Prospective study of short stature and newly diagnosed asthma in women.

The authors tested the hypothesis that short stature predicts adult-onset asthma independent of obesity among women in the Nurses' Health Study. Height, weight, and physician-diagnosed asthma were assessed with validated questionnaire items. Proportional hazard models adjusted separately for weight and body mass index. The rate of newly diagnosed asthma was 1.55 times greater in the shortest versus the tallest quintile after adjustment for weight (95% CI, 1.26-1.91). After adjustment for body mass index, the rate ratio was 1.16 (95% CI, 0.94-1.42). Short stature predicted adult-onset asthma in a large cohort of women, but this association was not independent of obesity.     

Consumption of Dry Beans, Peas, and Lentils Could Improve Diet Quality in the US Population

The US Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid guidelines introduced a near doubling of the dietary recommendations for vegetables. These recommendations target specific subgroups of vegetables, including dry beans and peas. Dry beans and peas provide an array of nutrients and phytochemicals that have been shown to have beneficial health effects, yet consumption levels in the United States are quite low. Few studies have examined the influence of legume consumption on nutrient intakes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess nutrient and food group intakes of dry bean and pea consumers compared to nonconsumers. Dietary intake data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for adults aged ≥19 years was used. Results show that on any given day only 7.9% of adults are consuming dry beans and peas; Mexican Americans or other Hispanics are more likely to be consumers than nonconsumers. Consuming approximately ½ c dry beans or peas resulted in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron, and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat. These data support the specific recommendation for dry beans and peas as part of the overall vegetable recommendation. Increased consumption of dry beans and peas—economical and nutrient-rich foods—could improve the diet quality of Americans.     

Flexible and floating choroid plexus cyst of the third ventricle: an ultrasonographic video documentation

Introduction Choroid plexus cysts can lead to isolation of the lateral ventricles and distension of the third ventricle. We present an ultrasonographic video documentation of an infant with variably shaped and localized choroid plexus cyst of the third ventricle. Case report An infant had periods of increased intracranial pressure with changing dilatation of the first to third ventricle. Cerebral ultrasonography of the not crying boy demonstrated a choroid plexus cyst limply hanging down from the roof of the third ventricle to the beginning of the aqueduct of Sylvius. During crying, the cyst prolapsed from the third into left lateral ventricle and was strangled by the foramen of Monro. Endoscopic cyst fenestration and third ventriculostomy continuously solved the problem of intermittent hydrocephalus occlusus. Conclusion Depending not only on localization and size but also on cyst form and cerebrospinal fluid pressure, a single choroid plexus cyst can cause various obstructions of cerebrospinal fluid pathways.     

Constructing osteoarthritis through discourse – a qualitative analysis of six patient information leaflets on osteoarthritis

Background  

Health service policy in the United Kingdom emphasises the importance of self-care by patients with chronic conditions. Written information for patients about their condition is seen as an important aid to help patients look after themselves. From a discourse analysis perspective written texts such as patient information leaflets do not simply describe the reality of a medical condition and its management but by drawing on some sorts of knowledge and evidence rather than others help construct the reality of that condition. This study explored patient information leaflets on osteoarthritis (OA) to see how OA was constructed and to consider the implications for self-care.     

Pure isolated dorsal dislocation of the fifth carpometacarpal joint

Isolated pure dislocations of the fifth carpo-metacarpal joint are extremely rare injuries. The dorsal form was described in mere 12 cases. The diagnosis can be easily missed. The lesion is also often overlooked in the routine diagnostic X-ray. Lateral and oblique views are important for the recognition of the true extent of the lesion. Treatment of these injures is still controversial and both closed reduction with percutaneous pinning or open reduction with internal fixation are advocated. The goal of treatment is early reduction and fixation of the metacarpal. Early diagnosis is the key to success. The aim of this paper is to review literature and present two new cases.     

Health Information System Implementation: A Qualitative Meta-analysis

Healthcare information systems (HISs) are often implemented to enhance the quality of care and the degree to which it is patient-centered, as well as to improve the efficiency and safety of services. However, the outcomes of HIS implementations have not met expectations. We set out to organize the knowledge gained in qualitative studies performed in association with HIS implementations and to use this knowledge to outline an updated structure for implementation planning. A multi-disciplinary team performed the analyses in order to cover as many aspects of the primary studies as possible. We found that merely implementing an HIS will not automatically increase organizational efficiency. Strategic, tactical, and operational actions have to be taken into consideration, including management involvement, integration in healthcare workflow, establishing compatibility between software and hardware and, most importantly, user involvement, education and training. The results should be interpreted as a high-order scheme, and not a predictive theory.