Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Improved Murine Femur Fracture Device For Bone Healing Studies, Joseph Marturano, Benjamin Cleveland, Melissa Bryne, Shannon O'Connell, John Wixted, Kristen Billiar

Kristen L. Billiar

Murine models are commonly used to investigate bone healing and test new treatments before human trials. Our objective was to design an improved murine femur fracture device and determine optimal mass and velocity settings for maximal likelihood of transverse fracture. Fracture reproducibility was maximized using an adjustable kinetic energy level, a novel mouse positioning system and an electromagnet striker release assembly. Sixty wild-type mice of 8-12-week-old male and female with a weight of 26.4+/-6.1g were subjected to an experimental postmortem fracture in the left and right femur (n=120) using variable kinetic energy inputs. A best-fit prediction equation for transverse fracture …

Correspondence Between Self-Report And Interview-Based Assessments Of Antisocial Personality Disorder, Laura Guy, Norman Poythress, Kevin Douglas, Jennifer Skeem, John Edens

Norman Poythress

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is associated with suicide, violence, and risk-taking behavior and can slow response to first-line treatment for Axis I disorders. ASPD may be assessed infrequently because few efficient diagnostic tools are available. This study evaluated 2 promising self-report measures for assessing ASPD--the ASPD scale of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4; S. E. Hyler, 1994) and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; L. Morey, 1991, 2007)--as well as the ASPD module of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II (SCID-II; M. B. First, R. L. Spitzer, M. Gibbon, J. B. W. Williams, and L. S. Benjamin, 1997). The …

The Competence-Related Abilities Of Adolescent Defendants In Criminal Court, Norman Poythress, Frances Lexcen, Thomas Grisso, Laurence Steinberg

Norman Poythress

Increasing numbers of youths are being tried in criminal court because of statutory measures that have decreased the use of judicial review as the primary mechanism for transfer. The relative immaturity of adolescents suggests that transferred youths might have impaired competence-related abilities compared to adults. To test this hypothesis, we compared the competence-related abilities and developmental characteristics of a sample of direct-filed 16-17-year-olds charged in criminal court in the state of Florida (Direct File sample) to a sample of 18-24-year-old adults charged in criminal courts (Adult Offender sample) and to a separate sample of 16-17-year-olds charged in juvenile court (Juvenile …

Factors Differentiating Successful Versus Unsuccessful Malingerers, John Edens, Laura Guy, Randy Otto, Jacqueline Buffington, Tara Tomicic, Norman Poythress

Norman Poythress

Relatively little is known about the processes in which "successful" malingerers engage to avoid detection. This study summarizes the response strategies used by participants (N = 540) instructed to feign a specific mental disorder while completing various self-report instruments designed to detect faking. Postexperiment questionnaires indicated that those who were able to appear symptomatic while avoiding being detected as feigning (n = 60) were more likely to endorse a lower rate of legitimate symptoms, to avoid overly unusual or bizarre items, and to base their responses on their own personal experiences.

Defining Behavioral And Molecular Differences Between Summer And Migratory Monarch Butterflies, Haisun Zhu, Robert Gegear, Amy Casselman, Sriramana Kanginakudru, Steven Reppert

Robert J. Gegear

BACKGROUND: In the fall, Eastern North American monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) undergo a magnificent long-range migration. In contrast to spring and summer butterflies, fall migrants are juvenile hormone deficient, which leads to reproductive arrest and increased longevity. Migrants also use a time-compensated sun compass to help them navigate in the south/southwesterly direction en route for Mexico. Central issues in this area are defining the relationship between juvenile hormone status and oriented flight, critical features that differentiate summer monarchs from fall migrants, and identifying molecular correlates of behavioral state. RESULTS: Here we show that increasing juvenile hormone activity to induce summer-like …

Differential Effects Of Egf And Tgf-Beta1 On Fibroblast Activity In Fibrin-Based Tissue Equivalents, Jaime Grouf, Angela Throm, Jenna Balestrini, Katie Bush, Kristen Billiar

