Neurotrophic keratopathy: General features and new therapies.

Neurotrophic keratopathy is an uncommon degenerative corneal disorder characterized by compromised corneal sensory innervation resulting in the formation of epithelial defects and nonhealing corneal ulcers. Various treatment modalities are available to stabilize disease progression, improve patient well-being, and prevent vision loss. For eligible patients, medical and surgical reinnervation have emerged as pioneering therapies, holding promise for better management. We present a comprehensive review of the disorder, providing an update relevant to ophthalmologists on pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment options, and novel therapies targeting pathophysiological pathways.

Efficacy of diadynamic currents as an adjunct to exercise to manage symptoms of knee osteoarthritis in adults: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of diadynamic currents administered prior to exercises on pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. DESIGN: A randomized-controlled trial. SETTING: Special Rehabilitation Services in Taboão da Serra. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly allocated to Group I (diadynamic currents and exercises; n = 30, 60 knees) or Group II (exercises alone; n = 30, 60 knees) and were treated three times a week for 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were change in knee pain evaluated by visual analog scale and disability Index Score (Lequesne). Secondary outcomes included change in mobility (Timed Up and Go test), range of motion (goniometer), muscle strength (dynamometer), a composite score for pain and disability (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis questionnaire), and a drug diary to measure consumption of rescue pain medication (paracetamol). All measurements were collected at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months from baseline (follow-up). RESULTS: There were 60 participants with a mean (SD) age of 63.40 (8.20) years. Between-group differences in the follow-up (8 weeks and 6 months) were observed for pain at rest, pain during activities of daily living and disability. There was improvement in Group I that was maintained for the three variables 6 months after treatment. Mean difference for pain at rest was -3.08 points (95% confidence interval -4.13; -2.02), p < 0.01 with an effect size of 1.4; mean difference for pain during activities of daily living was -2.40 points (95% confidence interval -3.34; -1.45), p < 0.01 with an effect size of 1.24; and mean difference for disability was -4.08 points (95% confidence interval -5.89; -2.26), p < 0.01 with an effect size of 1.04. CONCLUSION: Patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis receiving 8 weeks of treatment with diadynamic currents as an adjunct to a program of exercises had significantly greater improvements in pain and disability than those receiving exercises alone. Beneficial effects were sustained for 6 months.

Impact of ocean warming on a coral reef fish learning and memory.

Tropical ectotherms are highly sensitive to environmental warming, especially coral reef fishes, which are negatively impacted by an increase of a few degrees in ocean temperature. However, much of our understanding on the thermal sensitivity of reef fish is focused on a few traits (e.g., metabolism, reproduction) and we currently lack knowledge on warming effects on cognition, which may endanger decision-making and survival. Here, we investigated the effects of warming on learning and memory in a damselfish species, Acanthochromis polyacanthus. Fish were held at 28-28.5 °C (control group), 30-30.5 °C (moderate warming group) or 31.5-32 °C (high warming group) for 2 weeks, and then trained to associate a blue tag (cue) to the presence of a conspecific (reward). Following 20 training trials (5 days), fish were tested for associative learning (on the following day) and memory storage (after a 5-days interval). The control group A. polyacanthus showed learning of the task and memory retention after five days, but increasing water temperature impaired learning and memory. A thorough understanding of the effects of heat stress, cognition, and fitness is urgently required because cognition may be a key factor determining animals' performance in the predicted scenario of climate changes. Knowing how different species respond to warming can lead to better predictions of future community dynamics, and because it is species specific, it could pinpoint vulnerable/resilience species.

Nonfatal Injuries Sustained in Mass Shootings in the US, 2012-2019: Injury Diagnosis Matrix, Incident Context, and Public Health Considerations.

