Genetic polymorphisms associated with the risk of concussion in 1056 college athletes: a multicentre prospective cohort study.

Background/aim: To evaluate the association of genetic polymorphisms APOE, G-219T promoter, microtubule associated protein(MAPT)/ exon 6 SerPro, MAPT/ HistTyr, 572 G/C and 358 with the risk of concussion in college athletes.

Methods: A 23-centre prospective cohort study of 1056 college athletes with genotyping was completed between August 2003 and December 2012. All athletes completed baseline medical and concussion questionnaires, and post-concussion data were collected for athletes with a documented concussion.

Modern approaches to the management of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is an oncologic emergency requiring prompt treatment to maximize neurologic function, ambulatory function and local control. Traditionally, options for MESCC included external beam radiation therapy with or without surgery. Surgery has usually been reserved for the patient with optimal performance status, single level MESCC or mechanical instability.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with primary fascial closure versus bridged repair: a risk-adjusted comparative study.

Background: Laparoscopy, specifically the bridged mesh technique, is a popular means used for ventral hernia repair. While laparoscopy has decreased the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI), hernia recurrence rates remain unchanged. Some surgeons advocate laparoscopic primary fascial closure (PFC) with placement of intraperitoneal mesh to decrease recurrence rates.

Patients electing medical vs surgical treatment: emotional domain of the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index associates with treatment selection.

Background: The Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) consists of multiple subdomains shown to be useful in studying chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The objective of this study was to determine if RSDI subdomain scores are associated with selection of treatment modality (endoscopic sinus surgery [ESS] or continued medical management [CMM]) in subjects with CRS.

Methods: Patients with CRS were prospectively enrolled into a multi-institutional cohort study.

Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling Controls Liver Size in Mice With Humanized Livers.

Background & Aims: The ratio of liver size to body weight (hepatostat) is tightly controlled, but little is known about how the physiologic functions of the liver help determine its size. Livers of mice repopulated with human hepatocytes (humanized livers) grow to larger than normal; the human hepatocytes do not recognize the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-15 produced by mouse intestine. This results in up-regulation of bile acid synthesis in the human hepatocytes and enlargement of the bile acid pool.

Ten-year follow-up of the 'minimal MRI lesion' subgroup from the original CHAMPS Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Trial.

Background: Patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions are at high risk for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, patients with a minimal MRI lesion burden (a low T2-hyperintense [low T2] lesion count) may have borderline formal diagnostic criteria, presenting a clinical management challenge.

Objective: Compare the 10-year disease progression of patients with low and higher T2 lesion counts treated over most intervals.

Sleep disordered breathing in isolated unilateral and bilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction.

Introduction: The effect of isolated unilateral or bilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD), in the absence of a generalized neuromuscular disorder, on sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is not well understood. The type of positive airway pressure (PAP) device needed to treat SDB in patients with isolated DD is also not well established.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data on patients with isolated unilateral or bilateral DD who were referred for polysomnography (PSG) for clinical symptoms or abnormal oximetry between 1994 and 2006.

Bile acid flux is necessary for normal liver regeneration.

Background & Aims: Many signals governing liver regeneration (LR) following 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH) are recognized, but the primary signal(s) remains unknown. The aim of the study was to confirm that the remnant liver after PH lacks capacity to secrete the BA pool returning via the enterohepatic ciruculation (EHC), which may in turn stimulate LR.

Methods: After standard PH, BA flux was documented and BA signaling (Fgf15) and synthesis (Cyp7a) determined by qPCR.

Citation-based Estimation of Scholarly Activity Among Domestic Academic Radiation Oncologists: Five-Year Update.

Objective: To analyze up-to-date Hirsch index (-index) data to estimate the scholarly productivity of academic radiation oncology faculty.

Methods: Bibliometric citation database searches were performed for radiation oncology faculty at domestic residency-training institutions. Outcomes analyzed included the number of manuscripts, number of citations, and -index between 1996 and 2012.

