The diagnostic yield of commonly used investigations in pelvic gunshot wounds.

Background: Patients who sustain pelvic gunshot wounds (GSWs) are at significant risk for injury owing to the density of pelvic structures. Currently, the optimal workup for pelvic GSWs is unclear. The aims of this study were to determine the diagnostic yield of tests commonly used in the investigation of pelvic GSWs and to develop a diagnostic algorithm.

Asthma control and need for future asthma controller therapy among inner-city Hispanic asthmatic children engaged in a pediatric asthma disease management program (the Breathmobile program, Mobile Asthma Care for Kids Network).

Objective: To determine whether significant numbers of asthmatic children with initially rated intermittent asthma later suffer poor asthma control and require the addition of controller medications.

Methods: Inner-city Hispanic children were followed prospectively in an asthma-specific disease management system (Breathmobile) for a period of 2 years. Clinical asthma symptoms, morbidity treatment, and demographic data were collected at each visit.

The survival impact of plasma to red blood cell ratio in massively transfused non-trauma patients.

Purpose: High ratios of Plasma to Packed Red Blood Cells (FFP:PRBC) improve survival in massively transfused trauma patients. We hypothesized that non-trauma patients also benefit from this transfusion strategy.

Methods: Non-trauma patients requiring massive transfusion from November 2003 to September 2011 were reviewed.

Assessing the Use of Mobile Health Technology by Patients: An Observational Study in Primary Care Clinics.

Background: There is significant potential for mobile health technology to improve health outcomes for patients with chronic diseases. However, there is a need for further development of mobile health technology that would help to improve the health of lower-income communities.

Objective: The study objective was to assess mobile phone and app usage among a culturally diverse patient population, and to determine whether patients would be interested in using mobile health technology to help manage their chronic diseases.

Training on the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview Improves Cultural Competence in General Psychiatry Residents: A Multi-site Study.

Objective: The authors assessed whether a 1-h didactic session on the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) improves cultural competence of general psychiatry residents.

Methods: Psychiatry residents at six residency programs completed demographics and pre-intervention questionnaires, were exposed to a 1-h session on the CFI, and completed a post-intervention questionnaire. Repeated measures ANCOVA compared pre- to post-intervention change.

Factors affecting ability to achieve asthma control in adult patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma.

Objective: Despite the use of optimal therapy and guidelines, the rate of asthma control is suboptimal in adult populations. Purpose of this study is to describe factors associated with ability to achieve well-controlled asthma over time for adult patients treated in a tertiary medical center-based asthma outpatient specialty clinic.

Methods: Existing clinical data collected for 320 adult patients enrolled in a hospital-based outpatient asthma specialty clinic from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2011 evaluated time to achieve well-controlled asthma and factors associated with well-controlled asthma such as adherence and lack of previous exacerbations.

Hispanic Nurses' Knowledge of and Approach to Pain Assessment and Management.

Purpose: This study sought to determine whether (a) Hispanic nurses differ in assessment and management of pain for Hispanic versus non-Hispanic patients and (b) relationships exist between measures of acculturation and Hispanic nurses' assessment and pain management.

Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional correlation design study used three survey instruments to identify Hispanic nurses' cultural beliefs and how they approach pain management in clinical settings.

Results: The average nurse had inadequate knowledge.

The UCLA study of Predictors of Cognitive Functioning Following Moderate/Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objectives: Following pediatric moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI), few predictors have been identified that can reliably identify which individuals are at risk for long-term cognitive difficulties. This study sought to determine the relative contribution of detailed descriptors of injury severity as well as demographic and psychosocial factors to long-term cognitive outcomes after pediatric msTBI.

Methods: Participants included 8- to 19-year-olds, 46 with msTBI and 53 uninjured healthy controls (HC).

Delay Between Onset of Symptoms and Surgery in Acute Appendicitis Increases Perioperative Morbidity: A Prospective Study.

Background: Despite significant progress in surgery, controversy persists about timing of appendectomy. Objective of this prospective observational study was to determine associations between time interval from onset of symptoms in appendicitis to appendectomy and postoperative complications.

Methods: After institutional review board approval, all adult consecutive patients subjected to emergency appendectomy between 1/9/2013 and 1/12/2014 were prospectively enrolled.

Does Right Lower Quadrant Abdominal Ultrasound Accurately Identify Perforation in Pediatric Acute Appendicitis?

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen in pediatric emergency department (ED) visits, and right lower quadrant abdominal ultrasound (RLQUS) is a valuable diagnostic tool in the clinical approach. The utility of ultrasound in predicting perforation has not been well-defined.

Objectives: We sought to determine the sensitivity of RLQUS to identify perforation in pediatric patients with appendicitis.

Multicenter evaluation of temporary intravascular shunt use in vascular trauma.

Background: The indications and outcomes associated with temporary intravascular shunting (TIVS) for vascular trauma in the civilian sector are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to perform a contemporary multicenter review of TIVS use and outcomes.

Methods: Patients sustaining vascular trauma, requiring TIVS insertion (January 2005 to December 2013), were retrospectively identified at seven Level I trauma centers.

Myofibroblastic Conversion and Regeneration of Mesothelial Cells in Peritoneal and Liver Fibrosis.

Mesothelial cells (MCs) form a single epithelial layer and line the surface of body cavities and internal organs. Patients who undergo peritoneal dialysis often develop peritoneal fibrosis that is characterized by the accumulation of myofibroblasts in connective tissue. Although MCs are believed to be the source of myofibroblasts, their contribution has remained obscure.

Advancing the Use of Administrative Data for Emergency Department Diagnostic Imaging Research.

Administrative data are critical to describing patterns of use, cost, and appropriateness of imaging in emergency care. These data encompass a range of source materials that have been collected primarily for a nonresearch use: documenting clinical care (e.g.

Amniotic fluid levels of phospholipase A2 in fetal rats with retinoic acid induced myelomeningocele: the potential "second hit" in neurologic damage.

Objectives: There is growing evidence of ongoing, in utero neurological damage in fetuses with myelomeningocele (MMC). Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) has known neurotoxic properties and is predominantly present in its secretory isoform (sPLA2) in meconium, the passage of which is increased in MMC fetuses. The objective of this study was to determine if amniotic fluid (AF) levels of PLA2 are elevated in a rat model of MMC.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Deep Space Hand Infection.

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound is emerging as an important imaging modality for characterizing soft-tissue infections and provides advantages over physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Case Report: A 30-year-old man presented to the emergency department with extensive left upper extremity cellulitis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the left arm was preliminarily interpreted as soft-tissue swelling without evidence of deep-space infection.