Student perceptions of the use of three-dimensional (3-D) virtual reality (VR) simulation in the delivery of radiation protection training for radiography and medical students

BACKGROUND

VR simulation-based learning is increasingly used in healthcare education to prepare students for clinical practice. This study investigates healthcare students' experience of learning radiation safety in a simulated interventional radiology (IR) suite.

METHOD

Radiography students (n = 35) and medical students (n = 100) were introduced to 3D VR radiation dosimetry software designed to improve the learners' understanding of radiation safety in IR. Radiography students underwent formal VR training and assessment, which was complemented with clinical placement. Medical students practiced similar 3D VR activities informally without assessment. An online questionnaire containing Likert questions and open-ended questions was used to gather student feedback on the perceived value of VR-based radiation safety education. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyse Likert-questions. Open-ended question responses were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

A survey response rate of 49% (n = 49) and 77% (n = 27) was obtained from radiography and medical students respectively. Most respondents (80%) enjoyed their 3D VR learning experience, favouring the in-person VR experience to online VR. 73% felt that VR learning enhanced their confidence across all relevant learning outcomes. Whilst confidence was enhanced across both cohorts, VR learning had a greater impact on confidence levels amongst medical students with respect to their understanding of radiation safety matters (U = 375.5, p < 0.01). 3D VR was deemed a valuable assessment tool.

CONCLUSION

Radiation dosimetry simulation-based learning in the 3D VR IR suite is perceived to be a valuable pedagogical tool by radiography and medical students and enhances curricula content.

A qualitative analysis of radiography students' reflective essays regarding their experience of clinical placement during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted healthcare services and clinical placement for healthcare students. There is a paucity of qualitative research into radiography students' experiences of clinical placement during the pandemic.

METHOD

Students in stages three and four of a 4-year BSc Radiography degree in Ireland wrote reflective essays regarding their experience of clinical placement during the COVID-19 healthcare crisis. Permission was granted by 108 radiography students and recent graduates for their reflections to be analysed as part of this study. A thematic approach to data analysis was used, allowing themes to emerge from the reflective essays. Two researchers independently coded each reflective essay using the Braun and Clarke model.

RESULTS

Four themes were highlighted; 1) Challenges associated with undertaking clinical placement during the pandemic, such as reduced patient throughput and PPE-related communication barriers; 2) Benefits of clinical placement during the pandemic, in terms of personal and professional development and completing degree requirements to graduate without delay; 3) Emotional impact and 4) Supporting students in clinical practice. Students recognised their resilience and felt proud of their contribution during this healthcare crisis but feared transmitting COVID-19 to family. Educational and emotional support provided by tutors, clinical staff and the university was deemed essential by students during this placement.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the pressure hospitals were under during the pandemic, students had positive clinical placement experiences and perceived these experiences to have contributed to their professional and personal growth.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study supports the argument for clinical placements to continue throughout healthcare crisis periods, albeit with additional learning and emotional support in place. Clinical placement experiences during the pandemic prompted a deep sense of pride amongst radiography students in their profession and contributed to the development of professional identity.

Supporting radiography clinical placements in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic: The practice educators perspective

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare services and the clinical learning environment. Several studies have investigated radiography students' experiences of clinical placement during the pandemic; however, few have investigated the Clinical Practice Educator's (CPEs) perspective. CPEs play a pivotal role in supporting clinical education.

METHOD

A qualitative study was conducted using a purposeful sample of twenty-two CPEs, each working in a different Irish hospital. Four semi-structured focus groups were used to gather data. To maintain reasonable homogeneity, CPEs who were new to the role (n = 8) were assigned a separate focus group from experienced CPEs (n = 14). Inductive thematic analysis was applied.

RESULTS

CPEs experienced role expansion, particularly in managerial and administrative aspects of the role. They described arranging COVID-19 vaccinations locally for radiography students and the complexities of student rostering during the pandemic. CPEs perceived the pandemic to have impacted students' emotional wellbeing with 'high anxiety levels' and 'loneliness' being reported. They also perceived issues with clinical readiness and the student transition to clinical practice. Many challenges were faced by CPEs including arranging clinical recovery time for numerous students when sites were already at full capacity, fewer learning opportunities due to decreased patient throughput and range of imaging examinations, social distancing constraints, resistance from staff to student placements, and a shortage of staff for student supervision. Flexibility, communication, and multi-level support helped CPEs to fulfil their role.

