The Association of Anemia With Survival Among People With HIV Following Antiretroviral Initiation in the NA-ACCORD 2007-2016.

Background: Anemia is an independent predictor of mortality, which may be utilized as a signal of deteriorating health. We estimated the association between anemia severity categories and mortality following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people with HIV (PWH) in North America.

Methods: Within the NA-ACCORD, annual median hemoglobin measurements between January 01, 2007, and December 31, 2016, were categorized using World Health Organization criteria into mild (11.

The changing prevalence of anemia and risk factors in people with HIV in North America who have initiated ART, 2007-2017.

Objective: To characterize the prevalence of anemia and risk factors between 2007 and 2017 for moderate/severe anemia among people with HIV (PWH) in North America who have initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Design: Observational study of participants in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design (NA-ACCORD).

Methods: We estimated the annual prevalence between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2017 of mild (11.

Ontology-based feature engineering in machine learning workflows for heterogeneous epilepsy patient records.

Biomedical ontologies are widely used to harmonize heterogeneous data and integrate large volumes of clinical data from multiple sources. This study analyzed the utility of ontologies beyond their traditional roles, that is, in addressing a challenging and currently underserved field of feature engineering in machine learning workflows. Machine learning workflows are being increasingly used to analyze medical records with heterogeneous phenotypic, genotypic, and related medical terms to improve patient care.

Survival After Resection of Newly-Diagnosed Intracranial Grade II Ependymomas: An Initial Multicenter Analysis and the Logistics of Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objective: To identify factors, including the use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI), impacting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after resections of newly diagnosed intracranial grade II ependymomas performed across 4 different institutions.

Methods: Analyses of a multicenter mixed retrospective/prospective database assessed the impact of patient, treatment, and tumor characteristics on OS and PFS. iMRI workflow and logistics were also outlined.

Safety and effectiveness of the assessment and treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in the Adult Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the processes and outcomes associated with patients at five sites in the Adult Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (AHCRN) who had undergone evaluation and treatment for suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and had 1-year postoperative follow-up.

Methods: Subjects with possible iNPH who had been prospectively enrolled in the AHCRN registry between November 19, 2014, and December 31, 2018, were evaluated by CSF drainage via either lumbar puncture or external lumbar drainage, consistent with recommendations of the international iNPH guidelines. Standardized clinical evaluations of gait, cognition, urinary symptoms, depression, and functional outcomes were conducted at baseline, before and after CSF drainage, and at 4-month intervals after shunt surgery.

Seizure documentation in people living with epilepsy.

Seizure documentation is an essential component of epilepsy management. Not all persons with epilepsy choose to document their seizures, but many view the practice as essential to managing their disease. While seizure documentation is a valuable aspect of patient care, clinicians and patients must remain aware that seizure underreport and overreport commonly occur due to lack of seizure awareness.

Impact of Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Other Factors on Surgical Outcomes for Newly Diagnosed Grade II Astrocytomas and Oligodendrogliomas: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Few studies use large, multi-institutional patient cohorts to examine the role of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) in the resection of grade II gliomas.

Objective: To assess the impact of iMRI and other factors on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for newly diagnosed grade II astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas.

Methods: Retrospective analyses of a multicenter database assessed the impact of patient-, treatment-, and tumor-related factors on OS and PFS.

Extended lumbar drainage in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Background: When appropriately selected, a high proportion of patients with suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) will respond to cerebrospinal fluid diversion with a shunt. Extended lumbar drainage (ELD) is regarded as the most accurate test for this condition, however, varying estimates of its accuracy are found in the current literature. Here, we review the literature in order to provide summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive- and negative predictive value for this test through meta-analysis of suitably rigorous studies.

Attention and executive function are impaired during active standing in postural tachycardia syndrome.

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic form of orthostatic intolerance associated with cognitive dysfunction. We hypothesized executive function and attention is impaired in POTS during active standing. Eighty-seven POTS participants and 39 healthy controls of similar age, sex, and education level completed executive function (Stroop word-color) and attention (CogState Identification) tests in supine and standing postures in a cross-sectional study.

A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Factors Influencing Surgical Outcomes for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Grade I Gliomas.

Objective: To assess the impact of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI), extent of resection (EOR), and other factors on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with newly diagnosed grade I gliomas.

Methods: A multicenter database was queried to identify patients with grade I gliomas. Retrospective analyses assessed the impact of patient, treatment, and tumor characteristics on OS and PFS.

The clinical spectrum of hydrocephalus in adults: report of the first 517 patients of the Adult Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network registry.

Objective: The authors describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of the first 517 patients enrolled in the Adult Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (AHCRN) during its first 2 years.

