlation to every TRAP measure. No significant relationships between air pollution and measures of inflammation and oxidation was found. CONCLUSION: Our findings of the upregulation of EPCs may signal a response to early vascular damage during early childhood due to air pollution exposure. IMPACT: Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) - known cardiovascular risk factor during adulthood Current pilot study in very young children shows upregulation of cells which protect the endothelial lining of blood vessels (endothelial progenitor cells, EPCs) Upregulation of EPCs aligns with other cardiovascular risks during childhood (obesity, prematurity, type 1 diabetes) Demonstrated with TRAP exposure lower than EPA threshold Response to air pollution may be protective of cardiovascular damage during early childhood.

A Comparison of Two Multi-Layer Sacral Foam Dressings for the Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries.

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) represent a significant detriment to patient health by increasing mortality risk, negatively impacting quality of life, and increasing risk of complications such as infection. Prophylactic use of sacral foam dressings is known to decrease the occurrence of HAPIs in various patient populations. This retrospective study compared the effect of two multi-layer sacral foam dressings on HAPI incidence in patients admitted to a short-term, acute care hospital during the years 2015 (dressing one: Mepilex® Border Protect sacral dressing [Mölnlycke Healthcare AB, Göteborg, Sweden]) and 2017 (dressing two: Optifoam® Gentle LQ silicone faced foam < border sacral dressing [Medline Industries, LP, Northfield, Illinois]). Patient medical charts were examined for full sample (n=297) and subsample (n=284) analysis, respectively. The HAPI incidence for dressing two was found to be significantly less than dressing one (full sample: 5.12% compared to 10.79% [p=0.0001], and subsample: 4.07% compared to 9.31% [p=0.0001]). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for dressing two was 0.39 for the full sample and 0.35 for the subsample, indicating that compared to dressing one, the HAPI count was approximately 40% lower for dressing two for the full sample and approximately 35% lower for dressing two for the subsample. These results demonstrate that dressing two performed better than dressing one in HAPI prevention. The results of this study may inform clinicians in their choice of prophylactic dressings.

Echocardiographic changes in patients with a cylinder mitral valve replacement: Preliminary analysis.

AIMS: Cylinder mitral valve construct (cMVC) is new technique for replacing the mitral valve compared to more traditional mitral valve replacement (MVR) procedures. Goal of this study was to describe echocardiographic changes over time in patients undergoing a cMVC. Secondary goal was to compare echocardiographic changes in patients that underwent a cMVC to a group of patients that underwent a MVR. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing a cMVC was performed. Demographics, discharge echocardiogram, and recent echocardiogram vales were evaluated. Age matched patients undergoing a MVR were assessed. Discharge and recent echocardiographic parameters were compared within the cMVC group. cMVC and MVR values were compared between groups. RESULTS: Five cMVC patients were studied. Age at surgery for the cMVC was 4.3 ± 4.2 years (median 2.2, .8-10.3 years). Time interval from hospital discharge echocardiogram to the most recent echocardiogram was 1.2 ± .7 years (median 1.0, .6-2.0 years). Mean mitral valve gradient significantly increased over time (3.6 ± 3.0 mm Hg vs 7.6 ± 2.9 mm Hg). There were significant improvements in left ventricular diameters, systolic sphericity index, shortening fraction, and ejection fraction over time. There were no significant differences in demographics, discharge echocardiogram values, and follow up echocardiogram values between the cMVC and MVR groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, echocardiographic indices of left ventricular function improved over time in patients undergoing cMVC. In addition, there were no significant differences between cMVC and MVR patients in echocardiographic values. Studies with a larger patient sample with longer follow up are needed to determine if cMVC continues to have comparable echocardiographic results to MVR.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Preclinical Markers of Cardiovascular Risk in Toddlers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationships between secondhand smoke exposure in young children and several preclinical markers of cardiovascular risk that have been established as relevant to adult populations. STUDY DESIGN: There were 139 children, 2-5 years of age, enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Secondhand smoke exposure was objectively determined by hair nicotine level; a comprehensive panel of clinical markers (morning blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin, lipid profiles, inflammation) and research markers (markers of oxidation, endothelial stress, and endothelial repair) of cardiovascular risk status were assessed. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were used to evaluate relationships between secondhand smoke exposure and cardiovascular risk markers. RESULTS: Hair nicotine levels were correlated directly with blood pressure and serum C-reactive protein, and inversely correlated with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and endothelial cell progenitor cell prevalence. In multivariate analyses, these relationships remained when controlled for age, sex, body mass index z-score, maternal education, and method of payment. Additionally, in multivariate analyses, hair nicotine level was significantly negatively correlated with total antioxidant capacity. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the view that secondhand smoke exposure in the very young has a detectable relationship with several markers of cardiovascular risk, long before the emergence of clinical disease. Further studies to define mechanisms and strategies to prevent and mitigate these risks early in life are warranted.