CONCLUSION

The results provide insight into how CPEs supported radiography clinical placements during the pandemic and into the challenges faced by CPEs in their role. CPEs supported student placement through multi-level communication, teamwork, flexibility, and student advocacy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This will aid understanding of the support mechanisms needed by CPEs to provide quality clinical placements.

LMOD2-related dilated cardiomyopathy presenting in late infancy

Leiomodin-2 (LMOD2) is an important regulator of the thin filament length, known to promote elongation of actin through polymerization at pointed ends. Mice with Lmod2 deficiency die around 3 weeks of age due to severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), resulting from decreased heart contractility due to shorter thin filaments. To date, there have been three infants from two families reported with biallelic variants in LMOD2, presenting with perinatal onset DCM. Here, we describe a third family with a child harboring a previously described homozygous frameshift variant, c.1243_1244delCT (p.L415Vfs*108) with DCM, presenting later in infancy at 9 months of age. Family history was relevant for a sibling who died suddenly at 1 year of age after being diagnosed with cardiomegaly. LMOD2-related cardiomyopathy is a rare form of inherited cardiomyopathy resulting from thin filament length dysregulation and should be considered in genetic evaluation of newborns and infants with suspected autosomal recessive inheritance or sporadic early onset cardiomyopathy.

Excisional haemorrhoidectomy: is it safe in patients with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis?

AIM

Excisional haemorrhoidectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), especially those undergoing an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), remains controversial. The aim of our study was to determine the safety of excisional haemorrhoidectomy in UC patients with and without an IPAA.

METHOD

A retrospective review of all adult UC patients undergoing excisional haemorrhoidectomy between 1 January 1995 and 1 January 2019 at a tertiary inflammatory bowel disease referral centre was performed. Data collected included patient demographics, clinical characteristics of UC, prior surgical intervention for UC (colectomy, IPAA) and complications after haemorrhoidectomy.

RESULTS

Forty-one adult patients [50% male; median age 52 (range 25-79) years] with UC underwent excisional haemorrhoidectomy between 1 January 1995 and 1 January 2019. The majority (n = 23) had not previously undergone surgery for UC. However, eight had already undergone construction of an IPAA at the time of haemorrhoidectomy, seven had IPAA at the time of haemorrhoidectomy and three had an IPAA constructed subsequent to haemorrhoidectomy. Two (4.9%) patients need to go back to theatre for postoperative bleeding. There were no further 30-day complications or long-term nonhealing of the surgical site. There were no pouch complications in those who had haemorrhoidectomy at the time of IPAA construction or in the presence of an IPAA.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that excisional haemorrhoidectomy may be performed safely in carefully selected UC patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids with or without IPAA and even at the time of IPAA construction.

Congenital Aortic Insufficiency From an Abnormal Left Aortic Cusp Results in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a rare presentation in children with isolated congenital aortic insufficiency (AI). We report the case of a six-week-old previously well male who presented with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and was diagnosed with severe AI from a left aortic cusp anomaly resulting in ACS. The infant successfully underwent an emergent Ross operation.

Multimodal validation of facial expression detection software for real-time monitoring of affect in patients with suicidal intent

Facial expression is an independent and objective marker of affect. Basic emotions (fear, sadness, joy, anger, disgust and surprise) have been shown to be universal across human cultures. Techniques such as the Facial Action Coding System can capture emotion with good reliability. Such techniques visually process the changes in different assemblies of facial muscles that produce the facial expression of affect.

Recent groundbreaking advances in computing and facial expression analysis software now allow real-time and objective measurement of emotional states. In particular, a recently developed software package and equipment, the Imotion Attention Tool™, allows capturing information on discreet emotional states based on facial expressions while a subject is participating in a behavioural task.

Extending preliminary work by further experimentation and analysis, the present findings suggests a link between facial affect data to already established peripheral arousal measures such as event related potentials (ERP), heart rate variability (HRV) and galvanic skin response (GSR) using disruptively innovative, noninvasive and clinically applicable technology in patients reporting suicidal ideation and intent compared to controls. Our results hold promise for the establishment of a computerized diagnostic battery that can be utilized by clinicians to improve the evaluation of suicide risk.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Extrahepatic Nonreticuloendothelial Siderosis Is Not Specific to Gestational Alloimmune Liver Disease

