Screening for self-plagiarism in a subspecialty-versus-general imaging journal using iThenticate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Self-plagiarism is a form of research misconduct that can dilute the credibility and reputation of a scientific journal, as well as the represented specialty. Journal editors are aware of this problem when reviewing submissions and use on-line plagiarism-analysis programs to facilitate detection. The American Journal of Neuroradiology (AJNR) uses iThenticate to screen several submitted original research manuscripts selected for review per issue and retrospectively assesses 3 issues per year. The prevalence of self-plagiarism in AJNR was compared with that in Radiology; the necessity and cost of more extensive screening in AJNR were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The self-duplication rate in AJNR original research articles was compared with that in Radiology, a general imaging journal that screens all submitted original research manuscripts selected for review by using iThenticate. The rate of self-duplication in original research articles from 2 randomly selected 2012 AJNR issues was compared with the rate in the prior year to gauge the need for more extensive screening. A cost analysis of screening all submitted original research manuscripts selected for review by using iThenticate was performed. RESULTS: Using an empiric 15% single-source duplication threshold, we found that the rate of significant self-plagiarism in original research articles was low for both journals. While AJNR had more articles exceeding this threshold, most instances were insignificant. Analyzing 2 randomly chosen issues of AJNR for single-source duplication of >15% in original research articles yielded no significant differences compared with an entire year. The approximate annual cost of screening all submitted original research manuscripts selected for review was US $6800.00. CONCLUSIONS: While the rate of self-plagiarism was low in AJNR and similar to that in Radiology, its potential cost in negative impact on AJNR and the subspecialty of neuroradiology justifies the costs of broader screening.

Spinal epidural lubricant grease collection mimicking traumatic spinal epidural hematoma.

We report an unusual case of a patient with an epidural fluid collection with signal characteristics mimicking an epidural hematoma. The patient presented with myelopathy caused by thoracic spinal cord compression after a traumatic injury to the chest and back. The injury was caused by high-pressure injection of industrial-grade lubricant grease. This case demonstrates that cord compression can be caused by exogenous material in the setting of trauma that can mimic an acute epidural hematoma.

Extended antiretroviral treatment interruption in HIV-infected patients with long-term suppression of plasma HIV RNA.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of extended treatment interruption (TI) in chronic HIV infection among patients successfully treated with antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: An observational analysis of 25 patients in a prospectively followed cohort with chronic HIV infection, viral loads <500 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL for at least 6 months, and an interruption in therapy of >/=28 days duration was carried out. Follow up was divided into 3-month time periods for analysis. The effects of time period, stratification group and stratification group by time period interactions on CD4 counts were tested using a mixed model. Univariate comparisons among patient characteristics and responses were performed using Fisher's exact test or the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: At initiation of TI, the median CD4 count was 799 cells/microL. TI duration was a median of 7.1 months. HIV RNA rebounded to a median maximum level of 75 000 copies/mL. Maximum viral rebound was significantly greater in patients who were male, had lipodystrophy and had zenith HIV RNA prior to TI of >/=50 000 copies/mL. Lower CD4 cell counts were observed during TI in patients with lipodystrophy, zenith HIV RNA >/=50 000 copies/mL, history of AIDS, HIV infection >/=5 years and presuppression CD4 count