Standing on the shoulders of giants: results from the Radiation Oncology Academic Development and Mentorship Assessment Project (ROADMAP).

Purpose: To analyze survey information regarding mentorship practices and cross-correlate the results with objective metrics of academic productivity among academic radiation oncologists at US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited residency training programs.

Methods And Materials: An institutional review board-approved survey for the Radiation Oncology Academic Development and Mentorship Assessment Project (ROADMAP) was sent to 1031 radiation oncologists employed at an ACGME-accredited residency training program and administered using an international secure web application designed exclusively to support data capture for research studies. Data collected included demographics, presence of mentorship, and the nature of specific mentoring activities.

The role of MET receptor tyrosine kinase in non-small cell lung cancer and clinical development of targeted anti-MET agents.

A better understanding of the pathophysiology and evolution of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has identified a number of molecular targets and spurred development of novel targeted therapeutic agents. The MET receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are implicated in tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in a broad spectrum of human cancers, including NSCLC. Amplification of MET has been reported in approximately 5%-22% of lung tumors with acquired resistance to small-molecule inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

Screening older adults for impaired visual acuity: a review of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Background: Impaired visual acuity is common in older adults. Screening for impaired visual acuity could lead to interventions to improve vision, function, and quality of life.

Purpose: To update the 1996 U.

Reconstruction of complex abdominal wall hernias using acellular human dermal matrix: a single institution experience.

Background: Acellular human dermal matrix (AHDM) has mechanical properties suitable for complex abdominal wall reconstructions and physiologic properties that allow more resistance to infection in contaminated fields. The purpose of this study was to determine which patient and technical factors lead to optimal surgical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 144 abdominal wall reconstructions using AHDM over a 33-month period.

Ischemic stroke in a man using estrogen.

Ischemic cerebrovascular disease has been associated with oral contraceptives but not standard hormone replacement in women. It is unknown whether or not estrogen therapy in a male is associated with an increased risk of stroke. We report a single case of a genetic male taking high doses of estrogen and progesterone who suffered a stroke.

Bartisch on theriac.

George Bartisch is best known as the German ophthalmologist who wrote the mammoth textbook Ophthalmodouleia, printed in 1583. He wrote several other books, most of which were never published. One that he self-published is on Venice Theriac of Andromachus.

The resin retained natural tooth pontic: a transitional esthetic solution.

This case report presents an alternative treatment option for the premature loss of a maxillary anterior tooth due to severe periodontitis. A natural tooth pontic acid-etch prosthesis was fabricated using the patient's clinical crown from the extracted tooth. This measure proved to be a very adequate, esthetic treatment solution before a permanent restorative plan could be developed for the patient's long term dental needs.

Acetaminophen/aspirin mixtures: experimental data.

The pertinent literature concerning the experimental induction of analgesic nephropathy is reviewed. Based on the accumulated data from animal experiments that induced a pathologic lesion resembling chronic analgesic nephropathy, of the limited number of analgesics tested, aspirin seems to be the most nephrotoxic of the commonly available analgesics. When aspirin is combined with other analgesics, the limited data available suggest at least an additive nephrotoxic effect, if not a synergism.

Office evaluation and management of the shoulder impingement syndrome.

The shoulder impingement syndrome is the most common cause of shoulder pain. A complete office evaluation can be aided by a printed exam sheet. Careful consideration of the differential diagnosis is important, often employing the Xylocaine injection test.

Tooth pulp-driven neurons in somatosensory cortex of primates: role in pain mechanisms including a review of the literature.

The tooth pulp of primates was stimulated electrically while searching for evoked unit potentials in the cerebral cortex. Control procedures were employed to assure that the electrical stimuli reached only tooth pulp fibers but no extrapulpal sensory fibers. In addition, an electrode was inserted in soft tissue surrounding the tooth for separate excitation of extrapulpal axons.