Autopsy reports of 78 stillbirths and early infant deaths (up to age 8 weeks) were reviewed to investigate the prevalence of extrahepatic nonreticuloendothelial siderosis (EHNRS) in the context of neonatal liver failure. Of these, 10 liveborns (12.8%), M:F 3:2, with mean gestational age 37.6 weeks (range: 35-39) and mean age at the time of demise 19.1 days (range: 7-42), showed significant liver injury: infection (n = 7, viral > fungal), congenital malformations (n = 2), and ischemia (n = 1). None had maternal history of gestational alloimmune liver disease (GALD) or previous fetal/neonatal death due to liver failure. Seven of 10 cases (70%) showed EHNRS: pancreas (n = 6), kidneys (n = 4), thyroid and adrenal glands (n = 3), and bronchial glands and heart (n = 2). Iron deposition was most frequent in the pancreas (60%), most diffuse in the kidneys, and seen in at least 2 organs, with pancreas and kidney being the most frequent combination. Hepatic C5b-9 expression was variable (1+ to 4+) except 1 case (100% necrosis). The duration of illness and the mean age at the time of demise tended to be higher in those with EHNRS. In summary, hepatic and EHNRS, with or without C5b-9 expression, are not specific for GALD. Other causes of liver failure should be investigated as clinically and pathologically appropriate.

Analysis of subsequent publication and impact of abstracts presented at the Sir Peter Freyer Surgical Symposium: Focus on the Plenary Session

BACKGROUND

The quality of abstracts presented at a conference reflects the academic activity and research productivity of the surgical/scientific association concerned. The abstract to publication rate (44.5 % internationally), is an important indicator of the quality of presented research.

AIM

To evaluate the publication rate and impact of abstracts presented at the plenary session of the Sir Peter Freyer Surgical Symposium over a 25-year period (1989-2014), and identify factors influencing publication.

METHODS

Plenary abstracts were identified from abstract books of the Symposium from 1989-2014. The authors, institution, subspecialty and research subject were recorded. A Medline search with name of the first and last author, key words and content of all abstracts was conducted to identify related publications. The impact factor (IF) of the journal and the time to publication was recorded.

RESULTS

298 presented abstracts resulted in 168 publications (publication rate: 56 %). Basic Science research accounted for 80 % (n = 237) of the total number of presentations with the remaining 20 % (n = 61) being categorised as clinical research. Overall, cancer research accounted for 48 % of presented work. The average time to publication was 2 ± 7 years, while 11 % of all published studies achieved publication in the year of the symposium. The median impact factor for published research was 3.558 (IF range 0-39).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the quality of papers presented at the Sir Peter Freyer Surgical Symposium compares favourably with international equivalents, making this meeting an important forum for Irish Academic Surgery.

First description of coronary artery ostial atresia with fistulous origin from a normal right ventricle

Anomalous origins of both the left and right coronary arteries are rare but have been well documented when both arteries arise from the pulmonary trunk (Angelini et al., Circulation 105:2449-2454, 2002). An anomalous coronary arterial origin from the pulmonary arteries usually involves the left coronary artery (ALCPA) and less frequently the right coronary artery (ARCPA). At least three cases have been reported in which the right coronary artery arose abnormally from the left ventricle (LV), but none have been reported in which both coronary arteries took their origin from the right ventricle (Ippisch and Kimball, J Am Soc Echocardiogr 23:222.e1-222.e2, 2010; Okuyama et al., Jpn Heart J 36:115-118, 1995; Culbertson et al., Pediatr Cardiol 16:73-75, 1995). Ostial atresia with anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the right ventricle has been described only in pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum and a hypoplastic right ventricle. In this setting, atresia of both coronary ostia with right ventricular origin of both coronary arteries is a rare variant. This report presents a neonate in whom the entire coronary arterial system arose from the right ventricle via a single fistula with no other intracardiac defects. To the authors' knowledge, this anomaly has not been described previously.

Novel FOXF1 mutations in sporadic and familial cases of alveolar capillary dysplasia with misaligned pulmonary veins imply a role for its DNA binding domain

Alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV) is a rare and lethal developmental disorder of the lung defined by a constellation of characteristic histopathological features. Nonpulmonary anomalies involving organs of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and genitourinary systems have been identified in approximately 80% of patients with ACD/MPV. We have collected DNA and pathological samples from more than 90 infants with ACD/MPV and their family members. Since the publication of our initial report of four point mutations and 10 deletions, we have identified an additional 38 novel nonsynonymous mutations of FOXF1 (nine nonsense, seven frameshift, one inframe deletion, 20 missense, and one no stop). This report represents an up to date list of all known FOXF1 mutations to the best of our knowledge. Majority of the cases are sporadic. We report four familial cases of which three show maternal inheritance, consistent with paternal imprinting of the gene. Twenty five mutations (60%) are located within the putative DNA-binding domain, indicating its plausible role in FOXF1 function. Five mutations map to the second exon. We identified two additional genic and eight genomic deletions upstream to FOXF1. These results corroborate and extend our previous observations and further establish involvement of FOXF1 in ACD/MPV and lung organogenesis.