Methods: Adults ≥ 18 years were nonconsecutively enrolled in a registry at 6 centers. Four categories of adult hydrocephalus were defined: transition (treated before age 18 years), unrecognized congenital (congenital pattern, not treated before age 18 years), acquired (secondary to known risk factors, treated or untreated), and suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) (≥ age 65 years, not previously treated).

Improving health care transition and longitudinal care for adolescents and young adults with hydrocephalus: report from the Hydrocephalus Association Transition Summit.

The health care needs of children with hydrocephalus continue beyond childhood and adolescence; however, pediatric hospitals and pediatric neurosurgeons are often unable to provide them care after they become adults. Each year in the US, an estimated 5000-6000 adolescents and young adults (collectively, youth) with hydrocephalus must move to the adult health care system, a process known as health care transition (HCT), for which many are not prepared. Many discover that they cannot find neurosurgeons to care for them.

Unresolved Issues in Thrombectomy.

Purpose Of Review: Trials demonstrating marked benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute stroke caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation have been the most significant advance in acute ischemic stroke in the past 20 years. However, despite this marked advance, there are still many hurdles to improving access to thrombectomy worldwide. Additionally, despite these advances, a substantial portion of patients with LVO still are left disabled.

Surgical therapy vs continued medical therapy for medically refractory chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The currently accepted treatment paradigm of treating chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) first with appropriate medical therapy (AMT) and then with surgery if patients are refractory to AMT, has been criticized for lack of evidence. The objective of this study was to reassess the literature and establish the highest level of evidence possible regarding further management of CRS patients refractory to AMT.

Methods: This study was a systematic review (SR) with meta-analysis (MA).

Supporting Patients With Incurable Cancer: Backup Behavior in Multidisciplinary Cross-Functional Teams.

Caring for patients with incurable cancer presents unique challenges. Managing symptoms that evolve with changing clinical status and, at the same time, ensuring alignment with patient goals demands specific attention from clinicians. With care needs that often transcend traditional service provision boundaries, patients who seek palliation commonly interface with a team of providers that represents multiple disciplines across multiple settings.

Repolarizing K+ currents in rabbit heart Purkinje cells.

1. Electrophysiological experiments on single myocytes obtained from Purkinje fibres and ventricular tissue of adult rabbit hearts were done to compare the contributions of three potassium (K+) currents to the action potentials in these two tissues. 2.

Thyroid hormone regulates postnatal expression of transient K+ channel isoforms in rat ventricle.

1. The ability of thyroid hormone to regulate the postnatal changes of the Ca2+-independent transient outward K+ current (It) was studied in rat ventricular myocytes. 2.

Shal-type channels contribute to the Ca2+-independent transient outward K+ current in rat ventricle.

1. The hypothesis that Kv4.2 and Kv4.

Outward currents underlying repolarization in human atrial myocytes.

Objective: The goals of this study were to identify the types of outward potassium (K+) currents that are activated at membrane potentials corresponding to the plateau of the action potential in human atrial myocytes, and to compare their properties with published data describing the K+ channels which have been cloned from a human cDNA library.

Methods: Specimens of right atrial appendages were obtained from patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Single myocytes were isolated enzymatically and whole cell voltage- and current-clamp recording techniques were applied.

Short-term diabetes alters K+ currents in rat ventricular myocytes.

The electrophysiological properties of single ventricular myocytes from control rats and from rats made diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ) injection (100 mg/kg body weight) have been investigated using whole-cell voltage-clamp measurements. Our major goal was to define the effects of diabetes on rate-dependent changes in action potential duration and the underlying outward K+ currents. As early as 4 to 6 days after STZ treatment, significant elevation of plasma glucose levels occurs, and the action potential duration increases.

Relaxin increases heart rate by modulating calcium current in cardiac pacemaker cells.

Relaxin (RLX), a reproductive hormone of the insulin family, increases heart rate in experimental animals. The cellular and ionic mechanisms responsible for this positive chronotropic effect remain unknown. We have investigated the actions of RLX on the action potential and underlying transmembrane ionic currents in single sinoatrial node cells of the rabbit heart under whole-cell voltage-clamp conditions, using both nystatin-perforated-patch and membrane-ruptured techniques.

Heterogeneity of action potential waveforms and potassium currents in rat ventricle.

Objective: The ionic mechanisms for differences in action potential waveforms in rat left ventricle were studied by recording L-type Ca2+ current, transient outward K+ current, and inwardly rectifying background K+ current in single myocytes.

Methods: Single cells were obtained from adult rat hearts by enzymatic dispersion of tissue segments from the epicardium at the apex and the endocardium at the base of the left ventricle. Whole cell voltage clamp methods together with cell shortening measurements were used to identify the K+ currents involved in early and late repolarisation and to correlate changes in action potential shape with inotropic responses.