The Effects of Inattention/Impulsivity and Aggression on the Development of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently co-occurs with additional symptoms of psychopathology and challenging behaviors. While aggressive behaviors are often associated with attention deficits and hyperactivity in children with ASD, there is limited research on the impact that inattention/impulsivity and aggressive behaviors have on the developmental functioning of toddlers with ASD. However, identifying comorbidities is necessary for proper intervention. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of inattention/impulsivity and aggressive behaviors on several domains of developmental functioning in infants and toddlers with ASD as measured by the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-2). This study compared four groups consisting of 29 toddlers each: without inattention/impulsivity or aggressive behaviors (i.e., -I/-A), with inattention/impulsivity but without aggressive behaviors (i.e.,?+?I/-A), without inattention/impulsivity but with aggressive behaviors (i.e., –I/?+?A), and with both inattention/impulsivity and aggressive behaviors (i.e.,?+?I/?+?A). The results of the current study revealed significant group differences in Personal-Social, Communication, Motor, and Cognitive domains of the BDI-2. The significance and implications of the present study are discussed.

     

No One-Size-Fits-All: Sexual Health Education Preferences in Patients with Breast Cancer

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Using explanatory mixed methods, we characterize the education that patients with breast cancer received about potential sexual health effects of treatment and explore...     

Multiple complications and short length of stay are associated with postoperative readmissions

Background

The aim of this study was to characterize patients readmitted following inpatient general surgery procedures. We hypothesized that a decreased length of stay would increase risk for readmission.

Methods

We utilized our institutional National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database from 2006 to 2011. The main outcome of interest was 30-day readmission. Univariate and logistic regression analyses identified risk factors for readmission.

Results

We identified 3,556 patients, with 322 (9%) readmitted within 30 days after discharge. Multivariable analysis demonstrated age, dyspnea, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class to be independent risk factors for readmission. In addition, patients who suffered multiple complications had a decreased risk for readmission as length of stay increased. Patients with <2 postoperative complications had an increased risk for readmission as length of stay increased.

Conclusions

Contributors to postoperative readmissions are multifactorial. Perioperative factors predict risk for readmission and may help determine a target length of stay. Prevention of postoperative complications may reduce readmission rates.     

Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Protocol for Lumpectomy Patients Results in Superior Postoperative Pain Control

Annals of Surgical Oncology - We sought to determine if lumpectomy patients who received perioperative opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia reported less pain when compared with those who received...     

ASO Visual Abstract: No One-Size-Fits-All: Sexual Health Education Preferences in Patients with Breast Cancer

Annals of Surgical Oncology -     

The use of cryopreserved mature trophozoites in assessing antibody recognition of variant surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes

Mature stages of Plasmodium falciparum insert variant antigens (VSA) into the surface of infected erythrocytes, and antibodies against such antigen provide variant-specific protection against malaria. Because mature P. falciparum trophozoites normally sequester away from the peripheral circulation, parasites for anti-VSA antibody studies are obtained from patients as ring trophozoites, cryopreserved, and cultured to maturity when required. However, this process is associated with problems of poor recovery from cryopreservation, growth failure and variations in time different isolates take to mature after recovery. We therefore assessed the use of cryopreserved mature trophozoites in anti-VSA assays. Cryopreservation of parasites did not alter their anti-VSA antibody reactivity phenotype as determined by agglutination assays or flow cytometry. We have therefore demonstrated that cryopreserved mature trophozoites are suitable for use in anti-VSA antibody assays. The use of cryopreserved mature trophozoites could help to circumvent the problems associated with recovery of cryopreserved ring trophozoites.