Cardiac structural and functional alterations in infants and children with biliary atresia, listed for liver transplantation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cirrhotic liver diseases are associated with abnormalities in cardiac geometry and function in adults (cirrhotic cardiomyopathy) but rarely explored in cirrhotic infants or children. We proposed that features of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy are present in infants with cirrhosis due to biliary atresia (BA) as early as the time of evaluation for liver transplant and will correlate with mortality and postoperative morbidity.

METHODS

Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) of infants with BA (n=40; median age, 8 months), listed for transplantation at the Texas Children's Hospital from 2004 to 2010, were reviewed and compared with age- and sex-matched infants without cardiac or liver disease (controls). Length of stay and correlation with 2DE results were assessed.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, children with BA had significant increases in multiple 2DE parameters, notably left ventricle wall thickness (23% increase), left ventricular (LV) mass indexed to body surface area (51% increase), and LV shortening fraction (8% increase). Overall, features of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy were observed in most infants (29/40; 72%); 17 had hyperdynamic contractility, and 24 had altered LV geometry. After liver transplantation (33), infants with abnormal 2DE results had longer stays in the intensive care unit (median, 6 vs 4 days) and the hospital (21 vs 11 days) compared with infants who had normal 2DE reports. On univariate analysis, the length of hospital stay correlated with LV mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiomyopathy is a prevalent condition in infants with end-stage cirrhotic liver disease due to BA (>70%). This underrecognized condition likely contributes to the prolongation of posttransplant hospitalization.

Refractory dilated cardiomyopathy associated with metastatic neuroblastoma

A 2-year-old African American male presented with heart failure and an abdominal mass. Computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed a 7 cm adrenal lesion, confirmed as poorly differentiated neuroblastoma (NB). CT and meta-iodobenzoguanidine (MIBG) scans identified multiple metastases, but cardiac MIBG imaging was absent. Cardiac ejection fraction (EF) was 8% with 7% shortening fraction. The patient underwent six cycles of chemotherapy and investigational immunotherapy. Cardiac function improved to 26% EF. However, the tumor proved unresponsive to treatment. The patient died from stage IV congestive heart failure (CHF) and progressive NB. Autopsy confirmed dilated cardiomyopathy with endocardial fibroelastosis.

ALCAPA: the role of myocardial viability studies in determining prognosis

BACKGROUND

ALCAPA is optimally treated by coronary artery reimplantation early in neonatal life. Delayed diagnosis, however, is not infrequent, because symptoms often do not manifest until about 3 months of age, coinciding with the physiological nadir in pulmonary vascular resistance. With delayed diagnosis, there is potential for coronary steal and irreversible myocardial injury, which worsens outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility of MRI in determining prognosis in children with surgically corrected ALCAPA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed in two children with ALCAPA who underwent coronary reimplantation and postoperative cardiac MRI. Both children subsequently underwent cardiac transplantation. The imaging findings and pathological findings at explant are presented.

RESULTS

In both children, there was severe, globally depressed left ventricular systolic function and abnormal delayed enhancement in a predominantly subendocardial distribution. Pathological examination of the cardiac explants showed extensive fibrotic tissue, which correlated with areas of abnormal delayed enhancement on MRI.

CONCLUSION

Severe reduction in systolic function and presence of delayed enhancement indicate extensive myocardial injury and pathologically correlate with irreversible fibrotic changes, which may help identify a subgroup of children who will not recover ventricular function and ultimately require heart transplantation.

Influence of delays on perforation risk in adults with acute appendicitis

PURPOSE

This study analyzed whether prehospital or in-hospital delay was the more significant influence on perforation rates for acute appendicitis and whether any clinical feature designated patients requiring higher surgical priority.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted over one year at a tertiary referral hospital without a dedicated emergency surgical theater. Admission notes, theater logbook, and the Hospital Inpatient Enquiry system were reviewed to identify the characteristics and clinical course of patients aged greater than 16 years who were operated upon for histologically confirmed acute appendicitis.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifteen patients were studied. The overall perforation rate was 17 percent. The mean duration of symptoms prior to hospital presentation was 38.1 hours with the mean in-hospital waiting time prior to operation being 23.4 hours. Although body temperature on presentation was significantly greater in patients found to have perforated appendicitis (P < 0.05), only patient heart rate at presentation and overall duration of symptoms, but not in-hospital waiting time, independently predicted perforation by stepwise linear regression modeling.

