Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in a Child Receiving Chronic Hemodialysis.

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) occurs due to hypoperfusion of the optic nerve and is a rare complication in patients receiving maintenance dialysis. To date, AION has only been reported in 22 children, all of whom were receiving peritoneal dialysis. We report the first case of AION in a 2-year 11-month-old child receiving chronic hemodialysis secondary to polycystic kidney disease from a phosphomannomutase 2 gene mutation.

The sensitivity and specificity of platelet autoantibody testing in immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of a diagnostic test.

Essentials The diagnosis of ITP is based on a platelet count < 100 × 10  L and exclusion of other causes. There are no standard tests or biomarkers to diagnose ITP. The sensitivity of platelet autoantibody testing is low (53%).

Application of 21-gene recurrence score results and ASTRO suitability criteria in breast cancer patients treated with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT).

Background: American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) suitability criteria for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) and the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) were evaluated for prognostic and predictive benefit in IORT patients.

Methods: Outcomes of 184 patients completing IRB approved IORT protocol were retrospectively reviewed. Data included demographics, histopathology, RS, adjuvant therapy, locoregional (LRR) and distant recurrences (DR), and breast cancer-specific survival.

An analysis of patient compliance with nurse recommendations from an after-hours call center.

Objectives: To demographically and clinically describe the callers who use an after-hours call center (AHCC); to estimate the level of patient satisfaction with the AHCC; to determine caller compliance with the AHCC nurse's recommendation; and to examine the relationship between compliance and selected demographic and clinical characteristics, including caller satisfaction.

Study Design: A prospective, quasi-experimental telephone survey.

Patients And Methods: Randomly selected callers (n = 427) to an AHCC were surveyed by telephone to determine their satisfaction with the services provided and their compliance with the AHCC nurse's recommendation.

Cloning and characterisation of mmc-1, a microfilarial-specific gene, from Brugia pahangi.

Nine differentially expressed genes were cloned from Brugia pahangi in a screen which sought to identify cDNAs that were differentially expressed between the microfilariae from the mammalian host and the mosquito vector. One gene (mmc-1), that was up-regulated in mammalian-derived microfilariae, was characterised in detail. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that mmc-1 was specific to the microfilarial stage of the life cycle and was not transcribed by developing microfilariae in utero, but only following the release of the microfilariae from the adult female.