Pedestrian-oriented zoning is associated with reduced income and poverty disparities in adult active travel to work, United States.

Active travel to work can provide additional minutes of daily physical activity. While the literature points to the relationship between zoning, equity and socioeconomic status, and physical activity, no study has quantitatively explored these connections. This study examined whether zoning may help to moderate any income and poverty inequities in active travel and taking public transit to work. Research was conducted between May 2012 and June 2015. Zoning data were compiled for 3914 jurisdictions covering 45.45% of the U.S. population located in 471 of the most populous U.S. counties and 2 consolidated cities located in 48 states and the District of Columbia. (Sensitivity analyses also captured unincorporated areas which, with the municipalities, collectively covered ~72% of the U.S. POPULATION: ) Zoning codes were obtained and evaluated to assess the pedestrian-orientation of the zoning codes. Public transit use, active travel to work, median household income, and poverty data were obtained for all study jurisdictions from the 2010-2014 American Community Survey estimates. Associations were examined through multivariate regression models, controlling for community sociodemographics, clustered on county, with robust standard errors. We found that certain pedestrian-oriented zoning provisions (e.g., crosswalks, bike-pedestrian connectivity, street connectivity, bike lanes, bike parking, and more zoning provisions) were associated with reduced income and/or poverty disparities in rates of public transit use and active travel to work. Findings from this study can help to inform cross-sectoral collaborations between the public health, planning, and transportation fields regarding zoning for pedestrian-orientation and active travel.

Interstage Survival for Patients with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome After ECMO.

There is a reported 5-20 % incidence of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) following stage I palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). This study compares the interstage mortality of HLHS patients supported with ECMO (HLHS-ECMO) to those who were not supported with ECMO (HLHS-nECMO) using the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Initiative database. Patients with HLHS who survived to hospital discharge after stage I palliation were analyzed. HLHS-ECMO patients were compared to HLHS-non-ECMO patients with respect to demographics, surgical variables, and interstage survival. A total of 931 patients were identified in the database. Sixty-six (7.1 %) patients were supported with ECMO during their stage I palliation admission. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with respect to demographics or anatomic subtype. HLHS-ECMO patients were more likely to have a preoperative risk factor identified (62 vs. 48 %, p = 0.03) or require ECMO prior to stage I palliation (3 vs. 0.5 %, p = 0.03). HLHS-ECMO patients had a significantly higher incidence of death or transplant versus the HLHS-nECMO group (18 vs. 9 %, p = 0.03). Despite survival to discharge, patients with HLHS requiring ECMO after their palliation continue to have an increased risk of death/cardiac transplant versus patients that do not require ECMO. ECMO use is likely a marker for a high-risk patient group. These patients may benefit from closer follow-up during the interstage period.

