Role of body mass index in school-aged children with lower urinary tract dysfunction: Does weight classification predict treatment outcome?

Introduction: Lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction comprises a large percentage of pediatric urology referrals. Childhood obesity is a major health concern, and has been associated with voiding symptoms. We assessed the impact of body mass index (BMI) on treatment outcomes of children presenting with LUT or bladder-bowel dysfunction (BBD).

Hospital-acquired Urinary Tract Infections in Neonatal ICU Patients: Is Voiding Cystourethrogram Necessary?

Objective: To evaluate the radiographic findings of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients diagnosed with hospital-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI).

Materials And Methods: Children with no preexisting genitourinary anomalies undergoing a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) for culture-documented UTI during NICU admission were identified. Demographics, microbiology results, and imaging findings were evaluated.

Low-molecular-weight heparins or heparinoids versus standard unfractionated heparin for acute ischaemic stroke.

Background: Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) and heparinoids are anticoagulants that may have more powerful antithrombotic effects than standard unfractionated heparin (UFH) but a lower risk of bleeding complications. This is an update of the original Cochrane Review of these agents, first published in 2001 and last updated in 2008.

Objectives: To determine whether antithrombotic therapy with LMWHs or heparinoids is associated with a reduction in the proportion of people who are dead or dependent for activities in daily living compared with UFH.

TOPGEAR: A Randomized, Phase III Trial of Perioperative ECF Chemotherapy with or Without Preoperative Chemoradiation for Resectable Gastric Cancer: Interim Results from an International, Intergroup Trial of the AGITG, TROG, EORTC and CCTG.

Background: Postoperative chemoradiation and perioperative chemotherapy using epirubicin/cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (ECF) represent two standards of care for resectable gastric cancer. In the TOPGEAR (Trial Of Preoperative therapy for Gastric and Esophagogastric junction AdenocaRcinoma) trial, we hypothesized that adding preoperative chemoradiation to perioperative ECF will improve survival; however, the safety and feasibility of preoperative chemoradiation have yet to be determined.

Methods: TOPGEAR is an international phase III trial in which patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach were randomized to perioperative ECF alone or with preoperative chemoradiation.

FOLFOX and intensified split-course chemoradiation as initial treatment for rectal cancer with synchronous metastases.

Background: Optimal initial management of rectal carcinoma with synchronous metastases (RCSM) is controversial - both for patients being treated with curative and palliative intent. This study aims to evaluate the use of an upfront treatment strategy combining FOLFOX chemotherapy with split-course pelvic chemoradiation (FOLFOX + CRT) for patients with RCSM.

Material And Methods: An analysis of all patients who commenced treatment with FOLFOX + CRT at our institutions between January 2009 and June 2014 was performed.

Follistatin attenuates radiation-induced fibrosis in a murine model.

Purpose: Fibrosis can be a disabling, severe side effect of radiotherapy that can occur in patients, and for which there is currently no effective treatment. The activins, proteins which are members of the TGFβ superfamily, have a major role in stimulating the inflammatory response and subsequent fibrosis. Follistatin is an endogenous protein that binds the activins virtually irreversibly and inhibits their actions.

Validation of the ureteral diameter ratio for predicting early spontaneous resolution of primary vesicoureteral reflux.

Introduction And Objective: Management of primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) remains controversial, and reflux grade currently constitutes an important prognostic factor. Previous reports have demonstrated that distal ureteral diameter ratio (UDR) may be more predictive of outcome than vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) grade. We performed an external validation study in young children, evaluating early spontaneous resolution rates relative to reflux grade and UDR.

Clinical Outcomes and Complications Associated with Fractional Lasers: A Review of 730 Patients.

Background: Fractional lasers were introduced to provide increased safety, while maintaining high efficacy and patient satisfaction. Patients with virtually all Fitzpatrick skin types could be safely treated using a wide spectrum of wavelengths and a broad array of skin conditions, and aging could be addressed. Although safety studies have been reported for ablative CO and erbium lasers, surprisingly few data are available on adverse events and complications associated with fractional lasers.

Compromized DNA repair as a basis for identification of cancer radiotherapy patients with extreme radiosensitivity.

A small percentage of cancer radiotherapy patients develop abnormally severe side effects as a consequence of intrinsic radiosensitivity. We analysed the γ-H2AX response to ex-vivo irradiation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and plucked eyebrow hair follicles from 16 patients who developed severe late radiation toxicity following radiotherapy, and 12 matched control patients. Longer retention of the γ-H2AX signal and lower colocalization efficiency of repair factors in over-responding patients confirmed that DNA repair in these individuals was compromised.

Trends in Incidence of Hospitalized Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN).

Background: Monitoring trends in cardiovascular events can provide key insights into the effectiveness of prevention efforts. Leveraging data from electronic health records provides a unique opportunity to examine contemporary, community-based trends in acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations.

Methods: We examined trends in hospitalized acute myocardial infarction incidence among adults aged ≥25 years in 13 US health plans in the Cardiovascular Research Network.

Rotavirus vaccination rate disparities seen among infants with acute gastroenteritis in Georgia.

Objective: Rotavirus (RV) is one of the most common diarrheal diseases affecting children less than 5 years of age. RV vaccines have greatly reduced this burden in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine possible disparities and socio-economic differences in RV vaccination rates.

