Pressure Pain Sensitivity is Independent of Structural Pathology in Patients with Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Objective: To compare localized (primary) and widespread (secondary) hyperalgesia using pressure pain threshold (PPT) of patients with normal imaging findings, rotator cuff tear, or other pathologies.

Design: This was a cross-sectional design with data collected at a single time point.

Setting: This study was performed at two large, urban, academic medical centers.

Preparedness and response of assisted living facilities toward COVID-19 infection control in Houston, Texas, USA.

Background: Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) including assisted living facilities (ALFs) are hubs for high transmission and poor prognosis of COVID-19 among the residents who are more susceptible due to old age and comorbidities.

Aim: Houston Health Department conducted assessments of ALFs within the City of Houston to determine preparedness and existing preventive measures at the facilities.

Methods: Onsite assessments were conducted at ALFs using a modified CDC Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) Tool.

Comparison of young male mice of two different strains (C57BL/6J and the hybrid B6129SF1/J) in selected behavior tests: a small scale study.

Background: All mouse strains are different, before choosing a strain for a large study, a small scale study should be done. In this study, we compared young males of two mouse strains, C57BL/6J and the hybrid B6129SF1/J, and gained knowledge on their performance in three different behavioral tests; open field (OF) test, Barnes maze (BM) test and a restraint stress test.

Results: We found that the young males of the C57BL/6J strain spent more time moving in the OF.

Efficacy of contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation compared to cyclic neuromuscular electrical stimulation and task-oriented training for recovery of hand function after stroke: study protocol for a multi-site randomized controlled trial.

Background: Multi-site studies in stroke rehabilitation are important for determining whether a technology and/or treatment can be successfully administered by sites other than the originating site and with similar positive outcomes. This study is the first multi-site clinical trial of a novel intervention for post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation called contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES). Previous pilot and single-site studies showed positive effects of CCFES on upper limb impairment and hand dexterity in stroke survivors.

Maternal exposure to a human based mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) affect gene expression related to brain function in mice offspring hippocampus.

Male and female mice pups were exposed to a low and high dose of a human relevant mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) during pregnancy and lactation. Most compounds detected in the dams were found in offspring brains. The mice offspring exhibited changed expression of hippocampal genes involved in cognitive function (Adora2a, Auts2, Crlf1, Chrnb2, Gdnf, Gnal, Kcnh3), neuroinflammation (Cd47, Il1a), circadian rhythm (Per1, Clock), redox signalling (Hmox2) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation (Cyp1b1).

The protocol for a multisite, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of axillary nerve stimulation for chronic shoulder pain.

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, accounting for approximately 30% of all shoulder pain. Approximately 35% of patients with shoulder impingement syndrome are refractory to conservative treatment. For patients who fail conservative treatment, there is no established treatment to successfully treat their chronic pain.

Production of tetravalent dengue virus envelope protein domain III based antigens in lettuce chloroplasts and immunologic analysis for future oral vaccine development.

Dengue fever is a mosquito (Aedes aegypti) -transmitted viral disease that is endemic in more than 125 countries around the world. There are four serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV 1-4) and a safe and effective dengue vaccine must provide protection against all four serotypes. To date, the first vaccine, Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV), is available after many decades' efforts, but only has moderate efficacy.

Convergent Validity and Responsiveness of the SULCS.

Objective: To evaluate the convergent validity and responsiveness of the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS) in comparison to the Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT), the Box and Blocks Test (BBT), and the upper limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). The SULCS is a relatively new measure that was designed to be easier to score and less time consuming than some existing measures.

Design: Prospective repeated-measures design.

A human exposure based mixture of persistent organic pollutants affects the stress response in female mice and their offspring.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are found in the food chain of both humans and animals and exert a wide spectrum of potentially adverse effects. The present experiment aimed to investigate whether a defined mixture of 29 POPs, based on the dietary intake of Scandinavians, could affect the stress response in female mice exposed through ingestion, and in their offspring. Female mice 129:C57BL/6F0 hybrids were exposed from weaning, throughout pregnancy, and up until necropsy, to either 5000 × or 100 000 × the estimated daily intake for Scandinavians.

PREPARE: guidelines for planning animal research and testing.

There is widespread concern about the quality, reproducibility and translatability of studies involving research animals. Although there are a number of reporting guidelines available, there is very little overarching guidance on how to plan animal experiments, despite the fact that this is the logical place to start ensuring quality. In this paper we present the PREPARE guidelines: Planning Research and Experimental Procedures on Animals: Recommendations for Excellence.

[Medical tourism and its implications for patients and hospital services throughout the world].