Kristen L. Billiar

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is commonly used to promote matrix production for engineered tissues in vitro, yet it also enhances fibroblast contractility. For applications where contraction is undesirable, we hypothesized that epidermal growth factor (EGF) would yield equivalent mechanical properties without enhancing contractility. In this study, the response of human dermal fibroblasts to EGF (5 ng/mL) and TGF-beta1 (5 ng/mL) was determined within hemispheric fibrin-based gels by assessing matrix compaction and strength, cell number, collagen production, and contractility. After 3 weeks, both cytokines enhanced compaction relative to controls, and EGF roughly doubled matrix strength over controls and TGF-beta1-treated samples. TGF-beta1 …

Acute Interstitial Nephritis Associated With Iga Nephropathy In Children., Sanjeev Vasishtha, B Gauthier, E Valderrama, H Trachtman

Sanjeev Vasishtha MD

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a relatively common glomerulopathy in children and adolescents. The etiology of this disease is uncertain. We previously reported a child with IgAN who developed acute interstitial nephritis. We now describe three pediatric patients, including the index case, who had IgAN and who developed concomitant acute interstitial nephritis in association with renal functional impairment. We suggest that this histopathological lesion be considered in any child with IgAN and unexpectedly severe kidney dysfunction.

Emergence Of Candida Parapsilosis As The Predominant Species Causing Candidemia In Children., I Levy, L G Rubin, Sanjeev Vasishtha, V Tucci, S K Sood

Sanjeev Vasishtha MD

An increase in the rate of isolation of Candida parapsilosis, relative to other Candida species, in our children's hospital led us to analyze the clinical and epidemiological variables associated with candidemia. We sought to determine if these variables are different for patients infected with C. parapsilosis. All episodes of candidemia occurring over a 7-year period were analyzed retrospectively. Of 81 episodes in 80 patients, 35 (43%) were in neonates, and 46 (57%) were in nonneonates. C. parapsilosis was isolated in 40 episodes (49%). C. parapsilosis was significantly more likely than non-C. parapsilosis species to be associated with prematurity (P = …

The Effect Of Low-Dose Heparin On The Prevention Of Venous Thrombosis In Patients Receiving Short-Term Parenteral Nutrition., J A Macoviak, G Melnik, G Mclean, A Lunderquist, Raymond Singer, L Forlaw, J L Rombeau

Raymond L Singer MD

No abstract provided.

Complications From Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia In Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass., Raymond Singer, J D Mannion, T L Bauer, F R Armenti, R N Edie

Raymond L Singer MD

The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the incidence and severity of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)-related complications in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. We reviewed the records of 1,500 consecutive patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass between August 1987 and December 1991 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. During this period of time, there were 1,155 coronary artery bypass graft operations (77 percent); 225 valve replacements and repairs, or both (15 percent); 60 combination coronary artery bypass graft or valve operations, or both (4 percent); and 60 miscellaneous procedures (4 percent). Although not all patients with postoperative complications were tested for the …

Extra-Anatomic Redo Of Midcab And Opcab: An Early Experience., M C Sinclair, M Leboutillier, W Gee, Theodore Phillips, Raymond Singer

Raymond L Singer MD

BACKGROUND: Eighteen patients with unstable angina underwent repeat myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass using saphenous vein grafts from either the left (13) or right (2) axillary arteries or the descending thoracic aorta (3). Patients' ages ranged from 53 to 85 years. Left ventricular ejection fractions ranged from 15% to 60%. METHODS: In 14 patients, the heart was exposed through an anterior thoracotomy, a minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) technique. In 3 patients a left posterolateral thoractomy (lateral MIDCAB) was performed. One patient underwent repeat sternotomy (off-pump coronary artery bypass: OPCAB). In MIDCAB and lateral MIDCAB patients, the "target" …

Outcome Of Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury In A Level I Trauma Center: An 8-Year Review., E J Frick, M D Cipolle, Michael Pasquale, T E Wasser, M Rhodes, Raymond Singer, S A Nastasee

