Clinical course and radiographic resolution of pneumonia in dogs treated with a shorter versus longer course of antimicrobials: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: To describe clinical and radiographic outcomes in dogs with uncomplicated pneumonia receiving a shorter (2-week) versus longer (4-week) duration of antimicrobial therapy.

Animals: 30 client-owned dogs with radiographic evidence of pneumonia.

Methods: Dogs were randomly assigned to either a 2-week course of antimicrobials followed by a 2-week course of placebo medication (2-week group) or a 4-week course of antimicrobials (4-week group).

Hospitalization is a missed opportunity for HIV screening, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and treatment.

Background: Hospitalization is a "reachable moment" for people who inject drugs (PWID), but preventive care including HIV testing, prevention and treatment is rarely offered within inpatient settings.

Methods: We conducted a multisite, retrospective cohort study of patients with opioid use disorder with infectious complications of injection drug use hospitalized between 1/1/2018-12/31/2018. We evaluated HIV care continuum outcomes using descriptive statistics and hypothesis tests for intergroup differences.

Immune-mediated hematological disease in dogs is associated with alterations of the fecal microbiota: a pilot study.

Background: The dog is the most popular companion animal and is a valuable large animal model for several human diseases. Canine immune-mediated hematological diseases, including immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), share many features in common with autoimmune hematological diseases of humans. The gut microbiome has been linked to systemic illness, but few studies have evaluated its association with immune-mediated hematological disease.

Undertreatment of opioid use disorder in patients hospitalized with injection drug use-associated infections.

Objective: To evaluate the association between medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) initiation and addiction consultation and outcomes for patients hospitalized with infectious complications of injecting opioids.

Method: This was a retrospective cohort study performed at four academic medical centers in the United States. The participants were patients who had been hospitalized with infectious complications of injecting opioids in 2018.

Use of nonstigmatizing language is associated with improved outcomes in hospitalized people who inject drugs.

Background: Stigma surrounding opioid use disorder (OUD) is a barrier to treatment. The use of stigmatizing language may be evidence of negative views toward patients.

Objective: We aimed to identify associations between language and clinical outcomes in patients admitted for infectious complications of OUD.

Comparison of a Chromogenic Urine Culture Plate System (UTid+) and Conventional Urine Culture for Canine and Feline Specimens.

In companion animal medicine, urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common indications for antimicrobial therapy. Definitive diagnosis of UTI requires isolation of bacteria with routine urine culture from an animal with concurrent clinical signs. Urine culture is typically performed at reference laboratories where paired susceptibility testing can be performed, but delays in shipment or processing can affect results.

Effect of telmisartan, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, or both, on proteinuria and blood pressure in dogs.

Background: The use of telmisartan (TEL), an angiotensin-receptor blocker, for the control of systemic hypertension and proteinuria in dogs has not been reported extensively in a clinical setting.

Objectives: To determine the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) alone, ACEi in combination with TEL, or TEL alone on systolic blood pressure and proteinuria in dogs with protein losing nephropathy (PLN).

Animals: Forty-two client-owned dogs being treated for PLN.

Esophagostomy tube complications in dogs and cats: Retrospective review of 225 cases.

Background: Esophagostomy feeding tubes (E-tubes) are an essential tool for management of hyporexic patients' acute and chronic nutritional requirements. Despite their routine use, limited information is available regarding E-tube complications, especially in the recent veterinary literature.

Objective: To provide an updated descriptive account of E-tube complications in cats and dogs, and to evaluate potential prognostic factors to determine if certain patients are at increased risk for complications.

Assessing Racial Disparities in HCV Infection and Care Outcomes in a Southern Urban Population.

Objectives: This study assessed racial disparities in access to healthcare services, hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure, and retention in a treatment cascade in two indigent populations in an urban center in the Southern US.

Participants/methods: Opt-in HCV antibody screening was offered at two large homeless centers and three residential substance abuse treatment centers (SATCs) in New Orleans, LA. Five hundred ninety-four participants experiencing homelessness and 342 residents of SATCs were assessed for previous access/perceived barriers to healthcare services and high-risk behaviors associated with HCV exposure.

High level of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations in patients with unsuppressed viral loads in rural northern South Africa.

Background: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has significantly reduced HIV morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. However, the sustainability of cART may be compromised by the emergence of viral drug resistance mutations (DRM) and the cellular persistence of proviruses carrying these DRM. This is potentially a more serious problem in resource limited settings.

Robotic-Assisted Gynecologic Surgery and Perioperative Morbidity in Elderly Women.

Study Objective: To assess perioperative complications, conversions, and operative times in patients age ≥75 years undergoing robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery.

Design: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: High-volume, 2-physician gynecologic oncology practice.

PPACA and Low-Income People Living with HIV: 2014 Qualified Health Plan Enrollment in a Medicaid Nonexpansion State.

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) often are uninsured or underinsured, and they may benefit from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148) and its improved access to medical care. Safety net programs, such as AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) funded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which serve low-income people living with HIV, are incorporating Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Marketplace-qualified health plans (QHPs) and helping to fund patients' participation. This changing landscape differs from state to state, and one main element contributing to the differing situations is whether a state elected to expand Medicaid.