This article provides a snapshot of global medical tourism and its positive and negative implications for healthcare around the world presented through selected examples. Medical tourism is an old phenomenon which has seen a rapid increase due to global technological advances thus enabling people to receive treatment anywhere in the world, often combined with a tropical vacation. Treatments are of a non-acute, voluntary nature and are driven largely by high prices and long waiting lists at the home countries and low prices and high service quality at the destination country.

The utility of a "trauma 1 OP" activation at a level 1 pediatric trauma center.

Purpose: To expedite flow of injured children suspected to require operative intervention, a "trauma 1 OP" (T1OP) activation classification was created. The purpose of this study was to review this strategy at a level 1 pediatric trauma center.

Methods: A retrospective review of T1OP activations between 2003 and 2015 was performed.

Factors Associated with Time to Arrival at a Regional Pediatric Trauma Center.

Objective: The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that the prehospital time between injury and arrival at a trauma center for critically injured children is associated with patient injury severity and mode of transport.

Methods: Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data on children 0-17 years of age admitted with traumatic injuries to a designated Level I pediatric trauma center from January 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007 was conducted. Multivariate regression methods were used to assess for factors independently associated with prehospital time.

Contrast blush in pediatric blunt splenic trauma does not warrant the routine use of angiography and embolization.

Background: Splenic artery embolization (SAE) in the presence of contrast blush (CB) has been recommended to reduce the failure rate of nonoperative management. We hypothesized that the presence of CB on computed tomography has minimal impact on patient outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all children (<18 years) with blunt splenic trauma over a 10-year period at a level 1 pediatric trauma center.

Vascular injury is associated with increased mortality in winter sports trauma.

Background: Trauma is the leading cause of injury and death for individuals aged 1-44 years. Up to 8% of the US population participates in winter sports, and although vascular injuries are uncommon in these activities, little is published in this area. We sought to identify the incidence, injury patterns, and outcomes of vascular injuries resulting from winter sports trauma.

Infant car safety seats and risk of head injury.

Background/purpose: We observed a high incidence of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in properly restrained infants involved in higher speed motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). We hypothesized that car safety seats are inadequately protecting infants from TBI.

Methods: We retrospectively queried scene crash data from our State Department of Transportation (2007-2011) and State Department of Public Health data (2000-2011) regarding infants who presented to a trauma center after MVC.

Contralaterally controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation for recovery of ankle dorsiflexion: a pilot randomized controlled trial in patients with chronic post-stroke hemiplegia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of contralaterally controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation (CCNMES) vs. cyclic neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on lower extremity impairment, functional ambulation, and gait characteristics.

Design: Twenty-six survivors of stroke with chronic (≥6 mos) foot drop during ambulation were randomly assigned to 6 wks of CCNMES or cyclic NMES.

Does participation in preventive child health care at the general practitioner minimise social differences in the use of specialist care outside the hospital system?

Introduction: The primary purposes of preventive child health care in Denmark are to help ensure a healthy childhood and to create preconditions for a healthy adult life. The aim of this study is to examine whether participation in age-appropriate preventative child health care affects the association between the socioeconomic position of the family and subsequent use of specialised health care outside the hospital system.

Methods: The study population was children born in 1999 and living in Denmark between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2006 (n=68,366).

Source of admission and outcomes for critically injured children in the mountain states.

Objective: To determine whether mortality and length of stay at a pediatric trauma center differ between patients admitted by interhospital transfer and those admitted directly from the injury scene.

Design: Analysis of prospectively collected data from a pediatric trauma center database.

Setting: A designated regional level I pediatric trauma center.

Utility of a cervical spine clearance protocol after trauma in children between 0 and 3 years of age.

Object: Cervical spine clearance after trauma in children 0-3 years of age is deceptively difficult. Young children may not be able to communicate effectively, and severe injuries may require intubation and sedation. Currently, no published guidelines are available to aid in decision-making in these complex situations.

Early resuscitation of children with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in children. Guidelines have been established to prevent secondary brain injury caused by hypotension or hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence, monitoring, and treatment of hypotension and hypoxia during "early" (prehospital and emergency department) care and to evaluate their relationship to vital status and neurologic outcomes at hospital discharge.

The effect of family presence on the efficiency of pediatric trauma resuscitations.

Study Objective: Family presence has broad professional organizational support and is gaining acceptance. We seek to determine whether family presence prolonged pediatric trauma team resuscitations as measured by time from emergency department arrival to computed tomographic (CT) scan, and to resuscitation completion.

Methods: A prospective trial offered families of pediatric trauma patients family presence on even days and no family presence on odd days.

Outcomes after decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury in children.

Object: Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often accompanied by early death due to transtentorial herniation. Decompressive craniectomy, performed alone or in conjunction with evacuation of the mass lesion, can reduce the incidence of raised intracranial pressure (ICP). In this paper the authors evaluate mortality and morbidity and long-term outcomes in children who underwent decompressive craniectomy for severe TBI at a single institution.