INTRODUCTION: The epidemic of gun violence in the United States (US) is exacerbated by frequent mass shootings. In 2021, there were 698 mass shootings in the US, resulting in 705 deaths and 2,830 injuries. This is a companion paper to a publication in JAMA Network Open, in which the nonfatal outcomes of victims of mass shootings have been only partially described. METHODS: We gathered clinical and logistic information from 31 hospitals in the US about 403 survivors of 13 mass shootings, each event involving greater than 10 injuries, from 2012-19. Local champions in emergency medicine and trauma surgery provided clinical data from electronic health records within 24 hours of a mass shooting. We organized descriptive statistics of individual-level diagnoses recorded in medical records using International Classification of Diseases codes, according to the Barell Injury Diagnosis Matrix (BIDM), a standardized tool that classifies 12 types of injuries within 36 body regions. RESULTS: Of the 403 patients who were evaluated at a hospital, 364 sustained physical injuries-252 by gunshot wound (GSW) and 112 by non-ballistic trauma-and 39 were uninjured. Fifty patients had 75 psychiatric diagnoses. Nearly 10% of victims came to the hospital for symptoms triggered by, but not directly related to, the shooting, or for exacerbations of underlying conditions. There were 362 gunshot wounds recorded in the Barell Matrix (1.44 per patient). The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) distribution was skewed toward higher acuity than typical for an emergency department (ED), with 15.1% ESI 1 and 17.6% ESI 2 patients. Semi-automatic firearms were used in 100% of these civilian public mass shootings, with 50 total weapons for 13 shootings (Route 91 Harvest Festival, Las Vegas. 24). Assailant motivations were reported to be associated with hate crimes in 23.1%. CONCLUSION: Survivors of mass shootings have substantial morbidity and characteristic injury distribution, but 37% of victims had no GSW. Law enforcement, emergency medical systems, and hospital and ED disaster planners can use this information for injury mitigation and public policy planning. The BIDM is useful to organize data regarding gun violence injuries. We call for additional research funding to prevent and mitigate interpersonal firearm injuries, and for the National Violent Death Reporting System to expand tracking of injuries, their sequelae, complications, and societal costs.

Efficacy of prolonged application of low-level laser therapy combined with exercise in knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled double-blind study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of prolonged low-level laser therapy application combined with exercise on pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Special rehabilitation services. SUBJECTS: Forty-three participants with knee osteoarthritis. INTERVENTION: Following initial assessment, participants were randomly allocated to the Laser group (n = 22, 44 knees) and received low-level laser therapy while the Placebo group (n = 21, 42 knees) received placebo therapy three times a week for 3 weeks. Both groups then received low-level laser therapy combined with exercise three times a week for the following 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was change in knee pain and disability (Lequesne). Secondary outcomes included change in mobility (Timed Up and Go test), range of motion (goniometer), muscular strength (dynamometer), activity (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis questionnaire), and medication intake and relief. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age of participants was 63.02 (9.9) years. Pain scores at baseline, 3 weeks, 11 weeks, and 6 months follow-up were 9.1 (1.3), 2.6 (2.3), 0.2 (0.9), and 0.2 (0.8) for the Laser group and 9.5 (8.0), 7.7 (5.3), 5.6 (2.4), and 7.4 (5.0) for the Placebo group, respectively. Disability scores at baseline, 3 weeks, 11 weeks, and 6 months follow-up were 14.9 (4.7), 7.6 (4.8), 3.9 (4.2), and 3.5 (4.1) for the Laser group and 17.8 (14.7), 15.2 (11.5), 11.6 (6.4), and 15.8 (11.9) for the Placebo Group, respectively. CONCLUSION: In participants with osteoarthritis of the knee, the isolated application of low-level laser therapy in the initial 3 weeks and combined with exercises in the final 8 weeks reduced pain, disability, and intake of medication over a 6-month period.

Injury Characteristics, Outcomes, and Health Care Services Use Associated With Nonfatal Injuries Sustained in Mass Shootings in the US, 2012-2019.

