Vertical transmission of HIV in New York State: a basis for statewide testing of newborns

Infants (n = 313) of HIV-infected mothers were enrolled (mean age 1.9 weeks, range 0-8 weeks) in a 3-year prospective study of vertical transmission. Fifty-six infants (17.9%) had laboratory and clinical evidence of HIV infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provided early and reliable identification of infected infants. Thirty-one of the 56 infected infants had specimens submitted when the infants were 4 weeks of age or less and 30 (97%) tested PCR positive. This percentage increased to 100% by 8 weeks of age when 51 of the 56 infected infants had specimens tested for that time period. Immune complex dissociation (ICD) antigen testing was a sensitive method for diagnosis of infection but only in infants older than 1 month. p24 antigen testing, although free of false positives, is less sensitive than either of the other methods. Among surrogate markers of HIV infection, elevation of soluble CD8 levels precedes an increase in immunoglobulin levels or a decline in CD4 T lymphocytes. Vertical transmission is significantly lower in Central and Western New York State than other regions. Transmission is significantly higher in low birthweight babies and in infants whose mothers have CD4 counts < 500. This study provided the basis for establishing a Pediatric HIV PCR Testing Service for the early diagnosis of HIV infection in neonates.     

Cross-sectional associations between trunk muscle composition, back pain, and physical function in the health, aging and body composition study

BACKGROUND: Associations between trunk muscle composition and physical function have not been examined previously in older adults. We hypothesized that lower trunk muscle area and attenuation (higher fat infiltration) are associated with decreased functional capacity. METHODS: The study sample consisted of a biracial cohort of well functioning men (739) and women (788) aged 70-79 from the Pittsburgh site of the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study. Computed tomography was used to measure trunk muscle area (cm2) and muscle attenuation (Hounsfield Unit [HU]) of the following muscle groups: lumbar paraspinals, lateral abdominals, and rectus abdominis. An average score was calculated for both trunk area and attenuation. The Health ABC Physical Performance Battery (PPB) and its individual components (usual and narrow walk, chair stands, and standing balance) were used to measure functional capacity. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses adjusting for demographic factors, height, body fat, thigh muscle composition, disease status, and low back pain (LBP) found that average trunk muscle area was not associated with any element of functional capacity (p >.10), whereas average trunk muscle attenuation was positively associated with the Health ABC Physical Performance Battery (p <.05) and chair stands (p <.001). Participants reporting higher LBP severity during the past year had lower muscle attenuation (p <.001 for trend), but there was no difference in average trunk muscle area according to LBP status. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a link between trunk muscle composition and history of LBP as well as reduced functional capacity in older adults. Improving trunk muscle quality may lead to reduced LBP severity and improved functional status.     

Translating Evidence Into Practice via Social Media: A Mixed-Methods Study

BackgroundApproximately 80% of research evidence relevant to clinical practice never reaches the clinicians delivering patient care. A key barrier for the translation of evidence into practice is the limited time and skills clinicians have to find and appraise emerging evidence. Social media may provide a bridge between health researchers and health service providers.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of social media as an educational medium to effectively translate emerging research evidence into clinical practice.MethodsThe study used a mixed-methods approach. Evidence-based practice points were delivered via social media platforms. The primary outcomes of attitude, knowledge, and behavior change were assessed using a preintervention/postintervention evaluation, with qualitative data gathered to contextualize the findings.ResultsData were obtained from 317 clinicians from multiple health disciplines, predominantly from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, India, and Malaysia. The participants reported an overall improvement in attitudes toward social media for professional development (P<.001). The knowledge evaluation demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge after the training (P<.001). The majority of respondents (136/194, 70.1%) indicated that the education they had received via social media had changed the way they practice, or intended to practice. Similarly, a large proportion of respondents (135/193, 69.9%) indicated that the education they had received via social media had increased their use of research evidence within their clinical practice.ConclusionsSocial media may be an effective educational medium for improving knowledge of health professionals, fostering their use of research evidence, and changing their clinical behaviors by translating new research evidence into clinical practice.     

