Developing a Workforce for Health in North Carolina: Planning for the Future.

Among the many trends influencing health and health care delivery over the next decade, three are particularly important: the transition to value-based care and increased focus on population health; the shift of care from acute to community-based settings; and addressing the vulnerability of rural health care systems in North Carolina.

High sensitivity of human leukocyte antigen-b*5701 as a marker for immunologically confirmed abacavir hypersensitivity in white and black patients.

Background: Although the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*5701 is highly associated with a hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) to abacavir (ABC), variable sensitivities have been reported when clinical data alone have been used to define an ABC HSR. This study evaluated the sensitivity of detection of the HLA-B*5701 allele as a marker of ABC HSRs in both white and black patients, using skin patch testing to supplement clinical diagnosis.

Methods: White and black patients, identified through chart review, were classified as having received a diagnosis of an ABC HSR based on clinical findings only (a clinically suspected ABC HSR) or based on clinical findings and a positive skin patch test result (an immunologically confirmed [IC] ABC HSR).

Short-term safety and tolerability of a once-daily fixed-dose abacavir-lamivudine combination versus twice-daily dosing of abacavir and lamivudine as separate components: findings from the ALOHA study.

Study Objective: To evaluate the short-term (12 wks) safety and tolerability of a once-daily, fixed-dose abacavir-lamivudine combination versus twice-daily dosing of the separate components, both with background antiretroviral therapy.

Design: Phase IIIB, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study.

Setting: One hundred forty-six human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinics.

HIV-associated thrombotic microangiopathy in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: an observational study.

The prevalence and predisposing factors of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were evaluated among patients in the Collaborations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Outcomes Research/US cohort. Of 6022 patients, 17 (0.3%) had TMA, with unadjusted incidences per 100 person-years of 0.

Gastroschisis: the effect of labor and ruptured membranes on neonatal outcome.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between labor and ruptured membranes on the neonatal outcome of infants with gastroschisis.

Study Design: We reviewed the outcomes of 60 neonates who were prenatally diagnosed with gastroschisis and who were delivered at the University of North Carolina Hospitals between June 1989 and April 1999.

Results: The mean gestational age at delivery was 36 weeks.

Bacterial vaginosis, vaginal fluid neutrophil defensins, and preterm birth.

Objective: To examine the association between bacterial vaginosis, vaginal fluid neutrophil defensins, and preterm birth.

Methods: Vaginal fluid specimens were obtained at 24-29 weeks' gestation from 242 cases with preterm birth and 507 noncases sampled using a case-cohort study design. We tested for bacterial vaginosis by Gram staining and Nugent scores and assayed for neutrophil defensins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Bacterial vaginosis and vaginal fluid defensins during pregnancy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between Gram stain findings of vaginal fluid and the concentration of vaginal fluid neutrophil defensins.

Study Design: Vaginal fluid specimens obtained from 749 women at 24 to 29 weeks of gestation were tested for bacterial vaginosis and assayed for neutrophil defensins. Bacterial vaginosis was studied as a categoric variable (negative, intermediate, and positive), whereas defensins were examined as a continuous measure and dichotomized on the basis of presence versus absence and at the 90th percentile.

Paternal leukocyte alloimmunization as a treatment for hemolytic disease of the newborn in a rabbit model.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate maternal alloimmunization to paternal leukocytes as a treatment for hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn in a rabbit model.

Study Design: Twelve does and paired red blood cell-incompatible bucks underwent the experimental protocol. Fetal hematologic parameters that were obtained by ultrasound-guided intracardiac sampling were compared from unaffected, compatible litters; from affected, incompatible litters (after alloimmunization to red blood cell antigens); and from affected, incompatible litters after alloimmunization to paternal leukocytes.