Fatal adenovirus encephalomyeloradiculitis in an umbilical cord stem cell transplant recipient.

Adenovirus infections frequently complicate allogeneic stem cell transplants but nervous system involvement, usually presenting as encephalitis, is atypical. Progression from encephalitis to myeloradiculitis has not been described previously. We present a unique case of fatal adenoviral encephalomyeloradiculitis with imaging and pathologic correlates.

Screening for substance abuse and diversion in Virginia hospices.

Background: Although inadequate treatment of pain is a problem for hospice patients, increases in the medical use of opioids have been accompanied by increasing levels of abuse and diversion in the community. Balancing pain relief with concerns about abuse and diversion is a difficult issue for hospices.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine policies and practices in Virginia hospices regarding substance abuse and diversion in patients and their families.

Context matters: female aggression and testosterone in a year-round territorial neotropical songbird (Thryothorus leucotis).

Testosterone promotes aggressive behaviour in male vertebrates during the breeding season, but the importance of testosterone in female aggression remains unclear. Testosterone has both beneficial and detrimental effects on behaviour and physiology, prompting the hypothesis that selection favours an association between aggression and testosterone only in certain contexts in which intense or persistent aggression may be beneficial. We tested this hypothesis in a year-round territorial female buff-breasted wrens (Thryothorus leucotis), by exposing free-living females to experimental intrusions in different social (either single female or male, or paired decoys) and seasonal (pre-breeding or breeding) contexts.