Synaptic Integration of Thalamic and Limbic Inputs in Rodent Gustatory Cortex.

Neurons in the gustatory cortex (GC) process multiple aspects of a tasting experience, encoding not only the physiochemical identity of tastes, but also their anticipation and hedonic value. Information pertaining to these stimulus features is relayed to GC via the gustatory thalamus (VPMpc) and basolateral amygdala (BLA). It is not known whether these inputs drive separate groups of neurons, thus activating separate channels of information, or are integrated by neurons that receive both afferents. Here, we used anterograde labeling and in vivo intracellular recordings in anesthetized rats to assess the potential convergence of BLA and VPMpc inputs in GC, and to investigate the dynamics of integration of these inputs. We report substantial anatomic overlap of BLA and VPMpc axonal fields across GC, and identify a population of GC neurons receiving converging BLA and VPMpc inputs. Our data show that BLA modulates the gain of VPMpc-evoked responses in a time-dependent fashion and that this modulation is dependent on the recruitment of synaptic inhibition by both BLA and VPMpc. Our results suggest that BLA shapes cortical processing of thalamic inputs by dynamically gating the excitatory/inhibitory balance of the GC circuit.

Predictive factors for the development of surgical site infection in adults undergoing initial open inguinal hernia repair.

INTRODUCTION: Despite being one of the most commonly performed general surgery procedures, surgical site infection (SSI) is still seen in primary, elective, open inguinal hernia repair. Studies have reported a wide range of infection rates, yet predictive risk factors have not been definitely identified leading to variability and controversy in the use of pre-operative antibiotics. In this study, the authors seek to identify factors predictive of SSI development in a large cohort of patients undergoing initial unilateral open inguinal repair. METHODS: The American College of Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) personal use file (PUF) database was queried for initial, open, reducible inguinal hernia repair cases in adults with clean surgical sites performed from 2012 to 2015 (CPT 49,505 and class one wound). Patient data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis to identify factors predictive of surgical site infection. RESULTS: 57,951 cases were identified. 90.8% were men with an average age of 58.2 years and a median operative time of 53.0 min. Of all variables evaluated with univariate logistic regression, 17 demonstrated an association with surgical site infection. Performing multiple logistic regression on those 17 variables yielded 3 factors independently associated with surgical site infection: diabetes (OR 2.017, 95% CI 1.012-4.023), BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 (OR 2.587, 95% CI 1.123-5.964), and current smoking (OR 2.071, 95% CI 1.126-3.811). CONCLUSION: Diabetes, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, and current smoking are significantly associated with an increased odds surgical site infection after initial, open, reducible inguinal hernia repair in adults with clean surgical sites.

Emergency room closed reduction versus in situ splinting in the treatment of paediatric supracondylar humerus fractures.

PURPOSE: Displaced supracondylar humerus fractures are treated with open or closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. In 2012, our management of patients with a displaced fracture changed from closed reduction in the emergency department (ED) to in situ splinting prior to closed reduction and pinning in the operating room (OR). The purpose of this study was to investigate if outcomes or complications differ between these two management methods. METHODS: Patients less than ten years old with a Gartland type II or III supracondylar humerus fracture between 2008 and 2016 were included. Cases of polytrauma were excluded. Radiographic outcomes were assessed at follow-up. The Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon rank sums tests for continuous variables. RESULTS: In all, 157 patients were included, 89 with reduction in the ED and 68 without. There was no significant difference between the groups related to demographic factors or fracture characteristics. Patients managed without reduction in the ED had a lower average delay from ED to OR compared with those treated with reduction (16 hours versus 22 hours, p < 0.005) and a shorter hospital length of stay (34 hours versus 40 hours, p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: No difference in complications or outcomes was found between patients with Type II or III supracondylar fractures treated initially with or without closed reduction in the ED. Patients treated without ED reduction were taken to the OR sooner and remained in the hospital for a shorter period of time. Splinting in situ reduces anaesthesia exposure without increasing postoperative complications or suboptimal outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Perioperative management of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Many anaesthesia practitioners caring for patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) lack the knowledge, experience, and requisite programming devices to independently manage these patients perioperatively. A recently updated ASA task force Practice Advisory presents expert opinion regarding the perioperative management of patients with CIEDs, and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) recently published a consensus statement on this subject in collaboration with the ASA, American Heart Association (AHA), and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). The main intent of these documents is to provide recommendations that promote safe management of patients with CIEDs throughout the perioperative period and reduce the likelihood of adverse outcomes. Reviews of this topic focusing on the actions of the anaesthesiologist have been published, but a multidisciplinary approach to the perioperative management is now advocated. In emergent situations, however, or when there is no time for the requisite consultations, and in practice settings where the suggested multidisciplinary approach is simply not feasible, the anaesthesia team must still provide effective, safe perioperative management. Thus, all anaesthesiologists should become familiar with the basics of the current CIED technology and the essential tenets of perioperative CIED management. This review discusses relevant advances in CIED technology and practical perioperative management as outlined in the 2011 ASA Practice Advisory and HRS consensus statement.