Raymond L Singer MD

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with blunt thoracic aortic injury and identify factors predictive of outcome. METHODS: Hospital charts, trauma registry data, and autopsies of 64 patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury from 1988 to 1995 were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients were identified and segregated based on admission physiology. Group 1 patients (n = 19) arrived in arrest. Group 2 patients (n = 10) arrived in shock with systolic BP 90. Group 3 patients (n = 35) arrived with systolic BP>90. All patients in groups 1 and 2 expired. Injury Severity Scores for nonsurvivors …

Identification Of Experimentally Induced Colitis By In Vitro Nuclear Magnetic Resonance., R H Rolandelli, S H Saul, R G Settle, D O Jacobs, Raymond Singer, G L Wolf, J L Rombeau

Raymond L Singer MD

The present study determined whether in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance could be used to assess experimentally induced colitis in rats. Acute colitis was induced in 6 Sprague-Dawley rats by acetic acid enema, while 6 control animals received saline enemas. All animals were sacrificed 24 hours post-enema, and NMR relaxation times, T1 and T2, of colonic samples were determined on a 10 MHz spin analyzer (RADX, Houston, TX). Colonic water content was determined on the same samples by desiccation. Colitis animals showed significantly higher T1 and T2 relaxation times and tissue water content than controls. T1 and T2 times correlated significantly …

Male Gender Is Associated With Increased Risk For Postinjury Pneumonia., Christopher J Gannon, Michael Pasquale, J Kathleen Tracy, Robert J Mccarter, Lena M Napolitano

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

Nosocomial pneumonia in trauma patients is a significant source of resource utilization and mortality. We have previously described increased rates of pneumonia in male trauma patients in a single institution study. In that study, female trauma patients had a lower incidence of postinjury pneumonia but a higher relative risk for mortality when they did develop pneumonia. We sought to investigate the hypothesis that male trauma patients have an increased incidence of postinjury pneumonia in a separate population-based dataset. Prospective data were collected on 30,288 trauma patients (26,231 blunt injuries, 4057 penetrating injuries) admitted to all trauma centers (n = 26) …

Clinical Clearance Of The Cervical Spine In Blunt Trauma Patients Younger Than 3 Years: A Multi-Center Study Of The American Association For The Surgery Of Trauma., Rafael Pieretti-Vanmarcke, George C Velmahos, Michael L Nance, Saleem Islam, Richard A Falcone, Paul W Wales, Rebeccah L Brown, Barbara A Gaines, Christine Mckenna, Forrest O Moore, Pamela W Goslar, Kenji Inaba, Galinos Barmparas, Eric R Scaife, Ryan R Metzger, Douglas L Brockmeyer, Jeffrey S Upperman, Joaquin Estrada, David A Lanning, Sara K Rasmussen, Paul D Danielson, Michael P Hirsh, Heitor F X Consani, Steven Stylianos, Candace Pineda, Scott H Norwood, Steven W Bruch, Robert Drongowski, Robert Barraco, Michael Pasquale, Farheen Hussain, Erwin F Hirsch, P Daniel Mcneely, Mary E Fallat, David S Foley, Joseph A Iocono, Heather M Bennett, Kenneth Waxman, Kelly Kam, Lisa Bakhos, Laurie Petrovick, Yuchiao Chang, Peter T Masiakos

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

BACKGROUND: Cervical spine clearance in the very young child is challenging. Radiographic imaging to diagnose cervical spine injuries (CSI) even in the absence of clinical findings is common, raising concerns about radiation exposure and imaging-related complications. We examined whether simple clinical criteria can be used to safely rule out CSI in patients younger than 3 years. METHODS: The trauma registries from 22 level I or II trauma centers were reviewed for the 10-year period (January 1995 to January 2005). Blunt trauma patients younger than 3 years were identified. The measured outcome was CSI. Independent predictors of CSI were identified by …

Implementation Of A Rapid Assessment Unit (Intake Team): Impact On Ed Length Of Stay., Richard Mackenzie, David Burmeister, Jennifer Brown, Melissa Teitsworth, Christopher J Kita, Megan Dambach, Shaheen Shamji, Marna Greenberg

Marna R Greenberg DO, MPH, FACEP

No abstract provided.

