Necrotizing enterocolitis as a prognostic factor for the neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants - match control study after 2 years

Purpose

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight infants is a risk factor for developmental delay. To our knowledge, there are no studies published investigating the neurodevelopmental outcome of patients with NEC comparing surgically treated and conservatively treated patients versus match paired controls. The aim of this retrospective case control study was to measure the neurodevelopmental outcome of patients with NEC who were treated surgically or conservatively

Association of black race with follow-up of an abnormal prostate-specific antigen test

Delayed evaluation after a clearly abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) result may contribute to more advanced prostate cancer at diagnosis in black men. In 46 primary care practices over a period of 4.5 years, we studied men aged more than 50 years without known prostate cancer who had a PSA of at least 10.0 ng/mL for the first time. PSA follow-up included: a urology appointment, a new prostate diagnosis, or repeat PSA test. Cox proportional hazards models assessed time to follow-up, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and health care factors with censoring at a time that represents excessive delay (200 days). Among all 724 study men (27% black), delay until PSA follow-up averaged 115.2 days (+/- 79.7 d) and the unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for follow-up was shorter for black men than nonblack men (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.00-1.51). However, black men were more likely to have had prior urology care and had higher index PSA levels than other men; both factors were associated with shorter follow-up. After adjustment, delay did not differ for black vs nonblack race (HR, 1.05; 95% Cl, 0.78-1.43) but men aged at least 75 years had a longer delay than men aged 74 years or less (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59-0.89). Despite black men having greater risk of advanced prostate disease at diagnosis and better linkage to urologic care, follow-up was delayed, on average, by more than 3 months and did not differ by race. These results reveal a potentially important, remediable factor to improve prostate cancer prevention and care for black men.     

Current results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty in high-risk patients

In this report, we describe our experience with a contemporary series of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) who were not deemed to be surgical candidates. Demographic, hemodynamic and procedural data, operative risk (EuroSCORE) and long-term follow up were collected. Eighty consecutive patients with severe symptomatic AS underwent 104 BAV procedures as a single center and were followed for a mean of 3+/-2 years. Thirteen patients underwent 2 BAV procedures, 2 patients underwent 3 BAV procedures and 1 patient underwent 5 BAV procedures. Mean age was 81+/-10 years, and 23% were >90 years of age. Cardiogenic shock was present in 20% and the ejection fraction was <30% in 38% of the patients. The mean EuroSCORE was 16+/-5, and 98% had a high-risk EuroSCORE. There were no procedural deaths and 9 (9%) total vascular complications. In-hospital, 1-, 2- and 3-year mortality rates were 6%, 44%, 62% and 71%, respectively. Seventeen patients (21%) underwent repeat BAV procedures and had long-term mortality similar to those undergoing a single BAV procedure. Contemporary BAV has acceptable short- and long-term results and can effectively be used for patients deemed unsuitable surgical candidates and those at highest operative risk, such as patients with cardiogenic shock.     

Prognostic significance of zero coronary calcium scores on cardiac computed tomography

Background

Most unexpected cardiovascular events occur in persons at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease (10%-20% 10-year risk). Coronary artery calcium (CAC) has been shown to be highly specific for atherosclerosis, occurring only in the intima of the coronary arteries. Evidence shows that elevated coronary calcium scores (CCSs) are predictive of future cardiovascular events, both independently of and incrementally to conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Several studies reported event rates of zero for those persons without CAC by cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Objectives

We sought to evaluate the event rates in persons with negative calcium scores from the reported literature to establish whether these patients may be considered at low risk for hard cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and death).

Methods

English-language studies from January 1, 1975, through February 1, 2007, were retrieved using MEDLINE and Current Contents databases, bibliographies, and expert consultation.

Results

Summary data show that in a total follow-up of 35,765 asymptomatic persons, 16,106 (45%) had scores of zero. Pooled sensitivity for CAC to detect a cardiovascular event was 98.1% [95% confidence interval (CI), 95.1%-99.9%], and negative predictive value was 99.9% (95% CI, 98.9%-100%). There were 48 hard events in this population, with an annual event rate of 0.027%.

Conclusion

These large observational cohorts show that the absence of CAC by cardiac CT is associated with a low adverse event risk and therefore could be used as a tool to counsel patients about their risk of such events.     

Excess adenosine in murine penile erectile tissues contributes to priapism via A2B adenosine receptor signaling

Priapism, abnormally prolonged penile erection in the absence of sexual excitation, is associated with ischemia-mediated erectile tissue damage and subsequent erectile dysfunction. It is common among males with sickle cell disease (SCD), and SCD transgenic mice are an accepted model of the disorder. Current strategies to manage priapism suffer from a poor fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder. Here we report that mice lacking adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme necessary for the breakdown of adenosine, displayed unexpected priapic activity. ADA enzyme therapy successfully corrected the priapic activity both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that it was dependent on elevated adenosine levels. Further genetic and pharmacologic evidence demonstrated that A2B adenosine receptor-mediated (A2BR-mediated) cAMP and cGMP induction was required for elevated adenosine-induced prolonged penile erection. Finally, priapic activity in SCD transgenic mice was also caused by elevated adenosine levels and A2BR activation. Thus, we have shown that excessive adenosine accumulation in the penis contributes to priapism through increased A2BR signaling in both Ada -/- and SCD transgenic mice. These findings provide insight regarding the molecular basis of priapism and suggest that strategies to either reduce adenosine or block A2BR activation may prove beneficial in the treatment of this disorder.     

Alcohol misuse and report of recent depressive symptoms among ED patients

Objective

This study examined the magnitude of association between alcohol misuse and recent depressive symptoms.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 412 randomly selected patients at least 18 years old and seeking emergency department (ED) care.

Results

Of the patients, 51.0% reported depressive symptoms. At-risk drinking was reported by 26.0%, and 28.2% scored positive on the Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen 4. Alcohol abuse and binge drinking were reported by 25.1% and 28%, respectively, of the patients. According to our results, at-risk drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.47-4.20, P ≤ .001), problem drinking (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.27-3.51, P ≤ .004), drinking abuse (OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.51-4.40, P < .001), and binge drinking (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.13-3.15, P < .001) were all related to the manifestation of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

The findings of this study yield information that could be used by ED health care practitioners and health educators to educate ED patients at risk for alcohol misuse and depression.