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Background/purpose: This study examined the effects of a 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist (8-OH-DPAT) on external urethral sphincter (EUS) activity in urethane-anesthetized rats.Methods: An EUS electromyogram (EMG) and intravesical pressure (IVP) were simultaneously recorded during continuous cystometrographic monitoring, to provide a quantitative evaluation of EUS activity and urethral urodynamics of voiding.Results: When examining the EUS burst activity, durations of the active (AP) and silent periods (SP) as a function of the time axis, respectively, exhibited concave- and convex-shaped curves. The burst discharges of the EUS-EMG were divided into nonvoiding and voiding burst activities based on the oscillation waves of the IVP, which were located in Phases 1 and 2 of the IVP. After 8-OH-DPAT treatment, the entire burst period in Phases 1 to 2 of the IVP was significantly prolonged. The average SP in both Phases 1 and 2 significantly increased but the average APs were not affected. Urodynamic results showed decreases in the volume threshold, contraction amplitude, and residual volume as well as an increase in the contraction duration. In addition, the amplitude of bladder high-frequency oscillatory waves in the IVP and the average urethral flow rate were reduced, but the entire voiding efficiency increased.Conclusion: The influences of 8-OH-DPAT on EUS burst activity and urodynamics were exactly detected by the sophisticated EMG analytic design, and the results could be a reference for the pharmacological treatment of patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Relapsing polychondritis (RPC) is a rare rheumatic disease characterized by recurrent inflammation of cartilaginous structures, with airway involvement a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate airway and lung abnormalities in RPC with computed tomography (CT). Material and Methods: From January 2004 to May 2009, 21 patients with RPC (12 men, 9 women; 13-65 years old) underwent chest CT examinations. Two chest radiologists evaluated the CT images retrospectively. Abnormal findings, including airway stenosis, airway malacia, air trapping, and airway wall thickening with or without calcifications, were observed and noted. Results: Major abnormal CT findings were observed in eight patients (38.1%), which included airway wall thickening (n=7), airway stenosis (n=6), airway malacia (n=6), airway wall calcification (n=8), and air trapping (n=3). Mediastinal lymph nodes were found in 12 patients. Lung infection was identified in four patients and interstitial lung disease in six patients. Conclusion: The CT findings in patients with RPC consisted mainly of airway wall thickening, airway stenosis, airway malacia, airway wall calcification, and air trapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Qingzhen Decoction (QZD) on measles. METHODS: Adopting the randomizing digital table, 62 patients with measles were assigned to two groups, 32 in the treated group and 30 in the control group. All patients were treated with routine therapy, but QZD was given to the treated group additionally for 5 days. Changes of clinical symptoms, blood routine and liver function before and after treatment were observed, and the medical cost was calculated. RESULTS: After the 5-day treatment, the normalization rate of irritative cough in the treated and the control group was 88.9% (24/27) and 56.0% (14/25) respectively, that of conjunctival congestion was 90.0% (27/30) and 65.5% (19/29) respectively, showing significant differences between groups (P<0.05). The liver function normalization rate in the two groups was 28.6% (2/7) and 25.0% (2/8), and the average medical cost yen 740.7 and yen 749.3, respectively. The total effective rate in the two groups was 96.9% and 93.3% respectively, showing insignificant difference between groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: QZD could actively improve the respiratory symptoms like irritative cough and the inflammatory symptoms of eye like conjunctival congestion in patients with measles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reminiscence therapy has been utilized for many years in the treatment of dementia in older people. Purposes of the research included examining different methods of promoting interactivity, social participation, cognitive function improvement in those with dementia, and the effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression following group treatment. This study used pretest and posttest electroencephalography (EEG) measurements to test reminiscence therapy efficacy on participants. This research organized a social group work with 12 elderly clients with dementia (mild to moderate stage) selected from among 90 residents of an older persons care facility in Pingtung. Eleven agreed to join the study, and 10 completed successfully all treatment sessions. Eight sessions of reminiscence cooking lessons were conducted. The effectiveness of interventions was evaluated by comparing presession and postsession EEG, mental health status, depression scale, and feeling of participation scale scores. Significant differences in values, particularly for EEG, were found between the two sets of scores. The average value of participants' fast waves rose from 43.88 to 55.12, whereas average slow-wave values fell from 56.12 to 44.13. After analysis using the Wilcoxon matched paired signed rank test, significant differences were noted. Findings and suggestions include the following: (a) The rise in Mini-Mental State Examination and