The Geographic Impact on Hospitalization in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether geographic location influences hospitalizations for pulmonary exacerbations for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the US, as there is no existing literature regarding this subject. STUDY DESIGN: The CF Foundation Patient Registry was analyzed during the years 2007-2012 via geographic grouping of states. The impact of geographic region on recovery from hospitalization, hospitalization length, and time to next hospitalization were analyzed using multivariate models. RESULTS: Posthospitalization lung function and nutritional measures were similar among regions for 1 year following hospitalization. The West region was associated with risk of longer hospital stays (OR 1.60, CI 1.45-1.77), however, dornase alfa use (OR 3.85, CI 1.15-12.92) was the only specific factor. History of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (OR 1.58, CI 1.11-2.25) and adult age (OR 2.48, CI 1.17-5.25) in the Northeast, chronic macrolide use in the South (OR 1.36, CI 1.03-1.79), and infection with Candida albicans (OR 1.47, CI 1.18-1.82) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR 1.44, CI 1.02-2.04) in the Midwest were associated with increased hospitalization length. There was a significantly decreased risk for subsequent hospitalizations in the Northeast compared with other regions (P = .038). Sociodemographic analysis identified Caucasians in the South having a significantly lower risk of future hospitalization compared with African Americans (hazard ratio 0.79, CI 0.69-0.91, P = .0009). CONCLUSIONS: There is significant regional variability in hospitalization length and risks for subsequent hospitalizations for patients with CF in the US. Regional variation should be subject to further study to determine if benchmarking standards can be achieved nationally.

Oxidative Stress in Youth and Adolescents With Elevated Body Mass Index Exposed to Secondhand Smoke.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to investigate the relationships between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and oxidative stress in a group of youth and adolescents with elevated body mass index. METHODS: Participants in this cross sectional study were healthy nonsmoking youth and adolescents ages 9 to 18 years old. Three-quarters of the participants were either overweight or obese. SHS exposure was determined by survey and hair nicotine level. Markers of oxidation were total antioxidant capacity and protein malondialdehyde adducts (MDA). RESULTS: Ninety subjects were studied; adequate hair samples were available for 86. The mean hair nicotine level was 0.75ng/mg, the median was 0.58ng/mg and the range was 0.09-2.88ng/mg. There was a significant relationship between MDA and the three survey questions regarding smoke exposure ([mother smokes, r = 0.29, P = .006], [smoker lives in the home, r = 0.31, P = .004], and [number of smokers in the home, r = 0.36, P = .002]). There was a significant positive relationship between log-hair nicotine and MDA (Pearson r = 0.233, P = .031), which remained significant after controlling for age, sex, race, and method of insurance. No relationship was found between log-hair nicotine and total antioxidant capacity. However, there was a significant relationship between number of smokers in the home (r = 0.24, P = .042) and total antioxidant capacity. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a significant positive relationship hair nicotine level and MDA in a group of youth with a high proportion of overweight/obese subjects. IMPLICATIONS: We have shown a significant relationship between objectively measured SHS exposure and one marker of oxidative stress in a sample of youth and adolescents with a high proportion of overweight/obese subjects, and who were nonsmokers with relatively low tobacco exposure. This finding remains significant after controlling for age, sex, race, and type of medical insurance. Since the cardiovascular effects of SHS exposure are related to oxidative stress, this finding adds to our knowledge that the sequence of deleterious effects of tobacco exposure on the cardiovascular system begins long before clinical disease is evident.

Screening for autism identifies behavioral disorders in children functional defecation disorders.

UNLABELLED: This study prospectively assessed whether positive screening surveys for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children with functional defecation disorders (FDDs) accurately identify ASD. Parents of children (4-12 years) who met Rome III criteria for functional constipation (FC), FC with fecal incontinence (FI) and functional nonretentive FI (FNRFI) completed two ASD screening surveys. Children with positive screens were referred for psychological evaluation, and a year later, follow-up surveys were conducted. Of the 97 study participants, 30.9 % were diagnosed with FC, 62.9 % with FC with FI, and 6.2 % with FNRFI. ASD surveys were positive for 27 children (27.8 %). New DSM diagnoses were made in 10 out of the 15 children that completed further evaluation. Two (2.1 %) met criteria for ASD, and 12 (12.4 %) met criteria for other behavioral disorders. Average SRS and SCQ-L scores were higher in subjects with FC with FI as compared to FC alone and in those who reported no improvement versus those who reported improvement 1 year later. CONCLUSION: While positive ASD screening surveys did not correctly identify ASD in the majority, it did help to identify other unrecognized behavioral disorders in children with FDD. High screening scores were more common in children with FC with FI and in children with poorer responses to current medical treatments. WHAT IS KNOWN: •A prior study found that 29 % of children with FDD scored positive on ASD screening questionnaires. •Whether positive screens correctly identify ASD in children with FDD is unknown. What is New: •This study shows that positive ASD screens do not correctly identify ASD in children with FDD. However, the use of ASD screening questionnaires can identify previously unrecognized and untreated behavioral/developmental disorders in children with FDD. •High screening scores are more common in children with FC with FI and in children with poorer responses to current medical treatments.