CONCLUSION

In-hospital delay was not an independent predictor of perforation in adults with acute appendicitis although delays may contribute if patients are left to wait unduly. Tachycardia at presentation may be a quantifiable feature of those more likely to have perforation and who should be given higher surgical priority.

A simple method for measuring of intestinal solute transport in mucosal biopsy specimens

Accurate in vitro measurements of intestinal mucosal solute uptake in humans are often difficult because only small amounts of tissue material are available. We describe a miniaturized everted sleeve method of measuring intestinal solute uptake in endoscopy biopsy samples that combines simplicity, good tissue viability and reproducibility. Biopsies were mounted on a dressmaker needle head stationed immediately over a stirring bar rotating at 1200 rpm. This approach was used to measure taurocholate uptake in sheep and human endoscopy biopsies. Comparison was made to conventional standardized everted sleeve preparations. Na+-dependent uptake rates correlated well among individual sheep (R2 = 0.88, P < 0.05). There was excellent correlation between conventional and biopsy preparations in humans (R2 = 0.98; P < 0.05). The biopsy method overestimated diffusional uptake rates in sheep and humans by two to three fold when compared to conventional everted sleeve preparations. We conclude that this method is valuable to measure Na+-dependent solute uptake rates in biopsy samples from human intestine.

Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2-dependent prostacyclin formation in patients with atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

The formation of prostacyclin (PGI(2)), thromboxane (TX) A(2), and isoprostanes is markedly enhanced in atherosclerosis. We examined the relative contribution of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 to the generation of these eicosanoids in patients with atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study population consisted of 42 patients with atherosclerosis who were undergoing surgical revascularization. COX-2 mRNA was detected in areas of atherosclerosis but not in normal blood vessel walls, and there was evidence of COX-1 induction. The use of immunohistochemical studies localized the COX-2 to proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Twenty-four patients who did not previously receive aspirin were randomized to receive either no treatment or nimesulide at 24 hours before surgery and then for 3 days. Eighteen patients who were receiving aspirin were continued on a protocol of either aspirin alone or a combination of aspirin and nimesulide. Urinary levels of 11-dehydro-TXB(2) and 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF(1alpha), metabolites of TXA(2) and PGI(2), respectively, were elevated in patients with atherosclerosis compared with normal subjects (3211+/-533 versus 679+/-63 pg/mg creatinine, P<0.001; 594+/-156 versus 130+/-22 pg/mg creatinine, P<0.05, respectively), as was the level of the isoprostane 8-iso-PGF(2alpha). Nimesulide reduced 2, 3-dinor-6-keto-PGF(1alpha) excretion by 46+/-5% (378.3+/-103 to 167+/-37 pg/mg creatinine, P<0.01) preoperatively and blunted the increase after surgery. Nimesulide had no significant effect on 11-dehydro-TXB(2) before (2678+/-694 to 2110+/-282 pg/mg creatinine) or after surgery. The levels of both products were lower in patients who were taking aspirin, and no further reduction was seen with the addition of nimesulide. None of the treatments influenced urinary 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) excretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Both COX-1 and -2 are expressed and contribute to the increase in PGI(2) in patients with atherosclerosis, whereas TXA(2) is generated by COX-1.

Appropriate timing of the 14C-urea breath test to establish eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the performance characteristics of the 14C-urea breath test (UBT) performed 2 wk after the completion of therapy for Helicobacter pylori using a 4 to 6 wk study as the gold standard.

METHODS

Patients with active Helicobacter pylori infection at four medical centers received proton pump inhibitor-based triple or quadruple therapy for 10-14 days. Patients underwent the 14C-UBT 2 and 4-6 wk after the completion of therapy. A positive test was defined as 14CO2 excretion of >200 dpm, a negative test as <50 dpm, and an equivocal test as >50 but <200 dpm. Performance characteristics of the 2-wk UBT were calculated using the 4 to 6-wk result as a gold standard.

RESULTS

Eighty-five patients were enrolled and 82 patients (mean +/- SD age, 62 +/- 15 yr; 15 women) completed the protocol. Four patients had equivocal UBT results and were excluded from the analysis. Of the 78 patients, 68 (87%) had a negative 4 to 6-wk UBT. The 2-week UBT yielded a sensitivity of 90% (95% confidence interval 72-100%), specificity of 99% (97-100%), and accuracy of 97% (93-100%). In patients with a persistently positive UBT, 14CO2 excretion at 2 wk was significantly lower than at 4-6 wk after therapy (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

A UBT performed 2 wk after therapy yielded results comparable to 4 to 6 wk testing. Further studies to evaluate the optimal time of confirmatory testing in the age of more effective proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapies are warranted.

