Vertebral heart size and vertebral left atrial size reference ranges in healthy Miniature Schnauzers.

Objective: The inclusion of vertebral heart score (VHS) and, more recently, the inclusion of the vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) in radiographic evaluation have become important screening tools for identifying dogs with occult cardiac disease. Several recent papers have shown there are interbreed variations in the VHS reference range. Our hypothesis is that the Miniature Schnauzer would also have a higher reference range for its VHS.

Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Changes in a Child With Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

Background: Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy results from ischemia of the retrobulbar aspect of the optic nerve. It presents as acute loss of vision without optic disc swelling. This is rare in children, with only seven cases reported to date.

An assessment of the cost-effectiveness, safety of referral and patient satisfaction of a general practice teledermatology service.

Background: In the cost-constrained NHS and in the quest for rapid diagnosis, teledermatology is a tool that can be used within general practice to aid in the diagnosis of benign-looking skin lesions and reduce referrals to secondary care. The setting for the study was a single general practice of 6500 patients in suburban Greater London. The aim of the study was to determine: (1) whether teledermatology in a single general practice is cost-effective, (2) whether the correct types of cases are being referred, and (3) if patients are satisfied with the service.

Abnormal sensory reactivity in preterm infants during the first year correlates with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age.

Background: Sensory experience is the basis for learning in infancy. In older children, abnormal sensory reactivity is associated with behavioural and developmental disorders. We hypothesised that in preterm infants, abnormal sensory reactivity during infancy would be associated with perinatal characteristics and correlate with 2-year neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Rapid HIV testing program implementation: lessons from the emergency department.

Background: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and the World Health Organization (WHO) both recommend HIV testing in health-care settings. However, neither organization provides prescriptive details regarding how these recommendations should be adapted into clinical practice in an emergency department.

Methods: We have implemented an HIV-testing program in the ED of a major academic medical center within the scope of the Universal Screening for HIV Infection in the Emergency Room (USHER) Trial-a randomized clinical trial evaluating the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of HIV screening in this setting.

Driving quality improvement in local public health practice.

Objectives: To understand what tools, resources, and assistance are needed for local health departments (LHDs) to successfully engage in quality improvement (QI) and to generate examples of successful QI efforts.

Methods: With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Association of County & City Health Officials supported 66 LHD demonstration sites between 2007 and 2009. The sites measured themselves against national standards and addressed priority areas for improvement through the application of QI techniques.

Quality improvement in local health departments: progress, pitfalls, and potential.

Objectives: To assess the current deployment of quality improvement (QI) approaches within local health departments (LHDs) and gain a better understanding of the depth and intensity of QI activities.

Methods: A mixed quantitative and qualitative approach was employed to determine the current status of QI utilization within LHDs. All respondents from the 2005 NACCHO Profile QI module questionnaire who indicated that their LHD was involved in some kind of QI activity received a follow-up Web-based survey in 2007.

The relationship between dry eye symptoms and lipid layer thickness.

Purpose: (1) To investigate the relationship between dry eye symptoms and lipid layer thickness (LLT) in patients presenting for routine eye examination and (2) to consider the practicality of interferometry in a clinical practice.

Methods: Patients presenting consecutively for routine eye examinations were recruited (n = 137, age range = 18-60 years, mean = 41.7 +/- 15.

Revising expectations from rapid HIV tests in the emergency department.

Background: Expanded HIV screening efforts in the United States have increased the use of rapid HIV tests in emergency departments. The reported sensitivity and specificity of rapid HIV tests exceed 99%.

Objective: To assess whether a reactive rapid oral HIV test result correctly identifies adults with HIV infection in the emergency department.

Inner eyelid surface temperature as a function of warm compress methodology.

Purpose: To (1) determine an optimal method of warm compress (WC) application to maximize heating meibomian glands in minimal time, (2) determine the maximum inner eyelid temperature achievable during 30 min of routine WC application, (3) examine the cooling curve for 10 min after WCs have been discontinued.

Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three WC methodologies. Group A (GrA), (n = 10): 15 min WC application without reheating.

Warm compress induced visual degradation and Fischer-Schweitzer polygonal reflex.

Purpose: To document adverse visual effects of warm compress therapy and determine potential etiologies in subjects with dry eye symptoms.

Methods: Subjects (n = 24) with dry eye symptoms were recruited. Group 1 (n = 13): baseline measurements for each eye included subjective blur, visual acuity (VA), autorefraction (AR), corneal topography (CT), central corneal curvature (CCC), lipid layer thickness (LLT), and evaluation for corneal striae and edema.