More Active Living-oriented County and Municipal Zoning is Associated with Increased Adult Leisure Time Physical Activity-United States, 2011.

Although zoning is recognized for its role in facilitating healthy communities, no study has examined whether active living-oriented zoning codes are associated with adult leisure time physical activity (PA). This study sought to fill this gap and hypothesized that adult leisure time PA would be greater in communities with more progressive zoning code reforms and more active living-oriented zoning. Zoning codes for 1,617 county and municipal jurisdictions located in 30 states (covering ~40% of the U.S. population) were evaluated for code reform zoning and 11 active living markers. County-aggregated zoning measures were created for linking with five adult PA behaviors obtained from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System controlling for individual and county sociodemographics. Zoning elements most associated with adult PA included requirements for mixed use, active and passive recreation, bike parking/street furniture, and bike-pedestrian trails/paths. This study provides new insights as to the role that zoning can play in facilitating adult PA.

QRS Duration Changes in Patients with Single Ventricle Physiology: Birth to 10 Years.

BACKGROUND: QRS prolongation may be a predictor of mortality in certain forms of congenital heart disease. Minimal data exist describing changes in QRS duration in patients with single ventricles (SVs). The goal was to describe changes in QRS duration in patients with SV and to determine if differences existed between single right ventricle (sRV) versus single left ventricle (sLV) patients. METHODS: Chart review was performed on patients with SV physiology. Patients were divided into sRV and sLV groups. QRS durations were measured monthly for the first 6 months, at 1 year, and then yearly until 10 years. t-tests were used for analysis. RESULTS: One hundred sixty patients were evaluated (95 sRV, 65 sLV). The greatest change in QRS duration for the entire cohort occurred in the first 6 months of life versus 6 months to 10 years of age (1.81 ms/month vs 0.20 ms/month). sRV QRS durations were significantly longer than sLV QRS durations at 1 year (78.9 ± 12.6 ms vs 73.2 ± 11.9 ms), 2 year (81.7 ± 14.7 ms vs 73.4 ± 12.5 ms), 4 year (84.2 ± 12.1 ms vs 77.9 ± 16.4 ms), 6 year (90.8 ± 12.7 ms vs 83.4 ± 13.4 ms), 7 year (90.8 ± 16.5 ms vs 81.2 ± 16.6 ms), and 8 year (96.7 ± 13.6 ms vs 84.8 ± 13.9 ms) time points. CONCLUSION: The greatest change in QRS duration in SV patients occurred in the first 6 months of life when these patients' ventricles were volume loaded. Differences in QRS duration between sRV and sLV patients occurred early in life. Further studies are needed to determine if minimizing volume load early in life decreases the rate of change in QRS duration.

Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders and Brain and Body Donation Program.

The Brain and Body Donation Program (BBDP) at Banner Sun Health Research Institute (http://www.brainandbodydonationprogram.org) started in 1987 with brain-only donations and currently has banked more than 1600 brains. More than 430 whole-body donations have been received since this service was commenced in 2005. The collective academic output of the BBDP is now described as the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders (AZSAND). Most BBDP subjects are enrolled as cognitively normal volunteers residing in the retirement communities of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Specific recruitment efforts are also directed at subjects with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and cancer. The median age at death is 82. Subjects receive standardized general medical, neurological, neuropsychological and movement disorders assessments during life and more than 90% receive full pathological examinations by medically licensed pathologists after death. The Program has been funded through a combination of internal, federal and state of Arizona grants as well as user fees and pharmaceutical industry collaborations. Subsets of the Program are utilized by the US National Institute on Aging Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Core Center and the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Brain and Tissue Resource for Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders. Substantial funding has also been received from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The Program has made rapid autopsy a priority, with a 3.0-hour median post-mortem interval for the entire collection. The median RNA Integrity Number (RIN) for frozen brain and body tissue is 8.9 and 7.4, respectively. More than 2500 tissue requests have been served and currently about 200 are served annually. These requests have been made by more than 400 investigators located in 32 US states and 15 countries. Tissue from the BBDP has contributed to more than 350 publications and more than 200 grant-funded projects.