Atomoxetine Treatment In Children And Adolescents With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What Are The Long-Term Health-Related Quality-Of-Life Outcomes?, Amy Perwien, Christopher Kratochvil, Douglas Faries, Brigette Vaughan, Thomas Spencer, Ronald Brown

Ronald Brown

OBJECTIVE: Numerous investigations have examined the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, relatively few studies have addressed the impact of treatment on long-term subjective, psychosocial outcomes, such as health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study examines the long-term effects of pharmacological treatment with atomoxetine on HRQL in children and adolescents with ADHD. METHODS: Participants included 6- to 17-year-old children and adolescents (n = 912) with ADHD enrolled in a 24-month, multicenter, open-label trial of atomoxetine. Outcomes included clinician ratings of ADHD, parent ratings of ADHD, and a widely used measure of HRQL (The Child Health …

Characteristics, Treatment Practices, And In-Hospital Outcomes Of Older Adults Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction, Han-Yang Chen, David Mcmanus, Jane Saczynski, Jerry Gurwitz, Joel Gore, Jorge Yarzebski, Robert Goldberg

Jorge L. Yarzebski

OBJECTIVES: To examine overall and decade-long trends (1999-2009), characteristics, treatment practices, and hospital outcomes in individuals aged 65 and older hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to describe how these factors varied in the youngest, middle, and oldest-old individuals.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING: Population-based Worcester Heart Attack Study.

MEASUREMENTS: Analyses were conducted to examine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, cardiac treatments, and hospital outcomes of older adults in three age strata (65-74, 75-84, > /=85).

PARTICIPANTS: The study sample consisted of 3,851 individuals aged 65 and older hospitalized with AMI every other year between 1999 and 2009; 32% were …

Use Of Medications Of Questionable Benefit In Advanced Dementia, Jennifer Tjia, Becky Briesacher, Daniel Peterson, Qin Liu, Susan Andrade, Susan Mitchell

Jennifer Tjia

IMPORTANCE: Advanced dementia is characterized by severe cognitive impairment and complete functional dependence. Patients' goals of care should guide the prescribing of medication during such terminal illness. Medications that do not promote the primary goal of care should be minimized. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of medications with questionable benefit used by nursing home residents with advanced dementia, identify resident- and facility-level characteristics associated with such use, and estimate associated medication expenditures. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study of medication use by nursing home residents with advanced dementia using a nationwide long-term care pharmacy database linked to the Minimum Data …

Classification Of Dengue Illness Based On Readily Available Laboratory Data, James Potts, Stephen Thomas, Anon Srikiatkhachorn, Pra-On Supradish, Wenjun Li, Ananda Nisalak, Suchitra Nimmannitya, Timothy Endy, Daniel Libraty, Robert Gibbons, Sharone Green, Alan Rothman, Siripen Kalayanarooj

Sharone Green

The aim of this study was to examine retrospective dengue-illness classification using only clinical laboratory data, without relying on X-ray, ultrasound, or percent hemoconcentration. We analyzed data from a study of children who presented with acute febrile illness to two hospitals in Thailand. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to distinguish: (1) dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) versus dengue fever (DF), (2) DHF versus DF + other febrile illness (OFI), (3) dengue versus OFI, and (4) severe dengue versus non-severe dengue + OFI. Data from the second hospital served as a validation set. There were 1,227 patients in the analysis. The …

Is Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy Covering The Anastomotic Site Beneficial In Post-Esophagectomy High Risk Patients?, Edward Yu, Rashid Dar, George Rodrigues, Larry Stitt, Gregory Videtic, Pauline Truong, Anna Tomiak, Robert Ash, Ed Brecevic, Richard Inculet, Richard Malthaner, Mark Vincent, Ian Craig, Walter Kocha, Michael Lefcoe

Richard A. Malthaner

Background and purpose: To assess the impact of extended volume radiation therapy (RT) with anastomotic coverage on local control in high risk post-operative esophageal cancer patients.

Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study of high risk (T(3), T(4), nodes positive, with or without margin involvement) post-operative esophageal cancer patients treated at London Regional Cancer Centre from 1989 to 1999. After esophagectomy, all patients received adjuvant combined modality therapy consisting of four cycles of fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, and loco-regional RT with or without coverage of the anastomotic site. RT dose ranged from 45 to 60 Gy at 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction with treatment …

Management And Prognosis In Synchronous Solitary Resected Brain Metastasis From Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Alexander Louie, George Rodrigues, Brian Yaremko, Edward Yu, A. Dar, Brian Dingle, Mark Vincent, Michael Sanatani, Richard Malthaner, Richard Inculet

Richard A. Malthaner

Background: Reports in the medical literature have described cases of extended survival of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with solitary metastatic disease who have received aggressive treatment both to the brain metastasis and to the local/regional disease. The objective of this research is to analyze prognostic factors that predict for outcome in this unique patient population.

Patients and methods: A single-institution, retrospective chart review was performed on 35 patients with NSCLC and a synchronous solitary brain metastasis (SSBM) treated with craniotomy and whole-brain radiation therapy. Eight patients (22.9%) had chest surgery, 24 (68.6%) had chemotherapy, and 14 (40%) had …

Is Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy Covering The Anastomotic Site Beneficial In Post-Esophagectomy High Risk Patients?, Edward Yu, Rashid Dar, George Rodrigues, Larry Stitt, Gregory Videtic, Pauline Truong, Anna Tomiak, Robert Ash, Ed Brecevic, Richard Inculet, Richard Malthaner, Mark Vincent, Ian Craig, Walter Kocha, Michael Lefcoe

Richard A. Malthaner

Background and purpose: To assess the impact of extended volume radiation therapy (RT) with anastomotic coverage on local control in high risk post-operative esophageal cancer patients.

Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study of high risk (T(3), T(4), nodes positive, with or without margin involvement) post-operative esophageal cancer patients treated at London Regional Cancer Centre from 1989 to 1999. After esophagectomy, all patients received adjuvant combined modality therapy consisting of four cycles of fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, and loco-regional RT with or without coverage of the anastomotic site. RT dose ranged from 45 to 60 Gy at 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction with treatment …

Subsets More Likely To Benefit From Surgery Or Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation After Chemoradiation For Localized Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Bruce Keith, Mark Vincent, Larry Stitt, Anna Tomiak, Richard Malthaner, Edward Yu, Pauline Truong, Richard Inculet, Michael Lefcoe, A. Dar, Walter Kocha, Ian Craig

Richard A. Malthaner

After chemoradiation for localized non-small-cell lung cancer, surgery and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) have been used as additional therapies. Less than a third of patients develop brain recurrences, or have local recurrence as their sole initial site of recurrence; these are groups that would benefit from PCI or surgery, respectively. Pretreatment identification of patients more likely to benefit from surgery or PCI would be useful. A retrospective analysis of 80 patients was performed to determine prognostic factors for such patterns of failure. Twenty-nine patients were subsequently selected for surgery in a nonrandomized manner. Seventeen patients had isolated local initial recurrence …

Management And Prognosis In Synchronous Solitary Resected Brain Metastasis From Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Alexander Louie, George Rodrigues, Brian Yaremko, Edward Yu, A. Dar, Brian Dingle, Mark Vincent, Michael Sanatani, Richard Malthaner, Richard Inculet

Richard A. Malthaner

Background: Reports in the medical literature have described cases of extended survival of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with solitary metastatic disease who have received aggressive treatment both to the brain metastasis and to the local/regional disease. The objective of this research is to analyze prognostic factors that predict for outcome in this unique patient population.

