Top Alzheimer's disease risk allele frequencies differ in HABS-HD Mexican- versus Non-Hispanic White Americans.

INTRODUCTION: Here we evaluate frequencies of the top 10 Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk alleles for late-onset AD in Mexican American (MA) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) American participants enrolled in the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities Study cohort. METHODS: Using DNA extracted from this community-based diverse population, we calculated the genotype frequencies in each population to determine whether a significant difference is detected between the different ethnicities. DNA genotyping was performed per manufacturers' protocols. RESULTS: Allele and genotype frequencies for 9 of the 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (two apolipoprotein E variants, CR1, BIN1, DRB1, NYAP1, PTK2B, FERMT2, and ABCA7) differed significantly between MAs and NHWs. DISCUSSION: The significant differences in frequencies of top AD risk alleles observed here across MAs and NHWs suggest that ethnicity-specific genetic risks for AD exist. Given our results, we are advancing additional projects to further elucidate ethnicity-specific differences in AD.

Usefulness of artificial intelligence-assisted digital single-operator cholangioscopy as a second-opinion consultation tool during interhospital assessment of an indeterminate biliary stricture: a case report.

Video 1Application of a novel digital single-operator cholangioscopy-based convolutional neuronal network to detect neoplastic lesions as a second-opinion consultation tool between 2 hospitals and biopsy sampling.

ZINC-22─A Free Multi-Billion-Scale Database of Tangible Compounds for Ligand Discovery.

Purchasable chemical space has grown rapidly into the tens of billions of molecules, providing unprecedented opportunities for ligand discovery but straining the tools that might exploit these molecules at scale. We have therefore developed ZINC-22, a database of commercially accessible small molecules derived from multi-billion-scale make-on-demand libraries. The new database and tools enable analog searching in this vast new space via a facile GUI, CartBlanche, drawing on similarity methods that scale sublinearly in the number of molecules. The new library also uses data organization methods, enabling rapid lookup of molecules and their physical properties, including conformations, partial atomic charges, c Log P values, and solvation energies, all crucial for molecule docking, which had become slow with older database organizations in previous versions of ZINC. As the libraries have continued to grow, we have been interested in finding whether molecular diversity has suffered, for instance, because certain scaffolds have come to dominate via easy analoging. This has not occurred thus far, and chemical diversity continues to grow with database size, with a log increase in Bemis-Murcko scaffolds for every two-log unit increase in database size. Most new scaffolds come from compounds with the highest heavy atom count. Finally, we consider the implications for databases like ZINC as the libraries grow toward and beyond the trillion-molecule range. ZINC is freely available to everyone and may be accessed at cartblanche22.docking.org, via Globus, and in the Amazon AWS and Oracle OCI clouds.

Relación entre el signo del lóbulo hendido y enfermedad cardiovascular en pacientes del Hospital Universitario deLos Andes, diciembre de 2017 a julio de 2018 / Relationship between the Cleft Lobe Sign and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients at the Hospital Universitario de los Andes, December 2017 to July 2018 / Relação entre sinal de lóbulo fendido e doença cardiovascular em pacientes no Hospital Universitário de Los Andes, dezembro de 2017 a julho de 2018

Introducción: El signo de Frank o signo del lóbulo hendido se ha asociado con la existencia de una desorganización de las fibras elásticas y un espesamiento de las arteriolas que provoca una esclerosis vascular y una isquemia crónica local del lóbulo de la oreja.Objetivo: Determinar la relación del signo de lóbulo hendido con las enfermedades cardiovasculares en pacientes del servicio de Medicina Interna del Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de los Andes, entre diciembre de 2017 y julio de2018. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo y transversal de casos y controles, para establecer la relación entre el signo del lóbulo hendido y la enfermedad cardiovascular. Resultados: Se observa que el tabaquismo es un factor de riesgo asociado directamente con la presencia del signo del lóbulo hendido (p = 0,047), dado que existe una mayor tendencia a su aparición mientras mayor es la intensidad del tabaquismo. La presencia del signo del lóbulo genera un riesgo relativo de 2,062 veces, en cuanto a eventos cardiovasculares en comparación con aquellos quienes no lo presentan. Conclusiones: Se considera que la asociación encontrada entre el signo del lóbulo hendido, el tabaquismo y las enfermedades cardiovasculares ofrecen una herramienta fácilmente identificable de una población de riesgo mayor para el desarrollo de estas patologías.