Asymmetric Dimethylarginine,Race, and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients

Background and objectives

Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, are elevated in kidney disease and associated with mortality in white European hemodialysis populations. Nitric oxide production and degradation are partially genetically determined and differ by racial background. No studies have measured asymmetric dimethylarginine in African Americans on dialysis and assessed whether differences exist in its association with mortality by race.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Asymmetric dimethylarginine was measured in 259 patients on maintenance hemodialysis assembled from 2004 to 2012 in Boston area outpatient centers. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between asymmetric dimethylarginine and all-cause mortality, and an interaction with race was tested.

Results

Mean (SD) age was 63 (17) years, 46% were women, and 22% were African American. Mean asymmetric dimethylarginine in non–African Americans was 0.79 µmol/L (0.16) versus 0.70 µmol/L (0.11) in African Americans (P<0.001); 130 patients died over a median follow-up of 2.3 years. African Americans had lower mortality risk than non–African Americans (hazard ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 0.50) that was robust to adjustment for age, comorbidity, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.17 to 0.69). An interaction was noted between race and asymmetric dimethylarginine (P=0.03), such that asymmetric dimethylarginine was associated with higher mortality in non–African Americans (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.57 per 1 SD higher asymmetric dimethylarginine) but not in African Americans (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.28 to 1.18). Additional adjustment for fibroblast growth factor 23 partially attenuated the association for non–African Americans (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.98 to 1.50).

Conclusions

African Americans have lower asymmetric dimethylarginine levels and lower hazard for mortality compared with non–African Americans. Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine did not explain lower hazard for mortality in non–African American patients. High asymmetric dimethylarginine was a risk factor for mortality exclusively in non–African Americans. Mechanisms explaining these relationships need to be evaluated.     

Effects of chronic mild traumatic brain injury on white matter integrity in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans

Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common source of morbidity from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. With no overt lesions on structural MRI, diagnosis of chronic mild TBI in military veterans relies on obtaining an accurate history and assessment of behavioral symptoms that are also associated with frequent comorbid disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Military veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan with mild TBI (n = 30) with comorbid PTSD and depression and non‐TBI participants from primary (n = 42) and confirmatory (n = 28) control groups were assessed with high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI). White matter‐specific registration followed by whole‐brain voxelwise analysis of crossing fibers provided separate partial volume fractions reflecting the integrity of primary fibers and secondary (crossing) fibers. Loss of white matter integrity in primary fibers (P < 0.05; corrected) was associated with chronic mild TBI in a widely distributed pattern of major fiber bundles and smaller peripheral tracts including the corpus callosum (genu, body, and splenium), forceps minor, forceps major, superior and posterior corona radiata, internal capsule, superior longitudinal fasciculus, and others. Distributed loss of white matter integrity correlated with duration of loss of consciousness and most notably with “feeling dazed or confused,” but not diagnosis of PTSD or depressive symptoms. This widespread spatial extent of white matter damage has typically been reported in moderate to severe TBI. The diffuse loss of white matter integrity appears consistent with systemic mechanisms of damage shared by blast‐ and impact‐related mild TBI that involves a cascade of inflammatory and neurochemical events. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2986–2999, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Comparison of caregiver strain in Parkinson's disease between Yamagata,Japan, and Maryland,The United States

BackgroundJapan and the United States (US) have different cultures of caregiving including differences in family structure and social programs that may influence caregiver strain. Differences in caregiver strain between regions in Japan and in the US have not been investigated in patient–spouse dyads in PD.ObjectivesTo compare caregiver strain in spouses of PD patients between Yamagata, Japan and Maryland, US. Correlations between caregiver strain and patient/spousal variables are also examined.MethodsIn Yamagata and Maryland, spouses of patients with PD completed questionnaires assessing caregiver strain. Patients and spouses completed scales assessing mental health, and medical co-morbidity. PD severity and disability were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale. Results in the two regions were compared with Chi-square and Student's t-tests. Relationships between caregiver strain and patient/spousal variables were analyzed with univariate correlations and multivariate regression.Results178 Spouse–patient pairs were assessed. The level of caregiver strain in PD did not differ between Yamagata, Japan and Maryland, US despite differences in demographics and social support programs in the two regions. Yamagata spouses reported physical, time and financial constraints, while Maryland spouses reported more emotional distress. In both regions, spousal depression was a significant contributor to caregiver strain.ConclusionDifferent approaches to reduce caregiver strain will likely be necessary in Yamagata and Maryland since the contributing factors to caregiver strain are influenced by differences in culture and social supports in each country.