Bedside ultrasound of the inferior vena cava (IVC) has grown to be an important tool in the assessment and management of critically ill patients. This study endeavors to examine which location along the IVC is most highly correlated with changes in intravascular volume status: (1) the diaphragmatic juncture (DJ) (2) two centimeters caudal to the hepatic vein juncture (2HVJ) or (3) left renal vein juncture (LRVJ). Data was collected in this prospective observational study on patients in the emergency department who were at least 16 years of age, being treated with intravenous fluids (IVF). Measurements of the IVC were recorded at each site during standard inspiratory and expiratory cycles, and again with the patient actively sniffing to decrease intrapleural pressures. IVF was then administered per the patient’s predetermined treatment, and the same six measurements were repeated after completion of fluid bolus. The difference in caval index (dCI) was calculated for all six data sets and correlated with the mL/kg of IVF administered. There was a statistically significant correlation between mL/kg of IVFs administered and dCI at all three sites (DJ: r = 0.354, p value = 0.0002; 2HVJ: r = 0.334, p value = 0.0003; LRVJ: r = 0.192, p value = 0.03). The greatest correlation between amount of fluids administered and dCI was observed along the IVC at the site 2 cm caudal to the juncture of the hepatic veins (2HVJ). This site is also where the largest change in diameter can be appreciated on ultrasound during intravascular volume resuscitation. Our data also suggests that every mL/kg of IVFs administered should change the dCI by 0.86-1.00%. This anticipated change in IVC diameter can be used to gauge a patient’s response to intravascular volume repletion.

Objective and Hypothesis The goals of this study are to address the following questions regarding shoulder arthroplasty (TSA): (a) Does restoring range of motion (ROM) lead to increased patient satisfaction? (b) How is ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADLs) influenced by ROM? (c) How does ADL performance correlate with patient satisfaction? We hypothesize that more “normal” ROM following TSA leads to increased patient satisfaction and better performance of ADLs. Methods Patients who underwent TSA, reverse TSA, hemiarthroplasty, or humeral head resurfacing were prospectively enrolled in a shoulder arthroplasty registry. 155 patients who had preoperative and 6 month postoperative data for ROM, patient satisfaction, and performance of ADLs were included in the study. Results Of these 155 shoulders, the response rate for patient satisfaction was only 82 (52.9%), with 96.8% reporting they were “satisfied or “very satisfied”. Postoperative ROM was associated with patient satisfaction for forward flexion, adduction, and external rotation. This association demonstrated a “dose;response” relationship, as higher percentage of normal ROM correlated with higher satisfaction. Mean ADL scores were higher for patients who achieved normal ROM in each plane of motion. The greatest improvement in mean ADL score occurred when a patient achieved normal ROM for at least 3 of 5 measurements. There was also a significant association between improved ADL and higher patient satisfaction. Significance Glenohumeral arthrosis causes considerable morbidity, and rates of shoulder arthroplasty are increasing. As the predominant goals of TSA are pain relief and restoration of ROM, it is important to assess postoperative patient satisfaction. While most historic studies have focused on measures of implant performance, interest is increasing in patient-centered outcomes. Both objective and subjective outcomes should be included in future large multicenter registries. Data collected from these registries has the potential to substantially improve success rates and longevity of shoulder arthroplasty.

