Type III Interferons, Viral Loads, Age, and Disease Severity in Young Children With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.

Background: The interplay among respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) loads, mucosal interferons (IFN), and disease severity in RSV-infected children is poorly understood.

Methods: Children <2 years of age with mild (outpatients) or severe (inpatients) RSV infection and healthy controls were enrolled, and nasopharyngeal samples obtained for RSV loads and innate cytokines quantification. Patients were stratified by age (0-6 and >6-24 months) and multivariable analyses performed to identify predictors of disease severity.

EVALI versus MIS-C, one more overlapping diagnosis to consider.

We describe six teenagers presenting with fever and severe abdominal symptoms admitted with concerns for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated markers of inflammation, lymphopenia, and increased D-dimers. Imaging studies revealed multifocal airspace disease and ground-glass opacities.

Preventive Strategies for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Young Infants.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute viral lower respiratory tract infections in young children, with the peak of severe disease occurring in infants younger than 6 months of age. Most infants who develop severe RSV infection are born full-term and previously healthy; however, premature infants represent an especially vulnerable population at high risk of developing serious sequelae because of RSV. Despite the high disease burden, the pathogenesis of the disease is not completely understood, treatment options are limited to supportive care, and no licensed vaccines are available.

Building Community Capacity for Qualitative Research to Improve Pregnancy Intention Screening.

Background: Community-based participatory research (CBPR), with an emphasis on co-learning and collaboration, holds promise for exploring the pregnancy intention (PI) screening needs of Latina patients and their health care providers. We describe a CBPR partnership exploring PI screening processes at a federally qualified health center in New York City, and lessons learned related to community participation, training, and collaboration between partners.

Methods: Stakeholders convened a community advisory board (CAB) to carry out CBPR.

Significant Benefit of Uninterrupted DOACs Versus VKA During Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Objectives: This study assessed the incremental benefit of uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus uninterrupted vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for catheter ablation (CA) of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) on 3 primary outcomes: major bleeding events (MBEs), minor bleeding events, and thromboembolic events (TEs). The secondary outcome was post-procedural silent cerebral infarction (SCI) as detected by brain cardiac magnetic resonance.

Background: As a class, evidence of the benefits of DOACs versus VKAs during CA of AF is scant.

"If You Don't Ask, I'm Not Going to Tell You": Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Inform Pregnancy Intention Screening Processes for Black and Latina Women in Primary Care.

Background: Public health and medical professional organizations recommend screening women of reproductive age for pregnancy intention (PI) routinely in primary care. Existing PI screening tools may not address the complexity of intentions for women of color or lower socioeconomic status or be well-suited to primary care settings. This study sought to inform recommendations for carrying out PI screening meaningfully in primary care settings.

Primary care providers' responses to pregnancy intention screening challenges: community-based participatory research at an urban community health centre.

Background: Incorporating pregnancy intention screening into primary care to address unmet preconception and contraception needs may improve delivery of family planning services. A notable research gap exists regarding providers' experiences conducting this screening in primary care.

Objective: To explore primary care providers' perceived challenges in conducting pregnancy intention screening with women of reproductive age and to identify strategies to discuss this in primary care settings.

HIV risk and testing behaviors among pregnant women tested for HIV in Florida by site type, 2012.

The numbers of perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the United States have continued to decline, but the prevalence of female adults and adolescents living with diagnosed HIV infection continues to rise. Opportunities still exist to prevent mother-to child HIV transmission. The objective of this study was to identify demographics, HIV risk, and testing behaviors among pregnant women and to compare these characteristics by HIV testing site type.

Is it safe to stop oral anticoagulation after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. Its increasing prevalence has made the use of oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention routine; however, their use after the blanking period of catheter ablation remains uncertain. Areas covered: This review outlines the pros and cons of stopping oral anticoagulation after catheter ablation.

Uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants vs. uninterrupted vitamin K antagonists during catheter ablation of non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aims: To assess the incremental benefit of uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) vs. uninterrupted vitamin K antagonists (VKA) for catheter ablation (CA) of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) on three primary outcomes: major bleeding, thrombo-embolic events, and minor bleeding. A secondary outcome was post-procedural silent cerebral infarction (SCI) as detected by brain magnetic resonance imaging.

HIV Testing Behaviors Among Latina Women Tested for HIV in Florida, 2012.

Introduction: Latina women in the United States (US) are not only disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection but also underuse HIV prevention services, such as HIV testing.

