Robust Quantification of Phosphodiesterase-4D in Monkey Brain with PET and 11C-Labeled Radioligands That Avoid Radiometabolite Contamination

Phosphodiesterase-4D (PDE4D) has emerged as a significant target for treating neuropsychiatric disorders, but no PET radioligand currently exists for robustly quantifying human brain PDE4D to assist biomedical research and drug discovery. A prior candidate PDE4D PET radioligand, namely [11C]T1650, failed in humans because of poor time stability of brain PDE4D-specific signal (indexed by total volume of distribution), likely due to radiometabolites accumulating in brain. Its nitro group was considered to be a source of the brain radiometabolites. Methods: We selected 5 high-affinity and selective PDE4D inhibitors, absent of a nitro group, from our prior structure-activity relationship study for evaluation as PET radioligands. Results: All 5 radioligands were labeled with 11C (half-time, 20.4 min) in useful yields and with high molar activity. All displayed sizable PDE4D-specific signals in rhesus monkey brain. Notably, [11C]JMJ-81 and [11C]JMJ-129 exhibited excellent time stability of signal (total volume of distribution). Furthermore, as an example, [11C]JMJ-81 was found to be free of radiometabolites in ex vivo monkey brain, affirming that this radioligand can provide robust quantification of brain PDE4D with PET. Conclusion: Given their high similarity in structures and metabolic profiles, both [11C]JMJ-81 and [11C]JMJ-129 warrant further evaluation in human subjects. [11C]JMJ-129 shows a higher PDE4D specific-to-nonspecific binding ratio and will be the first to be evaluated.

A Signal Through the Noise: Do Professionalism Concerns Impact the Decision Making of Competence Committees?

PURPOSE

To characterize how professionalism concerns influence individual reviewers' decisions about resident progression using simulated competence committee (CC) reviews.

METHOD

In April 2017, the authors conducted a survey of 25 Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada emergency medicine residency program directors and senior faculty who were likely to function as members of a CC (or equivalent) at their institution. Participants took a survey with 12 resident portfolios, each containing hypothetical formative and summative assessments. Six portfolios represented residents progressing as expected (PAE) and 6 represented residents not progressing as expected (NPAE). A professionalism variable (PV) was developed for each portfolio. Two counterbalanced surveys were developed in which 6 portfolios contained a PV and 6 portfolios did not (for each PV condition, 3 portfolios represented residents PAE and 3 represented residents NPAE). Participants were asked to make progression decisions based on each portfolio.

RESULTS

Without PVs, the consistency of participants giving scores of 1 or 2 (i.e., little or no need for educational intervention) to residents PAE and to those NPAE was 92% and 10%, respectively. When a PV was added, the consistency decreased by 34% for residents PAE and increased by 4% for those NPAE (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

When reviewing a simulated resident portfolio, individual reviewer scores for residents PAE were responsive to the addition of professionalism concerns. Considering this, educators using a CC should have a system to report, collect, and document professionalism issues.

Divide and conquer: A perspective on biochips for single-cell and rare-molecule analysis by next-generation sequencing

Recent advances in biochip technologies that connect next-generation sequencing (NGS) to real-world problems have facilitated breakthroughs in science and medicine. Because biochip technologies are themselves used in sequencing technologies, the main strengths of biochips lie in their scalability and throughput. Through the advantages of biochips, NGS has facilitated groundbreaking scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs in medicine. However, all current NGS platforms require nucleic acids to be prepared in a certain range of concentrations, making it difficult to analyze biological systems of interest. In particular, many of the most interesting questions in biology and medicine, including single-cell and rare-molecule analysis, require strategic preparation of biological samples in order to be answered. Answering these questions is important because each cell is different and exists in a complex biological system. Therefore, biochip platforms for single-cell or rare-molecule analyses by NGS, which allow convenient preparation of nucleic acids from biological systems, have been developed. Utilizing the advantages of miniaturizing reaction volumes of biological samples, biochip technologies have been applied to diverse fields, from single-cell analysis to liquid biopsy. From this perspective, here, we first review current state-of-the-art biochip technologies, divided into two broad categories: microfluidic- and micromanipulation-based methods. Then, we provide insights into how future biochip systems will aid some of the most important biological and medical applications that require NGS. Based on current and future biochip technologies, we envision that NGS will come ever closer to solving more real-world scientific and medical problems.

STRIDER NZAus: a multicentre randomised controlled trial of sildenafil therapy in early-onset fetal growth restriction

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of maternal sildenafil therapy on fetal growth in pregnancies with early-onset fetal growth restriction.

DESIGN

A randomised placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING

Thirteen maternal-fetal medicine units across New Zealand and Australia.

POPULATION

Women with singleton pregnancies affected by fetal growth restriction at 22⁺⁰ to 29⁺⁶ weeks.

METHODS

Women were randomised to oral administration of 25 mg sildenafil citrate or visually matching placebo three times daily until 32⁺⁰ weeks, birth or fetal death (whichever occurred first).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the proportion of pregnancies with an increase in fetal growth velocity. Secondary outcomes included live birth, survival to hospital discharge free of major neonatal morbidity and pre-eclampsia.

RESULTS

Sildenafil did not affect the proportion of pregnancies with an increase in fetal growth velocity; 32/61 (52.5%) sildenafil-treated, 39/57 (68.4%) placebo-treated [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.49, 95% CI 0.23-1.05] and had no effect on abdominal circumference Z-scores (P = 0.61). Sildenafil use was associated with a lower mean uterine artery pulsatility index after 48 hours of treatment (1.56 versus 1.81; P = 0.02). The live birth rate was 56/63 (88.9%) for sildenafil-treated and 47/59 (79.7%) for placebo-treated (adjusted OR 2.50, 95% CI 0.80-7.79); survival to hospital discharge free of major neonatal morbidity was 42/63 (66.7%) for sildenafil-treated and 33/59 (55.9%) for placebo-treated (adjusted OR 1.93, 95% CI 0.84-4.45); and new-onset pre-eclampsia was 9/51 (17.7%) for sildenafil-treated and 14/55 (25.5%) for placebo-treated (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.26-1.75).

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal sildenafil use had no effect on fetal growth velocity. Prospectively planned meta-analyses will determine whether sildenafil exerts other effects on maternal and fetal/neonatal wellbeing.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Maternal sildenafil use has no beneficial effect on growth in early-onset FGR, but also no evidence of harm.

