Validation of a Midfacial Scale and Its Use in a Randomized, Evaluator-Blinded Study of CPM-HA-V.

Background: Age-related loss of midfacial contour is frequently corrected using dermal fillers. A validated photonumeric scale is beneficial when evaluating post-treatment aesthetic improvement.

Objective: To present scale-development activities for the Merz Cheek Fullness Assessment Scale (MCFAS) and report pilot-study results of a hyaluronic-acid filler (Belotero Volume with Lidocaine; CPM-HA-V) to treat midfacial volume loss.

Adding multiple risk factors improves Framingham coronary heart disease risk scores.

Purpose: Since the introduction of the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), numerous versions of coronary heart disease (CHD) prediction models have claimed improvement over the FRS. Tzoulaki et al challenged the validity of these claims by illustrating methodology deficiencies among the studies. However, the question remains: Is it possible to create a new CHD model that is better than FRS while overcoming the noted deficiencies? To address this, a new CHD prediction model was developed by integrating additional risk factors, using a novel modeling process.

Associations between selected laboratory tests and all-cause mortality.

Objective: Evaluate the association of selected laboratory tests including liver function, kidney function, bilirubin, and albumin, with all-cause mortality

Method: Associations between several laboratory tests and mortality were assessed in two longitudinal datasets: (1) the Third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES III) with 4610 deaths during the 240,428 person-year follow up: and (2) a life insurance dataset containing historical life insurance policies issued as standard and better risk class, with 837 death claims generated during the approximate 1.4 million person-years of follow up. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to compute the hazard ratio of each selected laboratory test while adjusting for age, gender, and other health conditions.

Relationship between selected social factors and all-cause mortality.

Objective: Evaluate the associations between several simple-to-measure social factors and all-cause mortality to determine whether selected social factors contribute useful mortality information.

Method: Using the Third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES III) and the current NHANES III Linked Mortality File datasets, associations were evaluated among 18,460 survey participants at least 20 years of age, with 5408 deaths occurring during the 280,183 person-year follow-up. Selected social factors, including education level, current employment status, and frequency of interpersonal contact with friends/relatives, were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazard model, and the impact of the selected social factors on mortality was expressed as a hazard ratio.

Prevalence of opioid dispensings and concurrent gastrointestinal medications in an elderly population from Ontario, Canada.

Background: Although opioid analgesics are effective therapeutic agents, gastrointestinal (GI) side effects represent a challenging consequence of treatment. In an elderly population, age-related physiological changes, such as decreased GI functioning and dehydration, may compound the adverse effects of opioids; therefore, appropriate prophylactic treatment, utilizing laxatives and/or acid suppressants, is particularly important in an elderly population.

Aim: This study describes the prevalence of outpatient opioid dispensings and the concomitant dispensing of opioids and GI medications in a population 65 years or older enrolled in the Ontario Drug Benefit Program in 2005.

Bartonella DNA in dog saliva.

Bartonella species, transmitted by arthropods or animal bites and scratches, are emerging pathogens in human and veterinary medicine. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to test oral swabs collected from dogs. Results indicated the presence of 4 Bartonella species: B.

Bartonella species in blood of immunocompetent persons with animal and arthropod contact.

Using PCR in conjunction with pre-enrichment culture, we detected Bartonella henselae and B. vinsonii subspecies berkhoffii in the blood of 14 immunocompetent persons who had frequent animal contact and arthropod exposure.

A combined approach for the enhanced detection and isolation of Bartonella species in dog blood samples: pre-enrichment liquid culture followed by PCR and subculture onto agar plates.

Historically, direct plating, lysis centrifugation, or freeze-thaw approaches have proven to be highly insensitive methods for confirming Bartonella species infection in dogs. A prospective study was designed to compare diagnostic methods for the detection of Bartonella using samples submitted to the Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at North Carolina State University. Methods included indirect immunofluorescence assay, PCR, direct inoculation of a blood agar plate (trypticase soy agar with 5% rabbit blood), and inoculation into a novel pre-enrichment liquid medium, Bartonella/alpha-Proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM).

Detection of Bartonella henselae DNA in two dogs with pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis.

Case Description: 1 dog evaluated because of inappetence and lameness of the left hind limb of 1 day's duration and 1 dog evaluated because of inappetence, fever, and lymphadenopathy of 2 weeks' duration.

Clinical Findings: Histologic examination of excisional biopsy specimens from lymph nodes revealed pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis in both dogs. Quantitative real-time PCR assays detected Bartonella henselae DNA in blood samples and affected lymph node specimens from both dogs.

The dog as a sentinel for human infection: prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi C6 antibodies in dogs from southeastern and mid-Atlantic States.

Lyme disease is the most frequently reported human vector-associated disease in the United States. Infection occurs after the bite of an Ixodid tick that is infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Dogs have often been reported to serve as effective sentinel animals to assess the risk of human B.

Novel chemically modified liquid medium that will support the growth of seven bartonella species.

Bacteria of the genus Bartonella, a member of the Alphaproteobacteria, are fastidious, gram-negative, aerobic bacilli that comprise numerous species, subspecies, and subtypes. In human and veterinary medicine, species isolation remains a vital component of the diagnostic and therapeutic management of Bartonella infection. We describe a novel, chemically modified, insect-based liquid culture medium that supports the growth of at least seven Bartonella species.

The dog as a sentinel for human infection: prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi C6 antibodies in dogs from southeastern and mid-Atlantic states.

Lyme disease is the most frequently reported human vector-associated disease in the United States. Infection occurs after the bite of an Ixodid tick that is infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Dogs have often been reported to serve as effective sentinel animals to assess the risk of human B.