Validation of a risk score for dying within 1 year of an admission for heart failure.

Background: Development of heart failure greatly reduces life expectancy. Accurate estimates of the risk of dying are needed in clinical practice and for risk adjustment in observational studies. A relatively simple risk score has been developed to determine the risk of dying within 1-year of an admission for heart failure.

Clinical utility of videofluorography with concomitant Tensilon administration in the diagnosis of bulbar myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) classically presents with ocular, bulbar, and predominantly proximal muscle weakness. Isolated bulbar symptoms occur in less than 25% of cases and can mimic stroke (1-3). If left untreated, MG can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, including myasthenic crisis and recurrent aspiration pneumonia.

Effectiveness of devices purported to reduce flatus odor.

Objective: A variety of charcoal-containing devices are purported to minimize problems with odoriferous rectal gas; however, the evidence supporting the efficacy of these products is virtually all anecdotal. We objectively evaluated the ability of these devices to adsorb two malodorous, sulfide gases (hydrogen sulfide and methylmercaptan) instilled at the anus.

Methods: Via a tube, 100 ml of nitrogen containing 40 ppm of sulfide gases and 0.