Importance: Civilian public mass shootings (CPMSs) in the US result in substantial injuries. However, the types and consequences of these injuries have not been systematically described. Objective: To describe the injury characteristics, outcomes, and health care burden associated with nonfatal injuries sustained during CPMSs and to better understand the consequences to patients, hospitals, and society at large. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective case series of nonfatal injuries from 13 consecutive CPMSs (defined as ≥10 injured individuals) from 31 hospitals in the US from July 20, 2012, to August 31, 2019, used data from trauma logs and medical records to capture injuries, procedures, lengths of stay, functional impairment, disposition, and charges. A total of 403 individuals treated in hospitals within 24 hours of the CPMSs were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed from October 27 to December 5, 2021. Exposures: Nonfatal injuries sustained during CPMSs. Main Outcomes and Measures: Injuries and diagnoses, treating services, procedures, hospital care, and monetary charges. Results: Among the 403 individuals included in the study, the median age was 33.0 (IQR, 24.5-48.0 [range, 1 to >89]) years, and 209 (51.9%) were women. Among the 386 patients with race and ethnicity data available, 13 (3.4%) were Asian; 44 (11.4%), Black or African American; 59 (15.3), Hispanic/Latinx; and 270 (69.9%), White. Injuries included 252 gunshot wounds (62.5%) and 112 other injuries (27.8%), and 39 patients (9.7%) had no physical injuries. One hundred seventy-eight individuals (53.1%) arrived by ambulance. Of 494 body regions injured (mean [SD], 1.35 [0.68] per patient), most common included an extremity (282 [57.1%]), abdomen and/or pelvis (66 [13.4%]), head and/or neck (65 [13.2%]), and chest (50 [10.1%]). Overall, 147 individuals (36.5%) were admitted to a hospital, 95 (23.6%) underwent 1 surgical procedure, and 42 (10.4%) underwent multiple procedures (1.82 per patient). Among the 252 patients with gunshot wounds, the most common initial procedures were general and trauma surgery (41 [16.3%]) and orthopedic surgery (36 [14.3%]). In the emergency department, 148 of 364 injured individuals (40.7%) had 199 procedures (1.34 per patient). Median hospital length of stay was 4.0 (IQR, 2.0-7.5) days; for 50 patients in the intensive care unit, 3.0 (IQR, 2.0-8.0) days (13.7% of injuries and 34.0% of admissions). Among 364 injured patients, 160 (44.0%) had functional disability at discharge, with 19 (13.3%) sent to long-term care. The mean (SD) charges per patient were $64 976 ($160 083). Conclusions and Relevance: Civilian public mass shootings cause substantial morbidity. For every death, 5.8 individuals are injured. These results suggest that including nonfatal injuries in the overall burden of CPMSs may help inform public policy to prevent and mitigate the harm caused by such events.

Mortality During Readmission Among Children in United States Children's Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To identify demographic, clinical, and hospital factors associated with mortality on readmission within 180 days following an inpatient hospitalization. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 33 US children's hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System from January 2010 to June 2020. Our primary outcome was death during readmission within 180 days of an index hospitalization among children aged 0-18 years. Illness severity during the index hospitalization was defined according to the All Patient-Refined Diagnosis-Related Group-categorized illness severity (ie, minor, moderate, or major/extreme). We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify factors during the index hospitalization associated with mortality during readmission. RESULTS: Among 2 677 111 children discharged, 337 385 (12.6%) were readmitted within 180 days of the index hospitalization and 2913 (0.8%) died during readmission. More than one-quarter (26.2%) of deaths among children who were readmitted and died occurred within 10 days after discharge from the index hospitalization. Factors independently associated with mortality during readmission included multiple complex chronic conditions, index admissions lasting >7 days, moderate or severe/extreme illness during the index hospitalization, and public insurance. Children whose race was reported as Black had greater odds of mortality during readmission compared with children of other races. CONCLUSIONS: Among hospitalized children, several demographic and clinical factors present during index hospitalizations were associated with mortality during readmission. Greater odds of mortality during readmission among children whose race was reported as Black likely reflects disparities in social determinants of health and clinical care. Interventions to reduce mortality during readmission may target high-risk populations in the period immediately following discharge.

Significance of Sonographic Subcentimeter, Subpleural Consolidations in Pediatric Patients Evaluated for Pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the rates of radiographic pneumonia and clinical outcomes of children with suspected pneumonia and subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations on point-of-care lung ultrasound. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled a prospective convenience sample of children aged 6 months to 18 years undergoing chest radiography (CXR) for pneumonia evaluation in a single tertiary-care pediatric emergency department. Point-of-care lung ultrasound was performed by an emergency medicine physician with subsequent expert review. We determined rates of radiographic pneumonia and clinical outcomes in the children with subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations, stratified by the presence of larger (>1 cm) sonographic consolidations. The children were followed prospectively for 2 weeks to identify a delayed diagnosis of pneumonia. RESULTS: A total of 188 patients, with a median age of 5.8 years (IQR, 3.5-11.0 years), were evaluated. Of these patients, 62 (33%) had subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations on lung ultrasound, and 23 (37%) also had larger (>1 cm) consolidations. Patients with subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations and larger consolidations had the highest rates of definite radiographic pneumonia (61%), compared with 21% among children with isolated subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations. Overall, 23 children with isolated subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations (59%) had no evidence of pneumonia on CXR. Among 16 children with isolated subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations and not treated with antibiotics, none had a subsequent pneumonia diagnosis within the 2-week follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Children with subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations often had radiographic pneumonia; however, this occurred most frequently when subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations were identified in combination with larger consolidations. Isolated subcentimeter, subpleural consolidations in the absence of larger consolidations should not be viewed as synonymous with pneumonia; CXR may provide adjunctive information in these cases.

