A cross-sectional evaluation of the effect of risperidone and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on bone mineral density in boys.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia on trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents.

Method: Medically healthy 7- to 17-year-old males chronically treated, in a naturalistic setting, with risperidone were recruited for this cross-sectional study through child psychiatry outpatient clinics between November 2005 and June 2007. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory testing were conducted.

Early spatial and temporal events of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 spread following blood-borne transmission in a rabbit model of infection.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and is associated with a variety of lymphocyte-mediated disorders. HTLV-1 transmission occurs by transmission of infected cells via breast-feeding by infected mothers, sexual intercourse, and contaminated blood products. The route of exposure and early virus replication events are believed to be key determinants of virus-associated spread, antiviral immune responses, and ultimately disease outcomes.

Development of a traceable calibration methodology for solid (68)Ge/(68)Ga sources used as a calibration surrogate for (18)F in radionuclide activity calibrators.

Unlabelled: We have developed a methodology for calibrating (68)Ge radioactivity content in a commercially available calibration source for activity calibrators in a way that is traceable to the national standard. Additionally, the source was cross-calibrated for equivalent (18)F content by direct comparison with the national standard for (18)F in the same geometry.

Methods: Sources containing standardized (68)GeCl(4) or (18)F-FDG solutions were prepared at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with mock syringe blanks used in the construction of a commercially available epoxy-based (68)Ge calibration source.

Long-term efficacy of biofeedback therapy for dyssynergic defecation: randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Although biofeedback therapy is effective in the short-term management of dyssynergic defecation, its long-term efficacy is unknown. Our aim was to compare the 1-year outcome of biofeedback (manometric-assisted pelvic relaxation and simulated defecation training) with standard therapy (diet, exercise, laxatives) in patients who completed 3 months of either therapy.

Methods: Stool diaries, visual analog scales (VASs), colonic transit, anorectal manometry, and balloon expulsion time were assessed at baseline, and at 1 year after each treatment.

A new primary standardization of 229Th.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has certified a high-purity (229)Th Standard Reference Material as SRM 4328C, based on live-timed 4pialphabeta-gamma anticoincidence counting (LTAC) of the equilibrium solution. The LTAC system was optimized to minimize the uncertainty in the result due to the two short-lived ground-states present in the decay chain. Confirmatory measurements were carried out by four other methods.

Standardization of radium-223 by liquid scintillation counting.

Liquid scintillation (LS) counting was undertaken as part of the primary standardization of (223)Ra. Radium-223 decays with a half life of 11.43 d through a chain of shorter-lived daughter radionuclides, resulting in five alpha decays and three beta decays.

Results of an international comparison of 57Co.

As part of a Cooperative Research Project (CRP) aimed at improving the state of radioactivity measurement in nuclear medicine, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) organized a comparison of (57)Co solutions among the participants of the project. The comparison solutions were prepared from a single master stock solution and distributed to the participating laboratories, who measured the activity concentration of the solution using either the laboratory's radionuclide activity calibrator or primary standardization methods. A total of 9 sets of results were received, with 5 laboratories reporting results of primary measurements, one reporting results of secondary measurements calibrated against primary standards, and three laboratories reporting values based on measurements in commercial re-entrant ionization chambers using manufacturer-recommended calibration figures.

Investigation into the standardization of 99Tc.

The standardization of (99)Tc by several primary methods was investigated. This was performed to support a new (99)Tc transfer standard that has been developed and will be disseminated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as Standard Reference Material SRM 4288B. The standardization for the (99)Tc content of the solution was based on 4pibeta liquid scintillation (LS) measurements with (3)H-standard efficiency tracing (CIEMAT/NIST method).

Premarket clinical evaluation of novel cardiovascular devices: quality analysis of premarket clinical studies submitted to the Food and Drug Administration 2000-2007.

The quality of clinical data submitted by manufacturers to support Food and Drug Administration cardiovascular device premarket approval (PMA) applications varies widely and formal quality assessment has not been previously performed. This study evaluated all original cardiovascular device PMAs with Food and Drug Administration decisions between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2007, to assess the quality of clinical investigations submitted by manufacturers. Effectiveness and safety end points were judged high quality if they were clearly defined and associated with a specific time point for analysis.

Comparison of triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) efficiency calculations and uncertainty assessments for 99Tc.

A comparison exercise for data analysis was recently conducted by the Liquid Scintillation Counting Working Group (LSCWG) of the International Committee on Radionuclide Metrology (ICRM) to evaluate the uncertainties involved in applying different analysis methodologies (including computer programs) for the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) method. The goals of the comparison were to (1) study differences in calculation results from different TDCR analysis programs, (2) investigate differences in analysis techniques and uncertainty assessment philosophies between laboratories, and (3) study the effect of not taking asymmetry of photomultiplier tube (PMT) efficiencies into account on the calculated activity. To achieve this, a single set of TDCR data for the pure beta emitter (99)Tc, was distributed to the participants, who analyzed the data according to their normal procedures and report the activity concentration of the (99)Tc solution from their results.

Implementation of a multidisciplinary ventilator-weaning and sedation protocol in a community intensive care unit.

