A composite likelihood approach for estimating HIV prevalence in the presence of spatial variation.

Since 1990, the World Health Organization has recommended HIV surveillance among pregnant women as an essential surveillance activity for countries with generalized HIV epidemics. Despite the widespread availability and potential usefulness of antenatal HIV surveillance, analyses of such data present important challenges. Within an individual clinic, the HIV status of its attendees may be correlated because of similarities in HIV risk among women close in age.

Pathological role of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in charcot neuroarthropathy.

This study was designed to characterize the synovium in the joints of Charcot neuroarthropathy (CNA) and investigate the potential role of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in the pathology of CNA. Synovial samples were collected from CNA patients (n = 7) and non-CNA patients (n = 7), for control, during orthopaedic procedures and used for histology and isolation of FLS. Histological characterization of synovium included innervation and FLS localization.

Longevity of the Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator: Long-Term Follow-Up of the European Regulatory Trial Cohort.

Background: The recent advent of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICDs) has provided investigators with a safe and effective new therapy in patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. At present, no data are available with regard to the longevity of these new devices. This study evaluated the longevity of the S-ICD system.

Dopamine D4 receptor genotype variation in free-ranging rhesus macaques and its association with juvenile behavior.

A polymorphism in the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene has been associated with significant variation in behavioral impulsivity, novelty-seeking, and risk-taking in humans and other animals. Rhesus macaques are an excellent animal model for research on the genetic basis of behavior using the candidate gene approach. Little is known, however, about allelic variation in DRD4 in large free-ranging populations of rhesus macaques and how this allelic variation relates to emotion regulation and behavior.

Association of Postural Sway with Disability Status and Cerebellar Dysfunction in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Study.

Background: The aims of this study were 1) to examine postural sway in the eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) with moderate levels of disability compared with controls and 2) to examine relationships between postural sway and total Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, functional system subscores, and clinical measures of strength and spasticity in the MS group.

Methods: Thirty-four people with moderate MS and ten matched controls completed measures of postural sway with EO and EC, knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion isometric strength, EDSS total score and subscores, and spasticity levels.

Results: Participants with MS swayed significantly more with EO and EC and had reduced knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion strength compared with controls (P < .

Intracortical inhibition is modulated by phase of prosthetic rehabilitation in transtibial amputees.

Reorganization of primary motor cortex (M1) is well-described in long-term lower limb amputees. In contrast cortical reorganization during the rehabilitation period after amputation is poorly understood. Thirteen transtibial amputees and 13 gender matched control participants of similar age were recruited.

Inappropriate shocks in the subcutaneous ICD: Incidence, predictors and management.

Background: The entirely subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) eliminates the need for transvenous leads, and therefore has the potential to improve lead-longevity and reduce lead-related complications. The S-ICD has a morphology-based sensing algorithm of which inappropriate shocks have been reported.

Methods: We analyzed the incidence, predictors and management of inappropriate shocks in the EFFORTLESS S-ICD Registry, which collects S-ICD implantation information and follow-up data from clinical centers in Europe and New Zealand.

Fatigue induced changes to kinematic and kinetic gait parameters following six minutes of walking in people with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 6 min of walking on fatigue, exertion and spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic gait parameters in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Thirty-four people with MS with moderate levels of disability completed measures of fatigue, exertion and instrumented gait analysis before and after 6-min trials of rest and walking (using a modified 6-min walk test, m6MWT). Ten age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed analysis before and after the m6MWT.

Effect of long-term oral administration of a low dosage of clenbuterol on body fat percentage in working and nonworking adult horses.

Objective: To determine the anabolic and lipolytic effects of a low dosage of clenbuterol administered orally in working and nonworking equids.

Animals: 8 nonworking horses and 47 polo ponies in active training.

Procedures: Each polo pony continued training and received either clenbuterol (0.

Safety and Efficacy of the Totally Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator: 2-Year Results From a Pooled Analysis of the IDE Study and EFFORTLESS Registry.

Background: The entirely subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) is the first implantable defibrillator that avoids placing electrodes in or around the heart. Two large prospective studies (IDE [S-ICD System IDE Clinical Investigation] and EFFORTLESS [Boston Scientific Post Market S-ICD Registry]) have reported 6-month to 1-year data on the S-ICD.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the S-ICD in a large diverse population.

The PREEMPT study - evaluating smartphone-assisted n-of-1 trials in patients with chronic pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic pain is prevalent, costly, and clinically vexatious. Clinicians typically use a trial-and-error approach to treatment selection. Repeated crossover trials in a single patient (n-of-1 trials) may provide greater therapeutic precision.

Walking for six minutes increases both simple reaction time and stepping reaction time in moderately disabled people with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Walking ability and fatigue are often reported as the most disabling symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Motor fatigue may contribute to reduced mobility, and is likely caused by both central and peripheral deterioration in neuromuscular function. Simple and choice stepping reaction time (RT) measures have the potential to detect walking induced changes in motor impairment.