Members of the ErbB subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases are critical regulators of normal mammary gland development, and alterations in their signaling have been associated with breast tumorigenesis. ErbB4 expression in breast carcinomas predicts improved patient survival and inversely correlates with tumor grade, metastasis and disease recurrence. When examined in the context of the breast cancer molecular subtypes, ErbB4 expression is rarely expressed in the triple-negative tumor subtype, which is associated with poor prognosis. Recently, our lab discovered a genomic context for the loss of ErbB4 expression in metastatic, refractory triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) samples by next generation sequencing technology. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of ErbB4 overexpression on the growth and migration of TNBC cell lines. A GFP-containing construct was used to overexpress ErbB4 in the ErbB4-negative TNBC cell lines BT-20, BT-549 and MDA-MB-468. An empty vector construct was used as the control. Expression was confirmed by western blot and fluorescence microscopy to detect expression of ErbB4 or GFP respectively. Cell motility and growth was assessed with a transwell migration assay and a sulforhodamine B assay to measure cell density, respectively. Our data indicates that overexpression of ErbB4 resulted in no significant difference in the migration of BT-549 or MDA-MB-468 cells but resulted in a slight increase in the migration of BT-20 cells. ErbB4 had a growth inhibitory effect on BT-549 and BT-20 cells but showed no difference in the growth of MDA-MB-468 cells. This data suggests that multiple ErbB4-mediated mechanisms occur to alter the growth of TNBC cells. Although the translational significance of ErbB4 loss may be in its ability to predict outcome in patients with TNBC, more work is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms mediating its function.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technically difficult procedure that requires extensive training to achieve competency. The study was undertaken to assess retrospectively whether advanced ERCP training made a difference in the competency of a physician who was performing ERCPs for eleven years before taking an extra year of advanced training in ERCP. The physician did not get any ERCP experience during the two-year formal fellowship between 1995-97, and learned ERCPs from colleagues post formal GIfellowship for four years after which he was given privileges to independently perform ERCPs. Data were collected on 172 and 213 patients who underwent ERCP before and after the training year respectively. Chi-square test was utilized to analyze the data. Baseline characteristics including height, weight, race and indications for ERCP were similar in the two groups. The results of the study showed that rates of biliary cannulation increased from the Pre-ERCP fellowship rate of 83% to 93% (Chi- Square = 9.06, p = 0.0026) and a reduction in postprocedure pancreatitis from 8.1% to 2.7% (Chi- Square = 4.56, p = 0.0327). Data in this study indicate that extra training in ERCP improves outcomes of ERCP in a single operator’s experience.

Histopathologic examination of the tumor microenvironment demonstrates the presence of a vast repertoire of infiltrating lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells (APC’s). Recent studies establish a strong correlation between the tumor microenvironment cell composition and prognostic value in terms of cell type, location and ratio, referred to as a tumor’s immunoscore. More specifically, the relationship between T regulatory (Treg) cell to T effector (Teff) cell percentage predominates as a mechanism of tumor immune evasion. Further investigation of the factors influencing the development of Treg and Teff cells is therefore warranted. Gammainterferon‐inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) acts to influence antigenic processing and presentation by MHC class II cells, ultimately impacting lymphocyte development. Evaluation of the role of GILT expression in MHC class II+ APC’s with respect to Treg and Teff cell development in primary melanoma lesions, to our knowledge, has not been reported. Therefore our investigation focuses on elucidating a plausible relationship between GILT presence and Treg to Teff cell ratio. The aim of our study is to examine a possible association between GILT expression in APC’s and Treg:Teff cell ratio. We hypothesized GILT expression in melanoma cells would result in a decreased Treg to Teff ratio or an enhanced T cell‐mediated response. Our study included 17 de‐identified primary melanoma specimens previously stained and scored for Treg, Teff, CD8, MHC class II and GILT. Scoring was performed through identification of four areas per specimen with highest Treg and Teff cell density. These four areas were then averaged with ± standard deviation (SD). With use of landmark association, these four areas were identified and scored for MHC class II and GILT in APC’s and tumor cells with consideration to presence/absence, intensity and frequency of staining. Statistical significance was not reached relative to our hypothesized relationship of a decreased Treg to Teff cell ratio in the presence of GILT+ MHC class II. Similarly, we did not reach statistical significance when comparing individual cell types to GILT, MHC class II and GILT + MHC class. In our study, we were unable reach statistical significance relative to our proposed correlation between MHC class II and GILT presence leading to a decreased Treg to Teff cell ratio or enhanced T‐cell mediated immune response. A major limitation of our study included the small sample size leading to a probable type II error, prompting the need for further investigation of the factors influencing the Treg to Teff cell ratio within the melanoma tumor microenvironment on a larger scale.