Non-thermalization in trapped atomic ion spin chains

Linear arrays of trapped and laser-cooled atomic ions are a versatile platform for studying strongly interacting many-body quantum systems. Effective spins are encoded in long-lived electronic levels of each ion and made to interact through laser-mediated optical dipole forces. The advantages of experiments with cold trapped ions, including high spatio-temporal resolution, decoupling from the external environment and control over the system Hamiltonian, are used to measure quantum effects not always accessible in natural condensed matter samples. In this review, we highlight recent work using trapped ions to explore a variety of non-ergodic phenomena in long-range interacting spin models, effects that are heralded by the memory of out-of-equilibrium initial conditions. We observe long-lived memory in static magnetizations for quenched many-body localization and prethermalization, while memory is preserved in the periodic oscillations of a driven discrete time crystal state.This article is part of the themed issue 'Breakdown of ergodicity in quantum systems: from solids to synthetic matter'.

Overt Visual Attention in Parkinson's Disease

The ability of Parkinsonian (PD) patients to control overt visual attention was investigated, by measuring reaction time to a visual stimulus presented at different distances (1.5 deg, 6 deg, and 12 deg) and directions (left or right) from a central fixation point. Prior to the onset of the target stimulus (a square), a cue stimulus appeared just above the fixation point. With equal probability, the arrow pointed to the left, or to the right, or was ambiguous (with two heads). On 20% of their presentations, the left and right arrows pointed in the direction opposite to where the target was to appear. Subjects were informed that 20% of cues would be misleading, and correcting lenses were used to optimise their visual acuity. In previous work with a similar paradigm, only one target eccentricity was used, and subjects were not refracted, leaving open the possibility that PD subjects had more difficulty in seeing the cues and targets.

The eight PD subjects had longer reaction times than age-matched normal controls (and were relatively slower for the more eccentric targets), but made fewer errors in all conditions. In particular, they were more accurate than the controls on the presentations when the cue was misleading or ambiguous, suggesting that the PD group were ignoring the cue. It seems unlikely that the subjects discriminate the direction of the cues, given the use of optical correction, and they reported seeing the cues. Our data are consistent with those of other workers who have described a similar ‘disengagement of attention’ in PD (Clark et al, 1989 Neuropsychologia27 131 – 140) and attributed it to decreased catecholaminergic activity following destruction of midbrain structures (Wright et al, 1990 Neuropsychologia28 151 – 159).

Hospital Re-Admissions: An Empirical Analysis of Quality Management in Taiwan

This retrospective study uses discharge-level data to analyse and assess the situation of re-admissions within 15 days of discharge, for quality evaluation. The re-admission rate of the study period was 3.22%. Among those re-admission cases, 45.7% patients were re-admitted within five days of discharge, and 33.5% cases returned to hospital six to 10 days after discharge. The average length of stays of re-admissions (9.86 days for previous stay and 8.10 days for re-admitted stay) were both longer than the hospital's overall average (7.63 days) at the same period. Paediatric patients comprised the greatest number of re-admissions. Re-admissions were more likely to have higher percentage of emergency admission. Significant relationships were found between factors for re-admissions and patient characteristics (e.g. age and insurance status), admitted department, and diagnosis. Further investigation and strategies, combined with the application of severity adjustment technique to better monitor and avoid unnecessary re-admissions, need to be developed.

Abstract P1-02-01: Genomic analysis of single cells isolated by a pulse laser retrieval system

Background: Isolating tumor cells of interest and harvesting histologically pure samples is important for genomic studies. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is an established method to obtain such purified cell populations for various applications including DNA, gene expression, and single cell analyses. However, LCM possesses problems such as limited optical resolution, cell fragmentation from dissection, and adherence of adjacent tissue to the cells which interrupts with single cell isolation from tissue sections. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a high-throughput pulse laser retrieval system which uses a wavelength that minimizes damage to the cellular content and is processed with a sacrificial layer that provides applicable optical resolution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the pulse laser retrieval system to provide appropriate samples for genomic analysis using breast cancer tissue.

Methods: An indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass slide was prepared using fresh frozen breast cancer tissue sections of 4㎛ thickness and stained by hematoxylin and eosin. The slide was mounted on the cell isolation machine and imaging was performed with a charge-coupled device camera using a 20× lens. Following identification of the target cells by a pathologist, nano-second pulsed laser (wavelength= 1064nm) was irradiated on the target. Isolated cells were collected in a polymerase chain reaction tube and whole genome amplification (WGA) was carried out using Illustra GenomiPhi V2 DNA Amplification Kit (GE Healthcare Life Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). Amplified genomic DNA was fragmented and Illumina sequencing libraries were constructed. Sequencing was carried out to generate data with 0.1∼0.2× depth throughout the whole genome for each sample. Copy number variation (CNV) was analyzed by the Variable binning algorithm.

Results: Whole genome amplification was performed using bulk tissue and 10 captured single cells from the same specimen. No difference in amplification coverage was observed between the two samples. A CNV analysis of captured single cells revealed similar CNV profiles with those in a matched bulk tumor. Whole exome sequencing (WES) of captured single cells yielded a variant frequency of 15% at a read depth of 15× and 50M base coverage, compared to 0% at 100× and 50M for WES using bulk tumor and 0.5% at 1200× and 100K for targeted sequencing using bulk tumor. Laser capture was performed for DCIS and stromal cells from the same slide. CNV analysis of the two samples showed minimal CNV in normal stromal cells in contrast to DCIS where multiple CNVs were observed.

Conclusions: Newly developed pulse laser retrieval system is suitable for capturing single cells for genomic analysis of breast cancer. WGA, WES, and CNV analysis was successfully carried out using the captured single cells and showed no difference in profile compared to those performed with bulk tissue. This method may have the potential to replace LCM for certain applications such as single cell analyses.

Citation Format: Lee H-B, Kim S, Lee K-M, Jung Y, Lee AC, Kim J, Bae S, Ryu HS, Yoo T-K, Moon H-G, Noh D-Y, Kwon S, Han W. Genomic analysis of single cells isolated by a pulse laser retrieval system. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-02-01.

Associations between body mass index and maternal weight gain on the delivery of LGA infants in Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk for maternal and fetal complications including delivery of large for gestational age (LGA) infants. Maternal body mass index (BMI) and excessive weight gain during pregnancy are associated with delivery of LGA infants. However, whether maternal BMI and weight gain are associated with LGA infants in women with GDM is unclear.

BASIC PROCEDURES

Data on 1049 pregnant women who developed GDM were collected from a university teaching hospital in China and retrospectively analyzed. Data included maternal BMI, weight gain, incidence of LGA and gestational week at diagnosis.