Introduction: The sign of Frank or sign of the cleft lobe has been associated with the existence of a disorganization of the elastic fibers and a thickening of the arterioles that causes a vascular sclerosis and a chronic local ischemia of the lobe of the ear. Objectives: To determine the relationship of the split lobe sign with cardiovascular diseases in patients of the Internal Medicine service of the Autono-mous University Hospital of the Andes, December-2017 to July-2018. Methodology: A descriptive and cross-sectional observational study of cases and controls to establish a relationship between the sign of the diseased lobe and cardiovascular disease. Results: We observed Smoking is a risk factor directly associated with the presence of the cleft lobe sign p (0.047), there being a greater tendency to appear when the intensity of smoking is higher. The presence of the lobe sign generates a relative risk of 2.062 times in terms of cardiovascular events compared to those who do not. Conclusions: We consider that the association found between the sign of the cleft lobe, smoking and cardiovascular diseases, give us an easily identifiable tool for a population at higher risk for the deve-lopment of these pathologies.

Introdução: O sinal de Frank ou sinal de lóbulo fendido tem sido associado com desorganização das fibras elásticas e espessamento das arteríolas, levando à esclerose vascular e isquemia local crônica do lóbulo da orelha. Objetivo: Determinar a relação entre o sinal do lóbulo fendido e as doenças cardiovasculares em pacientes do Departamento de Medicina Interna do Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitário dos Andes, entre dezembro de 2017 e julho de 2018. Materiais e métodos: Estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal, caso-controle para estabelecer a relação entre o sinal do lóbulo fendido e a doença cardiovascular. Resultado: Fumar é um fator de risco diretamente associado à presença do sinal do lóbulo fendido (p = 0,047), pois há uma tendência maior para que ele apareça quanto maior a intensidade do fumo. A presença do sinal do lóbulo gera um risco relativo 2.062 vezes maior para eventos cardiovasculares do que para aqueles sem ele. Conclusão: A associação encontrada entre o sinal do lóbulo fendido, o tabagismo e a doença cardio-vascular é considerada como uma ferramenta facilmente identificável de uma população com maior risco para o desenvolvimento dessas patologias.

Clinical epidemiology and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill adult patients: protocol for a large-scale systematic review and planned meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of studies have investigated the clinical epidemiology and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care units. However, these findings have not been clearly defined in broad subgroups of mechanically ventilated adults. Hence, this protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis is designed to better understand the clinical and epidemiological features of VAP in these patient populations by establishing its overall prognosis of and risk factors for morbidity and mortality and to determine the differences in clinical and economic outcomes between VAP and non-VAP patients. METHODS: This present review will systematically search available full-text articles without date and language restrictions and indexed in PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. In addition, reference lists and citations of retrieved articles and relevant medical and nursing journals will be manually reviewed. Supplementary search in other databases involving trials, reviews, and grey literatures, including conference proceedings, theses, and dissertations, will be performed. Study investigators will be contacted to clarify missing or unpublished data. All prognostic studies meeting the pre-defined eligibility criteria will be included. The study selection, risk of bias assessment, data extraction, and grading of the quality of evidence will be carried out in duplicate, involving independent evaluation by two investigators with consensus or a third-party adjudication. The degree of inter-rater agreement will be calculated using the kappa statistic. For meta-analysis, dichotomous and continuous outcome measures will be pooled using odds ratios and standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals, respectively. The Mantel-Haenszel or inverse variance methods with random effects model will be used as a guide for analysis. The heterogeneity of each outcome measure will be assessed using both X2 and I2 statistics. In addition, sensitivity and subgroup analyses will be performed to ensure consistency of pooled results. The review protocol described herein is in accordance with the PRISMA-P standards. DISCUSSION: The investigation of the epidemiological profiles, prognostic factors, and outcomes associated with VAP is critical for the identification of high-risk groups of mechanically ventilated patients and evaluation of possible clinical endpoints. This may provide substantial links for improved VAP prevention practices targeting modifiable risk factors. Implications for future research directions are discussed. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017048158.