Community-based conservation with formal protection provides large collateral benefits to Amazonian migratory waterbirds.

Populations of migratory waterbirds are facing dramatic declines worldwide due to illegal hunting, habitat loss and climate change. Conservation strategies to reverse these trends are imperative, especially in tropical developing countries, which almost invariably allocate insufficient levels of investment for environmental protection. Here, we compared the effectiveness of sustainable-use Protected Areas (PAs) and Community-based Conservation (CBC) arrangements for the conservation of migratory waterbirds that breed on seasonal riverine sandy beaches in Brazilian Amazonia. We modeled local population responses of four migratory waterbird species on 155 beaches along a ~1,600 km section of a major tributary of the Amazon, as a function of community enforcement, official protection status, human pressure and landscape features. We show that 21 community-protected beaches within the study area host more than 80% of all sampled birds. Black Skimmers showed the most dramatic response, with breeding numbers 135-fold larger in CBC arrangements compared to beaches with no official protection status. The same pattern was observed for nesting Large-Billed and Yellow-Billed Terns. For the Near Threatened Orinoco Goose, PA status was the strongest predictor of local population size. These dramatic results demonstrate the value of protected refugia, achieved through the concerted action of participating local communities, to support breeding populations of key waterbird species. This highly-effective and low-cost conservation model can potentially be replicated in other regions of the developing world experiencing increasingly intensive exploitation of riverine natural resources.

Association of Clinical Guidelines and Decision Support with Computed Tomography Use in Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the presence of clinical guidelines and clinical decision support (CDS) for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are associated with lower use of head computed tomography (CT). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 45 pediatric emergency departments (EDs) in the Pediatric Hospital Information System from 2015 through 2019. We included children discharged with mTBI and surveyed ED clinical directors to ascertain the presence and implementation year of clinical guidelines and CDS. The association of clinical guidelines and CDS with CT use was assessed, adjusting for relevant confounders. As secondary outcomes, we evaluated ED length of stay and rates of 3-day ED revisits and admissions after revisits. RESULTS: There were 216 789 children discharged with mTBI, and CT was performed during 20.3% (44 114/216 789) of ED visits. Adjusted hospital-specific CT rates ranged from 11.8% to 34.7% (median 20.5%, IQR 17.3%, 24.3%). Of the 45 EDs, 17 (37.8%) had a clinical guideline, 9 (20.0%) had CDS, and 19 (42.2%) had neither. Compared with EDs with neither a clinical guideline nor CDS, visits to EDs with CDS (aOR 0.52 [0.47, 0.58]) or a clinical guideline (aOR 0.83 [0.78, 0.89]) had lower odds of including a CT for mTBI. ED length of stay and revisit rates did not differ based on the presence of a clinical guideline or CDS. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical guidelines for mTBI, and particularly CDS, were associated with lower rates of head CT use without adverse clinical outcomes.

Short- Versus Prolonged-Duration Antibiotics for Outpatient Pneumonia in Children.

