A review of 218 pediatric cases of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: This study evaluates the incidence trends and clinical outcomes of children with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and assesses factors predictive of patient survival.

Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry was queried from 1973 to 2009 for all patients between ages 0 and 19 with primary HCC. Demographics, tumor histology, surgical intervention, and patient survival were collected.

Parental effects improve escape performance of juvenile reef fish in a high-CO2 world.

Rising CO2 levels in the oceans are predicted to have serious consequences for many marine taxa. Recent studies suggest that non-genetic parental effects may reduce the impact of high CO2 on the growth, survival and routine metabolic rate of marine fishes, but whether the parental environment mitigates behavioural and sensory impairment associated with high CO2 remains unknown. Here, we tested the acute effects of elevated CO2 on the escape responses of juvenile fish and whether such effects were altered by exposure of parents to increased CO2 (transgenerational acclimation).

A Viable and Simple Self-Sampling Method for Human Papillomavirus Detection among South African Adolescents.

Background: Self-sampling for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing may offer improved patient acceptability, decreased cost, and greater practicality than clinician collection of specimens. HPV testing among adolescents is necessary to conduct vaccine surveillance and may play a role in cervical cancer screening among some populations.

Methods: A cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted to compare the results of self-collected and clinician-collected specimens for Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing among South African adolescent females.

Revision decompression and collagen nerve wrap for recurrent and persistent compression neuropathies of the upper extremity.

Background: Recurrent or persistent compression neuropathies of the upper extremity, including carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, present a difficult treatment challenge to the hand or peripheral nerve surgeon. Collagen conduits have been used successfully for decades in nerve injury repair, but have not been studied in the treatment of compression neuropathy.

Methods: Patients with recurrent or persistent compression neuropathies treated with a repeat decompression and collagen wrap from a 5-year period were retrieved from the Computerized Patient Record System database and 15 patient records were identified.

Social-ecological factors determine spatial variation in human incidence of tick-borne ehrlichiosis.

The spatial distribution of human cases of tick-borne diseases is probably determined by a combination of biological and socioeconomic factors. A zoonotic tick-borne pathogen, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, is increasing in human incidence in the USA. In this study, the spatial patterns of probable and confirmed E.

Inhibitory mechanism of an allosteric antibody targeting the glucagon receptor.

Elevated glucagon levels and increased hepatic glucagon receptor (GCGR) signaling contribute to hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. We have identified a monoclonal antibody that inhibits GCGR, a class B G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), through a unique allosteric mechanism. Receptor inhibition is mediated by the binding of this antibody to two distinct sites that lie outside of the glucagon binding cleft.

Patients' perceived cultural sensitivity of health care office staff and its association with patients' health care satisfaction and treatment adherence.

Research suggests that patients' interactions with their front desk office staff and patient-centered culturally sensitive health care are important factors in diverse patients' overall health care satisfaction. Yet, patient-centered culturally sensitive health care research has focused almost exclusively on provider care. This study tested the hypothesis that patient-perceived cultural sensitivity of front desk office staff has a significant positive association with patient treatment adherence and that this relationship is mediated by patient health care satisfaction.

Perineural infiltrates in Pseudomonas keratitis.

We describe 2 cases of contact lens-related microbial keratitis caused by infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in which perineural infiltrates were observed at presentation. In both cases, examination by confocal microscopy was negative for Acanthamoeba cysts but bacterial cultures and microscopy of corneal scrapings were positive for P aeruginosa. Both cases responded rapidly to treatment with topical levofloxacin with no significant long-term sequelae.

Effects of wildlife and cattle on tick abundance in central Kenya.

In African savannas, large mammals, both wild and domestic, support an abundant and diverse population of tick ectoparasites. Because of the density of ticks and the many pathogens that they vector, cattle in East Africa are often treated with acaricides. While acaricides are known to be effective at reducing tick burdens on cattle, their effects on the overall abundance and community composition of ticks in savanna ecosystems are less well understood.

Merkel cell carcinoma of the hand and upper extremity: current trends and outcomes.

Merkel cell carcinomas represent an uncommon yet aggressive skin cancer. We sought to identify changes in incidence and predictors of outcomes and survival of patients with Merkel cell carcinomas of the hand and upper extremity. The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database was used to identify all patients with Merkel cell carcinomas of the skin located specifically in the hand and upper extremity.

Randomized trial of multifocal intraocular lenses versus monovision after bilateral cataract surgery.

Objective: To compare spectacle independence in patients randomized to receive bilateral multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) or monofocal IOLs with the powers adjusted to produce monovision.

Design: Randomized, multicenter clinical trial.