Busulfan as a myelosuppressive agent for generating stable high-level bone marrow chimerism in mice.

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is often used to replace the bone marrow (BM) compartment of recipient mice with BM cells expressing a distinct biomarker isolated from donor mice. This technique allows for identification of donor-derived hematopoietic cells within the recipient mice, and can be used to isolate and characterize donor cells using various biochemical techniques. BMT typically relies on myeloablative conditioning with total body irradiation to generate niche space within the BM compartment of recipient mice for donor cell engraftment.

Over ground walking and body weight supported walking improve mobility equally in cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess partial body weight supported treadmill training versus over ground training for walking ability in children with mild to moderate cerebral palsy.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: A Special Needs school in Singapore.

Postinjection endophthalmitis in the comparison of age-related macular degeneration treatments trials (CATT).

Objective: To describe the incidence and outcomes of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents in the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT) and to assess the effect of prophylactic topical antimicrobials on incidence.

Design: Cohort study within a randomized clinical trial.

Participants: Patients enrolled in CATT.

Submyeloablative conditioning with busulfan permits bone marrow-derived cell accumulation in a murine model of Alzheimer's disease.

Previous work has suggested that bone marrow (BM)-derived cells (BMDCs) accumulate within the CNS and could potentially associate with β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To explore the accumulation of BMDCs in murine AD, we transplanted green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled BM cells into triple transgenic (3×Tg) and wild-type (wt) mice using non-irradiative myelosuppresive conditioning with busulfan (BU). We find that BU (80mg/kg) is sufficient to obtain adequate chimerism (>85%) in wt mice.

Assessing gait variability in transtibial amputee fallers based on spatial-temporal gait parameters normalized for walking speed.

Objective: To determine whether normalizing spatial-temporal gait data for walking speed obtained from multiple walking trials leads to differences in gait variability parameters associated with a history of falling in people with transtibial amputations.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Rehabilitation center.

Association study of the SLITRK5 gene and Tourette syndrome.

Tourette syndrome (TS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder commonly occur together. Family studies indicate shared genetic risk factors. SLITRK5, one of a family of six SLITRK genes, has been suggested as a possible candidate gene contributing towards obsessive-compulsive disorder on the basis of the mouse knockout model that shows excessive grooming behaviours that are alleviated with fluoxetine.

The rheumatoid arthritis treat-to-target trial: a cluster randomized trial within the Corrona rheumatology network.

Background: The treat-to-target (T2T) approach to the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis involves using validated metrics to measure disease activity, frequent follow-up visits for patients with moderate to high disease activity, and escalation of therapy when patients have inadequate therapeutic response as assessed by standard disease activity scores. The study described is a newly launched cluster-randomized behavioral intervention to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the T2T approach in US rheumatology practices. It is designed to identify patient and provider barriers to implementing T2T management.

Comparative analysis of the domestic cat genome reveals genetic signatures underlying feline biology and domestication.

Little is known about the genetic changes that distinguish domestic cat populations from their wild progenitors. Here we describe a high-quality domestic cat reference genome assembly and comparative inferences made with other cat breeds, wildcats, and other mammals. Based upon these comparisons, we identified positively selected genes enriched for genes involved in lipid metabolism that underpin adaptations to a hypercarnivorous diet.

Dorsiflexion assist orthosis reduces the physiological cost and mitigates deterioration in strength and balance associated with walking in people with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of wearing a dorsiflexion assist orthosis (DAO) on walking distance, physiological cost, fatigue, and strength and balance measures after a modified 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Design: Randomized crossover trial.

Setting: Hospital Movement Laboratory.

Six minutes of walking leads to reduced lower limb strength and increased postural sway in people with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Fatigue, lower limb weakness and poor balance can significantly limit safe mobility in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Further research is required to elucidate relationships among these factors.

Objective: To investigate the effect of walking-induced fatigue on lower limb strength and postural sway in people with moderately disabling MS.

Does fluoroscopy improve acetabular component placement in total hip arthroplasty?

Background: The success of THA largely depends on correct placement of the individual components. Traditionally, these have been placed freehand using anatomic landmarks, but studies have shown poor accuracy with this method.

Questions/purposes: Specifically, we asked (1) does using fluoroscopy lead to more accurate and greater likelihood of cup placement with the Lewinnek safe zone than does freehand cup placement; (2) is there a learning curve associated with the use of fluoroscopy for cup placement; (3) does the use of fluoroscopy increase operative time; and (4) is there a difference in leg length discrepancy between freehand and fluoroscopic techniques?

Methods: This series consisted of 109 consecutive patients undergoing primary THA, conversion of a previous hip surgery to THA, and revision THA during a 24-month period.