OBJECTIVE: To identify practice patterns in the duration of prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of ambulatory children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and to compare the frequency of adverse clinical outcomes between children prescribed short-vs prolonged-duration antibiotics. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study from 2010-2016 using the IBM Watson MarketScan Medicaid Database, a claims database of publicly insured patients from 11 states. We included children 1-18 years old with outpatient CAP who filled a prescription for oral antibiotics (n = 121 846 encounters). We used multivariable logistic regression to determine associations between the duration of prescribed antibiotics (5-9 days vs 10-14 days) and subsequent hospitalizations, new antibiotic prescriptions, and acute care visits. Outcomes were measured during the 14 days following the end of the dispensed antibiotic course. RESULTS: The most commonly prescribed duration of antibiotics was 10 days (82.8% of prescriptions), and 10.5% of patients received short-duration therapy. During the follow-up period, 0.2% of patients were hospitalized, 6.2% filled a new antibiotic prescription, and 5.1% had an acute care visit. Compared with the prolonged-duration group, the aORs for hospitalization, new antibiotic prescriptions, and acute care visits in the short-duration group were 1.16 (95% CI 0.80-1.66), 0.93 (95% CI 0.85-1.01), and 1.06 (95% CI 0.98-1.15), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Most children treated for CAP as outpatients are prescribed at least 10 days of antibiotic therapy. Among pediatric outpatients with CAP, no significant differences were found in rates of adverse clinical outcomes between patients prescribed short-vs prolonged-duration antibiotics.

Repurposing the orphan drug nitisinone to control the transmission of African trypanosomiasis.

Tsetse transmit African trypanosomiasis, which is a disease fatal to both humans and animals. A vaccine to protect against this disease does not exist so transmission control relies on eliminating tsetse populations. Although neurotoxic insecticides are the gold standard for insect control, they negatively impact the environment and reduce populations of insect pollinator species. Here we present a promising, environment-friendly alternative to current insecticides that targets the insect tyrosine metabolism pathway. A bloodmeal contains high levels of tyrosine, which is toxic to haematophagous insects if it is not degraded and eliminated. RNA interference (RNAi) of either the first two enzymes in the tyrosine degradation pathway (tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)) was lethal to tsetse. Furthermore, nitisinone (NTBC), an FDA-approved tyrosine catabolism inhibitor, killed tsetse regardless if the drug was orally or topically applied. However, oral administration of NTBC to bumblebees did not affect their survival. Using a novel mathematical model, we show that NTBC could reduce the transmission of African trypanosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa, thus accelerating current disease elimination programmes.

Declines in the Number of Lumbar Punctures Performed at United States Children's Hospitals, 2009-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate trends in lumbar puncture (LP) performance among US children's hospitals to assess how these trends may impact pediatric resident trainee exposure to LP. STUDY DESIGN: We quantified LPs for emergency department (ED) and inpatient encounters at 29 US children's hospitals from 2009 to 2019. LP was defined by either a LP procedure code or cerebrospinal fluid culture billing code. Temporal trends and hospital variation in LP were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 215 030 LPs were performed during the study period (0.8% of all encounters). Twenty six thousand and five hundred twenty three and 16 696 LPs were performed in the 2009 and 2018 academic years, respectively (overall 37.1% reduction, per-year OR, 0.935; 95% CI, 0.922-0.948; P < .001), and the rate of LP decreased from 10.9 per 1000 hospital encounters to 6.0 per 1000 hospital encounters over the same period. CONCLUSIONS: LP rates have declined across US children's hospitals over the past decade, potentially resulting in reduced clinical exposure for pediatric resident trainees. Improved procedural simulation during residency may augment the clinical experience.

Antibiotic Choice and Clinical Outcomes in Ambulatory Children with Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe antibiotic prescribing patterns in ambulatory children with community-acquired pneumonia and to assess the relationship between antibiotic selection and clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of ambulatory Medicaid-enrolled children 0-18 years of age diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia from 2010 to 2016. The exposure was antibiotic class: narrow-spectrum (aminopenicillins), broad-spectrum (amoxicillin/clavulanate and cephalosporins), macrolide monotherapy, macrolides with narrow-spectrum antibiotics, or macrolides with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The associations between antibiotic selection and the outcomes of subsequent hospitalization and development of severe pneumonia (chest drainage procedure, intensive care admission, mechanical ventilation) were assessed, controlling for measures of illness severity. RESULTS: Among 252 177 outpatient pneumonia visits, macrolide monotherapy was used in 43.2%, narrow-spectrum antibiotics in 26.1%, and broad-spectrum antibiotics in 24.7%. A total of 1488 children (0.59%) were subsequently hospitalized and 117 (0.05%) developed severe pneumonia. Compared with children receiving narrow-spectrum antibiotics, the odds of subsequent hospitalization were higher in children receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.17-1.52) and lower in children receiving macrolide monotherapy (aOR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.55-0.73) and macrolides with narrow-spectrum antibiotics (aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.39-0.97). Children receiving macrolide monotherapy had lower odds of developing severe pneumonia than children receiving narrow-spectrum antibiotics (aOR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.33-0.93). However, the absolute risk difference was <0.5% for all analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Macrolides are the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for ambulatory children with community-acquired pneumonia. Subsequent hospitalization and severe pneumonia are rare. Future efforts should focus on reducing broad-spectrum and macrolide antibiotic prescribing.