Activation of direct and indirect pathways of glycogen synthesis by hepatic overexpression of protein targeting to glycogen

Glycogen-targeting subunits of protein phosphatase-1, such as protein targeting to glycogen (PTG), direct the phosphatase to the glycogen particle, where it stimulates glycogenesis. We have investigated the metabolic impact of overexpressing PTG in liver of normal rats. After administration of PTG cDNA in a recombinant adenovirus, animals were fasted or allowed to continue feeding for 24 hours. Liver glycogen was nearly completely depleted in fasted control animals, whereas glycogen levels in fasted or fed PTG-overexpressing animals were 70% higher than in fed controls. Nevertheless, transgenic animals regulated plasma glucose, triglycerides, FFAs, ketones, and insulin normally in the fasted and fed states. Fasted PTG-overexpressing animals receiving an oral bolus of [U-(13)C]glucose exhibited a large increase in hepatic glycogen content and a 70% increase in incorporation of [(13)C]glucose into glycogen. However, incorporation of labeled glucose accounted for only a small portion of the glycogen synthesized in PTG-overexpressing animals, consistent with our earlier finding that PTG promotes glycogen synthesis from gluconeogenic precursors. We conclude that hepatic PTG overexpression activates both direct and indirect pathways of glycogen synthesis. Because of its ability to enhance glucose storage without affecting other metabolic indicators, the glycogen-targeting subunit may prove valuable in controlling blood glucose levels in diabetes.

Health profile preferences of hepatitis C patients

The side effects of interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis C are well-known. Patients may differ with respect to their tolerance of these side effects and also with respect to their individual preferences. We administered a brief questionnaire to 67 outpatients with hepatitis C virus infection. Patients were asked to make hypothetical choices between six-month profiles of health. The results were as follows: (1) patients preferred to expedite rather than postpone intervals of poor health; (2) preferences of patients with low quality-of-life were quite similar to preferences of healthier patients; (3) patients' choices satisfied transitivity; (4) patients' choices satisfied preferential independence; and (5) patients gave a variety of reasons for their choices. These results corroborate other investigations of health preferences, and serve to introduce the field of preference elicitation to gastroenterologists.

An analysis of admission, discharge and bed occupancy of stroke patients aged 65 and over in English hospitals

Stroke illness is a common problem in the UK. Factors such as incidence, age, and ethnicity have already been shown to affect admission patterns and discharge outcomes. Our analysis of an English Hospital Episode Statistics database shows that weekends and public holidays also influence the admission and discharge patterns of elderly stroke patients. We discuss the possible reasons for this.

Left-sided atrioventricular nodal ablation using the transseptal approach: clinico-histopathologic correlation

To our knowledge, prograde access to the left ventricle to perform a left-sided AV node (AVN) ablation has not been reported. We present the case of a patient with Noonan's syndrome and supravalve aortic stenosis who required aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve. Due to chronic atrial fibrillation, a transvenous pacing system was implanted and transcatheter radiofrequency ablation of the AVN was performed. Attempts at right-sided AVN ablation were unsuccessful. Due to the presence of the mechanical aortic valve, a left-sided AVN ablation was performed successfully using the transseptal approach. The patient died suddenly 6 months after the procedure, and the histologic study of the heart is reported.

Long-term results of triple-drug-based immunosuppression in nonneonatal pediatric heart transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Few reports document long-term results of pediatric cardiac transplantation in which triple therapy (cyclosporine, azathioprine, and corticosteroids) was the mainstay of immunosuppression. This report details a single center's pediatric transplant experience and analyzes the relative contributions of selected pre/posttransplant risk factors on long-term morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

Retrospective data were collected for all non-neonatal pediatric transplant recipients including: presenting diagnosis, cardiac hemodynamics (particularly pulmonary vascular resistance index), donor ischemic time, occurrence of postoperative infections, episodes of allograft rejection, incidence of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease or coronary artery disease (CAD), and overall survival. Analysis of single variables and a Cox-proportional hazards model were utilized to determine the impact of pre/posttransplant risk factors on long-term survival.

