Variation in PTX3 Is Associated with Primary Graft Dysfunction after Lung Transplantation

Rationale: Elevated long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) levels are associated with the development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation. Abnormalities in innate immunity, mediated by PTX3 release, may play a role in PGD pathogenesis. Objectives: Our goal was to test whether variants in the gene encoding PTX3 are risk factors for PGD. Methods: We performed a candidate gene association study in recipients from the multicenter, prospective Lung Transplant Outcomes Group cohort enrolled between July 2002 and July 2009. The primary outcome was International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 3 PGD within 72 hours of transplantation. Targeted genotyping of 10 haplotype-tagging PTX3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed in lung transplant recipients. The association between PGD and each SNP was evaluated by logistic regression, adjusting for pretransplantation lung disease, cardiopulmonary bypass use, and population stratification. The association between SNPs and plasma PTX3 levels was tested across genotypes in a subset of recipients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Measurements and Main Results: Six hundred fifty-four lung transplant recipients were included. The incidence of PGD was 29%. Two linked 5' region variants, rs2120243 and rs2305619, were associated with PGD (odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 1.9; P = 0.006 and odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 1.9; P = 0.007, respectively). The minor allele of rs2305619 was significantly associated with higher plasma PTX3 levels measured pretransplantation (P = 0.014) and at 24 hours (P = 0.047) after transplantation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions: Genetic variants of PTX3 are associated with PGD after lung transplantation, and are associated with increased PTX3 plasma levels.     

Factors associated with past research participation among low-income persons living with HIV

We described influences on past research participation among low-income persons living with HIV (PLWH) and examined whether such influences differed by study type. We analyzed a convenience sample of individuals from a large, urban clinic specializing in treating low-income PLWH. Using a computer-assisted survey, we elicited perceptions of research and participating in research, barriers, benefits, "trigger" influences, and self-efficacy in participating in research. Of 193 participants, we excluded 14 who did not identify any type of study participation, and 17 who identified "other" as study type, resulting in 162 cases for analysis. We compared results among four groups (i.e., 6 comparisons): past medical participants (n=36, 22%), past behavioral participants (n=49, 30%), individuals with no past research participation (n=52, 32%), and persons who had participated in both medical and behavioral studies (n=25, 15%). Data were analyzed using chi-square tests for categorical variables and ANOVA for continuous variables. We employed a multinomial probit (MNP) model to examine the association of multiple factors with the outcome. Confidence in ability to keep appointments, and worry about being a 'guinea pig' showed statistical differences in bivariate analyses. The MNP regression analysis showed differences between and across all 6 comparison groups. Fewer differences were seen across groupings of medical participants, behavioral participants, and those with no past research experience, than in comparisons with the medical-behavioral group. In the MNP regression model 'age' and level of certainty regarding 'keeping yourself from being a guinea pig' showed significant differences between past medical participants and past behavioral participants.     

Modifiable factors delaying early discharge following primary joint arthroplasty

Aims

Recent NHS reforms have incentivised reduction in length of stay, with the UK department of health expecting health trusts to reduce bed days and ultimately reduce overall costs. The aim of this study was to identify avoidable causes for protracted hospital admission following total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) within a fast-track unit.

Methods

During a 6-month period, 535 consecutive patients underwent primary THA or TKA under the care of a single surgeon. All patients with a post-operative stay of greater than 72 h were identified, and reasons for delayed discharge were determined.

Results

The majority of arthroplasty patients were discharged within 3 days post-operatively. Twenty-one per cent of THA patients and 25 % of TKA patients remained as inpatients for greater than 72 h. For the THA population, this equates to 43 % of bed days used by 21 % of patients, and for the TKA population, 44 % of bed days were used by 25 % of patients. The major factor within both groups for delayed discharge was attributed to inadequate social support.

Conclusions

Delayed discharge can never be totally prevented. This unit aims to develop improvement in social work provision, with a greater focus on pre-admission discharge planning to reduce the number of delayed discharges and ultimately reduce the cost burden of joint replacement surgery. It is not conducive with the ethos of fast-track arthroplasty to only identify social circumstances upon admission.     

SPOTS: A Model for the Creation of Sustainable,Population-Based,Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Sites

This paper describes a model for the creation of sustainable, population-based, occupational therapy fieldwork sites (SPOTS). An example of a population-based fieldwork site was created with Appalachian Mountain People in Kentucky and its outcomes are presented. Outcomes were gathered using a wide variety of evaluation feedback forms. The results indicate that all staff, student, and college feedback were extremely favorable as detailed and suggest that others may use the SPOTS Model to develop population-based occupational therapy services that address public health issues for people with disabilities identified in Healthy People 2020 and create scholarly opportunities for students and faculty.     

The association of alcohol use disorder with perioperative outcomes after primary total shoulder arthroplasty for glenohumeral osteoarthritis: a retrospective matched cohort study

BackgroundAccording to the World Health Organization, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the leading mental health disorders in the United States. As the utilization of primary total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs) continues to increase nationwide for the treatment of glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA), studies evaluating the association of AUD with outcomes after primary TSA are warranted. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether patients who undergo TSA and who have AUD have higher in-hospital lengths of stay (LOS), medical complications, and health care expenditures.MethodsThe Parts A and B 100% Medicare Claims Database were queried to identify patients who underwent primary TSA for glenohumeral OA and have AUD from January 1, 2005 to March 31, 2014. Patients were 1:5 ratio matched to a comparison cohort by age, sex, and various comorbid conditions. The query yielded 32,846 patients in the study (n = 5479) and comparison (n = 27,367) cohorts. The variables of interest include comparison of in-hospital LOS, 90-day medical complications, and day of surgery and 90-day health care costs. Welch’s t-tests were used to compare LOS, whereas multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of AUD on complications. A P value less than 0.001 was considered to be statistically significant.ResultsPatients with AUD had significantly longer in-hospital LOS (4 vs. 2 days, P < .0001), in addition to higher rates and odds of 90-day complications (30.44% vs. 7.94%; OR: 1.85, P < .0001) such as surgical site infections (1.15 vs. 0.24%; OR: 2.33, P < .0001), cerebrovascular accidents (5.06 vs. 1.23%; OR: 2.16, P < .0001), respiratory failures (5.79 vs. 1.52%; OR: 2.02, P < .0001), myocardial infarctions (1.53 vs. 0.43%; OR: 2.01, P < .0001), acute kidney injuries (6.55 vs. 1.34%; OR: 1.89, P < .0001), and other complications. In addition, patients in the study group incurred significantly higher day of surgery ($12,160.60 vs. $11,308.48, P < .0001) and 90-day episode of care costs ($14,493.13 vs. $13,087.55, P < .0001).ConclusionAs the prevalence of AUD continues to increase nationwide, understanding the association of AUD with outcomes after primary TSA for the treatment of glenohumeral OA is necessary. The current investigation is important as health care professionals and orthopedists can use this information to adequately educate patients on potential complications which may occur after their procedure.     

Arthritis and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) with inherited deficiency of the sixth component of complement (C6).

We report here the case of a woman with joint pains found to have antinuclear antibodies and undetectable serum haemolytic complement. Investigation of her and her family members showed an inherited deficiency of C6.