Association of body mass index and waist circumference with subclinical atherosclerosis in retired NFL players.

Objectives: It is unknown which measure of adiposity (body mass index [BMI] or waist circumference [WC]) is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in retired National Football League (NFL) players and whether this relation is attenuated after adjusting for components of the metabolic syndrome (elevated triglycerides, fasting glucose, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C]) that frequently coexist with obesity.

Methods: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) was measured in 926 retired NFL players. BMI was calculated as weight (in kilograms)/height (in meters)(2) and WC was measured in inches.

The current and future landscape of urinary thromboxane testing to evaluate atherothrombotic risk.

Biomarker testing for efficacy of therapy is an accepted way for clinicians to individualize dosing to genetic and/or environmental factors that may be influencing a treatment regimen. Aspirin is used by nearly 43 million Americans on a regular basis to reduce risks associated with various atherothrombotic diseases. Despite its widespread use, many clinicians are unaware of the link between suboptimal response to aspirin therapy and increased risk for inferior clinical outcomes in several disease states, and biomarker testing for efficacy of aspirin therapy is not performed as routinely as efficacy testing in other therapeutic areas.

Intraoperative relationship of the spinal accessory nerve to the internal jugular vein: variation from cadaver studies.

Purpose: Conflicting locations of the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) with respect to the internal jugular vein (IJV) are reported in the literature and anatomy texts. The objective of this study is to analyze this anatomic relationship specifically at the level of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle where it is encountered most often during surgery.

Material And Methods: This study is a case series with planned chart review of all operative reports for neck dissections/explorations performed between June 2002 to June 2008 at an academic tertiary care referral center.

Association between traditional cholesterol parameters, lipoprotein particle concentration, novel biomarkers and carotid plaques in retired National Football League players.

Objectives: We assessed whether low-density lipoprotein particle concentration (LDL-P) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] can identify subclinical atherosclerosis better than traditional cholesterol parameters in retired National Football League (NFL) players.

Background: It is not known whether LDL-P and the biomarker hs-CRP can identify subclinical atherosclerosis better than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in retired NFL players, given high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in these players.

Methods: Carotid artery plaque screening was performed with traditional lipids, LDL-P, and hs-CRP in 996 retired players.

Improved function of prototype 4.3-mm Medtronic Quadcut microdebrider blade over standard 4.0-mm Medtronic Tricut microdebrider blade.

Objective: Test performance of a new prototype microdebrider blade. The commercially-available, standard 4.0-mm Medtronic straight Tricut blade was tested against the new, prototype 4.

Antibiotic resistance and otomycosis in the draining ear: culture results by diagnosis.

Objective: The objective of the study was to better define changes in the bacteriology of suppurative otitis in recent years and the role of cultures in the management of these patients.

Study Design: A retrospective review was performed.

Methods: Outpatient records from 170 patients collected over 3 years with information regarding the bacteria cultured, antibiotic resistance, and clinical diagnosis were analyzed.

A theory of leadership in human cooperative groups.

Two types of models aim to account the origins of rank differentiation and social hierarchy in human societies. Conflict models suggest that the formation of social hierarchies is synonymous with the establishment of relationships of coercive social dominance and exploitation. Voluntary or 'integrative' models, on the other hand, suggest that rank differentiation--the differentiation of leader from follower, ruler from ruled, or state from subject--may sometimes be preferred over more egalitarian social arrangements as a solution to the challenges of life in social groups, such as conflict over resources, coordination failures, and free-riding in cooperative relationships.

Management of failed instability surgery: how to get it right the next time.

Traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations are the most frequent type of joint dislocation and affect approximately 1.7% of the general population. The literature supports the consideration of primary stabilization in high-risk patients because of reported recurrences as high as 80% to 90% with nonoperative treatment regimens.

First-time anterior shoulder dislocations: has the standard changed?

The traditional treatment of a first-time anterior shoulder dislocation of reduction and a period of immobilisation should be challenged. The purpose of this review is to assimilate and present the current literature on acute anterior shoulder instability. This involves consideration of the pathoanatomy, natural history and the more recent evaluation of treatment outcomes, which appropriately incorporate quality of life measures in addition to recurrences.

Patellar resurfacing compared with nonresurfacing in total knee arthroplasty. A concise follow-up of a randomized trial.

Patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty remains controversial. This study compared the long-term clinical outcomes of total knee arthroplasties performed with and without the patella resurfaced and is an update of a previous report. Eighty-six patients (118 knees) underwent primary total knee replacement and were randomized into two groups: those treated with and those treated without resurfacing of the patella.

A prospective randomized clinical trial of patellar resurfacing and nonresurfacing in bilateral TKA.