reduction in depression scale scores, although noted, were not significant, and (b) the self-achievement, emotional stability, family atmosphere, and physical needs of participants were met. The authors recommend that reminiscence group work be promoted in the home for older persons and that childhood cooking sessions twice each week may be the ideal format for reminiscence group work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Propofol is one of the most popular intravenous induction agents of general anesthesia. Experimental results revealed that propofol exerted hypotensive and antioxidative effects. However, the intracellular mechanism of propofol remains to be delineated. The aims of this study were to test the hypothesis that propofol may alter strain-induced endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion and nitric oxide production, and to identify the putative underlying signaling pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. METHODS: Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to cyclic strain in the presence of propofol, and ET-1 expression was examined by Northern blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and protein kinase B were assessed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The authors show that propofol inhibits strain-induced ET-1 expression, strain-increased reactive oxygen species formation, and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase phosphorylation. On the contrary, nitric oxide production, endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity, and protein kinase B phosphorylation were enhanced by propofol treatment. Furthermore, in the presence of PTIO, a nitric oxide scavenger, and KT5823, a specific inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase, the inhibitory effect of propofol on strain-induced extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase phosphorylation and ET-1 release was reversed. CONCLUSIONS: The authors demonstrate for the first time that propofol inhibits strain-induced ET-1 secretion and enhances strain-increased nitric oxide production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Thus, this study delivers important new insight into the molecular pathways that may contribute to the proposed hypotensive effects of propofol in the cardiovascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levodopa remains the gold standard drug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, but the combination of disease progression and prolonged treatment can lead to 'wearing-off'' problems in the majority of patients. This constitutes the onset of motor fluctuations which includes nonmotor sensory, psychiatric, and autonomic 'off'' symptoms. There are several pharmacologic options to minimize the 'wearing-off'' phenomenon, including adjustment of levodopa treatment, the use of long-acting dopamine agonists, monoamine oxidase type B inhibition, or catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibition in combination with levodopa. Dopamine agonists may reduce levodopa requirements. Monoamine oxidase type B inhibition can increase dopamine availability by preventing its metabolism. Similarly catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibitors can increase the half-life of levodopa and the amount available to cross the blood-brain barrier by preventing its breakdown. The selection of a treatment for the management of 'wearing off'' should consider the relief of symptoms and also the potential adverse effects of adjunctive therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is an uncommon but serious complication of traumatic injury and is frequently diagnostically challenging. In this paper, the authors present four patients who sustained lower extremity long bone injury and who had a normal Glasgow Coma Scale before orthopedic surgical intervention. However, postoperatively, significant neurological deterioration developed in these patients. While cranial computed tomography (CT) obtained immediately after surgery for acutely altered mental status was negative in two of the four patients, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated white and gray matter abnormalities accounting for the impaired neurological status in all cases. MRI findings in conjunction with clinical presentation established the diagnosis in all patients. MRI is indicated in any patient with orthopedic injuries who manifests an unexplained acute alteration in mental status, despite a normal head CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) levels are associated with learning memory performance, but it is not known the mechanism of DHA on enhancing memory effect. The aim of this study was to examine effect of brain DHA levels on cytoskeleton expression. Rats were fed a chow or sunflower oil-based n-3 fatty acid-deficient diet supplemented with or without fish oil starting from embryo and through postnatal day 140. The various DHA levels were from 5.0% to 15.6% of total fatty acids in hippocampus, 3.9% to 13.7% in visual cortex, and 5.3% to 14.4% in olfactory bulbs. The expression of the cytoskeleton markers tyrosine tubulin, acetylated tubulin, and beta-actin in the hippocampus, visual cortex and olfactory bulb was not affected by brain DHA levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Sorafenib is used in patients with advanced renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) or hepatocellular cancer, and its application in other types of cancers is also undergoing extensive clinical assessment. Hypertension is one of the major side-effects of this drug, and reported incidences vary substantially between clinical trials. