Functional MRI of sensory motor cortex: comparison between finger-to-thumb and hand squeeze tasks.

Background: An important imaging technique that has advanced decision-making for noninvasive preoperative evaluation is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Preoperative fMRI imaging based on blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) fMRI is routinely used to map a variety of eloquent cortex brain functions such as language, visual, and sensory-motor regions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the regional volumes of sensory and motor cortex (SMC) activation by two widely used fMRI motor tasks: a simple hand squeeze (HS) versus a more complex finger-to-thumb (FTT) opposition.

Does obesity affect the vaginal hysterectomy outcomes?

Objective: To evaluate the effects of obesity on the perioperative outcomes in women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy.

Study Design: In this retrospective cohort study of all women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy for benign disorders at Temple University from January 1997 to December 2002, perioperative indices were compared between 149 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) and 175 non-obese women (BMI < 30 kg/m(2)).

Results: The groups were similar with respect to age, parity, uterine weight, race, surgical indication, and previous pelvic surgery.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in migraine.

Objective: To evaluate the relative frequency of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in episodic migraine (EM) and chronic daily headache (CDH) sufferers and the impact on headache-related disability.

Background: Approximately 8% of the population is estimated to have PTSD. Recent studies suggest a higher frequency of PTSD in headache disorders.

Access impediments to health care and social services between Anglophone and Francophone African immigrants living in Philadelphia with respect to HIV/AIDS.

Objectives: To describe the social and cultural differences between Anglophone and Francophone African immigrants which define the impediments that Francophone African immigrants face trying to access health and human services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Methods: Surveys and personal interviews were administered to participants in social events, community meetings, and health centers. A Chi-squared analysis was used to contrast the communities.

Skin-impedance in Fabry Disease: a prospective, controlled, non-randomized clinical study.

Background: We previously demonstrated improved sweating after enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in Fabry disease using the thermo-regularity sweat and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex tests. Skin-impedance, a measure skin-moisture (sweating), has been used in the clinical evaluation of burns and pressure ulcers using the portable dynamic dermal impedance monitor (DDIM) system.

Methods: We compared skin impedance measurements in hemizygous patients with Fabry disease (22 post 3-years of bi-weekly ERT and 5 ERT naive) and 22 healthy controls.

Decreased scholastic achievement in overweight middle school students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether overweight students achieved a lower relative degree of scholastic achievement compared to nonoverweight students. Subjects consisted of 6th and 7th grade students enrolled in a large public middle school in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We compared grade point averages (GPAs), nationally standardized reading scores, school detentions, school suspensions, school attendance, tardiness to school, physical fitness test scores, and participation on school athletic teams among nonoverweight, at risk for overweight, and overweight students.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in episodic and chronic migraine.

Objective: To assess and contrast the relative frequency of self-reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with episodic migraine and chronic/ transformed migraine.

Background: Several risk factors have been identified as risk factors for chronification of headache disorders. Childhood abuse has been suggested as a risk factor for chronic pain in adulthood.

Can we use a catheter to do the q-tip test?

Objective: To compare two commonly used modifications to the standard Q-tip test for urethral hypermobility: catheter alone and catheter with Q-tip.

Methods: All women referred for the evaluation of urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse were included in the study. A postvoid residual urine was collected on each patient and the angle of the urethra with the horizontal plane was measured at rest and with Valsalva with the Q-tip, catheter alone, and catheter with Q-tip.

An analysis of cluster headache information provided on internet websites.

Objective: To evaluate the quality of websites providing cluster headache information for patients and healthcare providers.

Background: The Internet has become an increasingly important source of healthcare information. However, limited data exist regarding the quality of websites providing headache information.

A retrospective, comparative study on the frequency of abuse in migraine and chronic daily headache.

Objective: To assess and contrast the relative frequency of a past history of physical and/or sexual abuse in patients with chronic daily headache (CDH) versus migraine.

Background: A number of risk factors have been identified as risk factors for chronification of headache disorders. Limited data exist regarding the influence of physical and/or sexual abuse on primary headache disorders.

Healthcare costs and long-term outcomes after acute respiratory distress syndrome: A phase III trial of inhaled nitric oxide.

Objective: To determine the costs and long-term outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in previously healthy adults. To determine whether treatment with inhaled nitric oxide affects these costs and outcomes.

Design: One-year follow-up of a randomized trial of inhaled nitric oxide.

How does lack of insurance affect use of intensive care? A population-based study.

Objective: One in six Americans aged <65 yrs are without health insurance. Although lack of insurance is associated with reduced access to many health services, the relationship between lack of insurance and use of intensive care services is unclear. We sought to compare the use of intensive care by insured and uninsured populations.

The epidemiology of severe sepsis in children in the United States.

Despite extensive research into the etiology and treatment of severe sepsis, little is known about its epidemiology in children. We sought to determine the age- and sex-adjusted incidence, outcome, and associated hospital costs of severe sepsis in United States children using 1995 hospital discharge and population data from seven states (24% of the United States population). Of 1,586,253 hospitalizations in children who were 19 years old or less, 9,675 met International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, clinical modification-based severe sepsis criteria or 42,364 cases of pediatric severe sepsis per year nationally (0.