Bone mineral density and content of collegiate throwers: influence of maximum strength.

AIM: Bone changes in size and density in response to different levels of stress. Alterations to bone mineral density (BMD) appear to occur in a site specific manner. Even though BMD has been examined in many populations there is a paucity of data looking at strength-power athletes, such as throwers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the BMD of a group of USA Division I collegiate throwers (e.g. shot put, discus, etc.). METHODS: Seven throwers (4 males; 3 females) who were 19.0 + or - 0.9 years had their BMD compared to an age matched control group (n = 14; 8 women and 6 men) and normative data. BMD was measured with dual X-ray absorptometry. Potential right/left side and sex difference in BMD were also examined. Maximal isometric strength was assessed using a mid-thigh pull while standing on a forceplate which generated force-time curves. Peak force (PF) and normalized peak force (PFa) were then correlated with BMDs. RESULTS: Generally, throwers had denser bones with male throwers tending to have a greater total BMD (P < or = 0.05). The dominant arm BMD was slightly greater when compared to non-dominant arm (P < or = 0.05). Furthermore, total body BMD was related to PF (r = 0.68, r(2) = 0.46) and PFa (r = 0.56, r(2) = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Throwers have greater BMDs than non-athletes and most other athletes. However, throwers only showed a small indication of sidedness. It is likely that the BMDs observed in this study stem from the training intervention (e.g. whole body heavy lifting) undertaken by this population.

Ex vivo characterization of human atherosclerotic iliac plaque components using cryo-imaging.

We characterized atherosclerotic plaque components with a novel cryo-imaging system in lieu of standard histological methods commonly used for imaging validation and research endpoints. We aim to accurately identify plaque tissue types from fresh cadaver specimens rapidly (less than 5 h) in three dimensions for large specimens (up to 4 cm vessel segments). A single-blind validation study was designed to determine sensitivity, specificity and inter-rater agreement (Fleiss' Kappa) of cryo-imaging tissue types with histology as the gold standard. Six naïve human raters identified 344 tissue type samples in 36 cryo-image sets after being trained. Tissue type sensitivities are as follows: greater than 90% for adventitia, media-related, smooth muscle cell ingrowth, external elastic lamina, internal elastic lamina, fibrosis, dense calcification and haemorrhage; greater than 80% for lipid and light calcification; and greater than 50% for cholesterol clefts. Specificities were greater than 95% for all tissue types. The results demonstrate convincingly that cryo-imaging can be used to accurately identify most tissue types. If the cryo-imaging data are entered into visualization software, three-dimensional renderings of the plaque can be generated to visualize and quantify plaque components.

Residual mercury content and leaching of mercury and silver from used amalgam capsules.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this investigation was to carry out residual mercury (Hg) determinations and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) analysis of used amalgam capsules. METHODS: For residual Hg analysis, 25 capsules (20 capsules for one brand) from each of 10 different brands of amalgam were analyzed. Total residual Hg levels per capsule were determined using United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Method 7471. For TCLP analysis, 25 amalgam capsules for each of 10 brands were extracted using a modification of USEPA Method 1311. Hg analysis of the TCLP extracts was done with USEPA Method 7470A. Analysis of silver (Ag) concentrations in the TCLP extract was done with USEPA Method 6010B. RESULTS: Analysis of the residual Hg data resulted in the segregation of brands into three groups: Dispersalloy capsules, Group A, retained the most Hg (1.225 mg/capsule). These capsules were the only ones to include a pestle. Group B capsules, Valliant PhD, Optaloy II, Megalloy and Valliant Snap Set, retained the next highest amount of Hg (0.534-0.770 mg/capsule), and were characterized by a groove in the inside of the capsule. Group C, Tytin regular set double-spill, Tytin FC, Contour, Sybraloy regular set, and Tytin regular set single-spill retained the least amount of Hg (0.125-0.266 mg/capsule). TCLP analysis of the triturated capsules showed Sybraloy and Contour leached Hg at greater than the 0.2 mg/l Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) limit. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrated that residual mercury may be related to capsule design features and that TCLP extracts from these capsules could, in some brands, exceed RCRA Hg limits, making their disposal problematic. At current RCRA limits, the leaching of Ag is not a problem.