RESULTS

From 1984 to 1995, 64 patients (mean age, 8.3 years), 46 of whom had cardiomyopathy and 18 who had inoperable complex congenital heart disease, underwent cardiac transplantation and received triple-drug immunosuppression. Orthotopic transplantation was performed unless the pulmonary vascular resistance index remained >6 um2 (despite use of pulmonary vasodilator). One patient required heterotopic transplantation. Average donor ischemic time was 217 min. An average of 1.2 rejection episodes/patient occurred (average follow-up period: 50 months). No patient developed posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease, but 22 patients (34%) developed CAD. Overall survival was 80%, 60%, and 57% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Of outcome variables analyzed, rejection frequency was significantly increased in patients who subsequently developed CAD, but the presence of CAD was not significantly correlated with mortality.

CONCLUSION

Triple-drug-based immunosuppressive maintenance therapy in pediatric heart transplant recipients results in good long-term graft survival.

The value of immediate cytologic evaluation for needle aspiration lung biopsy

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The authors evaluate the role of immediate cytologic evaluation (ICE) with fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for lung lesions at highest risk for pneumothorax.

METHODS

A prospective randomized study was conducted of 80 patients with lung lesions surrounded by aerated parenchyma undergoing FNAB with and without ICE (47 and 33 patients, respectively). An analysis of needle passes, procedure time, complications, specimen adequacy, diagnostic yield, and accuracy of procedure was made.

RESULTS

There was an increased number of needle passes with ICE (> or = three passes: 23% [11 biopsies] versus 3% [1 biopsy]; P = 0.01). Fluoroscopic procedures took longer with ICE (median time: 15 versus 9 minutes; P = 0.002) with no difference in complication rates. Specimen adequacy was similar (74% and 64%) and the procedure was diagnostic in 79% (37 biopsies) with ICE and in 70% (33 biopsies) without ICE. There were no significant differences in the sensitivity, specificity, or accuracy of the biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate cytologic evaluation improved results marginally with increased procedure time and needle passes. Immediate cytologic evaluation may be most useful for lesions at lowest risk of complications to assure that a second procedure is not required.

Viral infection of the myocardium in endocardial fibroelastosis. Molecular evidence for the role of mumps virus as an etiologic agent

BACKGROUND

Endocardial fibroelastosis, previously a common disease of children, often resulted in congestive heart failure and death. Virus-induced myocarditis was the suspected first step in the pathogenesis of the disease, with enteroviruses and mumps virus considered potential causes. Direct evidence for their involvement was limited, however, and during the past two decades, a significant decline in the incidence of endocardial fibroelastosis occurred. Recently, we demonstrated polymerase chain reaction to be a rapid and sensitive method for identification of the viral genome in the myocardium of patients with myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. The purpose of this study was to analyze myocardial samples of patients with endocardial fibroelastosis for the viral genome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Myocardial samples from 29 patients with autopsy-proven endocardial fibroelastosis were analyzed for viral genome (enterovirus, adenovirus, mumps, cytomegalovirus, parvovirus, influenza, herpes simplex virus) by use of polymerase chain reaction or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In 90% of samples, the viral genome was amplified; > 70% of the samples were positive for mumps viral RNA, while 28% amplified adenovirus. In contrast, only 1 of 65 control samples amplified a virus (enterovirus). Two regions of mumps virus were amplified: the nucleocapsid gene and the polymerase-associated protein gene. Interestingly, only 3 of the 21 samples that were positive for mumps RNA were positive with both sets of primers, indicating that the persistence of mumps virus in the myocardium may be related to the selection of defective virus mutants.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest an etiologic role for viral infection in endocardial fibroelastosis, supporting the hypothesis that endocardial fibroelastosis is a sequela of a viral myocarditis, in particular of that due to mumps virus.

Diagnosis, surveillance, and epidemiologic evaluation of viral infections in pediatric cardiac transplant recipients with the use of the polymerase chain reaction

BACKGROUND

Viral infections, particularly those caused by cytomegalovirus, are a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality in heart transplant recipients. These infections have classically been diagnosed by history, physical examination, peripheral viral cultures, and serologic studies. These methods are often time-consuming and lack sensitivity. Positive viral cultures from the heart are rarely obtained, and viral myocarditis and acute cellular rejection are unable to be differentiated histologically. We have therefore used the polymerse chain reaction to diagnose possible viral infection in pediatric heart transplant recipients with findings consistent with acute unexplained rejection.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction was used as an aid to diagnose cytomegalovirus infection of cardiac tissue obtained by right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy and follow its long-term course. In addition, polymerase chain reaction was used to diagnose infection of the heart by other viruses in patients with clinical and histologic evidence of rejection, especially those with unexplained late rejection or chronic rejection. Polymerase chain reaction primers were designed to amplify nucleic acid sequences from cytomegalovirus, parvovirus, adenovirus, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and the RNA viruses of the Enterovirus family.

