Precision insertion of percutaneous sacroiliac screws using a novel augmented reality-based navigation system: a pilot study.

Purpose: Augmented reality (AR) enables superimposition of virtual images onto the real world. The aim of this study is to present a novel AR-based navigation system for sacroiliac screw insertion and to evaluate its feasibility and accuracy in cadaveric experiments.

Methods: Six cadavers with intact pelvises were employed in our study.

2015 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To develop a new evidence-based, pharmacologic treatment guideline for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We conducted systematic reviews to synthesize the evidence for the benefits and harms of various treatment options. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to rate the quality of evidence.

2015 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To develop a new evidence-based, pharmacologic treatment guideline for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We conducted systematic reviews to synthesize the evidence for the benefits and harms of various treatment options. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to rate the quality of evidence.

X-ray specks: low dose in vivo imaging of lung structure and function.

Respiratory health is directly linked to the structural and mechanical properties of the airways of the lungs. For studying respiratory development and pathology, the ability to quantitatively measure airway dimensions and changes in their size during respiration is highly desirable. Real-time imaging of the terminal airways with sufficient contrast and resolution during respiration is currently not possible.

OMERACT Filter Evidence Supporting the Measurement of At-work Productivity Loss as an Outcome Measure in Rheumatology Research.

Objective: Indicators of work role functioning (being at work, and being productive while at work) are important outcomes for persons with arthritis. As the worker productivity working group at OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology), we sought to provide an evidence base for consensus on standardized instruments to measure worker productivity [both absenteeism and at-work productivity (presenteeism) as well as critical contextual factors].

Methods: Literature reviews and primary studies were done and reported to the OMERACT 12 (2014) meeting to build the OMERACT Filter 2.

Vitamin D and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Observational studies have demonstrated an association between decreased vitamin D level and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS); however, it remains unclear whether this relationship is causal. We undertook a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to evaluate whether genetically lowered vitamin D level influences the risk of MS.

Methods And Findings: We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) level from SUNLIGHT, the largest (n = 33,996) genome-wide association study to date for vitamin D.

Ménière's Syndrome or Disease: Time Trends in Management and Quality of Evidence Over the Last Two Decades.

Objective: To evaluate the evidence and trends in published literature on the treatment of Ménière's syndrome or disease (MS/D) by comparing studies published in the last two decades.

Data Sources: A literature search was performed on AMED, EMBASE, HMIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, BNI, CINAHL, HEALTH BUSINESS ELITE, CENTRAL and Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat disorders groups trials register using a combination of MeSH. The date of last search was October 2014.

Sub-Nyquist field trial using time frequency packed DP-QPSK super-channel within fixed ITU-T grid.

Sub-Nyquist time frequency packing technique was demonstrated for the first time in a super-channel field trial transmission over long-haul distances. The technique allows a limited spectral occupancy even with low order modulation formats. The transmission was successfully performed on a deployed Australian link between Sydney and Melbourne which included 995 km of uncompensated SMF with coexistent traffic.

A Mendelian randomization study of the effect of type-2 diabetes on coronary heart disease.

In observational studies, type-2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), yet interventional trials have shown no clear effect of glucose-lowering on CHD. Confounding may have therefore influenced these observational estimates. Here we use Mendelian randomization to obtain unconfounded estimates of the influence of T2D and fasting glucose (FG) on CHD risk.

Official American Thoracic Society technical standards: flexible airway endoscopy in children.

Background: Flexible airway endoscopy (FAE) is an accepted and frequently performed procedure in the evaluation of children with known or suspected airway and lung parenchymal disorders. However, published technical standards on how to perform FAE in children are lacking.

Methods: The American Thoracic Society (ATS) approved the formation of a multidisciplinary committee to delineate technical standards for performing FAE in children.

Recommendations for the Involvement of Patient Research Partners (PRP) in OMERACT Working Groups. A Report from the OMERACT 2014 Working Group on PRP.

Objective: Patient participation in research is increasing; however, practical guidelines to enhance this participation are lacking. Specifically within the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) organization, although patients have participated in OMERACT meetings since 2002, consensus about the procedures for involving patients in working groups has not been formalized. The objective is to develop a set of recommendations regarding patient research partner (PRP) involvement in research working groups.

BOLD fMRI study of ultrahigh frequency encoding in the inferior colliculus.

Many vertebrates communicate with ultrahigh frequency (UHF) vocalizations to limit auditory detection by predators. The mechanisms underlying the neural encoding of such UHF sounds may provide important insights for understanding neural processing of other complex sounds (e.g.

