Use of ImPACT to diagnose minimal hepatic encephalopathy: an accurate, practical, user-friendly internet-based neuropsychological test battery.

Background And Aims: An effective, user-friendly neurocognitive test to diagnose minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is needed. Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) is a brief, validated, Web-based, neuropsychological test battery resulting in four composite scores [Verbal Memory (VrbM), Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed (VMS), Reaction Time (RT)]. We compared ImPACT to traditional paper-and-pencil tests in patients at risk for MHE versus controls.

A new highly sensitive point of care screen for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis using the leukocyte esterase method.

Background & Aims: Urine reagent strips measuring leukocyte esterase activity have been studied to screen spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) but are insensitive. We calibrated a strip specifically for ascitic fluid to achieve high sensitivity in this diagnosis.

Methods: Experiments were conducted on ascitic fluid from patients with cirrhosis.

Prospective study of the association of serum triglyceride and glucose with colorectal cancer.

To determine if serum triglyceride and glucose levels are associated with colorectal cancer, a prospective study among 7619 Japanese-American men was conducted. From 1968 to 1998, 376 colon and 124 rectal cancer incident cases were diagnosed. A strong positive association of alcohol intake and pack-years of cigarette smoking with colorectal cancer was observed.