Development of a machine learning algorithm based on administrative claims data for identification of ED anaphylaxis patient visits.

Background: Epidemiologic studies of anaphylaxis commonly rely on () codes to identify anaphylaxis cases, which may lead to suboptimal epidemiologic classification.

Objective: We sought to develop and assess the accuracy of a machine learning algorithm using codes and other administrative data compared with code-only algorithms to identify emergency department (ED) anaphylaxis visits.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of ED visits from January 2013 to September 2017.

Sulfonamide Drug Allergy.

Purpose Of Review: We sought to review past and current literature on sulfonamide drug allergy and distill it in a practical manner to assist the clinician, specifically focusing on cross-reactivity and desensitization.

Recent Findings: There do not appear to be consistent genetic markers to reliably predict features of or the presence hypersensitivity reactions. Recent evidence continues to alleviate early concerns cross-reactivity between sulfonamide antibiotics and non-antibiotics.

Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Training in Internal Medicine Residents.

Common allergic conditions such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and antibiotic allergies are frequently encountered by internal medicine physicians. These conditions are a significant source of health care utilization and morbidity. However, many internal medicine residency programs offer limited training in allergy and immunology.

Field sensitivity action spectra of cone photoreceptors in the turtle retina.

1. The Stiles two-colour increment threshold technique was applied to turtle cone photoreceptors in order to derive their field sensitivity action spectra. 2.

Gender risk for anaphylactoid reaction to radiographic contrast media.

Background: Female predominance has been reported previously in series of anaphylaxis cases; however, no definite precedent has been established for greater risk of anaphylactoid reaction caused by contrast media infusion on the basis of gender.

Objective: This study was designed to determine whether greater risk for anaphylactoid reaction caused by intravenous contrast media infusion exists in association with female gender.

Methods: Rates of anaphylactoid and severe anaphylactoid reaction, according to gender, were determined in a sample of 5264 consecutive patients receiving conventional radiocontrast media during performance of computed tomography.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms: CT evaluation of renal artery involvement.

Purpose: To determine whether computed tomography (CT) assessment of the proximal extent of ruptured aneurysms can help the surgeon determine whether to initially clamp the pararenal aneurysm neck or the supraceliac aorta.

Materials And Methods: CT scans and medical records were reviewed and compared for 30 patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) who underwent immediate surgical repair.

Results: For 49 of 50 vessels in 25 patients, the authors correctly predicted at CT that AAAs originated caudal to the main renal artery origins.

Dark-light: model for nightblindness from the human rhodopsin Gly-90-->Asp mutation.

A human rhodopsin mutation, Gly-90-->Asp (Gly90Asp), cosegregated with an unusual trait of congenital nightblindness in 22 at-risk members of a large autosomal dominant kindred. Although rhodopsin mutations typically are associated with retinal degeneration, Gly90Asp-affected subjects up to age 33 did not show clinical retinal changes. Absolute threshold for visual perception was elevated nearly 3 logarithmic units in 7 individuals tested (ages 11-64), indicating greatly compromised rod threshold signaling.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm morphology: CT features in patients with ruptured and nonruptured aneurysms.

Objective: We evaluated a variety of internal architectural features in ruptured and nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms to determine whether any features are associated more frequently with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. These features may be useful in identifying subtle ruptures when no obvious retroperitoneal hematoma is present and may be helpful in predicting unstable aneurysms at risk for rupture.

Materials And Methods: The CT scans of 52 patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms were reviewed and compared with those of 56 patients with asymptomatic nonruptured aneurysms exceeding 4.

The action spectra of cone photoreceptors in the turtle (Mauremys caspica) retina.

Cone photoreceptors in the turtle retina are involved in intricate neuronal interactions with other retinal neurons that modify the responses of the cones to photons absorbed in their outer segments. Therefore, the action spectra of cones strongly depend upon the conditions of measurements. This study describes an attempt to derive the action spectra of turtle cones which are the least distorted by neuronal interactions.

Chromosomal rearrangement segregating with adrenoleukodystrophy: associated changes in color vision.

A patient from a large kindred with adrenoleukodystrophy showed profound disturbance of color ordering, color matching, increment thresholds, and luminosity. Except for color matching, his performance was similar to blue-cone "monochromacy," an X chromosome-linked recessive retinal dystrophy in which color vision is dichromatic, mediated by the visual pigments of rods and short-wave-sensitive cones. Color matching, however, indicated that an abnormal rudimentary visual pigment was also present.

Chromosomal rearrangement segregating with adrenoleukodystrophy: a molecular analysis.

The relationship between X chromosome-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and the red/green color pigment gene cluster on Xq28 was investigated in a large kindred. The DNA in a hemizygous male showed altered restriction fragment sizes compatible with at least a deletion extending from the 5' end of the color pigment genes. Segregation analysis using a DNA probe within the color pigment gene cluster showed significant linkage with adrenoleukodystrophy (logarithm of odds score of 3.

Elevated risk of anaphylactoid reaction from radiographic contrast media is associated with both beta-blocker exposure and cardiovascular disorders.

Background: A case-control study, with both retrospective and concurrent subject selection, was performed (1) to determine whether greater risk for anaphylactoid reaction from contrast media associated with beta-blocker exposure reflects presence, or is independent of underlying cardiovascular disorder; and (2) to characterize further the risk of anaphylactoid reaction from contrast media in patients with cardiovascular disorders and patients with asthma.

Methods: Adverse reactions from intravenous contrast media were recorded in accordance with quality assurance guidelines. Anaphylactoid reactions were classified as mild to moderate (urticaria/angioedema), severe (stridor, bronchospasm, or hypotension), or major and life-threatening (hypotension with or without the need for subsequent hospitalization).

TMJ biocompatible orthodontic treatment.

The papers summarized here indicate that TMJ dysfunction remains a complicated problem, requiring a multidisciplinary team approach. Psychological stress is an important factor in diagnosis. New concepts of joint function must be considered.

Increased risk for anaphylactoid reaction from contrast media in patients on beta-adrenergic blockers or with asthma.

Objective: To determine whether greater risk for anaphylactoid reaction from intravenous urographic contrast media exists in patients receiving beta-adrenergic blockers or in asthmatic patients.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Tertiary care, referral-based medical center.

Upper abdominal lymph nodes: criteria for normal size determined with CT.

Reports of the upper limits of normal for lymph node size at abdominal computed tomography have varied from 6 to 20 mm. Establishment of an upper limit for node size by specific location, analogous to that which has been reported for mediastinal lymph nodes, was sought. Short-axis diameters of the lymph nodes were measured in 130 patients who were not likely to have enlarged abdominal lymph nodes.

Seminal vesicle cysts: association with adult polycystic kidney disease.

Adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD) is associated with cyst formation in the kidney, liver, pancreas, esophagus, ovary, uterus, and brain. Four patients with APKD (aged 45-65 years) with computed tomographic evidence of seminal vesicle cysts are described. All seminal vesicles contained cystic masses with attenuation values of 0-30 HU.