BACKGROUND: In order to improve the quality and efficacy of healthcare while reducing the overall cost to deliver that healthcare, it has become increasingly important to manage utilization of services for populations of patients. Healthcare systems are aggressively working to identify patients at risk for hospital readmissions. Although readmission rates have been studied before, parameters for identifying patients at risk for readmission appear to vary depending the patient population. We will examine existing Electronic Health Record (EHR) data at Banner Health to establish what parameters are clinical indicators for readmission risk. Three conditions were identified by the CMS to have high and costly readmissions rates; heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and pneumonia. This study will focus on attempting to determine the primary predictive variables for these three conditions in order to have maximum impact on cost savings. METHODS: A literature review was done and 68 possible risk variables were identified. Of these, 30 of the variables were identifiable within the EHR system. Inclusion criteria for individual patient records are that they had an index admission secondary to AMI, heart failure, or pneumonia and that they had a subsequent readmission within 30 days of the index admission. Pediatric populations were not studied since they have unique factors for readmission that are not generalizable. Logistics regression was applied to all data including data with missing data rows. This allowed all coefficients to be interpreted for significance. This model was termed the full model. Variables that were determined to be insignificant were subsequently removed to create a new reduced model. Chi square testing was then done to compare the reduced model to the full model to determine if any significant differences existed between the two. RESULTS: Several variables were determined to be the significant predictors of readmission. The final reduced model had 19 predictors. When analyzed using ROC analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.64. CONCLUSION: Several variables were identified that could be significant contributors to readmission risk. The final model had an AUC on it ROC of 0.64 suggesting that it would only have poor to moderate clinical value for predicting readmission.

Diarrhea is the fourth leading cause of children under five worldwide. Recommendations for diarrhea treatment include oral rehydration therapy, continued feeding, zinc supplementation, and antibiotic use if indicated. The use of these therapies is lower than expected in developing countries. This study aims to determine how cultural beliefs impact the use of evidence-based approaches for diarrhea treatment, specifically in developing countries. A systematic review of primary research articles was done to assess knowledge of and attitudes towards evidence-based treatments, analyze care-seeking behaviors, and identify beliefs attached to treatment practices. Most cultural beliefs fall into the following themes: misconceptions about evidence-based treatments; feeding practices; home remedies and herbal medicines; inappropriate use of medications; and traditional healers and spiritual beliefs. The results show the possibility for working with traditional healers and the local population to gather more data about beliefs and practices. This information can be used to develop culturally sensitive treatment programs that can operate within the framework of local beliefs and practices.

Abstract Background: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival. Telephone CPR (TCPR) comprises CPR instruction given by emergency dispatchers to bystanders responding to OHCA and the CPR performed as a result. TCPR instructions improve bystander CPR rates, but the quality of the instructions varies widely. No standardized system exists to critically evaluate the TCPR intervention. Methods: Investigators developed a novel, standardized system to analyze audio recordings of suspected OHCA calls from a large regional 9-1-1 dispatch center. As the initial step of a TCPR quality improvement initiative, baseline data were obtained from October 2010 to November 2011. Dispatcher recognition of CPR need, delivery of TCPR instructions, and bystander CPR performance were documented. Results: A total of 590 calls were analyzed. CPR was indicated in 317 calls and already in progress in 94. Dispatchers recognized the need for TCPR in 176 of the 223 (79%) remaining calls. CPR instructions were started in 65/223 (29%) and bystander CPR resulting from TCPR instructions was started in 31/223 (14%). Median time intervals were: recognition of CPR need [69s (IQR: 44, 104.5)], initiation of CPR instructions [175s (IQR: 139, 207)], and first chest compression [251s (IQR: 189, 306)]. Conclusion: It is feasible to employ a simple data collection and reporting system for critical evaluation of the TCPR intervention. A standardized methodology for measuring TCPR is necessary to perform on-going quality improvement, to establish performance standards, and for future research on how to optimize bystander CPR rates and OHCA survival.

