Knowledge of heart attack and stroke symptoms among US Native American Adults: a cross-sectional population-based study analyzing a multi-year BRFSS database.

BACKGROUND: Heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of death in Native Americans. Knowledge of heart attack and stroke symptomology are essential for prompt identification of symptoms and for appropriate action in seeking care. Knowledge of heart attack and stroke symptoms among US Native American adults was this study's focus. METHODS: Multivariate techniques were used to analyze national surveillance data. Native American adults comprised the study population. Low heart attack and stroke knowledge score was the dependent variable. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis yielded that Native American adults with low heart attack and stroke composite knowledge scores were more likely to be: older, less educated, poorer, uninsured, a rural resident, male, without a primary health care provider, and lacking a recent medical checkup. CONCLUSIONS: The identified characteristics of Native American adults with heart attack and stroke knowledge deficits or disparities should guide educational initiatives by health care providers focusing on improving such knowledge.

Lack of evidence for Epstein-Barr virus infection in myasthenia gravis thymus.

A role for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in myasthenia gravis pathogenesis has been suggested recently. Using in situ hybridization for the detection of the EBV-encoded RNAs and EBNA1-specific immunohistochemistry, we found no latently infected cells in a series of thymus specimens from patients with myasthenia gravis showing lymphofollicular thymitis. In addition, using immunohistochemistry and an antibody specific for the viral immediate early protein BZLF1, no evidence of lytic EBV infection was seen in these cases. Our results therefore do not support a direct role of thymic EBV infection in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.

Interprofessional Management of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (Dunbar Syndrome) Related to Lumbar Lordosis and Hip Dysplasia: A Patient's Perspective.

We present a 53-year-old female patient with median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), also known as Dunbar syndrome or celiac artery compression syndrome, related to lumbar lordosis and hip dysplasia. She utilized interprofessional management strategies, which were beneficial in reducing lumbar lordosis and MALS-related symptoms. This finding is important because there are no other reports in the literature describing interprofessional strategies to manage symptoms for patients who are waiting for surgery or are not candidates for surgery. LEARNING POINTS: Excessive lumbar lordosis is related to the development of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) due to the greater distance the median arcuate ligament stretches around the vertebral curves, causing compression of the celiac nerves and artery.It is important to consider the effects MALS has on multiple body systems when diagnosing and developing symptom management strategies.Referrals to interprofessional team members can help the patient manage the vast array of symptoms related to MALS.