Comprehensively evaluating cancer survival in children with birth defects: a population-based assessment

Cancer Causes & Control - Congenital malformations are strong risk factors for childhood cancer. Our objective was to determine whether cancer survival differs by birth defect status among...     

Predicting the initial spread of novel Asian origin influenza A viruses in the continental USA by wild waterfowl

Using data on waterfowl band recoveries, we identified spatially explicit hotspots of concentrated waterfowl movement to predict occurrence and spatial spread of a novel influenza A virus (clade 2.3.4.4) introduced from Asia by waterfowl from an initial outbreak in North America in November 2014. In response to the outbreak, the hotspots of waterfowl movement were used to help guide sampling for clade 2.3.4.4 viruses in waterfowl as an early warning for the US poultry industry during the outbreak . After surveillance sampling of waterfowl, we tested whether there was greater detection of clade 2.3.4.4 viruses inside hotspots. We found that hotspots defined using kernel density estimates of waterfowl band recoveries worked well in predicting areas with higher prevalence of the viruses in waterfowl. This approach exemplifies the value of ecological knowledge in predicting risk to agricultural security.     

Fourteen years of litigation claims in cardiothoracic surgery in the United Kingdom National Health Service

Approximately 36 400 cardiac and 23 100 thoracic operations are carried out in the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2015. National Health Service (NHS) resolution, as known as the NHS litigation authority, is one of the essential bodies of the Department of Health. Its purpose is to provide NHS expertise to resolve concerns fair and square share learning for improvement. We aim to evaluate and increase awareness of medicolegal cases in cardiothoracic surgery. Total numbers and details of claims coded by NHS resolution in cardiothoracic surgery from 2004 to 2017 were requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The data provided in successful claims is further breakdown into damages paid to the claimant, defence cost, claimant cost paid and the sum of the three. In contrast, unsuccessful claims only include the defence cost. Moreover, data provided also includes further analysis of primary causes and primary injuries for Claims Closed/Settled with damages paid. There were 753 claims recorded from 2004 to 2017, of which 415 (55.11%) were successful. The number of claims has been steadily increasing since 2004, with two significant raises from 2009/10 to 2010/11 (37‐55, 48.64% raise) and 2012/13 to 2013/14 (49‐69, 40.82% raise). The mean successful claim ratio was 69.58% (range, 47.56%‐ 83.33%) There is also a steady increase in the successful ratio from 2004 to 2017. In summary, this is the first study published in relation to litigation claims on cardiothoracic surgery in the United Kingdom. The results have provided insight on claims made against cardiothoracic surgery.     

CT动态增强鉴别肾上腺乏脂肪腺瘤与肾上腺结节样增生的价值

目的探讨CT动态增强对鉴别肾上腺乏脂肪腺瘤与肾上腺结节样增生的价值。方法回顾性分析经手术病理证实的12例肾上腺乏脂肪腺瘤和27例肾上腺结节样增生患者的病例资料,统计两组病例各期增强CT值,利用公式灌注值P=CT静脉期-CT平扫期、廓清值C=CT静脉期-CT延迟期、绝对廓清灌注指数APC=(C/P)×100%及相对廓清灌注指数RAPC=(C/CT静脉期)×100%得到相关参数,并通过绘制受试者工作特征曲线,鉴别两者的最佳价值。结果肾上腺乏脂肪腺瘤直径较结节样增生更大;肾上腺乏脂肪腺瘤病灶各期CT值均明显高于结节样增生,且两者灌注值P、廓清值C、APC及RAPC有明显的统计学差异。年龄、性别、高血压、病灶位置、对侧肾上腺萎缩及动脉期CT值对鉴别两者无显著意义。结论CT动态增强扫描有助于鉴别肾上腺乏脂肪腺瘤和肾上腺结节样增生。