Severe varicella associated with steroid use.

Objective: To evaluate whether corticosteroid use is associated with severe varicella.

Design: The odds of corticosteroid exposure were compared among 35 children with severe varicella and 10,000 control subjects.

Results: Five (26.

AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) executives expand their role in electronic record issues. Interview by Carolyn Dunbar.

Four of the top leaders in the American Health Information Management Association met with Computers in Healthcare, detailing their coalition-building efforts to make the computer-based patient record a reality. They reinforce their belief in the eventual reality of the CPR and its security, and call for sanctions and penalties for those who misappropriate or misuse patient records.

The centromere and promoter factor 1 of yeast contains a dimerisation domain located carboxy-terminal to the bHLH domain.

CPF1 is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein required for optimal centromere function and for maintaining methionine independent growth in yeast. In this work, we show that the region carboxy-terminal to the bHLH domain of CPF1 is essential for CPF1 function in the cell and for dimerisation of CPF1 in solution. The C-terminus of CPF1 contains a potential long amphipathic helix with a hydrophobic face which could provide a suitable protein:protein interface.

Health information management: better care through quality data.

Authors Cassidy, Dowell and Bloomrosen set high goals for health information management professionals as they transform their profession. Their guidelines provide a chart and compass for those striding into the future.

Treatment of intestinal microsporidiosis with albendazole in patients with AIDS.

Objective: To determine the clinical and parasitological response to treatment of intestinal microsporidiosis with albendazole.

Design: Open prospective study.

Setting: Hospital-based HIV/genito-urinary medicine unit.

DNA binding of CPF1 is required for optimal centromere function but not for maintaining methionine prototrophy in yeast.

The centromere and promoter factor 1 (CPF1) binds specifically in vitro and in vivo to an octanucleotide (RTCACRTG). This sequence is found in the centromere DNA element I (CDEI) of yeast centromeres and upstream from a number of transcription units including MET25, GAL2 and TRP1. Inactivation of the CPF1 gene results in three phenotypes; slow growth, a partial loss of centromere function and methionine auxotrophy.

Crossbow injuries.

The crossbow is an uncommon source of fatal injury. In Los Angeles County, two crossbow homicides have occurred in the past 20 years. Following the second case, a crossbow was test-fired into a fresh pork thigh, resulting in distinctive wounds.

Perioperative and long-term prognostic value of intravenous dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

The prognostic value of long-term risk stratification of patients with peripheral vascular disease who undergo intravenous dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy has not been well studied. We screened 131 patients with peripheral vascular disease who underwent intravenous dipyridamole thallium testing to determine cardiac event rates over an average follow-up of 18 +/- 10 months. Of the 131 patients, 111 subsequently had peripheral vascular surgery.

The spectrum of pancreatic pathology in patients with AIDS.

Clinical studies have indicated that pancreatitis is a common cause of morbidity in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In order to assess the morphologic basis of this pancreatic disease, we reviewed 82 autopsies performed on AIDS patients at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Pancreatic lesions were detected in 52 (65%) of these, and could be classified into three broad categories: acinar dilatation by inspissated secretions (24 cases), acute pancreatitis (recent or remote, 18 cases), and opportunistic infections or cancers affecting the pancreas (23 cases).

Using microcomputers to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and accessibility of clinical data.

This article presents a microcomputer system as a solution to achieve timely, accurate and accessible clinical data. The article describes the components of the clinical data system as well as its functionality. The advantages of automated encoders for coding, editing and grouping of clinical data are outlined, as well as the advantages of relational database software for clinical data management.

Duration of the melatonin pulse in the hypothalamus controls testicular function in pinealectomized mice (Peromyscus leucopus).

Forty-four pinealectomized white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were stereotaxically implanted with a guide tube-cannula assembly in the area of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus. Easy insertion and removal of the melatonin-loaded cannula in the basal medial hypothalamus made it possible to examine whether duration of the melatonin pulse at the putative target site controls reproduction in mice. Mice receiving melatonin every day for 10 h during either the day or night underwent gonadal regression within 7 wk, as indexed by substantial decreases in combined testicular weight and seminal vesicle weight.

Pharyngeal colonization with Haemophilus influenzae type b in children in a day care center without invasive disease.

During an 18-month period, monthly pharyngeal cultures for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) were obtained from 66 children and their caretakers in a day care center in which no systemic disease caused by Hib occurred. The average colonization rate for Hib was 10%, and ranged from 0% to 23% for a single month. Infants housed in a separate building with a cohorted staff were not colonized by Hib.