Exposure to reprocessed single-use tracheal suction catheter and ventilator-associated pneumonia risk: A preliminary, single unit-based, matched case-control study.

PURPOSE: The reuse of reprocessed single-use suction catheter for suctioning an amount of tracheal secretion among orally intubated, mechanically ventilated patients, who are at risk of acquiring ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine the association between the repetitive use of reprocessed single-use suction catheter and VAP development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A preliminary, single unit-based investigation was designed as matched case-control study to extract data from hospital's existing 5-year VAP report and inpatients' clinical records. Cases were defined as patients, who developed VAP between December 2009 and October 2014. Controls were defined as patients, who had no evidence of VAP during study period. Six hundred eight controls were frequency matched to 152 cases in 4:1 ratio. Chart-extracted clinical data were stratified and included for conditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Analysis showed a significant association between reprocessed single-use tracheal suction catheter exposure and VAP development [odds ratio (OR), 3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.47-5.35]. A statistically significant increase in VAP risk was found in male intubated patients (OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.22-23.3), who are older than 60 years (OR, 8.08; 95% CI, 1.47-44.3), had severe Glasgow Coma Scale scores (OR, 8.27; 95% CI, 1.83-37.3), and received mechanical ventilatory support for more than 96 hours (OR, 9.67; 95% CI, 1.98-47.1). In addition, a statistically significant increase in VAP risk was seen in intensive care unit, where reprocessed tracheal suction catheter changes were routinely provided (OR, 16.0; 95% CI, 2.40-106.7) and unsatisfactory hand hygiene percentage compliance was observed (OR, 8.40; 95% CI, 1.60-44.1). Ventilator-associated pneumonia proportion analysis revealed a higher number of unknown exogenous VAP among exposed cases compared to nonexposed case patients (32.2% vs 13.8%; OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.31-4.05; P < .005) that were mechanically ventilated for more than 96 hours (62.5% vs 25.7%; OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 2.40-5.46; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: This current study suggests that exposure to reprocessed single-use tracheal suction catheter may predispose orally intubated, mechanically ventilated patients in developing VAP. Further research studies are recommended to validate these findings. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL NURSING PRACTICE: The estimated VAP risk of this traditional-based practice is essential to provide strong basis for infection control measures to reduce, if not totally eliminate, VAP.

Arterial endofibrosis in endurance athletes: angiographic features and classification.

PURPOSE: To describe the spectrum of angiographic features of arterial endofibrosis and to assess the patterns of associated lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was compliant with the declaration of Helsinki principles. Files of patients who underwent surgery between January 1998 and December 2009 were retrospectively searched for histologic analysis-proven arterial endofibrosis. Preoperative angiograms were read in consensus by two radiologists. Abnormalities of the common iliac (CIA), external iliac (EIA), and femoral arteries were classified into five types, known as the CEF classification. RESULTS: This study assessed 180 patients (161 men, 19 women) with 195 symptomatic limbs (136 left-side limbs; P < .001). Angiography depicted 28 abnormalities in the CIA (27 stenoses, one dissection), 185 in the EIA (17 thromboses, 167 stenoses, one dissection), one in the common femoral artery (dissection), and 14 in the deep femoral artery (one thrombosis, 13 stenoses). CIA and EIA stenoses predominantly involved the distal and proximal third of the artery respectively. They were mild (CIA and EIA mean severity, 19% ± 7 and 26% ± 11, respectively) and long (45% ± 26 and 51% ± 26 of the artery, respectively). EIA stenoses were significantly longer in women (P < .003). Upon hip flexion, 23 CIA and 116 EIA stenoses showed kinking (mean amplitude, 76° ± 23 and 76° ± 30, respectively). All deep femoral artery stenoses were diaphragm-like and involved the lateral circumflex femoral artery. CIA, EIA, and femoral lesions were not randomly associated (P < .001). ConCLUSION: Arterial endofibrosis mainly affects the central part of the iliac artery and the lateral circumflex femoral artery. The CIA, EIA, and femoral lesion classification may help to distinguish patterns of associated lesions.