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of published clinical trials to establish the incidence of hypertension associated with sorafenib. The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of the overall risk of hypertension in patients with cancer who receive sorafenib. METHODS: Databases, including Medline (July, 1966, to July, 2007), and Web of Science, and abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meetings from 2004 to 2007 were searched to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies were prospective clinical trials of patients with cancer assigned single-drug sorafenib at 400 mg twice daily with data on hypertension available. Incidence and relative risk (RR) of hypertension were calculated using a random-effects or fixed-effects model, depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies. FINDINGS: Nine studies published between January, 2006, and July, 2007, which included a total of 4599 patients with RCC or other solid tumours, were selected from 223 articles screened for analysis. For patients assigned sorafenib, the overall incidence of all-grade and high-grade (ie, grade 3 or 4) hypertension were 23.4% (95% CI 16.0-32.9%) and 5.7% (2.5-12.6%), respectively. No significant difference was noted between patients with RCC or a non-RCC malignancy (all grade: RR 1.03 [95% CI 0.73-1.45], p=0.89; high-grade: RR 1.23 [0.76-1.99], p=0.40) who were assigned sorafenib. Sorafenib was associated with a significantly increased risk of all-grade hypertension in patients with cancer with an RR of 6.11 (2.44-15.32], p<0.001) compared with controls. INTERPRETATION: Patients with cancer assigned sorafenib have a significant risk of developing hypertension. Appropriate monitoring and treatment is strongly recommended to prevent cardiovascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: With implementation of Medicare Part D, concerns were raised that patients with severe mental illness who were dually eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare benefits would be at clinical risk. In addition to concerns about medication access and continuity, there were concerns about administrative burden for physicians and their staffs. This study aimed to quantify the amount of administrative burden for psychiatrists and their staff related to Medicare Part D prescription drug plan administration in a national sample of dually eligible psychiatric patients and to identify factors associated with increased burden.Methods: A total of 5,833 psychiatrists were randomly selected from the American Medical Association's Physicians Masterfile. Responses were obtained from 64% (N=3,247) with a mailed survey using practice-based survey research methods during the first four months of Medicare Part D implementation (January to April 2006); 1,183 psychiatrists met eligibility requirements.Results: Psychiatrists and their staff spent 45 minutes in administrative tasks for every one hour of direct patient care for dually eligible patients. Drug plan features, including prior authorization and preferred drug formularies, and medication access problems were associated with increased administrative time.Conclusions: Results of this study indicate several drug plan features and medication access problems related to Part D implementation were associated with significant increases in administrative burden for psychiatrists and their staff, which may result in less time for direct patient care. Given the vulnerability of this high-risk population, this increased administrative burden may pose a significant risk to the overall quality of care for psychiatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is progressive and often fatal; causes of familial clustering of the disease are unknown. Germ-line mutations in the genes hTERT and hTR, encoding telomerase reverse transcriptase and telomerase RNA, respectively, cause autosomal dominant dyskeratosis congenita, a rare hereditary disorder associated with premature death from aplastic anemia and pulmonary fibrosis.Methods: To test the hypothesis that familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may be caused by short telomeres, we screened 73 probands from the Vanderbilt Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis Registry for mutations in hTERT and hTR.Results: Six probands (8%) had heterozygous mutations in hTERT or hTR; mutant telomerase resulted in short telomeres. Asymptomatic subjects with mutant telomerase also had short telomeres, suggesting that they may be at risk for the disease. We did not identify any of the classic features of dyskeratosis congenita in five of the six families.Conclusions: Mutations in the genes encoding telomerase components can appear as familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Our findings support the idea that pathways leading to telomere shortening are involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Quality improvement organizations (QIOs) are contracted to improve the quality of care delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. The purpose of this study was to determine whether provider participation in New York State QIO activities resulted in significant improvements in the quality of diabetes care during the recent contract cycle with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. RESEARCH DESIGN: A retrospective analysis between participating and nonparticipating providers on their performance in 3 quality measures (biennial ophthalmology examination, biennial lipid profile monitoring, annual hemoglobin A1c monitoring) was