Creatine supplementation and health variables: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Long-term safety of creatine supplementation has been questioned. This retrospective study was performed to examine markers related to health, the incidence of reported side effects and the perceived training benefits in athletes supplementing with creatine monohydrate. METHODS: Twenty-six athletes (18 M and 8 F, 24.7 +/- 9.2 y; 82.4 +/- 20.0 kg; 176.5 +/- 8.8 cm) from various sports were used as subjects. Blood was collected between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. after a 12-h fast. Standard clinical examination was performed for CBC and 27 blood chemistries. Testosterone, cortisol, and growth hormone were analyzed using an ELISA. Subjects answered a questionnaire on dietary habits, creatine supplementation, medical history, training history, and perceived effects of supplementation. Body mass was measured using a medical scale, body composition was estimated using skinfolds, and resting heart rate and blood pressure were recorded. Subjects were grouped by supplementation length or no use: Gp1 (control) = no use (N = 7; 3 F, 4 M); Gp2 = 0.8-1.0 yr (N = 9; 2 F, 7 M); and Gp3 = 1(+) (N = 10; 3 F, 7 M). RESULTS: Creatine supplementation ranged from 0.8--4 yr. Mean loading dose for Gp2 and Gp3 was 13.7 +/- 10.0 and the maintenance dose was 9.7 +/- 5.7 g.d(-)1. Group differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. CONCLUSIONS: Expected gender differences were observed. Of the comparisons made among supplementation groups, only two differences for creatinine and total protein (P < 0.05) were noted. All group means fell within normal clinical ranges. There were no differences in the reported incidence of muscle injury, cramps, or other side effects. These data suggest that long-term creatine supplementation does not result in adverse health effects.

A new role for computed tomography in the diagnosis and treatment of pyriform sinus fistula.

Neck abscess located in or around the thyroid gland should raise the suspicion of acute suppurative thyroiditis, pyriform sinus fistula, a 3rd or 4th branchial cleft anomaly. Differentiating between these entities on a clinical basis is difficult. After treating the initial infection, computed tomography, barium esophagography, ultrasound, and endoscopy can be used in search of the fistulous tract that can be associated with a pyriform sinus fistula or a 3rd or 4th branchial anomaly. We present a case of a pyriform sinus fistula involving the use of oral contrast, combined with computed tomography, to delineate the tract and its surrounding structures. This method, in combination with endoscopy, aided in the removal of this branchial anomaly.

Supervised training of general surgery residents in carotid endarterectomy performed on awake patients under regional block is safe and desirable.

Previous studies have documented the safety and efficacy of general surgery residents and vascular fellows performing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) under the supervision of an attending surgeon. With the proper supervision of the attending surgeon, these operations can be performed with an acceptably low perioperative stroke and mortality rate. The question remains, however, whether these desirable results can be obtained by general surgery residents when operating on awake patients under regional block (RB) anesthesia. We set out to determine whether it is prudent to promote this technique in this teaching setting. We analyzed 128 CEAs performed at a community teaching hospital training three chief residents a year. These operations were performed by residents under the direct supervision of a single attending vascular surgeon. RB was preferred and was used in 67 operations. General anesthesia (GA) was used in the remaining 61 procedures. Overall mortality was 0 per cent. Patients in the RB group were converted intraoperatively to GA in 4 of 67 (6%) procedures. There was one perioperative stroke in this series (1/128, 0.78%), occurring in a patient under RB (1/67, 1.5 %) leaving the patient with a minor sensory deficit. No strokes occurred in the GA group. There were five temporary cranial nerve deficits (3.9%). Three were in the RB group (4.5%) and two in the GA group (3.3%). General surgery residents can be trained in the performance of carotid endarterectomy using regional block anesthesia in awake patients without compromising patient safety. Suggestions to the effect that only attending physicians and/or vascular fellows can perform these procedures under regional block are without merit.