Method: HIV testing events were examined to describe the HIV testing behaviors and test results among Latinas tested in 2012 at publicly funded sites in Florida, United States. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the demographic characteristics associated with reports of previous testing and positive HIV test results.

Using High-Impact HIV Prevention to Achieve the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Goals in Miami-Dade County, Florida: A Case Study.

: In response to the release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the "Enhanced Comprehensive HIV Prevention Planning" project, which provided support to health departments in 12 Metropolitan Statistical Areas with the highest AIDS prevalence to strengthen local HIV programs. We describe a case study of how 1 Metropolitan Statistical Area, Miami-Dade County, developed and implemented a locally tailored plan. Examples include actions to reinforce local partnerships and identify neighborhoods with highest unmet needs, an improved condom distribution system to assist local HIV care providers, collaboration with local stakeholders to establish a new walk-in center for transgender client needs, and overcoming incompatibilities in health department and Ryan White Program computer record systems to facilitate faster and more efficient patient services.

HIV Risk Behaviors Among Latina Women Tested for HIV in Florida by Country of Birth, 2012.

Latina women in the United States (US) are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Data are limited on the risk differences in HIV among Latinas by country of birth. This paper describes the risk behaviors among Latina women tested for HIV at public sites in Florida.

Acute nonrheumatic streptococcal myocarditis resembling ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction in a young patient.

Acute myocarditis can be induced by various concomitant disease processes including infections. Most of these cases are viral in origin; however, bacterial infections are also implicated to a lesser degree. Group A streptococcus is a frequent culprit in bacterial-induced myocarditis.

Efficacy of a health educator-delivered HIV prevention intervention for Latina women: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: We developed and assessed AMIGAS (Amigas, Mujeres Latinas, Inform andonos, Gui andonos, y Apoy andonos contra el SIDA [friends, Latina women, informing each other, guiding each other, and supporting each other against AIDS]), a culturally congruent HIV prevention intervention for Latina women adapted from SiSTA (Sistas Informing Sistas about Topics on AIDS), an intervention for African American women.

Methods: We recruited 252 Latina women aged 18 to 35 years in Miami, Florida, in 2008 to 2009 and randomized them to the 4-session AMIGAS intervention or a 1-session health intervention. Participants completed audio computer-assisted self-interviews at baseline and follow-up.

Reduction of aneurysm clip artifacts on CT angiograms: a technical note.

We describe a head tilt technique for use with CT angiography that reduces beam-hardening artifacts in patients with aneurysm clips. This simple maneuver directs the artifacts away from pertinent anatomy, thus increasing the chances for diagnostic accuracy. No significant changes in the CT angiographic protocol are required, and the maneuver can easily be combined with other artifact-minimizing strategies.

Exercise-related dissection of craniocervical arteries: CT, MR, and angiographic findings.

Objective: Our goal was to demonstrate the spectrum of neuroradiologic (CT, MR, and angiographic) findings in craniocervical arterial dissection (CAD) related to exercise or sporting activities and compare the diagnostic utility of CT, MRI, and MR angiography (MRA).

Materials And Methods: The neuroradiologic examinations of 11 patients with CAD was performed: CT was performed in 10 patients, cranial MRI in 9, cranial and cervical MRA in 4, and contrast angiography in 10. The CT examinations were assessed for the presence of an infarction or a hyperdense artery (consistent with intraluminal thrombus), MRI examinations for the presence of infarction or abnormal periarterial signal, and contrast angiograms for arterial stenosis or occlusion, luminal irregularity, pseudoaneurysm, intimal flap, or distal branch occlusions.

Internal carotid artery dissection associated with pituitary apoplexy: MR findings.

Pituitary apoplexy almost invariably occurs following hemorrhage into a pituitary neoplasm. We report a case in which pituitary apoplexy occurred in the setting of, and probably secondary to, dissection of the internal carotid artery.

Apparent culture-negative endocarditis of the prosthetic valve caused by Cardiobacterium hominis.

To date, there have been fewer than 50 reported cases of endocarditis caused by C hominis. Only six of these involved prosthetic heart valves. To our knowledge, in no previous case has the organism been cultured directly from the valve, an aspect we believe gives our case special relevance.

Tension fecal pneumothorax in a postpartum patient.

A 20-year-old woman developed severe shortness of breath 4 h after a cesarean section. Chest roentgenogram showed a pleural effusion and tension pneumothorax; insertion of a chest tube drained liquid stool. At surgery she was found to have a left diaphragmatic defect with herniation, strangulation, and perforation of the transverse colon into the pleural cavity.