RESULTS

Forty patients underwent serial right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy (129 samples) for rejection surveillance with positive results obtained in 41 samples (32%) from 21 patients. Viral genome amplified included cytomegalovirus in 16 samples, adenovirus in 14, enterovirus in 6, parvovirus in 3, and herpes simplex virus in 2. In 13 of the 21 patients positive for viral genome (62%), endomyocardial biopsy histologic scores were consistent with multifocal moderate to severe rejection (Internal Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation scores of 3A or greater).

CONCLUSIONS

Polymerase chain reactions may be used as a rapid and sensitive method to evaluate postoperative viral infections in heart transplant recipients, especially in those with late-onset rejection or chronic rejection. Polymerase chain reaction may also be useful in the serial analysis of cytomegalovirus status in transplant recipients. The use of multiple viral primers improves the diagnostic evaluation of these patients and may lead to a better understanding of the epidemiologic characteristics of posttransplantation viral infections and the cause of late or chronic rejection.

Acute myocarditis. Rapid diagnosis by PCR in children

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of viral myocarditis remains difficult and generally depends on clinical and histological criteria. Viral cultures and serology are often unrewarding, with low yields. The purpose of this study was to analyze the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the rapid diagnosis of acute myocarditis in children.

METHODS AND RESULTS

PCR was used to analyze 38 myocardial tissue samples from 34 patients with suspected acute viral myocarditis and 17 control patients with congenital heart disease (14) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (3). Myocardial samples were obtained at the time of right ventricular biopsy (13 samples), from explanted hearts (18 samples) at transplantation, and from cardiac autopsy specimens (24 samples) and were evaluated for the presence of enterovirus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) using PCR primers designed to consensus and unique sequences of these viral genomes. Blood also was obtained at the time of biopsy (11) or transplant (18). In 26 of 38 myocardial samples (68%), viral genome was detected by PCR (15 adenoviral, 8 enteroviral, 2 HSV, 1 CMV), whereas all control myocardial samples and blood samples were negative. Four patients had positive viral cultures, and these matched the PCR findings. Disagreement with histopathology occurred in 13 of 26 PCR-positive specimens, usually associated with adenovirus.

CONCLUSIONS

PCR offers a rapid, sensitive diagnostic method for myocardial viral infection. While enterovirus is an important etiological agent, adenovirus was more prevalent in this series and should be evaluated when etiology is sought. PCR used in conjunction with standard endomyocardial biopsy appears to enhance the likelihood of detecting viral genome in the myocardium of patients with clinical evidence of myocarditis.

Craniopharyngioma and the moustache sign

Craniopharyngiomas are common suprasellar tumours but these are rarely associated with vasogenic oedema. Because the oedema extends into the optic tracts and optic radiations, a characteristic pattern is produced that resembles a moustache. The oedema is though to be due to leakage of craniopharyngioma contents. Such a case is presented in this communication.

A case of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is an uncommon histologic subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma, comprising 3.5% of all hepatocellular carcinomas in one large study (Brandt et al 1988). It usually occurs in young people, the average age being 18 years (Farhi et al 1983). It is not associated with cirrhosis and the serum alphafetoprotein is usually normal (Craig et al 1980). Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma has a more favourable prognosis than the usual hepatocellular carcinoma, with an average survival of 32 months from onset of symptoms, compared to 6 months for the usual type. The resectability rate and 5 year survival figures are also much better (Craig et al 1980). Hence distinguishing this histological subtype is important for surgical management and survival prognosis. This report describes a full radiological evaluation of such a case, covering the wide spectrum of relevant imaging modalities.

How good is general practice developmental screening?

All developmental screening in Somerset is performed by general practitioners and health visitors. A retrospective review of a cohort of 1504 7 year old children living in semirural Somerset found that the development assessment by a health visitor at age 3 1/2 years had a sensitivity of 45% for identifying the 103 children with special educational needs, whereas the sensitivity of the preschool examination by a general practitioner was 56%. There was no relation between results of preschool developmental assessment and later reading ability. Of the 23 children in special schools, 22 had been identified independently of the developmental screening programme before starting school. Intervention was started at a mean age of 1 year 5 months (range 2 months to 3 years) for children with severe learning difficulties, and 3 years 9 months (2 years 3 months to 6 years 6 months) for children with moderate learning difficulties. The preschool medical examination revealed fairly minor medical problems: 29 of 81 children referred for specialist opinions were shown to be medically normal, and for only seven of the medically abnormal children was information about their conditions given to their teachers. In Somerset screening the development of all children at predetermined ages has not been very useful.