Unlabelled: We conducted a randomized clinical trial to determine long-term outcome differences of patella resurfacing versus nonresurfacing in patients undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty. We questioned whether there were differences with respect to the operative procedure, anterior knee pain, Knee Society scores, patellofemoral-related revision rates, patient satisfaction and preference, and patellofemoral functional activities. Thirty-two patients (64 knees) underwent primary bilateral single-stage total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.

The predictive accuracy of pre-adoption video review in adoptees from Russian and Eastern European orphanages.

Many internationally adopted children have a pre-adoption video for prospective adoptive parents to review before their commitment to adopt. No published report to date has examined the value of the pre-adoption video evaluation (PreAVE) as a predictor of post-adoption developmental status. The present study was designed to determine whether PreAVE can predict the post-adoption developmental status of internationally adopted children.

Evaluating the impact of stress on systemic disease: the MOST protocol in primary care.

Mental stress has an enormous impact on physical health. This impact commonly manifests as headache, muscle tension, acne, peptic ulcer disease, or a compromised immune system. Stress is also associated with more serious adverse effects, such as cardiovascular disease and exacerbations of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Reduction of noise-induced hearing loss using L-NAC and salicylate in the chinchilla.

The effects of a combination of two antioxidant compounds were studied in a chinchilla model of noise-induced hearing loss. After obtaining baseline hearing thresholds using inferior colliculus evoked potentials, chinchillas were exposed for 6 h to octave band noise centered at 4 kHz (105 dB SPL). Post-noise thresholds were obtained 1 h after the noise exposure, and then animals received either saline or salicylate and N-L-acetylcysteine combination.

Antibodies to granulocytic ehrlichiae in white-footed and cotton mice in eastern United States.

Serum samples, collected from Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed mouse) or Peromyscus gossypinus (cotton mouse) during 1987 through 1990 in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, and North Carolina (USA), and in 1997 in southern Connecticut were analyzed by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) staining methods or Western blot procedures for antibodies to granulocytic ehrlichiae. Of the 82 sera from white-footed mice in Connecticut tested by IFA methods with either the BDS or NCH-1 strain of the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent, 45 (55%) and 42 (51%) of the samples contained antibodies to these strains, respectively, at concentrations ranging from 1:80 to 1:2560. One (2%) of 43 sera from P.

A selective Pt-CdS photodiode to monitor erythemal flux.

The design and potential benefit of a solar ultraviolet (UV) radiometer reporting a maximum instantaneous flux of erythemally weighted heterogeneous energy is considered. The proposed device is electronically peak detecting; the user would ideally 'point and paint' the sun to find a localized maximum. A projected exposure time can be calculated from an instantaneous reading of erythemally weighted flux for a given minimal erythemal dose (MED) specified by the user.

The evolution of magnanimity : When is it better to give than to receive?

Conspicuous consumption associated with status reinforcement behavior can be explained in terms of costly signaling, or strategic handicap theory, first articulated by Zahavi and later formalized by Grafen. A theory is introduced which suggests that the evolutionary raison d'être of status reinforcement behavior lies not only in its effects on lifetime reproductive success, but in its positive effects on the probability of survival through infrequent, unpredictable demographic bottlenecks. Under some circumstances, such "wasteful" displays may take the form of displays of altruistic behavior and generosity on the part of high status individuals, in that is signals the ability to bear the short-term costs of being generous or "cooperative," while at the same time reinforcing the long-term benefits of higher status.

Upper respiratory tract disease and mycoplasmosis in desert tortoises from Nevada.

A population of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at Yucca Mountain (Nevada, USA) was monitored during four sampling periods using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to determine the percentage of individuals that had been exposed to Mycoplasma agassizii, a causative agent of upper respiratory tract disease. Respiratory tract disease has been considered a significant factor in the decline of desert tortoise populations in the Mojave Desert (USA). Few differences between sexes in ELISA values or percentages testing positive were noted.

Satisfaction, motivation, and commitment of senior medical record administration and medical technology students.

This study refined an existing Allied Health Career Attitude Scale (AHCAS) and measured the attitudes of a nationwide sample of students in medical record administration and medical technology. A survey of seniors enrolled in 35 medical record administration and 37 medical technology programs was conducted with 756 usable student responses. The 39-item questionnaire was used to measure the satisfaction of seniors with their career choice, motivation to participate in professional organizations, and career outlook.

A Macintosh computer system for collecting and analyzing rodent sexual behavior.

We present a Macintosh-based computer system for collection and analysis of rodent sexual behavior. Two computer programs are presented. The first is an entirely generalizable real time data collection program that records any keyboard or keypad inputs (e.

Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in rodents in the eastern and southern United States.

Serologic studies were conducted to determine whether white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus) contained serum antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays detected antibodies to this spirochete in 35.7 and 27.