Prolongation of mechanical ventilation poses serious personal and financial threats to healthcare consumers. To that end, many healthcare-related groups have established mechanisms for rapid weaning and subsequent extubation of mechanically ventilated patients. Our objectives were to create and implement an evidenced-based, multidisciplinary care-driven ventilator-weaning protocol as well as revise existing ventilator sedation protocols to decrease length of stay in addition to time spent on the ventilator.

National comparison of 131I measurement among nuclear medicine clinics of eight countries.

A generally applicable protocol for organizing comparisons among nuclear medicine clinics created within the IAEA project CRP E2.10.05 was tested in Brazil, Cuba, Czech Republic, India, Iran, Republic of Korea, Romania and Turkey in 2007.

Development of secondary standards for 223Ra.

Ra-223 is a bone-seeking alpha emitter currently being evaluated as a radiopharmaceutical. Concurrent with the primary standardization, NIST established that calibration factors currently used for radionuclide calibrators in the clinical setting give readings 5.7-8.

Cyclosporine-induced immune suppression alters establishment of HTLV-1 infection in a rabbit model.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection causes adult T-cell leukemia and several lymphocyte-mediated inflammatory diseases. Persistent HTLV-1 infection is determined by a balance between host immune responses and virus spread. Immunomodulatory therapy involving HTLV-1-infected patients occurs in a variety of clinical settings.

State regulations for school nursing practice.

The purpose of this article is to present a state-by-state summary of rules and regulations governing school nursing practice in the United States. Official government and agency sites were reviewed to determine providers of services in schools, criteria for becoming a school nurse, protection of titling, mandates for school nursing, and the requirements for continuing to practice as a school nurse. Trends were identified after verifying regulatory information.

Leptin gene -2548G/A variants predict risperidone-associated weight gain in children and adolescents.

Objective: As the use of atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents has increased, concerns have been raised about their long-term safety. We aimed to investigate the association between risperidone-induced weight gain, leptin concentration, and the leptin gene (LEP) -2548G/A variants in youths.

Methods: Medically healthy 7- to 17-year-old children and adolescents, in extended naturalistic treatment with risperidone, were recruited through pediatric psychiatry clinics.

Comparable effectiveness of caudal vs. trans-foraminal epidural steroid injections.

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness between caudal and trans-foraminal epidural steroid injections for the treatment of primary lumbar radiculopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Spinal injections with steroids play an important role in non-operative care of lumbar radiculopathy.

Selecting the transthoracic defibrillation shock directional vector based on VF amplitude improves shock success.

Introduction: Termination of ventricular fibrillation (VF) by a defibrillating shock is more likely to occur when the VF amplitude is larger. We hypothesized that a defibrillation shock would achieve higher success if the shock vector was oriented along the largest of the VF amplitudes measured simultaneously in 3 orthogonal ECG leads, and that this axis could be determined near-instantaneously in real time.

Methods And Results: In 9 closed-chest anesthetized swine, a new directional defibrillation (DD) device was used to simultaneously measure the VF peak amplitudes displayed by 3 orthogonal pairs of defibrillation electrodes: anterior-posterior, lateral-lateral, and superior-inferior.

Efficacy and safety of OROS methylphenidate in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, dose-escalation study.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of OROS methylphenidate (Concerta; McNeil Pediatrics Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Titusville, NJ) in the management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.

Methods: A randomized, 7-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation, parallel-group study of OROS methylphenidate 36, 54, 72, 90, or 108 mg/d versus placebo was conducted in adults with ADHD. The primary end point was the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Report Scale.

Expression of tumor invasion factors determines systemic engraftment and induction of humoral hypercalcemia in a mouse model of adult T-cell leukemia.

Infection with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) leads sometimes to the development of adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATL), which is invariably fatal and often associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. The transformation of infected CD4 T cells and the pathogenesis of leukemia have been studied with great limitation in tissue culture and patients. To better understand the pathogenesis and perform preclinical drug studies, animal models of ATL are urgently needed.

The effects of a dementia nurse care manager on improving caregiver outcomes outcomes.

Iowa's Administration on Aging's Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grant to the States was a project to implement and evaluate a nurse care management model of service delivery for persons with dementia or care recipient and their family caregiver that was integrated with the case management system. The goal of the nursing service delivery model was to maintain persons with dementia safely in their homes, by connecting them with appropriate services and providing support to the care recipient and caregivers. Outcomes measures were evaluated over time.

Clinical trial: effects of botulinum toxin on Levator ani syndrome--a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Levator ani syndrome is characterized by anorectal discomfort/pain, treatment of which is unsatisfactory. We hypothesized that Botulinum toxin relieves spasm and improves symptoms.

Aim: To perform a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study to examine the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in patients with levator ani syndrome.

Glucose as a prognostic factor in ovarian carcinoma.

Background: Research suggests that glucose levels in cancer patients may be an important prognostic indicator. In ovarian tumors, increased expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), a transmembrane protein responsible for glucose uptake, is related to shorter survival time in ovarian cancer patients. This study tested the hypothesis that higher presurgical glucose levels predict shorter disease-specific survival time and time to recurrence in ovarian cancer patients.

Performance outcomes in anesthesiology residents completing categorical (anesthesia) or advanced (nonspecific) internship training.

Background: The internship or first year (PGY 1) of anesthesiology training may be categorical (within anesthesiology), or obtained in more diverse settings. Revisions recently proposed in the training requirements incorporated the PGY 1 into the existing curriculum.

Purposes: We studied whether this change improved measurable outcomes.