Patients and methods: A single-institution, retrospective chart review was performed on 35 patients with NSCLC and a synchronous solitary brain metastasis (SSBM) treated with craniotomy and whole-brain radiation therapy. Eight patients (22.9%) had chest surgery, 24 (68.6%) had chemotherapy, and 14 (40%) had …

Subsets More Likely To Benefit From Surgery Or Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation After Chemoradiation For Localized Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Bruce Keith, Mark Vincent, Larry Stitt, Anna Tomiak, Richard Malthaner, Edward Yu, Pauline Truong, Richard Inculet, Michael Lefcoe, A. Dar, Walter Kocha, Ian Craig

Richard A. Malthaner

After chemoradiation for localized non-small-cell lung cancer, surgery and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) have been used as additional therapies. Less than a third of patients develop brain recurrences, or have local recurrence as their sole initial site of recurrence; these are groups that would benefit from PCI or surgery, respectively. Pretreatment identification of patients more likely to benefit from surgery or PCI would be useful. A retrospective analysis of 80 patients was performed to determine prognostic factors for such patterns of failure. Twenty-nine patients were subsequently selected for surgery in a nonrandomized manner. Seventeen patients had isolated local initial recurrence …

Prepubertal Organochlorine Pesticide Concentrations And Age Of Pubertal Onset Among Russian Boys, Thuy Lam, Paige Williams, Mary Lee, Susan Korrick, Linda Birnbaum, Jane Burns, Oleg Sergeyev, Boris Revich, Larisa Altshul, Donald Patterson, Wayman Turner, Russ Hauser

Mary M. Lee

BACKGROUND: In animal studies, organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure alters pubertal development; however, epidemiological data are limited and inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations of serum OCP concentrations [hexachlorobenzene (HCB), beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE)] with male pubertal onset. METHODS: In Chapaevsk, Russia, a town environmentally contaminated with OCPs, 350 8-9 year old boys with measured OCPs were enrolled during 2003-2005 and were followed annually for eight years. We evaluated three measures of pubertal onset: testicular volume (TV) > 3 mL in either testis, or stage 2 or greater for genitalia (G2+), or pubic hair (P2+). We used multivariable interval-censored models to …

Association Between Chlorinated Pesticides In The Serum Of Prepubertal Russian Boys And Longitudinal Biomarkers Of Metabolic Function, Jane Burns, Paige Williams, Susan Korrick, Russ Hauser, Oleg Sergeyev, Boris Revich, Thuy Lam, Mary Lee

Mary M. Lee

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been linked to adult metabolic disorders; however, few studies have examined these associations in childhood. We prospectively evaluated the associations of baseline serum OCPs (hexachlorobenzene, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) in Russian boys with subsequent repeated measurements of serum glucose, insulin, lipids, leptin, and calculated homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (IR). During 2003-2005, we enrolled 499 boys aged 8-9 years in a prospective cohort; 318 had baseline serum OCPs and serum biomarkers measured at ages 10-13 years. Multivariable generalized estimating equation and mediation regression models were used to examine associations and direct and indirect (via body mass …

Statin Discontinuation In Nursing Home Residents With Advanced Dementia, Jennifer Tjia, Sarah Cutrona, Daniel Peterson, George Reed, Susan Andrade, Susan Mitchell

Jennifer Tjia

OBJECTIVES: To describe patterns of, and factors associated with, statin use and discontinuation in nursing home (NH) residents progressing to advanced dementia and followed for at least 90 days.

DESIGN: Retrospective inception cohort using a dataset linking 2007 to 2008 Minimum Data Set (MDS) to Medicare denominator and Part D files.

SETTING: All NHs in five states (Minnesota, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California, Florida).

PARTICIPANTS: NH residents with dementia.

MEASUREMENTS: Residents who developed advanced dementia were observed from baseline (date of progression to very severe cognitive impairment with eating problems) and followed for at least 90 days to statin discontinuation or death. …

Comparison Between Coated Vs. Uncoated Suture Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion In The Rat As Assessed By Perfusion/Diffusion Weighted Imaging, James Bouley, Marc Fisher, Nils Henninger

Nils Henninger

Differences among models in the temporal evolution of ischemia after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats may considerably influence the results of experimental treatment studies. Using diffusion and perfusion imaging, we compared the spatiotemporal evolution of ischemia in Sprague-Dawley rats after permanent MCAO (pMCAO) with different types of sutures. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to pMCAO produced with either 4-0 silicone coated (n=8), or 3-0 uncoated monofilaments (n=8). Serial determination of quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were performed up to 3 h after pMCAO. Lesion volumes were calculated by using previously validated …