Comparison of extramural clinical rotation days: did the Pipeline program make a difference?

Extramural clinical rotations are implemented by dental schools for a combination of clinical and didactic or behavioral goals. In the United States, the Pipeline, Profession, and Practice: Community-Based Dental Education program was launched to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who are recruited and retained in dental education, to expand the dental curriculum in cultural competence, and to incorporate community-based extramural rotations into the dental schools' clinical curriculum. The objective of this study was to conduct an impact analysis regarding the change in number of extramural clinical rotation weeks for Pipeline and non-Pipeline program students over the time period of 2003 to 2007. National data from the American Dental Education Association's senior survey and other secondary sources were used to determine what student, school, and community characteristics are associated with a difference in the student report of the number of required weeks they expect to spend during their last year in dental school providing care at extramural clinic settings. Students reported a mean of 7.2 weeks for Pipeline students and 6.4 weeks for non-Pipeline students in 2003, increasing to 8.2 weeks for Pipeline students and 6.6 weeks for non-Pipeline students (p<0.05) in 2007. The multivariable model showed the Pipeline program increased significantly the number of rotational weeks reported by students. Three other variables significantly increased rotation weeks: 1) a lower baseline number of reported weeks in community rotations; 2) a lower level of debt student reported upon graduation; and 3) student reports of a higher orientation toward service to others as a reason to enter dentistry.

Who will serve? Assessing recruitment of underrepresented minority and low-income dental students to increase access to dental care.

This article uses data from the 2007 American Dental Education Association survey of dental school seniors to assess their intentions to serve underserved populations according to the students' underrepresented minority (URM) and income status. Dental school recruitment and retention programs that concentrate exclusively on URM students will not benefit most low-income students since 83 percent of them are not URM. Recruiting URM students leads to more graduating students with intentions to serve minorities. Whether the income of URM students was high or low, about half in each income group stated that more than 25 percent of their patients would be underserved minorities, compared to 28 percent of the low-income non-URM students and 17 percent of the higher income non-URM students. However, our multivariable results suggest that recruitment of both low-income groups (URM and non-URM) rather than high income regardless of ethnicity might be especially helpful in producing graduates who choose public service. URM/income status was not significantly related to serving special care or rural populations.

Reforming dental education: faculty members' perceptions on the continuation of pipeline program changes.

In 2002-03 the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) established the Pipeline, Profession, and Practice: Community-Based Dental Education program to change dental education in the United States. In partnership with The California Endowment, the RWJF awarded grants to fifteen U.S. dental schools that would support them in efforts to recruit more underrepresented minority/low-income (URM/LI) students, add cultural competence training, and increase extramural rotations to sixty days. As the program evaluator, the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Public Health (UCLA-SPH) conducted a survey of dental faculty in 2006 related to the goals of the Pipeline program. In this article, we report faculty perceptions pertaining to the extramural rotations and URM/LI recruitment. The survey was conducted in fourteen U.S. dental schools that received Pipeline grants and had an overall response rate of 60 percent (n=1,027) from the 1,713 faculty members who received the survey. A majority (57 percent) of faculty members strongly agreed that extramural rotations should continue as an integral part of students' education; 51 percent felt the same about the continuation of URM/LI recruitment programs. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that faculty type, perception of extramural rotations being a positive experience, increased student productivity, and school culture were significant determinants of support for continuation of the extramural rotation programs. Determinants of support for continuation of the URM/LI recruitment programs were faculty type, perception of URM/LI recruitment effectiveness, perception of students from diverse backgrounds improving educational experience, and having a school mission statement that supports URM/LI recruitment. Pipeline schools should ensure that their extramural faculty remain key players in the Pipeline programs, widely publicize the programs' successes, and develop a service-oriented culture in order to build and sustain faculty perceptions that these programs should continue as integral parts of the schools' educational mission.