Enhancing the antibacterial effect of 461 and 521 nm light emitting diodes on selected foodborne pathogens in trypticase soy broth by acidic and alkaline pH conditions.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) with their antibacterial effect present a novel method for food preservation. This effect may be influenced by environmental conditions such as the pH of the food contaminated by the pathogen. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the influence of pH on the antibacterial effect of LEDs before their application to real food matrices.

More than Just Minutes of Stiffness in the Morning: Report from the OMERACT Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare Group Stiffness Breakout Sessions.

Objective: Stiffness was endorsed within the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flare core domain set at the previous Outcome Measures in Rheumatology meeting (OMERACT 11). Two stiffness breakout groups at the present OMERACT 12 RA flare workshop discussed results of new qualitative studies in RA stiffness.

Methods: Results from 2 independent studies of RA stiffness were presented to breakout group participants, followed by group discussions about stiffness measurement.

Feasibility and Domain Validation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Flare Core Domain Set: Report of the OMERACT 2014 RA Flare Group Plenary.

Objective: The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Flare Group was established to develop an approach to identify and measure RA flares. An overview of our OMERACT 2014 plenary is provided.

Methods: Feasibility and validity of flare domains endorsed at OMERACT 11 (2012) were described based on initial data from 3 international studies collected using a common set of questions specific to RA flare.

Immune mediated conditions in autism spectrum disorders.

We conducted a case-control study among members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) born between 1980 and 2003 to determine the prevalence of immune-mediated conditions in individuals with autism, investigate whether these conditions occur more often than expected, and explore the timing of onset relative to autism diagnosis. Cases were children and young adults with at least two autism diagnoses recorded in outpatient records (n=5565). Controls were children without autism randomly sampled at a ratio of 5 to 1, matched to cases on birth year, sex, and length of KPNC membership (n=27,825).

Low-frequency and rare exome chip variants associate with fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes susceptibility.

Fasting glucose and insulin are intermediate traits for type 2 diabetes. Here we explore the role of coding variation on these traits by analysis of variants on the HumanExome BeadChip in 60,564 non-diabetic individuals and in 16,491 T2D cases and 81,877 controls. We identify a novel association of a low-frequency nonsynonymous SNV in GLP1R (A316T; rs10305492; MAF=1.

Patient-centered priorities for improving medication management and adherence.

Objective: The Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics convened a workshop to examine the scientific evidence on medication adherence interventions from the patient-centered perspective and to explore the potential of patient-centered medication management to improve chronic disease treatment.

Methods: Patients, providers, researchers, and other stakeholders (N = 28) identified and prioritized ideas for future research and practice. We analyzed stakeholder voting on priorities and reviewed themes in workshop discussions.

Real-time measurement of alveolar size and population using phase contrast x-ray imaging.

Herein a propagation-based phase contrast x-ray imaging technique for measuring particle size and number is presented. This is achieved with an algorithm that utilizes the Fourier space signature of the speckle pattern associated with the images of particles. We validate this algorithm using soda-lime glass particles, demonstrating its effectiveness on random and non-randomly packed particles.

The causal effect of vitamin D binding protein (DBP) levels on calcemic and cardiometabolic diseases: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies have shown that vitamin D binding protein (DBP) levels, a key determinant of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) levels, and 25OHD levels themselves both associate with risk of disease. If 25OHD levels have a causal influence on disease, and DBP lies in this causal pathway, then DBP levels should likewise be causally associated with disease. We undertook a Mendelian randomization study to determine whether DBP levels have causal effects on common calcemic and cardiometabolic disease.

A morphometric study of normal and varus knees.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate varus and normal knee morphologies to identify differences that may affect knee replacement alignment or design for varus knees.

Methods: Computed tomography scans of varus and normal knees were analyzed, and geometric shapes, points and axes were fit to the femur and tibia independently. These points were then projected in the three anatomical planes to measure the variations between the two groups.

Weight gain after orthotopic liver transplantation: is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cirrhosis a risk factor for greater weight gain?

Posttransplant weight gain is common after orthotopic liver transplantation. We sought to determine the extent of weight gain at 5 years after transplantation in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cirrhosis versus patients with other types of cirrhosis (non-NAFLD). We studied 126 liver transplants performed between 2005 and 2007 at Saint Luc Hospital, University of Montreal.

Group-based activities with on-site childcare and online support improve glucose tolerance in women within 5 years of gestational diabetes pregnancy.

Background: Women with gestational diabetes history are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. They face specific challenges for behavioural changes, including childcare responsibilities. The aim of this study is to test a tailored type 2 diabetes prevention intervention in women within 5 years of a pregnancy with gestational diabetes, in terms of effects on weight and cardiometabolic risk factors.