PURPOSE: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has been recognized as a potential adverse outcome in patients receiving contrast dye for CT evaluation for over 50 years. Despite the time and resources dedicated to better identifying at-risk patients and implementing preventative measures, contrast induced nephropathy continues to be a significant cause of hospital acquired renal insufficiency. This study was aimed to evaluate the incidence and factors associated with contrast-induced nephropathy in the trauma patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective institutional review of 563 patients admitted to the trauma service at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center were evaluated. Data were recorded for each patient including demographics, injury severity score (ISS), clinical prediction score (CPS), laboratory values on admission, 24, 48 and 72 hours including hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and eGFR, IV fluid volume given, contrast volume given, systolic blood pressure (SBP), urine output (UOP), intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LoS) and total hospital length of stay (tot LoS). Contrast induced nephropathy was considered to be present if the patient received contrast material for CT scan and 24-48 hour creatinine increased by an absolute value of 0.5mg/dl or if there was a 25% increase in 24-48 hour creatinine when compared to admission creatinine. Contrast volumes given to each patient before CT scan were determined by the Department of Radiology. RESULTS: As seen in table 1 results of univariate analysis demonstrate the following significant data: CIN vs age (p 0.004), CIN vs ISS (p <0.000), CIN vs CPS (p <0.000), CIN vs ICU length of stay (p 0.006), CIN vs total length of stay (p 0.002), CIN vs SBP (p <0.000), CIN vs IVF volume given in the 2nd 24 hours (p <0.000) and CIN vs IVF volume given in the first 48hrs (p <0.000). Data from multivariate analysis demonstrate the following significant data: CIN vs CPS (p <0.000, CI 1.92E-2 – 3.93E-2), CIN vs SBP (p 0.003 CI 8.61E-4 – 4.41E-3) and CIN vs IVF vol 2nd 24 hours (p 0.001, CI 1.47E-5 – 5.91E-5). The mean data for patients who did and did not develop CIN respectively were CPS: 9.09 and 3.12, SBP 84mmHg and 99mmHg, and IVF vol 2nd 24 hrs 2504ml and 5931ml CONCLUSION: Contrast induced nephropathy continues to be a significant problem in many hospital populations including trauma patients. Certain patient groups including those with higher CPS, hypotension or receiving decreased IV fluids may benefit from aggressive mindfulness of the risk of contrast induced kidney injury and continued investigation is needed to better identify trauma patients at increased risk.

Early detection of cognitive decline will become increasingly important as preventative therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) become available. While new imaging techniques and biomarkers have shown evidence of neuropathology in the preclinical stages of AD, most clinicians must rely on the subjective report of symptoms to identify the onset of cognitive decline. Patients often present to primary care physicians with complaints from self or family members about confusion, memory loss or personality changes. However, discriminating complaints associated with normal from abnormal aging is difficult. The identification of patient-generated specific complaints indicating prodromal or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) could lead to more prompt and effective intervention strategies for future dementia patients, and could improve prognosis. This study investigated how specific subjective complaints may be related to subsequent conversion to MCI in a cohort of cognitively normal elderly subjects who have a familial and/or genetic risk for AD. Subjects included cognitively intact participants and their informants (spouse, sibling, adult child) from a large longitudinal study of cognition in individuals with a family history of AD. Participants were further characterized by their APOE ε4 allele status. Both subjects and their informants were administered the Multidimensional Assessment of Neurodegenerative Symptoms (MANS), a questionnaire that assesses subjective changes in memory, personality, motor, vision, and speech. Of 85 subjects who were cognitively normal at the initial MANS administration, 12 converted to MCI within 25-167 months. The participants who later converted to MCI had greater memory complaints at baseline compared to nonconverters (2 = 5.65, p <0.05). There were no significant differences in other MANS domains. In regards to specific memory complaints, converters were significantly more likely to endorse symptoms of “losing or misplacing things” (2 = 13.99, p<0.001), having an “inability to keep events or tasks in right order,” (2 =12.06, p<0.001), "forgetting names of familiar people" (2 = 4.59, p < 0.05), and "forgetting things or events from long ago," (2 = 6.62, p < 0.05). Nonconverters also endorsed some memory complaints, but no complaint or group of complaints was endorsed more than others. The APOE ε4 allele was observed in 83% of the participants who converted to MCI compared to 52% of those who remained cognitively intact over the course of the assessment period. In cognitively normal subjects with a family history of AD, specific memory complaints about losing or misplacing items, forgetting the order of tasks or events, forgetting names of familiar people and forgetting things or events from long ago may be useful clinical tools for identifying Preclinical AD up to eight years before conversion to MCI.