A phase II evaluation of nintedanib (BIBF-1120) in the treatment of recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer: an NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

Introduction: Patients presenting with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic endometrial cancer have limited treatment options. On behalf of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, we conducted this phase II trial of nintedanib (BIBF 1120), a potent small molecule triple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor of PDGFR α and β, FGFR 1/3, and VEGFR 1-3, in this population.

Objectives: The primary objectives were to estimate event-free survival (EFS) at 6 months and the proportion of patients who have an objective tumor response.

Mineralocorticoid before glucocorticoid deficiency in a dog with primary hypoadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism.

A dog with an unexpected presentation of primary hypoadrenocorticism was evaluated for clinical signs and electrolyte abnormalities characteristic of Addison's disease. Although the initial adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test documented serum cortisol concentrations within the reference range, subsequent assessments confirmed hypoaldosteronism. Mineralocorticoid replacement promptly normalized electrolytes and transiently improved clinical illness.

Combined weekly topotecan and biweekly bevacizumab in women with platinum-resistant ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer: results of a phase 2 study.

Background: A phase 2 trial was conducted to determine the toxicity and efficacy of combined weekly topotecan and biweekly bevacizumab in patients with primary or secondary platinum-resistant ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer (OC).

Methods: Patients were treated with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 and topotecan 4 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle until progressive disease (PD) or excessive toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary objectives included overall survival (OS), objective response, and toxicity.

Leukocytosis after robotic hysterectomy: commonly observed but clinically insignificant.

Laboratory studies are commonly performed after surgery, but with little evidence of clinical utility. We evaluated our experience with measuring a complete blood count (CBC) to determine peripheral blood leukocyte count (WBC) postoperatively following consecutive robotic hysterectomies. From January 2008 through November 2009, two surgeons (KM, HM) performed 204 robotic hysterectomies.

Robot-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy in obese and morbidly obese women.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) in obese patients is challenging. We sought to evaluate whether total laparoscopic hysterectomies using the da Vinci robotic system in obese patients, in comparison with non-obese patients, is a reasonable surgical approach. One-hundred consecutive robot-assisted TLHs were performed over a 17-month period.

Phase 2 study of intraperitoneal topotecan as consolidation chemotherapy in ovarian and primary peritoneal carcinoma.

Background: Intravenous topotecan is approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC). In intraperitoneal (i.p.

Phase II trial of carboplatin and infusional cyclosporine with alpha-interferon in recurrent ovarian cancer: a California Cancer Consortium Trial.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the response rate of 26-h continuous infusion cyclosporine A (CSA) combined with carboplatin (CBDCA) and subcutaneous alpha-interferon (IFN), in recurrent ovarian cancer (OC), and to measure their effects on CBDCA pharmacokinetics. OC patients relapsing following platinum-based chemotherapy received CBDCA area under the curve (AUC 3) with CSA and IFN, every 3 weeks. The pharmacokinetics of CSA and CBDCA were determined in a subset of patients.

Uterine effects of tamoxifen: a prospective study.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate tamoxifen-associated changes in the vagina and uterus in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. Between June 1994 and December 1998, 45 patients enrolled in a prospective study before commencing tamoxifen therapy. Patients with endometrial thickness >5 mm or neoplasia were excluded.

Paint-only is equivalent to scrub-and-paint in preoperative preparation of abdominal surgery sites.

Background: Antiseptic preoperative skin site preparation is used to prepare the operative site before making a surgical incision. The goal of this preparation is a reduction in postoperative wound infection. The most straightforward technique necessary to achieve this goal remains controversial.

Incidence and management of abdominal sacrocolpopexy mesh erosions.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the occurrence and management of mesh erosions in patients undergoing abdominal sacrocolpopexy.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review of the abdominal sacrocolpopexy procedure (n = 92) between 1997 and 2003 was performed. Patients with mesh erosion were identified.

High complication rate identified in sacrocolpopexy patients attributed to silicone mesh.

Objectives: To report on our experience using a preconfigured Y-shaped silicone-coated polyester mesh and polypropylene mesh for vaginal vault suspension. A variety of materials have been used for both open and laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the management of vaginal vault prolapse. Recently, a preconfigured Y-shaped silicone-coated polyester mesh was introduced to facilitate the vaginal cuff suspension to the sacrum.

Phase II trial of carboplatin and infusional cyclosporine in platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer.

Purpose: To determine the response rate to 26-h continuous infusion cyclosporine A (CSA) combined with a fixed dose level of carboplatin (CBDCA) in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, and to determine the effect of CSA on the pharmacokinetics of CBDCA.

Experimental Design: To examine the effect of duration of CSA exposure on reversal of CBDCA resistance, clonogenic assays were performed in vitro in platinum-resistant A2780 cells. CBDCA (AUC 4) with CSA repeated every 3 weeks was then administered to patients on this phase II study.