Characterization of fibromyalgia symptoms in patients 55-95 years old: a longitudinal study showing symptom persistence with suboptimal treatment.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) has been understudied in the elderly population, a group with particular vulnerabilities to pain, reduced mobility, and sleep disruption. AIMS: To characterize FM symptoms and treatments in a cohort of older subjects examined over time to determine the extent to which current, community-based treatment for older FM patients is in accord with published guidelines, and effective in reducing symptoms. METHODS: A longitudinal, observational study of 51 subjects with FM (range 55-95 years) and 81 control subjects (58-95 years) performed at Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City, AZ, USA. Serial history and examination data were obtained over a 6-year period. FM data included medical history, medications, physical examination, tender point examination, neuropsychological testing, sleep and pain ratings, the Physical Function Subscale of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and other standardized scales to evaluate depression and other psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive and functional impairment. RESULTS: Pain and stiffness that interfered with physical activity, sleep, and mood were reported by 80 % or more of subjects. Over time, pain involved an increasing number of body areas. Over half of subjects were treated with NSAIDs, one-quarter with opioids, and one-quarter with estrogen. Few were treated with dual-acting antidepressants or pregabalin. DISCUSSION: In this cohort of elders with suboptimally treated FM, substantial persistence of symptoms was seen over time. In general, recommended treatments were either not used or not tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Age-appropriate treatments as well as education of primary care providers are needed to improve treatment of FM in the older population.

Ultrasound assessment of mesenteric blood flow in neonates with hypoplastic left heart before and after hybrid palliation.

BACKGROUND: Altered mesenteric perfusion may be a contributor to the development of necrotising enterocolitis in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The goal of this study was to document mesenteric flow patterns in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome pre- and post-hybrid procedure. METHODS: A prospective study on all patients with hypoplatic left heart syndrome undergoing the hybrid procedure was conducted. Doppler ultrasound analysis of the coeliac and superior mesenteric artery was performed. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were evaluated. There was a significant difference in the coeliac artery effective velocity-time intergral pre- and post-hybrid procedure (8.69±3.84 versus 12.51±4.95 cm, respectively). There were significant differences in the superior mesenteric artery antegrade velocity-time integral pre- and post-hybrid procedure (6.86±2.45 versus 10.52±2.64 cm, respectively) and superior mesenteric artery effective velocity-time integral pre- and post-hybrid procedure (6.22±2.68 versus 9.73±2.73 cm, respectively). There were no significant differences between the coeliac and superior mesenteric artery Doppler indices in the pre-hybrid procedure; there were, however, significant differences in the post-hybrid procedure between coeliac and superior mesenteric artery antegrade velocity-time integral (13.8 2±5.60 versus 10.52±2.64 cm, respectively) and effective velocity-time integral (13.04±4.71 versus 9.73±2.73 cm, respectively). CONCLUSION: Doppler mesenteric indices of perfusion improve in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome after the hybrid procedure; however, there appears to be preferential flow to the coeliac artery versus the superior mesenteric artery in these patients post-procedure.

A Pilot Study to Examine the Feasibility and Potential Effectiveness of Using Smartphones to Provide Recovery Support for Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Smartphone applications can potentially provide recovery monitoring and support in real-time, real-life contexts. Study aims included determining feasibility of (a) adolescents completing ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) and utilizing phone-based ecological momentary interventions (EMIs); and (b) using EMA and EMI data to predict substance use in the subsequent week. METHODS: Twenty-nine adolescents were recruited at discharge from residential treatment, regardless of their discharge status or length of stay. During the 6-week pilot, youth were prompted to complete an EMA at 6 random times per day and were provided access to a suite of recovery support EMI. Youth completed 87% of the 5580 EMAs. Based on use in the next 7 days, EMA observations were classified into 3 risk groups: "Current Use" in the past 30 minutes (3% of observations), "Unrecognized Risk" (42%), or "Recognized Risk" (55%). All youth had observations in 2 or more risk groups and 38% in all 3. Youth accessed an EMI on average 162 times each week. RESULTS: Participants were 31% female, 48% African American, 21% Caucasian, 7% Hispanic, and 24% Mixed/Other; average age was 16.6 years. During the 90 days prior to entering treatment, youth reported using alcohol (38%), marijuana (41%), and other drugs (7%). When compared with the "Recognized Risk" group's use in the following week (31%), both the "Unrecognized Risk" (50%, odds ratio [OR]=2.08) and "Current Use" (96%, OR=50.30) groups reported significantly higher rates of use in the next week. When an EMI was accessed 2 or more times within the hour following an EMA, the rate of using during the next week was significantly lower than when EMIs were not accessed (32% vs. 43%, OR=0.62). CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate the feasibility of using smartphones for recovery monitoring and support with adolescents, with potential to reduce use.

Thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity in apparently healthy pregnant and non-pregnant Mexican women.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid disorders are common in women of reproductive age, and thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy has been associated with adverse outcomes for mother and child. Thyroid function and thyroid function tests (TFTs) can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as ethnicity, the presence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), dietary iodine intake, pregnancy, and methodological differences. However, no large-scale studies have been published which examine TFTs and prevalence of AITD in Mexican pregnant women and women of reproductive age. METHODS: TFTs and thyroid autoantibody testing were performed on 660 pregnant and 104 non-pregnant women from Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. After removal of thyroid autoantibody positive individuals and women with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) >4.94 mIU/L, reference intervals were calculated for TFT for non-pregnant women and pregnant women by trimester. RESULTS: Anti-thyroidperoxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and/or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab) were positive in 14.4% and 13.5% of non-pregnant and pregnant women, respectively. TSH values were significantly higher in women who were positive for TPO-Ab and co-positive for TPO-Ab and Tg-Ab. TSH values were also significantly higher in Tg-Ab positive pregnant women. Other TFTs were not significantly different based on antibody status. Using antibody negative women, reference intervals were determined for TFTs in pregnant (gestational age-specific) and non-pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory evidence of AITD is common in this population of Mexican pregnant and non-pregnant women. TFT results and reference intervals are influenced by pregnancy and thyroid autoimmunity. For optimal interpretation of TFT results, gestational age-specific reference intervals established using a local patient population should be used.

Catheterization diastolic pressures correlate with diastolic dyssynchrony in patients with single right ventricles.

INTRODUCTION: Diastolic dyssynchrony has correlated with pulmonary capillary wedge pressures in patients with normal cardiac anatomy. No data exist in single right ventricle (sRV) patients. Goal of this study was to determine if diastolic dyssynchrony in sRV patients correlates with ventricular end-diastolic pressures (VEDP). METHODS: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and strain rate (SR) analysis of sRV patients undergoing catheterization were performed. Time interval from onset of QRS to peak TDI e'-wave was obtained. Differences in intervals were calculated: QRS (RV) - QRS (IVS) and QRS (RV) - QRS (LV). Time interval from onset of QRS to peak strain rate early diastolic wave (SRe) was obtained for the 6 segment model sRV. Standard deviation of the 6 SRe time intervals was calculated. Correlation of VEDP with timing intervals was analyzed. RESULTS: Forty sRV patients were evaluated. Age was 2.8 ± 3.5 years. Catheterization VEDP of the sRV was 9.3 ± 3.9 mmHg (median 8 mmHg range 4-24 mmHg). QRS (RV) - QRS (IVS) was 22.3 ± 18.1 msec and QRS (RV) - QRS (LV) was 23.7 ± 19.0 msec. SRe standard deviation of the sRV was 61.6 ± 23.9 msec. There was no significant correlation with VEDP and QRS (RV) - QRS (IVS) (r = 0.1, P = NS) or with QRS (RV) - QRS (LV) (r = 0.2, P = NS). There was a significant correlation of VEDP with the SRe standard deviation value (r = 0.4, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Diastolic dyssynchrony correlated with VEDP in patients with sRV physiology. Future studies are needed to determine the significance of these findings.

Comparing echocardiographic assessment of systolic function with catheterization data in patients with single right ventricles.

