Chest tube management following two row vertebral body tethering for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: The current gold standard of scoliosis correction procedures is still posterior spinal fusion, an extensively studied procedure. anterior vertebral body tethering is a newer surgical technique for the correction of scoliotic curves. Consequently, best practices have yet to be determined.

The international experience of in-situ recovery of the DCD heart: a multicentre retrospective observational study.

Background: Heart transplantation is an effective treatment offering the best recovery in both quality and quantity of life in those affected by refractory, severe heart failure. However, transplantation is limited by donor organ availability. The reintroduction of heart donation after the circulatory determination of death () in 2014 offered an uplift in transplant activity by 30%.

Mainstreaming Genetic Testing for Adult Patients With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Purpose: Genetic testing results are currently obtained approximately 1 year after referral to a medical genetics team for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We evaluated a mainstream genetic testing (MGT) pathway whereby the nephrology team provided pre-test counseling and selection of patients with suspected ADPKD for genetic testing prior to direct patient interaction by a medical geneticist.

Sources Of Information: A multidisciplinary team of nephrologists, genetic counselors, and medical geneticists developed an MGT pathway for ADPKD using current testing criteria for adult patient with suspected ADPKD and literature from MGT in oncology.

Association of Preoperative Frailty With Intraoperative Hemodynamic Instability and Postoperative Mortality.

Background: Frailty, a state of decreased physiological reserve, is strongly associated with perioperative mortality in older adults. However, the mechanism by which frailty is associated with mortality is not yet understood. Autonomic dysfunction in the form of decreased intraoperative hemodynamic variability has been shown to be associated with increased mortality.

Inactivation of Candida albicans following exposure to 624-nanometer light from a supraluminous diode array.

Objective: To determine the potential for visible light (405 or 624 nm) to produce an inhibitory effect on Candida albicans. In addition, the study sought to evaluate a series of doses in terms of their respective inhibiting capabilities.

Background Data: The authors have studied the effect of blue light on Staphylococcus aureus and found that a bactericidal outcome can be obtained with low doses of blue light.

Inactivation of mycobacterium smegmatis following exposure to 405-nanometer light from a supraluminous diode array.

Objective: To determine the potential for blue light (405 nm) to produce a bactericidal effect on Mycobacterium smegmatis. Additionally, the study sought to evaluate a series of doses in terms of their respective bactericidal capabilities.

Background Data: The effect of blue light on Staphylococcus aureus has been studied and it was found that a bactericidal outcome can be obtained with low doses of blue light.

Tobacco-related chronic illnesses: a public health concern for Jamaica.

Background: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases. The objectives of the study were to determine the percentage of annual income used to purchase tobacco-related products and treat tobacco-related illnesses, and assess the characteristics of smokers and their awareness of the health-related risks of smoking.

Method: Stratified and snowball sampling methods were used to obtain information (via a 17-item, close-ended questionnaire) from 85 adult respondents (49 males and 36 females).

Synthesis, spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations for a series of push-pull [14]-pyridoannulenes.

Three new isomeric dipyridoannulenes were synthesized and characterized. These molecules possess differing conjugation pathways between the substituent alkoxy donating groups and the pyridyl acceptor groups. Optical absorption and emission properties of the dipyridoannulenes and their corresponding acyclic precursors were measured and correlated to structural differences and used to evaluate conjugation effectiveness and charge-transfer pathways.

Evaluation of a decision aid for families considering p53 genetic counseling and testing.

Purpose: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is associated with p53 germline mutations, and carriers are at increased risk for multiple primary cancers. We evaluated outcomes following the administration of a video-based decision aid (DA) prior to clinical p53 genetic counseling and testing among persons who had previously participated in cancer genetics research.

Methods: Fifty-seven individuals at risk for a known p53 mutation completed baseline and post-DA measures of psychological outcomes, plus knowledge and attitudes regarding p53 genetic testing.

The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of glucosamine hydrochloride and low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate after single and multiple doses to beagle dogs.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of a glucosamine (GL) and the disaccharides of chondroitin sulfate (CS) after single and multiple-dosing of a GL/CS combination (Cosamin, Cosequin).

Methods: Male beagle dogs (n = 8, 12 kg) received the following treatments: (1) IV GL (500 mg)/CS (400 mg), (2) p.o.

Influence of input rate on the stereospecific and nonstereospecific first pass metabolism and pharmacokinetics of metoprolol extended release formulations.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of input rate on the stereoselective and nonstereoselective pharmacokinetics of metoprolol, alpha-hydroxymetoprolol, and its acid metabolite. Extended release formulations (100 mg) of metoprolol with varying release rates (e.g.

The relationship between self-reported and clinical measures and the number of days to return to sport following acute lateral ankle sprains.

Study Design: This is a prospective observational study.

Objective: To determine the relationship of self-reported and clinical measures to the number of days to return to sport following acute lateral ankle sprains.

Background: In order to direct rehabilitation, injury classification schemes should include self-reported and clinical measures that help prognosticate the number of days to return to sport (DAYS).

GEOGRAPHICAL AND GENETIC STRUCTURE OF LIFE-HISTORY VARIATION IN MILKWEED BUGS (HEMIPTERA: LYGAEIDAE: ONCOPELTUS).

Life-history variation was investigated using crosses within and among the laboratory-bred descendants of six geographic samples of the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. These samples spanned the species' range, from permanent (year-round) populations on tropical islands to seasonal middle-latitude populations found in temperate North America. The seasonal populations must be refounded each year by colonists from more southern populations.

Reliability and Analyst Performance Limits for the Field and Single Strip Direct Microscopic Somatic Cell Count Procedure.

The means and total components of variance were compared for the field and single strip direct microscopic somatic cell count (DMSCC) procedures. The field count procedure averaged 12 - 28% higher than the single strip count procedure in the 300,000 to 1,200,000 DMSCC/ml range. The sum of the components of variance in logarithm units for the field procedure was 0.