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.     

Impact of neurocognitive function on academic difficulties in pediatric bipolar disorder: A clinical translation.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has demonstrated that academic and neuropsychological functions are compromised in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD). Investigation of the degree to which neuropsychological deficits might contribute to those academic problems is needed to aid in the recognition and intervention for school achievement difficulties in PBD. METHODS: A sample of 55 children and adolescents with PBD with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (PBD group, n = 28; PBD+ADHD group, n = 27) were tested with a computerized neurocognitive battery and standardized neuropsychological tests. Age range of subjects was 7-17 years, with the mean age of 11.97 (3.18) years. Parents completed a structured questionnaire on school and academic functioning. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses indicated that executive function, attention, working memory, and verbal memory scores were poorer in those with a history of reading/writing difficulties. A separate logistic regression analysis found that attentional dysfunction predicted math difficulties. These relationships between neuropsychological function and academic difficulties were not different in those with PBD+ADHD than in those with PBD alone. CONCLUSIONS: In PBD neuropsychological deficits in the areas of attention, working memory, and organization/problem solving skills all contribute to academic difficulties. Early identification and intervention for these difficulties might help prevent lower academic achievement in PBD.