Mental health in pediatric settings: distribution of disorders and factors related to service use.

OBJECTIVES: To examine child psychiatric disorders in pediatric settings and identify factors associated with parents' use of pediatricians as resources concerning emotional/behavioral issues and use of mental health services. METHOD: The sample consists of 5- to 9-year-olds (mean = 7.17 years, SD = 1.41) from a representative sample (N = 1,060) of pediatric practices. Parent interviews included assessments of psychiatric disorders with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC-R), parental depression/anxiety, possible child abuse, stress, support, and the use of mental health services. RESULTS: The prevalence of any DISC disorder was 16.8%. Parental depression/anxiety and possible child abuse were associated independently with 2- to 3-times higher rates of disorder. Many parents (55%) who reported any disorder did not report discussing behavioral/emotional concerns with their pediatrician. Factors associated with discussing behavioral/emotional issues were the presence of any disorder and financial stress. Factors related to seeing a mental health professional were discussing behavioral/emotional issues with the pediatrician, single parenthood, and stressful life events. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates of disorders in this setting suggest that pediatricians are well-placed to identify and refer children with psychiatric disorders. However, most parents do not discuss behavioral/emotional issues with their pediatrician. Methods for improving rates of identification and referral (e.g., routine screening) are considered.

NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV (NIMH DISC-IV): description, differences from previous versions, and reliability of some common diagnoses.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV (NIMH DISC-IV) and how it differs from earlier versions of the interview. The NIMH DISC-IV is a highly structured diagnostic interview, designed to assess more than 30 psychiatric disorders occurring in children and adolescents, and can be administered by "lay" interviewers after a minimal training period. The interview is available in both English and Spanish versions. METHOD: An editorial board was established in 1992 to guide DISC development and ensure that a standard version of the instrument is maintained. Preliminary reliability and acceptability results of the NIMH DISC-IV in a clinical sample of 84 parents and 82 children (aged 9-17 years) drawn from outpatient child and adolescent psychiatric clinics at 3 sites are presented. Results of the previous version in a community sample are reviewed. RESULTS: Despite its greater length and complexity, the NIMH DISC-IV compares favorably with earlier versions. Alternative versions of the interview are in development (the Present State DISC, the Teacher DISC, the Quick DISC, the Voice DISC). CONCLUSIONS: The NIMH DISC is an acceptable, inexpensive, and convenient instrument for ascertaining a comprehensive range of child and adolescent diagnoses.

Parent and child contributions to diagnosis of mental disorder: are both informants always necessary?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the unique cases contributed by parent and child informants to diagnostic classification, with the goal of identifying those diagnoses for which either or both informants are needed. METHOD: The authors examined survey data from the Methods for the Epidemiology of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders (MECA) Study, a 4-community epidemiology survey of 9- to 17-year-old children and their parents. Parent-child dyads (1,285 pairs) were independently interviewed by lay persons with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children; a subset of these pairs (n = 247) were also interviewed by clinicians. Agreement between parents and children was examined with respect to levels of impairment, need for/use of services, and clinicians' diagnoses. RESULTS: Parents and children rarely agreed on the presence of diagnostic conditions, regardless of diagnostic type. Nonetheless, most child-only- and parent-only-identified diagnoses were similarly related to impairment and clinical validation, with 2 exceptions: child-only-identified attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). CONCLUSIONS: Overall findings suggest that most "discrepant" diagnoses (those reported by one but not the other informant) reflect meaningful clinical conditions. In some instances, however, diagnoses reported by one but not the other informant should be treated with caution, as they may not reflect the full diagnostic condition (e.g., possibly child-only-identified ADHD or ODD). Further research is needed to determine the salience of child-only- or parent-only-reported cases.

Correlation between computed tomography and surgical findings in retropharyngeal inflammatory processes in children.

Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) in children is a potentially life-threatening process which often requires immediate surgical intervention. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) is utilized frequently to determine abscess versus cellulitis/phlegmon and aids in determining cases needing surgical drainage. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the accuracy of CT in distinguishing retropharyngeal abscess from cellulitis in children. The medical records of 32 children from 1989 to 1997 suspected of having a retropharyngeal abscess were reviewed. All patients included in the study underwent a CT scan as well as surgical exploration within 48 h of the scan. Two patients required two surgical procedures (n = 34). A comparison between CT results and operative findings was made to determine the accuracy of CT imaging in confirming the presence of RPA versus cellulitis. Suspected diagnosis of abscess or cellulitis/phlegmon on CT was confirmed at surgery in 25 of 34 cases (73.5%). The false positive rate of CT scan was 11.8% (4/34), while the false negative rate was 14.7% (5/34). Based on our results, CT is accurate in differentiating abscess from cellulitis in 73.5% of cases. Clinical findings, as well as radiologic findings, must be considered together prior to surgical drainage of a suspected retropharyngeal abscess in children.

Effects of in-season (5 weeks) creatine and pyruvate supplementation on anaerobic performance and body composition in American football players.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the efficacy of two dietary supplements on measures of body mass, body composition, and performance in 42 American football players. Group CM (n = 9) received creatine monohydrate, Group P (n = 11) received calcium pyruvate, Group COM (n = 11) received a combination of calcium pyruvate (60%) and creatine (40%), and Group PL received a placebo. Tests were performed before (T1) and after (T2) the 50 week supplementation period, during which the subjects continued their normal training schedules. Compared to P and PL, CM and COM showed significantly greater increases for body mass, lean body mass, 1 repetition maximum (RM) bench press, combined 1 RM squat and bench press, and static vertical jump (SVJ) power output. Peak rate of force development for SVJ was significantly greater for CM compared to P and PL. Creatine and the combination supplement enhanced training adaptations associated with body mass/composition, maximum strength, and SVJ; however, pyruvate supplementation alone was ineffective.

Psychiatric comorbidity among adolescents with substance use disorders: findings from the MECA Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the extent to which adolescents in the community with current substance use disorders (SUD) experience co-occurring psychiatric disorders. METHOD: Diagnostic data were obtained from probability samples of 401 children and adolescents, aged 14 to 17 years, and their mothers/caretakers, who participated in the Methods for the Epidemiology of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders (MECA) Study. RESULTS: The rates of mood and disruptive behavior disorders are much higher among adolescents with current SUD than among adolescents without SUD. Comparison with adult samples suggests that the rates of current comorbidity of SUD with psychiatric disorders are the same among adolescents as adults, and lower for lifetime disruptive disorders/antisocial personality disorder among adolescents than adults. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of coexisting psychiatric disorders among adolescents with SUD in the community needs to be taken into account in prevention and treatment programs.

The removal of mercury from dental-operatory wastewater by polymer treatment.

The mercury (Hg) content of dental-operatory wastewater has become an issue in many localities, and Hg removal is rapidly becoming a matter of concern for all dental clinics. This preliminary study tested the efficacy of polymers for the removal of Hg contaminants from the dental-unit wastewater stream. Two commercially available polymers were used to treat dental-operatory wastewater. Used separately, each polymer removed from 74.9% to 88.4% of the Hg from dental-wastewater supernatant. The polymers used in combination, within the recommended pH range, removed up to 99.9% of the total Hg from dental-wastewater supernatant. The estimated optimal concentration of the two polymers is approximately 2.33 ml of each per liter of waste, and more than 90% of the Hg may be removed with 0.13 ml/l. Results indicate that a combination of the two polymers may sufficiently reduce Hg levels to allow discharge of clarified supernatants into public sewer systems.

The NIMH Methods for the Epidemiology of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders (MECA) Study: background and methodology.

OBJECTIVE: A collaborative study was conducted to develop methods for surveys of mental disorder and service utilization in unscreened population-based samples of children and adolescents. METHOD: Probability household samples of youths 9 through 17 years of age were selected at four sites and interviews were conducted with a total of 1,285 pairs of youths and their adult caretakers in their homes. Lay interviewers administered a computer-assisted version of the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version 2.3 and structured interviews to assess demographic variables, functional impairment, risk factors, service utilization, and barriers to service utilization. RESULTS: More than 7,500 households were enumerated at four sites, with enumeration response rates above 99%. Across sites, 84% of eligible youth-caretaker pairs were interviewed for about 2 hours each. Ninety-five percent of both youths and caretakers found the interview to be acceptable enough to recommend to a friend. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that large-scale epidemiological surveys of mental disorders and mental health service use involving lengthy interviews in the homes of unscreened population-based samples of youths and their adult caretakers are acceptable to the community and can achieve good response rates. The other reports in this Special Section address the reliability and validity of the various survey instruments and other key findings.