MAIN FINDINGS

The incidence of LGA infants was significantly associated with maternal BMI (p=0.0002) in women with GDM. The odds of delivery of LGA for obese or overweight pregnant women are 3.8 or 2 times more than normal weight pregnant women. The incidence of LGA infants was also significantly associated with maternal weight gain in women with GDM. The odds ratio of delivery of LGA for pregnant women with excessive weight gain was 3.3 times more than pregnant women with normal weight gain. The effect of weight gain was not significantly different between different maternal BMI.

PRINCIPAL CONCLUSION

The incidence of delivery of LGA infants in Chinese women with GDM who were overweight or obese is higher than Caucasians, Hispanic, and Asian-Americans. The effects of maternal BMI and weight gain on the delivery of LGA infants by women with GDM are additive.

Cochlear ablation effects on amino acid levels in the chinchilla cochlear nucleus

Inner ear damage can lead to hearing disorders, including tinnitus, hyperacusis, and hearing loss. We measured the effects of severe inner ear damage, produced by cochlear ablation, on the levels and distributions of amino acids in the first brain center of the auditory system, the cochlear nucleus. Measurements were also made for its projection pathways and the superior olivary nuclei. Cochlear ablation produces complete degeneration of the auditory nerve, which provides a baseline for interpreting the effects of partial damage to the inner ear, such as that from ototoxic drugs or intense sound. Amino acids play a critical role in neural function, including neurotransmission, neuromodulation, cellular metabolism, and protein construction. They include major neurotransmitters of the brain - glutamate, glycine, and γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) - as well as others closely related to their metabolism and/or functions - aspartate, glutamine, and taurine. Since the effects of inner ear damage develop over time, we measured the changes in amino acid levels at various survival times after cochlear ablation. Glutamate and aspartate levels decreased by 2weeks in the ipsilateral ventral cochlear nucleus and deep layer of the dorsal cochlear nucleus, with the largest decreases in the posteroventral cochlear nucleus (PVCN): 66% for glutamate and 63% for aspartate. Aspartate levels also decreased in the lateral part of the ipsilateral trapezoid body, by as much as 50%, suggesting a transneuronal effect. GABA and glycine levels showed some bilateral decreases, especially in the PVCN. These results may represent the state of amino acid metabolism in the cochlear nucleus of humans after removal of eighth nerve tumors, which may adversely result in destruction of the auditory nerve. Measurement of chemical changes following inner ear damage may increase understanding of the pathogenesis of hearing impairments and enable improvements in their diagnosis and treatment.

P3-12-04: Involved Anterior Margins after Breast Conserving Surgery: Is Re-Excision Required?

Background: Complete tumour excision in breast conserving surgery (BCS) is critical for successful treatment; involved circumferential resection margins are associated with increased disease recurrence. However, the importance of an involved anterior margin is less clear. The purpose of this study was to audit an aggressive approach to involved anterior margins and hence assess whether anterior margin re-excision yields clinical benefit.

Material and Methods: A retrospective case note and pathology review was performed for all patients who underwent BCS between 2006 and 2010 through a single cancer centre. An involved margin was defined as <1mm clearance of invasive or in situ breast cancer. Results: 1667 patients underwent BCS for invasive and/or in-situ disease, of whom 114 (6.8%) underwent re-excision, most commonly for mixed invasive and in-situ pathology. The annual re-excision rate rose significantly (p<0.001), with no change in whole tumour diameter, specimen weight or specimen volume. A total of 170 involved margins were identified: most commonly the anterior margin (59 margins, 30.6%) followed by the posterior (39 22.9%) or inferior (31, 18.3%) margin. Patients with anterior margin involvement were more likely to have grade 3 invasive disease (p=0.0323) but less likely to have residual disease found at re-excision (2/49 vs. 32/101 margins, p=0.0033); there were no differences when in-situ characteristics were compared.

Conclusions: Re-excision of involved anterior margins rarely excises residual disease and may be unnecessary. Multidisciplinary teams should consider whether further therapy for an involved anterior margin is required on a patient by patient basis.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-04.

Attributes of response in depressed patients switched to treatment with duloxetine

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to assess clinical and functional outcomes associated with switching to duloxetine treatment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) experiencing emotional and painful physical symptoms in their current episode.

METHODS

In this 8-week, multinational, multicentre, single-arm, open-label clinical trial, 242 MDD patients were switched to duloxetine 60 mg/day after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) treatment. The primary analysis compared mean change from baseline in Brief Pain Inventory-Modified Short Form (BPI-SF) interference score between initial responders [≥ 50% reduction from baseline on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD(17)) Maier subscale] and initial non-responders after 4 weeks. Initial responders continued with duloxetine 60 mg/day. Initial non-responders received duloxetine 120 mg/day for the remaining 4 weeks. Depression, pain, anxiety and functional outcomes were also compared after 8 weeks.

RESULTS

BPI-SF interference decreased from baseline in initial responders (n = 108) and initial non-responders (n = 85) after 4 weeks of duloxetine treatment, with greater reductions in initial responders [BPI-SF mean difference in reduction: 1.01 (95% CI 0.42-1.61); p < 0.001]. Reductions in pain interference favouring initial responders were also apparent after 8 weeks [0.68 (95% CI: 0.03-1.33); p = 0.042]. Depression, pain, anxiety and function improved over 8 weeks across patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Elements of core mood and pain are important residual symptoms following poor treatment response in MDD. Early improvement in these symptoms after switching to duloxetine indicated an increased chance of functional recovery.

Pharmacological effects of cannabinoids on the Caco-2 cell culture model of intestinal permeability

Activation of cannabinoid receptors decreases emesis, inflammation, gastric acid secretion, and intestinal motility. However, the effects of cannabinoids on intestinal permeability have not yet been established. The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of cannabinoids on intestinal permeability in an in vitro model. Caco-2 cells were grown until fully confluent on inserts in 12-well plates. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements were made as a measure of permeability. EDTA (50 μM) was applied to reversibly increase permeability (reduce TEER). The effects of cannabinoids on permeability in combination with EDTA, or alone, were assessed. Potential target sites of action were investigated using antagonists of the cannabinoid (CB)(1) receptor, CB(2) receptor, transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, PPARα, and a proposed cannabinoid receptor. When applied to the apical or basolateral membrane of Caco-2 cells, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) enhanced the speed of recovery of EDTA-induced increased permeability. This effect was sensitive to cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonism only. Apical application of endocannabinoids caused increased permeability, sensitive to cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonism. By contrast, when endocannabinoids were applied basolaterally, they enhanced the recovery of EDTA-induced increased permeability, and this involved additional activation of TRPV1. All cannabinoids tested increased the mRNA of the tight junction protein zona occludens-1, but only endocannabinoids also decreased the mRNA of claudin-1. These findings suggest that endocannabinoids may play a role in modulating intestinal permeability and that plant-derived cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, may have therapeutic potential in conditions associated with abnormally permeable intestinal epithelium.

