Episodic Memory and Hippocampal Volume Predict 5-Year Mild Cognitive Impairment Conversion in Healthy Apolipoprotein ε4 Carriers.

Objective: The Apolipoprotein (APOE) ε4 allele increases the risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, but not all carriers develop MCI/dementia. The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine if early and subtle preclinical signs of cognitive dysfunction and medial temporal lobe atrophy are observed in cognitively intact ε4 carriers who subsequently develop MCI.

Methods: Twenty-nine healthy, cognitively intact ε4 carriers (ε3/ε4 heterozygotes; ages 65-85) underwent neuropsychological testing and MRI-based measurements of medial temporal volumes over a 5-year follow-up interval; data were converted to z-scores based on a non-carrier group consisting of 17 ε3/ε3 homozygotes.

Differential 5-year brain atrophy rates in cognitively declining and stable APOE-ε4 elders.

Objective: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele is the most important genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Many ε4 carriers, however, never develop Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of this study is to characterize the variability in phenotypic expression of the ε4 allele, as measured by the longitudinal trajectory of cognitive test scores and MRI brain volumes, in cognitively intact elders.

Intra- and inter-rater agreement of the Genital Injury Severity Scale.

Introduction: The Genital Injury Severity Scale (GISS) is a clinimetrically-tested tool in use for quantifying and qualifying external genital injury after sexual intercourse.

Purpose: To evaluate inter- and intra-rater agreement of the GISS amongst examiner/raters in an urban, ethnically diverse, emergency department based sexual assault center.

Methods: The study was conducted in three phases.

Five-Year Longitudinal Brain Volume Change in Healthy Elders at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease.

Neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) precede symptom onset by more than a decade. Possession of an apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele is the strongest genetic risk factor for late onset AD. Cross-sectional studies of cognitively intact elders have noted smaller hippocampal/medial temporal volumes in ɛ4 carriers (ɛ4+) compared to ɛ4 non-carriers (ɛ4-).

Derivation of the Genital Injury Severity Scale (GISS): a concise instrument for description and measurement of external female genital injury after sexual intercourse.

Introduction: Inconsistencies abound in the current forensic literature regarding the definition, and as a result, the significance of female genital injury after sexual intercourse. These definitions are based on variables related to the anatomic locations that are examined, the actual physical findings types, and the methods used to detect the findings.

Purpose: To derive and perform initial clinimetric analyses on a simple instrument that defines, and based on severity, quantifies external genital injury after sexual intercourse.

A pilot study to test the differential validity of a genital injury severity scale, in development for use in forensic sexual assault examinations.

Methods of examining the sexual assault patient are not standardized and a definition of what constitutes significant genital injury after sexual assault (SA) remains controversial. This pilot study tests the empirical validity (initial differential validity) of a genital injury severity scale (GISS) under development by the authors with the hypothesis that women who report SA have more severe external genital injuries than those who engage in consensual intercourse (CI). In this observational, prospective study, an initially developed GISS is applied and the exam results of 59 CI volunteers and 185 SA patients are compared.

Mycoplasma disease and acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease.

Background: Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the leading cause of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality in patients with sickle cell disease. Radiographic and clinical findings in ACS resemble pneumonia; however, etiologies other than infectious pathogens have been implicated, including pulmonary fat embolism (PFE) and infarction of segments of the pulmonary vasculature. The National Acute Chest Syndrome Study Group was designed to identify the etiologic agents and clinical outcomes associated with this syndrome.

Chlamydia pneumoniae and acute chest syndrome in patients with sickle cell disease.

Unlabelled: PURPOSE Few studies address the association of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection with pulmonary disease and outcome in patients with underlying pathology such as sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD patients are susceptible to the pulmonary disorder known as acute chest syndrome (ACS), where the etiology remains ill defined. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical course and outcome of C.