Participants: A total of 212 patients with bilateral, visually significant cataract.

The contribution of socio-economic position to the excesses of violence and intimate partner violence among aboriginal versus non-Aboriginal Women in Canada.

Objective: To examine the contribution of socio-economic position (SEP) in explaining the excess of any abuse and intimate partner violence (IPV) among Aboriginal versus non-Aboriginal women in Canada. This comparison has not been studied before.

Methods: We conducted logistic regression analysis, using nationwide data from a weighted sample of 57,318 Canadian-born mothers of singletons who participated in the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey 2006-7.

Malignant tumors of the parotid gland in children: incidence and outcomes.

Background: Population-based analysis of the incidence, demographics, and management outcomes in children with malignant tumors of the parotid gland.

Methods: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1973-2009) was researched for all patients younger than 20 years.

Results: Overall, 284 patients were identified.

Efficacy of localization studies and intraoperative parathormone monitoring in the surgical management of hyperfunctioning ectopic parathyroid glands.

Background: Hyperfunctioning ectopic glands remain an operative challenge in patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. This study examines the incidence of ectopic glands and the utility of sestamibi scans (MIBI), surgeon-performed ultrasonography, and intraoperative parathormone monitoring in such patients undergoing parathyroidectomy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent parathyroidectomy from 1980 to 2011 for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism at a single institution.

A systematic review of the literature on the outcomes of treatment for recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: Recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome is an uncommon but potentially difficult surgical dilemma. Many surgical treatment options have been described in the literature without comparative data on outcome.

Methods: A systematic review on recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome was performed for all articles from 1946 to 2012 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and hand-searched reference lists from all identified articles.

Sex variability of fine-needle aspiration reliability in the diagnosis of malignancy in thyroid nodules ≥4 cm.

Background: The effect of sex on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis of thyroid cancer remains unknown. This study determines the reliability of FNA when evaluating thyroid nodules ≥4 cm in women and men.

Methods: Prospectively collected data of 1,068 patients who underwent FNA and thyroidectomy at a tertiary medical center were retrospectively reviewed.

miR-221/222 targets adiponectin receptor 1 to promote the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer.

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a highly conserved physiological program involved in development and tissue repair; however, its aberrant activation has been implicated in accelerating the progression of a variety of cancers. In breast cancer, the microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-221 and miR-222 (miR-221/222) are differentially expressed in the clinically more aggressive basal-like subtype compared to luminal subtype of breast cancer and upregulation of miR-221/222 induces the EMT by targeting the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the GATA family transcriptional repressor TRPS1 (tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome type 1). The complete mechanism through which miR-221/222 promotes the EMT, however, is not fully understood.

Analysis of 855 upper extremity fistulas created using a standard protocol: the role of graft extension to achieve functional status.

The Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative (FFBI) has been one of the most important national programs to help achieve considerable improvements in the care of patients on chronic hemodialysis. FFBI has helped place guidelines to push practitioners to reduce the use of tunneled central venous catheters and to increase the rate of arteriovenous fistula use in patients requiring chronic hemodialysis access. However, despite current guidelines, no specific protocols exist for the creation and management of autogenous arteriovenous fistulas and outcomes at most centers are below national benchmarks.

Role of motAB in adherence and internalization in polarized Caco-2 cells and in cecal colonization of Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacter jejuni, a gram-negative motile bacterium commonly found in the chicken gastrointestinal tract, is one of the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. An intact and functional flagellum is important for C. jejuni virulence and colonization.

Predictors of survival and incidence of hepatoblastoma in the paediatric population.

Objectives: This study evaluates current trends in incidence, clinical outcomes and factors predictive of survival in children with hepatoblastoma (HB).

Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was queried for the period 1973-2009 for all patients aged <20 years with HB.

Results: A total of 606 patients were identified.

Socioeconomic position and factors associated with use of a nonsupine infant sleep position: findings from the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey.

Objectives: With a focus on socioeconomic position, we examined the association between maternal education and nonsupine infant sleep position, and examined patterns of effect modification with additional sociodemographic, maternal, infant, and health services predictors.

Methods: Data were from the Maternity Experiences Survey, a national population-based sample of 76 178 new Canadian mothers (unweighted n = 6421) aged 15 years or older interviewed in 2006-2007. Using logistic regression, we developed multivariate models for 3 maternal education strata.

Exploring trauma recidivism in an elderly cohort.

Purpose: As the population ages, trauma in the elderly is an increasingly recognized source of elderly morbidity. However, previous reviews on the topic provide only broad recommendations. The purpose of this study was to examine the elderly recidivist cohort at an urban trauma center for mechanisms of repeat injury.