Bruises, blood coagulation tests and the battered child syndrome

Cutaneous bruises are a common symptom and a sign of injury and blood coagulation disorders in childhood. A carefully-taken history, coupled with a thorough physical examination, would lead to the diagnosis, or guide the clinician to the necessary laboratory investigations. Most children suffering from non-accidental injury can have their diagnosis established on clinical grounds alone and do not require laboratory investigation. An initial screening with full blood counts, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time will be adequate in most cases if laboratory investigation is indicated, but the clinician must be aware of the limitations of these tests. The finding of an abnormal coagulation test does not exclude child abuse as it can be a consequence of maltreatment, or the two conditions may coexist. Whenever necessary, the opinion of a haematologist should be sought in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis, which is essential for subsequent management and the prevention of further injury in the case of child abuse.

The selective use of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the imaging of the axial biliary tree in patients with acute gallstone pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is an emerging modality in the management of acute gallstone pancreatitis (AGP). The aim of this study was to assess the impact following the introduction of MRCP in the management of AGP in a tertiary referral unit.

METHODS

Patients presenting with AGP from January 2002 to December 2004 were reviewed to assess the impact of the introduction of MRCP in June 2003. The indication for MRCP was suspected common bile duct (CBD) stones in the absence of biliary sepsis. Definitive treatment for AGP was laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and sphincterotomy reserved for patients unfit for cholecystectomy and those with biliary sepsis.

RESULTS

249 patients were identified of whom 36 (14.5%) underwent ERCP and sphincterotomy as definitive treatment. 96 patients with a non-dilated CBD and normal or resolving liver function tests proceeded to laparosocopic cholecystectomy and intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC), 8 (8.5%) of whom had CBD stones intraoperatively. Eleven patients underwent cholecystectomy during pancreatic necrosectomy. Of those undergoing preoperative diagnostic biliary tract imaging, ERCP was undertaken in 57 patients and MRCP in 49 patients. There was no significant difference in serum bilirubin levels [ERCP 43 mmol/l (18-204) vs. MRCP 39 mmol/l (24-180), p = NS] or the proportion of patients with CBD stones [ERCP 10 (17.5%) vs. MRCP 7 (14.2%), p = NS] between the two groups. Patients who underwent MRCP had a shorter median hospital stay [MRCP 5 days (range: 3-14) vs. ERCP 9 days (range: 4-20), p < 0.01] and higher rate of cholecystectomy during the index admission (MRCP 83.3% vs. ERCP 67.2%, p < 0.05). There was a high degree of correlation between preoperative MRCP results and findings of subsequent IOC or therapeutic ERCP (area under ROC curve: 0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

MRCP is an accurate modality for imaging the axial biliary tree in patients with AGP. Selective use of MRCP reduces the need for ERCP and results in shorter hospital stay. and IAP.

Prognostic factors in patients undergoing surgery for severe necrotizing pancreatitis

Pancreatic necrosectomy remains an important treatment modality for the management of infected pancreatic necrosis but is associated with significant mortality. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with mortality following pancreatic necrosectomy. Patients who underwent pancreatic necrosectomy from January 1995 to December 2004 were reviewed. The association between admission, preoperative and postoperative variables, and mortality was assessed using logistic regression analysis. A total of 1248 patients presented with acute pancreatitis, of whom 94 (7.5%) underwent pancreatic necrosectomy (51 men, 43 women). The preoperative median Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score was 9 (range 2-19). The median cumulative organ dysfunction score was 2 (0-9) preoperatively and 4 (1-11) postoperatively. In all, 23 patients (24.5%) died. Those who died were older than the survivors; the ages (median and range) were 69 years (40-80 years) versus 52 years (19-79 years) (p < 0.05). They also had higher admission APACHE II scores (median and range): 14 (12-19) versus 9 (2-22) (p < 0.001). There were significant associations between preoperative (p < 0.01) and postoperative (p < 0.01) Marshall scores and mortality following pancreatic necrosectomy. The presence of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) during the first 48 hours (p < 0.01) and the time between presentation and necrosectomy (p < 0.01) were independent predictors of survival. Pancreatic necrosectomy is associated with higher mortality in patients with increased APACHE II scores, early persistent SIRS, and unresolved multiorgan dysfunction. Necrosectomy is associated with poorer outcome when performed within 2 weeks of presentation.

Identification of susceptibility and protective major histocompatibility complex haplotypes in canine diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus occurs spontaneously in dogs, which is believed to have an autoimmune component and to be a model of human latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). Some dog breeds (e.g. Samoyed) are particularly predisposed, whereas others (e.g. Boxer) are highly resistant. With the completion of the Dog Genome Assembly, comparative genomic studies of complex diseases in dogs, including diabetes, could provide an important investigative approach into such disorders. Type 1 diabetes in humans is strongly associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II polymorphisms. We have investigated whether canine dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II haplotypes are associated with diabetes. DNA from 460 cases and 1047 controls were genotyped for DLA-DRB1, DLA-DQA1 and DLA-DQB1 using sequence-based typing. Three DLA haplotypes, DRB1*009/DQA1*001/DQB1*008, DRB1*015/DQA1*0061/DQB1*023 and DRB1*002/DQA1*009/DQB1*001, were found at significantly increased frequency in cases with diabetes compared with controls. One DLA-DQ haplotype, DQA1*004/DQB1*013, was significantly reduced in cases with diabetes. Further analysis showed that DQA1 alleles carrying arginine at codon 55 of DQA1 were increased in dogs with diabetes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a comparative study of MHC and diabetes in a non-rodent species. Since no laboratory model of LADA exists and dogs and humans share similar environments, further research into canine diabetes is warranted.

Spectral characterization of yeast cells with an epitaxy-based UV-Vis optical sensor

The optical spectra of yeast cells in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) were analyzed with an optical UV-vis sensor based on a shallow p(+)n junction realized in a low doped n-type epitaxial silicon layer grown on a strongly doped n(+) substrate. The presence of the n/n(+) interface allows a significantly enhanced sensitivity, due to an increased collection of carriers photogenerated both by short and large wavelengths in the range 250...800 nm. In our experiments the optical absorption of yeast cells was investigated in the wavelength range 250...500 nm as a function of the cells concentration in PBS in the range of 6 x 10(6)-2 x 10(8) cells/ml. The main absorption peaks were found at 310, 350, 400 and 427 nm, respectively. A significant red shift of the wide absorption band at 427 nm has been observed when increasing cell concentration. This red shift behaviour was nonlinear, with saturation observed for yeast concentrations larger than 5 x 10(7) cells/ml. The half-peak bandwidth of this peak also showed a most significant nonlinear variation. These findings suggest that monitoring the parameters of the absorption band at 427 nm versus cells concentration could be used, e.g. using a dedicated integrated spectrometric microsystem, for fast quantitative measurements of yeast cell concentrations in various bio-samples, with possible applications in the food industry.

