Informant ratings of cognitive decline of elderly people: relationship to longitudinal change on cognitive tests

Formal assessment of cognitive decline with cognitive tests can be difficult, requiring either two measurement points or a comparison of 'hold' with 'don't hold' tests. Informant-based assessment provides an alternative approach because informants can adopt a longitudinal perspective and directly rate cognitive change. A study was carried out to assess the validity of informant ratings collected by means of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). A community sample of 500 subjects aged 74 or over underwent four cognitive tests on two occasions 3½ years apart. On the second occasion, informants filled out the IQCODE. Subjects rated as having moderate or severe decline were found to have greater change on the cognitive tests. These findings support the validity of informant ratings of cognitive decline.     

The surgical decision in tetralogy of Fallot: weighing risks and benefits with decision analysis

The preferred management of the symptomatic infant less than 2 years of age with tetralogy of Fallot remains unsettled. In this study decision analysis was used to assess the risks and benefits of three courses of action: (1) primary intracardiac repair; (2) palliative operation in infancy and delayed intracardiac repair; and (3) treatment with propranolol in infancy and delayed intracardiac repair. For each action the likelihood was determined of three possible outcomes for the patient: (1) death, (2) poor surgical result, or (3) good surgical result. Each outcome was associated with an estimated life expectancy. The best action was defined as that resulting in the longest life expectancy. With use of previously reported data and those from experience at one institution, a range of probabilities was estimated for death before operation, surgical mortality, success of propranolol treatment and hemodynamic result of operation. The choice of action was affected most by the mortality of primary intracardiac repair and the likelihood of a good hemodynamic result from intracardiac repair. Less important factors were the outcome of a palliative operation and the likelihood of success with propranolol therapy. It was found that in the institution studied if the mortality rate of primary intracardiac repair is 10 percent or less, intracardiac repair should be performed; otherwise propranolol treatment, which allows delay in intracardiac repair, should be selected. Both alternatives are preferable to palliative operation. With decision analysis, the clinician can use probabilities and life expectancy appropriate to a given clinical setting in determining the best management for the infant with tetralogy of Fallot.     

The effect of azathioprine (Imuran) on the kinetics of monocytes and macrophages during the normal steady state and an acute inflammatory reaction

The effect of azathioprine on the kinetics of peripheral blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages was studied in normal mice and in mice in which an inflammatory reaction was provoked. Two dosage levels were used: a high dose of 200mg/kg which is the maximum tolerated daily dose in mice, and low dose of 3 mg/kg which is about equivalent to a nontoxic, immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory dose in man. The number of peripheral blood monocytes decreases gradually during azathioprine treatment of normal mice, the extent and duration being dependent on the dose and duration of administered over a period of 9 days gives an almost complete reduction, and a low dose (3 mg/kg) given for the same period results in a reduction of about 50%. This effect seems to be reversible, because when treatment is stopped the number of monocytes starts to increase 24-48 hr later. The number of peritoneal macrophages is only affected when a high dose (200 mg/kg) is given over a long period; a low dose has virtually no effect. In mice in which an inflammatory reaction was prevoked in the peritoneal cavity, the normally occurring increase in the numbers of both peripheral blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages was suppressed, the extent being dependent on the dose of azathioprine administered. Labeling studies with 3H-thymidine indicated that the reduction of peripheral blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages in the inflammatory exudate is due to a diminished monocyte production.     

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration to healthy volunteers: analysis of the immediate activating effects on circulating neutrophils

In four healthy volunteers, we analyzed in detail the immediate in vivo effects on circulating neutrophils of subcutaneous administration of 300 micrograms of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Neutrophil activation was assessed by measurement of degranulation. Mobilization of secretory vesicles was shown by a decrease in leukocyte alkaline phosphatase content of the circulating neutrophils. Furthermore, shortly postinjection, Fc gamma RIII was found to be upregulated from an intracellular pool that we identified by immunoelectron microscopy as secretory vesicles. Intravascular release of specific granules was shown by increased plasma levels of lactoferrin and by upregulation of the expression of CD66b and CD11b on circulating neutrophils. Moreover, measurement of fourfold elevated plasma levels of elastase, bound to its physiologic inhibitor alpha 1- antitrypsin, indicated mobilization of azurophil granules. However, no expression of CD63, a marker of azurophil granules, was observed on circulating neutrophils. G-CSF--induced mobilization of secretory vesicles and specific granules could be mimicked in whole blood cultures in vitro, in contrast to release of azurophil granules. Therefore, we postulate that the most activated neutrophils leave the circulation, as observed shortly postinjection, and undergo subsequent stimulation in the endothelial microenvironment, resulting in mobilization of azurophil granules. Our data demonstrate that G-CSF should be regarded as a potent immediate activator of neutrophils in vivo.     

Moving research tools into practice: the successes and challenges in promoting uptake of classification tools

Purpose: In this paper, we present our experiences – both successes and challenges – in implementing evidence-based classification tools into clinical practice. We also make recommendations for others wanting to promote the uptake and application of new research-based assessment tools.

Method: We first describe classification systems and the benefits of using them in both research and practice. We then present a theoretical framework from Implementation Science to report strategies we have used to implement two research-based classification tools into practice. We also illustrate some of the challenges we have encountered by reporting results from an online survey investigating 58 Speech-language Pathologists’ knowledge and use of the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), a new tool to classify children’s functional communication skills.

Result and conclusions: We offer recommendations for researchers wanting to promote the uptake of new tools in clinical practice. Specifically, we identify structural, organizational, innovation, practitioner, and patient-related factors that we recommend researchers address in the design of implementation interventions. Roles and responsibilities of both researchers and clinicians in making implementations science a success are presented.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Promoting uptake of new and evidence-based tools into clinical practice is challenging.

• Implementation science can help researchers to close the knowledge-to-practice gap.

• Using concrete examples, we discuss our experiences in implementing evidence-based classification tools into practice within a theoretical framework.

• Recommendations are provided for researchers wanting to implement new tools in clinical practice. Implications for researchers and clinicians are presented.

     

Prolapsing large aneurysm of the atrial septum simulating a right atrial mass.

An unusual case of a large, prolapsing atrial septal aneurysm in a patient with an otherwise normal heart is described. The aneurysm caused right atrial obstruction and resulted in a "tumor effect." The patient experienced debilitating symptoms for years before receiving an appropriate diagnosis and curative surgical treatment.