Gallium-68 perfusion positron emission tomography/computed tomography to assess pulmonary function in lung cancer patients undergoing surgery.

Background: Pre-operative evaluation of lung cancer patients relies on calculation of predicted post-operative (PPO) lung function based on split lung function testing. Pulmonary perfusion (Q) PET/CT can now be performed by substituting Technetium-99 m labeling of macroaggregated albumin (MAA) with Gallium-68. This study compares Q PET/CT with current recommended methods of pre-operative lung function assessment.

Delayed upper tract drainage on voiding cystourethrogram may not be associated with increased risk of urinary tract infection in children with vesicoureteral reflux.

Introduction: Urinary stasis in the setting of obstruction provides an opportunistic environment for bacterial multiplication and is a well-established risk factor for UTI. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) with delayed upper tract drainage (UTD) on VCUG has been reported to correlate with increased UTI risk. We sought to determine whether delayed UTD can be reliably classified, and whether it correlates with UTI incidence, VCUG, or endoscopic findings.

Ambient Temperature and Stroke Occurrence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Biologically plausible associations exist between climatic conditions and stroke risk, but study results are inconsistent. We aimed to summarize current evidence on ambient temperature and overall stroke occurrence, and by age, sex, and variation of temperature. We performed a systematic literature search across MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and GEOBASE, from inception to 16 October 2015 to identify all population-based observational studies.

Air Pressure, Humidity and Stroke Occurrence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/aims: An influence of climate upon stroke risk is biologically plausible and supported by epidemiological evidence. We aimed to determine whether air pressure (AP) and humidity are associated with hospital stroke admission.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and GEOBASE, from inception to 16 October 2015 to identify relevant population-based observational studies.

Multimorbidity is strongly associated with long-term but not short-term mortality after cardiac valve replacement.

Background: The presence of multimorbidity is known to be related to adverse clinical outcomes. However, its association with mortality in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement is not known.

Methods: Multimorbidity (as a continuous variable) was characterized in adults receiving cardiac valve replacement surgery between 2008 and 2012 within Kaiser Permanente Northern California based on information from health plan electronic health records.

Ultrasonic encapsulation - A review.

Encapsulation of materials in particles dispersed in water has many applications in nutritional foods, imaging, energy production and therapeutic/diagnostic medicine. Ultrasonic technology has been proven effective at creating encapsulating particles and droplets with specific physical and functional properties. Examples include highly stable emulsions, functional polymeric particles with environmental sensitivity, and microspheres for encapsulating drugs for targeted delivery.

Effectiveness of red blood cell exchange, partial manual exchange, and simple transfusion concurrently with iron chelation therapy in reducing iron overload in chronically transfused sickle cell anemia patients.

Background: Chronic transfusion therapy (CTT) is indicated for stroke prevention in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and is complicated by iron overload and alloimmunization. CTT is performed by simple transfusion (ST), partial manual exchange (PME), or erythrocytapheresis (RCE). Although small case series have demonstrated RCE in combination with iron chelation therapy stabilizes and/or decreases ferritin, there are no reports comparing the effect of ST, PME, and RCE on liver iron concentration (LIC).

Systematic Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Mediastinal Staging Versus Positron Emission Tomography for Comprehensive Mediastinal Staging in NSCLC Before Radical Radiotherapy of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study.

Despite known limitations of positron emission tomography (PET) for mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), radiation treatment fields are generally based on PET-identified disease extent. However, no studies have examined the accuracy of FDG-PET/CT on a per-node basis in patients being considered for curative-intent radiotherapy in NSCLC.In a prospective trial, patients with NSCLC being considered for definitive thoracic radiotherapy (± systemic chemotherapy) underwent minimally invasive systematic mediastinal evaluation with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) following noninvasive staging with integrated PET-CT.

Association of Age to Mortality and Repeat Revascularization in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: Implications for Clinicians and Future Health Policies.

Background: The clinical effects of age occur over an age continuum, yet age as a primary predictor is often analyzed using arbitrary age cut-points.

Objective: To assess whether transformation of a continuous variable such as age using a spline function can uncover nonlinear associations between age and cardiovascular outcomes.

Design: Observational retrospective cohort study in 1015 Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients with end-stage renal disease after index coronary revascularization.

Evaluation of a Colorectal Carcinoma Screening Program in Kota Setar and Kuala Muda Districts, Malaysia.

Background: A colorectal cancer screening program was piloted in two districts of Kedah in 2013. There is scarcity of information on colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia.

Objective: Thus, this research was conducted to evaluate the colorectal cancer screening program in the districts to provide insights intop its efficacy.

The influence of intensive care unit-acquired central line-associated bloodstream infection on in-hospital mortality: A single-center risk-adjusted analysis.

Objective: To explore the risk-adjusted association between intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and in-hospital mortality.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Forty-five-bed adult ICU.

Improvement in the estimation of cardiovascular risk by carotid intima-medial thickness: A report from the Dublin Cardiohealth station study.

Background: The 5th Joint Task Force European guidelines on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention recommend the measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in asymptomatic individuals at moderate risk (Class IIa). We aimed to evaluate the ability of CIMT to further risk stratify patients.

Design: Cross-sectional study.