Intraoperative touch imprint cytology for the diagnosis of sentinel lymph node metastases in breast cancer

Background

Intraoperative detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases enables the surgeon to take an immediate decision to proceed to completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of touch imprint cytology (TIC) for the diagnosis of SLN metastases in sentinel nodes from women with breast cancer.

Methods

Touch imprints from 235 sentinel nodes in 133 women with breast cancer were diagnosed by cytopathology and compared with definitive histopathology results. After a feasibility study, a real-time study was performed with the surgeon proceeding to ALND based on the TIC diagnosis. The clinical opinion of the operating surgeon as to whether the SLN appeared to contain metastases was recorded, as was the time taken for the result to be available.

Results

TIC detected metastases with a sensitivity of 81·1 per cent and a specificity of 100 per cent. False-negative TIC diagnoses were associated with micrometastases and lobular carcinoma. The majority of false-negative diagnoses were due to sampling rather than interpretation errors. Clinical assessment of sentinel nodes had a sensitivity of 64·3 per cent and a specificity of 87·6 per cent.

Conclusion

TIC is feasible and enables the rapid diagnosis of SLN metastases with an acceptable accuracy for clinical use in ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Electromechanical effects on tether formation from lipid membranes: a theoretical analysis

The material properties of biomembranes can be measured by forming a tether, a thin bilayer tube that extends from the membrane surface. Recent experiments have demonstrated that the force required to maintain a tether is sensitive to the transmembrane potential. As a first approach towards understanding this phenomenon, a thermodynamic analysis of the influence of electrical fields on tether formation from an aspirated lipid vesicle is developed. The analysis considers contributions from Maxwell stresses as well as two forms of electromechanical coupling: coupling between the electric field and curvature strain (flexoelectric coupling) and between the electric field and areal strain (piezoelectric coupling). Predictions of equilibrium tether conformations are obtained numerically. For expected values of the dimensionless coupling parameters, flexoelectric coupling alters the force required to form a tether of a given length, while piezoelectric coupling and Maxwell forces do not greatly change the force versus tether length behavior. The results of this analysis indicate that tether experiments have the potential to characterize electromechanical coupling in both synthetic and cellular membranes.

Detection of allelic variants of the canine IGHA gene by fluorescence resonance energy transfer melting temperature examination

The fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) dual hybridisation probe system has been used for the detection of the accumulation of target DNA during real-time PCR and for the identification of nucleotide polymorphisms through examination of melt curves. This system involves the use of two oligonucleotide probes which are located close to each other and are complementary to an internal segment of a target DNA of interest. Four allelic variants of the gene encoding the hinge region of the immunoglobulin A (IgA) heavy chain (IGHA) have been so far identified in the dog and this variability is due to a combination of single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertion/deletion of nucleic acid motifs. An individual dog may be homozygous or heterozygous for these allelic variants. The purpose of this study was to develop a FRET-based dual probe melting temperature assay to identify the alleles present within an individual dog and to use this assay to determine the frequency of the four allelic variants in different breeds within the canine population. A single pair of oligonucleotide probes were designed that were able to discriminate between the four allelic variants in both homozygous and heterozygous individuals. The genotype of 96 DNA samples obtained from various purebreeds of dogs was determined using this FRET assay. The frequency of each allele differed between the breed groups. The results of this study indicate that it is possible to distinguish relatively complex gene polymorphisms using a single set of oligonucleotide probes. Furthermore, any future comparison of IGHA genotypes between normal and diseased dog populations must take into account the breed variation in allelic frequency.

Hemispace differences in the visual perception of size in left hemiParkinson's disease

The visual perception of size in different regions of external space was studied in Parkinson's disease (PD). A group of patients with worse left-sided symptoms (LPD) was compared with a group with worse right-sided symptoms (RPD) and with a group of age-matched controls on judgements of the relative height or width of two rectangles presented in different regions of external space. The relevant dimension of one rectangle (the 'standard') was held constant, while that of the other (the 'variable') was varied in a method of constant stimuli. The point of subjective equality (PSE) of rectangle width or height was obtained by probit analysis as the mean of the resulting psychometric function. When the standard was in left space, the PSE of the LPD group occurred when the variable was smaller, and when the standard was in right space, when the variable was larger. Similarly, when the standard rectangle was presented in upper space, and the variable in lower space, the PSE occurred when the variable was smaller, an effect which was similar in both left and right spaces. In all these experiments, the PSEs for both the controls and the RPD group did not differ significantly, and were close to a physical match, and the slopes of the psychometric functions were steeper in the controls than the patients, though not significantly so. The data suggest that objects appear smaller in the left and upper visual spaces in LPD, probably because of right hemisphere impairment.

Episodic memory meets working memory in the frontal lobe: functional neuroimaging studies of encoding and retrieval

Recent functional-neuroimaging studies have provided a wealth of new information suggesting that regions of the prefrontal cortex play a role in episodic memory encoding and retrieval. This review seeks to evaluate the results of these studies in the context of one general model that has proposed that the left prefrontal cortex is preferentially involved in episodic memory encoding, whereas the right prefrontal cortex is preferentially involved in episodic memory retrieval, irrespective of the type (e.g., modality) of information being remembered. The origins of this framework are considered in some detail and then all relevant functional-neuroimaging studies are critically reviewed. The results of this review fail to provide support for the functional-asymmetry model, suggesting instead that episodic memory encoding and retrieval may actually involve similar regions of the lateral prefrontal cortex when all factors relating to the type of stimulus material (i.e., modality), are appropriately controlled.

Ventral hernia repair: a study of current practice

Ventral wall hernias are common; despite this, there are no guidelines on the best surgical management. The aim of this study was to examine the types of repair in use for abdominal wall hernias in the West of Scotland over a 3-month period. Data were gathered on 120 patients. There were 60 incisional, 32 umbilical, and 28 epigastric hernias. The main indication for repair was pain (78%), while 12 patients (10%), presented acutely with incarceration or strangulation. The most common method of repair was sutured (55%), followed by mesh (29%) and Mayo repair (16%). There was no correlation between use of mesh and hernia size or whether repair was for a recurrent hernia. Surgical practice varies widely in the repair of ventral wall hernias. Clinical trials are required to establish the best method of repair for this common condition.

