Using an expanded algorithm to estimate prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in U.S. and UK.

Background: There is an increasing need to better understand the burden of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using real-world data (RWD). However, identifying ALS cases using RWD presents several challenges due to the rarity of ALS and the differences in database coding systems.

Methods: MarketScan claims, and the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) databases were searched for diagnosis codes of ALS or MND, the only drugs approved for treating ALS (riluzole and edaravone) and clinical visits with 12-month enrolment prior to 1 January 2011.

Treatment patterns in myasthenia gravis: A United States health claims analysis.

Introduction/aims: Limited knowledge exists on treatment patterns in clinical practice in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). In this study we examined MG treatment patterns in the United States.

Methods: Adult patients newly diagnosed with MG were identified from the IBM MarketScan insurance claims database.

Healthcare resource use in myasthenia gravis: a US health claims analysis.

Background: There are limited data on the impact of myasthenia gravis (MG) on real-world healthcare resource use (HCRU) and patient burden in the United States.

Objectives: This study aims to assess HCRU in patients with MG using data from a US health claims database.

Design: A retrospective, database study of adult patients newly diagnosed with MG, using the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters and Medicare supplemental health insurance claims database.

Real-World Findings on the Characteristics and Treatment Exposures of Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa from US Claims Data.

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating, and painful inflammatory skin disease that significantly and negatively impacts patients' quality of life. The prevalence of HS in the USA is estimated to be 0.10%, with worldwide reports suggesting a prevalence closer to 1%.

Hardly Silent: Exploring Civic Engagement and Participation among a Panel of Adults Ages 85.

The past twenty years have seen a surge of resources for and public attention devoted to civic participation opportunities for older adults in the United States. At the same time, technology has transformed the way information related to political and social issues is spread and shared. As more older adults migrate to using a wider range of communication tools and the internet, technology-mediated forms of engagement represent a new way for the oldest old to participate in society.

Classification of exacerbation episodes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease affecting the airways, which constitutes a major cause of chronic morbidity and a significant economic and social burden throughout the world. Despite the fact that in COPD patients exacerbations are common acute events causing significant and often fatal worsening of symptoms, an accurate prognostication continues to be difficult.

Objectives: To build computational models capable of distinguishing between normal life days from exacerbation days in COPD patients, based on physical activity measured by accelerometers.

Detecting periodic limb movements with off-the-shelf accelerometers: a feasibility study.

Periodic limb movements are short movements of the legs that can lead to low sleep quality in the general population. Currently, the gold standard to measure periodic limb movements for diagnostic purposes is polysomnography. This is an expensive technique that requires specially fitted laboratories and specialized personnel.

Blood monocytes from most human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients do not carry proviral DNA.

In blood, the CD4+ T cells of patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) harbor HIV-1; however, whether the CD4+ blood monocytes carry the virus is controversial. Tissue macrophages are known to be infected. To determine in blood monocytes from HIV-1-seropositive patients contain HIV-1, we separated monocytes and T-cell subsets by using monoclonal antibodies bound to magnetic beads and by monocyte adherence to glass.

Stability of dried blood spot specimens for detection of human immunodeficiency virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction.

Blood sampling on filter paper has many advantages for the detection of perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, if the method is to be widely used, an assessment of its performance under field conditions is required. To simulate conditions in the field, 50-microliters aliquots of whole blood containing low levels of HIV proviral DNA (4 to 1,024 copies per 100,000 nucleated cells) were spotted onto filter paper; dried; and subjected to heat, humidity, and prolonged storage at room temperature.

Rapid DNA fingerprinting to control for specimen errors in HIV testing by the polymerase chain reaction.

Variable-number-tandem-repeats (VNTRs) are highly polymorphic and provide informative genetic markers for distinguishing between individuals. We have used PCR amplification of VNTR locus pMCT118 to identify mislabelled specimens submitted for HIV PCR testing. The method is rapid, can be applied to large numbers of samples and eliminates the need for radioactive probes.

Improved detection of HIV-1 envelope sequences using optimized PCR and inosine-substituted primers.

We describe inosine-substituted 'consensus' primers for the detection of HIV-1 envelope sequences by the polymerase chain reaction. The primers, modifications of SK68 and SK69, are highly specific (100%) and sensitive (greater than 94%) and they prevent false-negative results due to variation in the HIV-1 genome. Consensus primers are needed to ensure the detection of most, if not all, variants of HIV-1 including American, African and newly emerging strains.

Dynamics of respiratory symptoms and lung function in epidemiological long-term study in children.

Dynamics of respiratory symptoms and past respiratory diseases were studied in a cohort of children examined twice. Relative risk of having the same symptom/disease after three years was calculated, producing a ranking of the symptoms, believed to reflect their epidemiological significance. An independent ordering of the symptoms was obtained, based on the relative risk of lower airways illness in a group of children followed-up for two years.

Long-term effects on health of air pollution in children.

A literature review is presented showing the role and relative importance of various endogenous and exogenous factors, classified into predisposing, provoking and facilitating factors, in the development of Chronic Non-Specific Respiratory Diseases (CNSRD) in children. The review is also based on the results of own clinical studies and a longitudinal epidemiological study. In total, 12,708 children were examined in the epidemiological study, including a cohort of 1,303 children examined three times.

[Clinical evaluation of Zaditen syrup in the treatment of children with bronchial asthma].

60 children with atopic asthma were included to the doubleblind study, in order to compare Zaditen and Clemastine. The trial was completed after 12 weeks of treatment. The efficacy was evaluated on the basis of clinical observation, lung function measurements and laboratory data.