Examining acquired brain injury-associated symptoms and fluid-based biomarkers in females surviving intimate partner violence: An observational pilot study protocol.

Background: Acquired brain injury (ABI), including traumatic brain injury and hypoxic/anoxic injury, presents significant public health concerns; however, existing literature has focused primarily on male populations, such as military personnel and contact sports participants. Sex-related differences in ABI outcomes necessitate focused research due to potential heightened risk and distinct physiological responses among females.

Objectives: This pilot study aims to explore fluid-based biomarkers for neurological injury and inflammation in females experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV)-related assaults to the head, neck, or face.

Incorporating harms into the weighting of the revised Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety for Selected Indicators Composite (Patient Safety Indicator 90).

Objective: To reweight the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety for Selected Indicators Composite (Patient Safety Indicator [PSI] 90) from weights based solely on the frequency of component PSIs to those that incorporate excess harm reflecting patients' preferences for outcome-related health states.

Data Sources: National administrative and claims data involving hospitalizations in nonfederal, nonrehabilitation, acute care hospitals.

Study Design: We estimated the average excess aggregate harm associated with the occurrence of each component PSI using a cohort sample for each indicator based on denominator-eligible records.

A legislatively mandated council: a model for palliative care policy integration.

Mechanisms are needed to foster discussion of policy choices about end-of-life care, identify areas of general agreement, and clarify possible areas of disagreement. The Maryland State Advisory Council on Quality Care at the End of Life (MSAC), created by legislation as a permanent part of Maryland government, is one such mechanism. We describe the rationale for creating the MSAC, its operational features, and some of its successes and challenges.

Genetics and cardiovascular disease.

The traditional risk factors associated with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) account for approximately 50% of the variability in the risk for developing heart disease. Research in the genetic basis of CVD has helped scientists begin to quantify the nature of the additional unexplained variance. CVD may result from a variety of genetic causes, including single-gene mutations, the combined effect of more than one mutation, and the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors.

Changes in cholesterol levels in women after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: To examine the predictors of change in cholesterol levels in a cohort of women between the time of surgery and 1 year after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Design And Setting: This study was a prospective, descriptive study held at a Mid-Atlantic tertiary care medical center.

Methods: Lipid profiles, lifestyle behaviors, and other major coronary risk factors were measured at the time of surgery and again 12 months later from a consecutive convenience sample of 130 women who underwent first-time, isolated CABG.