Dopamine and the representation of the upper visual field: evidence from vertical bisection errors in unilateral Parkinson's disease

It has been suggested that dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in the brain mechanisms which represent the upper visual field. This idea was tested with a vertical line bisection task in unilateral Parkinson's disease. Stimuli of a range of lengths were presented on a large screen in three positions (left, centre and right) and at two viewing distances (0.6 and 1.5m). The patients, who were compared with a group of normal age-matched controls, comprised 16 sufferers from predominantly unilateral disease, 8 with more severe left-sided symptoms (LPD) and 8 with more severe right-sided symptoms (RPD). The LPD group consistently set the bisecting cursor below the midpoint of the stimulus lines, and their bisection error became larger as the length of the line increased. In contrast, the controls set the cursor above the midpoint of the line, an error which also increased with line length. The settings of the RPD group were similar to those of the controls. The results suggest altitudinal neglect in left unilateral PD, and support the hypothesis of dopaminergic involvement in the coding of upper visual space, with the proviso that the perceptual component of this involves the right hemisphere in humans.

Late degeneration in rabbit tissues after irradiation by heavy ions

In 1974, using the rabbit as a model, we began long-term experiments designed to help in the evaluation of the hazards to man from extended exposure to heavy ions in space. Such exposure would occur, for example, during the construction of solar power stations in stationary orbits or on round trips to Mars. Our experiments with 400 MeV/nucleon Ne ions and 570 MeV/nucleon Ar ions have shown that true late effects of a degenerative nature are manifested only years after irradiation. At the appropriate doses (the high end of the experimental dose range), the magnitudes of the late effects are comparable with those encountered in human patients given radiation therapy with neutrons. Such comparisons show that the rabbit experiments are applicable to man. Given that basis, the results from the low end of the experimental dose range lead to the conclusion that astronauts subjected to the radiation fluxes anticipated during flights of the above duration could experience late radiation effects one or more decades after exposure. Late degenerative changes will occur in tissues of the central nervous system, terminally differentiating systems and stem cell populations. The studies also indicate that individual tissues may be "prematurely aged" by radiation in the sense that the "life spans" of those tissues can be decreased without the appearance of malignancies.

The role of dynamic imaging in sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of dynamic imaging in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer. Patients with T1/T2, N0 invasive breast cancer underwent SLN localisation using intra-dermal injection of 15 MBq of 99mTc-nanocolloid. Gamma camera anterior-oblique dynamic imaging commenced simultaneously with tracer administration for 45 min, and was followed by anterior and lateral static imaging. Dynamic imaging data was reformatted into image files of different time-frames. Patterns of uptake were analysed using the sequences of dynamic frames and time-activity curve (TAC). SLN localisation was successful in 70/73 studies (96%) in 72 patients. Imaging information was present within the first 15 min of dynamic imaging in 67/70 studies (96%). Critical analysis of dynamic data helped to differentiate true SLN from secondary echelon nodes in eight studies and transient foci of radioactivity in six studies. In 17 studies, SLN contained metastatic disease. The detection of SLN metastasis was independent from the use of dynamic imaging. Dynamic imaging improves the interpretation of preoperative SLN imaging for breast cancer, but does not contribute significantly to the successful detection of SLN. Hence, preoperative dynamic imaging is not necessary in SLN biopsy for breast cancer.

Disruption of estimation of body-scaled aperture width in Hemiparkinson's disease

A group of patients with left-sided symptoms of Parkinson's disease (LPD) was compared with a group of patients with right-sided symptoms (RPD) and with a group of healthy age-matched controls on body-scaled judgements of aperture width. Participants judged whether or not they would fit through a life-sized schematic doorway shown on a large screen. A staircase technique was used to find the door width for which 50% of the judgements were positive. The ratio between this measure and the width of the participant's body at the shoulders (the aperture to shoulder - A/S ratio) was calculated. The A/S ratio was approximately 1.5 in the LPD group, approximately 0.9 in the RPD group, and approximately 1.1 in the control group, suggesting that the visual representation of the doorway (or that of its relationship to perceived body-size) is compressed in LPD (and perhaps expanded in RPD). The A/S ratios were invariant with viewing distance (0.6 or 1.5 m), the contrast polarity of the display (white on dark, or vice versa) and the doorway surround (blank, or vertical or horizontal stripes). The findings are discussed with reference to the neural representation of external space and of the body, and to the motor problems of Parkinson's disease.

Evidence from a line bisection task for visuospatial neglect in left hemiparkinson's disease

The perception of extrapersonal space in Parkinson's disease was examined with two line bisection tasks. One was a conventional pencil and paper test, the line bisection section of the Behavioural Inattention Test. In the other, the stimuli were displayed on a large (2x2.4 m) screen and varied in length (48-480 mm) and also in location on the screen (left, centre and right). They were presented at two viewing distances (0.6 and 1.5 m). Subjects remotely adjusted the position of a cursor until it appeared to bisect the stimulus line, using two push-buttons, one in each hand. The PD participants (n=18) had a marked asymmetry of motor symptoms. They were divided into two groups, those with predominantly left-sided motor symptoms (LPD, n=9), and those with predominantly right-sided motor symptoms (RPD, n=9). The control group (n=9) were all right-handed. No significant differences between the groups were found on the BIT bisection task. In contrast, when the stimuli were presented on the screen, LPD subjects showed a significant rightward bias in their settings of the cursor, particularly for lines on the left and centre of the screen, which was greater, the longer the stimulus line. The RPD group bisected lines slightly to the left, in common with the control group (pseudo-neglect). In a second experiment, Parkinsonian subjects repeated this task, but with the buttons reversed between the hands, so that the cursor was moved to the left by the right hand, and vice versa, but the pattern of results was the same as in the first experiment. The data suggest a small but reliable neglect in left hemiparkinson's disease, which is contralateral to the non-dominant (and probably worse affected) hemisphere. The dissociation between the response and the bisection error suggests a visuospatial impairment in LPD.

An audit of post-pyloromyotomy feeding regimens

A retrospective audit was carried out to assess patient outcome in relation to the timing of feeding after pyloromyotomy for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Fifty-two patients received the first feed within 8 hours of surgery and 49 patients were fed between 13 and 20 hours post-operatively. Seventy-seven per cent of patients in the early group vomited compared to 53% in the late group. Sixty-one per cent of patients in the early group produced large vomits compared to 29% in the late feeding group. However, time to establish feeding and post-operative stay were comparable in both groups. We recommend feeding to be delayed for 12 hours after pyloromyotomy unless the patient is distressed because of hunger in which case the parents are warned of the increased risk of vomiting.