Identifying Patients at Lowest Risk for Streptococcal Pharyngitis: A National Validation Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of features of viral illness in a national sample of visits involving children tested for group A Streptococcus pharyngitis. Additionally, we sought to derive a decision rule to identify patients with features of viral illness who were at low risk of having group A Streptococcus and for whom laboratory testing might be avoided. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective validation study using data from electronic health records of patients 3-21 years old evaluated for sore throat in a national network of retail health clinics (n = 67 127). We determined the prevalence of features of viral illness in patients tested for group A Streptococcus and developed a decision tree algorithm to identify patients with features of viral illness at low risk (<15%) of having group A Streptococcus. RESULTS: Overall, 54% of patients had features of viral illness. Among patients with features of viral illness, those without tonsillar exudates who were 11 years or older and either lacked cervical adenopathy or had cervical adenopathy and lacked fever were identified as at low risk for group A Streptococcus according to the decision rule. This group comprised 34% of patients with features of viral illness, or 19% of all patients tested for group A Streptococcus infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide an objective way to identify patients with features of viral illness who are at low risk of having group A Streptococcus. Improved identification such patients at low risk of group A Streptococcus could improve appropriate testing and antibiotic prescribing for pharyngitis.

Are Children with a History of Asthma More Likely to Have Severe Anaphylactic Reactions? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a history of asthma was associated with anaphylaxis severity in children hospitalized for anaphylaxis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of children ≤21 years old hospitalized for anaphylaxis from 2009 to 2016. The primary outcome was severe anaphylactic reactions defined by examination findings (stridor, respiratory distress, or hypotension) or administered therapies (≥2 dose of intramuscular epinephrine, continuous albuterol, vasopressors, or positive pressure ventilation). Multivariable analyses were used to assess whether a history of asthma was associated with severe anaphylactic reactions, adjusting for patient age, allergen, and history of atopic dermatitis or anaphylaxis. RESULTS: Among 603 children hospitalized for anaphylaxis, 231 (38.3%) had a history of asthma. Children with a history of asthma were older (median age, 6.6 years [IQR, 3.6-12.1] vs 4.0 years [IQR, 1.6-9.3]), more likely to have a history of anaphylaxis (38.1% vs 18.0%), and have food as the inciting allergen (68.0% vs 52.2%). Children with a history of asthma were not more likely to have severe anaphylactic reactions (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.67-1.39). CONCLUSIONS: Children hospitalized for anaphylaxis with a history of asthma were not more likely to have severe anaphylactic reactions compared with children without asthma. This study supports managing children with anaphylaxis based on the severity of symptomatology, and, if validated, clinicians should not consider asthma comorbidity as a stand-alone criterion for hospitalization.

Habitat use of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in Brazilian Amazon.

Amazonia forest plays a major role in providing ecosystem services for human and sanctuaries for wildlife. However, ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the Brazilian Amazon has threatened both. The ocelot is an ecologically important mesopredator and a potential conservation ambassador species, yet there are no previous studies on its habitat preference and spatial patterns in this biome. From 2010 to 2017, twelve sites were surveyed, totaling 899 camera trap stations, the largest known dataset for this species. Using occupancy modeling incorporating spatial autocorrelation, we assessed habitat use for ocelot populations across the Brazilian Amazon. Our results revealed a positive sigmoidal correlation between remote-sensing derived metrics of forest cover, disjunct core area density, elevation, distance to roads, distance to settlements and habitat use, and that habitat use by ocelots was negatively associated with slope and distance to river/lake. These findings shed light on the regional scale habitat use of ocelots and indicate important species-habitat relationships, thus providing valuable information for conservation management and land-use planning.