used. Data of New York State Medicare beneficiaries before and after QIO intervention activities were examined to determine change in performance. General linear models were created to examine the effect QIO participation had on the change in performance for each measure. RESULTS: Providers who participated in QIO activities had significant absolute improvements in lipid monitoring compared with nonparticipating providers at high baseline performance for low (3.10%, P < 0.001), medium (2.57%, P < 0.001), and high (1.51%, P = 0.002) baseline patient volume, and medium baseline performance for low (2.38%, P < 0.001), and medium (1.85%, P < 0.001) baseline patient volume. The same trend was seen for hemoglobin A1c monitoring (4.28%, P < 0.001; 3.57%, P < 0.001; 2.15%, P < 0.001; 2.63%, P = 0.001; 1.92%, P = 0.006). For ophthalmology examination, participation resulted in significant changes at low (2.28%, P = 0.003) and medium (1.73%, P = 0.009) baseline patient volume. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest QIO activities can improve outpatient diabetes care; however, limitations in the study design preclude any definitive remarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rasagiline is a novel second-generation, irreversible, selective monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor that differs chemically and pharmacologically from the first-generation MAO-B inhibitor selegiline. Selegiline is derived from an amphetamine pharmacophore and is converted by cytochrome P450 to amphetamine metabolites that have been shown in vitro to be neurotoxic and, clinically, may result in undesirable cardiovascular and psychiatric side effects. Rasagiline has no intrinsic amphetamine-like effects. Its major metabolite, aminoindan, is not an amphetamine derivative, is devoid of neurotoxic effects, and has also been shown to have beneficial effects in animal models relevant to Parkinson disease (PD). Rasagiline has been shown in preclinical studies to enhance striatal levels of dopamine with or without levodopa. Preclinical and clinical data indicate that it is a more potent MAO-B inhibitor than selegiline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety of rasagiline are reviewed. SUMMARY: Rasagiline is a novel, investigational propargylamine that irreversibly and selectively inhibits monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B). Rasagiline demonstrates complete and selective inhibition of MAO-B and is at least five times more potent than selegiline. Unlike selegiline, which is metabolized to amphetamine derivatives, rasagiline is biotransformed to the nonamphetamine compound aminoindan. Clinical studies have revealed that rasagiline is associated with improved outcomes in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD) and also reduces 'off' time in patients with moderate to advanced PD with motor fluctuations. Rasagiline is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. The optimal therapeutic dosage is 0.5-1 mg administered orally once daily. Rasagiline appears to be well tolerated, although elderly patients may be more prone to treatment-emergent adverse cardiovascular and psychiatric effects. At the recommended therapeutic dosage of up to 1 mg once daily, tyramine restriction is unnecessary. In addition to MAO-B inhibition, rasagiline has demonstrated neuroprotective properties in experimental laboratory models. The mechanisms whereby rasagiline exerts neuroprotective effects are multifactorial and include upregulation of cellular antioxidant activity and antiapoptotic factors. CONCLUSION: Rasagiline is an investigational selective and irreversible inhibitor of MAO-B that has demonstrated efficacy and safety for the treatment of PD. Whether rasagiline is associated with clinically significant neuroprotection is the subject of ongoing clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To assess the change in bone mineral density (BMD) after spinal cord injury (SCI) and to evaluate whether BMD loss can be reversed with the intervention of functional electric stimulation cycling exercises (FESCE). METHODS: Fifteen males with SCI were included. Fifteen able-bodied males were also tested to compare BMD. In the SCI group, the FESCE was performed for six months, and then was discontinued in the subsequent six months. BMD was performed before the FESCE, immediately after six months of the FESCE, and at the end of the subsequent six months. RESULTS: Before the FESCE, the BMD of the SCI subjects in every site, except the lumbar spine, was lower than that of the able-bodied subjects. After six months of FESCE, BMD of the distal femur (DF) and proximal tibia (PT) increased significantly, and BMD of the calcaneus (heel) showed a trend of increase. However, the BMD in the DF, PT, and heel decreased significantly after the subsequent six months without FESCE. The BMD of the femoral neck (FN) decreased progressively throughout the programme. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed site-specific BMD changes after FESCE. The BMD loss in the DF and PT was partially reversed after six months of FESCE, but the effect faded once the exercise was discontinued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As Parkinson's disease (PD) progresses,despite optimized pharmacotherapy, patients experience more frequent fluctuations between symptomatic improvement ('on' times) and the return of motor features ('off' times). Apomorphine, the first injectable dopamine agonist available in the United States, is indicated for the acute treatment of 'off' episodes (eg, end-of-dose wearing-off episodes, unpredictable 'on/off' episodes) in patients with advanced PD who are receiving medically optimal antiparkinsonian therapy. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the pharmacology,clinical efficacy, and tolerability of intermittent subcutaneous apomorphine injections for the management of 'off' episodes in patients with PD. METHODS: MEDLINE (1966-July 2005), the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-July 2005) were searched for original research and review articles published in English. The search terms were apomorphine and Parkinson's disease. The reference lists of articles were also consulted, as was selected information provided by the manufacturer of apomorphine. All relevant identified studies on intermittent subcutaneous administration of apomorphine were included in the review; trials of continuous subcutaneous infusion and non-subcutaneous administration of apomorphine were excluded. RESULTS: Intermittent subcutaneous administration of apomorphine produced consistent rescue from 'of' episodes in patients with advanced PD, with a symptomatic motor improvement between the predose 'off' state and postdose 'on' state similar to that achieved with levodopa. The onset of effect occurred within 20 minutes, and the duration of effect was approximately 100 minutes. The therapeutic rescue dose ranged from 2 to 6 mg. During the clinical development program for subcutaneously injected apomorphine, patients required a mean of approximately 3 rescue doses per day. Common adverse effects occurring in > or =20% of patients were injection-site reaction, yawning, dyskinesias, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, dizziness or postural dizziness, and rhinorrhea. CONCLUSIONS: The available clinical studies indicate that apomorphine is effective in providing prompt and consistent rescue from 'off' episodes in patients with PD. Antiemetic prophylaxis and close medical supervision are recommended when initiating apomorphine therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rasagiline is a novel second-generation propargylamine that irreversibly and selectively inhibits monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B). For the management of Parkinson disease (PD), rasagiline is efficacious across the span of PD stages ranging from monotherapy in early disease to adjunctive treatment in patients with advancing disease and motor fluctuations. Rasagiline completely and selectively inhibits MAO-B with a potency 5 to 10 times greater than selegiline. Unlike the prototype propargylamine selegiline, which is metabolized to amphetamine derivatives, rasagiline is biotransformed to aminoindan, a non-amphetamine compound. Rasagiline is well tolerated with infrequent cardiovascular or psychiatric side effects, and at the recommended therapeutic dose of up to 1 mg once daily, tyramine restriction is unnecessary. In addition to MAO-B inhibition, the propargylamine chain also confers dose-related antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects, which have been associated with neuroprotection in multiple experimental models. Thus, in addition to symptomatic benefits, rasagiline offers the promise of clinically relevant neuroprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study objectives were to compare local public health professionals' bioterrorism risk perceptions, the extent of bioterrorism preparedness training, and to describe preferred methods for delivery of preparedness education in the United States. National needs assessments were conducted via a mailed survey to 3,074 local public health departments in October 2000 and November 2001. Compared to a survey conducted in October 2000, the perceived risk of a bioterrorism attack in the United States increased dramatically after September 11 (p < 0.0001); however, 57% of respondents believed one was unlikely to occur within their own community. Public health professionals perceive their own communities to be at low risk for a bioterrorism event. Ongoing, updated, standardized bioterrorism preparedness education is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To report prevalence of adolescent victimization and delinquency recidivism as well as to assess the association between repeat victimization and delinquency recidivism in a large, population-based sample of high school seniors. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of the Monitoring the Future Project (about 17,000 high school seniors from 1996 to 1999) was analyzed as a pooled sample. The analysis was based on self-reported measures of ten different types of delinquent behaviors including violent and property offenses. Other measures included in the analysis are victimization and information about sociodemographic (e.g,. geographic region, parental education, number of parents in the home) and lifestyle (e.g., grade from average, truancy, work experience, religious commitment) characteristics. Pairwise and multivariate methods were used to examine the risk association between repeat victimization and delinquency recidivism. RESULTS: From 1996 to 1999, a downward trend was observed for most types of delinquent behaviors: recidivism among seniors except for hitting instructors/supervisors, damaging school property, and car theft. For the same study period, the prevalence of victimization recidivism was also on the decline except for injury with a weapon and physical threats. Repeat victimization was found to be significantly associated with delinquency recidivism. Other risk factors more frequently associated with delinquency recidivism included gender, race, drug use, poor school performance, truancy, risk-seeking, and conflicts with parents. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed a significant association between repeat victimization and delinquent recidivism; it identified characteristics of adolescent at risk of repetitive delinquent behaviors, which could be used for planning intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To examine the psychometric properties and clinical utility of the CPAT, an instrument to assess pain in nursing home residents with dementia. DESIGN: Instrument development and testing. SETTING: Three regional skilled nursing facilities. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-five residents of 3 skilled nursing facilities. MEASUREMENTS: The inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity of the CPAT was measured after initial CNA training. Measurement of inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability was repeated after modified CNA training. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was calculated for all reliability measures. The clinical utility/feasibility of the CPAT was measured by means of a practicality survey. RESULTS: The CPAT was found to have acceptable levels of both interrater reliability (ICC=0.71) and test-retest reliability (ICC=0.67). Construct validity as measured by a paired t test was statistically significant (P=.043). Criterion validity as measured by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was also statistically significant (P=.048). Internal consistency was acceptable for all measures as calculated by Cronbach's alpha, which ranged from 0.72 to 0.84. As determined by a practicality survey, the CPAT was shown to be a clinically useful and feasible instrument. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that the CPAT is a reliable and valid pain assessment instrument when used in nursing home residents with dementia. It has also been shown to be a tool with suitable clinical utility and feasibility. Further study is warranted to ascertain if its use will lead to improved resident function and quality of life and whether the results of this study are reproducible in other dementia populations. The CPAT's ability to quantify pain and measure treatment response has not been determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) with high aspect ratios are pivotal for the production of flexible transparent conductive films (TCFs). The growth of AgNWs is significantly influenced by the strong affinity of halogen ions for silver ions. This affinity plays a crucial role in the controlled deposition of silver along the nanowire axis. By precisely controlling the concentrations of Cl - and Br - ions, we have successfully synthesized AgNWs with remarkable lengths of 96 μm and diameters of 40 nm, achieving an impressive aspect ratio of 2400. Utilizing density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the impact of these ions on the growth of AgNWs. Our findings reveal that halogen ions strongly adsorb onto the Ag (100) plane in the radial direction, with Cl - ions promoting anisotropic growth and Br - ions effectively limiting the nanowire diameter, thus achieving high aspect ratio AgNWs. The resulting TCFs exhibit a high transmittance of 95.0% at 550 nm and a low sheet resistance of 14.7 Ω sq -1 . Moreover, when integrated into a flexible transparent heater, these TCFs demonstrate a high heating rate of 12.1 °C s -1 . The development of AgNWs is poised to significantly enhance the performance and versatility of flexible TCFs.

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this article is to provide a review of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), with a focus on what renders optic neuritis "atypical" in these two conditions. Clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and epidemiology are outlined. Acute treatments for optic neuritis, as well as immunotherapy for NMOSD and MOGAD are discussed., Recent Findings: Updates in NMOSD and MOGAD are highlighted, with an emphasis on novel work including the new 2023 MOGAD diagnostic criteria, our evolving understanding on the epidemiology of these conditions, and recently FDA-approved NMOSD treatments. Pipeline therapies are also discussed., Summary: A thorough history and examination, supported by ancillary testing, continues to be the mainstay of optic neuritis diagnosis. Stratifying typical versus atypical optic neuritis is paramount. Within the atypical category, NMOSD and MOGAD are important considerations. Clues can point towards these diagnoses and guide steps for treatment, which is increasingly becoming targeted to individual diseases, as the pathophysiology is different for these disorders., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rosai-Dorfman Disease (RDD), also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytic neoplasm. Although the disease classically presents as massive painless lymphadenopathy in young adults, RDD can also involve the central nervous system in some patients. CNS lesions, can cause headaches, neurologic deficits, and even neurologic deficits. The imaging appearance of CNS RDD typically mimics that of meningiomas: well-circumscribed dural-based lesions that often have dural tails. However, some imaging clues also exist that might help a radiologist recognize RDD, even before histopathologic confirmation. This radiology-pathology report of a patient with CNS RDD highlights the most pertinent clinical, imaging, and pathologic features of CNS RDD, and discusses what the neuroradiologist needs to know about the disease., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.