PURPOSE: Echocardiographic evaluation of systolic function in patients with single right ventricles (SRV) is important but remains challenging. Minimal data exist correlating echocardiographic indices with catheterization data in this population. The goal of this study was to evaluate which echocardiographic measurement correlated best with dP/dt (max) obtained by cardiac catheterization in SRV patients. METHODS: Patients with SRV physiology who underwent simultaneous echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were evaluated. Echocardiographic data included fractional area change % (FAC), displacement, TDI s'wave, myocardial performance index (MPI), global systolic strain, and global SR s wave. Maximum positive rate of ventricular pressure change measured as dP/dt (max) was obtained from the cardiac catheterization report. Correlations of echocardiographic and catheterization variables were examined using the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Twenty-seven SRV patients were studied. Median age at the time of the catheterization was 11.4 months (range 0 - 132 months). dP/dt (max) values ranged from 337-1860 mmHg/s with a median of 994 mmHg/s. Mean FAC was 27.15 +/- 7.13%, displacement was 7.35 +/- 2.88 mm, TDI s' was 4.98 +/- 1.93 cm/sec, MPI was 0.41 +/- 0.17, global strain was-14.85 +/- 4.32%, and global SR s wave was -1.03 +/- 0.34 sec(-1). There were no significant correlations between dP/dt (max) and any of the echocardiographic measurements of systolic function in SRV patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with SRV physiology, catheterization-derived dP/dt (max) did not correlate with echocardiographic measurements of systolic function. Larger studies are needed to determine which non-invasive parameter best describes systolic function in patients with SRV.

Comparison of custom to standard TKA instrumentation with computed tomography.

PURPOSE: There is conflicting evidence whether custom instrumentation for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) improves component position compared to standard instrumentation. Studies have relied on long-limb radiographs limited to two-dimensional (2D) analysis and subjected to rotational inaccuracy. We used postoperative computed tomography (CT) to evaluate preoperative three-dimensional templating and CI to facilitate accurate and efficient implantation of TKA femoral and tibial components. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated a single-surgeon cohort of 78 TKA patients (51 custom, 27 standard) with postoperative CT scans using 3D reconstruction and contour-matching technology to preoperative imaging. Component alignment was measured in coronal, sagittal and axial planes. RESULTS: Preoperative templating for custom instrumentation was 87 and 79 % accurate for femoral and tibial component size. All custom components were within 1 size except for the tibial component in one patient (2 sizes). Tourniquet time was 5 min longer for custom (30 min) than standard (25 min). In no case was custom instrumentation aborted in favour of standard instrumentation nor was original alignment of custom instrumentation required to be adjusted intraoperatively. There were more outliers greater than 2° from intended alignment with standard instrumentation than custom for both components in all three planes. Custom instrumentation was more accurate in component position for tibial coronal alignment (custom: 1.5° ± 1.2°; standard: 3° ± 1.9°; p = 0.0001) and both tibial (custom: 1.4° ± 1.1°; standard: 16.9° ± 6.8°; p < 0.0001) and femoral (custom: 1.2° ± 0.9°; standard: 3.1° ± 2.1°; p < 0.0001) rotational alignment, and was similar to standard instrumentation in other measurements. CONCLUSIONS: When evaluated with CT, custom instrumentation performs similar or better to standard instrumentation in component alignment and accurately templates component size. Tourniquet time was mildly increased for custom compared to standard.

Developing a Measure of Traffic Calming Associated with Elementary School Students' Active Transport.

The objective of this study is to develop a measure of traffic calming with nationally available GIS data from NAVTEQ and to validate the traffic calming index with the percentage of children reported by school administrators as walking or biking to school, using data from a nationally representative sample of elementary schools in 2006-2010. Specific models, with and without correlated errors, examined associations of objective GIS measures of the built environment, nationally available from NAVTEQ, with the latent construct of traffic calming. The best fit model for the latent traffic calming construct was determined to be a five factor model including objective measures of intersection density, count of medians/dividers, count of low mobility streets, count of roundabouts, and count of on-street parking availability, with no correlated errors among items. This construct also proved to be a good fit for the full measurement model when the outcome measure of percentage of students walking or biking to school was added to the model. The traffic calming measure was strongly, significantly, and positively correlated with the percentage of students reported as walking or biking to school. Applicability of results to public health and transportation policies and practices are discussed.