The relationship between Y chromosome DNA haplotypes and Y chromosome deletions leading to male infertility

Microdeletions on the short arm of the Y chromosome have defined three non-overlapping regions (AZFa, b, c) recurrently deleted among infertile males. These regions contain several genes or gene families involved in male germ-cell development and maintenance. Even though a meiotic origin for these microdeletions is assumed, the mechanisms and causes leading to microdeletion formation are largely unknown. In order to assess whether some Y chromosome groups (or haplogroups) are predisposed to, or protected against, deletion formation during male meiosis, we have defined and compared Y chromosome haplogroup distribution in a group of infertile/subfertile males harbouring Yq deletions and in a relevant Northwestern European control population. Our analyses suggest that Y chromosome deletion formation is, at least in the study populations, a stochastic event independent of the Y chromosome background on which they arise and may be caused by other genetic and/or environmental factors.

Practice patterns of massage therapists

OBJECTIVES

To describe the practice patterns of licensed massage therapists (LMTs).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SUBJECTS

One hundred and twenty-six (126) massage practices randomly selected from the Greater Boston Area yellow pages.

OUTCOMES MEASURES

Practitioner demographics, training, practice characteristics, and fees.

RESULTS

The response rate was 65%. Most respondents were Caucasian (95%) and female (80%). Their mean age was 41 years old. Half held a college degree; on average, practitioners received 1000 hours of training in massage therapy. The majority were in group practices (59%) and saw an average of 20 patients per week. The typical visit lasted 50-60 minutes; the cost was $60 and rarely covered by insurance (5%). Half of respondents offered sliding scales to patients, but only 11% accepted Medicaid patients. Respondents reported less than 1 visit per week from pediatric and adolescent patients (<21 years old).

CONCLUSIONS

Most LMTs are female and Caucasian. The costs of massage therapy are almost entirely paid out-of-pocket by patients (95%). LMTs infrequently care for children.

Short-wavelength automated perimetry and standard perimetry in the detection of progressive optic disc cupping

OBJECTIVE

To compare progression in short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) and white-on-white (standard) perimetry in eyes with progressive glaucomatous changes of the optic disc detected by serial stereophotographs.

METHODS

Forty-seven glaucoma patients with at least 2 disc stereophotographs more than 2 years apart, along with standard perimetry and SWAP examinations within 6 months of each disc photo of the same eye, were included in the study. The mean follow-up time was 4.1 years (range, 2.0-8.9 years). Baseline and follow-up stereophotographs were then graded and compared for the presence of progression. Progression in standard perimetry and SWAP, using the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study scoring system and a clinical scoring system, was compared between eyes with progressive change on stereophotographs and those without.

RESULTS

Twenty-two of 47 eyes showed progressive change by stereophotographs. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean change in Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study scores for both standard perimetry (P<.004) and SWAP (P<.001) between the progressed and nonprogressed groups. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve were higher using SWAP than standard perimetry when evaluated by either algorithm. This was statistically significant only in the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study scoring system (P =.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Short-wavelength automated perimetry identified more patients than standard perimetry as having progressive glaucomatous changes of the optic disc. Compared with standard perimetry, SWAP may improve the detection of progressive glaucoma. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:1231-1236

Asymmetric frontal activation during episodic memory: the effects of stimulus type on encoding and retrieval

Recent functional neuroimaging studies have suggested that the left prefrontal cortex is preferentially involved in the encoding of episodic memory whilst the right prefrontal cortex is preferentially involved in the retrieval of episodic memory, irrespective of the type (e.g. modality) of information being remembered. In the present PET activation study, a 2 x 2 design was employed to investigate the relationship between encoding and retrieval of verbal and non-verbal material in episodic memory. Accordingly, seven healthy volunteers were scanned whilst encoding and then recalling stimuli which either emphasised visual or verbal processes. When encoding and retrieval tasks were compared directly, significantly greater prefrontal activation was observed in the encoding conditions, regardless of modality, although these changes were bilaterally distributed. In contrast when the verbal and visual memory tasks were compared directly, the former was associated with rCBF changes that were predominantly located in the left lateral frontal cortex whilst the latter was associated with rCBF changes that were predominantly located in the right lateral frontal cortex. These results suggest that encoding and retrieval may actually involve similar regions of the lateral prefrontal cortex when all factors relating to the type of stimulus material (i.e. modality), are appropriately controlled.

Chiropractic care for children

OBJECTIVE

To describe the practice characteristics and pediatric care of chiropractors.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional, descriptive survey.

SETTING

Chiropractic practices in the Boston, Mass, metropolitan area.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred fifty licensed chiropractors.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Demographics, practice characteristics, and fee structure. Practitioners were also asked about their approach to childhood immunizations and a clinical scenario. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Ninety (60%) chiropractors responded. All were white and 65% were men. Respondents had on average 122 patient visits weekly, of which 13 (11%) were from children and adolescents. Typical visit frequency ranged from 1 to 3 times weekly. Average visit fees were $82 and $38 (initial and follow-up) and 49% of the fees were covered by insurance. Seventy percent of the respondents recommended herbs and dietary supplements. For pediatric care, 30% reported actively recommending childhood immunizations; presented with a hypothetical 2-week-old neonate with a fever, 17% would treat the patient themselves rather than immediately refer the patient to a doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or an emergency facility.

CONCLUSIONS

Children and adolescents constitute a substantial number of patients in chiropractics. An estimated 420000 pediatric chiropractic visits were made in the Boston metropolitan area in 1998, costing approximately $14 million. Pediatric chiropractic care is often inconsistent with recommended medical guidelines. National studies are needed to assess the safety, efficacy, and cost of chiropractic care for children.

Septic arthritis in hemophilia with central venous catheter: a case report

A case is reported of septic arthritis in a child with human immunodeficiency virus-negative hemophilia A associated with a Staphylococcus aureus catheter-associated septicemia. The infection occurred in relation to the use of a totally implantable central venous catheter. The organism was eventually eradicated with antibiotics injected via the catheter. With increasing use of such catheters in the hemophilic population, clinicians should be alerted to the possibility of septic arthritis for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Comparison of long-term variability for standard and short-wavelength automated perimetry in stable glaucoma patients

PURPOSE

To quantify and compare, on a point-by-point basis, the long-term variability of standard and short-wavelength automated perimetry in a group of stable glaucoma patients.

METHODS

From a group of 53 glaucoma patients experienced in visual field testing, we identified one eye, randomly chosen, from each of 25 glaucoma patients whose condition was found to be stable, based on both standard and short-wavelength automated perimetry visual field criteria. On each of three visits during a period of up to 3 months, each patient performed one standard and one short-wavelength automated perimetry 24-2 visual field in a random order on a Humphrey visual field analyzer. The long-term variability (also referred to as test-retest variability) was defined as the SD of the three threshold decibel values at each test location. The long-term variability for each test point (mean +/- SD) was determined separately for both standard visual fields and short-wavelength automated perimetry.

