Comparison of two interferon-gamma release assays for pediatric tuberculosis infection.

Introduction: Identifying tuberculosis infection (TBI) using interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) is a primary component of clinical and public health efforts to prevent pediatric tuberculosis. Pediatric data comparing the two IGRAs in the United States are very limited. We compared the performance of the two IGRAs among a large pediatric cohort tested for TBI and assessed whether discordance might be due to quantitative results close to test cut-off values.

Revisiting the Defeatist Performance Belief Scale in Adults With Schizophrenia and Youth at Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis: A Comprehensive Psychometric Analysis.

Background And Hypothesis: In accordance with the Cognitive Model of Negative Symptoms, defeatist performance beliefs (DPBs) are an important psychosocial mechanism of negative symptoms in schizophrenia-spectrum groups. DPBs are also mediators of negative symptom improvement in clinical trials. Despite the clinical significance of DPBs and their inclusion as a mechanism of change measure in clinical trials, the psychometric properties of the DPB scale have not been examined in any schizophrenia-spectrum group.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis induced by COVID-19.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a life-threatening acute mucocutaneous syndrome. It is characterized by keratinocyte necrosis and apoptosis, which affect more than 30% of the body's surface. TEN is most commonly due to an altered immunological response to specific drugs, infections, and malignancies, or it can be idiopathic.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The co-existence of severe aortic stenosis (AS) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is not uncommon. Surgical intervention is the gold standard management. Patients with high surgical risk might undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Geographic Distribution of US Ophthalmic Surgical Subspecialists.

Importance: While urban counties maintain higher densities of ophthalmologists than rural counties, the geographic distribution of ophthalmic surgical subspecialists has not yet been elucidated. A potential workforce discrepancy may impact the burden of care faced by rural surgeons.

Objective: To assess the geographic distribution of the ophthalmic subspecialist surgeon workforce and evaluate factors associated with practicing in rural areas.