RESULTS

With all 52 test locations of the 24-2 field averaged, the global long-term variability, mean (+/- SD) for standard visual fields and short-wavelength automated perimetry was 2.37 +/- 2.03 dB (95% confidence interval, 2.26-2.48 dB) and 2.92 +/- 2.03 dB (95% confidence interval, 2.81-3.03 dB), respectively (P <.0001). In 16 of the 52 visual field locations, long-term variability on short-wavelength automated perimetry was significantly higher than long-term variability on standard visual fields. In addition, the long-term variability increased with greater distance from the point of fixation for both standard visual fields and short-wavelength automated perimetry. The long-term variability decreased closer to fixation, more for standard visual fields than for short-wavelength automated perimetry.

CONCLUSIONS

In a group of stable glaucoma patients, mean long-term variability was 0.55 dB higher for short-wavelength automated perimetry than for standard visual fields. This needs to be taken into consideration when serial visual fields are evaluated for change.

Homeopathy and naturopathy: practice characteristics and pediatric care

OBJECTIVE

To describe the practice characteristics and pediatric care of homeopathic practitioners (HPs) and naturopathic doctors (NDs).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, descriptive survey.

SETTING

Homeopathic and naturopathic practices in Massachusetts.

PARTICIPANTS

Homeopathic practitioners (N = 42) and NDs (N = 23) identified from the yellow pages, regional and national society membership lists, schools, magazine advertisements, and by word-of-mouth. The response rate was 55% (23/42) for HPs and 65% (15/23) for NDs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Demographics, practice characteristics, fee structure, and amount of pediatric care. Practitioners were asked for their approach to childhood immunizations and to treating a febrile neonate. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Almost all respondents were white. Among the HPs, 13 (57%) were licensed medical doctors. Naturopathic doctors and HPs reported having an average of only 25 to 40 patient visits per week, but children and adolescents accounted for up to one third of these visits. Nearly all reported treating children, but fewer than half of the practitioners reported any formal pediatric training. Initial patient visits typically lasted more than 1 hour and cost $140 to $150. Follow-up visits were scheduled every 4 to 6 weeks and lasted more than 30 minutes on average. Insurance covered less than one third of the patient visits, and sliding scale payments were offered by less than half of the respondents. Most practitioners reported that they did not actively recommend immunizations and fewer than half of the nonphysician practitioners reported that they would refer a 2-week-old neonate with a fever to a medical doctor or emergency medical facility.

CONCLUSIONS

Many patients using homeopathy and naturopathy are children. Visits to these providers are frequent and fees are primarily paid out-of-pocket. Failure on the part of these providers to recommend immunizations or recognize potentially serious illnesses is cause for concern.

Small incision nonendoscopic browlift

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy of a nonendoscopic brow/forehead lift.

METHODS

Case series of 12 patients. Small scalp and upper eyelid blepharoplasty incisions were used to elevate the brows/forehead and perform protractor myectomy.

RESULTS

All patients achieved an aesthetically pleasing eyebrow and forehead lift with reduction of vertical and horizontal glabellar creases. Complications included one patient who experienced prolonged ecchymosis after corrugator muscle resection and one patient who had asymmetric lid folds after surgery. The length of follow-up ranged from 9 to 35 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The small incision nonendoscopic browlift technique provides a useful alternative to the endoscopic approach.

Classification and behavior of canine mammary epithelial neoplasms based on life-span observations in beagles

As part of a study of the effects of low-level radiation, 1,343 Beagles, including 671 males and 672 females, were evaluated over their full lifetime for the occurrence of mammary neoplasia; there were 139 control males and 138 control females and 532 irradiated males and 534 irradiated females. All nodules found in surgical specimens or at necropsy were evaluated histologically. The overall incidence, metastasis and recurrence rates, and contribution to mortality of mammary neoplasms were determined. Based on this unique opportunity to correlate morphologic characteristics with ultimate biological behavior of all mammary tumors in a defined canine population, we propose a histogenetically based reclassification of epithelial mammary tumors. Of the 672 female dogs, 70.8% (476) had at least one mammary neoplasm; 60.7% (408) had more than one. Two male dogs had mammary neoplasms. Of 1,639 mammary carcinomas in the 672 females, 18.7% (307) were classified as ductular carcinomas (arising from the small interlobular or intralobular ductules), whereas 80.7% (1,322) were classified as adenocarcinomas of other histogenetic origin. Of 73 fatal carcinomas, ductular carcinomas accounted for 48 fatalities (65.8%), whereas other adenocarcinomas accounted for only 20 fatalities (27.4%). Radiation had no effect on this ratio. Ductular carcinomas also had a higher rate of metastasis than did adenocarcinomas. Existing classifications of mammary carcinomas do not recognize the characteristic morphologic features, the degree of malignancy, and the prognostic importance of these ductular carcinomas. Metastasis rates did not differ between simple and complex carcinomas or between those lesions and adenocarcinomas in mixed tumors. True carcinosarcomas metastasized more frequently (100%, or 5/5) than did adenocarcinomas in mixed tumors (34.4%, or 22/64), emphasizing the importance of not lumping these tumors under the classification of malignant mixed tumors.

Survey of acupuncturists: practice characteristics and pediatric care

OBJECTIVE

To describe the practice characteristics and pediatric care provided by licensed acupuncturists.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Boston metropolitan area.

SUBJECTS

227 licensed acupuncturists were surveyed; 140 (62%) responded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

(1) DEMOGRAPHICS, (2) practice characteristics, (3) pediatric care, (4) recommendations of peers recognized as experts in pediatric acupuncture.

RESULTS

(1) DEMOGRAPHICS: 70% Caucasian, 61% female; (2) practice characteristics: average of 39 visits weekly with an average charge of $54 for a 57-minute visit; patients were typically scheduled for follow-up once or twice weekly; only 5% of fees were covered by insurance; 80% recommended herbal remedies and 66% dispensed herbs in the office; (3) few acupuncturists treated more than one child per week; most used non-needle techniques or Japanese-style acupuncture to stimulate points in children; 85% would refer a febrile two-week-old infant immediately to a physician; (4) only 17 acupuncturists were recommended by three or more peers and saw three or more patients weekly; their practices were all in wealthy suburban areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Most acupuncturists in the Boston area are Caucasian and female. Compared with physicians, they schedule patients for more frequent follow-up, allocate more time, are less likely to be reimbursed by insurance, and treat fewer children. Additional studies are needed to assess effectiveness, quality, and access to acupuncture services for adults and children.